Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Association Between Latent Toxoplasma Gondii Infection And Alzheimer's Disease, Cynthia Elizabeth Wyman

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Many studies have found an association between Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and behavioral and cognitive changes in animal models and in humans. In addition, early findings have suggested an association between T. gondii seropositivity and Alzheimer's disease (AD). We sought to determine whether there is an association between T. gondii seropositivity and AD as well as cognitive functioning (including memory, working memory, processing speed, language functioning, executive functioning) in a large, well-characterized sample of subjects with AD and matched controls without dementia. Method: Using ELISA assays, we determined anti-T. gondii IgG antibody titers in 114 control subjects and in …

Numerical Cognition In Action: Hand Trajectories Reveal Effects Of Early Musical Training On Numerical Processing In Spanish-English Bilingual Musicians, Daniel Arturo Pizaña

Theses and Dissertations

The mouse-tracking study examined whether early musical experience leads to changes of inhibitory control in numerical processing for bilingual speakers, as has not investigated in previous studies. Twenty-eight Spanish-English bilingual students completed two Stroop-like numerical and physical size judgment tasks via a mouse-tracking paradigm. Results showed that response times were slower during both incongruent and neutral trials for bilinguals who had received early musical training (before age 13) when compared to bilinguals who had received late musical training (after age 13) across tasks. Furthermore, hand trajectories revealed that a spatial attraction toward the incorrect response was more pronounced in bilinguals …

Moving Toward And Away From Others: A Person-Centered Analysis Of Social Orientations In Emerging Adulthood, Nathan A. Jorgensen

Theses and Dissertations

Emerging adulthood is a time rife with transitions, and is thus an important time period to study the various ways in which people both connect with and move away from others, or how they are socially oriented. Previous research has suggested a number of factors that contribute to social orientations, including social motivations, the self in relation to others, other-directed emotions and cognitions, and actual social behaviors. The current study examined what types of social orientations exist and how they relate to indices of relational and individual well-being in a sample of US emerging adults (N = 787). Using latent …

Referring Forms And Cognitive Status In Non-Narrative American Sign Language Texts, Tamara Michelle Grosso

Theses and Dissertations

In their work on referring expressions and cognition, Gundel et al. (1993) propose a model called the Givenness Hierarchy which suggests that there are basic referring expressions in languages which can signal the cognitive status of their referents. Supported by cross-linguistic research, the theory proposes six cognitive statuses which have forms associated with them such that if that form is used (successfully), the referent must have at least that status on the scale. In 2002, Swabey published a doctoral dissertation researching the Givenness Hierarchy for American Sign Language (ASL) in narrative texts. She compared the distribution of referring forms cross-linguistically …

The Gritty Black Single Mother: Protective Factors And The Influence Of Black Single Mother’S Grit On Young Adult Outcomes, Keara Cherrell Washington

Theses and Dissertations

Over the span of decades, literature has highlighted that offspring from Black Single Maternal Caregiver Households (BSMCH) will experience negative outcomes, including academic deficits and psychological distress, as a function of the adversarial barriers (i.e. low socioeconomic status, mother’s lack of educational attainment, and ecological threats) encountered within their environment. Despite the apparent potential negative outcomes, there are numerous examples of Black offspring from BSMCH who are resilient and successful, despite dire familial circumstances. However, their stories do not appear to be reflected in the literature. The purpose of this study was to reveal the untold story of resilient Black …

Laying The Foundation For A Fremont Phytolith Typology Using Select Plant Species Native To Utah County, Madison Natasha Pearce

Theses and Dissertations

Archaeobotanical evidences for the presence of wild plants at Fremont archaeological sites are numerous. However, little can be positively argued for why those plants are present, if they were used by site inhabitants, and how they were used. Additionally, there are likely several wild plants that were used but that do not appear in the archaeobotanical record as pollen or macrobotanicals, the two most commonly identified plant remains. I argue that it is possible to provide better interpretations for how and why the Fremont used plants by researching how their historic counterparts, the Goshute, Shoshone, Ute, and Southern Paiute, used …

A Validation Study Of The Cross Cultural Competenc E Navigator, Xiaowen Chen

Theses and Dissertations

C ross cultural competency (3C) is defined as an individual’s capability to effectively function in culturally diverse contexts, which is influenced by a set of individual antecedents. In the literature 3C has been characterized by a number of models and associated measures. In this thesis, 3C capability was described by seven distinctive antecedents, i.e. mindfulness, inquisitiveness, interpersonal skills, emotional stability, cultural knowledge, cultural experience and foreign language. A pragmatic 3C model was presented based on the literature findings, detailing the underlying mechanisms of 3C and its potential nomological network. The model attempted to reconcile three major disagreements in 3C research, …

Effects Of Cultural Factors In Sports-Related Concussion Testing Performance Of Collegiate Athletes, Gabriela Andrea González Torres

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was to explore potential differences in preseason baseline concussion testing between an ethnically and linguistically diverse sample of Division 2 NCAA collegiate student-athletes. A value-added second aim was to create awareness regarding the implications of multiculturalism as it relates to neuropsychological testing of sport related concussions. This study is part of a, slow yet steady, growing body of research concerning diversity issues within the sport setting. 479 Division II collegiate athletes from the Florida Institute of Technology were assessed during mandatory preseason baseline testing. The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, the Sports Concussion …

Two-Week Test-Retest Reliability Of The Scale Of Accurate Personality Prediction, Lisa Dawn Stewart

Theses and Dissertations

The Scale of Accurate Personality Prediction (SAPP) is a measure derived from the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF Fifth Edition) with the objective of assessing one’s level of self-knowledge. The SAPP measures self-knowledge by appraising the extent to which individuals are able to accurately predict their personality traits. Previous research on the SAPP has provided support for its construct validation. The present study served as a replication of prior reliability studies to further assess the SAPP’s temporal stability. Test-retest reliability data of the SAPP was obtained by comparing SAPP scores from 34 individuals across two testing sessions that were two …

Training Personal Information To Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Diana C. Carlos

Theses and Dissertations

For many children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning emergency information such as their parents’ names, contact information, or important health information may be useful in case of elopement, getting lost, or abduction. In the present study, I evaluated the use of video self-modeling (VSM) to facilitate acquisition of personal information in comparison to echoic prompts using a parallel treatments design with children with ASD. Components of the intervention included: a test, followed by the prompt (e.g., echoic or VSM) for no response given or for an incorrect response. The use of VSM involves the learner viewing a video of …

Evaluation Of A Tool To Identify The Variables Responsible For Poor Parent Treatment Implementation: The Performance Diagnostic Checklist-Parent, Jamie Villacorta

Theses and Dissertations

In applied behavior analysis, parents are often taught to implement treatment programs in order to decrease their child’s problem behaviors and increase appropriate behaviors. Unfortunately, many parents have trouble implementing these programs correctly. It has been suggested that higher treatment integrity for a specified treatment program may be associated with higher levels of its success. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the use of an assessment tool (i.e., the Performance Diagnostic Checklist-Parent, or PDC-P) to develop a treatment specifically targeted to address the variables responsible for poor program implementation by parents. First, the PDC-P was administered to …

Temperature Effects On An Axon’S Ability To Maintain Phasing Of A Rhythmic Motor System, Marissa Elaine Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

The precise timing of action potentials generated in the nervous system is crucial for generating adequate behavior. Once generated, action potentials travel along axons towards the neurons or muscles they innervate. Axons are also responsible for preserving the temporal fidelity of the generated action potentials. One challenge axons face is that they can be of considerable length, and exposed to changes in internal and external conditions. Temperature fluctuations, for example, affect the ion channels that generate and propagate action potentials causing changes in action potential speed. It is unclear if, and how, the timing of action potentials can be preserved …

Pavarësia Editoriale E Lajmeve Në Rtk, Endrita Peqani

Theses and Dissertations

Ndikimi i televizionit në jetën tonë të përditshme është shumë i madh. Përveç ndikimit në rritje, ky punim analizon kulturën dhe sfidat e televizionit në aspektin kulturor të zhvillimit të shoqërisë në Kosovë. Duke pasur parasysh këtë dhe duke u bazuar në disa analiza studimore është kuptuar se televizioni është medium më me ndikim në Kosovë, por ka një tendencë në rritje të ndikimit të televizioni ndaj mediave sociale. Televizioni është mjet më i fuqishëm i komunikimit masiv dhe mjet më i fuqishëm i informimit. Televizioni ka rol shumë të rëndësishëm në edukimin dhe argëtimin e njeriut. Mjet të shprehjes, …

Dialektet, Funksionet Dhe Rastet E Pëdorimit Të Tyre Në Raportim Për Mediat E Reja, Anita Ademi

Theses and Dissertations

Pa dyshim jetojmë në një botë elektronike dhe kemi aq shumë zhvillme nga çdo fushë duke filluare zhvillet politike, ekonomike, kuturore, show bizz, sporti, auto-tech, lifestyle, rajon dhe botë. Secili gazetarë që gjenden në vendngjarje dëshiron të jetë i pari që ta publikoj lajmin, që lajmi i tyre të jetë sa më i shpejt tek lexuesit, nuk janë të tillë që çdo herë kemi qasje në gabime të cilat janë të shumta në mediat e reja ( portale). Mediat e reja në ditët e sotme janë të shumta të cilat çdo ditë po janë më aktive në botën tonë, por …

Përparësitë Dhe Mangësitë E Gazetarisë Online, Marigona Kqiku

Theses and Dissertations

Krijimi i portaleve të para informative në vend ka një histori relativisht të shkurtër që shkon disi më shumë se një dekadë.Mediat online, ashtu si i gjithë tregu mediatik ka nevojë për të ardhura financiare për të mbijetuar dhe vazhduar aktivitetin. Por, sa arrijnë këto portale të sigurojnë të ardhura? Cilat janë marrëdhëniet e tyre me reklamuesit, dhe sa ka ndryshuar sjellja e këtyre të fundit në shpërndarjen e buxheteve të reklamës?

Nga ana tjetër këto media të reja kanë krijuar dhe një treg shtesë për gazetarët apo reporterët e rinj, të cilët tashmë përbëjnë një komunitet të rëndësishëm.Ndonëse para …

Media Kosovare Dhe Sfidat E Saj Përballë Korrupsionit, Arlinda Bytyçi

Theses and Dissertations

Tema me titull: “Media Kosovare dhe sfidat e saj përballë korrupsionit” ka një vlerë të rëndësishme për faktin se flitet për një sektor të gazetarisë së ndjeshme, ku rreziqet e raportimit janë evidente gjatë gjithë kohës. Të luftosh korrupsionin, do të thotë të luftosh njerëz me ndikim në pushtet dhe njerëz me ndikim në jetën politike e biznesore. Andaj lufta kundër korrupsionit sjell pasoja e rreziqe të shumta. Nisur nga ky fakt do të fokusohemi më tepër në teknikat që përdorin mediat për ta luftuar korrupsionin.

Ky punim paraqet një përpjekje për t’i ndriçuar dhe analizuar disa nga karakteristikat e …

Nato Dhe Be – Pёrplasje Apo Bashkёpunim Nё Fushёn E Sigurisё, Erza Salihu

Theses and Dissertations

Bota në përgjithësi, përgjatë viteve është njohur dhe është përballur me kriza të shumta si në aspektin politik, ekonomik, kultoror e atë të sigurisë. Të gjitha qeveritë e shteteve më të fuqishme të botës kanë bërë përherë përpjekje të shumta në përmirësimin, zhvillimin dhe sigurimin e stabilitetit për qytetarët e tyre. Por kur them këtë kam parasysh që kjo nuk ka qenë dhe akoma nuk është fare e lehtë, e kjo ka rrjedhur si rezultat i vështirësive në fushën e bashkëpunimit ndërmjet shteteve e organizatave më të fuqishme botërore. Në këtë punim diplome, theksi im do jetë pikërisht në këtë …

Nato Dhe Be – Pёrplasje Apo Bashkёpunim Nё Fushёn E Sigurisё, Erza Salihu

Theses and Dissertations

Bota në përgjithësi, përgjatë viteve është njohur dhe është përballur me kriza të shumta si në aspektin politik, ekonomik, kultoror e atë të sigurisë. Të gjitha qeveritë e shteteve më të fuqishme të botës kanë bërë përherë përpjekje të shumta në përmirësimin, zhvillimin dhe sigurimin e stabilitetit për qytetarët e tyre. Por kur them këtë kam parasysh që kjo nuk ka qenë dhe akoma nuk është fare e lehtë, e kjo ka rrjedhur si rezultat i vështirësive në fushën e bashkëpunimit ndërmjet shteteve e organizatave më të fuqishme botërore. Në këtë punim diplome, theksi im do jetë pikërisht në këtë …

Roli I Partive Politike Nё Konsolidimin E Republikёs Sё Kosovёs, Elma Salihu

Theses and Dissertations

Arritjes së pavarsisë së Kosovës më 17 shkurt 2008, i kanë paraprirë procese, sfida nga më të ndryshmet.

Ky punim diplome përmban një përmbledhje, kronologji dhe analizë të proceseve të cilat kanë përshkuar Kosovën ndër vite, duke vënë në fokus një ndër bartësit apo njërin ndër elementet kryesore të cilat i kanë paraprirë këtyre proceseve në raste të shumta, respektivisht partive politike.

Gjeopolitika e kohës dhe historiografia kanë dëshmuar që, Kosova është njohur përherë si pikë neuralgjike në të cilën janë ndërthurur interesa të shumta qofshin ato rajonale, evropiane por edhe më gjerë. Por, kjo padyshim që ka sjellur edhe …

The Effects Of Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Team (Cw-Fit) Tier 1 In A Middle School Special Education Classroom, Robyn Katie Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Middle school special education teachers are often concerned about challenging behavior. In recent years, school wide positive behavior support (SWPBS) has been shown to be effective in improving students behavior. Class-wide Function-related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) is a SWPBS-based program designed to for implementation at the classroom level. CW-FIT utilizes an interdependent group contingency by utilizing social skills training, teacher praise, and positive reinforcement to improve students behavior. Students are taught how to achieve specific social skills and then work in teams, using these social skills, to earn a group reward. CW-FIT has been effective in elementary general education classrooms. It …

"Sure It's Foreign Music, But It's Not Foreign To Me" Understanding K-Pop's Popularity In The U.S. Using Q Sort, Janice Kim Cho

Theses and Dissertations

Korea has become a strong influencer of global popular culture. With a handful of Korean celebrities entering mainstream U.S. pop music, Hallyu, the Korean Wave, has been growing tremendously in popularity. Following this global trend, American audiences are increasingly tuning into K-pop. The current study uses Q-sort methodology to investigate the motives, opinions, and attitudes of American fans of K-pop, specifically to find what drives people to seek music whose roots lie in an unfamiliar cultural landscape. Study results show that non-Korean K-pop fans in the United States fall into three distinct groups: the human lovers ("Honey honey, how you …

The Post-Revolutionary Roles Of Fidel Castro: A Semiotic Analysis Of Cuban Political Posters, 1959-1988, Meghan Elizabeth Payne

Theses and Dissertations

This study employs semiotic methods to identify the post-revolutionary roles of former Cuban President Fidel Castro in order to classify the transformations of his character portrayal over time. Informed by Goffman's framing theory as well as suggestions of agenda-setting and priming, this qualitative study analyzes 19 propaganda posters for communications of encoded messages. In this medium, the research explores thematic patterns of sociopolitical and sociocultural signs which add to the richness of Castro's appeal. In addition to providing a unique perspective on interrogating visual images, this study offers a better understanding of the influential power of professional design and the …

A Content Analysis Of The Portrayal Of Refugees In U.S. News Media, Tambi Farouk Issac

Theses and Dissertations

This content analysis examined the portrayal of refugees in the United States by comparing four online news outlets—two conservative outlets: Fox News and Breitbart; and two liberal outlets: CNN and The New Yorker. Fox News and CNN are the most popular outlets among conservatives and liberals, respectively, while Breitbart and The New Yorker are the most polar. The study explored whether the frames used by online U.S. news outlets differ based on the ideological leaning of the outlet, specifically in regards to stories about refugees. Media outlets can influence the public opinion by controlling what they publish and …

Nature Or Nurture In English Academic Writing: Korean And American Rhetorical Patterns, Sunok Kim

Theses and Dissertations

For many years, linguists, ESL writing teachers, and especially students have puzzled over the phenomenon where non-native English writers' sentences are grammatically correct, but their paragraphs and complete essays often appear illogical to native English speaking readers. From the perspective of Kaplan's original contrastive rhetoric theory where American rhetoric is "linear," Korean L2 writers' apparently circular rhetoric causes problems. Even though Korean writers are trying to write paragraphs that are logical for native English readers, this illogical output results in Korean ESL students being perceived as poor writers. In order to discover more about the nature of the rhetorical problems …

Intercultural Accommodation: Accommodating Communication To People Of Different Groups, Marcus M. Gruwell

Theses and Dissertations

The current study attempts to address the widening division of race and communication due to a large continuation of demographics in Western countries like the United States. Using Communication Accommodation Theory and studies from Postcolonialism to the study, the researcher hopes to develop a more concrete understanding as to why people will change their speaking behaviors when encountering different groups. Concepts of the behavior of Postcolonial mentality and changes in speaking behaviors will better create a more social construct as to why people act in certain ways towards different people

Learning A Language: The Gateway To Cosmopolitanism, Caleb Griffin

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the relationship between language acquisition and ethnocentrism. Specifically, does learning additional languages reduce ethnocentrism in an individual? After reviewing the literature on social groups, ethnocentrism, and language acquisition, a quantitative test was carried out. This consisted of a survey design implemented in Morocco using Moroccan subjects. Although learning additional languages was correlated with less ethnocentrism, the results did not meet the threshold for statistical significance. The variables that did have a statistically significant impact on ethnocentrism and prejudice were contact and age.

Serving Their Country And Their Communities? An Exploratory Study Of The Impact Of Military Presence On County-Level Crime Rates, Rocio A. Paez

Theses and Dissertations

Criminologists have long established an association between social disorganization factors and crime. The majority of criminological literature on social disorganization, however, has overlooked the role that certain social institutions play into the equation. Specifically, the degree to which military presence, manifested by the exposure to the military institution and its personnel, influences local areas has yet to be examined from a criminological perspective. This dissertation was designed to extend this body of research by envisioning the military as a social institution salient in understanding variation in the of crime and delinquency across communities. To accomplish this, I relied on data …

Hope, Goals, & Homosexuality: An Examination Of Current American Public Opinion On Homosexuality, Joshua K. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past five years, American public opinion on homosexuality has rapidly shifted in a more positive direction. Its subjugation exemplifies how an intimate and singular topic can be used to ignite and potentially misguide the American people, resulting in violent demonstration and even death. Although public opinion has shifted towards a greater acceptance of homosexuality, viewpoints are still very polarized. In addition to the available literature, elements from the complete data set of the General Social Survey (1972-2014) were analyzed to better understand this polarization that persists. Subject-specific variables concerning homosexuality were extrapolated and simple Ordinary Least Squares regression …

Adolescent Networks: An Exploratory Study Assessing Bullying Victimization And Outcomes Of Social Capital On School Avoidance, Kristen Nicole Sobba

Theses and Dissertations

Bullying victimization has been found to lead to several detrimental effects including depression, anxiety, poor academic achievement, and, in extreme cases, suicidal tendencies. One consequence that has not been studied as extensively is school avoidance. School avoidance can lead to further emotional problems and school dropout, therefore, addressing ways to deter this problem is imperative for future research. The purpose of this dissertation was to identify correlates of school avoidance in addition to understanding the moderating relationship of bullying victimization and social capital on school avoidance. It was expected that social capital would serve as a buffer to bullying victimization, …

Addressing Mental Health, Substance Abuse, And Recidivism In The Juvenile Justice System, Danielle N. Gieschen

Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown links between mental health concerns, substance abuse concerns, and recidivism for youth. However, the vast majority of studies have not examined the impact that receiving services or treatment compliance has on this relationship. In this study, mental health concerns, mental health treatment, alcohol and substance abuse concerns, alcohol and substance abuse treatment and recidivism within the juvenile justice system were examined. The electronic and paper probation files and the paper court files for 77 youth were examined to determine the impact that receiving mental health or substance abuse services has on reducing the likelihood of recidivism. Furthermore, …