Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Desire Fulfillment Theory Of Digital Game Enjoyment, Owen M. Schaffer

College of Computing and Digital Media Dissertations

Empirical research on what makes digital games enjoyable is critical for practitioners who want to design for enjoyment, including for Game Design, Gamification, and Serious Games. But existing theories of what leads to digital game enjoyment have been incomplete or lacking in empirical support showing their impact on enjoyment.

Desire Fulfillment Theory is proposed as a new theory of what leads to digital game enjoyment and tested through research with people who have recently played a digital game. This theory builds on three established theories: Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory, Theory of Basic Human Desires, and Flow Theory. These three theories are …

Moderate Likability And Popularity: Understand Peer Status Through Casual Relationships, Ziyue Cui

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Peer status has been extensively studied in the past few decades. Popularity and likability are recognized as two distinct dimensions of peer status. However, the operationalization of likability has overlooked moderate liking resulting from casual and friendly relationships. The present study assessed moderate liking through peer ratings and examined its relation with popularity. In Study 1, the correlation between popularity and moderate liking and the correlation between popularity and likability derived from the traditional sociometric method were compared. Two Greek chapters were recruited. Thirty one participants nominated chapter members whom they liked the most and least and whom they thought …

Trans Sports Illustrated: Identities And Experiences Of Transgender Athletes Assigned Female At Birth, Sophia Neely

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

This empirical study explores how transgender athletic adults assigned female at birth narrate their identities and experiences related to gender and sports participation. Using the methodology of social science portraiture filtered through a lens of queer feminist theory, semi-structured interviews were conducted with two trans men and three nonbinary participants. The participants are diverse in terms of age (21 to 54), race (white, Asian American, and African American), current primary sports interest (squash, CrossFit, powerlifting, baseball, and rock climbing), and pronouns (he/him/his, ze/zir/zirs, and they/them/theirs). Media reports and extant research on transgender athletes tend to recount bleak histories of exclusion, …

Building The Nest: How Native English Speaking Teachers (Nests) In The Tefl Field Develop Intercultural Competence, Emily S. Kraus

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

The role of an English foreign language teacher requires expertise in the English language and pedagogical skills to make the learning process approachable for a variety of students. There are certain characteristics that make a person ostensibly suitable for the role such as patience, intelligence, trustworthiness and creativity. However, the development of teachers is often shaped by their certification preparation, experiences in the field of education and the lessons they learn from their students. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to examine how native English speaking teachers (NESTs) in Costa Rica teaching English as a foreign language develop …

Fall 2019

Conversations

The Ethical Pursuit of Excellence: The Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence prepares students for the real world of journalism; The Talking Cure: A conversation with Elissa Foster about improving communication in health care settings; Captivated Audience: The Media Engagement Research Lab investigates the science of messaging; Communicating Climate Change; Around the College; Accolades; A Great Start in Life: College of Communication alumnus John Ybarra finds a solid foundation in communication; Evolution of a Journalist: Jesus Montero

From The President: It Takes A Community

DePaul Magazine

A. Gabriel Esteban, PhD, President of DePaul University, discusses how The Grace School of Applied Diplomacy was conceptualized and realized as the newest school in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Expanding The Borders Of Diplomacy

DePaul Magazine

Th anks to a generous gift of $20 million from anonymous do-nors—the second-largest gift in DePaul’s history—Th e Grace School of Applied Diplomacy, housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (LAS), is now a reality. It is the fi rst school of its kind to focus its curriculum on the emerging concept of “transprofessional diplomacy,” which expands the borders of diplomatic practice beyond the work of official government representatives.

Fall 2019

Scientia

Education Taking Flight; The Vincentian Question and the Chemistry Teacher; Science Goes Global; Minister of Hope: Neurosurgeon and cancer researcher Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, MD, believes hope is more powerful than fear; What's New: The college introduced four new programs and tracks in its offerings for the 2019-20 academic year; Lab Notes; A Teacher Who Really Counts: Golden Apple Recipient Candice Cortese (CSH MA '10) Reflects on her Love of Teaching Math; One Smart Cookie: Chemistry Student Lucienna Wolf Says, "If You Really Apply Yourself, the Teachers Are More Than Happy to Help You."

Haa 372 World Cities: Cairo, Mother Of The World, Mark Delancey

Course Website Archive

This course will examine the urban development and architectural heritage of Greater Cairo, Egypt since the reconstruction of the fortress of Babylon in the Roman period, through the establishment of Cairo itself in 969, and until the present. Cairo has always been a crossroads of cultures, set between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. It has been home to significant Jewish, Christian and Muslim populations who have been impacted by the various ruling dynasties who have held sway there, including the Byzantines, early Islamic rulers, Tulunids, Shi'i Fatimids, and later Sunni Ayyubids, Mamluks, and Ottomans. In the 20th century, rapid …

Fall 2019

Insights

A World of Opportunities: LAS in the Global Community; ISSUES - Study Abroad, Applied Diplomacy, HumanitiesX; In this issue of Insights, we celebrate all things global at the College of Liberal Arts and Social Science (LAS). We are deeply proud of the positive impact our students and alumni have had on the world, and of the many LAS academic initiatives that foster global engagement; New Advisory Board Chair Mitchell Goldberg; Study abroad turns LAS Honors alumni into global citizens; Depaul Expands the Borders of Diplomacy with this First of Its kind program; Landing in LONDON Spring break trip brings DePaul …

Exploration Of The Interaction Of Maternal Experience Of Trauma And Infant Temperament On Maternal Parenting, Julie Christine Van Weelden

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Among women over age 18, 1 in 3 have experienced intimate partner violence, including physical aggression and stalking, and nearly 1 in 5 have experienced some type of sexual violence during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood (Black et al., 2011). Given the high rates of trauma experiences in women of childbearing age, especially in low-income populations (Gillepsie et al, 2009), it is critical to examine the effect these experiences have on women´s parenting, especially during infancy, a sensitive period for many important domains of child development (Bornstein, 2002). Previous research has demonstrated experiencing victimization can affect maternal caregiving (Trickett, Noll, Putnam, …

Must-Stream Tv: The Reemergence Of Nbc's Must-See Tv In The Streaming Era, Bri Mattia

College of Communication Master of Arts Theses

This thesis argues that two current and prevalent television industry shifts—the plethora of reboots and revivals on network television, and forthcoming studio-owned streaming services—are the result of the popularity of past series with audiences on streaming services. I first argue for a focus on the specifics of the series themselves, over the greater trend as a whole in order to determine the validity of these shifts. Approaching each series with the questions “Why then?” and “Why now?” this thesis examines two series from NBC’s famous Must-See TV programming block, Friends (1994-2004) and ER (1994-2009), that have reemerged in popularity with …

Trait Contempt Predicts Tendencies To Dehumanize Others, Russell Steiger

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Prior research pertaining to the Stereotype Content Model (SCM) has found that groups stereotyped as “cold and incompetent” (e.g., refugees, homeless people, drug addicts) are most likely to elicit both emotional state contempt and dehumanization. However, no prior studies have examined trait (dispositional) contempt’s relationship with dehumanization towards different SCM-relevant groups. Across two studies, I examined trait contempt as a predictor of dehumanization within the context of the SCM. Trait contempt is characterized by frequent cold feelings towards others and frequently viewing others as incompetent. I therefore proposed that since contemptuous people view their social world through a “cold and …

Effective Screening Of Postpartum Depression And Its Potential To Increase Treatment: An Integrative Literature Review, Isabella C. Huminsky

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

Abstract

Background: Several studies suggest nurses specializing in women’s health, pediatrics, and family health have a critical role quickly identifying and subsequently, treating postpartum depression. Due to lack of knowledge surrounding postpartum depression and differences among assessments, it is estimated that almost half of postpartum depression cases go undiagnosed and untreated.

Objectives: To explore what research has been conducted regarding the clinical outcomes associated with effective screening of postpartum patients, to recommend educational programs for staff and patients, and screening and treatment protocols development so screening for postpartum depression can becomes universal.

Methods: This integrative literature review was conducted …

Effect Of Promoting Psychosocial Resilience In Adolescents With Diabetes: An Integrative Literature Review, Britney Sandino

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

Background: Adolescent obesity and diabetes increase the risk of numerous physiological health threats and psychosocial stress disorders. Educating this population on how to cope with physical and psychosocial stressors improves their health status and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Objectives: The purpose of this review was to provide the nursing community with insight on the health promotion effects of fostering psychosocial resilience in diabetic adolescents aged 7 to 17 and suggest specific methods to integrate into their plan of care.

Methods: An integrative literature review was performed using PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Health Literature, Ovid Medline, ProQuest …

Sex-Specific Personalities In The Purple Marsh Crab, Jillian Sterman, Jessica Barton, Panagiota Delmedico, Samantha Sweeney

DePaul Discoveries

Animals are considered to possess personalities when individuals differ in behavior, and these differences are consistent between situations. Several studies have identified personalities in diverse groups but less is known about personality variation between the sexes. In this study, we examined variation in two key personality traits (boldness, activity) in female and male purple marsh crabs (Sesarma reticulatum) using a semi-field approach. Specifically, we measured boldness and activity on two consecutive days using the same behavioral assays during each time point. Consistency (personality) was determined using Kendall’s coefficient of concordance based on Spearman correlation coefficients for each behavior. …

A Playful Life Cycle Assessment Of The Environmental Impact Of Children's Toys, Madeline R. Robertson, Christie Klimas

DePaul Discoveries

Toys aid in children’s progression through developmental stages, yet toy production has an environmental impact. This study is the first comparative life cycle assessment of three children’s toys. A life cycle assessment quantifies the impact of an item in comparable impact categories (i.e. global warming potential in kg CO2 equivalents). In this study, we use open LCA to compare toy impact from production to use. The results indicate that the plastic polybutylene carried the highest impact in terms of global warming potential for our predominantly plastic toy. The addition of a battery to the plush dog increased the toy’s eutrophication …

A Life Cycle Assessment Of Jewelry, Jessica Fernandez, Christie Klimas

DePaul Discoveries

Jewelry is unique in that it is not a necessity, yet it holds sentimental and material value to the owner. Jewelry sales in the US have increased throughout time, meaning the demand for gold has almost always been increasing, as well. With more than half of the gold mined going towards the production of jewelry, it is the product with the highest demand of the resource. However, mining for the metals to produce a piece of jewelry, specifically gold, has negative consequences on both the environment and the people working in or living near mines. This study is a life …

Depaul Discoveries Volume 8 Cover, Jessica Hughes

DePaul Discoveries

No abstract provided.

The Cost Of Being A “Strong Black Woman”, Alescia Maraboushontrell Hollowell

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

The current study explored how internalization of the Strong Black Woman (SBW) race-gender ideology contributes to poor health behaviors and outcomes in Black women. The SBW ideology is associated with maladaptive eating patterns and psychological distress, but less is known about the other physical health implications of this endorsement. The current study sought to better understand the mechanisms that contribute to this relationship and examine the association between endorsement of the SBW ideology and outcomes of physical activity and eating behaviors, weight satisfaction, chronic stress, and depression. Participants were 91 African American women aged 18-65 years recruited from the south …

Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Neighborhoods, Stroke Risk, And Cognition In Older Adults: A Focus On Violent Crime, Linda D. Ruiz

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods, i.e., neighborhoods with lower incomes, lower education/occupational levels, and/or higher crime, increases one’s risk of developing chronic health problems, including cardiovascular disease risk factors and stroke. These health problems are associated with reduced cognition and dementia and may help to explain disparities in brain aging. We investigated the association of neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics on stroke risk and cognitive outcomes hypothesizing that stroke risk mediates the association between the socioeconomic environment and cognitive functioning. Participants were non-demented community-dwelling older adults (N=121), ~67 years of age (50% male, 44% non-Latino Black) who underwent cognitive and medical assessments. …

Human Resource Initiatives Addressing Factors Impacting Organizational Gender Stratification And Performance: A Computational Study, Ashlyn Paige Lowe

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Women remain underrepresented in the upper echelons of organizational management, which is known as organizational gender stratification (OGS). Individual processes, such as differential career choices between men and women, contribute to OGS, along with organizational processes, such as bias in performance appraisal evaluations. Furthermore, these factors hold implications for organizational workforce potential if promotion decisions depend on biased performance evaluations. The literature lacks an integration of these factors in examining their combinatorial dynamic effects, as well as an assessment of practical steps organizations can take to combat the cultivation of OGS. This study has two primary purposes. First, it examines …

The Influence Of Team Cohesion And Contextual Performance On Project Team Performance Over Time, Melissa Vazquez

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Theory and empirical research suggest that team cohesion and contextual performance relate to team performance. However, while general support exists for a team cohesion and contextual performance relationship, less is known about the how the relationship evolves over time. This study aimed to examine the extent to which team cohesion and contextual performance reciprocally relate over time. Data were collected from 245 individuals comprising 40 student project teams engaged in the Capsim business simulation over a 10-week quarter. Results supported hypothesis 1; based on a cross-lagged path model, a stronger relationship exists between contextual performance at time point 1 and …

A Computational Cognitive Architecture For Exploring Team Mental Models, Neil Benoit Outland

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Team Mental Models (TMM) are one of the strongest predictors of team behavior and performance. TMM direct team behaviors through the series of tasks they perform over time. Research in the area, although crucial in demonstrating the effect of TMM, has been largely static, failing to articulate specifically how TMM emerge or function in teams over time. This dissertation develops a computational model to explicate the process of TMM emergence and demonstrate necessary factors. First, I explain the core concepts of TMM emergence, including team composition, dyadic interactions, and contextual variables. Second, I develop a process-oriented theory of TMM development …

What Boundaries? Work-Family Boundary Management Style And The Impact On Black Entrepreneurs’ Satisfaction And Well-Being, Amber S.C. Rouse

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

The appeal and interest in entrepreneurship as a viable career alternative has grown significantly in recent years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the total number of U.S. firms has increased by 2%, from 27.1 million in 2007 to 27.6 million in 2012 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2016). Further, the number of minority-owned firms in the U.S. has risen from 5.8 million in 2007 to 8.0 million in 2012. One perspective for the recent rise in entrepreneurship is that individuals may turn to self-employment to gain greater autonomy in how they manage the boundaries between their work and family lives. Boundary …

Effects Of Personality Retesting On Validity Coefficients As Moderated By Situational Strength, Daniel R. Abben

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

The use of valid selection tests enables organizations to better select employees who have the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics that are necessary for success. While cognitive ability tests are one of the best predictors of performance, they have well-known limitations. Specifically, they can result in adverse impact, and there is clear evidence of retest effects. The use of personality tests, when included in a selection battery, can ameliorate adverse impact and can provide incremental validity. Personality tests, however, also have limitations. Namely, they can be faked, the construct can be measured in various ways (i.e., there are myriad …

Stereotype Threat And Stem Self-Perceptions Of Saudi College Women, Ali Hadi Omair

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Research shows that women’s educational progress in scientific (STEM) fields is limited by negative stereotypes about their abilities in such fields. These negative stereotypes may be internalized by women and adversely affect their academic self-concept and progress in STEM fields. In the case of women in higher education who study in STEM fields, their knowledge that they are stereotyped as having less ability than men in those fields may result in a stereotype threat that reduces their performance in cognitive tests and reduces their academic self-perception in regard to STEM domains.

Most research on the negative female stereotype and stereotype …

Defining The American System, Andrea Bellovary

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

American systems are commonly discussed in system justification literature; however, little is known about what subsystems are important to Americans’ understanding of the overall American system and what impact status has on forming these perceptions. This study attempts to answer these questions by asking Americans about their perceptions of the overall American system and seven underlying subsystems (political, economic, employment, education, criminal justice, social services, and health care). Three hundred and forty three community members from the Chicagoland area and Mechanical Turk were recruited to participate in the survey. It was hypothesized that high-status participants would prioritize the subsystems that …

Office Clutter And Its Influence: Assessing Engagement, Satisfaction, Tension, Stress, And Emotional Exhaustion, Trina N. Dao

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Psychological home is a relatively new topic within the field of psychology, defined as a person’s need to self-identify with a physical environment. Clutter, defined as the over-accumulation of material items, is even less studied. Previous research has shown that clutter in the home may negatively influence a person’s well-being, but this tendency has not been investigated in workplace settings (Crum & Ferrari, 2019a; Crum & Ferrari, 2019b; Roster, Ferrari & Jurkat, 2016). Within workplace research, there is a construct called work-related well-being (Narainsamy & Van Der Westhuizen, 2013; Rothman, 2008), consisting of job satisfaction, employee engagement, burnout, and occupational …

Small-World Network Analysis Of Cortical Connectivity In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Using Eeg, Mark Alan Zinn

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

The primary aim of this thesis was to explore the relationship between electroencephalography (qEEG) and brain system dysregulation in people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). EEG recordings were taken from an archival dataset of 30 subjects, 15 people with CFS and 15 healthy controls (HCs), evaluated during an eye-closed resting state condition. Exact low resolution electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA) was applied to the qEEG data to estimate cortical sources and perform functional connectivity analysis assessing the strength of time-varying signals between all pairwise cortical regions of interest. To obtain a comprehensive view of local and global processing, eLORETA lagged coherence was …