Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Prospective Person Memory In The Case Of Missing Persons: A Coffee Shop Study, Cara Bascom

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Prospective person memory (PPM) is the process of remembering to perform some action after encountering a target individual, such as identifying and reporting a missing person sighting after viewing a missing person alert (Moore et al., 2021). Research has shown that identification rates generally tend to be low in simulated missing person studies (Lampinen & Moore, 2016b). The purpose of the current research is to determine how to improve missing person recognition rates. This project explores the potential effects of using videos in missing person reports as compared to using static images. We also consider differences between rigid and non-rigid …

Relationship Between Pet And Human Separation Anxiety On Owners’ Anxiety And Physical Health, Noah Ross

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Pet ownership has always been thought to be beneficial, but some recent studies have not been consistent with this statement. A possible explanation for this is an unhealthy overdependence that pets and pet owners have developed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. In this paper, I examine whether separation anxiety from pets, people, and separation behavior of pets could be predictors of anxiety and physical health. The first prediction was that pet and non pet owners differed demographically. Also, it was hypothesized that separation anxiety from humans, separation anxiety from pets, but not pet separation behaviors predicted anxiety and …

Perceived Sources Of Stress Related To Burnout Amongst Emergency Department Staff Due To The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review, Sydney Craig

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Emergency departments (ED) are usually considered high stress environments. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying challenges such as frequent exposure to the novel virus, lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), being over worked and underpaid, and the uncertainty surrounding the overall trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in an increased level of burnout for ED staff, especially nurses. This study involves a meta-analysis of current literature surrounding ED burnout including incidence rate and causes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because studies indicate upwards of three fourths of ED staff reporting increased stress and burnout, finding ways to …

Impact Of Fear On Interpersonal And Economic Decision-Making, John Wilson

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

Fear is one of the most basic, intrinsic, and powerful emotions an individual may experience when faced with known or unknown threats, imminent pressures, or expectations of approaching doom. Fear may allow an individual to act quickly in a fight-or-flight response. Fear can alter both physiological and psychological frameworks to avoid certain calamity. Fear provides motivation to protect oneself or to effectuate altruistic behavior towards others for the greater good. One lesser explored area of research pertaining to fear and its implications is the influence of fear on interpersonal and economic decision-making. Economic volatility can produce both immediate consequences as …

An Analysis Of The Suspect: The Impact Of Economic Conditions On Crime, Ryan Perez

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

Every place in the world experiences a level of crime within its borders, but there is much contention as to which factors lead to crime. Economic conditions, due to their association with poverty, are frequently discussed as a possible contributors to crime rates. This analysis examines four macroeconomic variables (GDP per capita, unemployment rate, inflation rate, and interest rate) and their effect on crime rates (violent, property, and total). After thoroughly reviewing the philosophical nature of crime, the current economic conditions through the lens of the selected macroeconomic variables, and the present criminal landscape throughout the United States and the …

Sustainability, A Competitive Advantage In The Corporate World, Samantha Kennelly

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract: Over the years, society has become more aware of the impact they leave on the environment. For this reason, many are wondering what can be done to curb their footprint, and research has shown that customers now more than ever are demanding more sustainable goods. The aim of this paper is to provide an in-depth analysis of the relationship between corporate social responsibility, consumer desires, and sustainability as a competitive advantage. I will first discuss the history and present factors surrounding environmental problems, in particular marine plastic pollution, we face today. I will define microplastics and marine plastics and …

Do Casinos Create Economic Development?: A 15-Year National Analysis Of Local Retail Sales And Employment Growth, Jonathan Lawrence Krutz

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Casino gambling has exploded across the United States over the past 30 years. Both the academic literature and gambling proponents agree that promises of economic development have driven casino policy decisions. While such claims are tempting to policy makers, the academic literature has been largely skeptical of both the methodologies and conclusions of the casino-sponsored research behind them. For such claims to be true, retail sales and employment must grow faster in local economies with casinos than in similar locations without them. Economic theory and academic research suggest that casinos do not attract new money to an area but instead …

Deviating From The Plan: Assessing The Impact Of Forest Management Delays On Ecosystem Function, Kathryn Joyce Murenbeeld

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Forests are under increasing stress due to changes in disturbance regimes, such as wildfire and pest or disease outbreaks, an increase in more severe and prolonged drought, and changes in land use. These stressors are already having an observable impact on forests in the western United States. Many forests within the western US are managed by the US Forest Service. Forest management is important as a tool for increasing a forest's ability to withstand or recover from these stresses. Additionally, because of the forest’s influence on interactions between the land surface and the atmosphere, forest management has implications for future …

Climate Shocks And Violent Conflict Incentives: Evidence From The Indian Sub-Continent, Thomas Campbell

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

How much do climate shocks impact different societal actors’ incentives to commit direct acts of violence? This thesis argues that different climate shocks and their effects introduce incentives for different societal actors to increase and reduce their likelihood of committing direct acts of violence, which is in line with Brzoska’s (2018) claim. The results of this thesis’ analysis support that different climate shocks can lead different societal actors to commit acts of violence.

Covid-19 Policies And Recreation Behavior: An Economic Analysis, Sophia Croome

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

A number of studies have examined park visitation patterns and consumer preferences using available national and state park visitation data (Kupfer et al., 2021; Volenec et al., 2021; Wood et al., 2013; Yan et al., 2021a). However, municipal park visitation remains largely understudied due to the difficulty and costliness associated with data collection and analysis. This study utilizes high frequency mobile device location data to measure changes in municipal and state park visitation caused by COVID-19 response policies. We exploit spatial and temporal variation in COVID-19 mandates at the county level in the U.S. state of Idaho and at the …

Predicting Gross Metropolitan Product Worldwide Using Statistical Learning Models, Socio-Economic, And Satellite Imagery Data, Simin Joshaghani

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Gross metropolitan product (GMP) is one the most critical indicators for determining a metropolitan area’s economic performance. While GMP data currently exists for major cities in the US and OECD countries, the rest of the world is a blind spot. This study aims at estimating the GMP of 1289 cities in non-US and OECD countries, where no official city-level statistics are produced. We perform this estimation through multiple machine learning models, using night-time lights satellite imagery, and other publicly available data. We analyze eight spatial databases and four cross-sectional datasets and derive a feature vector of covariates through various techniques, …

Arguing For The Philosophy Of Political Science, Robert Herold

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

While there are many working scientists who engage in things like theory building and empirical testing, there has also been a group of scientists who sought to better understand the philosophy behind science. This philosophical study of science as a project is referred to as the philosophy of science and there are different sub-fields for each of the natural and social sciences, except for political science. This lack of an explicit sub-field dedicated to reflecting on our philosophy of science, i.e., our beliefs, values, methods, etc., has caused this knowledge to become tacit within our community. Because the knowledge of …

The Effects Of Covid-19 Shelter In Place Policies On Us Demonstrations, David A. Newton

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This study provides evidence of a link between Shelter in Place (SIP) policy response during the pandemic and demonstration events. Through the combination of daily county-level government policy response to SIP implementation to limit the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (US) and cell phone mobility data, this research studied how demonstrations and violence are affected following shutdown policies. A dynamic framework is visible due to the staggered effect of policies implementation across the US. At the national level, the results showed reduced participation in demonstration events at the national level, suggesting that increasing social costs may …

Tap Dance As A Nonverbal Language For Autism Spectrum Disorder, J Sydney Rhane Burtis

Honors College Theses

Through elements of sound and movement, tap dance employs rhythm as a universal language for nonverbal communication through the medium of music. Through three distinct but related elements, (a literature review, an artist’s statement, and a performance piece), this thesis will explore tap dance as a form of nonverbal language. For individuals with autism spectrum disorder, tap dance may help to achieve further attunement with themselves and the outside world. Due to autistic people’s impaired communicative, interactional, and skilled abilities, experiencing the relationships formed through tap dance may facilitate improvement. The literature review begins with a brief definition of nonverbal …

The Effect Of Female Representation On Revenue: A Study Of Gender Within The Film Industry, Riley Pranian

Honors College Theses

The art of film has captivated the world for generations — a central component of the captivation is the actors showcased on-screen. But unfortunately, the film industry is male-dominated. Since 1970, the consumption of media by adults and adolescents has increased (Vogel, 2020). This study will determine the relationship between a cast's female-to-male ratio and a film's revenue. The initial hypothesis is that the more women present in the cast, the higher the revenue - this relationship is assumed through increased demand for movies and the need for role models among women. This study’s foundation is the presence of a …

Natural Disasters’ Effect On Tourism Employment, Caterina Messina

Honors College Theses

Not only do natural disasters cause immediate physical damage to an area, but they often have long-lasting social and economic effects as well. Tourism is a sector of the economy that is relatively fragile and relies heavily on a stable economy. This paper attempts to capture the effect of natural disasters on the tourism industry, specifically tourism employment. This research uses panel data and focuses specifically on 7 metropolitan statistical areas in the United States between 2002-2018. Data collected from the BEA as well as SHELDUS is used in order to quantify this effect. A fixed effects model with a …

A Study Of The Impact Of Us Department Of Defense And Movie Industry Cooperation On Military Application Rates, Lindsay Varzarevsky

Honors College Theses

Using data from the Military Entertainment Media Liaison Office and the US Center for Naval Analyses, this paper examines the impact of cooperation between the Department of Defense and movie producers on military application rates. Multiple regression model results determine that movies which utilize the entertainment liaison facilities of the Department of Defense generate an increase in male and female applicants in the movies’ release year. In addition, applications from individuals from the Black population increase with a two-year lag after the movie release year. This study establishes that government institutions have an effect on media, which influences perceptions and …

The Effect Of The #Freebritney Movement On Bipartisanship Legislation: How A Pop Star’S Battle For Freedom Exposed Corruption In The American Conservatorship System, Deja Kemp-Salliey

Honors College Theses

Pop singer Britney Spears was at the peak of her career when she was forcibly placed under a conservatorship arrangement by her father, Jamie Spears. Conservatorships, also referred to as guardianships in some states, are a legal arrangement in which a judge appoints a person or an organization to care for another adult who is unable to manage themselves or their finances. Conservators are responsible for managing the personal matters and/or estate of a conservatee, and the system is designed to act in the best interest of incapacitated individuals. For decades, conservatorships have been criticized by legal scholars and activists …

Algorithms Vs. Human Nature: A Tale Of Selective Exposure, Dené E. M. Wamsley

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The public’s turn towards news websites and social media for news consumption has sparked anxiety over echo chambers, avoidance of opinion-challenging content, and potentially fragmentation and polarization among sociopolitical groups. Algorithms have specifically been blamed for increasing the ease of filtering out counter-attitudinal online content and potentially exacerbating selective exposure tendencies. However, longstanding classic psychological research has demonstrated the ubiquitous phenomenon of cognitive dissonance and selective exposure far before the internet became the primary tool for news consumption. Research investigating how algorithms directly influence online approach and avoidance behavior is unfortunately scarce. This dissertation work aimed to analyze the impact …

Social Work Allyship: Exploring White And Bipoc Perspectives At Predominately White Institutions Within The Southeastern Conference, Aubrey Franke

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the experiences of allyship through the perspectives of White and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) social work students at primarily White universities within the Southeastern Conference. The study includes 10 semi-structured interviews with Bachelor and Master’s level social work students. The findings from this study present necessary characteristics and qualities for effective social work allyship. Interestingly, BIPOC students emphasize the importance of informed action, while White students share relational qualities such as empathy and willingness to learn. The findings also show that some BIPOC students experience performative allyship from White social work students. BIPOC participants …

Cleveland’S Talent Landscape, Richey Piiparinen

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

The term “brain drain” implies a region’s talent pool fading out, with the “best and brightest” leaving for greener pastures. Plugging the brain drain has become a cottage industry for consultants and non-profits alike. It is arguably the modus operandi of the new Cleveland Talent Alliance, a consortium of economic development agencies whose goal is to grow the region’s talent pool. “It’s important we measure progress and not just activity,” explains one of its leaders .

Measuring progress entails getting a baseline. This Levin Policy Brief—the third in a running series—investigates. The first brief examined Cleveland’s potential to be a …

Shale Investment Dashboard In Ohio Q1 And Q2 2021, Andrew R. Thomas, Mark Henning, Samuel Owusu-Agyemang, Khadija Shabbiri

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

This report presents findings from an investigation into shale-related investment in Ohio, looking at up, mid and downstream activities. The investment estimates are from January through June of 2021. The report also includes an estimate of cumulative investment in shale in Ohio from 2012 through June 2021. Prior biannual investments are included in previously posted reports that are available from Cleveland State University.

Asymptotics Of Polynomial Time Trend Estimation And Hypothesis Testing Under Rank Deficiency, Peter C. B. Phillips

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

Limit theory is developed for least squares regression estimation of a model involving time trend polynomials and a moving average error process with a unit root. Models with these features can arise from data manipulation such as overdifferencing and model features such as the presence of multicointegration. The impact of such features on the asymptotic equivalence of least squares and generalized least squares is considered. Problems of rank deficiency that are induced asymptotically by the presence of time polynomials in the regression are also studied, focusing on the impact that singularities have on hypothesis testing using Wald statistics and matrix …

Early-Life Acetaminophen Exposure Alters Sex-Specific Social And Mate Preference Behaviors In Adolescent And Adult Rats, Anna G. Warner

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Epidemiological studies reported associations between early-life exposure Acetaminophen (APAP) exposure and increased risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Rodent studies parallel epidemiological reports, with APAP-exposed animals showing more abnormal social and increased repetitive behaviors. However, mechanisms underlying sex-specific behavioral responses to APAP remain unclear. Here, a rat model was developed to examine possible interactions between APAP and early-life hormonal milieus during the neonatal period of brain sexual differentiation. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of either 17�-Estradiol (E2; masculinized) or Letrozole (LTZ; feminized) were administered from Postnatal Days (PD) 1-11 followed by either APAP or saline 45 min after the first injection on …

Impacts Of Risk Perception On Elderly Vulnerability: An Exploration Of Effects On Disaster Preparedness In Assisted Living Facilities, Jacquelyn Ann Marchand

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Disasters are increasing in intensity and frequency. With this expectation, it is important for communities to be proactive in disaster preparedness to ensure the safety of their citizens. Vulnerable populations need special consideration in disaster planning. The elderly are one of these vulnerable groups. By 2025 one-quarter of the U.S. population will fall into the 65 or older age category. Age itself does not make a person vulnerable. It is physical and cognitive change that often accompany aging which can make a person vulnerable. The importance of elderly vulnerability and risk perception cannot be overlooked. The casualty data alone can …

Climate Change And Urban Tourism: Preservation Strategies And Destination Management Policies In Coastal Cities. The Case Of Venice, Nina Balan

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Climate change is an influencing phenomenon in the present global perspective, having a wide range of impacts at different levels within society and the global tourism industry. Climate change has progressively affected coastal areas more vulnerable to intense hydrodynamic and atmospheric events due to their proximity to water. The primary process to be held responsible is eustatic sea-level rise due to anthropogenic (human-induced) and morphological (natural) factors over time. While the exact magnitude of global sea-level rise and regional variability remains uncertain, sea-level rise is considered one of the most certain consequences of anthropogenic climate change in the coastal regions …

Covid-19 And Its Impact On Minority-Owned Banks, Salvador Contreras, Amit Ghosh

Economics and Finance Faculty Publications

Employing a difference-in-differences framework, we examine the effect of COVID-19 on various performance metrics of minority-owned banks relative to peer banks. We find little evidence of worsening performance of minority-owned banks, except for Asian-owned banks. In some instances, minority banks show improved performance. We find a decline in nonperforming single-family residential loans for Hispanic-owned banks. Moreover, minority banks have disbursed more Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans than their matched non-minority counterparts. Their resilient performance indicates that minority banks are well positioned to aid in the ongoing economic recovery.

Laissez-Faire, Social Networks, And Race In A Pandemic, Roland Pongou, Guy Tchuente, Jean-Baptiste Tondji

Economics and Finance Faculty Publications

We study the effects of race, network centrality, and policies that tolerate some level of virus spread (laissez-faire) on COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes in the United States. Our analysis uses unique data on nursing home networks and calibration-based estimates of states' preferences for health relative to short-term economic gains. Our findings suggest that laissez-faire policies increase deaths. Nursing homes with a larger share of Black residents experience more deaths, but they are less vulnerable to laissez-faire policies, especially when not central in social networks. Our findings highlight significant interactions between COVID-19 policies, race, and network structure among US seniors.

Hate In The Heartland: Examining Hate Groups In Nebraska’S Past And Present, Grant Van Robays

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Hate groups that malign entire classes of people based on race, religion, sexuality, gender, or other characteristic appear in every U.S. state. Nebraska is home to nine such groups, one of the highest figures in the country on a per capita basis. While notoriously secretive, previous research and watchdog reporting has pulled back the curtain on hate groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan and various neo-Nazi organizations, positing theories on how and why groups form. Minimal research has described in depth hate groups in a single state, let alone a quaint state like Nebraska. This case study of hate …

The Representation Of Women In Disney Animated Films, Sharik Jimenez

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Disney animated feature film is a big global entertainment arena. This paper analyzes multiple animated Disney classic movies based on the subject of women’s representation. These films are interesting to study because the targeted audience is children, and the stereotypical patterns that these Disney classic films portray may play an important role in their lives. It was found that the character development in the Disney animation films, focuses on giving the primary or the central character more pervasive roles, especially in cases where they are considered the female gender. However, they are gender role concerns in the Disney films that …