Psychology Commons^™

The Effects Of Priming On Framing Bias: An Integrative Study Examining Mortality Salience, Self-Affirmation, And Emotional Intelligence, Kyle Klaassen

All Master's Theses

The framing effect is a cognitive bias in which the way a choice is presented influences decision-making. Individuals avoid risk when a scenario or choice is presented in a positive light or as a gain (e.g., lives will be saved, money will be gained). In contrast, because losses are more salient than gains, people will select more risky options in order to avoid potential losses when choices are framed negatively (e.g., lives lost, money lost). Another method of influencing decision-making is priming in which interactions with a specific stimulus predisposes individuals toward certain behaviors or thoughts. The current study examined …

Critically Evaluating Website Credibility: Factors That Influence Perceptions Of Online Mental Health Information, Mikayla Kimery

All Master's Theses

Research on the use of online information has suggested that general users of the internet do not critically evaluate the information they consume. In addition, specific elements of online information, such as the presence of advertisements, has been shown to affect perceptions of that information, resulting in less favorable ratings of websites. In contrast, communication studies have shown that perceptions of the presented information increased favorably when an image of a brain was included even when the actual information was considered insufficient in quality by experts. To date, the combined effects of brain images and advertisements on evaluations of online …

Graduate School Psychology Students’ Self Report On Multicultural Competence And Program Satisfaction, Jasmin Moreno Sanchez

All Master's Theses

The percentage of culturally diverse students in public schools has increased and with this the need for multiculturally competent school psychologists has also increased. Despite the rigorous training that school psychologists receive, it has been discussed that graduate training factors impact the development of graduate students’ multicultural competence. Therefore, this study explored what training factors impact school psychology graduate students’ multicultural competence. This study found that the number of multicultural courses taken, and the ethnicity of practicum supervisors graduate students were exposed to were not significantly correlated with the development of graduate students’ multicultural competence. Furthermore, the ethnicity of graduate …

The Relationship Of Societal Pressures And Disordered Eating Among Lebanese Women, Rita Hage

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Messages that women receive from the media, family, and peers are often intended to promote the female thin ideal, and these messages may contribute to the development of eating disorders. In Lebanese society, unrealistic standards for thinness are a central component of how Lebanese society defines glamour. The following paper examined the relationship of societal pressures on Lebanese women to meet these beauty expectations and how those pressures are related to disordered eating. Ninety Lebanese women between the ages of 18 and 39 responded to two questionnaires: (a) the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and (b) the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance …

Invisible Chronic Illness In College: Faculty Perspectives And Student Narratives Surrounding Accommodations, Andra Gurley-Green

Psychology Honors Papers

The objectives of this study were to explore faculty perceptions of accommodations for students with Invisible Chronic Illness (ICI), understand what may influence accommodation perceptions in the case of Chronic Migraine, and gain insight into the experiences of students with ICI. Faculty and students at Connecticut College responded to a hypothetical accommodation letter for a student with Chronic Migraine that varied as follows: standard letter (no illness information), diagnosis, illness education from accessibility office, illness education from student. All participants responded to questions about four approved accommodations (distraction-free testing, extended test time, deadline flexibility, attendance flexibility) asking how “most faculty” …

The Relational Interpretation Of Dreams: A Book Proposal, Alicia Macdougall

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Dream interpretation has been a widely recognized component of psychological practice since the publication of Sigmund Freud’s (1900/2010) The Interpretation of Dreams. By providing initial conceptualizations of the dream’s function, Freud created the foundation for the numerous iterations of dream work to follow. What these modalities of dream work all have in common is the utilization of dream interpretation to uncover information, or the engagement in research and empirical practice to search for answers regarding the how and why of dreaming phenomenon. Dreams, however, have yet to be considered within the context of relationship. This dissertation, in the format of …

Using Pair Programming As A Collaborative Learning Approach To Support Students With Learning Disabilities Via Zoom Breakout Rooms, Ling Li, Li Da Xu, Yuming He, Wu He, Silvana M.R. Watson, Shana Pribesh, Debra A. Major, Elizabeth Langran (Ed.), Leanna Archambault (Ed.)

Information Technology & Decision Sciences Faculty Publications

Peer learning through pair programming is a type of collaborative learning that involves students working in pairs to discuss computer programming concepts or develop codes to solve problems. The Zoom breakout room method is applied to teach pair programming in a virtual classroom during the COVID-19 environment. By facilitating pair programming in a virtual learning environment, we gained valuable experience in promoting collaborative learning, active learning, and problem-based learning activities in a cloud setting.

Minding The Body: Mind-Body Interventions For Substance Use Disorders, Shelby J. Smith

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Substance use disorders (SUD) have a great impact on individual, social, and economic resources in the United States. In 2018, 19.3 million individuals – 7.8% of the population – aged 18 or older met criteria for SUD. There is a persistent gap in treatment needs for individuals with SUD and no single treatment approach is appropriate for everyone. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) utilize the mind-body connection to attend to the various needs of individuals with SUD. Mindfulness practices promote emotional regulation and interoception by increasing awareness of private experiences in order to respond to those experiences in a reflective, rather than …

School-Aged Children Of Incarcerated Parents: Information And Behavioral Interventions For Minimizing Negative Effects Of A Parent’S Absence, Rena L. Harp

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

The growing population of incarcerated individuals in the United States has resulted in 2.6 million minor aged children with at least one parent living in a correctional facility. Incarcerated parents are the beginning of a ripple effect whose unique challenges directly and indirectly impact the overall well-being of their children as well as their children’s home caregivers. With this image in mind, the benefits of empirically supported data and behavioral interventions can do the same producing a positive ripple effect starting from the inside out. To evoke this positive ripple effect, resources were compared to the literature and those most …

Creative Endeavors Through Therapy: How Artistic Expressions Can Help Foster Growth, Savannah Campbell

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

A person’s story is something that is very connected to who they are and the life they have led. It consists of many individualized characteristics and details of their experiences. This narrative is rooted in many different aspects the person creates for him or herself through interpersonal relationships and intrapersonal emotional experiences. The autobiographical interpretation a person creates is often divulged, examined, and utilized through the psychotherapeutic process. Expressive techniques often help tell a person’s story the way he or she wants it to be told. The following research project examines many factors such as emotional well-being, posttraumatic growth, self-expression, …

Proposing A "Choose Your Own Adventure" Mindfulness Intervention For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sarah Critchfield

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communication deficits, restricted interests (i.e., special interests), and repetitive behaviors. Individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder tend to display difficulties with attention and emotion regulation. Mindfulness meditation has been proven to be an effective in ameliorating several symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. This project consists of a literature review on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mindfulness, followed by an original contribution to practice in the form of a “Choose Your Own Adventure” mindfulness intervention. This intervention is designed to incorporate special interests common in Autism Spectrum Disorder into mindfulness meditation …

The Influence Of Body Image On Intervention With Breast Cancer Patients, Jessica N. Cooling

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Body image poses a significant issue for breast cancer patients and survivors. While a wide array of research has been done examining the effect of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment on body image, little research has focused on creating interventions specifically for body image among this population. This paper reviews the literature that shows how breast cancer can affect a woman’s body image, including several cultural considerations as body image ideals vary between cultures. Furthermore, the literature shows breast cancer affects young women (typically defined as aged 35 years or less) differently than it does middle-aged and older women. Thus, …

Utilizing Virtual Reality Therapy In The Treatment Of Generalized Anxiety Disorder In College Counseling Centers, Kaitlyn Barker

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Anxiety is a leading mental health concern among college students. A growing number of students are presenting with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which is one of the most common anxiety disorders. As demands for treatment of this disorder increase, counseling centers are also facing limited funding for providing such services. The result is that there is a need to provide more cost effective, and empirically supported approaches to treatment. Therefore, implementing a program that will allow students to utilize already accessible technology to teach themselves how to combat anxiety is merited. Virtual reality therapy (VRT), is one such …

Ability Status, Self-Advocacy, And Individuals With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Neurodiversity-Informed Training For Professionals And Caregivers, Allison N. Simpson

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Ability status in U.S. society is a critical social and cultural identity. “Disability” is often viewed through the lens of pathology as an illness. This kind of view affects not only the personal identity of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities, but also their treatment by others in the community, employers, caregivers, and others in their system of interaction. Even individuals who are strong self-advocates can be silenced by this kind of lens. A more empowering way to view individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities is through the lens of neurodiversity in order to see their abilities, needs, wishes, and lives. The current project …

Harming The Help-Seeking: Necessity For Assessing Harmful And Biased Attitudes Toward Clients With Substance Use Disorder, Crystal D. Mcdowell, Crystal Dawn Mcdowell

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Numerous times, as a new clinician, I have witnessed the substance use disorder population referred to as not being dependable, dangerous, burnt out, and even hopeless. Often times I have heard mental health professionals make statements amongst themselves that the client could not be helped, referred to them as a “frequent flyer,” (meant to convey they frequently present for treatment, relapse, and return for treatment), and complain how tax dollars are being wasted to support the client. I felt empathy and a sense of hopelessness for these clients as they were seeking treatment in order to get help and yet …

A Cognitive-Behavioral Program For Improving Self-Esteem In At-Risk Adolescents, Amelia K. Chase-Wise

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Youth who have experienced adverse events in childhood are more likely to experience negative health outcomes. Increased exposure to adverse experiences such as abuse or neglect are associated with increased risk for outcomes such as smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, depressed mood, and attempted suicide. These outcomes may be mediated through the development of more positive coping strategies. Currently, there are no group programs for young adolescents that are designed from a cognitive-behavioral perspective that aim to improve self-esteem in this population. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective at reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental …

The Link Between Trauma, Chronic Pain, And Disease, Jessica Caniff

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Psychological trauma and early life adversity have been significantly connected to elevated incidence of disease, chronic pain, and premature death. Trauma exposure can result in shortened telomere length in chromosomes and advanced biological aging. Epigenetics and the modification of gene expression through methylation of DNA can be directly affected by traumatic experiences. Aversive childhood experiences are globally linked to increased likelihood of risk factors for disease, death, and wellbeing throughout life. Sleep deprivation and disruption is a common symptom of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder. Loss of sleep has a remarkably detrimental impact on the immune and cardiovascular systems …

Spring Break Or Heart Break? Extending Valence Bias To Emotional Words, Nicholas R. Harp, Catherine C. Brown, Maital Neta

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Ambiguous stimuli are useful for assessing emotional bias. For example, surprised faces could convey a positive or negative meaning, and the degree to which an individual interprets these expressions as positive or negative represents their “valence bias.” Currently, the most well- wellvalidated ambiguous stimuli for assessing valence bias include nonverbal signals (faces and scenes), overlooking an inherent ambiguity in verbal signals. This study identified 32 words with dual-valence ambiguity (i.e., relatively high intersubject variability in valence ratings and relatively slow response times) and length-matched clearly valenced words (16 positive, 16 negative). Preregistered analyses demonstrated that the words-based valence bias correlated …

Nontarget Emotional Stimuli Must Be Highly Conspicuous To Modulate The Attentional Blink, Lindsay A. Santacroce, Brandon J. Carlos, Nathan Petro, Benjamin J. Tamber-Rosenau

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

The attentional blink (AB) is often considered a top-down phenomenon because it is triggered by matching an initial target (T1) in a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) stream to a search template. However, the AB is modulated when targets are emotional, and is evoked when a task-irrelevant, emotional critical distractor (CDI) replaces T1. Neither manipulation fully captures the interplay between bottom-up and top-down attention in the AB: Valenced targets intrinsically conflate top-down and bottom-up attention. The CDI approach cannotmanipulate second target (T2) valence, which is critical because valenced T2s can “break through” the AB (in the target-manipulation approach). The present …

Autistic Personality Traits And Processing Of Ironic Language, Jaclyn Opie

Honors Theses

Whereas typically developing adults tend to show processing differences for ironic versus literal language, recent research has demonstrated that adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder do not show a difference. Building on these findings, the present study examined whether similar effects would emerge in a sample of college students who were assessed on autistic personality traits. Through an eye tracking during reading experiment, participants read sentence contexts in which factors of emotional language, ironic versus literal language, and sentence perspective were manipulated. Results showed that participants who had a low degree of autistic traits somewhat replicated the two-stage processing model of …

Communicating Uncertain Information From Deep Learning Models To Users, Harishankar Vasudevanallur Subramanian

Masters Theses

“The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) decision support systems is increasing in high-stakes contexts, such as healthcare, defense, and finance. Uncertainty information may help users better leverage AI predictions, especially when combined with domain knowledge. I conducted two human-subject experiments to examine the effects of uncertainty information with AI recommendations. The experimental stimuli are from an existing image recognition deep learning model, one popular approach to AI. In Paper I, I evaluated the effect of the number of AI recommendations and provision of uncertainty information. For a series of images, participants identified the subject and rated their confidence level. Results …

Social Connectedness And Negative Affect Uniquely Explain Individual Differences In Response To Emotional Ambiguity, Maital Neta, Rebecca L. Brock

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Negativity bias is not only central to mood and anxiety disorders, but can powerfully impact our decision-making across domains (e.g., financial, medical, social). This project builds on previous work examining negativity bias using dual-valence ambiguity. Specifically, although some facial expressions have a relatively clear negative (angry) or positive valence (happy), surprised expressions are interpreted negatively by some and positively by others, providing insight into one’s valence bias. Here, we examine putative sources of variability that distinguish individuals with a more negative versus positive valence bias using structural equation modeling. Our model reveals that one’s propensity toward negativity (operationalized as temperamental …

Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Sexual And Gender Minority Youth: A Call To Action, Katie M. Edwards, Jillian R. Scheer, Heather Littleton, Natira Mullet

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Trust In The Jury System: A Comparison Of Australian And U.S. Samples, Monica K. Miller, Jeffrey Pfeifer, Brian H. Bornstein, Tatyana Kaplan

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Public trust in the criminal justice system, including the jury system, is important for maintaining a democracy that is fair for all citizens. However, there is little research on trust in the jury system generally and even less cross-country comparison research specifically. Trust in the jury system might relate to other legal attitude measures (e.g., authoritarianism). This study identified the degree to which trust in the jury system relates to legal attitudes and compared perceptions of trust between the U.S. and Australia. Community members completed a survey that included measures of trust in the jury system and legal attitudes. The …

The Lived Experience Of La Raza’S Membership In Lowrider Car Clubs: A Phenomenological Study, Elizabeth Ramos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lowriding is a cultural practice that has become a way of life among some Raza or individuals of Mexican descent. However, the literature lacks an understanding of these individuals and what has influenced their participation in car clubs. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experience of Raza, who are members of lowrider car clubs. The theoretical frameworks were Erikson’s identity development theory, social identity theory, and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory. These guided this qualitative study to answer the following research questions: How Raza described their lived experience as members of a lowrider car club and …

Factors Predicting Counselor Education And Supervision Doctoral Student Career Choices, Lisa Corbin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the increased need for counselor educators, less than half of graduates of counselor education and supervision (CES) programs enter into faculty positions after graduation. There is also a significant lack of diversity among counselor educators. Some researchers found that the quality of a mentoring relationship influences the mentee’s self-efficacy and career choice. The purpose of this quantitative survey research study was to explore the perceived quality of the participant’s mentoring relationship as measured by the Mentorship in Clinical Training Scale (MiCTS) and whether that score predicted the participant’s career choice or a change in career choice, investigate whether students’ …

Empathy And Risk For Compassion Fatigue Among Immigrant African Pastors In The United States, Paul Affar Meenu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The importance of caregiver empathy in positive client outcomes has been established in the literature. However, helping traumatized people has a potentially deleterious emotional effect on the helping professional, putting them at risk for compassion fatigue. The stress-process model provided the framework for the study. Survey data were collected from 138 immigrant African pastors in the United States. Compassion fatigue dimensions were measured by the Professional Quality of Life Scale, and empathy dimensions were measured by the Empathy Assessment Index. Results of multivariate canonical correlation analysis revealed that empathy predicts compassion fatigue susceptibility. Pastors who scored low on empathy subscales …

Behavioral Strategies And Predicting Impulsive Aggression In Among Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Raul Alafa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have explored the relationship between the application of written attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impulsive aggression (IA) behavioral intervention strategies with current public-school educational plans in reducing aggression and how exclusion of behavioral strategies may increase aggression and impact students’ long-term ability to control emotions. However, the social learning theory of aggression suggests that positive self-efficacy and modeling may improve effective coping. This study explored the relationship between aggression as measured by the modified overt aggression scale and the individualized education program (IEP)/504 Plan behavioral strategies’ effectiveness for ADHD aggression as measured by a repeated measured analysis of variance. Data …

Continuing Education And Predictors Of Self-Reported Professional Competency Among Trauma Counselors, Desiree Lynn Grin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractContinuing Education and Predictors of Self-Reported Professional Competency Among Trauma Counselors by Desiree Lynn Grin

MS, Walden University, 2019MA, Capella University, 2009 BS, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 2003

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Counseling Psychology

Walden University November 2021 Abstract Currently, there is limited research about outcomes for therapists who choose to engage in professional trainings for ongoing education. Although other professions track this kind of information, there is a dearth of information for mental health counselors. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of counselors’ motivations, …

African American Men’S Negative Personal Experiences With And Trust In Police, Cachet Dominique Burks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American men’s negative experiences with the police have impacted their trust of police. Many African American men have experienced psychological trauma, more specifically posttraumatic stress disorder, due to their encounters with police. As a result of these negative personal experiences, their reporting of crimes has decreased significantly, and gun-related violence is going unreported. There is limited literature on this topic. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis was to explore the negative personal experiences that some African American men have with police officers and their experiences of trust of law enforcement. Personal construct theory, which is a theory that …