Psychology Commons^™

Broadening Campus Threat Assessment Beyond Mass Shootings, Brandon A. Hollister, Mario Scalora

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Record reviews of public figure, primary/secondary school, and workplace threateners and attackers displayed the importance of noticing pre-incident behaviors and intervening to prevent violence. General crime prevention strategies did not appear applicable. Similarly, campus threat assessment research has considered targeted violence as distinctive and unable to be reviewed within general collegiate samples, which has related to questions about the prevalence, predictiveness, applicability, and reporting of pre-incident behaviors. This article applies general criminological and crime prevention findings to these questions and presents campus threat assessment methodologies informed by these fields. With college student surveys, pre-incident behaviors have appeared predictive of general …

Behavior-Associated And Post-Consumption Glucose Entry Into The Nucleus Accumbens Extracellular Space During Glucose Free-Drinking In Trained Rats, Ken T. Wakabayashi, Eugene A. Kiyatkin

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Glucose is the primary energetic substrate for the metabolic activity of brain cells and its proper delivery from the arterial blood is essential for neural activity and normal brain functions. Glucose is also a unique natural reinforcer, supporting glucose-drinking behavior without food or water deprivation. While it is known that glucose enters brain tissue via gradient-dependent facilitated diffusion, it remains unclear how glucose levels are changed during natural behavior and whether the direct central action of ingested glucose can be involved in regulating glucose-drinking behavior. Here, we used glucose biosensors with high-speed amperometry to examine the pattern of phasic and …

A Phenomenological Analysis Of African American Students, Delinquent Behaviors And Future Academic Achievement, Jack S. Monelland, Brittany Spencer

Contemporary Issues in Juvenile Justice

No abstract provided.

Six Northeast Los Angeles Residents Indicate Reasons Local Youth Join Gangs And Offer Suggestions For Lowering Violence, Fernando Parra, Frank Malgesini, Emma Escobedo, Anna C. Ballesteros

Contemporary Issues in Juvenile Justice

No abstract provided.

The Argument For Moving Away From Residential Placement For Most Juvenile Offenders, Marika Dawkins

Contemporary Issues in Juvenile Justice

No abstract provided.

An Action Research Project Addressing The Impact Of Trauma On Students In Schools Through Building A Trauma-Informed School Community, Meghan M. Meyer

Doctoral Research Project

No abstract provided.

Individual Differences In The Use Of Remote Vision Stereoscopic Displays, Marc Winterbottom

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

With the introduction of the next generation of aerial refueling tankers, such as the KC-46, boom operators will use relatively recently developed indirect view stereo displays in place of direct view crew stations. Existing vision standards for boom operators were developed during the 1950s and may not be adequate for medical screening for KC-46 boom operators. Mild anomalies in binocular alignment, currently allowed by USAF vision standards, may permit stereopsis, but may also predispose those individuals to visual complaints such as eye-strain or headaches when viewing stereoscopic displays.

The purpose of this research was to measure individual differences in performance …

Relations Between Toddler Sleep Characteristics, Sleep Problems, And Temperament, Victoria J. Molfese, Kathleen Moritz Rudasill, Amanda Prokasky, Carly Champagne, Molly Holmes, Dennis L. Molfese, Jack Bates

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

Two sources of information (parent reported sleep diaries and actigraph records) were used to investigate how toddler sleep characteristics (bed time/sleep onset, wake time/sleep offset, total nighttime sleep and total sleep time) are related to sleep problems and temperament. There were 64 toddler participants in the study. Consistent with studies of older children, parent reports differed from actigraph based records. The findings that parent reported and actigraph recorded sleep characteristics varied as a function of parent report of toddler sleep problems and temperament add needed information on toddler sleep. Such information may contribute to improving parents’ awareness of their child’s …

Reforming Juvenile Corrections Through Martial Arts, Rachael B. Satalino

Selected Honors Theses

Juvenile delinquency is a prevalent problem in the United States and the rest of the world, which many behavioral reform programs have failed to effectively eliminate. While it is highly improbable that delinquency will ever be fully eliminated, there are ways to ensure that current or new programs are successful in lowering the level and degree of delinquency worldwide. The purpose of this research is to find exactly what leads a child to deviate from societal norms and to eventually turn to criminal acts. The research is also to evaluate what program components are necessary to most effectively help delinquent …

University Environment And Global Citizenship Identification, Marion E. Blake, Lindsey Pierce, Shonda Gibson, Stephen Reysen

Faculty Publications

We examined the influence of the university environment (Study 1), and specific college courses (Study 2), on the antecedents and outcomes of global citizenship identification. In Study 1, participants’ perception of the university environment as prescribing a global citizen identity predicted the perception of one’s normative environment as prescribing this identity and global awareness (antecedents) leading to greater identification with global citizens. Global citizenship identification then predicted greater endorsement of prosocial values and behaviors (outcomes). In Study 2, participants’ perception of a class as encouraging greater global understanding influenced the antecedents, global citizenship identification, and its outcomes. The results highlight …

College Students’ Knowledge Of Suicide Risk Factors And Prevention Strategies, Joshua Mitchell

Departmental Honors Projects

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among college aged students (Hirsch & Barton, 2011). Several risk factors for suicidal ideation have been identified, but little work has focused on awareness of suicide prevention resources. The focus of this study is to assess a college population’s knowledge on suicide risk factors and determine whether they feel strongly about one method of prevention over another. This study is focused on assessing individual knowledge of risk factors and identification of appropriate prevention strategies. It was hypothesized that participants who are more successful at identifying risk factors will be more knowledgeable …

The Effects Of Familial Relationships And Sibling Sex Composition On Behavioral Adjustment In Middle Childhood, Elyse I. Pierce

Departmental Honors Projects

Differences in familial relationship qualities have been linked to children's adjustment during middle childhood (Bank, Burraston, & Snyder, 2004). Children with familial relationships characterized by positivity typically have fewer behavior problems than children with more negative familial relationships. However, less is known about how the parent-child and sibling relationships influence children's adjustment concurrently. In the present study, parent-child and sibling interactions were rated on positivity and negativity. Parental ratings of children's adjustment and relationship qualities were also examined. The presence of negativity in the parent-child and sibling relationships predicted poorer adjustment. Sibling negativity predicted additional variance above and beyond parental …

Truth In Sight: The Effect Of Physical Cues On Emotion, Daniel R. Green

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

This study explored whether an actor taking a physical pose, normally associated with a specific emotion, affected the emotional state of an actor and whether this state was observable as well as transferable to an observer in an empathic fashion. The study consisted of 53 students from CSB/SJU obtained through convenience sampling. Dyads of the participants where observed who alternated in the roles of actors, who took on a posture normally associated with an emotion, and observers, who watched the pose taken by the actor. There were two conditions. One denoting confidence and one denoting sadness. Actors had their faces …

Relational Self-Construal Moderates Relationship Between Relational Success And Self-Esteem, Katelyn Thoresen

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

This study examined the role of the relational self-construal, the degree to which people incorporate close relationships into their self-concept, in the Sociometer Theory, which claims that self-esteem is the output from relational acceptance or rejection. I hypothesized that (a) the relational self-construal will moderate the relationship between loneliness and self-esteem, and (b) the relational self-construal will moderate the relationship between the quality of relationships and self-esteem. A total of 183 undergraduates completed a series of online questionnaires. I found a significant negative correlation between loneliness and self-esteem. I also found that for women, but not men, the relational self-construal …

The Differences In Self-Esteem, Family Functioning, Parenting Styles, And Conscientiousness Between Hmong And Caucasian Individuals, Kayla Bolland

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

The current study sought to reveal relationships between self-esteem, conscientiousness, perceived parenting styles, and family functioning among Hmong (N = 42) and Caucasian (N = 45) populations. A convenience sample of undergraduate college students participated in an online survey. Utilized measures included the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Family Assessment Device, the Parental Authority Questionnaire (short version), the International Personality Item Pool Conscientiousness Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. The results revealed no significant difference in self-esteem or general familial stress between Hmong and Caucasian individuals, but Caucasian individuals were found to be more conscientious and have more familial role …

Understanding Distinctive Beliefs And Perceptions About Depression Among Haitian Men, Darlyne Richardson

2010-2016 Archived Posters

This is a quantitative analysis exploring the relationship between levels of depression in Haitian men as related to restrictive emotionality, self-­reliance, subjective masculine stress, spiritual well-­being, and length of time in the United States. The data were obtained from demographic questionnaires and surveys among 90 Haitian men residing in the United States.

The Relationship Of Mental Health Agency Productivity Standards With Marriage And Family Therapist Job Satisfaction And Turnover Intent, Gilbert E. Franco

2010-2016 Archived Posters

A quantitative study investigated how productivity standards were related to self-­efficacy, job satisfaction, and marriage and family therapist (MFT) turnover intent. The results show that productivity standards predict turnover intent, mediated by job self-­efficacy and job satisfaction. It was found that productivity predicts job satisfaction, mediated by job self-­efficacy.

School Leaders’ Perceptions Of Students’ Antisocial Behaviors, Faye Britt

2010-2016 Archived Posters

This qualitative case study sought to understand school leaders’ perceptions of students’ ability to manage their behavior. This understanding provided insight into the barriers to addressing the problem and suggested a potential solution for increasing academic success. The recommended job-embedded professional development training might help increase the capacity of the school leaders to manage students’ antisocial behaviors.

Physiological And Psychological Changes Following Liposuction Of Large Volumes Of Fat In Overweight And Obese Women, Allan Geliebter, Emily Krawitz, Tatiana Ungredda, Ella Peresechenski, Sharon Y. Giese

Lander College of Arts and Sciences Publications and Research

Background: Liposuction can remove a substantial amount of body fat. We investigated the effects of liposuction of large volumes of fat on anthropometrics, body composition (BIA), metabolic hormones, and psychological measures in overweight/obese women. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine both physiological and psychological changes following liposuction of large volumes of fat in humans.

Method: Nine premenopausal healthy overweight/obese women (age = 35.9 ± 7.1 SD, weight = 84.4 kg ± 13.6, BMI = 29.9 kg/m2 ± 2.9) underwent liposuction, removing 3.92 kg ± 1.04 SD of fat. Following an overnight fast, height, weight, …

Latino Families' Knowledge Of Bilingual Education, Rosalinda Barragan

Doctoral Research Project

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Impact Of An Elementary School's Service Learning Program, Vicki Miceli-Randolph

Doctoral Research Project

No abstract provided.

Visual Landmark Information Gains Control Of The Head Direction Signal At The Lateral Mammillary Nuclei, Ryan M. Yoder, J.R. Peck, J.S. Taube

Psychology

The neural representation of directional heading is conveyed by head direction (HD) cells located in an ascending circuit that includes projections from the lateral mammillary nuclei (LMN) to the anterodorsal thalamus (ADN) to the postsubiculum (PoS). The PoS provides return projections to LMN and ADN and is responsible for the landmark control of HD cells in ADN. However, the functional role of the PoS projection to LMN has not been tested. The present study recorded HD cells from LMN after bilateral PoS lesions to determine whether the PoS provides landmark control toLMNHDcells. After the lesion and implantation of electrodes,HDcell activity …

A Longitudinal Study Of States' Idea Part B School-Family Partnership Data, Channing Daniels

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In 2005, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandated that the percent of parents who report that schools facilitated parental involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities be reported to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The purpose of this study was to analyze the variability in methodologies used by 20 different states over eight years. The findings indicated the gap between the higher and lower performing states were due primarily to the metric and standard chosen. States choosing measures and standards other than those recommended by National Center for Special Education …

From Goal-Striving To "Right Intention": A Grounded Theory Analysis Of Interviews With Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Participants, Julia Field

Undergraduate Review

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) helps people to manage stress reactivity through contemplative practices such as meditation. The creator of the program, Kabat-Zinn, (1994) defines mindfulness as “…paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally” (p. 4). Shapiro et al. (2006) clarified this definition as consisting of three mechanisms of mindfulness. In particular, their mechanism “intention” captures Kabat-Zinn’s phrase “on purpose.” Historically, mindfulness practices were intended to cultivate compassion and enlightenment; thus, these should be included in a psychological model of mindfulness (Shapiro & Schwartz, 2000). In keeping with their approach, this project explored the …

Closer Than You Think: The Influence Of Border Bias On Perceptions Of Mapped Hazards, Sarah D. Gardiner

Undergraduate Review

In a replication and extension of “border bias” research conducted by Mishra and Mishra (2010) and Molloy and colleagues (2012; 2013), who found that mapped threats within state borders were judged to be a greater risk than equidistant out of state threats, the effects of color (added to indicate zones of potential exposure) and a “double border” (on maps and in the lab) were measured. Support was found for border bias in that state boundaries appeared to influence risk perception. As hypothesized, there was also a significant effect for color boundaries, and participants avoided a location shown at an equidistant …

Explaining State-Level Student Dropout Rates: The Impact Of Exit Exams And Public School Resources, Martin Battle, James C. Clinger

Commonwealth Review of Political Science

This paper examines one key indicator of school performance, the dropout rate among the public school students at the state level from 1998 to 2002, using a. pooled, cross-sectional time series research design. In this analysis the effects of high stakes testing (i.e., exit exams required for graduation), funding levels, and other school resources are examined. The results ind.irate that exit exams have no statistically significant effects upon dropout rates. Per pupil expenditures do not seem to reduce dropouts and may in fact have a positive effect at the state level. However, the analysis indicates that high pupil to teacher …

A Humanistic Approach To Understanding Child Consumer Socialization In Us Homes, Lucy Atkinson, Michelle R. Nelson, Mark A. Rademacher

Scholarship and Professional Work - Communication

We present findings from a qualitative, multisite, multi-method, longitudinal study of parents and their preschool-aged children that explores the intersections of marketing influences in the home and in the larger outside world of children. Findings indicate that preschoolers represent complicated and nuanced “consumers in training” beyond predictions based on their “perceptual stage of development.” Specifically, our data revealed interesting ways in which marketing and consumer culture can foster a number of pro-social consumer outcomes (e.g., charity, gift-giving, financial literacy). We also noted an emerging understanding by preschoolers of the social meanings of goods for identity construction and product evaluation. Finally, …

Facebook Frets: The Role Of Social Media Use In Predicting Social And Facebook-Specific Anxiety, Lee Farquhar, Theresa Davidson

Scholarship and Professional Work - Communication

Theory suggests that Facebook users may experience anxiety due to accessibility of their self-presentations to their entire networks. This project examines the impact of Facebook use on general social anxiety and Facebook-specific anxiety. Predictors we consider include the intensity of Facebook use, role conflict experienced during Facebook use, self-monitoring activities of the user, and religiosity of the user. Findings indicate that Facebook may, indeed, be increasing anxiety. Role conflict and religiosity can also increase Facebook-specific anxiety. Self-monitoring decreases Facebook-specific anxiety but increases general social anxiety. These findings suggest that, under certain circumstances, Facebook use may lead to heightened anxiety.

Examining The Validity Of The Homework Performance Questionnaire: Multi-Informant Assessment In Elementary And Middle School, Thomas J. Power, Marley W. Watkins, Jennifer A. Mautone, Christy M. Walcott, Michael J. Coutts, Susan M. Sheridan

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

Methods for measuring homework performance have been limited primarily to parent reports of homework deficits. The Homework Performance Questionnaire (HPQ) was developed to assess the homework functioning of students in Grades 1 to 8 from the perspective of both teachers and parents. The purpose of this study was to examine the factorial validity of teacher and parent versions of this scale, and to evaluate gender and grade-level differences in factor scores. The HPQ was administered in 4 states from varying regions of the United States. The validation sample consisted of students (n=511) for whom both parent and teacher ratings were …

Cumulative Contribution Of Child Maltreatment To Emotional Experience And Regulatory Intent In Intimate Adult Interactions, Sabrina R. Liu, Marc S. Schulz, Robert J. Waldinger

Psychology Faculty Research and Scholarship

Research and theory suggest that child maltreatment is linked to experiencing heightened levels of negative emotion, greater need to control these emotions, and difficulty in interpersonal relationships as adults. This study examined links between experiencing multiple types of child maltreatment and intentions to control emotion during charged discussions with intimate partners in adulthood, and whether the link is mediated by hostile and sad-anxious emotions. Ninety-seven couples were recruited from the community, with an oversampling of adults with histories of child maltreatment. In addition to reporting on maltreatment history, couples used video recall to rate their level of negative emotions and …