Psychology Commons^™

Social Power And Emotional Experience: Actor And Partner Effects Within Dyadic Interactions, Carrie A. Langner, Dacher Keltner

Psychology and Child Development

A dyadic methodological and statistical approach to social power is used to test the notion that an individual’s power and a partner’s power have distinct effects on the individual’s emotional experience. Two studies examined actor and partner effects of social power on emotion within dyadic interactions. Across interpersonal contexts and measures of social power, the individual’s own social power, theorized to activate behavioral approach, was associated with positive emotion (an actor effect). In contrast, being subject to a partner’s elevated social power, theorized to activate behavioral inhibition, was associated with increased negative emotion (a partner effect). The discussion focuses on …

Aged Out And On Their Own: Higher Education Experiences Of Former Foster Youth, Theresa Moy

Psychology Honors Projects

This study aims to better understand the characteristics, challenges, and outcomes of former foster youth in higher education. Phase I of the study utilized quantitative data to examine the resiliency characteristics of underclassmen and students with higher academic standings in higher education. It was hypothesized that former foster youth with more higher education experiences would be more likely to possess resiliency characteristics. Results from Phase 1 indicated that students with higher academic standings do not necessarily possess more resiliency characteristics overall. Interesting, underclassmen students have more social support than students with higher academic standings. Phase II of the study involved …

Usability Of Image Generation Platforms To Produce Oblique World Views, Michael T. Curtis, David Schuster, Florian Jentsch, R. Swanson, Michelle Harper-Sciarini

Faculty Publications

The interpretation of oblique aerial views in UAV operations is an important task, yet one that provides unique challenges. The human visual system is mal-adapted to visual perception from the air, especially when oblique views are involved. Hence, UAV operators have to be given training in the interpretation of oblique aerial visual stimuli. A novel way to train operators on how to accurately inspect and perceive oblique aerial images is to administer multiple trials of discrimination tasks for paired oblique images. In discrimination training, trainees view pairs of oblique aerial views and determine whether the images are taken from comparable …

What Can You Remember? An Approach To Reading, Laura Lagemann, Allison Schulte

Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal

Reading comprehension can be affected by the reading method used, whether this is reading silently, aloud, or being read to by another. Our study measures the impact different reading methods has on the overall comprehension of a given passage. Our 90 subjects consisted of 58 women and 35 men. Subjects were randomly placed into three groups, for each of the three reading method variables being measured. Each group read the same passage. Our hypotheses for the study were that subjects reading the passage silently will recall more information about the passage than if they are read aloud to, or if …

Romance In College: Effects Of Relationship Stress And Commitment On Scholastic Performance, Lauren Alderson, Kate Gruenloh

Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal

Due to the increased number of observed college students involved in romantic relationships, we decided to conduct a study to see if any correlation existed between those involved in romantic relationships and the students’ academics. In addition to this hypothesis, we were also interested in the varying levels of stress and commitment of a romantic relationship and their influence on academic performance. However after surveying 66 college participants regarding their feelings and opinions about their current or past relationships, our statistical findings did not support our initial research hypothesis.

Men And Women: Preferences In Description, Christopher H. Cook, Debra Leek, Stefanie Sutton

Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal

With many observable differences between men and women, this study tires to identify preferences in description of specific colored shape stimuli. We hypothesized that men would more likely describe the stimuli by naming its shape while women would most likely identify the color. Our study found significant difference between men and women’s descriptions, but not in a way to support our hypothesis. Undergraduate students recruited through the Lindenwood University Human Subject Pool for this experiment showed that men mostly described the stimuli using “other” phrases (like stop sign or sun) while women mostly identified stimuli by shape. However, women described …

Stereotyping, Racism, And The College Student, Martha Tarnowski

Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal

This experiment intended to study how college students use racism and stereotyping in judging new people as well as how influential these assumptions can be. It will also examine whether women are more likely than men to use stereotypes as a basis for their opinion and whether the severity of the stereotype has anything to do with the amount of influence it has on a person’s judgment. Participants will be given a questionnaire regarding demographics and their personal opinions on racism and stereotyping as well as a short scenario with questions regarding their reaction to what they read. The study …

Differences Between Races During Questioning By The Police, Amy Barron

Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal

This experiment was conducted with 100 volunteers from Lindenwood University (20 staff and 80 students). There were 56 male and 44 female participants. Each participant took a survey pertaining to their past encounters with the police. The researcher was trying to determine if there was: a) a difference between races in the amount of people who had been questioned by the police for looking suspicious, b) the reason why the people who had been questioned felt they had, c) if there was a difference between sexes and questioning for looking suspicious and d) if any sex and race combination was …

Effects Of Music On Emotional And Physiological Responses, Jenifer Fritz

Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal

Past research has suggested that music with fast tempos and rhythms have different physiological and emotional effects than music with slow tempos and rhythms. If these beliefs and studies are accurate, an individual will have physiological changes and report different emotions and moods after listening to music, and these changes will depend on the style of music that was heard. Twenty-nine participants were asked to report current emotions, moods, and musical preferences before and after listening to one of four musical selections: rock, rap, classical, and no music. Emotion and mood state were not affected by any of the musical …

Body Dissatisfaction Across Gender: An Etiological Exploration Of Self-Discrepancy, Self-Objectification, And Their Manifestations Among Men And Women, Kathryn Smith

Psychology Honors Projects

Body image has been the subject of much study recently, as the prevalence of eating disorders is an issue of increasing concern, especially among women. Comparatively few studies have examined male body image. Researchers have argued that men are more likely to exhibit muscle dysmorphia than eating disorders in response to body dissatisfaction. The present study consists of two studies: Study 1 compared etiological similarities between disordered eating and muscle dysmorphia; Study 2 explored the phenomenon of self-objectification in men. Results specify the parallels and differences in the ways in which men and women develop and experience body image.

Comparing Parent Ratings Of Referred Preschoolers On The Child Behavior Checklist And Behavior Assessment System For Children - Second Edition, Jennifer L. Bour

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

It is essential for school psychologists assessing children to use instruments that are reliable and valid. The focus of the current study is to determine whether or not the parent preschool versions of two popular behavior rating instruments, the Behavior Assessment System for Children – Second Edition (BASC-2; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2004) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2000), are consistent measures of similarly-named behavioral constructs in preschool-aged children. Parents of 95 preschoolers referred to a nonprofit child evaluation clinic because of behavioral or developmental concerns completed both the BASC-2 and CBCL during an initial evaluation session.

The …

The Effects Of Personal Characteristics And Religious Orientations On Identification With All Of Humanity And Humanitarian Behaviors, Derek Z. Brown

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This research examined the effects of personal characteristics (empathy and authoritarianism) and religious orientations (Christian humanitarianism and religious fundamentalism) on identification with all humanity and resulting humanitarian behavior.

This research also tested two hypothetical models (personality is primary, religion is primary) for the relationship between identification with all humanity and resulting humanitarian behavior. Two samples, consisting of 221 students and 158 adults, completed measures of authoritarianism, religious fundamentalism, dispositional empathy, Christian humanitarianism, identification with all humanity, and an assessment of humanitarian behaviors.

As hypothesized, Christian humanitarianism and empathy were positively correlated with identification with all humanity and humanitarian behavior. Furthermore, …

The Effectiveness Of A "None Of The Above" Answer Option In Multiple Choice Grammar Tests, Andrea Sides

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study examines the use of "none of the above" (NOTA) as an answer option in a multiple-choice grammar test. Results from previous research on this topic have been mixed. Two forms of a grammar test, one without a NOTA option and one with a NOTA option, were developed and administered to a sample of 160 undergraduate students. Differences between the forms in item difficulty and discrimination were examined. Analysis revealed no differences in item discrimination or item difficulty between items without a NOTA option and items with a NOTA option. A discussion of the results, limitations, and suggestions for …

Evaluating Faculty Performance: A Comparison Of Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales Developed For Western Kentucky University Psychology Department Faculty, Travis Yanul

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The current study consisted of a comparison of Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales (BARS) developed in 2001 and 2008 for the evaluation of the performance of faculty in the Western Kentucky University Psychology Department. BARS generally are less susceptible to various types of rating error than are other rating formats, and are highly relevant to the target job because they utilize behavioral examples of performance. Furthermore, BARS development requires the participation of job incumbents. In both 2001 and 2008, Psychology Department faculty members were involved in every phase of the development process of the BARS instruments addressed in the current study. …

The Relation Of Fr Behaviour To Aai Scales, Elspeth M. Evans, Sandi Bento, David R. Pederson, Greg Moran

Psychology Presentations

Attachment theory describes the bonds between caregivers and children that serve a protective function for children.

The FR theory developed by Main and Hesse (1990) proposes that unmonitored parental behaviour, or frightened, frightening and dissociative (FR) behaviour, stemming from a history of Unresolved/disoriented (U/d) trauma, disorganizes the attachment relationship.

The parent is a source of fear and is thus unavailable as a source of safety and protection.

Behavioural And Affective Precursors To Disorganized Attachment In The Still-Face Procedure At 4-Months, Lindsey M. Forbes, Greg Moran, David R. Pederson

Psychology Presentations

We explored whether disorganization in the SSP at 13-months could be predicted from infant affect and behaviour in the SFP at 4- months.

We hypothesized that infants in disorganized relationships would have the most difficulty regulating their affect and behaviour in the SFP.

Infants in disorganized relationships were expected to display greater negativity (e.g., crying, negative vocalizations, stress indicators such as spitting up) throughout the SFP, compared to those in organized relationships.

Both Maternal Sensitivity And Atypical Maternal Behavior Independently Predict Attachment Security And Disorganization In Adolescent Mother–Infant Dyads, Greg Moran, Lindsey M. Forbes, Elspeth Evans, George M. Tarabulsy, Sheri Madigan

Psychology Presentations

On the basis of these findings, at odds with current models of the origins of secure vs disorganized attachment, the current study examined the association between distinct qualities of maternal interaction and attachment in a single study.

The participants in the current study were adolescent mothers and their infants, a population that has been shown to be at substantial developmental risk and to exhibit a range of markedly atypical interactions with their infants (Jaffee, Caspi, Moffitt, Belsky, and Silva, 2001).

Indiana School Superintendents And The Relationship Between Gender And Levels Of Social Intelligence, Mary Sugg Lovejoy

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to determine the level of social intelligence of public school superintendents in Indiana and to ascertain if there were gender differences associated with a superintendent's level of social intelligence. This research study was designed to determine how Indiana public school superintendents perceived themselves with regard to their level of social intelligence. One other factor was analyzed: Was there a significant relationship between the level of social intelligence and when the superintendents received their Education Specialist Degree. The participants of the study were 257 Indiana public school superintendents taken from the 2006-2007 database at the Indiana Department …

You Gotta Have Faith, Randy Borum

Mental Health Law & Policy Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Combining Reduced Luminance And Increased Blur On Older Driver Speed And Visual Acuity, Nathan Klein

All Theses

Drivers may be at more risk to themselves and other roadway users when vision is blurred or when luminance levels are reduced. Past research has investigated these visual conditions separately, finding that each degrades acuity without severely impairing steering ability. However, it is unknown how reduced luminance in combination with increased blur will affect driving performance. This study sought to quantify this combined effect on older adults' comfortable driving speed and visual acuity by testing 10 participants in a driving simulator. The majority of the luminance and blur conditions are comparable to those the driving population may realistically encounter. Participants …

Representation Of English Language Learners In Special Education: An Overview, Rachel M. Morley

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Possible misrepresentation of English Language Learners (ELLs) in special education is a concern for many school districts across the U.S. This paper discusses language and cultural factors that affect assessment and classification of ELL students, focusing on classifications of Learning Disability (LD) and Mental Retardation (MR). Empirical studies and review articles regarding representation of ELLs in special education are summarized. Methods of avoiding inappropriate placement are presented, and implications for school psychologists are discussed.

The Roles Of Ingroup Identification, Prior Commitment, And Group Needs In Predicting Reactions To Group Defection, Melisa A. Holovics

Psychology Theses - Archive

Three experiments were conducted to explore the effects of group member defection (versus control) on reactions by ingroup members. In Study 1, emotional reactions were less positive toward defectors than toward controls, especially as a function of Ingroup Identification. In Studies 2 and 3, target Commitment level (low or high) to the group was added as a factor in the experimental design, and participants were led to believe that they would be having a discussion with either a highly or less committed ingroup member, or with either a (previously) highly or less committed defector. In Studies 2 and 3, Ingroup …

The Role Of Head Movements In Simulator Sickness Generated By A Virtual Environment, Alexander Walker

All Theses

Virtual environments (VEs) are being used in a variety of applications, including training, rehabilitation and clinical treatment. To effectively utilize VEs in these situations it is important to try to understand some of the effects of VE exposure. The purpose of this study was to investigate head and body movements in virtual and real environments during building clearing and the relationship between these movements and simulator sickness. The data for the current study were drawn from a larger team training study which investigated the use of VEs for training building clearing. The goal of the first part of this study …

The Influence Of Ageism On Personnel Decision Making, Ashley Brooke Tipton Acker

Psychology Dissertations - Archive

Ageism is a topic in today's world of great consequence, especially due to the multimillion dollar costs of age-related discrimination charges and the potential to ineffectively utilize organizational talent. Additionally, the demographic breakdown of the workforce indicates older individuals make up the majority of workers and that trend will continue for the foreseeable future. However, ageism affects both younger and older individuals; anyone in the workplace has the potential to be a victim of age-related stereotyping or discrimination. As such, this study sought to take past research a step further by examining the impact of ageism on personnel decision making …

The Role Of The Principal In Leading School Improvement, Marilyn Jane Sudsberry

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to 1) determine the role the principal plays in leading school improvement, and 2) examine the relationship between change implemented and student achievement. Three high-performing, high-needs Title l schools and four low-performing, high-needs Title I schools were identified through lndimm Department of Education data. The high-performing schools met Adequate Yearly Progress in 2006, whereas the low-performing schools did not and were in at least year two of the school improvement cycle. Structured interviews were conducted with the principal and with teams of teachers. The interviews, along with field observations and analysis of the school …

"I Don't Want To Let People Down Who Are Really Counting On Me": A Study Of Black Men At A Predominantly White Institution, Elonda V. Ervin

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the persistence strategies used by Black men attending a predominantly White institution (PWI), classified as sophomore, junior and senior. In order to determine these persistence strategies, a phenomenology qualitative research approach was selected. The selection of the participants of this study was accomplished utilizing network sampling. A total of six Black men participated. Interviews were conducted and 11 major themes were identified and are used to discuss the findings: I) time management: 2) get involved; 3) build a bond; 4) social networks; 5) communicate; 6) its not failure just determine what you …

Broken Masks: A Study In Sanity, Jessica Ann Schmidt

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

"Broken Masks: A Study in Sanity" is a mixed work of fiction and nonfiction short stories that explore the lives of people who are off center of normal. Some of the protagonists are different because of psychological trauma, some are different because of the circumstances of their birth, and some are different because what is normal to them seems horrific to the reader. The idea of the mask, sense of Self or social role, has interested me since my undergraduate days in psychology, and I have attempted to blend current psychological understanding of trauma and psyche with fictional and nonfictional …

Emotional Intelligence: Comparisons Of Criterion-Related Validity Across Conceptual And Methodological Variants Of Measurement, Moira Hanna

All Dissertations

Emotional intelligence is a reasonably new construct that is little more than 15 years old within the research literature, but has existed in some form since the time of Darwin (Bar-On, Handley, & Fund, 2006). Although this concept has been around for quite some time, it has been conceptualized in a variety of ways. Therefore, the current study aimed to provide a clearer understanding of the construct and how to best measure emotional intelligence.
Using two samples of undergraduate students who were either currently employed or had been employed in the past we were able to test several hypotheses. More …

An Innovative Treatment Approach For Children With Anxiety Disorders And Medically Unexplained Somatic Complaints, Laura C. Reigada, Paige H. Fisher, Cynthia Cutler, Carrie Masia

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents are largely undetected and the majority of youth do not receive services. Given the deleterious consequences of anxiety disorders, early identification and intervention have public health implications. In order to increase identification and treatment of anxious youth, expansion to nonpsychiatric settings (i.e., pediatric medical settings, schools) is necessary. Pediatric medical offices represent ideal settings for detection and intervention for several reasons: (1) access to large numbers of children, (2) high prevalence of unrecognized anxiety disorders in medical settings, and (3) an association between anxiety disorders and medically unexplained somatic symptoms. This paper describes a …

Swimming In The Shallows: Drowning The Standard Conventions Of Directing, Debra A. Berger

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the challenges I encountered while directing Adam Bock’s play Swimming in the Shallows. Specifically, this thesis addresses staging issues that stem from the problematic conventions required by Bock’s specific instructions regarding any mounting of the play. In particular, Bock suggests an abandonment of some traditional conventions in the fundamentals of directing, particularly the creation of three- dimensional picturization for the use of stage depth. In Bock’s staging notes, he proposes that contrary to fundamental principles: The action should be pressed flat. Like a screen. The actors’ physical work should be vertical and horizontal rather than three-dimensionally horizontal. …