Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

John Hazen White School Of Arts & Sciences Newsletter, May 2010, Vol. 15, Issue 3, Mary Barszcz Ed.

School of Arts & Sciences Newsletter

In 1995, with Gwenn Lavoie as its editor, the first issue of the John Hazen White School of Arts & Sciences Newsletter was published. The newsletter continues to share information about and publicize events sponsored by the School of Arts & Sciences and the accomplishments of that school's faculty. Three issues are published during each academic year by the School of Arts & Sciences Publicity Committee and editor Mary Barszcz.

Batch Editing Marc Records With Marcedit And Regular Expressions, Kathryn Lybarger, Julene L. Jones

Library Presentations

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Of Participation In A Leisure Education Program On Knowledge Of Aspects Of Community Reintegration For Individuals Who Have Recently Sustained Spinal Cord Injuries, Stephanie Marsden

All Theses

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), there are approximately 12,000 individuals who sustain a spinal cord injury (SCI) every year (NSCISC, 2009). The purpose of this study was to examine effectiveness of a leisure education (LE) intervention on knowledge of aspects of community reintegration for
individuals who have recently sustained spinal cord injuries. The current study documents outcomes of LE programming for individuals with SCI receiving treatment at a large rehabilitation hospital located in a large city in the southeastern United States. The
Leisure Competence Measure (LCM) was utilized to assess participant's leisure awareness and leisure …

The Accuracy Of Observers' Estimates Of The Effect Of Glare On Nighttime Vision: Do We Exaggerate The Disabling Effects Of Glare?, Stacy Balk

All Dissertations

Designing headlights involves balancing two conflicting goals: maximizing visibility for the driver and minimizing the disabling effects of glare for other drivers. Complaints of headlight glare have increased recently. This project explored the relationship between subjective (discomfort and expected visual problems) and objective (actual visual problems) consequences of glare. Two experiments - a lab-based psychophysical study and a field study - quantified the accuracy of observers' estimates of the effects of glare on their acuity. In both experiments, participants over-estimated the extent to which glare degraded their ability to see a small high contrast target. Observers' estimates of the disabling …

The Role Of Commitment In Bilateral Trade, Dino Gerardi, Johannes Hörner, Lucas Maestri

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

This paper solves for the set of equilibrium payoffs in bargaining with interdependent values when the informed party makes all offers, as discounting vanishes. The seller of a good is informed of its quality, which affects both his cost and the buyer’s valuation, but the buyer is not. To characterize this payoff set, we derive an upper bound, using mechanism design with limited commitment. We then prove that this upper bound is tight, by showing that all its extreme points are equilibrium payoffs. Our results shed light on the role of different forms of commitment on the bargaining process. In …

Second Language Learning Anxiety Among Malay Learners Of English / Razlina Muhammad Sabri, Razlina Muhammad Sabri

Student Works (2010-2019)

This is a study of second language speaking anxiety among Malay ESL learners at an institution of higher learning. The objectives of this study are to determine whether learners experience test anxiety during public speaking, to discover if there is a difference in the anxiety level of high and low proficiency learners, to ascertain whether there are any differences between the high and low anxiety learners in their speaking test assessment, and to identify the factors leading to speaking language anxiety. This study has taken both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The data is mainly obtained from questionnaires and interviews with …

The Moroccan Struggle For Media Development, Margaret Looney

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Quality Of Life In Hemodialysis Patients, Cynthia I. Taylor

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The increasing number of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) has caused a substantial rise in the number of individuals receiving hemodialysis. One of the persistent questions with this group has been the influence of the procedure on quality of life. The present study explored the important factors that influence quality of life in hemodialysis patients. Participants were 160 (71 men and 89 women, mean age 62.84 years) community-dwelling, hemodialysis patients. Participants completed the Kidney Disease Quality of Life questionnaire and mental health and physical health composite scores were created in order to examine factors that can be considered …

Terrorism Ideology And Perceptions Of Homeland Security In Tennessee Law Enforcement, Adam Baldwin

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Homeland security is a concept that has become firmly embedded in American society since the events of September 11, 2001. While recent research has begun to study the implications of homeland security in state and local law enforcement, few have focused on perceptions of homeland security ideology, policy, and practice. Therefore, this study focuses on the impact that homeland security ideology, policy, and practice has had on the local law enforcement community by examining the varying levels of individual understanding, agreement, and support for the concept. Moderate levels of agreement were found regarding homeland security clarity at federal, state, and …

Childhood Animal Cruelty Methods And Their Link To Adult Interpersonal Violence, Brandy B. Henderson

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Recent research has begun to establish a relationship between childhood acts of animal cruelty and later violence against humans. However, few studies have focused on the influence of animal cruelty methods on later interpersonal violence. In a replication of a study by Hensley and Tallichet (2009) and based on a sample of 180 inmates at medium- and maximum-security prisons in a Southern state, the present study examines the relationship between several retrospectively-identified animal cruelty met hods (drowned, hit, shot, kicked, choked, burned, and had sex with) and interpersonal violence committed against humans. Four out of five inmates reported hitting animals. …

Furthering Conservation Of Resources Theory: How Our Values Influence Out Stress Response, Neil Morelli

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Conservation of resources (Hobfoll, 1989) theory is an increasingly applied conceptualization of the stress process (Hobfoll & Lilly, 1993; Neveu, 2007). To evaluate and expand this theory, an exploratory research study was conducted to determine the influence of personal psychosocial values (e.g., self-transcendence and conservation; Schwartz, 1994) on coping processes, using resource-importance appraisal as a mediating factor. The primary tenets of conservation of resources theory, as conceptualized by Hobfoll (1989), and personal values, as conceptualized by Schwartz (1992), were defined and linked using coping behavior as the common procedural outcome. Two studies were conducted using a student sample and an …

Fisher Was Right, Ronald C. Serlin

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Invited address presented to the Educational Statistician’s Special Interest Group at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Denver, May 1, 2010.

Inferences About The Population Mean: Empirical Likelihood Versus Bootstrap-T, Rand R. Wilcox

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

The problem of making inferences about the population mean, μ, is considered. Known theoretical results suggest that a Bartlett corrected empirical likelihood method is preferable to two basic bootstrap techniques: a symmetric two-sided bootstrap-t and an equal-tailed bootstrap-t. However, simulations in this study indicate that, when the sample size is small, these two bootstrap methods are generally better in terms of Type I errors and probability coverage. As the sample size increases, situations are found where the Bartlett corrected empirical likelihood method performs better than the equal-tailed bootstrap-t, but the symmetric bootstrap-t gives the best results. None of the four …

The Influence Of Data Generation On Simulation Study Results: Tests Of Mean Differences, Tim Moses, Alan Klockars

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Type I error and power of the standard independent samples t-test were compared with the trimmed and Winsorized t-test with respect to continuous distributions and various discrete distributions known to occur in applied data. The continuous and discrete distributions were generated with similar levels of skew and kurtosis but the discrete distributions had a variety of structural features not reflected in the continuous distributions. The results showed that the Type I error rates of the t-tests were not seriously affected, but the power rate of the trimmed and Winsorized t-test varied greatly across the considered distributions.

The Small-Sample Efficiency Of Some Recently Proposed Multivariate Measures Of Location, Marie Ng, Rand R. Wilcox

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Numerous multivariate robust measures of location have been proposed and many have been found to be unsatisfactory in terms of their small-sample efficiency. Several new measures of location have recently been derived, however, nothing is known about their small-sample efficiency or how they compare to the sample mean under normality. This research compared the efficiency for p = 2, 5, and 8 with sample sizes n = 20 and 50 for p-variate data. Although previous studies indicate that so-called skipped estimators are efficient, this study found that variations of this approach can perform poorly when n is small and p …

Assessing Classification Bias In Latent Class Analysis: Comparing Resubstitution And Leave-One-Out Methods, Marc H. Kroopnick, Jinsong Chen, Jaehwa Choi, C. Mitchell Dayton

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

This Monte Carlo simulation study assessed the degree of classification success associated with resubstitution methods in latent class analysis (LCA) and compared those results to those of the leaveone- out (L-O-O) method for computing classification success. Specifically, this study considered a latent class model with two classes, dichotomous manifest variables, restricted conditional probabilities for each latent class and relatively small sample sizes. The performance of resubstitution and L-O-O methods on the lambda classification index was assessed by examining the degree of bias.

Nonlinear Parameterization In Bi-Criteria Sample Balancing, Stan Lipovetsky

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Sample balancing is widely used in applied research to adjust a sample data to achieve better correspondence to Census statistics. The classic Deming-Stephan iterative proportional approach finds the weights of observations by fitting the cross-tables of sample counts to known margins. This work considers a bi-criteria objective for finding weights with maximum possible effective base size. This approach is presented as a ridge regression with the exponential nonlinear parameterization that produces nonnegative weights for sample balancing.

Jmasm30 Pi-Lca: A Sas Program Computing The Two-Point Mixture Index Of Fit For Two-Class Lca Models With Dichotomous Variables (Sas), Dongquan Zhang, C. Mitchell Dayton

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

The two-point mixture index of fit enjoys some desirable features in model fit assessment and model selection, however, a need exists for efficient computational strategies. Applying an NLP algorithm, a program using the SAS matrix language is presented to estimate the two-point index of fit for two-class LCA models with dichotomous response variables. The program offers a tool to compute π ∗ for twoclass models and it also provides an alternative program for conducting latent class analysis with SAS. This study builds a foundation for further research on computational approaches for M-class models.

Compassion-Focused Reappraisal, Benefit-Focused Reappraisal, And Rumination After An Interpersonal Offense: Emotion-Regulation Implications For Subjective Emotion, Linguistic Responses, And Physiology, Charlotte Vanoyen-Witvliet, Ross W. Knoll, Nova G. Hinman, Paul Deyoung

Faculty Publications

This repeated measures psychophysiology experiment studied three responses to a past interpersonal offense (38 females and 33 males). We compared rumination with two offense reappraisal strategies. Compassion-focused reappraisal emphasized the offender's humanity, and interpreted the transgression as evidence of the offender's need for positive transformation. Benefit-focused reappraisal emphasized insights gained or strengths shown in facing the offense. Supporting the manipulations, compassion-focused reappraisal stimulated the most empathy and forgiveness, whereas benefit-focused reappraisal prompted the most benefit language and gratitude. Both reappraisals decreased aroused, negative emotion, and related facial muscle tension at the brow (corrugator). Both reappraisals increased happiness and positive emotion …

The Family Bible, Susan Murray

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

Healthcare Professional Roles: The Ontology Model For E-Learning, Lorraine Carmody, Elizabeth Sherry, John Cardiff

Conference Papers

The paper aims to present the MEDeLEARN project, an ontology-driven virtual learning environment for Medical Information System training. The current training environment for healthcare professionals in the use of essential medical information systems in a large urban training hospital is based on conventional instructor-led training sessions. Problems arise due to the demanding nature of the hospital working environment, causing training to be cancelled or curtailed. This mode of training delivery is deemed to be inefficient and ineffective, with the danger of serious errors occurring as a consequence.

The project investigates whether a virtual learning environment can address the competency gap …

Facilitating Behavior Change Of Coastal Communities In Regards To Climatic Hazards, Marisa Nixon

Senior Honors Projects

For my Senior Honors Project I participated in the Climate Change Collaborative, which is a new interdisciplinary research project studying the ways in which coastal communities in Rhode Island can better adapt to the environmental, cultural and economic consequences of climate change. As a member of this collaborative, I worked in a vertically integrated team of faculty (psychology researchers, climate scientists and communications science practitioners and researchers) as well as undergraduate and graduate students, to begin an endeavor through which behavior change will be assessed in regards to climate change. For the purposes of this study, we specifically focus on …

Exploring Social Interaction At The Ancient Maya City Of Copan, Honduras: A Multi-Scalar Geographic Information Systems (Gis) Analysis Of Access And Visibility, Heather M. Richards-Rissetto

Anthropology ETDs

This dissertation investigates late eighth and early ninth century social interaction at the archaeological site of Copán, Honduras. Two main research questions are addressed: (1) Did people of different social classes experience different degrees of social connectivity? and (2) Did people living in different parts of the city experience different degrees of social connectivity? A Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to quantify social connectivity, that is, degree of social integration or social segregation, using access and visibility as proxy measures for social interaction, and to examine whether Copáns inhabitants influenced social interaction by configuring their city to facilitate or …

Overclaiming And The Medial Prefrontal Cortex : A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study, Franco Amati

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The tendency to claim more knowledge than one actually has is common and well documented, however little research has focused on the neural mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon. The goal of the present study was to investigate the cortical correlates of overclaiming. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) was delivered to the Medial Prefrontal Cortex (MPFC), Supplementary Motor Area (SMA), and Precuneus during the presentation of a series of words that participants were told made up a Cultural I.Q. test. However, participants were not informed that 50% of the words were actually fabricated. False claiming was reduced following MPFC TMS. Furthermore, reaction …

Medication And Lifestyle Adherence Behaviors In Hypertensive Patients, Alayna B. Berkowitz

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Hypertension is a serious chronic condition that afflicts many Americans. The present study used the Common Sense Model (CSM) of Self Regulation as a theoretical framework to aid in the examination of predictors of medication and/or lifestyle adherence. Based upon the literature reviewed, the current study proposes that predictors would be different for medication and lifestyle adherence. Three hypotheses were proposed: 1. CSM-related variables (blood pressure monitoring, condition-worry hypertension duration, control beliefs, and medication beliefs items) would be correlated with medication adherence; 2. specific CSM-related variables, self assessed health (SAH) and physical functioning would significantly be correlated with lifestyle adherence; …

The Impact Of After-School Programming, Neighborhood Safety, And Neighborhood Support On Adolescent Alcohol Use, Kimberly Moonan

Social Welfare

This study seeks to evaluate the relationship between monitoring and adolescent deviant behaviors, with a specific focus on adolescent alcohol use. It is hypothesized that when community safety and support are low; after-school programming will serve as a protective factor and lower levels of alcohol use will be reported. Data were collected on a sample of 373 using the Student Success Profile. Because research shows that adolescent-report of friend behaviors is actually more reflective of their own behaviors (adolescents project their beliefs about own behaviors onto their peers), this study used adolescent-report on peer behaviors as an indicator of self-use. …

The Role Of Progesterone Receptor In Development Of Medial Prefrontal Cortex And Impulsive Behavior, Vanessa Costanzo

Psychology

Human behaviors are regulated by the complex functions of the brain and many behavioral disorders are assumed to be the result of alterations or deficits in neural function. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), characterized by differences in complex behaviors such as attention, memory and impulse control has been linked to alterations in dopaminergic activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Therefore, factors that regulate development of this region may be implicated in ADHD. For example, steroid hormones can alter fundamental processes of neural development through interaction with their nuclear receptors, which act as transcription factors. Progesterone receptor (PR) is transiently …

The Effect Of Recurrent Hypoglycemia On Mental Flexibility, Justin Ramcharitar

Psychology

A major side-effect of intensive insulin replacement therapy, is recurrent hypoglycemia (RH). Clinical and experimental evidence suggest that RH may be associated with deficits in higher cognitive processes; specifically, in judgment and mental flexibility, processes believed to be mediated in large part by the medial prefrontal cortex. The present study investigates the effects of short-term RH on mental flexibility in rats. Animals underwent food restriction and were extensively handled and habituated. Prior to testing animals were randomly assigned to one of four groups with varying levels of RH. Animals were then tested for two consecutive days on a set-shift maze …

Campaign Finance & Online Oversight, Tali Gellert

Communication

No abstract provided.

Drug Users In Fall 2009 Television Dramas: Character Profiles, Lucy E. Place

Communication

How do narrative structures inform us about our own world? This study was conducted to discover the implications of drug content depicted in primetime television through the evaluation of contemporary and stereotypical characterization trends. This study examines drug content in two medical dramas and two crime dramas: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘House’, ‘Law & Order SVU’, and ‘CSI’.