Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Evaluating The Maintenance Of Verbal Relational Operants Following Peak Programming, Jenna Huskey

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The Promoting the Emergence of Advanced Knowledge (PEAK) Relational Training System is an assessment and curriculum tool developed for basic and advanced language skills using behavior analytic approaches (Dixon, 2016). Maintenance describes the retention of performance following the progression of time. In the present study, the purpose was to determine if maintenance was achieved on previously mastered PEAK programs, both in terms of the content and the verbal relational operant (i.e., generalization to new, untrained content). De-identified data were analyzed for five autistic learners (six to fourteen years old) receiving ABA services at a Midwestern clinic. Programs were selected from …

Evaluating The Interdependency Of The Peak Comprehensive Assessment As It Relates To Performance Estimation And Curricular Programming For Autistic Learners, Julia A. Busam

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Assessments are widely used by behavior analysts throughout the field of Applied Behavior Analysis when determining curriculum and intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This thesis combines and discusses two collaborative manuscripts that revolve around the subject of one commonly used ABA assessment and curriculum. The PEAK Relational Training System (PEAK, Dixon 2014-2016) provides a wide-ranging assessment and training program that incorporates Skinnerian verbal operant learning and derived relational responding expressed in contemporary Relational Frame Theories (Hayes et al., 2001). The PEAK Comprehensive Assessment (PEAK-CA; Dixon, 2018) was developed to standardize and streamline assessments from all four PEAK …

Online Assignment Submission Delay As A Behavioral Indicator Of Procrastination, Ari L. Cunningham

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Procrastination has long been recognized as an important topic in higher education, and various tools for measuring procrastination have focused on either behavioral or subjective components of the phenomenon. This study examines how online assignment submission delay, used as an objective measure of procrastination, relates to several conceptualizations of procrastination and pacing style measured through self-report questionnaires. It was hypothesized that median assignment submission delay would have a positive relationship with the included self-report measures, a positive relationship with the deadline action pacing style, and a negative relationship with the steady pacing style. Data was collected from 66 students in …

Parents' Understanding Of Children's Mental States: Emotion Regulation In Young Children And The Role Of Mindful Parenting, Parental Reflective Functioning, And Parental Emotion Regulation, Kate A. Senack

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Parenting is a demanding and stressful responsibility that leads to increased feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression among caregivers, which research has found to be significantly related to social incompetence and behavioral problems in children during early childhood. However, certain parenting practices such as parental emotion regulation, mindful parenting, and parental reflective functioning have been found to support children’s socioemotional development, and in particular emotion regulation. This study utilized a cross-sectional design to explore the relationship between the parenting practices of parental emotion regulation, mindful parenting, and parental reflective functioning in relation to children’s emotion regulation using simple linear regression …

Foreign Intervention And Internal Displacement: Urban Politics In Postwar Beirut, Amanda Rizkallah

All Faculty Open Access Publications

Uneven democratization is a common yet poorly understood legacy of civil war. In the aftermath of the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990), wartime processes of displacement interacted with Syria's intervention to transform local postwar political orders. In Beirut's suburbs, the bonds built between armed actors and displaced populations created opportunities for displaced people to extract responsiveness from local institutions, despite their vulnerability. But the power of displaced populations in their host community hinges on the fate of the locally dominant armed actor. If the armed actor is an ally of the intervening power, it can maintain political control over its strongholds, …

Why People Use Social Media: An Investigation Of Engagement On An All-Service Platform, Steven Bauer, Fang Tian

All Faculty Open Access Publications

This study provides the first investigation of the complete group of variables in the expanded theory of uses and gratifications on consumer engagement in an all-service social media platform. Consumer engagement is measured both from a psychological state and behavioral perspective, an approach which is important since the antecedent variables in uses and gratifications theory have both psychological and behavioral manifestations. A survey is conducted in Mainland China on WeChat with 805 respondents. Antecedent variables and consumer engagement are measured using previously validated scales. Regression analyses find that the antecedent variables of entertainment, integration/social interaction, personal identity, information, remuneration, and …

Impacts Of Self-Diagnosing And The Role Of Social Media, Sara Steffens

A with Honors Projects

This poster explores outcomes of self-diagnosing mental illness/disorders and how social media factors in.

The Parentification Of Eldest Daughters, Isabella Loraina Ciarico

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to understand the experience of eldest daughters and to research if parentification in childhood impacts eldest daughter identities. The goal was to dive deeper into what it means to be the eldest daughter and how being the eldest daughter aligns with parentification. Two research questions guided this study: (a) what is the experience of the eldest daughter, and (b) How does parentification in childhood impact eldest daughter identities? Findings showed the experiences of eldest daughters with parentification.

Impulsive Behavior In The Context Of A Substance Use Treatment Seeking Sample: A Conditional Process Analysis Of Childhood Maltreatment, Experiential Avoidance, And Cognitive Fusion, Emily Kalantar

Dissertations and Theses

Substance misuse is associated with high impulsive behavior and may represent one behavioral manifestation of impulsive behavior. One predictor of substance misuse is childhood maltreatment, which is, in turn, associated with difficulty regulating unwanted emotion. Accordingly, impulsive behavior is high among individuals exposed to maltreatment and likely functions as one behavioral strategy for coping with unwanted internal experiences. Consequently, identification of behavioral processes that may account for the childhood maltreatment and impulsive behavior relation in substance misusers appears warranted. One process-based behavioral model that may be useful in this endeavor is psychological flexibility, which includes the inflexible processes of experiential …

Community Resurrection: Qualitative Research Exploring Methods In Revitalizing Historic Districts Without Gentrification, Gayle Yvonne Green

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

This qualitative study examines redevelopment and historic preservation in the Lincoln Street Historic District of Gary, Indiana. Established in 1906 by the United States Steel Corporation, Gary grew as a major industrial center before experiencing decades of disinvestment, abandonment, and renewed interest from commercial investors. Despite the district’s architectural and cultural significance, its historic structures and surrounding neighborhoods continue to face deterioration and redevelopment pressures.

Using a case study approach, this research explores the perspectives of seven residents and two business owners with longstanding ties to the district. Through interviews, participants identified resources needed to revitalize blighted and abandoned properties, …

Disconnected In A Connected World: Gender Differences In Loneliness And The Impact Of Technology, Charlotte Andrea Svendsen

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

The purpose of the present study was to examine the direct and indirect effects of Problematic Instagram use (PIU) on different psychopathological outcomes including loneliness, depression, anxiety, and social anxiety. Additionally, moderating role of gender on the relationships among variables was investigated. A total of 191 adolescents (Mage= 21.45 years, SD=2.07; range=18 to 24 years) were recruited for the study to complete a questionnaire that included the relevant assessment tools for the variables. Mediation and moderation analyses showed that among male adolescents, PIU was directly associated with loneliness, depression, general anxiety, and social anxiety. Among females, PIU was directly associated …

Differences In Personality Pathology Among Non-Suicidal Self- Injury And Suicidal Behavior Patterns: A Latent Class Analysis, Rachel Chavin

Dissertations and Theses

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is present among a range of personality disorders (PDs) and, though distinct from suicide (Whitlock et al., 2015). Individuals who engage in NSSI and/or suicidal behavior, tend to have similar symptomology consistent with PDs, like rumination (Bowen et al., 2019), impulsivity (Hamza et al., 2015), and greater sensitivity and emotional reactivity within social situations (Selby et al., 2012). Similarly, maladaptive personality traits have shown to positively relate to NSSI and suicide (Jimenez-Treviño et al., 2011; Turner et al., 2018). Yet, research also indicates that NSSI is a heterogenous behavior that varies in severity related to frequency, age …

Adapting Community-Based Psychological First Aid To A Palliative/Hospice Care Team: A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach, Kathryn Olivia Moore

Dissertations and Theses

Palliative and hospice care patients face serious or life-limiting illnesses; as a result, patients and their caregivers often have to overcome challenges related to psychological distress. Furthermore, stress related to individuals’ medical and psychosocial concerns can lead to crises. While current literature acknowledges patients’ and caregivers’ experience of depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, traumatic stress, and other disorders, there remains a gap in addressing these challenges through interventions that are tailored to the unique needs of this complex population. Additionally, professionals that comprise palliative and hospice care teams are often not trained to implement interventions to help prevent and intervene in …

Promotional Strategies For Gia's Thrifting, Gia Macedo

A with Honors Projects

The following information is an in-depth exploration of Gia’s Thrifting, an online curated thrift store, and the marketing strategies the business could use to create and execute a campaign. This report includes detailed evaluations of Gia’s Thrifting, market research about the thrifting industry, and competitor analysis. By developing a marketing mix, communications brief, and SWOT analysis, Gia’s Thrifting has generated a campaign idea and potential media executions.

The Effects Of Gender Roles On Adolescent Personality Development In The Workplace, Karlie Fuoss

A with Honors Projects

A paper about how gender roles and societal norms effect adolescents development of personality through their first time job experiences.

Shame And Social Interaction Quantity And Quality In Daily Life: The Moderating Effect Of Social Anxiety, Rachel C Bock

Dissertations and Theses

Frequent and fulfilling engagement in social interaction is paramount to human success and wellbeing. Yet, many individuals do not engage in social interactions of sufficient quantity and/or quality. Though some research indicates shame influences social behavior, the nature of this effect is unclear. Some research suggests shame is associated with effective engagement in social interaction, whereas other work indicates shame is associated with maladaptive avoidance of social interaction. One potential explanation for equivocal results may be a lack of accounting for mental health concerns, such as social anxiety. Social anxiety is positively associated with social impairments and shame, yet research …

Exploring Online Feminist Communities And The Male Allyship Experience, Josephine Saighoe

Dissertations and Theses

There has been a growing involvement of men in the feminist cause. Nonetheless, their own experiences as self-identified feminist allies have received inadequate attention within the academic research. Just like female activists, men who identify as feminist activists also make use of such digital platforms to support the activism and make significant contributions to the feminist discourse. In view of this, this study explores the experiences of Ghanaian male feminist allies in addition to delving into their experiences as feminist activists in the digital world and how they navigate the challenges that come with aligning themselves with this cause. Through …

A Pilot Study Exploring The Effectiveness And Feasibilty Of The Peers® Intervention In A Rural/Non-Metropolitan Setting, Blake Elvrum Warner

Dissertations and Theses

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Autistic adolescents often experience a myriad of mental health difficulties which are worsened by lower overall levels of social support. Higher rates of mental health difficulties are reported in rural and non-metropolitan areas where resources are less readily available. Interventions aimed at increasing social skills in autistic adolescents have proven to be an effective way to increase levels of social interaction and support. The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) intervention was developed …

Regional And Landscape Scale Examination And Attribution Of Vegetation Changes To Social-Environmental System Drivers In Kazakhstan, Venkatesh Kolluru

Dissertations and Theses

Kazakhstan (KZ) experienced widespread changes in ecosystem structure and function. The country is a climate and land cover/use change “hotspot” owing to political reforms, intensified grazing, and extreme climatic events. Despite their importance, there is a lack of consensus about vegetation changes, trends, and drivers in KZ. Addressing this knowledge gap is crucial for effectively managing and restoring grassland ecosystems. However, a pressing challenge is discerning anthropogenic-driven vegetation changes from climate variability and decomposing the responses to the complex human-environmental forcings. Motivated by these challenges, I employed statistical and machine learning algorithms to detect and attribute vegetation changes to social-environmental …

Political Ideology As Determinative Of Higher Education Funding: Exploring The Distinctions Between Community College And University Funding Under Differing Political Regimes, Paul Brown

Dissertations and Theses

Adequacy of funding for public institutions of higher education in the United States is significantly important to an array of stakeholders, including, state legislative bodies, decision-makers in the arena of higher education, and notably, consumers of higher education. State allocation of resources for higher education demonstrates variability, complicating accurate programmatic planning and budgeting. To assist higher education officials in the task of budget forecasting and resource adequacy, this study will help fill the void in understanding the connections between the political composition of the states’ legislative bodies and funding levels for differing types of higher education institutions. While significant prior …

Traumatic Stress, Sexual Abuse-Related Shame Severity, And Participation In Commercialized Sex Based On Childhood Sexual Abuse, Barbara Ann Bailey

Dissertations and Theses

Any sexual act performed under the condition that one person will receive or provide something of value to another in exchange for the sexual act is referred to as commercial sex. Some research suggests that those who engage in commercial sex are more likely to be victimized or physically assaulted. Moreover, a frequently cited risk associated with engaging in commercial sex is a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Because commercial sex and CSA are often unreported, there is limited understanding regarding symptom severity experienced by survivors of both. It was hypothesized that individuals who had experiences of both CSA …

Artificial Intelligence And News Consumption: A Study Of Trust, Credibility And Transparency In Automated Journalism, Julia Lobo Paes

Dissertations and Theses

According to Gallup poll (2023), over the last 50 years there has been a decline in how much Americans trust mass media. While in the 1970’s 72% of the population responded that they trust the media a 'great deal/fair amount', this number dropped to 34% in 2023. Given the decreasing public trust in news, this thesis focused particularly on analyzing trust in the organization, trust in the news story and perceived credibility in AI generative content. In addition to articles created by AI, this study also aimed to analyze how the public perceives information that has been personalized and distributed …

Impacts Of State Needs-Based Aid On Residency (In-State) Enrollments, Scott Pohlson

Dissertations and Theses

The debate over the effectiveness of various methods of financial aid dates to the 1960s with continued uncertainty on the impacts it has on college enrollment (Hansen 1983). Previous studies noted that states are adopting various financial aid programs with some focused on the merit-based aid program which traditionally has benefited higher-academic achieving students who come from higher income families (McLendon, Tandberg, & Hillman 2014). Then there are other states that have focused more on increasing their state funding on lower-income families via needs-based aid programs (McLendon, Tandberg, & Hillman 2014). However, these studies have not focused on the relationship …

Finding The Dream Job Or Finding Another Dream: Work Volition And Goal Reengagement As Predictors Of Work-Fulfillment, Wellbeing And Calling, Julia Price-Lee

Dissertations and Theses

Work is prominent in adults’ lives, and their opportunity to choose the work they prefer predicts key work and wellbeing outcomes (WWO), especially their sense of meaning in work and wellbeing. Work choice opportunities also influence a sense of calling. However, finding and keeping preferred work is often difficult when adults are also navigating finances, marginalizing systems, and non-work priorities. Work volition (WV) measures perceived freedom regarding work options and predicts the quality of work that people find and their wellbeing within and beyond work. Foundational theoretical models suggested that having safe and reliable work, known as decent work (DW), …

Fy2023 Association Of College And Research Libraries (Acrl) Statistical Survey: University Of Rhode Island Data, Julia Lovett

University Libraries Reports & Statistics

The report contains FY2023 data as submitted by the University of Rhode Island Libraries for the 2023 Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Annual Survey.

A Primer: Regulations And The Practice Of Residential Property Appraisal, Owiti A. K'Akumu, James E. Larsen

Finance and Financial Services Faculty Publication

This paper presents a chronology, beginning in the early 1900s, of the regulatory environment faced by residential real estate appraisers in the United States. The presentation informs the reader about two financial crises, the savings and loan crisis and the Subprime mortgage crisis. The conditions that led to each crisis, the response of Congress to address each crisis, and the effect of both on residential real estate appraisers are included in the presentation. Prior to these crises, appraisers were basically self-regulated, but today because of concern that inflated appraisals were a contributing cause of the crises they are subject to …

A Combinatory Approach To Understanding The Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence And Financial Labour Markets, Michael Samers, Yujia He

Geography Faculty Publications

This paper provides a critical conceptualization of the relationship between artificial intelligence and financial labour markets in the United States. In doing so, we ask first, what are the characteristics of ‘actually existing AI’ in the financial sector? Second, what are the various ways in which the relationship between AI and its effects on financial labour or employment over approximately the last decade are approached theoretically, conceptually, or methodologically? Third, what are the (spatial) consequences of AI for financial labour markets in the United States? In responding to these questions, we develop a combinatory approach that integrates a ‘financial ecologies’ …

Move The Table, Elizabeth Browning

Gaines Fellow Senior Theses

This creative thesis project is based on autoethnicgraphical methodology and queer feminist crip analysis, and borne from homegrown loving and learning. In recounting my own experience with education within feminine culinary spaces, I am affirming the teachings of particularly American mothers of color in resistance against oppressive politics in public education. In doing so, I validate my own knowledge and implore higher education institutions to explore collective access for us all. Using autoethnography, cooking as inquiry, historical information, and family recipes and narratives, I will analyze the ways in which the women in my family have created feminist midrash in …

The Relationship Between Low Self-Control And Life Goals Over The Life Course, Margaryta Munday

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

The present study aimed to test the relationships between low self-control and five different measures of life goals (educational, career, personal, relationship, and health) as well as the relationship between low self-control and the amount of commitment and progress made towards each of these goals across developmental periods (18-25, 26-35, 36-45, 46-55, 56+ years old). It was expected that low self-control would be negatively associated with life goals across all domains as well as with both measures of commitment and progress towards each. No differences in these links were expected across developmental periods or by sex. Data were collected from …

Repurposing The United Nations Trusteeship Council To Govern The Establishment Of Outer Space Settlements, Andrew Wulf

Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business

Current existing international law and treaties on outer space do not address or regulate private actors’ property claims or human settlements in outer space. American companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, as well as countries like the United States, Russia, and China, are seeking to create colonies on the Moon and Mars. However, there is no international legal authority to allow or regulate this. In order to legitimize and control this impending outgrowth of human settlements, this paper proposes that the U.N. Trusteeship Council be repurposed to govern non-state actors’ claims of outer space property.

First, this paper explains …