Psychology Commons^™

Resting-State Connectivity Identifies Distinct Functional Networks In Macaque Cingulate Cortex., R Matthew Hutchison, Thilo Womelsdorf, Joseph S Gati, L Stan Leung, Ravi S Menon, Stefan Everling

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

Subregions of the cingulate cortex represent prominent intersections in the structural networks of the primate brain. The relevance of the cingulate to the structure and dynamics of large-scale networks ultimately requires a link to functional connectivity. Here, we map fine-grained functional connectivity across the complete extent of the macaque (Macaca fascicularis) cingulate cortex and delineate subdivisions pertaining to distinct identifiable networks. In particular, we identified 4 primary networks representing the functional spectrum of the cingulate: somatomotor, attention-orienting, executive, and limbic. The cingulate nodes of these networks originated from separable subfields along the rostral-to-caudal axis and were characterized by positive and …

An Exploration Of Engagement: A Customer Perspective, Laura M. Flynn

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

This study examines a proposed framework for measuring customer engagement with support from employee engagement literature. Archival data was utilized to evaluate these relationships which included 4.530 participants that were customers of a business-to-business (B2B) organization and utilized the business' website. A similar factor structure resulted for the measurement of customer engagement. Structural equation modeling showed partial support for the hypothesized predictors of engagement (i.e. commitment, brand image, preference and decision making) because the relationship between satisfaction and engagement was not significant. The hypothesized outcome variables of engagement were also partially supported with loyalty, sales, average order value, and website …

A Qualitative Examination Of Workplace Bullying Experiences Among Temporary-Laborers, April A. Gonzalez

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative field study that utilized face-to-face interviews to examine workplace bullying experiences of temporary-laborers.

Lesbian/Queer/Same-Gender-Loving Women Graduate Students In Mental Health Related Fields: A Grounded Theory Of Attitudes Toward Transgender Individuals, Bonnie M. Benson

Dissertations

Transgender (trans) issues are an emerging area of research within counseling psychology. As such, little is known about how individuals form their attitudes toward trans people. Despite evidence that lesbian women are one group that has held biased views of the trans population, the literature has not addressed the perceptions that lesbian women have of trans individuals. Furthermore, the campus climate literature has attended to how LGBT students experience campus discrimination, but this literature has not addressed within-group differences, that is, attitudes and interactions among LGBT members of a university community, such as those between lesbians and trans people. The …

A Comparison Of The Effect Of In-Street Pedestrian Signs Alone, The Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon Alone And Both Together On Yielding Behavior, Hana Sahar Manal

Masters Theses

This study examined the effectiveness of a rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) alone, in-street signs alone, and the RRFB plus in-street sign together on motorist yielding to pedestrians. Participants consisted of drivers in Oakland County, Michigan. Pedestrians were confederate data collectors. The target behavior was driver yielding. The two treatments utilized were the RRFB and the instreet sign. A reversal design was used in which the first set of conditions included baseline, the RRFB alone, two in-street signs alone and the combination of the two in-street signs with the RRFB. All of the treatments affected yielding in the predicted direction, except …

The Kappa Opioid Agonist, Salvinorin A, Attenuates Locomotor Effects Of Morphine But Not Morphine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference, Stacy Dianne Engebretson

Masters Theses

Salvinorin A (SA), a selective kappa opioid receptor agonist, is the main psychoactive ingredient in the plant Salvia divinorum. The addiction potential of this naturally occurring hallucinogen is currently under investigation using well-validated preclinical screening procedures, including conditioned place preference (CPP). The primary aim of the current study was to determine the effects of SA on CPP established by morphine in adult rats. A secondary aim was to determine if the vehicle used to dissolve SA, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), influenced the outcome of SA place conditioning. Rats were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: morphine (10 mg/kg) vs. …

How Would You Feel? Stigma And Self-Esteem In Student Responses To Intimate Partner Violence Vignettes, Taylor Lynn Hall

Graduate Masters Theses

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a public health issue defined as "a constellation of abusive and controlling behaviors including psychological abuse, isolation, threats, stalking, and physical violence that taken together create a climate of fear and intimidation that maintain one partner in a position of domination and control with the other partner in a position of subordination and compliance" (Family Violence Prevention Fund 2004; Campbell 2002). The current study was carried out at the University of Massachusetts at Boston (UMB), and explores the relationship between being a victim of IPV, self-esteem, and stigma across gender and other characteristics. Approximately 250 …

Exposure To Potentially Traumatic Events, Emotional Adjustment, And Social Competence In Preschoolers Facing Economic Risk, Hillary Hurst

Graduate Masters Theses

The current study examined the relationship between exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs), emotional adjustment, and social competence in a sample of economically-disadvantaged, racially and ethnically diverse preschool-aged children (n=63; 60% female; average age = 52 months, S.D. = 10.30, range: 36-74 months). In this cross-sectional study, primary relationships between exposure to PTEs and emotional adjustment, and exposure to PTEs and social competence were examined. Additionally, parent affective symptoms were tested as a moderator of the relationship between child exposure to PTEs and emotional adjustment, and emotional adjustment was tested as a moderator of the relationship between child exposure to …

Enhancing Male Hpv Vaccine Acceptance: The Role Of Altruism And Awareness Of Male Specific Health Benefits, Katherine Bonafide

Psychology - Theses

While considerable research exists on female HPV vaccine acceptance, research is needed to clarify factors that facilitate vaccine uptake among boys and men. The benefits of male HPV vaccination exist on an individual and community level. Male HPV vaccination provides personal health protection to recipients, and can provide female health protection by minimizing transmission of HPV to sexual partners. As such, male vaccine acceptance may be enhanced by emphasizing both altruistic motives (female health protection) and personal health benefits. A sample of college-age men (N = 200; M age = 19.3; 31% Non-White) completed computer-administered surveys and were presented with …

A Meta-Analysis Of Workaholism, Jennifer L. Bowler, Avani S. Patel, Mark C. Bowler, Scott A. Methe

Counseling, School Psychology & Sport Faculty Publication Series

This meta-analysis examines the relationship between workaholism and numerous work behaviors and outcomes in an attempt to a) derive a consensus regarding the current state of our understanding of this construct, and b) clarify the impact that the compulsion to work may have on an individual's life. Overall, based on data from 44 studies, results indicate that there is a considerable amount of variability between workaholism and work-related outcomes. Specifically, the two most established and reputable measures of workaholism, the Work Addiction Risk Test (WART) and the Workaholism Battery (WorkBat), appear to focus on uniquely different aspects of workaholism and …

Parenting Patterns In Urban African American Families: Raising Healthy Adolescents In The Context Of Economic Hardship And Community Violence, Donald Hamilton Tyler

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

The aims of the current study were to identify natural patterns of environmental risk conditions and parenting practices in African American families, assess the similarities and differences between the parenting patterns and mainstream parenting types, clarify the efficacy of each parenting pattern in reducing risk and promoting adolescent adjustment, consider key variables that may influence these processes, and thereby advance understanding of African American child rearing in social-ecological context. A case-centered approach featuring cluster analysis was utilized to permit exploration of multiple child rearing behaviors across the dimensions of parental warmth and control and to afford examination of multiple combinations …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Yasp Intervention: Adolescent Substance Use Outcomes, Whitney Nicole Brown

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Issues of alcohol and drug use are more pronounced during adolescence than at any other period of the life span. There is currently a need for research focusing on evaluating developmentally appropriate interventions for adolescents at risk for substance use issues. The present study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of YASP (Youth Alternative Solutions Program), a hospital-based intervention program at Loma Linda University Medical Center. It is hypothesized that participation in YASP will decrease levels of substance use, change substance use outcome expectancies, decrease negative consequences resulting from substance use and increase participants sense of self-efficacy. A sample 27 adolescents …

Brief Heterogeneous Inpatient Groups: A Process-Oriented Psychoeducational Model, Wesley Cook

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In the U.S., we currently have an increase in admissions to psychiatric hospitals and a lack of research exploring inpatient group psychotherapy. Diagnostically homogeneous therapy groups outperform therapy groups with mixed symptoms, however, due to managed health care, psychiatric hospitals typically run brief duration, diagnostically heterogeneous groups. A review of the research literature was conducted in order to locate empirical studies that could offer treatment recommendations regarding how to facilitate brief duration, diagnostically heterogeneous inpatient psychotherapy groups. Although this review revealed little information about this specific type of group, common factors from inpatient studies were extracted. Based on a synthesis …

Synthesizing And Integrating Mental Health Practice: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Daniel A. Paden

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Research has demonstrated the benefit of interdisciplinary practices in clinical settings, training programs, and research models. This project will review the literature regarding the collaboration of various disciplines in mental health including history, key aspects of integrating mental health as seen through other collaborative efforts, and future direction. In addition, outlining 8 key features that can facilitate more constructive collaboration in the mental health field (Psychological, Psychiatry, Social Work, Marriage and Family, and others). This effort is so we may understand each other's needs and work better together for the overall benefit of our patients.

The Association Of Diet With Affect, Patricia Ann Ford

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with mental health yet few studies have examined whether foods protective or deleterious for cardiovascular disease affect mood. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between consumption of foods typical of Mediterranean and Western diets and fatty acids with positive and negative affect.

Adventist church attendees residing in North America completed a validated food frequency questionnaire in 2002-6 as part of the Adventist Health Study-2. A subset of these participants ^=9,121) completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) in the Biopsychosocial Religion and Health Study conducted in 2006-7. …

Advertising Preferences Among College Students, Bianca A. Vasvani

Psychology and Child Development

The purpose of this study was to examine if there is a difference in advertising preferences among college students. Three different types of advertisements were presented for five different products for the participants to review in this study. These three types of advertisements were sex, computer generated imagery and sustainability. The five different products were Orbit Gum, Pepsi, Absolut Vodka, Nike and Aveeno. The participants were asked to rate which one of the three advertisements was most compelling. The variables of gender, ethnicity and year in college were examined. The study also wanted to find out which advertisement overall was …

Enhancement And Suppression Of Ultradian And Circadian Rhythms Across The Female Hamster Reproductive Cycle, Brian J. Prendergast, Annaliese K. Beery, Matthew J. Paul, Irving Zucker

Neuroscience: Faculty Publications

The impact of ovarian hormones on hamster ultradian rhythms (URs) is unknown. We concurrently monitored URs and circadian rhythms (CRs) of home cage locomotor activity during the estrous cycle, pregnancy, and lactation of Syrian hamsters. URs with a mean period of 4–5 h were evident during the dark phase in more than 90% of females on days 1 and 2 of the estrous cycle but were significantly less prevalent on cycle days 3 and 4. The period of the UR did not vary as a function of estrous cycle stage, but at all stages, the UR period was longer in …

The Role Of Engagement Across Conceptually Distinct Treatment Elements For Social Anxiety Disorder, Timothy M. Emge

Department of Psychology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

There are currently several efficacious treatments for social anxiety disorder (e.g. exposure therapy and cognitive therapy). Each of these treatments is thought to reduce symptoms of social anxiety by disrupting maintenance mechanisms of the disorder, yet mechanism of change research has not supported this view. The current study compared components from each therapy modality in order to better understand why symptoms reduce similarly between conceptually distinct treatments. Participants with high social anxiety were randomly assigned to give a speech with cognitive restructuring and engagement-enhancing procedures, cognitive preparation and video feedback, or a speech alone. Self-ratings of speech performance, confidence in …

Dimensions Of Individuals' Judgements About Sexual Attraction, Romantic Attachment, And Sexual Orientation, Luis F. Morales Knight

Department of Psychology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Despite 150 years of scientific interest in sexual orientation, contemporary investigators grapple with a number of serious difficulties. A precise, unified definition of sexual orientation appropriate for scientific use continues to elude researchers, most likely because there is still no single coherent theory of sexual orientation. This lack impedes research into the measurement of sexual orientation. Existing measurements of sexual orientation rely on partial or incompletely empirical research. The present study identified promising avenues for development of credible definitions, theories, and measurements of sexual orientation: (a) mate-selection tasks; (b) the idea that bisexually-identified individuals place a lower priority on partner …

Employee Readiness For Change Through The Lens Of The Cultural Self-Representation Theory, Ma. Regina Hechanova, Emerald Jay D. Ilac, Sarah Ellorenco

Psychology Department Faculty Publications

Change is imperative in organizations. One fundamental tool in instigating innovation is change management. Employee engagement is seen as a primary ingredient in successfully triggering readiness to change. However, beyond change management, culture is important in influencing employee engagement and readiness to change. Research suggests that Filipino employees, who generally possess a collectivist cultural orientation, are more motivated when working in groups. Therefore, good working relations are important in eliciting engagement among them. This study hypothesizes that both change management and samahan (a Filipino concept on quality of relationships) is mediated by engagement, which brings about readiness for change. Furthermore, …

Genetic Contributions To The Midsagittal Area Of The Corpus Callosum, Kimberley A. Phillips, J. Rogers, E. A. Barrett, D. C. Glahn, P. Kochunov

Psychology Faculty Research

The degree to which genes and environment determine variations in brain structure and function is fundamentally important to understanding normal and disease-related patterns of neural organization and activity. We studied genetic contributions to the midsagittal area of the corpus callosum (CC) in pedigreed baboons (68 males, 112 females) to replicate findings of high genetic contribution to that area of the CC reported in humans, and to determine if the heritability of the CC midsagittal area in adults was modulated by fetal development rate. Measurements of callosal area were obtained from high-resolution MRI scans. Heritability was estimated from pedigree-based maximum likelihood …

Global Prevalence Of Autism And Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Mayada Elsabbagh, Gauri Divan, Yun-Joo Koh, Young Shin Kim, Shuaib Kauchali, Carlos Marcín, Cecilia Montiel-Nava, Vikram Patel, Cristiane S. Paula, Chongying Wang

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

We provide a systematic review of epidemiological surveys of autistic disorder and pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) worldwide. A secondary aim was to consider the possible impact of geographic, cultural/ethnic, and socioeconomic factors on prevalence estimates and on clinical presentation of PDD. Based on the evidence reviewed, the median of prevalence estimates of autism spectrum disorders was 62/10 000. While existing estimates are variable, the evidence reviewed does not support differences in PDD prevalence by geographic region nor of a strong impact of ethnic/cultural or socioeconomic factors. However, power to detect such effects is seriously limited in existing data sets, particularly …

Promoting Understanding Of Informed Consent, Michael N. Reynolds

Masters Theses

Several studies have shown that research participants who have consented to participate in a study often have limited comprehension of the information presented in the informed consent process. This study compared performance on an end-of-study consent document information retention measure between a read-and-sign consent procedure control group and an enhanced consent procedure experimental group. The enhanced consent procedure consisted of a pre-consent educational module and a question-and-answer style consent document. The control group scored an average of 78.7% correct on the multiple-choice question measure of participant retention of information contained within the consent documents. The experimental group scored an average …

I'M The Same Me: Communication And Renegotiation Of Identity In The Weight-Loss Surgery Experiences Of Women, Heather D. Schild

Masters Theses

Adult obesity rates are on the rise in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control (2009) which has led to an increase in obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. Weight-loss surgery (WLS) has become accepted as a "cure" for obesity by the medical community. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of obese individuals electing to undergo WLS every year; 82% of these individuals are women (AHRQ, 2007). More women may be electing to undergo these procedures than men due to the pressures women face in American culture to achieve social standards of …

A Phenomenology Of Nonparticipation In Extracurricular Activities By Hispanic Middle School Students, Janelle Garner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to examine the reasons why Hispanic middle grade students choose not to participate in school-based extracurricular activities. Extracurricular activities have been recognized to have a positive influence on the educational success of students. Despite the positive effects, Hispanic students have been shown to participate in extracurricular activities at school less than other groups of students. The lack of participation by students in extracurricular activities is related to student disengagement and ultimately dropping out of school. This study uses three methods of data collection: analysis of documents and artifacts, a scaled survey, and a …

Five Cs To Manage Integration, David Chan

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

No abstract provided.

The Antihero In Popular Culture: A Life History Theory Of The Dark Triad, Peter K. Jonason, Gregory D. Webster, David P. Schmitt, Norman P. Li, Laura Crysel

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

The Dark Triad of personality is composed of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. Despite the common belief that these traits are undesirable, the media is awash with characters that embody the Dark Triad. Characters like Gregory House, M.D., Batman (a.k.a. the Dark Knight), and James BOND all embody these traits and are some of the most popular media franchises today. As entertaining as these characters are, they provide us with a window into the dark side of human nature. Instead of treating the dark side of human nature as inherently maladaptive, we provide an alternative view that, despite their costs, traits …

The 5c Challenges Of Cohesion, David Chan

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

The outcomes and consequences of population policies affect all areas of Singaporeans' lives. At stake is not just how citizens perceive the Government or view a political party. At stake is the very quality of our lives in physical dimensions such as space and infrastructure support; economic dimensions such as jobs and taxes; and social dimensions such as inter-group relations and commitment to Singapore.

Objectification Theory And Sexual Health Among Women, Kara Lustig

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

This study used objectification theory as a framework through which to explore the effect of interpersonal objectification, self-objectification, and indicators of selfobjectification (body shame, general surveillance, and surveillance during sexual activity) on women’s sexual health, including sexual subjectivity (sexual body esteem, sexual selfreflection, and entitlement and efficacy in attaining pleasure), sexual functioning, and risky sexual behaviors. It was hypothesized that interpersonal objectification and selfobjectification adversely affect sexual health and that body shame, general surveillance, and surveillance during sexual activity would mediate these relations. Sexual subjectivity was also hypothesized to mediate the relations between interpersonal and selfobjectification and risky sexual behaviors …

The Impact Of Mindfulness On Exposure And Extinction Processes In Social Anxiety, Michael Treanor

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

The present study sought to examine the potential impact of brief mindfulness inductions to enhance exposure and extinction processes in social anxiety. Mindfulness may enhance extinction through increased awareness of multiple conditioned excitors (thereby "overpredicting" the occurrence of an aversive outcome) or by acting as a retrieval cue to mitigate return of fear. Twenty-two participants high in social anxiety were recruited to participate in a series of massed exposures. Latent growth curve analyses revealed that participants who received mindfulness inductions prior to exposure procedures demonstrated enhanced extinction learning as measured by expectancy ratings, but not when measured by distress, state …