Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Moving Toward Leadership: A Case Study Of Latina Adolescents And Effective Communication, Isela Estrada

Creative Arts Therapies Theses

The problem addressed in this study is the need for Latina adolescents to develop effective communication and leadership skills that will support their success in U.S. culture and society. This thesis is a case study of two Mexican-American adolescents who participated in a twelve-session leadership program at a dance studio. The goal of the study was to test the effectiveness of Rena Kornblum’s (2002) Disarming the Playground curriculum as a social skills program to improve leadership, effective communication skills, and group cohesion. This study included video footage of the adolescents engaging in movement-based role-play scenarios, which was examined using qualitative …

Through A Feminist Lens: Language, Power And Identity In Catalan Nationalism, Christine Gallagher Kearney

College of Communication Master of Arts Theses

The goal for my master’s thesis is to understand how the working class women of Catalunya (specifically women that lived in the small farming villages in the region of Les Garrigues),contributed to the survival of Catalan. Catalunya is an autonomous region of Spain that endured more than three decades of the Francisco Franco dictatorship (1934-1975) that attempted to eradicate the Catalan language and culture. As stated by Everly (2003): “[…] the regional exile of Catalunya from the rest of Spain acts as a backdrop provoking women to go a step further and experiment with their own sense of gender separation …

Analyzing Nurse-Physician Discursive Practices In Acute Patient Care, John Dinolfo

All Dissertations

This mixed methods study in inter-professional health communication assesses the pedagogical role of writing and visual communication in the education of non-traditional and traditional Nursing students as they interpret and apply the concepts of message framing and message reception in nurse-physician communication. To achieve that goal, this study analyzes the dynamics of terministic screens as message frames that can determine message reception in nurse-physician communication regarding the status of an acute care patient.
The study was conducted in two Nursing writing and communication classes during the Spring 2011 semester. Two study groups (combined across classes) included a mixed population of …

Contextual Influences On Small Group Decision-Making: A Field Investigation, Sarah Kathryn Chorley

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines small group decision-making among groups of educators in an elementary school through the Bona Fide Group Perspective, which focuses on a group and its relationships to elements in its context. Twenty-six faculty members were interviewed and 26 meetings were recorded; these were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results indicated contextual, relational, and discursive factors influenced the decision-making process. Most critically, power, status, overlapping group memberships, and competing Discourses shaped the group decision-making process.

Family Members' Support Approaches Toward Veterans Exhibiting Symptoms Of Ptsd: A First Step Toward Validating The Inconsistent Nurturing As Control Theory Scale, Danielle M. Reed

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study was an initial step toward validating a new quantitative measure, the Inconsistent Nurturing as Control Theory (INCT) Scale, designed to quantitatively operationalize the INCT and assess whether functional family members take a controlling, nurturing, or inconsistent support approach to deal with their veteran’s PTSD behavior. Functional family members (88%) indicated that their veteran relative exhibited signs indicative of PTSD, using the PTSD Checklist (PCL-M). The INCT Scale was then used to determine which support approach family members used to deal with their veteran’s behavior. Results indicated that question items on nurturing and controlling yielded .70 or above internal …

The Price Of Dissent: Freedom Of Speech And Arkansas Criminal Anarchy Arrests, Jamie Leto Kern

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Following World War I and the Bolshevik Revolutions, America's Red Scare began, inciting fanatical patriotism and an alleged threat of anarchy that gripped a nation with fear. Paranoia about communists, Socialists, and anarchists divided the country and resulted in many states, including Arkansas, passing criminal anarchy laws. Since a majority of those accused of anti-American activities were involved in labor disputes, Arkansas makes for an interesting case study; not only did it have a relative lack of labor disputes, it still passed anti-Bolshevik laws. The purpose of this research is to develop an understanding of the ways in which dissenters …

Effects Of Task Evaluation Knowledge And Leadership Style On Employee Attitude Toward A Task, Alan Abitbol

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Ideally, an employee will attempt to perform a task at his or her best ability in order to complete a work task appropriately. However, there are several factors that affect how an employee approaches a task. Two such factors are the understanding an employee has on how his or her supervisor may evaluate performance of the task and the supervisor's leadership style. This study focuses on the effect task evaluation knowledge (TEK) and different leadership styles have on an employee's attitude toward performing a task. By using a 2x2 (transformational/transactional leadership by limited/increased amount of information communicated) experiment, participants were …

Fostering And Foreclosing Student Learning Potential: Portraits Of Performativity, Emotion, And Relationality In The Classroom, Jeanne Marie Jacobs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation endeavors to build a much-needed bridge between the fields of communication and education. Using critical pedagogy and critical communication pedagogy as theoretical frameworks, this project advances an understanding of classroom communication as constitutive of power relations, and teachers and students as agents who can work together to foster learning potential and social justice. I look to interdisciplinary scholarship on affect to craft a nuanced conceptual framework of the connection between communication and emotion, and how they create learning opportunities for some students and construct barriers to learning for others. Through ethnographic fieldwork at an urban magnet school, I …

I'M The Same Me: Communication And Renegotiation Of Identity In The Weight-Loss Surgery Experiences Of Women, Heather D. Schild

Masters Theses

Adult obesity rates are on the rise in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control (2009) which has led to an increase in obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. Weight-loss surgery (WLS) has become accepted as a "cure" for obesity by the medical community. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of obese individuals electing to undergo WLS every year; 82% of these individuals are women (AHRQ, 2007). More women may be electing to undergo these procedures than men due to the pressures women face in American culture to achieve social standards of …

Gender Power And Language: Touring With The Gatekeepers Of Union, Kaileigh Moore

Honors Theses

Tannen, Lakoff, O’Barr, and Atkins suggest connections between gender, power, and language. However, it is unknown if these patterns persist in our society today. Lakoff argues that women are uncomfortable with power and speak in such a way as to avoid sounding authoritative. Tannen argues that women try to be friendly and egalitarian and to use conversations to create relationships. Thus, inadvertently, women lack authority in speech. O-Barr and Atkins say speech styles are not linked to gender but to relative power. Campus tour guides hold a unique position in society in that they must be authoritative leaders, but friendly …

Sales Process And Training Overview, Thomas Holcomb

Communication Studies

Overview of the sales process as established by the National Collegiate Sales Competition (NCSC). This paper details Cal Poly's Sales Development Program and covers the ins and outs of what makes an effective salesperson. Would be beneficial for anyone who is considering sales as a career, looking to improve their sales abilities, or just searching for a senior project idea.

Rethinking Juvenile Justice: Using Communication To Combat Inequality, Victimization And Recidivism Among Detained Youth, Christine Alyse Herman

Communication Studies

No abstract provided.

'Moebius': Groundwork For Promotion & Visibility, Kanika Laroia

Communication Studies

A record of the planning process for the transition of Moebius, the College of Liberal Arts literary journal, from a publication to an online website. Includes materials for future public relations and outreach efforts by the Moebius team.

Understanding Sustainability: An Examination Of Encoding And Decoding Of Promotion Materials For Green Consumers, Muriel Paige Cross

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Organic farming and foods, sustainable, No Impact Man, the "green movement," "localvore," The Ominvore's Dilemma, and socially and environmentally conscious are all ways to describe a growing subculture concerned with keeping the world a healthy and livable place because of lifestyle, ecological or ethical reasons. Consumers connect with this issue for various reasons ranging from the personal, such as seeking out healthy options, to the social, such as environmentalism and sustainability. Marketers have embraced these consumers as a profitable market segment, as illustrated by the increasing number of organic brands and products in the market today. Three-fourths of U.S. consumers …

Disconnected: College Freshmen Experience Communication Without Technology, Lacey Myers

Honors Theses

We are in a technological revolution, where “Generation Next” is surviving and thriving in a digital world. New and improved methods of communication through technology have altered the way we live and communicate. Today’s young adults, who have grown up with personal computers, cell phones and the internet, are living in a whirlwind of innovation and advancement “and are now taking their place in a world where the only constant is rapid change” (Pew Research Center, 2007). They cannot remember or imagine a world without such advanced technology. Modes of digital communication such as the cell phone, internet, and social …

A Symbolic Prison: A Prisoner's Story As Masculinity Crisis Narrative In Bronson, James Benjamin Shupe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For this project I analyze the film Bronson, focusing on its connection to the contemporary masculinity crisis discourse or the belief that traditional notions of masculinity are in peril due to changing gender norms and women's social progress. I argue Bronson privileges a narrow, violent conception of masculinity through its presentation of violence and domination over other men. I use Ernest Bormann's Symbolic Convergence Theory to analyze how the film makes sense of the real life events it is based on in a way that appeals to the contemporary masculinity crisis discourse. I argue that Bronson is a notable representation …

Perception Of Communication Training Need Among Pediatric Trauma Team Members, Monica M. Mercado

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this study is to use the APRC (Assessment of Pediatric Resuscitation Communication) as a guide to determine if trauma nurses and surgeons believe communication training is necessary. Many trauma team members have not received team communication effectiveness training in pediatric trauma settings. As a result, miscommunication between team members leads to medical errors during pediatric trauma activations. Thus, it is important to discover whether or not trauma team members believe communication training will help trauma teams improve the overall effectiveness of pediatric trauma activations. The present study provides a descriptive analysis that illustrates nurses’ and trauma surgeons’ …

Chinese International Students' Cross-Cultural Adaptation And Online Communication, Chen Wei Wu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study explored Chinese international students' computer mediated communication with both Americans and Chinese during their studying in the U.S. based on a Cross-Cultural Adaptation theory. The specific purpose of this study was to test five theorems of the theory with a sample of Chinese international students and to explore how Chinese international students' intercultural transformation, adaptive personality, host communication competence, and their interpersonal and mass communication with both host and ethnic groups associate together.

An Examination Of Citizens United: Where We're Going And How We Got There, Stephanie M. Lewis

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (2010) has been touted as both champion and destroyer of First Amendment free speech rights. It remains a controversial decision of which we are only beginning to see its true effects. The case brought rise to the Super PACs commonly denounced in the media and the vast amount of money that comes with them. We have seen negative and positive campaign ads that candidates for election don’t have to answer to. In order to truly understand these effects, I examined the Supreme Court’s decision to determine its line of reasoning as well as media …

The Delicacy Of Social Relationships: How Seemingly Small Choices In Formulating Talk Can Have Large Consequences For Relationships, Paige Clairmont

Honors Theses and Capstones

This thesis demonstrates that relationships are constantly being reproduced in every moment of interaction. Talk is the way relationships are reproduced, thus both relationships and talk are dependent on one another. The following analysis discusses four distinct aspects of social action: (1) preference organization, (2) taboo talk, (3) laughter, and (4) repair.

Operation Digital Elitism: The Combatants And Victims Of Information Warfare, Kendra Mack

Honors Theses and Capstones

This theoretical study examines the roles of digital information warfare participants and asks what roles do general users have in conflicts over digital censorship, privacy, and security. The paper presents three contemporary information warfare case studies and examines the players, victims, and propaganda strategies involved in each. The study concludes that mass digital illiteracy grants control to a small elite who determine the outcomes of information warfare conflicts.

California State 4-H Interview Contest And Manual, Kelly M. Bishop

Agricultural Education and Communication

The identified problem for this project is a lack of information and practice for youth to feel confident in effectively presenting themselves in interview settings. The purpose of this project is to provide youth information on how to prepare for an interview and how to put these necessary life skills into practice. It also provides a contest where the skills can be practiced and refined. The manual created in this project is the vessel for the needed information and provides the necessary guidelines and materials for continuing this contest at various levels.

This project included a base evaluation contest in …

Amidst Invasion, Conversion, And Extinction, The Power Of Communication Prevails: An Ethnographic-Inspired Account Of The Chumash Indians, Arielle Mease

Communication Studies

No abstract provided.

Best Practices For Effective Corporate Crisis Management: A Breakdown Of Crisis Stages Through The Utilization Of Case Studies, Katelyn Smith

Journalism

In the most recent decade, there has been a shortage of effectively managed corporate crises. This study is meant to discover the reasons behind the ineffective crisis management responses through the inspection of past corporate case studies in crisis management, as well as what can be done to help corporations use crisis management more effectively. The best practices in effective corporate crisis management in the three different stages of a crisis were attained through the utilization of case studies and expert opinions. The recommendations for practice include making pre-planning and evaluation regarded as more important in crisis management plans, choosing …

Player Profile, Elizabeth Gallo

Communication Student Scholarship

These four assignments are representative samples of my academic work pertaining to two of my sport related classes, Sponsorship & Marketing in Sport Management and Sports Broadcasting. For my Sport Management Plan, I created the mission and goals, marketing plan, advertising tactics, and budget for a fictitious Minor League Baseball team. The three other examples showcase my ability to write player profiles, as well as press conference/game day summaries for print and web platforms.

Improving Communication Skills Among Nursing Students: Assessing The Comfort Curriculum As An Intervention, Rachel Steckler

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

Effective communication is just one of the many skill sets nursing students must master to be effective in their field. A nurse’s role goes far beyond that of medical care. In addition, Today’s nurses should be equipped with a working knowledge of medical management, communication skills, ethical/legal issues, end-of-life care, and team collaboration, among others (e.g., Ferrell, Dahlin, Campbell, Paice, Malloy, & Virani, 2007).Wittenberg-Lyles, Goldsmith, Sanchez-Reilly, and Ragan (2010) contend nurses need to have specialized training protocols focused on developing effective communication skills . The current study employed one such protocol, the COMFORT curriculum, as a tool to teach nursing …

Web Write-Up, Elizabeth Gallo

Communication Student Scholarship

These four assignments are representative samples of my academic work pertaining to two of my sport related classes, Sponsorship & Marketing in Sport Management and Sports Broadcasting. For my Sport Management Plan, I created the mission and goals, marketing plan, advertising tactics, and budget for a fictitious Minor League Baseball team. The three other examples showcase my ability to write player profiles, as well as press conference/game day summaries for print and web platforms.

Messiah College Baseball Newsletter Fall/Winter 2012, Elizabeth Gallo

Communication Student Scholarship

As manager of the Messiah men's Baseball Team, I had the opportunity to create multiple newsletters for current players and their parents, as well as prospective players and alums. These publications allowed to me exhibit my skill in conducting and summarizing in-person interviews, as well as enhance my writing abilities.

Ironic Advertising: Theory, Evidence And Practice, Ekin Pehlivan Yalcin

2012

Irony is one mechanism that advertisers use to attract consumer attention. Although ironic advertising (IA) is utilized in the mass media, it has received surprisingly little conceptual or empirical attention from marketing scholars. Perhaps one reason for this is that in marketing irony has been viewed primarily from a postmodern perspective. This is in marked contrast to psycholinguists where the phenomenon is approached from a more ecumenical, realist point of view. This dissertation is based on the premise that a realist approach to ironic advertising would produce insights for both marketing theory and practice.

This dissertation comprises of three papers …

This Is The Art Form: Examining Concept Albums' Methods Of Constructing Meaning In The Digital Age, Mario Alonzo Dozal

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study examined how the communicative characteristics of concept albums (music albums that center on a specific theme) have been adapted from a traditional physical form to exist in the digital age. Using three rock concept albums, this study examined how three different formats (vinyl, audio compact disc, and digital download) of the same concept album communicated the overall theme of the album to listeners, and also examined the advantages and disadvantages of each format. Additionally, using discursive analysis, this study sought to expand the academic literature on concept albums by examining the role that supplementary material plays in helping …