Psychology Commons^™

Shared Leadership As A Function Of Role Assignment And Task Difficulty In A Distributed Computer Game, Alexandra Proaps

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The use of computer game based architectures may help provide a safe, controlled environment in which geographically dispersed military units can develop leadership skills while rehearsing a specific task such as search and rescue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among task difficulty, team task performance, role assignment and emergent leadership within a shared leadership model using a modified version of the popular video game, Half Life 2 ™. The researcher assessed leadership emergence through verbal content analysis methods that have only been employed in email and message boards media formats. Across levels of task difficulty …

A Conceptual Model For Employer Training To Manage Employee Counter-Productive Behaviors, Naomi Spickard Rock

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop a model for employer training to manage employees who possess counter-productive behaviors. With the increasing encouragement for employers to hire without discriminating, the number of individuals with disabilities in the workforce will rise. There is limited training in universities and businesses to teach how to deal with difficult individuals.

Qualitative research in the form of focus groups was conducted. The following research objectives were developed: 1) Identify components of counter-productive behaviors that need to be managed in the workplace. 2) Develop behavioral management strategies that need be learned by employers. 3) Integrate …

The Association Between Depressive Symptoms, Relationship Satisfaction, And Self- And Partner-Attributions, Amy Harrison Smith

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Attributions of partners have been examined in the depressive symptom-relationship satisfaction literature, while attributions of self have not been adequately addressed. In the present study, attributions of self and partner were investigated as mediators of the association between depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction. A student and community sample of 270 adults in heterosexual romantic relationships completed an online survey consisting of depressive symptom, relationship satisfaction, and relationship attribution inventories. Pearson's product-moment correlation and multiple regression analyses were utilized to assess meditational pathways. Depressive symptoms were significantly negatively correlated with relationship satisfaction. Self- and partner-attributions were significantly positively correlated with relationship …

Building A Decision Aid Right-Side-Out, Barry F. Anderson

Systems Science Friday Noon Seminar Series

Tools have long been available for improving decision making, yet people who have knowledge of these tools seem reluctant to use them. I consider multiple reasons why this might be so and consider multiple solutions, then present what I believe to be the world's most user-friendly decision aid, which is now nearly ready for beta testing and available at no cost at http://wisedecider.net.

Wise Decider is believed to be unique in having the following features:

1. A creative thinking guide and a critical thinking guide that provide context-sensitive advice for problem structuring, evaluation, and implementation.
2. A decision table with cells …

Should I Stay Or Should I Go? A Mixed-Method Study Of The Mentoring Relationships That Guide Student-Athletes Toward Career Decisions, Andrew J. Schwehm

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Deficits In Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders When Processing Multiple Objects In Dynamic Scenes, Kirsten O'Hearn, Laura Lakusta, Elizabeth Schroer, Nancy Minshew, Beatriz Luna

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

People with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) process visual information in a manner that is distinct from typically developing individuals. They may be less sensitive to people's goals and, more generally, focus on visual details instead of the entire scene. To examine these differences, people with and without ASD were asked to detect changes in dynamic scenes with multiple elements. Participants viewed a brief video of a person or an inanimate object (the "figure") moving from one object to another; after a delay, they reported whether a second video was the same or different. Possible changes included the figure, the object …

Evaluating A Sensorimotor Intervention In Children Who Have Experienced Complex Trauma: A Pilot Study, Lauren Hansen

Honors Projects

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a sensorimotor intervention with children who have experienced complex trauma. In the United States, millions of children are exposed to traumatic events each year, and thousands develop subsequent psychological disorders (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008). Researchers and clinicians are now categorizing these disorders as traumatic stress-related disorders or Developmental Trauma Disorder (Courtois & Ford, 2009), particularly when there is an interpersonal component (e.g. abuse or neglect by caregivers). Unfortunately, there is a dearth of evidence-based information available on effective treatment for complex trauma in children …

Development And Preliminary Psychometric Evaluation Of The Children's Saving Inventory, Eric A. Storch, Jordana Muroff, Adam B. Lewin, Daniel Geller, Abigail Ross, Katherine Mccarthy, Jessica Morgan, Tanya K. Murphy, Randy Frost, Gail Steketee

Psychology: Faculty Publications

This study reports on the development and initial psychometric properties of the Children's Saving Inventory (CSI), a parent-rated measure designed to assess child hoarding behaviors. Subjects included 123 children and adolescents diagnosed with primary Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and their parents. Trained clinicians administered the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS), items assessing Family Accommodation and the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity index. Parents completed the CSI, Child Obsessive-Compulsive Impact Scale (COIS)-Parent Version and Child Behavior Checklist. Youth completed the COIS-Child Version, Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory Child Version (OCI-CV), Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, and Children's Depression Inventory-Short Form. A four factor solution was identified; factors …

The Fast Food And Obesity Link: An Investigation Of Consumption Patterns And Severity Of Obesity In Pre-Bariatric Surgery Patients, Ginny Garcia-Alexander, Thankam S. Sunil, Pedro Hinojosa

Sociology Faculty Publications and Presentations

We examined selected behavioral factors associated with severity of obesity among pre-operative bariatric surgery patients in the San Antonio area; focusing specifically on the effects of fast food consumption. We used ordered logistic regression to model the effects of behavioral and attitudinal variables on obesity outcomes. Our results indicated that among the behavioral factors, fast food consumption exerted the largest influence on higher levels of obesity. After controlling for several social and demographic characteristics, the effects of fast food consumption remained significant in the model. In fact, for each increase in fast food consumption there was a 26% increase in …

An Intervention In Stereotype Threat : Does Gender-Affirming Literature Reduce Female Vulnerability In Mathematics?, Emily Dowd

Honors Theses

The current study examined whether the presentation of gender-affirming literature, in the form of information about the University of Richmond‟s Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) program, mitigated female stereotype threat in the domain of mathematics. A pilot study tested 10 male and 10 female college-aged participants to determine whether a derogatory beer commercial produced the threat effect in women; results were inconclusive. A follow-up study used threat methods derived from previous research and information about the WGSS program at Richmond for the intervention manipulation. Results from 30 female college students indicated insufficient threat and a nonsignificant positive increase in …

Evaluating Focus-2'S Effectiveness In Enhancing First-Year College Students' Social Cognitive Career Development, David M. Tirpak

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Environmental Influences On The Sign Tracking Of Ethanol: A Rodent Model Of Alcohol Addiction, John Casachahua

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Affective, Behavioral, And Social-Cognitive Dysregulation As Mechanisms For Sexual Abuse Revictimization, Catherine Lutz-Zois, Carolyn E. Roecker Phelps, Adam Charles Reichle

Psychology Faculty Publications

Using a sample of 1,117 female college students, this study examined emotional, behavioral, and social-cognitive mechanisms of sexual abuse revictimization. It was hypothesized that numbing, alexithymia, alcohol problems, mistrust, and adult attachment dimensions would mediate the relationship between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and adult sexual abuse (ASA). Aside from the close adult attachment dimension, the results indicated that all of the hypothesized mediators were associated with CSA. However, only alcohol problems and mistrust met the necessary conditions of mediation. The results with respect to mistrust are especially unique in that it is one of the first empirical demonstrations of a …

Perceived Threat Mediates The Relationship Between Psychosis Proneness And Aggressive Behavior, Jennifer Renee Fanning, Mitchell Eric Berman, Richard Mohn, Michael Mccloskey

Faculty Publications

Psychotic symptoms are associated with aggressive tendencies, but this relationship is both complex and imperfect. In contrast to psychotic disorders, little is known about aggressive behavior and sub-clinical psychotic symptoms (e.g., "psychosis proneness"), which are relatively common in the general population. Threat/control-override (TCO), which is the propensity to overestimate the likelihood that an outside agent will (1) inflict harm (threat) or (2) control one's behaviors (control-override), has been associated with aggression in both psychiatric and community samples. The purpose of this study was to determine if psychosis proneness is related to aggression, and if one or both aspects of TCO …

Nice Guys Finish Fast And Bad Guys Finish Last: Facilitatory Vs. Inhibitory Interaction In Parallel Systems, Ami Eidels, Joseph W. Houpt, Nicholas Altieri, Lei Pei, James T. Townsend

Psychology Faculty Publications

Systems Factorial Technology is a powerful framework for investigating the fundamental properties of human information processing such as architecture (i.e., serial or parallel processing) and capacity (how processing efficiency is affected by increased workload). The Survivor Interaction Contrast (SIC) and the Capacity Coefficient are effective measures in determining these underlying properties, based on response-time data. Each of the different architectures, under the assumption of independent processing, predicts a specific form of the SIC along with some range of capacity. In this study, we explored SIC predictions of discrete-state (Markov process) and continuous-state (Linear Dynamic) models that allow for certain types …

Forgiveness As A Mechanism Of Self-Regulation : An Ego-Depletion Model, Lindsay Myerberg

Honors Theses

Revenge is the natural human response to interpersonal transgressions. However, given the benefits of forgiveness, it is important to consider how forgiveness can be facilitated. Many factors have been shown to be associated with forgiveness, ranging from situational factors (e.g., perception of the transgression) to dispositional factors (e.g., personality traits). This study aims to extend research on the factors that are associated with forgiveness, and determine the processes on which forgiveness relies. To demonstrate that forgiveness requires self-regulation, Study 1 examines if ego-depletion decreases willingness to forgive, and Study 2 examines if glucose consumption can negate this ego-depletion effect. Results …

Friendship And Problem Solving : The Effect Of Various Situations On Co-Rumination In Emerging Adulthood Friendships, Kelly Larsen

Honors Theses

Co-rumination is the act of negatively discussing problems with another person. The focus of co-rumination is generally on the negative aspects, or things that cannot be changed as opposed to active problem solving. Co-rumination is positively associated with positive friendship quality as well as internalizing symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Co-rumination is most commonly studied in children and adolescents, but the present study extends this research by looking at the undergraduate population. In addition the current study aims to find differences in co-rumination in response to four different hypothetical scenarios. One hundred and thirty one students at the University …

Social Justice Counseling And Advocacy: Developing New Leadership Roles And Competencies, Derrick A. Paladino, Judith A. Lewis, Manivong J. Ratts, Rebecca L. Topreck

Faculty Publications

The fusion of scholarship and activism represents an opportunity to reflect on ways in which counselors and psychologists can begin to address the multilevel context faced by clients and client communities. Counselors and psychologists have embraced, and sometimes resisted, the wide range of roles including that of advocate and activist. This article reflects on a process that engaged workshop participants in examining the American Counseling Association Advocacy Competencies and exploring the possibilities of advocacy on behalf of their own clients. Further, the article presents recommendations for actions developed by participants through application of workshop principles regarding social action in the …

Developing An Instrument To Measure Representational Predicaments At Work, Robin Stanley Snell, Man Kuen, Almaz Chak, Yi Zhang

Hong Kong Institute of Business Studies Working Paper Series

Employees with representational predicaments believe that authorities' impressions of their workplace contributions or circumstances are unfavourably
incomplete or inaccurate. A literature review suggested four hypothesized types of representational predicament: two, disregarding of non-canonical work, and disregarding of job-related stressors, characterized primarily by unfavourable invisibility; two, negative spotlighting and unfair canonical presumption of guilt,
characterized primarily by unfavourable visibility. This study developed an instrument to measure prevalence of representational predicaments. Qualitative interviews confirmed the hypothesized variables, but exploratory factor analyses identified a different set of four emergent subscales. Of these: two, being neglected
and negative spotlighting, indicated representational predicaments; two, fair …

Warranty And Price As Quality Signals: The Effect Of Signal Consistency And Unexpectedness On Product Perception, Sultan Alaswad Alenazi

Theses and Dissertations in Business Administration

This dissertation investigates the effect of signal consistency/inconsistency and signal unexpectedness on a consumer's evaluation of a product. It consists of two studies. Study One examines the effect of signal consistency/inconsistency on product quality, where consistent signals are those of the same valance. Prior research has found that a positive cue not only was unable to improve product quality perception, but also had a negative effect on perceived quality when a positive cue was combined with a negative one. The results of Study One indicate that when signals are inconsistent, consumers engage in an attribution process to explain inconsistency. If …

Emotional Responses To Gender-Based Inequality: Justifications And Consequences, Erin Quasney

Master's Theses (2009 -)

This paper examines the interaction between exposure to gender inequality and commonly-held sexist beliefs and effects on participants' emotional reactions and behavioral intentions to address that inequality. Male and female participants were exposed to gender disparities where women are disadvantaged or to a control condition and then primed with hostile or benevolent sexism. No difference existed in men's reports of guilt in response to gender inequality if offered a benevolently sexist justification. Women were more likely than men to report moral outrage, although the difference was larger when participants also considered female disadvantage. When reminded of both gender inequality and …

Social Issues In Living With Sickle Cell Disease Pain, Jeannie L. Miranda

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The chronic painful episodes associated with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) can have serious psychological consequences that can reduce patients' ability to cope with the illness. The purpose of this exploratory research was to examine issues faced by sickle cell disease patients. In addition to providing descriptive information about this population, pain, stigma consciousness and helpfulness of disclosures about the illness were examined in relation to pain self-efficacy, benefit finding, and depressive mood.

Seventy-three SCD patients completed a self-report questionnaire. They reported an average of 8.6 SCD pain episodes in the last 12 months with an average level of pain intensity …

A Field Experiment To Test The Effects Of Automated Feedback And Monetary Incentive On Speeding Behavior, Ian J. Reagan

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

This field experiment tested the effects of two systems on speeding, mental workload, and driver acceptance of the systems. Using GPS technology integrated with GIS referenced speed limit information, eight vehicles were instrumented in a manner that allowed real time knowledge of vehicle speed relative to the speed limit. Fifty participants drove these vehicles, with each individual driving his or her assigned vehicle for a four week trial. During one week, 40 participants experienced an automated feedback system, which provided visual and auditory alerts when they sped five or more mph over the limit. Twenty of these 40 individuals experienced …

Protective Behavioral Strategies Mediate The Effect Of Drinking Motives On Alcohol Use Among Heavy Drinking College Students: Gender And Race Differences, Joseph W. Labrie, Andrew Lac, Shannon R. Kenney, Tehniat Mirza

Heads Up!

Objective

This study examined the extent to which protective behavioral strategies (PBS) mediated the influence of drinking motives on alcohol consumption, and if these hypothesized relationships were corroborated across subsamples of gender and race.

Method

Online surveys were completed by 1592 heavy drinking college undergraduates from two universities (49.9% male and 50.1% female; 76.9% Caucasian and 23.1% Asian). Independent samples t-tests compared males and females as well as Caucasians and Asians on measures of drinking motives, PBS use, and alcohol consumption, and structural equation models examined the mediating role of PBS.

Results

Consistent with predictions, t-tests revealed that males reported …

The Effects Of Explicit And Implicit Cognitive Factors On The Learning Patterns In The Iowa Gambling Task, Melissa J. Hawthorne, Dawn R. Weatherford, Karin Tochkov

Psychology Faculty Publications (Archived)

The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) has become a standard tool in the area of decision making, but recent studies have indicated that cognitive factors might distort the implicit learning expected from the original design of the task. This paper examines the effects of cognitive factors on the performance and learning outcomes of the IGT along two dimensions. First, the instructions for the task are manipulated to test whether more detailed information is conducive to adopting a winning strategy in the IGT. Second, procedural priming’s role is investigated by administering a pattern recognition task ahead of the IGT. The results indicate …

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Anxiety Disorders In Youth, Laura D. Seligman, Thomas H. Ollendick

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) have been shown to be efficacious for the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Randomized clinical trials indicate that approximately two-thirds of children treated with CBT will be free of their primary diagnosis at posttreatment. Although several CBT treatment packages have been investigated in youth with diverse anxiety disorders, common core components have been identified. A comprehensive assessment, development of a good therapeutic relationship and working alliance, cognitive restructuring, repeated exposure with reduction of avoidance behavior, and skills training comprise the core procedures for the treatment of anxiety disorders in youth.

Texting: The Ecology Of Adolescent Life, Charlotte Louise Saucedo

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study examined the impact that instant communication has on the social development of adolescents (12-18 years). While most studies have either focused on this medium as either entirely good or bad, this study aimed at the middle ground in understanding both the benefits and pitfalls. A qualitative research design was employed to measure the abstract concepts of „well-being‟ and „group belonging‟ in relation to the role that instant messaging plays into those concepts. This study utilized the theoretical lenses of Vygotsky‟s Social Development Theory, Erikson‟s Social Development Theory and Walther‟s Hyperpersonal Perspective. Employing the use of both focus groups …

Emotional Regulation And Memory: The Effects Of Reappraisal On Source Decisions, Chad Gremillion

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Ovulation, Female Competition, And Product Choice: Hormonal Influences On Consumer Behavior, Kristina M. Durante, Vladas Griskevicius, Sarah E. Hill, Carin Perilloux, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Recent research shows that women experience nonconscious shifts across different phases of the monthly ovulatory cycle. For example, women at peak fertility (near ovulation) are attracted to different kinds of men and show increased desire to attend social gatherings. Building on the evolutionary logic behind such effects, we examined how, why, and when hormonal fluctuations associated with ovulation influenced women's product choices. In three experiments, we show that at peak fertility women nonconsciously choose products that enhance appearance (e.g., choosing sexy rather than more conservative clothing). This hormonally regulated effect appears to be driven by a desire to outdo attractive …

Age Differences In Long-Term Adjustment And Psychosocial Outcomes In A Large Multi-Site Sample 5-10 Years After Heart Transplant, Andrea Shamaskin

Theses and Dissertations

Research on age differences in heart transplant patients has focused primarily on medical outcomes, with mixed findings regarding mortality and morbidity rates and limited research regarding age differences in psychosocial and quality of life outcomes. To gain a more complete understanding of psychosocial adjustment after heart transplant, this study examined age differences in: satisfaction with quality of life, satisfaction with social support, depressive symptoms, negative affect, symptom distress, stress related to heart transplant, overall health functioning, coping strategies, and aspects of adherence. Results indicate that older patients, compared to younger patients, report better adjustment and quality of life across numerous …