Psychology Commons^™

An Objective Measure Of Assertiveness In Children, Deborah K. Price

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of The Verbal-Performance Differences And The Bannatyne Pattern Of The Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children-Revised, Susan Hanft Bowyer

Masters Theses

Many psychologists use the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Revised (WISC-R) in the diagnosis of learning disabilities. They often place the results of the WISC-R into either the Bannatyne pattern or use the difference between the Verbal IQ and Performance IQ to help determine whether the child is learning disabled or non-learning disabled. This paper examined the feasibility of using either of these methods in determining learning disabilities. The case files of 300 children (211 males and 89 females) between the ages of 5 years, 10 months and 17 years, 3 months (X CA = 10.73 years, SD = …

Analogic Communication As A Method Of Facilitating Change, Patricia Ann Tennery-Williams

Masters Theses

This thesis focused on nonverbal communication and the ways in which it may be employed to facilitate change in the context of psychotherapy. The anthropological, psychological, and medical literature was reviewed, and an overview presented of the relevant research on nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication forms a critical dimension in the overall communication in the psychotherapeutic interaction. The importance of the therapist’s recognition of nonverbal behaviors characteristic of particular personality structures as well as the functions of nonverbal messages was examined. The utilization of meaningful nonverbal behavior by the therapist can greatly facilitate the client's change into more healthy and constructive …

Relationship Between Anxiety And Level Of Aspiration Among College Male Physical Education Students, Taoheed Abdul Adedoja

Masters Theses

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between anxiety and level of aspiration among college physical education male students.

Thirty-one male physical education students, enrolled in the professional physical education classes at Eastern Illinois University, served as volunteers for the study.

Each subject completed a 40 item Anxiety Scale Questionnaire (ASQ), designed by the Institute for Personality and Anxiety Testing (IPAT), for measurement of anxiety level. The level of aspiration (Loa) scores were obtained from each subject's estimations of scores and performances on the grip strength tests administered.

The scores obtained from the anxiety questionnaire and …

Effects Of Prior And Interpolated Shock Exposures On Subsequent Escape/Avoidance Conditioning With Goldfish, Toshiyuki Kimbara

Masters Theses

The relationship between inescapable shocks and subsequent escape/avoidance learning was first deomonstrated by Overmier and Seligman (1967). They found that dogs exposed to inescapable electric shock, while restrained in a harness, later failed to learn to escape shock in a two way shuttle box where escape was possible. Ninety goldfish were randomly assigned to one of five groups (N=18 per group). Ninety fish were tested in a Lafayette Aquatic Unit A-660 type shuttle tank. There are four independent variables in this study. The first independent variable is the presence of prior inescapable shock. The second independent variable is the level …

An Exploratory Investigation Comparing Battered And Non-Battered Women Using The Hand Test, Debra A. Dalton

Masters Theses

The physical and mental abuse of women as wives and lovers is a largely unrecognized crime of violence just beginning to receive attention in the United States. The extent of wifebeating is difficult to determine since, although it occurs in every strata of society and every age group, it is underreported for a variety of reasons. The motives for wife abuse are complex. There are several social and psychological explanations that have been suggested as the underlying rationale for wifebeating. Psychological testing with battered women is rare and what testing that has been done has been limited to interviews and …

Job Satisfaction And Attitudes Of Professional Autonomy Among Community Hospital Staff Nurses, Michael Thomas Quinn

Masters Theses

The rapid rate of specialization within the health care field has affected the practice of nursing by demanding increased autonomy and professional identification among nurses. Past research has demonstrated that nurses' attitudes relevant to autonomous functioning and professional identification differ with the occupational role and setting in which the nurse works, with community hospital staff nurses being less likely than other nurses to endorse professionalism or autonomous functioning. The research has also demonstrated that the job turnover rate among hospital staff nurses is extremely high and that a large proportion of this turnover rate is directly related to job dissatisfaction. …

Sexual Harassment Of Working Women: An Exploratory Study, Cheryl Mcmichaels

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to empirically investigate the subject of sexual harassment. A total of 82 women were recruited from central Illinois to fill out a questionnaire on sexual harassment and the Assertiveness Inventory (Gambrill and Richey, 1975). An attempt was made to control the subjects for occupational levels. Their occupational levels ranged from physician to unskilled worker, and their educational levels ranged from a high school degree to an advanced degree. The women in this sample worked full-time, part-time, and did volunteer work.

All of the women filled out the Assertiveness Inventory, a 40-item self-report, (Gambrill and …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Life Events And Empathy, Catherine Ferme

Masters Theses

The study investigated the relationship between the occurrence of stressful events in people's lives and their empathy for other people. Subjects were 74 graduate and undergraduate psychology students at Eastern Illinois University. The subects viewed videotapes of persons describing stressful events such as academic problems, death of a relative or friend, divorce, et cetera. The subjects rated themselves on their empathy for each person. They then completed a questionnaire based on Holmes and Rahe's Social Readjustment Rating Scale. Subjects' empathy scores and life event scores were analyzed using Pearson r correlations. Results of the study confirmed the hypothesis that experienced …

Physical Attractiveness And Sex Roles, Randall J. Soland

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Comparative Effects Of Two Avoidance Paradigms Upon Ethanol Self-Selection, Richard O. Shellenberger Ii

Masters Theses

Twelve adult male rats were given free access to a two bottle free-selection of tap water or a 10% ethanol/tap water solution in the home cage for a period of 140 consecutive days with the alcohol consumption data in the form of mg absolute ETOH/g subject weight collected daily. This study incorporated three stages. Phase I was a 40 day period of alcohol acclimation with alcohol consumption during the second 20 days constituting the baseline consumption rate. Mean baseline alcohol consumption was used to block subjects into three groups. The second phase of the study consisted of an 80 day …

The Relationship Of Reported Sexual Activity And Reported Sexual Daydreaming In Unmarried College Men And Women, Barbara Stansell Lavery

Masters Theses

Past research has suggested that cognitive imagery may serve to either enhance or diminish a subsequent overt behavior. In fact, imagery techniques are commonly used in therapy with the idea that these techniques affect behavior in a predictable way.

The present study was designed to determine whether measured frequencies of sexual daydreaming would correlate with measured frequencies of sexual activity. Gender groups were also compared to examine possible gender differences in the frequency of sexual daydreaming and sexual activity.

Thirty-eight male and 113 female students at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois were asked to respond to two self-report questionnaires. …

The Effects Of Self-Monitoring, Emg Biofeedback, And Relaxation Tapes In The Treatment Of Tension Headaches, Daniel A. Viens

Masters Theses

Tension headache is an important medical-behavioral disorder because of its high incidence and the personal discomfort and disruption of normal activities that frequently accompany it. Several behavioral strategies have been applied in the treatment of this disorder. Two of the most prominent treatments are EMG biofeedback and Progressive muscle relaxation exercises. Research has shown both of these strategies to be effective treatments of tension headache but much debate still ensues as to which is the more effective treatment. The effects of different self-monitoring procedures have never been compared during EMG biofeedback or Progressive muscle relaxation treatments of tension headache.

In …

The Relationship Of Self-Concept And Locus Of Control, Dirk David Sheehan

Masters Theses

Purpose of the Study:

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate whether relationships could be found between certain characteristics of one's self-concept and locus of control. This paper is a report of that study.

Method of Study:

Data contained in this study were gathered by utilizing the Tennessee Self Concept Scale and the Rotter's I-E (Internal-External) Scale. A total of one hundred 1980 Rantoul High School psychology and physics students were administered the above standardized tests. The sex factor was included to see if there were any noticeable characteristics among students with relationship to their test scores.

The …

A Correlational Study Of The Personality Inventory For Children, The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale And The Devereux Child Behavior Rating Scale, Luis J. Rivero

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Of The Jourard Self-Disclosure Questionaire-40 To Two Measures Of Actual Disclosure And Three Personality Measures, Mark Fraser

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Assessment Of Life Stress And Related Symptoms, Donald B. Hane

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Descriptive Research Study Of The Pilot Learning Adjustment Classes I And Ii Including A Summary Of Related Research On Compensatory Education, Melodye Maye Williams

Masters Theses

Statement Of The Problem

There were two sets of problems which were of focal interest: (1) Did the achievement levels of the students selected come up a significant degree? (The administration wished a month's gain for a month's instruction.) (2) Did the children's personality and behavior characteristics change for the better?

Procedure

The design used was a one-group pretest-posttest design. Achievement, behavior, and personality traits were measured on the original sixteen children and in remaining ten who were still in the classes after two years.

Conclusions

As stated previously, the primary purposes of this descriptive research study were: (1) Did …

James D. Barber: "The Presidential Character": An Attempt Of Applicability, Renate Irene Ahlers

Masters Theses

In 1972 James Barger published his book The Presidential Character: Predicting Performance in the White House. In this book Barber tries to typify the American Presidents, beginning with William H. Taft, according to four psycho-political categories: active-positive, active-negative, passive-positive, and passive-negative. The most important part of Barber's thesis is that the future performance of any presidential candidate can be predicted by looking at the factors that place him into a certain category. These factors are his character, his world view and style, the power situation, and the climate of expectations. Character, world view, and style are clearly formed well …

The Relationship Between Expressed Anxiety And Assertiveness, Douglas J. Pawlarczyk

Masters Theses

The present study examines the relation between expressed anxiety and assertiveness. This relation was examined by administering the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) - State and Trait Scales, the Fear Survey Schedule-III (FSS-III), the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (RAS), the College Self-Expression Scale (CSES) and eight role-plays designed to elicit assertive responses to twenty-four students (15 females and 9 males) enrolled in a class in personality assessment at Eastern Illinois University.

The eight role-plays were rated by four graduate students in psychology. Four of the role-plays were designed to elicit positive assertion. For these role-plays the raters rated the occurrence or nonoccurrence …

A Comparison Of Certain Personality Characteristics Of Allergic And Non Allergic College Students As Measured By The Edwards Personal Preference Schedule, Bernard Norman Bernstein

Masters Theses

The importance of emotional and physical factors in allergic disorders has become the focus of a body of literature (Wittkower & Engels, 1965). Some evidence suggests that allergic individuals possess certain maladaptive personality traits. Researchers have reported that allergic individuals are more neurotic than age-matched groups of normals (Dekker, Barendregt, & De Vries, 1961), and more aggressive than non allergic individuals (Alexander, 1952; Groen, 1950; Jares & Kerekjarto, 1967). Research also suggests that allergies are more sensitive, anxious and timid (Franks & Leigh, 1956), more hypochondriacal (Smith, 1962a), need more recognition (Rogerson, 1937), experienced more physiological and psychological stress (Sanger, …

The Construction And Validation Of A Death Anxiety Scale, Mark Lane Whipple

Masters Theses

Death anxiety has been previously investigated by many means including questionnaires and physiological and behavioral measures. Prior research indicated that paper and pencil scales of death anxiety correlated with physiological measures of anxiety. The present study was an attempt to construct and validate a large paper and pencil scale to measure death anxiety by using physiological measures of anxiety as external validation criteria. Sixty-six white female students were randomly selected from a pool of 80 volunteers obtained from introductory Psychology classes at Eastern Illinois University.

The physiological measure, changes in Galvanic Skin Response upon the presentation of 10 death-related and …

The Relationship Of Lateral Eye Movements To Field-Dependence-Independence And Verbal And Performance Skills, Linda J. Stennett-Mason

Masters Theses

Lateral eye movements and handedness as indexes of hemisphere asymmetry were compared to field-dependence-independence, as measured by Rod-and-Frame Test errors, and to Wechsler Verbal and Performance IQs. Consistent with previous research, the hypotheses predicted that persons with inconsistent lateral eye movements (ambilaterality) would have greater Rod-and-Frame errors (field-dependence) and lower Wechsler Verbal and Performance IQs.

Subjects were 41 male undergraduates who were grouped according to their lateral eye movements in response to 20 reflective questions consisting of ten verbal (left-hemisphere) and ten spatial (right-hemisphere) questions. The response scoring resulted in 12 subjects with 70% or more lateral eye movements to …

Androgyny And Occupational Choice, Ruth Carol Ellerbusch

Masters Theses

Sex-role orientation was investigated in terms of how it related to occupational choice. Sex-role orientation was defined in the following manner: one was either androgynous, masculine, feminine or indeterminate (Bern, 1974). Androgyny is a term used to describe individuals who are flexible in their sex-role orientation, individuals who are capable of being both instrumental and expressive, assertive and yielding, independent and dependent. Masculinity is associated with an instrumental orientation, a concern for oneself and getting the job done and a fondness for what man can make. Femininity is associated with an expressive communal orientation, an affective concern for the welfare …

Themes Elicited By The Senior Apperception Test In Institutionalized Older Adults, Nancy A. Stock

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the major themes elicited by the 16 stimulus cards of the Senior Apperception Test (SAT) (Bellak, 1975). The SAT was administered to 40 institutionalized male and female volunteers from seven nursing homes in the central Illinois region. They ranged in age from 61 to 97 years of age. There were 20 females (mean age = 78.6 years, S.D. = 8.3 years) and 20 males (mean age = 78.l years, S.D. = 10.4 years). All subjects were initially given a brief organic screening device to rule out those subjects with severe or moderate …

Self Disclosure Among The Chinese And American College Students, Mau-Sun Hua

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Basic Characteristics Of "The Man Of Tao" Of Lao Tzu And "Self-Actualizing People" Of Maslow, Kuang-Fu Chang

Masters Theses

This thesis serves two purposes: One, it reveals the influences of Taoist philosophy on Maslow's humanistic psychology which has become the third force in the field of psychology; secondly it lets all those who have regarded Chinese classics as nothing but a bundle of obsolete stuffs know that an archaic well still has fresh water to be drawn out to use.

In Tao Te Ching, or Lao Tzu the book, the man of Tao and innocent child are highly praised by Lao Tzu and may be referred to as ideal characters of his mind. Metaphysically, Tao is the Way, the …

Test-Retest Reliability Of The Hand Test With The Institutionalized Elderly, Thomas J. Lundquist

Masters Theses

The Hand Test (Wagner, 1962) was administered to 50 institutionalized elderly subjects. There were 36 female and 14 male subjects with a mean age of 76.94 years and a standard deviation of 10.48 years. A list of possible subjects was initially obtained from the activity directors at each nursing home. They were instructed to list the individuals which were "alert" and would be cooperative. The subjects were given a brief organic screening device to eliminate those subjects of severe or moderate mental impairment. Those subjects which missed two or less questions were then administered the Hand Test. Following approximately a …

A Comparison Of Stimulus Control Procedures And Progressive Relaxation In The Treatment Of Insomnia, Mark L. Balen

Masters Theses

Behavioral treatments for insomnia have seen increasing use in recent years due to the inefficacy of pharmacological treatments. Behavioral treatments utilized have included progressive relaxation training, systematic desensitization, stimulus control procedures, biofeedback, autogenic training, paradoxical instructions, and several miscellaneous procedures. Research has shown all of these treatments to be effective, although there have been methodological flaws in many of the studies. Stimulus control procedures have never been compared to progressive relaxation in the treatment of insomnia.

In the present study six insomniacs with a mean latency to sleep onset of at least 30 minutes were used to compare stimulus contol …

Relationship Of Locus Of Control And Other Personality Characteristics In Enuretics, Judy Louise Bowlby

Masters Theses

Past research concerning the personality construct of enuretic children has demonstrated conflicting results. During recent years, the concept of internal versus external locus of control has been used in extensive research dealing with personality and behavioral characteristics of various populations. However, there had not been a study involving locus of control among enuretics. One purpose of the present study was to identify locus of control and other personality and behavioral characteristics among both enuretic and "normal" (non-enuretic) children and their mothers. Another objective was to determine valuable predictors for locus of control in enuretics, locus of control in mothers of …