Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Geographic Variation In Alarm Calls Of Gunnison's Prairie Dogs, C. N. Slobodchikoff, S. H. Ackers, M. Van Ert

Communication Skills Collection

Geographic variation in alarm calls of Gunnison's prairie dogs (Cynomys gunnisoni) was analyzed at regional and local scales. Alarm calls in response to a common stimulus (the same human) were recorded at four colonies near Flagstaff, Arizona, and at six sites throughout the southwestern United States. The acoustic structure of calls was analyzed for seven call variables. Regional differences fit the prediction of greater differences with increased geographical separation. Differences between colonies at a local scale were not related to geographical distance, suggesting that local dialects exist within a region. Differences in the level of predation by humans …

Modern Sexist Attitudes Toward Female Supervisors, Eric Dulaney

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Despite the passage of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, women employed by an organization generally remain in the entry level positions, while their male counterparts are promoted throughout the organization's hierarchy. Although there are many theories that attempt to explain the reasons for this disparity between men and women in the workforce, one of the popular attributions is sexism. In this study, the investigator applied the theoretical framework of Modern Sexism to examine modern sexist attitudes toward female supervisors. Three hundred and twenty-two undergraduate students were asked to fill out several sexism measures and to evaluate vignettes of male …

A Meta-Analytic Investigation Of The Effect Of Freshman Seminars On Student Attrition At Four Year Colleges And Universities, Raymond Brown

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Tinto (1975) theorized that for a student to complete his/her education, he/she must integrate socially as well as academically at the institution. Freshman seminars are designed to ease students into college life and provide them with skills to cope socially and academically, thereby paving the way for institutional integration and, ultimately, degree completion. Researchers at a number of institutions have evaluated the effectiveness of the freshman seminar at reducing freshman to sophomore year attrition. They have reported mixed results. Here, the literature addressing the efficacy of freshman seminars for reducing attrition is reviewed using meta-analysis. The number of weekly contact …

Examining The Training And Practice Of School Psychologists: A Survey Of Intern Supervisors, Christopher Matthews

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A survey was conducted to examine internship supervisors' perceptions of the level of preparation being provided to school psychology interns in the areas of Traditional Assessment, Non-Traditional Assessment, Consultation, Interventions, and Other skill areas. Twenty-five training institutions from 16 states were rated by the supervisors. The responding supervisors' job roles primarily consisted of practicing school psychologists. It was reported that interns spent about half of the total time in internship activities performing Traditional Assessment. Time spent in performing activities in the areas of Consultation, Interventions, and Nontraditional Assessment made up the majority of the other half with close to the …

Ubiquitous Molecular Substrates For Associative Learning And Activity-Dependent Neuronal Facilitation., Louis D. Matzel, Andrew C. Talk, Isabel A. Muzzio, Ronald F. Rogers

Faculty Publications

Recent evidence suggests that many of the molecular cascades and substrates that contribute to learning-related forms of neuronal plasticity may be conserved across ostensibly disparate model systems. Notably, the facilitation of neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission that contribute to associative learning in Aplysia and Hermissenda, as well as associative LTP in hippocampal CA1 cells, all require (or are enhanced by) the convergence of a transient elevation in intracellular Ca2+ with transmitter binding to metabotropic cell-surface receptors. This temporal convergence of Ca2+ and G-protein-stimulated second-messenger cascades synergistically stimulates several classes of serine/threonine protein kinases, which in turn modulate receptor function or …

The Meeting Of Pain And Depression: Comorbidity In Women, Marta Meana

Psychology Faculty Research

The higher prevalence of depression in women is coupled with a higher prevalence of pain complaints. Growing evidence suggests that the comorbidity of these conditions is also proportionately higher in women than men. This paper critically reviews the empirical findings relating to gender differences in comorbid pain and depression as well as findings in support of hypothesized etiologic factors that could explain why women may be more susceptible than men to comorbidity. The empirical evidence for biogenic, psychogenic, and sociogenic explanatory models is presented, and an integration of these models is proposed as a guideline to both research and clinical …

Beliefs In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Gail Steketee, Randy O. Frost, Iris Cohen

Psychology: Faculty Publications

Several types of beliefs have been hypothesized to be associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including responsibility for harm, need to control thoughts, overestimates of threat, intolerance of uncertainty, and beliefs about the consequences of anxiety and capacity to cope. The present study compared 62 subjects with OCD, 45 with other anxiety disorders (AD) and 34 controls, using 3 measures of OCD-related beliefs. OCD subjects scored higher than AD and control samples on 2 general belief measures. A closer analysis of specific belief domains indicated that OCD subjects scored higher than AD and control subjects on all 6 specific belief domains …

Social Support In Marriage: Translating Research Into Practical Applications For Clinicians, Kieran T. Sullivan, Lauri A. Pasch, Kathleen A. Eldridge, Thomas N. Bradbury

Psychology

How spouses support one another may be important in understanding and preventing marital distress, but has received relatively little attention. Instead, the behavioral model of marriage and corresponding treatment protocols have focused on the importance of good conflict management skills in preventing and treating marital distress. This paper outlines recent research indicating that couples social support skills predict marital outcome two years later, above and beyond conflict management skills. These results indicate that successful prevention and treatment programs may need to incorporate support skills training as well as conflict management training. Practical implications of this research are outlined, and specific …

Evaluating Measures Of Family History Of Alcoholism: Density Versus Dichotomy, Scott F. Stoltenberg, Sharon A. Mudd, Frederic C. Blow, Elizabeth M. Hill

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Aims: Studies have used myriad measures of family history of alcoholism (FH) making it difficult to compare them directly. Commonly used FH measures partition samples into the well-known positive (FH+) and negative (FH–) dichotomy, although quantitative measures of density potentially provide more information. A standard FH measure would facilitate between-study comparisons. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a quantitative FH measure, called Family History Density (FHD), that has theoretical and practical advantages over currently used measures. Design: Logistic regression equations were estimated for FHD and six commonly used FH measures on alcohol dependence diagnosis and two measures of …

The Odd Couple, Jeanne Marecek

Psychology Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Impact Of An Ecological Factor On The Costs Of Resource Acquisition: Fighting And Metabolic Physiology Of Crabs, L. U. Sneddon, F. A. Huntingford, A. C. Taylor

Ethology Collection

1. Current game theory models and recent experimental evidence suggests that the strategy an animal adopts in agonistic encounters is determined by individual state. Therefore manipulation of an individual’s state should elicit different behavioural responses. In this paper, mechanisms are examined that underlie state-dependent strategies using Shore Crabs, Carcinus maenas, and how, by altering the environment, behaviour and physiology are affected.
2. Fights were staged between pairs of male crabs under normoxic and severely hypoxic (< 15 torr) conditions to determine if the metabolic costs of fighting and resource acquisition are affected by water P_O2. After fighting, blood and tissue samples from each crab were taken and analysed for metabolites associated with anaerobiosis (L-lactate, glucose and glycogen).
3. The spectrum …

The Changing Face Of Memory And Self, Mark A. (Mark Anthony) Oakes

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Who am I? At some point all of us have asked this question, looking for answers in all the obvious places: Am I a product of my environment, my genes, my family, or my friends? Part of who we are is defined by our past and our memories of our past. Using a narrative framework, people can express their diverse and complicated identities through the stories they tell. With one story, people can communicate their past, present, and future. They can describe their goals, their loves, their philosophy of life, and the moral guidelines they follow. Through this system, people …

Two Matriarchs Speak, Robert H.I. Dale

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

Book review for the following titles:

Elephants. By Joyce Poole, Stillwater, MN: Voyageur Press, 1997, 72 pages. $14.95 softcover

Silent Thunder: In the Presence of Elephants. By Katharine Payne, New York: Simon & Schuster, 1998, 286 pages. $25.00 hardcover

Efficacy Of Psychoeducational Group Therapy In Reducing Symptoms Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Multiply Traumatized Women, Hadar Lubin, Michelle Loris, John Burt, David Read Johnson

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objective: The role of group therapy in treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been traditionally restricted to issues of self-esteem and interpersonal relationships, rather than primary symptoms of the disorder. In this study, the authors examined the effectiveness of a 16-week trauma-focused, cognitive-behavioral group therapy, named Interactive Psychoeducational Group Therapy, in reducing primary symptoms of PTSD in five groups (N=29) of multiply traumatized women diagnosed with chronic PTSD. Method: The authors made assessments at baseline, at 1-month intervals during treatment, at termination, and at 6-month follow-up by using self-report and structured interview measures of PTSD and psychiatric symptoms. The …

Three Variations On A Theme: The Power Of Pure Empathy, Jeffrey A. Kottler, Marilyn J. Montgomery, Aretha Faye Marbley

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

With the counseling profession’s increased emphasis on developing brief therapies, applying innovative techniques, and measuring outcomes, helping someone feel understood is sometimes neglected. Three narratives by humanistic practitioners illustrate the value of pure empathy in our work with clients, students, and others in our diverse communities.

Modeling Item-Level Data With Item Response Theory, Michael John Zickar

Psychology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Christian Participants Responses To Counselor Disclosure Of Personal Values, Rodger K. Bufford, James Thomas, W Brad Johnson, Katherine Ecklund

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

In a systematic replication of Lewis and Epperson (1991), 195 students randomly received Secular/humanist, Traditional, or Christian pretherapy value information. Participants reported their perceptions of the counselor’s values and willingness to see the counselor for a variety of personal problems. Participants perceived a significant difference in personal values among the counselors. Both main and interaction effects were significant for willingness to see the counselor: Evangelicals generally expressed more willingness to see the Christian counselor, while Others’ willingness was problem-specific. Epperson (Epperson & Lewis, 1987; Lewis and Epperson, 1991) found traditional counselors preferred over Christian or feminist counselors. In contrast, the …

Cardiac Rehabilitation: Gender Differences In Factors Influencing Participation, Lani Lieberman, Marta Meana, Donna E. Stewart

Psychology Faculty Research

This study investigates gender differences in the barriers and incentives that are most influential in the coronary patient's decision to participate in cardiac rehabilitation (CRPs) and suggests strategies to counter these barriers. Patient surveys were administered to consecutive English-speaking attenders and referred nonattenders to a cardiac rehabilitation center at a university healthcare system in Toronto, Canada. A survey questionnaire, constructed from a literature review and advice from key informants, examined potential factors affecting decisions to engage in CRPs. One129 attenders at a CRP and 61 referred nonattenders completed the questionnaire. Physician recommendation was reported to be the most important factor …

Cognitive-Behavioral Theory And Therapy, And Postmodernism, Rodger K. Bufford

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

No abstract provided.

Behavior Management Training Issues In Kentucky Classrooms, Karin Holland

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Classroom discipline is often a primary concern of teachers. Little is known, however, about the extent of teachers' knowledge, training, and skills with behavior management issues. This study was conducted to examine teachers' training with specific behavioral strategies, their personal level of proficiency in resolving these problems, and to determine if teachers consider the function of aberrant behaviors when deciding upon treatment interventions. A survey was developed to address these issues. The survey was distributed to teachers in four south-central Kentucky counties and two western Kentucky counties. Of the 350 surveys distributed, 209 were returned for a 59.7% return rate. …

Moderation Of Personality Test Validity, Christopher Woolard

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Personality testing can be an adequate instrument for prediction of future job performance. However, the predictive ability of these tests has been only moderate at best. This researcher attempted to determine if feedback would help improve the predictive ability of personality tests. The results indicated that feedback did not moderate the relationship between the personality dimensions and job performance for all of the personality construct s except Openness to Experience. This researcher also attempted to replicate the findings of the Barrick and Mount (1993) study which found that autonomy moderated the relationship between Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and job performance. This …

Influence Of Viewing Dramatic Television And Perceived Risk Of Victimization On Crime-Specific Fear, Eric Barth

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study is to examine the predictability of the fear of property and personal crime in relation to viewing dramatic or violent television. The study was carried out using the viewpoint that the viewing of violence, which is symbolically communicated through the medium of television, does affect the fear of crime. A questionnaire was administered in the spring of 1998 to students of a mid-South regional university. The sample consisted of 619 undergraduate students. Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. The results of this study suggest that watching violent television …

Coping With Jealousy: Effects Of Personality, Gender And Intensity Of Jealousy, Tisha Thompson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The present researcher focused on how subjects cope with jealousy in 6 different situations. A scale was developed to assess how jealous subjects would be in the 6 situations and how likely they were to use 13 different coping methods. Principal components analysis yielded 3 coping components. The researcher investigated the relationship between personality and coping style, finding that different personality types, using Costa and McCrae's 5-factor model, coped differently with jealousy. The researcher also examined the relationship between gender and coping style. Results suggested that females use coping methods to save the relationship with their partner and males tend …

Educational Specialist Programs In School Psychology: Trends In Training Emphasis, Shawna Kennedy

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A survey was conducted to examine current training practices of NASP accredited specialist programs. Information was gathered through a mailed survey to NASP accredited school psychology Ed.S. training programs across the United States. Of the 97 training programs to whom surveys were sent, 56 surveys were returned and 51 were considered usable (53% return rate). The survey respondents were divided into groups according to self-reported program emphasis. Thirty-one programs reported emphasizing traditional assessment (Traditional Programs), while 20 programs reported other areas of emphasis (Other Programs). An independent t-test indicated that Traditional Programs offer significantly higher amounts of training in traditional …

Hoarding, Compulsive Buying And Reasons For Saving, Randy O. Frost, Hyo Jin Kim, Claire Morris, Cinnamon Bloss, Marta Murray-Close, Gail Steketee

Psychology: Faculty Publications

Two studies examined hypotheses about compulsive hoarding, compulsive buying and beliefs about saving and discarding derived from the cognitive-behavioral model of compulsive hoarding. A cognitive behavioral model of compulsive hoarding. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 34, 341-350.]. Study 1 examined the hypotheses in a college student population, while study 2 compared members of a support group for hoarding and clutter-related problems with a nonclinical control. Across studies the hypotheses were supported. Compulsive hoarding was associated with compulsive buying and the frequency of acquisition of possessions discarded by others, suggesting that compulsive acquisition may be a broader construct than compulsive buying among …

The Effects Of Constant And Variable Practice On Performing A Gross Motor Skill, Leslie Snyder

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The present researcher compared and contrasted the variability of practice hypothesis (variable practice) with the specificity of learning hypothesis (constant practice) for this study. The variability of practice hypothesis specified that a person's subsequent ability to complete a novel motor task will increase by altering conditions of practice (Schmidt, 1975). The specificity of learning hypothesis, however, asserted that repetition of the same movements will increase an individual's retention rate for the movement (Adams, 1971). The researcher operationalized this debate via basketball free throw shooting. Participants were assigned to either a constant practice condition, where shots were taken from the free …

A Study Of Highly And Moderately Gifted Students In Mixed-Age Settings And The Effect On Social Status And Self-Concept, Deeayne Mayfield

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This research addresses issues of self-concept, social status, and relative age as they relate to moderately (n=146) and highly (n=161) gifted students. Previous research regarding self-concept and giftedness yielded mixed results. The majority of social status research had not been conducted with gifted students, and relative age issues have been addressed only with young children. Therefore, the present research was conducted to carry the previous studies further. Only one self-concept scale, the Behavior scale, showed a significant difference between highly and moderately gifted students with highly gifted students outscoring moderately gifted students. No significant differences between moderately and highly gifted …

"Reasonable Person" Vs. "Reasonable Woman": An Evaluation Of The Standards Used In Determining Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment, Allison Maue

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Currently, there is a debate in progress over which standard is appropriate for use when evaluating hostile work environment sexual harassment. Traditionally the "reasonable person" has been used as the viewpoint from which to evaluate potentially harassing behavior. However, the historical 1991 federal court case Ellison vs. Brady introduced the "reasonable woman" standard due to the belief that the traditional standard may unwittingly be biased toward men. Most research to date has focused on the benefits and/or disadvantages of utilizing one standard over the other. The present research represents an attempt to discover whether the implementation of a standard truly …

Gender Differences In College Students' Attributions For Success And Failure, Anna Hutton

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Attributions for success and failure have been the topic of much research. One area of focus is that of gender differences. Research has produced highly inconsistent results, but many believe that differences exist in the way men and women attribute success and failure. The present study was designed to identify differences in the ways college men and women make attributions for success and failure and to determine whether there are gender differences in attributions for success and failure in ego-involved areas. Three hundred and ninety undergraduate students completed the Collegiate Attributions Scale. Results showed that (a) college students are more …

Predicting Academic Success In College Using The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, Katherine Bishop

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The prediction of success in college has received a substantial amount of research interest. A variety of predictor variables have been examined including personality and demographic variables as well as scores on standardized college entrance examinations. However, few studies have included the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R). In the present study, this researcher examined the ability of the WAIS-R to predict college success as measured by grade point average (GPA). The participants were 49 undergraduates, from a public university, who volunteered for intellectual assessments. It was hypothesized that the WAIS-R would predict college GPA. The prediction was expected to be …