Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

United States Security Assistance Training Of Latin American Militaries: Intentions And Results, Barry L. Brewer

Theses and Dissertations

The United States has used security assistance training in Latin America as an element of foreign policy. This study determines intentions and results of security assistance training in Latin America and analyzes training statistics to evaluate its use as an instrument of foreign policy. This study also assesses the contribution of defense schools where Latin Americans receive security assistance training in their native Spanish language. The overriding purpose behind this research is to determine if security assistance training was intended to be a Cold War instrument of foreign policy or if it is an instrument of a more enduring nature. …

United States Security Assistance 1977-1980: Human Rights Issues Affecting Arms Transfers, Gary E. Gordon

Theses and Dissertations

The 1970s were a period of great transition for the United States. Plagued by the Vietnam conflict, a conflict which we could never win because of poor planning and lack of resolve by government officials in the highest office, and the Watergate debacle, where our government veered out of control, the time was ripe for change. Which is precisely why the ideals and philosophies of one James Earl Carter enabled him to ascend to become the 39th President of the United States. President Carter entered office pledging the United States would lead the way in the restriction of weapons exports …

The Implementation Of Federal Government Policy In The Reuse Planning Of Military Installations: A Case Study Of Gentile Air Force Station, John L. Hoover

Theses and Dissertations

Local communities affected by a base closure are uncertain as to their future and look to the federal government for guidance and economic assistance in rebuilding their local economy. The local communities want to close the base with as little federal government interference as possible and convert the base to civilian use with as much federal financial assistance as possible. During 1993-1994 two Air Force Institute of Technology research teams began longitudinal case studies of the base closure and rescue process at Gentile Air Force Station, Ohio to determine the effectiveness of the federal government's current approach. These research teams …

Security Assistance To Japan: Assessment Of Political, Military, And Economic Issues From 1947 To 1989, David W. Puvogel

Theses and Dissertations

Japan is an important ally of the United States in part due to its strategic location at the intersection of China, Korea, and the Soviet Union. Japan is vital to the maintenance of regional stability and has been used by the United States in the East Asian balance of power. The relationship changed through time from the American occupation after World War II, to the rebuilding phase of Japan's economy, and finally a progression towards a more independent Japan capable of a larger portion of self defense. The rebuilding process of Japan was carried out largely by the United States …

United States Security Assistance To Israel 1967-1979, Lance J. Newbold

Theses and Dissertations

U.S.-Israeli relations are unique and unmatched by American relations with any other foreign country. This relationship has been especially important in the area of security assistance, however, it was not until after the Six Day War in 1967, that the United States became the main supplier of arms to Israel. The examination of U.S. foreign policy and its security assistance implications towards Israel from the Six Day War in 1967 through the signing of the Camp David Accords in 1979 are the focus of this study. As a historical study, this research relies on the review of substantial amounts of …

A Study Of The Best Messages, Channels And Audiences To Increase Vocations To The Catholic Diocesan Priesthood, Martin R. Coppola

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the best messages, channels and audiences to increase vocations to the Catholic diocesan priesthood. The study sought to determine the best messages, channels for those messages and audiences to receive those messages in an effort to increase vocations to the Catholic diocesan priesthood.

In addition to providing a demographic profile of priests, seminarians and men considering a vocation from three different dioceses across the country, the study sought to determine general information on the messages and channels that had influenced men who are already priests, seminarians and considering a vocation.

This non-probability …

The Interactive Effects Of Caffeine And Phase Of Menstrual Cycle On The Recall Of Prose Passages, Jacqueline Marie Mcpherson

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has yielded inconsistent results regarding the effects of caffeine on memory. Such inconsistency is likely to a large extent a function of the complex interaction effects of caffeine and other variables such as estrogen. The purpose of the present study was to discern possible variation in the effects of caffeine on the recall of prose for females tested during days 1-5 or 9-13 of their menstrual cycle. One hundred and seven subjects received either O mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, or 4 mg/kg of caffeine. Following an absorption period, subjects read six passages from a computer terminal and immediately afterwards, …

Noun Classification Or Spatial Categorization: Damana Orientation Verbs, Larry P. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis argues against a nominal classification analysis of orientation verbs in Damana, A Chibchan language of northern Colombia. As shown through a careful analysis of eleven verbs, the verbal system of Damana primarily encodes spatial relations and does not classify objects by shape.

The evidence for this conclusion proceeds from several areas. First, I show that Damana does not meet the requirement for a noun class system. Secondly, I show that the same object can be freely associated with various verb stems depending on the object's orientation. Thirdly, in metaphorical extensions involving these 'noun class' verbs, it is a …

Verbal Learning And Memory In Adults With Mild, Moderate And Severe Closed Head Injury, Paula J. Bergloff

Theses and Dissertations

One of the most prevalent of cognitive dysfunctions associated with closed head injury is impaired_memory function. The current study examined qualitative and quantitative aspects of learning and memory to define the effects of mild head injury in comparison to moderate and severe head injury and a sample of normal controls.

Forty five survivors of severe (n=15), moderate (n=15) and mild (n=15) closed head injury were compared with age and education matched controls (n=15) on the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS). On CVLT learning trials, head injured groups recalled less than controls, with the severely …

An Introduction To The Verbal System Of Central Dangaleat, Lawrence R. Burke

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an analysis of the verbal system of Central Dangaleat, an Eastern Chadic language spoken in central Chad. Following the general introduction in chapter 1, the second chapter provides a basic introduction to the phonological system of the Central Dangaleat verbal system, focusing especially on syllable structure and epenthesis, vowel harmony and the tone system. Special attention is given to the relationship between consonant quality and tone in the language. Chapters 3 through 7 attempt to relate the Central Dangaleat tense, aspect and mood system to the proposals concerning the development of aspectual categories in Chadic as a …

A Study Of The Practices Of Successful Alumni Associations, Maggie Wilt

Theses and Dissertations

This study identified through secondary research the criteria necessary to operate a successful alumni association. Successful in this context refers to the ability to get alumni involved in the association and to maintain their interest and support.

This secondary research uncovered six areas of alumni association management. These criteria are: career development, techniques of communication, alumni gatherings, alumni benefits and bonuses, management and resources and special interest groups. These were applied to the primary research by forming the structure of the alumni association survey.

The alumni association survey involved contacting 16 alumni directors whose organizations have high involvement rates and …

A Study Of Computer On-Line Regulation: Advertising, Copyright, Free Speech, Libel And Privacy, Frances Josephsen

Theses and Dissertations

This research project concerned identifying and detailing current and needed laws governing on-line communication.

Through a representative literature review, the author compiled a list of industry leaders for interview via electronic mail.

The author surveyed 35 individuals to gather public opinion on the following areas: advertising, copyright, free speech, libel and privacy. The author looked for general opinions and attitudes.

The author analyzed the content of each response using simple frequencies and searched for commonalities within the survey sample responses.

The study identifies public opinion regarding current on-line communication policy. However, answers and recommendations concerning on-line law were not found. …

A Communication Plan To Make Historical Societies More Visible And More Accessible To The General Public, Margaret L. Peters

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a communication plan to make historical societies more visible and more accessible to the public. A two-way communication system creates a bond between historical societies, community members, and school districts. This plan gives methods and materials to connect historical societies with the public. It also addresses attracting new members or volunteers and increasing financial resources.

The communication plan consists of four objectives that reach the goal of raising the profiles of historical societies. These objectives and their strategies provide methods and materials to make them more visible in the communities, to connect them to the local school …

Personality Traits Of Effective Communicators: A Study Of Chairpersons And Faculty At Rowan College Of New Jersey, Karen L. Heiser

Theses and Dissertations

This study determines chairpersons' personality traits and their effect on communications with faculty. The Mvers-Brigs Type Indicator was given to seven chairpersons (three female; four male) within Rowan College of New Jersey. The responses were tabulated by hand. The results were mailed to participants. The author requested faculty to choose chairpersons' personality characteristics and rate the effectiveness of the two-way communication between them and their chairpersons. The data were analyzed using a statistical software package (SPSS). The study revealed that 13 faculty rated their chairpersons as "very good" two-way communicators; eight faculty rated their chairpersons as "good" two-way communicators; three …

A Study Of Hospital Alumni Membership And Its Effect On Donor Giving, Linda Michael

Theses and Dissertations

This study profiled Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center's Baby Alumni Society to determine whether members are likely prospects for financial support. Established in 1980 by The Cooper Foundation, the fund-raising arm of the hospital, the Baby Alumni Society consists of 6,500 members who range in age from infancy to senior citizens.

To determine alumni attitudes and opinions about the institution, a questionnaire was conducted. Participants were selected using the systematic random sampling method. Of the five hundred questionnaires mailed, eighty-five were returned. Overall, respondents were pleased with the publication Baby News and wanted to continue receiving it. Members also expressed an …

Intergenerational Programs In The Public Schools, Marguerite F. Maines

Theses and Dissertations

The major purpose of this study was to research intergenerational programs in the public schools. The research was undertaken to establish whether intergenerational programs improve community attitudes and benefit the school systems that provide these programs. A broad base literature search and a database search were conducted. Numerous letters were written to school systems, state and county agencies, volunteer groups, and senior citizen groups that have instituted programs. The responses collected resulted in a compilation of successful programs that can be used by superintendents, community coordinators, and school public relations directors.

Several major conclusions were drawn from this study. Activities …

A Handbook For First-Year Teachers Dealing With Parental Communication, Connie Nowosacki

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to create a handbook beneficial to teachers in dealing with parental communication. A review of the research yielded a wide range of practices that teachers can use to involve parents.

These practices can particularly help the first-year teacher communicate effectively to gain support needed for academic, discipline, and homework efforts.

An instrument was devised asking respondents to rank in order of importance ten of the most common topics and activities used in teacher-parent communication. Responses were arranged according to Very Important, Important, or Not Important. The list was sent to five public relations experts nationwide and …

Using School Foundations As A Public Relations Tool To Market Schools To The Community, Linda Y. Sherry

Theses and Dissertations

This study shows how school foundations, created by local school districts to raise additional revenue to supplement their tax-based funding for educational programs and projects, generate benefits beyond the fund-raising aspect.

Existing research was compiled and reviewed to explore what school foundations are, why school districts have foundations, what the extra benefits of foundations are, why foundations are helpful in fund-raising, and what impact foundations have at the polls. Telephone interviews with various experts in the field of school foundations as well as school districts with foundations in place provided further relevant information on guiding principles, keys to success, and …

A Public Relations Plan For A Merger Between South Jersey Hospital System And Elmer Community Hospital, Kristine M. Simoes

Theses and Dissertations

South Jersey Hospital System and Elmer Community Hospital are merging to consolidate services and staff and help the hospitals to operate more cost effectively.

The two institutions want an informational public relations plan to help present this merger to the residents of Cumberland and Salem counties to increase community awareness and understanding.

A public relations plan was established by the hospitals' administrations. Steering committee members received assistance from the New Jersey Hospital Association and the American Hospital Association for information on previous hospital merger efforts and spent three months in its preparation.

This effort will attempt to keep community, staff …

Competitive Long-Distance Running And Its Effect On The Self-Concept Of Emotionally Disturbed Adolescents: An Evaluative Study, Elizabeth R. Rogers

Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on the effectiveness of the "Runaway" program, a competitive long-distance running program, in meeting the program goals for the treatment of emotionally disturbed adolescents. The study reviews Piers-Harris Self Concept Scale (SCS) scores of clients in a long-term in-patient treatment facility. A Post-test only research design was used to compare the scores of those who participated in the program to the scores of those who did not. A statistically significant difference in the self-concept of runners and non-runners tested was obtained . The program met the goal of improving the patients' self-concept.

A Methodology For Evaluating Military Systems In A Counterproliferation Role, Stanley Stafira Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis develops a methodology to evaluate how dissimilar military systems support the accomplishment of the United States? counterproliferation objectives. The overall scope is to develop a model of the counterproliferation decision process that enables systems to be evaluated against common criteria. By using decision analysis, an influence diagram model is developed which represents military activities in the counterproliferation process. The key questions which must be asked in evaluating counterproliferation systems are highlighted. An analysis of perfect intelligence, perfect defensive, and perfect offensive systems reveal that a perfect intelligence system provides the greatest potential to meet the United States' counterproliferation …

How The New Jersey State Aquarium Was Promoted, Beth J. Rose

Theses and Dissertations

This study determines how public relations was used to promote the New Jersey State Aquarium to persuade a skeptical public to overcome their hesitancy to come to Camden to visit the facility.

During its first year of operation, the New Jersey State Aquarium attracted more than one (1) million visitors, surpassing its projected goal.

The public relations plan was analyzed in nine different categories. The strategies included marketing, public relations, creativity, media, promotional membership, pricing, facility rental and group sales. The public relations campaign strategies included magazines, billboards, radio, television and a pre-opening press preview. The target market for each …

Attorney And Judicial Perceptions Of The Credibility Of Expert Witnesses In Child Custody Cases, Michael T. Foot

Theses and Dissertations

Attorney and judicial attitudes towards expert witnesses in child custody cases were investigated by a cross-sectional research design. Subjects consisted of a sample of 381 of all attorneys and judges in the Commonwealth of Virginia who wished to be certified as guardians ad litem. Subjects were asked to fill out a six page questionnaire immediately prior to a daylong certification training session. The sample was primarily white (85.2%) and male (57.7%). Information was gathered on the subjects' demographic characteristics, experience with and attitudes toward expert witnesses in custody cases, opinions on traditional court and family structures, and knowledge of developmental …

General Diagnosis Of Salitrón, A Village In San Juan Ermita, Department Of Chiquimula, Fredy Samuel Coronado López

Theses and Dissertations

This study reports on the development of a diagnostic tool to assess the current socio-economic and cultural conditions as well as physical and natural resources among the rural communities of Salitrón and San Juan Ermita, Chiquimula, Guatemala. This diagnostic tool revealed the current situation in these communities, especially in the population dedicated to agricultural production. Several alternative recommendations are provided to improve development projects in these communities. This project was made possible through the participation of CUNORI (Centro Universitario de Oriente) agricultural students.

Study Of The Time Efficiency And Volume Of Wood Used For Three Types Of Stove In The Salitrón Community Of San Juan Ermita, Department Of Chiquimula, Fredy Samuel Coronado López

Theses and Dissertations

In developing countries such as Guatemala, firewood is increasingly being used for cooking in most rural areas. Consequently, there is a shortage of firewood in these areas beca use trees do not grow at the same rate as they are consumed. Some authors report that 90% of the heat from firewood is lost during combustion. Several alternatives to open pit fires exist to reduce the amount of firewood used. However, these alternatives need to be evaluated to determine their efficiency. This project compared the time efficiency and volume of firewood used in the Finlandia style improved stoves, Josefina stoves, and …

A Qualitative Study Of Interpretive Communities Among Lds Women, Oleah Clegg

Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies have shown that a number of researchers have turned to the concept of the interpretive community to explain how audiences interpret the media within the context of their everyday experiences (Biocca, 1989; Gunter, 1989; Lindlof, 1989, 1992; Radway, 1984; Schrøder, 1994). D. A. Stout (1993) conducted a study that discovered three interpretive communities among LDS women who watch television, establishing that interpretive communities do exist among religious media audiences.

In 1994, K. Schrøder showed that the interpretive community can be further understood by taking a "social semiotic" approach to analyzing interpretive community members' social interaction with other communities. …

Observations On The Serial Killer Phenomenon: An Examination Of Selected Behaviors Of The Interstate Offender Contrasted With The Intrastate Offender, Eric W. Witzig

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this work was to compare serial homicides committed by interstate and intrastate offenders and to determine differences in behavior between them. Knowledge of such differences would enable the trained homicide detective to structure his investigation according to the killer's inferred range of action.

This study used homicide data collected by the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP), of the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC). VICAP's data was voluntarily submitted by investigators working at the state, local, and federal levels. The VICAP database had information on more than 804 cases of homicides committed by 241 …

The Computer Age And Planning: A Survey Of Technological Infusion, Robert Skot Bayers

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis reports on the results of a survey sent by the author to 148 local and regional planning agencies in Virginia. The mail survey of all Virginia county, city, town, and regional planning agencies showed that computers have been widely accepted and integrated into the planning workplace. Smaller agencies, and those with greater budgetary constraints have yet to realize the computer's full potential, however. The survey yielded an %84.5 total response rate, and covered hardware, software, organization and personnel, and effectiveness issues. It was based upon a similar survey administered in Arizona, New Mexico, and California five years ago. …

Role Of Perceived Competence In The Behavior Of Socially Anxious Persons In Problem-Solving Groups, Scott D. Bradshaw

Theses and Dissertations

Research finds high-shy persons participate minimally in interactions, withhold ideas from their groups, and negatively evaluate their performance. While commonly true, high-shy persons do not always interact less and it has been suggested (Efran & Korn, 1969) that high-shy persons may dominate a discussion if they can find a "safe" topic. The current study examined whether perceptions of perceived competence can produce this effect and increase the performance level of high-shy persons in a problem-solving group above the performance level of low-shy persons.

One hundred and four women, ages 18 to 24, at Virginia Commonwealth University participated. Subjects completed a …

Attachment, Social Support, And Violence In Adolescent Delinquents, James R. Craft

Theses and Dissertations

Attachment relationships between children and their primary caretakers have been hypothesized to contribute to internal working models of subsequent relationships with others. Poor attachment might lead to internal working models which devalue later relationships, making the perpetration of violence against others more likely. One focus of this study was to propose a model which combined parental bonding, adolescent attachment, and perceived family support to predict the severity of violence used against others by adolescent delinquents. A second focus was to test the proposed model in predicting the total number of violent offenses committed by adolescent delinquents. One hundred and forty-five …