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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Challenges Of Reentering Society For Incarcerated African-American Men, Monica L. Ricci, Carolyn Mcnamara Barry
Challenges Of Reentering Society For Incarcerated African-American Men, Monica L. Ricci, Carolyn Mcnamara Barry
Modern Psychological Studies
African-American men are at the greatest risk for incarceration. Upon their release from prison, they face tremendous challenges to successful reentry, which explains in part their high recidivism rate. In the current paper, we review the existing literature on the challenges faced by African-American ex-offenders as they strive for successful reentry into society, namely challenges to secure employment and living arrangements, social support assets and challenges, as well as broader community-level challenges of reentry. Policy solutions are then identified to offset these obstacles. Lastly, the limitations of existing literature and future research directions are addressed.
An Investigation Of Racial Biases Among Rural Police Officers, Emily Pica, Karri Verno
An Investigation Of Racial Biases Among Rural Police Officers, Emily Pica, Karri Verno
Modern Psychological Studies
The current study examined racial biases in rural police systems. Fifty police officers took part in the study. A likert-type scale was used to measure different aspects of racial bias, and a questionnaire with crime descriptions was used. Each police system received either a Caucasian suspect questionnaire or an African American suspect questionnaire. Results indicated that the rural police officers in this study did not exhibit racial biases. There were additional analyses done which showed that female officers are slightly harsher in their treatment of African American suspects compared to male officers. The findings of the current study are similar …
The Commonalities Of Creativity And Suicide In College Students, Christopher W. Drapeau, Daniel Debrule
The Commonalities Of Creativity And Suicide In College Students, Christopher W. Drapeau, Daniel Debrule
Modern Psychological Studies
More than 1,000 college students die by suicide each year. Commonly found among these suicides are students who are highly creative, mentally ill, and attending highly competitive schools. Research has demonstrated that the risk of suicide is most acute in students displaying hypomania, impulsivity, psychosis, and a personality trait called psychoticism. Interestingly, these four risk factors are also exhibited in highly creative college students. Hypomania was the most significant contributor to creativity and suicide among the four variables. Elevations in hypomanic symptoms were found among the most creative students and those at risk for repeated suicide attempts. A self-report questionnaire …
Death, Etxtraversion, Commitment, And Sex: A Study On Terror Management, Jalaal Madyun, Wind Goodfriend
Death, Etxtraversion, Commitment, And Sex: A Study On Terror Management, Jalaal Madyun, Wind Goodfriend
Modern Psychological Studies
Several studies have found that when confronted with mortality (i.e., mortality salience), the desire for intimate relationships and the desire for sex increase (Ben-Ari, 2004; Hirschberger, Florian, & Mikulincer, 2002). The current study examined desire for commitment to a romantic partner and the desire to engage in risky sexual behaviors when mortality is salient and added an examination of how these constructs overlap with the personality trait of extraversion. Results showed that, as expected, extraversion was correlated with the desire to engage in risky sexual behavior. Surprisingly, however, individuals under mortality salience were less likely to desire risky sexual encounters, …
Gender Patterns In Dress And Outward Appearance: An Individual Choice Or Fulfillment Of Cultural Expectations?, Caroline J. Lindemuth, Lindsey A. Thomas, Hadley A. Mates, Jenessa A. Casey
Gender Patterns In Dress And Outward Appearance: An Individual Choice Or Fulfillment Of Cultural Expectations?, Caroline J. Lindemuth, Lindsey A. Thomas, Hadley A. Mates, Jenessa A. Casey
Modern Psychological Studies
This study examines the extent to which males and females conform to gender schemas regarding outward appearance and clothing styles. Participants were observed from a distance in various natural settings and were coded based on estimated age, hair length, certain clothing choices, and certain jewelry and accessory choices. We found statistically significant gender differences (with p <.0001) for all characteristics, with the codes for hair length, earrings, and dresses showing the strongest discrepancies. These data showed a pattern of males being more confined to strict gender displays than were females, which can be seen particularly clearly in the wearing of earrings and dresses, as males rarely deviated from the socially acceptable gender signals. These findings imply that the feminist movement loosened feminine standards for dress and appearance; lacking a similar social movement, men remain more strictly confined to traditional displays of gender.
A Review Of Literature On The Effect Of Immigrant Status On Hispanic Adolescents' Psychosocial Adjustment And Achievement, Erin J. Carrol, Carolyn Mcnamara Barry
A Review Of Literature On The Effect Of Immigrant Status On Hispanic Adolescents' Psychosocial Adjustment And Achievement, Erin J. Carrol, Carolyn Mcnamara Barry
Modern Psychological Studies
In this literature review we examine the effect of immigration on the development of Hispanic adolescents and their ability to succeed academically. The issues of integrating identities, mediating family relationships and avoiding high risk behaviors and their impact on how these young people adjust are also evaluated. Successfully maintaining aspects of both cultures and healthy familial connections were key ingredients to promote an optimal environment for potential achievement, as well as appropriate buffers against ethnic discrimination or prejudice. The paper concludes with limitations of the literature as well as future directions. The findings of these studies support the need for …
The Effects Of Video Game Play On Academic Performance, Jancee Wright
The Effects Of Video Game Play On Academic Performance, Jancee Wright
Modern Psychological Studies
The purpose of the present research is to determine whether playing video games impacts academic performance as determined by GPA. To accomplish this, 198 participants filled out a Gaming Habits Survey which was analyzed using a series of one-way ANOVAs. The study found that there was a significant effect of player status on GPA at the p < .01 level for the two conditions of player versus non-player [F (1, 169) = 7.08, p = .009]. Comparisons using descriptive statistics indicated that the mean GPA score for the player condition (M = 3.2, SD = .51) was significantly different than the non-player condition (M = 3.4, SD = .47). These results show that participants who indicated that they did play video games had significantly lower GPAs than participants who indicated that they did not play video games.
"I Would Feel Uncomforable If My Child's Teacher Were Gay": Examining The Role Of Symbolic Homophobia And Political Affiliation, Michael Moore, Amy Moors
"I Would Feel Uncomforable If My Child's Teacher Were Gay": Examining The Role Of Symbolic Homophobia And Political Affiliation, Michael Moore, Amy Moors
Modern Psychological Studies
Symbolic homophobia is a general negative disposition towards lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, which is demonstrated in symbolic forms of prejudice rather than overt actions. Stigma towards lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals has transformed from overt forms of prejudice to slightly less blatant more subtle forms in recent years (Schafer & Shaw, 2009). Based on previous research, it is has also been shown that conservatives will have higher levels of symbolic homophobia. (Linneman, 2004), Thus, in order to assess the more nuanced forms of prejudice in relation to political affiliation, Study 1 created a scale to assess symbolic homophobia. …
The Palestenian-Israeli Conflict And Its Impact On The Mental Health Of Youth, Jeffray Feliciana
The Palestenian-Israeli Conflict And Its Impact On The Mental Health Of Youth, Jeffray Feliciana
Modern Psychological Studies
This paper explores what mental disorders can develop as a result of continued exposure to a conflict situation, specifically the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. A brief history of the region, and a summary of the current diplomatic situation are outlined to give a background to the subsequent information. The specific disorders prevalent in the region are identified and an explanation on how the ongoing conflict in the region exacerbates these disorders is provided These include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, fear, Selective Mutism, Separation Anxiety, and somatoform disorders. PTSD is extremely prevalent within the young populations of both Palestine and Israel, being …
Experience-Dependent Synapse Formation And Implications For Developmental Psychopathology, Monica Lawson, Meg Upchurch
Experience-Dependent Synapse Formation And Implications For Developmental Psychopathology, Monica Lawson, Meg Upchurch
Modern Psychological Studies
Experience shapes neural circuits in the brain. This review explores current research in neuroscience on experience-dependent synapse formation in mice. Studies using the chessboard trimming paradigm are analyzed to provide information on the effects of partial versus complete deprivation. The resulting formation of transient spines and new persistent spines indicates the impact experience has on shaping neural pathways. Research on long-term sensory deprivation in the adolescent and adult somatosensory cortex indicates that once brain pathways are established in adulthood, they are difficult to change. Together these findings are applied to the questions presented in the literature of developmental psychopathology, such …
Though The Darkness Hide Thee: A Study Of Depression And Christian Spirituality, Katheryn Klukow
Though The Darkness Hide Thee: A Study Of Depression And Christian Spirituality, Katheryn Klukow
Modern Psychological Studies
The study of depression and its effect on Christian spirituality is sparse at best. This study seeks to integrate the disciplines of psychology and theology in order to better understand the effect depression has upon spirituality. A survey of literature, both recent and historic, sheds light on the hypothesis that depression causes spiritual distress. Particular emphasis is given to the writings of the Puritans, who were prolific on the subject. Original qualitative research involving the interviews of depressed subjects is presented. Implications for clinical treatment and suggestions for further research are put forth.
Gender Difference In Perceiving Aggression Using The Bobo Doll Studies, Dorothy Altin, Jessica Jablonski, Jennifer Lyke, Marcello Spinella
Gender Difference In Perceiving Aggression Using The Bobo Doll Studies, Dorothy Altin, Jessica Jablonski, Jennifer Lyke, Marcello Spinella
Modern Psychological Studies
The general conclusion of Albert Bandura's Bobo Doll studies was that the children learned aggression through watching an adult hit an inflatable doll. Other researchers have questioned whether the behavior demonstrated in these studies was actual aggression or just simply imitation. This study examined the perceptions of male and female observers when viewing original footage of the Bobo Doll Studies, specifically if the observers interpreted the child's behavior as aggression or simply imitation and if the sex of the observer or sex of the child in the video affected these ratings. The participants completed both a Likert scale rating of …
Retention Among First Year College Students: An Application Of The Theory Of Planned Behavior, Jose A. Cantt, Guillermo Wated
Retention Among First Year College Students: An Application Of The Theory Of Planned Behavior, Jose A. Cantt, Guillermo Wated
Modern Psychological Studies
It was proposed that attitudes toward college, subjective norms (pressure from family and important others) and perceived control over the ability to succeed in school influence students' intention to stay in school. Forty-seven students (39 females) completed an 88-item survey. Results indicated that students' attitudes and social pressure were the most important predictors of intention to stay in school. These findings suggest that active family involvement in students' education, as well as the incorporation of information regarding the value of a college education into programs such as freshman experience, could aid efforts in helping students succeed at staying in school.
Eyes, Eyebrows And Their Effect On The Facial Perception Of Hostility, Bradford L. Schroeder
Eyes, Eyebrows And Their Effect On The Facial Perception Of Hostility, Bradford L. Schroeder
Modern Psychological Studies
The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of the eyebrows and the eyes on the perception of the emotion of hostility through facial expressions. Eighty-six participants were randomly selected as a convenience sample from Tennessee Technological University. Images of the eye and eyebrow region of the face were projected in front of the class and participants rated each image on hostility, friendliness, and happiness, scaled from 0-5. The specific dependent measures were only hostility ratings. Results supported each of the proposed hypotheses. It was found that inward eyebrows, less open eyes, and the combination of inward …
Does Environmental Enrichment While Studying Improve Recall?, Jade-Isis A. Lefebvre, Jordan S. Lefebvre, Lionel G. Standing
Does Environmental Enrichment While Studying Improve Recall?, Jade-Isis A. Lefebvre, Jordan S. Lefebvre, Lionel G. Standing
Modern Psychological Studies
Previous research suggests that studying audio and visual stimuli in two different rooms increases verbal recall, as compared to studying twice in only one room (Smith, Glenberg, & Bjork, 1978). The present study utilized this paradigm, and also separated the room and modality factors as sources of environmental enrichment. In Experiment 1, subjects learned a list of 40 common English words twice, in either one or two different rooms, and were tested in a third room (N = 60). In Experiment 2, subjects learned the same word lists, using either one or two modalities (audition and vision), and again were …
Hyperfeminity And Body-Related Constructs, Breanne R. Forrest, Suzanne L. Osman
Hyperfeminity And Body-Related Constructs, Breanne R. Forrest, Suzanne L. Osman
Modern Psychological Studies
The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships between hyperfemininity and body esteem, body shame, and surveillance. Participants were 130 female undergraduate students taking an introductory psychology course. They were administered the Hyperfemininity Scale, the Body Esteem Scale and two subscales of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (Surveillance and Body Shame). As expected, hyperfemininity was positively associated with surveillance and body shame. Unexpectedly, hyperfemininity was not associated with body esteem. These findings suggest that hyperfeminine women may be at greater risk than non-hyperfeminine women to objectffr themselves and feel shameful when they compare their bodies to internalized …
Examining The Rapid Non-Classical Effects Of 17 Beta Estradiol On Sexual Advertisement Behavior Of The Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus Auratus), John T. Garretson, Spencer L. Gobbel, Christine M. Lewis, Luis A. Martinez, Aras Petrulis
Examining The Rapid Non-Classical Effects Of 17 Beta Estradiol On Sexual Advertisement Behavior Of The Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus Auratus), John T. Garretson, Spencer L. Gobbel, Christine M. Lewis, Luis A. Martinez, Aras Petrulis
Modern Psychological Studies
Female Syrian hamsters engage in vaginal scent-marking (VM) to advertise their sexual receptivity. VM is facilitated by estrogen; however, the hormone's mechanism of action is unknown. Classically, estrogen binds to intracellular receptors and promotes gene transcription to eventually affect behavior. Estrogen may non-classically and rapidly affect behavior via binding to membrane localized receptors. In order to determine how estrogen modulates VM, VM levels were examined in 10 female hamsters across several hormone conditions. Levels of VM were assessed across 3 trials in intact, normally-cycling subjects. These trials were repeated following ovariectomy. A final set of trials were conducted in ovariectomized …