Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Investigating The Effect Of Sign-Tracking On Attention And Perceptual Inference, Maria C. Potts

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Previous research has shown that animals vary in the degree to which they attribute incentive salience to reward predictive cues. In Pavlovian conditioning, two behavioral phenotypes emerge: goal-tracking (GT), in which animals approach the site of the reward, and sign-tracking (ST), in which animals approach the conditioned stimulus and interact with it as if it has become a reward in its own right. ST has been associated with higher rates of impulsivity, drug reinstatement, and relapse, and is thought to confer addiction vulnerability. Though some studies have suggested that similar phenotypes exist in humans and are possibly related to addiction …

A Grounded Theory Investigation Of Basic Psychological Needs Theory As A Framework For Effective Mental Health Referrals In Collegiate Sport, Luna Ugrenović

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Using a grounded theory approach, this study explored collegiate athletes’ mental health referral experiences and identified mechanisms explaining those experiences based upon perceptions of psychological need fulfillment and thwarting according to Basic Psychological Needs Theory (BPNT). Interviews were conducted with a purposive, maximum variation sample of 14 current and former collegiate athletes who were referred to mental health services by support personnel or other athletes. Analyses yielded three overarching theoretical categories/properties: pre-referral factors, proactive and reactive referral conversations, and referral outcomes. Referral is often understood as an isolated conversation in which athletes are provided mental health resources in response to …

From Trails To Triumph: Documenting Two Decades Of Impact With Adventure Wv, Sean Lowdermilk

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research paper and accompanying short film (https://youtu.be/gTnXbvkX0MA) examines the impact of experiential learning through the lens of Adventure WV, an outdoor orientation program at West Virginia University. Using Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory as a foundation for the research, this study explores how outdoor and expeditionary learning fosters personal and professional growth, builds a community, and deepens students' connection to the state and the institution. Through interviews with the program's founder, as well as current students and administration paired with archival footage and modern video, the research highlights Adventure WV's role in student retention, professional development, and student …

A Preliminary Study On Intra-Departmental Abuse In A Central American Police Force, Emily Veroeven

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The aim of this study was to serve as a preliminary analysis to investigate the prevalence of sexual violence in the Belize defense and police force, the impact on victim’s lives, and the culture of military/police force. This mixed-methods study was conducted through a Qualtrics survey, and 34 participants were obtained. This survey contained a variety of dichotomous, multiple-response, and open-ended questions. This study found that 54.5% reported as a victim of sexual violence in the workplace. We also found that most victims did not report the crime, and many victims’ perceptions of their workplace has changed. A thematic content …

Changing Careers, Changing Identities: The Role Of Strong And Weak Ties On Career Change Decisions, Christopher S. Lienemann

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Career development theories and business management/human resources explanations for career change and employee turnover suggest that there are many potential influences on career change including a lack of congruence between an individual’s changing needs and their environment, the discovery of new career options previously ignored or overlooked, ineffective or harmful management practices, and organizational or life changes outside of the individual’s control. However, we do not have a comprehensive sociological understanding of how workers leverage and are influenced by their social networks when changing careers. Working from Granovetter’s theory that “weak” and “strong” network ties provide access to job leads …

Comparing The Effects Of Choice And Performance Feedback On The Writing Fluency Outcomes Of Elementary Students, Collin M. Seifert

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Performance feedback is an effective intervention that improves the writing outcomes of elementary students. Although choice has been referred to as a powerful tool in improving the writing of students, little empirical research has been conducted that investigates the effectiveness of choice when implemented in a class-wide setting. Therefore, the current study used a randomized controlled trial design to compare the effects of performance feedback and choice on the writing fluency outcomes of 40 fourth-grade elementary students in one elementary school. Participants were randomly assigned to either a performance feedback condition (n = 20) or a choice condition (n = …

Enhancing A School Readiness Skill Through A Mindfulness-Based Intervention: Soles Of The Feet, Caitlin J. Moen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Approximately one million children enroll in kindergarten each year with varying levels of experience and school readiness. Fundamental school readiness skills parallel executive functioning skills, which multiple interventions are able to target. School readiness intervention programs can be costly and require a considerable amount of training. Teachers and other school staff need an affordable, easy-to-implement intervention that targets critical school readiness skills. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been found to improve executive functioning skills like self-regulation, which is skill for school readiness. Soles of the Feet (SOF) is an evidence-based MBI that has been found effective for increasing self-regulation in schoolaged …

College Instructors’ Experience With Flexibility Through Pandemic Teaching, Kate Marie Quesenberry Orugboh

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study explores flexibility in teaching during and since the COVID-19 pandemic through the lived experiences of instructors at Minnesota State University, Mankato. In-depth interviews were conducted to investigate how instructors implemented flexibility and adapted to the rapid transition to online and hybrid teaching models during a global health crisis. The study explores the effects these measures (and the pandemic) had on their students, their pedagogy, the perceived expectations for them to provide it, and their well-being. The findings illuminate the strategies instructors employed to maintain educational continuity ranging from adjustments in course delivery and assessments to accommodations for student …

Contention One Is Our Identity: An Exploration Of Queerness In The Collegiate Debate Sphere, Douglas Roberts

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis explores the experiences of queer individuals and how they navigate identity within the collegiate debate space. Queer debaters, unlike their cisgender, and heterosexual counterparts face struggle in being able to truly be free to present themselves naturally in debate. Utilizing qualitative interviews to examine the full picture of being queer in collegiate forensics, this project details three major themes: Queer Communication Style, Queer Presentations of Self, and Acceptance in Debate. The conclusion discusses implications of these findings, limitations, and future directions for future research.

Public Opinion On Reforming U.S. Primaries, Robert G. Boatright, Caroline J. Tolbert, Nathan K. Micatka

Political Science

Objective: Few studies have measured public attitudes about reform proposals for changing direct primaries. Despite strong public support over the past century for holding primaries, does the public want to change the direct primary, given its very low voter turnout and its potential role in fostering political polarization?. Method: Using a unique nationally representative survey of 3000 U.S. adults conducted in March 2023 by YouGov, this study shows that a majority of Americans support reform of primary elections. Results: The reforms which receive the greatest support are those that seem more “democratic” such as establishing national congressional primary and holding …

Patterns Into Pathways For Improving Safety Culture: Refined Latent Class Analysis Informs Tailored Decision Support For South Carolina Dss Safety Culture Improvements, Michaela Voit

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

The rising prevalence of exposures to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) demands a coordinated public health response, as a significant body of research details the cumulative impact of ACEs on chronic morbidities contributing to reduced life expectancy. Child welfare workers (CWW) are embedded in this public health effort, tasked with preventing and mitigating the impacts of ACEs through family and prevention services. The National Partnership for Child Safety (NPCS) may improve the wellbeing of CWWs and the effectiveness of Child Welfare (CW) services by improving the quality of safety culture within CW organizations. To inform NPCS quality improvement efforts, our project …

A Word From The Writing Team (January 2024), Pam Walter, Mfa, Liz Declan, Ma, Mfa

A Word From the Writing Team (Newsletter)

This issue includes:

• Virtual Writing Retreats Return in February
• The OPWPC Canvas Page Offers Helpful Tools
• Academic Commons Will Host a Presentation on Refugee Health in Philadelphia
• Publication Spotlight
• The OPWPC Helps with Scholarly Communication and Publication
• Scott Memorial Library Renovations Continue
• Wiley Open Access Fees Waived for Jefferson Authors

The Future Of Protection In Un Peace Operations, Emily Paddon Rhoads

Political Science Faculty Works

United Nations peacekeeping is experiencing a generational shift as several large missions downsize and close. Amid this change, this essay considers the future of the Protection of Civilians (PoC) mandate, which has been a priority of UN peacekeeping since it was first authorized twenty-five years ago. It argues that PoC has evolved significantly, expanding from a narrow focus on physical protection from immediate threats to a holistic approach that includes establishing a protective environment. It suggests that while the PoC mandate has proven effective in reducing violence, the future is fraught with four significant challenges: waning state commitment to UN …

Social Workers In Human Resources, Alexandra H. Pogany

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Hohenschönhausen As A Tangible Representation Of The German Democratic Republic’S Development Of Operative Psychology, Zoe Werth

Honors Theses and Capstones

Located in Lichtenberg, Berlin (part of the former borough of Hohenschönhausen), Gedenkstätte Berlin-Hohenschönhausen stands today as a memorial for the thousands who were killed and imprisoned there, from its construction in 1939 until its closure in 1990. This paper will trace the evolution of Hohenschönhausen from a physical space of confinement, to a sophisticated psychological apparatus designed to exert control over its political prisoners through the development of “Operative Psychology” (OP). Through an architectural and historical analysis of the prison, alongside a review of prisoner testimonies, this paper works to reveal how the environment of Hohenschönhausen was methodically designed to …

Developing A Gender Diverse Stimulus Set For Emotion Expressions, Amir Robertson

Honors Theses and Capstones

Much past research has demonstrated that gender plays an important role in emotion perception, such that gendered stereotypes about emotion seem to shape how we perceive and interpret the emotion expressions of men and women. However, the stimulus sets that are typically used in the vast majority of this research have been based on binary ideas of gender, and purposefully limit common elements of gender presentation, with models posing with limited accessories or personal aesthetic choices. In everyday life, however, individuals’ gender and gender presentation are not limited in these ways and likely contribute in important ways to how we …

How To Frame The Frame Of Reference: A Comparison Of Contextualization Methods, Ann E. Schlotzhauer, Matthew A. Ng, Shiyang Su

Psychological Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Personality measures are popular and useful in employment selection and academic contexts; however, concerns have been voiced regarding the strength of their association with desirable criteria. Contextualization (i.e., modifying measures to reflect the desired frame of reference, like work or school) has emerged as a promising option. Research has demonstrated that contextualizing personality measures increases predictive validity and enhances participants' perceptions of the assessments. However, few studies have compared contextualization methods to one another and, to date, only one study has compared the two most common forms of contextualization (i.e., instruction and tag contextualization), returning inconsistent findings. In a within-person, …

Editors’ Introduction: June 2024, Thalia R. Goldstein, Amy M. Belfi

Psychological Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Editorial: The Musical Brain, Volume Ii, Jonathan Fritz, Amy M. Belfi, Jessica Grahn, John Iversen, Isabelle Peretz, Robert Zatorre

Psychological Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Affective States In The Process Of Goal Setting, Vahe Permzadian, Teng Zhao

Psychological Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Given that employee performance goals are major determinants of work motivation and performance, examining the factors that influence goal setting has generated substantial research interest. Despite decades of work, however, the relationship between affect and goal setting is poorly understood. Based on mood-as-information and arousal-as-information theories, our study examines the extent that affective valence and affective arousal influence goal-setting processes and, in particular, the extent that the activation level moderates the effect of affective valence. Since theoretical perspectives that attempt to explain the process of goal setting are commonly based on an expectancy-value framework, we examined the effects of affective …

Individual Differences In Music-Evoked Autobiographical Memories, Kelly Jakubowski, Edith Lee, Elena Bai, Amy M. Belfi

Psychological Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Music is increasingly used as a cue for autobiographical memories in psychological research and clinical interventions. Despite the burgeoning body of evidence on the phenomenology of music-evoked autobiographical memories (MEAMs), few previous studies have focused in detail on how the capacities and experiences of individual listeners impact features of MEAMs. The present work examined the relationship of individual differences in visual and auditory imagery, musical familiarity and engagement, musical reward sensitivity, musical training, and gender to MEAM features. Participants (N = 304, ages 18–25 years, 156 female) completed a self-selected MEAM task, in which they described an autobiographical memory they …

Thirty Years Of ‘Emergency’ Food Aid In The Us And Canada: Findings From Comparative Research To Inform Uk Efforts To Tackle Food Poverty And The Need For Foodbanks, Charlotte Spring

Geography and Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

Research observed how food providers in the United States and Canada have made changes during the decades of neoliberal policymaking that have seen foodbanking expand across North America and beyond. These changes, in part, reflect responses to critiques of foodbanking as an inadequate solution to food insecurity. Food charities have variously attempted to improve provision through healthier procurement, choice-based distribution models, diversified programming, and advocacy for policy solutions. Better foodbanking, however, does not negate the influence of corporate donors on food charities’ capacity to foster hunger-preventative change, such as the employment practices of those same donors. Meanwhile, grassroots organisers …

How To Frame The Frame Of Reference: A Comparison Of Contextualization Methods, Ann E. Schlotzhauer, Matthew A. Ng, Shiyang Su

Psychological Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Personality measures are popular and useful in employment selection and academic contexts; however, concerns have been voiced regarding the strength of their association with desirable criteria. Contextualization (i.e., modifying measures to reflect the desired frame of reference, like work or school) has emerged as a promising option. Research has demonstrated that contextualizing personality measures increases predictive validity and enhances participants' perceptions of the assessments. However, few studies have compared contextualization methods to one another and, to date, only one study has compared the two most common forms of contextualization (i.e., instruction and tag contextualization), returning inconsistent findings. In a within-person, …

Horizontal Skill Mismatch Among College Graduates: Analyzing Job Placement For African American In The U.S, Mimla Wardak

Theses - Graduate Programs in Economic Theory and Policy

This study investigates the persistence of horizontal skill mismatches among African-American college graduates in the U.S. labor market and explores the influence of community racial composition on job placement and wage levels. Utilizing data from the American Community Survey (2018-2019), the research constructs a Match Quality Index to assess the alignment between individuals' fields of study and their occupations. The analysis reveals that African-Americans are disproportionately affected by horizontal mismatches, which result in underemployment and wage penalties, despite similar educational backgrounds compared to their counterparts. The findings suggest that larger African-American networks within Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) correlate with slightly …

Examining The Relationship Between Immigration And Labor Market Dynamics In The United States Before And After Policy Changes Of 2017, Noor Jahan Tarshi

Theses - Graduate Programs in Economic Theory and Policy

This thesis investigates the effects of U.S. immigration policy changes in 2017 on labor market dynamics, examining both the immigrant and native-born populations. The study is motivated by the significant socio-political shifts under the Trump administration, which introduced measures like the Public Charge Rule, adjustments to the H-1B visa process, and threats to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). These policy changes provide a unique opportunity to analyze their impact on the U.S. labor market, offering insights critical for policymakers and scholars. The research specifically aims to explore how these immigration policies have influenced employment opportunities, wage levels, and …

The Impact Of Asian And Latin American Immigrants On U.S. Occupational Class Structure, Masooma Hassan Zada

Theses - Graduate Programs in Economic Theory and Policy

This research examines what factors influence the occupational structure of Asian and Latin American immigrants in the United States, focusing on 2002 and 2022. It seeks to understand how levels of education, citizenship status, and other factors impact where each group ends up in the occupational hierarchy. Using data from monthly IPUMS-CPS, a multinomial logit regression model is applied to analyze the change in the occupational category between these two years. The findings reveal a significant disparity in occupational outcomes between the groups, with educational attainment and citizenship being the two most important factors that explain the gap, though not …

Evaluation Of Industrial Policy In The United States Of America, Hossna Seediqyar

Theses - Graduate Programs in Economic Theory and Policy

This paper examines the evolution and current state of industrial policy in the United States, focusing on strategies aimed at enhancing economic growth, competitiveness, and industrial innovation. Historically, U.S. industrial policy has fluctuated between periods of government intervention and market-led approaches. Recently, there has been a renewed emphasis on industrial policy to address challenges such as globalization, climate change, and technological innovations. The research used data from the National Solar Jobs Census 2019, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and the Tax Foundation’s State Corporate Income Tax Rates and Brackets series. The analysis of the paper highlights the role of …

Gender Pay Gap In Kyrgyz Republic, Maryam Yari

Theses - Graduate Programs in Economic Theory and Policy

The reasons behind the gender wage disparity in the Kyrgyz Republic are investigated in this paper using information from the 2019 Life in Kyrgyzstan (LiK) survey. Given its transitioning economy and post-Soviet socioeconomic environment, Kyrgyzstan offers a special case within the larger framework of gender wage gaps worldwide. The pay disparity is broken down in this research into explainable variations based on observable characteristics and an unexplained component that might be discriminatory using the Heckman and Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition approach. The results indicate the existence of gender discrimination in wage determination since a large amount of the gender wage gap is …

The Estonian And Latvian Orthodox Churches Of The Moscow Patriarchate Before And After The Russian War In Ukraine, Priit Rohtmets, Valdis Teraudkalns

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

From the beginning of the Russian war in Ukraine the Baltic Orthodox churches subordinated to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) have gone through considerable changes in their canonical status, but have also stood out with controversial public statements about the war.

In this article we analyse how the Orthodox churches of the Moscow Patriarchate have reacted to the Russian war in Ukraine and what have been the major canonical changes in Latvia and Lithuania. Additionally, we describe the most important narratives, which the churches have used when speaking about the ongoing war and pay attention to the reaction, which these …

Introduction, Dace Balode

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Articles in this special issue of the journal are based on the research project "Living and Believing Gender in a Neo-Conservative Future: The Case of Women's (Non) Ordination in the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church" which was funded by the Latvian Council of Science. They provide in-depth perspectives on how gender equality and the resistance to it are navigated within the religious practices and discourses in Latvia.