Psychology Commons^™

Effects Of Varied Meaningfulness On The Load Theory Of Attention, Hannah Mason

Masters Theses

The point at which selection of which stimuli in our environment to attend to is made has plagued researchers for decades. The load theory was developed as a compromise between the early and late selection theories. However, little research has been done on the effects of varied meaningfulness on the load theory of attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects that varied meaningfulness has on both high and low attentional loads. Sixteen traditionally-aged college students were given a selection task in either high or low attentional load while being presented with distractors in the periphery. Mean …

The Development Of Horizontality And Verticality In Children With Visual Impairments, Rita E. Schnarr

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the understanding of the horizontal and vertical in children with visual impairments compared to children who are sighted. A raised-line drawing kit was used both for subject responses and for production of stimuli. To test the understanding of the horizontal, subjects felt pictures of a jar at four tilts and were asked to draw the water line. To test the understanding of the vertical, subjects felt pictures of a mountain at four slopes and were asked to draw a telephone pole. Subjects also completed haptic multiple-choice versions of the tasks. It was …

The Relationship Between Dialectical Self And Hedonic, Eudaimonic, And Social Well-Being, Ayaka Hisanaga

Masters Theses

The present study examined the relationship between a dialectical self and three different conceptions of well-being: hedonic, eudaimonic, and social well-being. Dialectical self refers to the ability to recognize contradictions and changes in the self. The study was built upon previous research by Spencer-Rodgers and her colleagues (2004) that found a negative relationship between being dialectical and hedonic well-being (specifically selfesteem and life satisfaction). Although this previous study indicated that the more one perceives oneself as tolerant of contradiction and change, the more one would tend to experience life dissatisfaction and negative feelings (i.e., hedonic well-being), the current study predicted …

Retrospective Time Perception Of A Long Task: Using Music To Distinguish Between Attention-Based And Memory-Based Models, James Brooks

Theses : Honours

There are two main models of time perception, attention-based models, and memorybased models. The aim of this study was to determine which model best explained retrospective time perception of a long and monotonous task. The monotonous task was a Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) that lasted 1390s. The monotony of the task was altered by the addition of musical stimuli. Participants were randomly assigned to either a silent condition, or one of three music conditions that differed in song familiarity and performing instrument. Participants were 48 adults, primarily recruited from Edith Cowan University. The perceived duration of the task, …

The Crossover Effects Of Supervisor Work-Family Positive Spillover On Employee Sleep Deficiency: Moderating Effects Of Family Supportive Supervisor Behaviors (Fssb), Tori Laurelle Crain, Leslie B. Hammer, Todd Bodner, Orfeu Buxton

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Abstract of presentation presented at SLEEP 2012 held June 9-13, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts

Construct Validity Of The Child Ptsd Symptom Scale, Regan Stewart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increased research interest in post-traumatic reactions in children has led to a need for more accurate assessment measures to detect the presence of posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD) in youth. Instruments designed to accurately capture symptoms of PTSD are needed in order to understand how children respond to stressful events, such as violence, abuse, war, and natural disasters. The current study attempts to address the need for valid and reliable instruments in childhood PTSD assessment research by investigating the psychometric properties of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS; Foa, Johnson, Feeny, & Tredwell, 2001). Specifically, the study examines the factor structure …

Impacts Of Race/Ethnicity And Self-Esteem On Body Dissatisfaction In Women, Kristie Vail Schultz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, there is a push for individuals to be of a particular size, and for women, that ideal size is extremely thin (Katzmarzyk & Davis, 2001). Overall, females indicate a greater drive for thinness and put more emphasis on weight and shape salience than do men (Anderson & Bulik, 2001), and they prefer a less muscular body type than men as well (Oehlhof, Musher-Eizenman, Neufeld, & Hauser, 2009). Among women, Caucasian females report more body dissatisfaction than do African American women (e.g., Kelly et al., 2011). Body dissatisfaction can be influenced by many factors; in addition to …

An Intergenerational Study: Mirrors As A Tool For Self-Reflection, Susan Ridley

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

Globalization and advances in technology have resulted in a loss of cultural, community, and individual identity. Having a strong sense of self can be a protective factor in resisting peer pressure and involvement in negative behaviors, and a determining factor in the formation of one’s coping skills, and resiliency to life’s challenges. This was especially important for adolescents who are negotiating the developmental growth from childhood to adulthood, and older adults who are transitioning from the independence of adulthood to the dependence of old age.

This was a qualitative intergenerational study on the process of self-reflection on identity. Mirrors have …

Fruit Of The Spirit: Next Steps, Thomas G. Plante

Psychology

Overall, the chapters provide support for the notion that religious and spiritu al practices, behavior, and engagement are associated with improved psychological, physical, and community functioning and wellbeing. Religion and spirituality can make us better. The fruit of the spirit can result in a better quality of life. However, we must be mindful of the need for future quality research as well as the downside of religious engagement, too. Intolerance, rigidity, and in-group/out-group conflict can be problematic and create a situation in which tills type of religious engagement can lead to fruit that is not healthy but unhealthy. This fruit …

Organizational Wellness Programs: Who Participates And Does It Help?, Justin Michael Dumond

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Several research questions exist concerning the effectiveness of employee wellness programs. Do Theory of Reasoned action components such as health attitudes and intentions lead to wellness program involvement? Does wellness program involvement moderate the relationships between occupational stress, turnover, and job performance, such that wellness involvement mitigates the negative impact of occupational stress? Additionally, does wellness involvement moderate the relationships between work/life imbalance, turnover, and job performance, such that wellness involvement mitigates the negative impact of work/life imbalance? Data from 10,430 employees of an organization with an optional wellness program was analyzed. Hypotheses relating to TRA and the work/life imbalance-job …

Someone Who Understands: The Effect Of Support On Law Enforcement Officers Exposed To Disturbing Media, Jessica Morales

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Traumatic events not only affect the victims but also professionals that work with the victims (Figley, 1995). Trauma in the form of viewing disturbing media has been tied to negative outcomes such as Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and burnout (Perez, Jones, Englert, & Sachau, 2010; Stevenson 2007). The present study examined the effects of a resource, social support, on the negative and positive outcomes experienced by law enforcement officers exposed to disturbing media. I examined the relationship between overall support and negative and positive outcomes of exposure. The relationship was also examined for different sources of support: supervisor, coworker, and …

Identifying Organizational Factors That Moderate The Engagement-Turnover Relationship In A Healthcare Setting, Stevie Ann Collini

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

It is essential for organizations to understand how turnover functions within their business and the potential other organizational factors have on affecting turnover, in order to know how to leverage these factors to effectively reduce turnover and the costs associated with it. The present study examined the relationship between employee engagement and turnover in clinical departments within a healthcare setting and the effects other organizational factors, such as respect, diversity, diversity climate and mission fulfillment have on that relationship. The results of the study demonstrate that although the relationship between engagement and turnover is significant, that none of the variables …

The Creation And Validation Of A Pilot Selection System For A Midwestern University Aviation Department, Jacob William Forsman

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The current study outlines an attempt to create a selection test for a Midwestern university aviation department pilot training program. Thirty-seven pilots were given a pre-test consisting of cognitive (math, arithmetic reasoning, spatial measures, table reading, and mechanical knowledge), attitudinal (cockpit management attitudes questionnaire- CMAQ), and personality questions (IPIP items, Achievement-Striving, Impatience/Irritability, and the Academic Motivation Scale). An additional measure of professionalism was collected during the training program. Following the completion of a 25-lesson course in flight training, pilots were assessed on performance throughout the initial flight course. The performance ratings ranged from supervisory ratings to hours used to complete …

The National Survey Of Student Engagement As A Predictor Of Academic Success, Paul Michael Fursman

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Student engagement measures have been shown to be excellent predictors of desirable educational outcomes, and in some cases, these measures are being used as a means of institutional accountability. The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) is one of the most widely used measures of student engagement. In this study, I examine the relationship between NSSE subscale scores and measures of student academic success. I also examine the extent to which pre-college ability and ethnicity moderate the relationship between engagement scores and academic outcomes. Results indicate that the benchmark academic challenge was a significant predictor of freshmen GPA and the …

The Role Social Influence Has On Dormitory Residents' Responses To Fire Alarms, Michael Otting Leytem

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Public response to fire alarms has been a major concern for decades. In particular, college dormitories pose a real threat for a catastrophic event if proper fire protocol is not carried out. Social influences may play a role in the decision dorm residents make when a fire alarm is sounded. More specifically, this research addresses to what degree does an authority figure, like a community advisor (CA), a friend, an unknown resident, or being alone, influence self-reported responses to fire alarms. Significant evidence was found confirming our hypothesis that participants in an alone condition reported being more likely to exit …

Trust In The Mentor-Youth Relationship And Its Correlates With Frequency Of Contact, Parental Involvement, And Academic Improvements, Emily Jane Ness

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Community mentoring programs target at-risk youth with the aim of providing them with a positive, stable adult presence in their lives. Relationship quality of the mentors and mentees has been linked to multiple external factors and youth outcomes. This study investigated mentor-mentee relationship quality (i.e., youth's perceived trust in his or her mentor) and the associations between the amount of time the pair spent together per week, parents' level of involvement in planning activities between their child and their mentor, and youth's improvement in commitment to learning. The correlations between trust and time, and between trust and commitment to learning …

Advances And Challenges In School-Based Intervention For Anxious And Depressed Youth: Identifying And Addressing Issues Of Sustainability, Carrie Masia, Jeremy K Fox

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Anxiety and depression are among the most common types of psychopathology in children and adolescents, with lifetime prevalence rates approaching 32% and 12% before age 18, respectively (Costello, Egger, & Angold, 2005; Merikangas et al., 2010). Youth with internalizing disorders experience significant impairment in friendships, family relationships, and academic functioning, including difficulty concentrating on schoolwork and lower academic achievement (Colman, Wadsworth, Croudace, & Jones, 2007; Grover, Ginsburg, & Ialongo, 2007; Langley, Bergman, McCracken, & Piacentini, 2004). Without intervention, these disorders frequently persist into adulthood (Costello et al., 2005), placing youth at substantial risk for long-term disability (Bittner et al., 2007; …

A Warm Watchful Eye: Parental Emotional Support And Monitoring In Multisystem Therapy For Youth With Diabetes, Dana K. May

Wayne State University Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which changes in parenting behaviors, in particular monitoring diabetes care completion and providing emotional support to the youth, improve health care status within participants in a Multisystemic psychotherapeutic intervention (MST). RM-ANOVAs were used to determine the relationship of parental involvement in the treatment and telephone support group over time. Change score correlations were used to examine changes in parental involvement relationship to changes in diabetes care behaviors. All participants in the study increased in parental monitoring over time, with no differences between the MST group and the telephone support …

Profiling Leaders: Using A Profiling Approach To Examine The Effects Of Multifactor Leadership On Follower Deviance, Kevin Thomas Wynne

Wayne State University Theses

Researchers are only beginning to understand how leadership types affect important organizational outcomes at the individual level. Specifically, as a leading theoretical model, multifactor leadership theory has been used as a framework to study various organizational phenomena. However, researchers have largely examined leadership types in isolation, failing to explicitly acknowledge that leaders can and often do enact varying levels of multiple leadership types. The current thesis suggests that leaders demonstrate a profile made up of different types of leadership and proposes four specific leader profiles. This thesis also aimed to determine the conditions under which leadership profile types affect follower …

The Development And Validation Of A Conditional Reasoning Test Of Withdrawal, Levi Ryan Gust Nieminen

Wayne State University Dissertations

This study developed and evaluated a measure of implicit dispositional tendencies associated with lateness, absenteeism, and permanent withdrawal behaviors. The conditional reasoning framework developed by Lawrence James and colleagues was adopted. Novel cognitive biases or justification mechanisms associated with withdrawal were proposed, drawing on research and theory from the attribution (marginalization of withdrawal), commitment (revocable commitment), and fairness/equity (social injustice bias) domains. As part of the empirical validation design, college students enrolled in an Introductory Psychology course completed the conditional reasoning measure, and corresponding behavioral withdrawal criteria were collected unobtrusively throughout the 16-week course. Results of scale development analyses pointed …

On The Disambiguation Of Meaning: The Effects Of Perceptual Focus And Cognitive Load, Lynne Kennette

Wayne State University Dissertations

Most research supports a non-selective (or exhaustive) account of activation whereby multiple meanings of a word are initially activated (as discussed in Degani & Tokowicz, 2009). But what happens to the non-selected meaning of an ambigious word (e.g., bark) and how is the decision made to select one meaning over the other? A great deal research by Gernsbacher and colleagues suggests that the non-selected meaning is "discarded" via active suppression, but a competing activation-only account is also proposed by Gorfein's research group. The present dissertation examines meaning-selection in ambiguous words using a word to elicit meaning context (rather than a …

Antecedents And Outcomes Of Workplace Engagement, Ariel Maya Lelchook

Wayne State University Dissertations

There has been a recent interest in positive organizational scholarship. Leadership stemming from a positive framework and employee engagement in the workplace have become of increasing interest to researchers and practitioners. Antecedents and outcomes of employee engagement were examined using a sample of 327 employees from retail organizations in the Midwest United States. The leadership styles of authentic, transformational, and transactional leadership were examined as antecedents of employee job engagement, beyond employees' psychological meaningfulness, safety, and availability. Engagement was examined as a mediator between the leadership constructs and employees' extra-role behaviors and work withdrawal behaviors. The results suggest employee job …

Deconstructing Events: The Neural Bases For Space, Time, And Causality, Alexander Kranjec, Eileen R. Cardillo, Gwenda L. Schmidt, Matthew Lehet, Anjan Chatterjee

Faculty Publications

Space, time, and causality provide a natural structure for organizing our experience. These abstract categories allow us to think relationally in the most basic sense; understanding simple events requires one to represent the spatial relations among objects, the relative durations of actions or movements, and the links between causes and effects. The present fMRI study investigates the extent to which the brain distinguishes between these fundamental conceptual domains. Participants performed a 1-back task with three conditions of interest (space, time, and causality). Each condition required comparing relations between events in a simple verbal narrative. Depending on the condition, participants were …

The Effect Of Mindfulness On Racial Stereotype Activation And Application, Carmelinda Mann

Bryn Mawr College Dissertations and Theses

The effects of a six-week mindfulness class on racial stereotype bias, attention, and working memory was measured by the Implicit Association Test (IAT), Attention Network Task (ANT), and Automated Operation Span Task, respectively. Explicit racism (Modern Racism Scale, Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Social Dominance Orientation), mindfulness (Five- Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire), depression, anxiety, and stress (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale) were also examined. Sixty traditional-aged undergraduate women participated in this study (20 completed the mindfulness course and the remaining completed a non-MBSR physical education course). The results revealed that training was not associated with decreased racial stereotype bias on the IAT. Training was …

Perceived Partner Commitment And Implicit Self-Esteem Predicts Connectedness Accessibility In Response To Relationship Threat, Norma L. Reyes

Master's Theses

The current research examined the impact of perceived partner commitment, implicit self-esteem, and relationship threat on connectedness. The present study predicted that individuals with high (versus low) implicit self-esteem are more likely to access connectedness goals (on an unconscious level) after experiencing a relationship threat, when they perceive their significant others are highly committed to the relationship. This relation between implicit self-esteem and connectedness goal accessibility will not be evident in the control condition. The findings reveal perceived partner commitment moderated the relation between implicit self-esteem and relationship threat on accessing connectedness goals. However, people with high implicit self-esteem were …

Illinois Mental Health Courts: Intra-Group Dynamics In The Courtroom Work Group, Shanti J. Raman

Master's Theses

This study was intended to gain insight into key social psychological constructs in an unexplored work-group context: one premised on true team structure. Exploratory information on intra-group dynamics in Illinois mental health courts addressed levels of trust, communication, coordination, efficacy, and conflict resolution within mental health court teams.

A survey assessed how court group members associate these central variables with their teams. All reported relatively high levels of trust and team efficacy, and solid capacities for communication, coordination, and conflict resolution. No notable differences emerged in these variables relative to length of courts' operation. Team members from multiple disciplines held …

Creative Careers And Self-Actualization, Kaitlyn T. Cameron

Honors Theses and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to address differences in self-actualization, satisfaction with life, and motivation that exist between individuals in careers of varying levels of creativity. Roughly 330 participants mainly from the United States and India took part in the study. Participants completed a survey on Amazon Mechanical Turk in which they rated their career as not at all creative, somewhat creative, or highly creative. The survey included questions from the Brief Index of Self-Actualization by Sumerlin and Budrick and the Satisfaction with Life scale by Emmons et al. The findings showed that individuals who rated their careers as …

Links Between Childhood Physical Abuse And Intimate Partner Aggression: The Mediating Role Of Anger Expression, Eleni K. Maneta, Shiri Cohen, Marc S. Schulz, Robert J. Waldinger

Psychology Faculty Research and Scholarship

Research linking childhood physical abuse (CPA) and adult intimate partner aggression (IPA) has focused on individuals without sufficient attention to couple processes. In this study, 109 couples reported on histories of CPA, IPA, and anger expression. Actor-Partner Interdependence Modeling was used to examine links between CPA and revictimization and perpetration of IPA, with anger suppression as a potential mediator. Women’s CPA histories were associated with more physical aggression towards and more revictimization by partners. Men’s CPA histories were only associated at the trend level with their revictimization. Anger suppression fully mediated the link between women’s CPA and both revictimization and …

Identifying The Antecedents Of Moral Conviction, Katherine White

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Our understanding of how moral attitudes influence behavior has been greatly expanded by recent research on moral conviction, but little has been done to identify factors that contribute to the formation of moral conviction. The primary purpose of the present research was therefore to identify antecedents to moral conviction. Across two studies, three potential antecedents were identified - reliance on the Harm moral foundation, personal relevance, and attitude intensity. In study 1 (N = 469), high individual reliance on the Harm moral foundation predicted stronger moral conviction. In study 2 (N = 460), high personal relevance and greater attitude intensity …

The Mental Aspect Of Human Performance, Brandon Epstein

Whittier Scholars Program

This is a project about sports psychology and the mind/body connection. There are limits to what the body can achieve on its own. With sports psychology we are now able to create opportunities for athletes and performers to reach their optimal potential. This is done by incorporating the power of the mind. If we supply ourselves with the appropriate tools and maintain unrelenting discipline, there is no limit to what can be accomplished. In this project, various mental techniques for achieving a mind/body connection are discussed, including self-talk, imagery, and brainwave manipulation. The project concludes with a weightlifting case-study, in …