Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Investigating The Masking Effects Of Blood On Organic Gunshot Residue Using Gc/Ms, Raman, And Atr-Ftir, Tyler Willits

Master's Theses

Gunshot residue (GSR) can be an indicator for determining the distance of a firearm discharge and linking potential suspects and witnesses to a shooting event. However, the evidentiary value of inorganic gunshot residue (IGSR), commonly used to detect GSR, has been called into question due to the potential for false negatives and false positives. Organic gunshot residue (OGSR) acts as supporting evidence; this increases the overall confidence of the examiner, as well as the value of gunshot residue evidence as a whole.

Current research has focused on three main areas for OGSR. The first is what compounds we should identify …

Addressing Barriers To Preventative Health Care For Transgender Populations: A Systems Approach To Improving Access To Gynecological Care, Meghan N. Flynn

Master's Theses

The current study addresses the lack of research exploring the individual and systemic barriers to accessing gynecological care for transgender populations. An integrated mixed-methods needs assessment was designed to explore the individual and systemic barriers to gynecological health care for transgender and gender diverse populations. Participants of the study included established community providers known to serve the transgender community through advocacy or research efforts, as well as clinical psychologists and medical professionals working in gynecological settings. The study includes a brief quantitative survey, which measured “Perceptions of Inclusivity Importance” among key stakeholders. Following the survey, participants were invited to engage …

Community Programs - Evaluating Benefits For Lgbtq Youth: A Program Evaluation Of The Pridelead Program At Youth Services Of Glenview/Northbrook, Michael Bandy

University Honors Program Senior Projects

The objective of this research is to determine how LGBTQ+ youth benefit from the series of programming created for them by Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook. This study specifically focused on the PrideLEAD group, which is made up of high school students who identify as LGBTQ+, who are there to learn leadership skills. This study focused on how the program impacts their self-esteem, their confidence, the way they view the world, the way they handle discrimination when they are faced with it, and how they view their own strengths and challenges as leaders. The survey sought to answer three specific questions …

Exploring Workplace Spirituality In The Context Of Work Teams, Nandini O. Mcclurg

Human Resource Development Theses and Dissertations

The topic of spirituality has been widely explored by scholars, researchers, and organizations in an effort to understand human responses to life endeavors and to individuals’ relationships to society at large and to work environments more specifically (Giacalone & Jurkiewicz, 2010a, 2010b). Spirituality has been associated with a person’s desire to perform meaningful work and to feel connected with the community that is being served through this work (Chalofsky, 2003; Fagley & Adler, 2012). Since most adults spend a large amount of their productive hours at work pursuing meaning and purpose in their jobs (Madden, 2015), the concept of workplace …

Queer Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence : Developing Queer Theory And Practice For Responsive Service Provision, Autumn M. Bermea

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Queer individuals (e.g., non-heterosexual and/or non-cisgender) are at a heightened vulnerability to experience intimate partner violence (IPV) than heterosexual and/or cisgender individuals. However, there are few inclusive IPV services available specifically for queer individuals. This may be due to a lack of training or the presence homo/bi/transphobia. This dissertation fills this gap by connecting theory, practice, and research. It proposes a strain of queer theory that is applicable to interpreting IPV through the recognition of heteronormative social structures and heterogeneity of the queer community. Through collaboration with queer/queer friendly IPV service providers, theory was applied to develop empirically-based recommendations for …

Promoting Community-Based Affirmation For Diverse Lgbtq+ Youth, Lisa M. Chauveron

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Growing evidence shows that offering affirmation to LGBTQ+ youth is critical to their well-being; yet, strategies providing affirmation at the community level of youth ecologies are woefully under-addressed in the literature. The studies in this dissertation help fill this gap, examining affirmation: a) in community-based programs, b) from people and communities, and c) in program evaluations. Paper One focuses on LGBTQ+ culturally competent service in community-based youth programs (CBYPs). An exploratory factor analysis uncovered the dimensions of such competency in a 3-factor model: Individual Knowledge, Individual Comfort and Practice, and Perceptions of Overall Agency Comfort and Practice. A new retrospective …

Suicide In Younger And Older Adults : A Comparison Of Two Theoretical Models For Suicide, John F. Gunn Iii

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Suicide is a major public health concern claiming over 47,000 lives annually in the United States. Despite efforts at prevention, the rates of suicide have continued to climb. Due to this, research that can shed light on the potential causes of suicidal thoughts is of great importance. The present manuscript outlines three studies exploring two theoretical frameworks for suicide: (1) Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS) and (2) Social Pain Model (SPM). Findings from Study 1 partially support the role of low self-worth and low social support in increasing risk for reporting suicidal thoughts in a racially diverse sample of African …

Refugee Resettlement In America : Exploring The Attitudes And Perceptions Of Resettlement Workers And Adolescents, Marisa C. Macdonnell

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This dissertation explored perceptions and attitudes toward refugees and refugee resettlement and tested the impact of a prejudice reduction intervention derived from extended contact. This dissertation utilized a three-paper approach. Using qualitative data, the first paper explored resettlement workers’ beliefs about facilitators and barriers to successful refugee resettlement. Resettlement workers highlighted needs within resettlement service provision and highlighted the growing discrimination against refugees and refugee resettlement within the United States. The second paper examined American adolescents’ knowledge and feelings toward refugees. Findings revealed American adolescents’ limited knowledge of refugees and demonstrated the significant relationships between prior contact, media exposure to …

A Post-Intentional Phenomenological Exploration Of A Sense Of Safety In Three-Generation Low-Income Families, Kaitlin Brigid Mulcahy

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Despite a wide body of literature that suggests safety as critical to human development and individual well-being (Ainsworth, Blehar, Waters, & Wall, 1978; Bowlby, 1969; Fosha, Siegel & Solomon, 2009; Marvin, Cooper, Hoffman & Powell, 2002; Porges, 2011; Tronick, 2007), a comprehensive review of the literature found a paucity of research that addresses the phenomenon of a sense of safety within family units. This study sought to fill this gap through an entirely strengths-based design that made use of post-intentional phenomenological methods and arts-based analysis. The research question that guided this study was: How is the phenomenon of a sense …

Student's Explicit And Implicit Attitudes Regarding Breastfeeding In Public : Analyzed Through Facereader™ Technology, Kaitlin Doherty Overgaard

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

INTRODUCTION: The recommended length of time to exclusively breastfeed a child is six months. However, women are not meeting these rates because they are not receiving enough support from their communities. Societal support is essential to successful breastfeeding rates. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine students’ explicit and implicit attitudes toward women breastfeeding in public, to better understand the challenges associated with breastfeeding in public and social situations. METHODS: FaceReader technology was used to analyze participants’ reactions to three images and one video clip of mothers breastfeeding in public. Questionnaires were used to record participants’ explicit (self-reported) …

Commonsense Knowledge In Sentiment Analysis Of Ordinance Reactions For Smart Governance, Manish Puri

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Smart Governance is an emerging research area which has attracted scientific as well as policy interests, and aims to improve collaboration between government and citizens, as well as other stakeholders. Our project aims to enable lawmakers to incorporate data driven decision making in enacting ordinances. Our first objective is to create a mechanism for mapping ordinances (local laws) and tweets to Smart City Characteristics (SCC). The use of SCC has allowed us to create a mapping between a huge number of ordinances and tweets, and the use of Commonsense Knowledge (CSK) has allowed us to utilize human judgment in mapping. …

Dark Triad Unleashed : Examining Trait-Activating Effects On Counterproductive Work Behavior, Danielle Tarantino

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Meta-analytic research has revealed widely varying but generally weak associations linking the Dark Triad traits – narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy – to counterproductive work behaviors. Several moderators of this relationship have been investigated, but there is currently no framework that exists to categorize and organize these moderators. Drawing on trait activation theory, an organizing framework of moderators is offered to explain the variation in findings on the Dark Triad (DT) and counterproductive work behaviors (CWB). This 4R framework organizes moderators as relevant, restraining, regulatory and resourceful. Moderated multiple regression was conducted for each moderator in each category in order to …

Ce 555 Syllabus: Addictions Counseling - Psychopharmacology, Mitch Moore

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course introduces students to the pharmacology of substance abuse disorders and the dynamics of addiction, including medication-assisted therapy. Students will learn about the effects of licit and illicit drugs on the brain and body, basic drug classifications, and indications and contraindications of drugs to make appropriate referrals for medical intervention and medication evaluations and to provide basic client education. Grade only.

Ce 565 Syllabus: Addictions Counseling - Theory And Practice, Mitch Moore

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course provides students with an overview of various theoretical orientations, models, and methods for delivering client education and treatment from both and individual and group perspectives. Students will be introduced to evidenced-based treatment approaches, including motivational interviewing/ enhancement therapy, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and 12-Step facilitation, and others. Working with clients in crisis and with co-occurring disorders will be emphasized.

Ce 590 Syllabus: Addiction Counseling - Practicum, Mitch Moore

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course provides a practical, field-based experience of 880 hours in an addiction counseling setting as required by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (MBBHT) Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor [LADC], and the Minnesota Certification Board’s (MCB) Board Certified Counselor (BCC) requirements (IC&RC). This experience may be arranged with supervision coordinated through the practicum course instructor and an on-site supervisor. A total of six (6) credits—two sections—of practicum work must be completed.

Ce 590-1 Syllabus: Summer 2019-Addiction Counseling - Practicum, Mitch Moore

Counselor Education Syllabi

for Master's Degree Counselor Education Department students seeking "dual licensure" (LPCC & LADC). These are students who have completed CE 680: Practicum, are enrolled in or have completed CE 690-Internship, and need the extra practicum hours to accrue the 880 hours required for addiction counseling licensure. The faculty of the Counselor Education Department regards the practicum & internship as an integral component of its counseling programs. Academic and applied counseling skills are synthesized and used by approved interns on a daily basis in an addiction counseling setting. Practicum & internship is a vital educational component for future LADCs to learn …

Ce 680 Syllabus: Counseling Practicum, Dawnette Cigrand

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course provides an opportunity for the counselor-in-training to begin to develop and refine their individual and group counseling skills within the functional milieu of a clinical mental health or school setting. All practicum activities are closely supervised by university and field-based supervisors.

Ce625 Syllabus: Career Development And Appraisal, Pam Iverson

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course provides students with the basic theories, counseling techniques, and assessment tools used in career counseling. Through applied learning experiences, students will be able to complete a comprehensive career assessment and plan.

Comparing The Effects Of Racial Segregation On Homicide Trends In Two Major Us Cities, Taylor Sullivan

Criminal Justice

This study focuses on the effects that racial segregation has on homicide rates. Using two major cities that have similar demographics, Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California, this paper studies homicide rates at checkpoints over a span of time while also recording poverty rates and racial isolation. The Uniform Crime Report put out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation will provide data about homicides in the two cities for the respective years. Racial segregation is still an incessant issue throughout the country and causes issues through three major factors, economy, culture, and politics. These issues cause tension between minority and …

Beliefs About Police Error Leading To Wrongful Convictions And Attitudes On Police Legitimacy, Julia Melfi

Criminal Justice

This study investigates the relations between citizens’ perceptions of how police misconduct as a factor contributing to wrongful convictions is connected to attitudes towards police legitimacy. I hypothesized that there would be a negative correlation between the two variables such that the more individuals believe police error contributes to wrongful convictions, the less legitimate they perceive the police to be. I also examined how citizens’ race affects these perceptions and attitudes, too, and hypothesized that Black citizens are more likely than White citizens to believe police error leads to wrongful conviction and mistrust the police. To test the hypotheses data …

Deterring Online Music And Movie Piracy In Adults, Carolyn Solimine

Criminal Justice

Online piracy of music and movies is common, despite being a form of theft and copyright infringement. Many individuals do not realize the real-life impacts of online piracy on artists and the entertainment industry. Moreover, few perpetrators are caught or punished for their actions. This allows potential perpetrators to rationalize and neutralize their piracy-related behaviors and, thus, avoid feelings of guilt or shame. This research uses an online experimental survey to examine framing tactics that may be used to prime feelings of guilt and shame and, in turn, deter online piracy. The survey exposed participants to one of three experimental …

Explaining Juvenile Delinquency As A Product Of Personal Security, Roxanne I. Grieggs

Criminal Justice

This study seeks to understand the role that youths’ sense of personal security plays in their external engagement in deviant behavior. While there is some literature on the relationship between youth’s fear of crime or tumultuous home environments and their involvement in gangs and to some extent violence, it is scant, and studies of youths’ feelings of safety within residential facilities and their in-residence behaviors is virtually non-existent. Therefore, in this study of youth in two residential treatment centers, surveys administered to said youth are used to illustrate the potential link between youth’s perceived sense of personal security, how it …

Race, Threat, And Firearms: : Analysis Of State-Level Self-Defense And "Stand Your Ground" Laws, John-Michael Simpson

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This study explores the expansion of state-level self-defense laws between 2005 and 2010 using a threat theory framework. Unlike prior historical changes in self-defense law, which were largely made through judicial avenues and were localized at the state-level, the recent expansions of self-defense have been driven by state legislatures to produce notable patterns of change, including protections of criminal immunity and codifications of presumption of reasonable fear. Threat theory would predict that the strengthening of informal social controls to use violence in self-defense is a response by the dominant group to perceived threats to power from a subordinate group. In …

'Lui' And 'Egli' In Il Gattopardo, Joseph C. M. Davis

Publications and Research

A semiotic, discourse-based linguistic hypothesis that bypasses the syntactic category subject and proposes instead contrasting meanings for the pronouns lui and egli provides empirical support for the critical interpretation of the novel Il Gattopardo as being anti-teleological. The hypothesis, which applies to large body of twentieth-century Italian literature, is that egli but not lui bears a linguistic meaning that ties its relevance to a verb. This linguistic hypothesis reveals a significant difference in Tomasi di Lampedusa’s portrayals of the novel’s two characters Don Fabrizio and Don Calogero: one as a character defined by who he is, the other as a …

The Perception Of Iron-Deficient Anemia In Bolgatanga, Ghana Among Women Of Childbearing Age, Sydney Albrecht

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Objective: To understand the perception of anemia among the women of childbearing age in Bolgatanga, Ghana, and to correlate the reasoning with the high incidence of anemia in the area.

Method: This research was a qualitative study consisting of 67 interviews over the course of the three weeks that were spent in Bolgatanga. 50 of these interviews were women of childbearing age (15-49), 6 were health professionals, and 11 were women older than the age range provided. Interviews were taken from the maternity clinics nearby as well as from women in a rural area that was a 10-minute taxi ride …

Editor's Note, Joseph A. Cernik

Missouri Policy Journal

No abstract provided.

Ethical Problems With Plastic In The Ocean, Brennan Cotter

Senior Theses

In the year 2018 this paper argues that plastic use and waste is destroying our oceans and that we should address the problem by fully adopting the principle and practices of sustainability. The first section outlines the advent of our plastic disposable culture. The second section gives evidence of how plastic waste is negatively affecting marine life. The third section draws from literature in environmental philosophy to develop the concept of sustainability, and the concluding section outlines several steps we can take as individuals and nations to practice sustainability.

Back Matter

The Foundation Review

No abstract provided.

Social Skills Training And Generalization Of Skills In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Brittany Wright

Honors Theses

The social deficits observed in individiuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can often be improved with social skills training. The current study evaluated the effects of the Superheroes Social Skills training program which uses animated superheroes, video modeling, and comic books to teach social skills training. Three participants with ASD were trained in Conversation, Responding to Questions, and Body Basics over ten sessions, with sessions occurring twice a week in a non-school setting at the Arc of Southeast Mississippi. A multiple baseline across skills design across participants was used to examine the effects of the intervention on skill …

Contagious Or Not Contagious: Is That The Question? Evaluating The Effects Of Disease Contagion On Memory For Word Lists, Laura Pazos

Honors Theses

Researchers have suggested that individuals possess a disease-avoidance system designed to detect and remember potential sources of harmful pathogens, a system termed the behavioral immune system. Recently, Fernandes, Pandeirada, Soares, and Nairne (2017) reported an increase in memory for objects associated with individuals that are contaminated with a disease. My thesis extends this finding by examining whether disease-related memory benefits are due to the mere presence of a disease or whether the disease needs to be perceived as contagious and thereby threatening to facilitate memory. Two experiments, one between- and one within-subjects, were designed to test memory performance in the …