Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons^™

A Holistic Approach To Managing Behavioral Issues With Persons With Mental Retardation In Extended Care Facilities, Darrell Lilly

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Providing long term care for individuals with mental retardation is one of the most difficult issues confronting mental health and extended care facilities. Inappropriate behaviors related to long term institutionalization present an exceptional challenge for those caring for persons with mental retardation. Applied Humanism emphasizes a holistic view of the person. It recognizes that encouragement, responsibility, the right of choice, and an understanding of human potential are important elements for helping mentally retarded persons develop socially appropriate behaviors. This study examined the principles of applied humanism in the management of inappropriate behaviors among mentally retarded persons in an extended care …

Macarthur Story-Stem Battery And Gender Differences, Gina Arnett

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In this study the MacArthur Story-Stem Battery (MSSB; Bretherton, Oppenheim, Buchsbaum, Emde, & The MacArthur Narrative Group, 1990), an assessment tool that examines childrens’ ability to cope with conflict laden situations, was used to study gender differences in avoidance and aggression. Forty-three children (22 girls, 21 boys) participated in the third phase of a longitudinal study when they were between 7.5 and 8 years old (mean = 7.8). Results showed that males scored significantly higher than females on the variable of aggression in their story completions on the MSSB; however, gender differences for avoidance, while in the hypothesized direction, did …

The Effects Of Anxiety Management And Study Skills Training On Test Anxiety In College Students, Karen Carter-Harvey

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study measured the effects of anxiety management and study skills training on test anxiety in college students. Twenty-one college students from two sections of Introductory Sociology were involved in the study. The Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI) and exam scores were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the training. Pre-test, post-test, and delayed post-test measures were obtained. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated no significant difference on TAI scores or exam scores between the control and experimental groups. Recommendations for further research are given.

Drug Of Choice As A Predictor Of Program Completion In A 12-Week Intensive Outpatient Program And Continuing Care Program, James R. Myers

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study consisted of a one year examination of a twelve week Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), followed by continuing care treatment, coupled with required attendance to a Twelve Step AA/NA Program. This study detailed the treatment plan available at a local Intensive Outpatient Program in Southern West Virginia. A sample, separating alcoholics from other substance abusers to obtain an estimated completion rate was used.

Tills thesis comprised a one-year history of subjects (6/30/98 -07/01/99). A total of 84 subjects entered into the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) within the above time frame. Determination of completion rates was based on a categorical …

Effects Of Perceived Verbal Aggressiveness And Proxemic Violations On Attributions Of Source Blameworthiness For Sexual Harassment, Evelyn René Davis

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

As society moves into the 21st century, sexual harassment remains a major problem in organizations (Buttny, 1993; Cockburn, 1991; Kreps, 1993; Langelan, 1993; Simons & Weissman, 1990; Taylor & Daly, 1995; Wolfson,1997). The Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII, made it illegal to discriminate against employees regarding race, color, religion, national origin, and sex, but at that point in time, the phrase "sexual harassment” had no meaning. Although women were aware of their daily struggles with gender discrimination in the workplace, no one had coined the phrase, and this pervasive problem was not yet an established part of the …

The Effects Of Color Contrast On Performance Of The Wais-R Digit Symbol Subtest, Wendell S. Francke

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Color contrast has been shown to aid in visual search tasks using electronic displays, while the research regarding the usefulness of color contrast in aiding visual search using a paper medium is mixed. The present study questions whether subjects’ performance will improve on a paper task where the search target is in high color contrast when compared with a task where the target color does not differ from the rest of the search field.

Thirty-nine adults with normal vision were administered two forms of the WAIS-R digit symbol subtest, one with low chromatic contrast and one with high chromatic contrast, …

Perception Of Marital Satisfaction And Adjustment Between Males And Females In Rural Appalachia, Gina Ingram

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

With the divorce rates having doubled since 1960, numerous researchers have attempted to identify some of the relevant factors associated with successful marriages. This research attempted to identify those factors associated with marital satisfaction and adjustment among Appalachian males and females. Subjects were selected from southern West Virginia. Marital satisfaction and adjustment were evaluated using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). The DAS consisted of four subscales: Consensus, Cohension, Affectional Expression, and Satisfaction. The data were analyzed using Pearson Coefficient Product Correlation and t-tests. There were no significant differences among the descriptive variables and the subscale variables were identified. There was …

Comparing Aggression Between Young-Adult And General Admission Patients In A State-Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital, Jill Kridle

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Because of the inherent danger surrounding violence, aggression studies are particularly important for those working in a health care setting. A constant variable in aggression studies that poses many risk factors is age. This study examined characteristics of aggressors contained on state psychiatric hospital, located in West Virginia. Included on the unit was the neo-adult program and some general admission patients. The study evaluated all aggressors on the unit between September 1997 and August 1998. Comparisons were made to distinguish any possible differences or similarities between the two groups. The results indicated some differences relating to age of aggressor. Young-adult …

The Effect Of Music On Visuospatial Memory, James L. Mccracken

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Music was utilized in an attempt to enhance visuospatial memory. Twenty-eight individuals, who attended a United Methodist Church in southern West Virginia, were randomly assigned to experimental and control conditions. The experimental group was exposed to new age and classical compositions, counterbalanced for order effects. The new age and classical selections were of similar tempo and complexity. The control group received two relaxation periods, of a comparable length to the music presented to the experimental group. The 7/24 Spatial Recall Test was used to measure visuospatial memory. The measure was administered to each participant immediately after exposure to the music …

The Effects Of Music Therapy On Reducing Depression Among The Hospitalized Elderly Diagnosed With Dementia, Alan J. Blosser

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Music therapy was implemented as an affordable and accesible intervention for the hospitalized elderly diagnosed with dementia to reduce depression. Thirty hospitalized, elderly individuals diagnosed with dementia were randomly assigned to experimental and control conditions. The experimental group were involved in six one-half hour music therapy sessions over a three week period. Music was selected according to group preference. No intervention was provided to the control group. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to measure depression. The instrument was administered orally to both groups one week prior to treatment, within two days after treatment had been completed, and two …

The Clinical Utility Of The Jesness Inventory, Stephanie J. Hayes-Harris

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Because previous research findings on the Jesness Inventory have been relatively inconsistent, the current study was conducted to further examine this instrument's reliability, convergent validity and classificatory ability. A 3 to 11 month test-retest interval used with 42 adjudicated adolescents yielded a mean correlation coefficient of .60 and suggested that the stability of the 11 individual subscales is questionable. Using 42 adjudicated adolescents and 48 outpatients, many significant correlations were obtained between the Jesness Inventory and the Adolescent Multiphasic Personality Inventory subscales. Similarly, the Asocial Index accurately classified the adjudicated adolescents as delinquent and the outpatient adolescents as nondelinquent, as …

Concurrent Validity Of The Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, Kathryn L. Ingles

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) is a brief, comprehensive screening instrument for neurological impairment. The DRS has a low floor and enables progressive levels of dementia to be measured. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concurrent validity of the DRS. Eighteen subjects from nursing homes and personal care homes diagnosed with mild to moderate Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type were involved in the research. The score on the DRS was correlated with the raw scores on the Block Design and Vocabulary subtests of the WAIS-III. Research indicates that the performance on the Block Design subtest is a …

Conduct Disorder Questionnaire, Dwayne L. Milam

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Conduct disorder is characterized by a pattern of rule violation in which the rights of those associated with the individual and society are violated. Frequently there are many problems at home, school, and within the community. Without early diagnosis and treatment these problems escalate. Many different techniques and assessment tools have been used to identify these individuals. Most rely on collateral informants, such as parents and teachers. Others are time consuming or not developed to specifically identify conduct disorder. The Conduct Disorder Questionnaire was developed by the author to address these issues. The questionnaire is a brief, easily scored self-report …

Chi Square Analysis Of The Supported Employment And Unsuccessful Placement Survey To Assess Individualized Needs When Program Planning, Melissa S. Nelson

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study is a chi square analysis of the Supported Employment Survey (SES) and the Unsuccessful Placement Survey (UPS) developed for the purpose of this study. Subjects included 76 males and 35 females ranging from the ages of 19 to 64. All of the individuals included in this survey have been involved in supported employment programs throughout the state of West Virginia. Individuals were surveyed based on DSM-IV diagnosed disability (mental retardation verses mental illness), support networks during placement (living independently or with a family member), and previous experience in sheltered workshops prior to placement in support employment programs. Results …

Re-Evaluating The Major Stressors Of Policing, James Walter Carter Ii

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In this study, a sample of 37 officers employed with the Huntington Police Department, a medium-sized Appalachian police department, were sampled about the stressfulness and frequency of selected items from Sewell’s Life Events Scale. From the responses to the survey items, a scale was created to assess the combined effects of frequency and stressfulness. Respondents were also asked to indicate what percentage of their total accumulated job-related stress was generated by each of Barker and Carter’s generic stressors of policing. Several group differences were found. A ranking of stressors was developed for the frequency, stress, the combined scales and compared …

A Study Of Self-Esteem Comparing Special Education With Regular Education Students During The Middle School Years, Debra A. Davis

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to compare differences in levels of self-esteem between special education students and a control group of normal students. One hundred sixty-two fifth- through eighth-grade students from Doddridge County Middle School, West Union, West Virginia, were assessed by teachers using the Self-Esteem Index. The students were initially divided into two groups according to their placement in the regular or the special education programs. There was a total of 81 students in each of the groups. The configuration of each group was as follows: 24 learning-disability students, 14 behavior-disorder students, 16 gifted students, nine speech/language-disorder students, …

The Gordon Personal Profile-Inventory As A Selection Instrument, Patrick Y. Fisher

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The present study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of the Gordon Personal Profile Inventory (GPP-I) selection instrument in predicting success of applicants at a behavioral health center. Case managers (N = 47; 15 = males, 32 = females) served as subjects and completed the GPP-I. Each subject had a total of nine personality scale scores. The scales were Ascendancy, Responsibility, Emotional Stability, Sociability, Cautiousness, Original Thinking, Personal Relations, Vigor, and Self-Esteem. Each scale score was converted into a percentile score and correlated with the subject’s most recent performance evaluation score. Based upon results of correlation and regression analyses it …

Religion And Coping With Chronic Illness: A Comparison Of Rural And Urban Communities, Christina Mullins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study compared 45 rural and urban families in their use of religion as a means of coping with the stress of a chronically ill child. Parents reported no differences between their actual use of religion as a means of coping. However, urban families were more likely to believe they should turn to their clergy for emotional support.

Comparison Of Three Different Investigative Interview Techniques With Young Children, Mary Chapman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Three programs for the testing of elementary school students' eyewitness testimonies were tested and compared. Three different types of investigative interviews were used. The first was the investigative interview currently in use by West Virginia Child Protective Services. The second was an interview procedure developed by Yuille et al. (1993) called the Step-Wise Interview. The third method was a modified version of the Step-Wise Interview, which included changes based upon recent literature. Students from developmental & experimental psychology classes were trained in one of the three techniques. First and second grade children first viewed a movie and were then interviewed …

Eyewitness Testimonies For Spousal Abuse As A Function Of Gender Roles And Person Variables, Cynthia L. Barker

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In order to uncover how personality characteristics interact with the suggestibility and recall of events, subject's recollection and interpretation of domestic violence was tested. College students were shonn a film which a husband and wife began arguing; the argument ended in the husband hitting his wife. Encoding was manipulated by giving negative or neutral suggestions about the woman before subjects witnessed the film, and storage was manipulated by giving such suggestions after the .film creating a 2 X 2 experimental design. Attitude and personality questionnaires were also administered to the subjects. In addition to demonstrating the significance of the encoding …

The Effect Of Calcium On Learned Helplessness And Associated Neurotransmitter Change, Kamyar Arasteh

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Effects of elevated calcium on learned helplessness in rats was tested by maintaining animals on either distilled water or water containing 2.5 percent calcium. Animals that were maintained on drinking water containing high calcium showed elevated levels of brain and serum calcium. Rats that were on high calcium drinking water showed longer escape latencies than their non-calcium counterparts after they were pretreated with inescapable electric shocks. Lower levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid associated with the state of "depression" were found in the forebrain and brainstem of these animals. Therefore, elevated levels of calcium enhance learned helplessness and decrease brain serotonin turnover. …

The Effects Of Scopollamine Upon Behavior In A Reversal Situation, Theodore Alan Glance

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A group of 20 female albino rats was trained to turn either left or right opposite their natural pre-potent responses for food reinforcement under the influence of saline or scopolamine in a T-maze. Upon reaching criterion of nine out of ten correct choices, the rats were then required to make a reversal to the opposite arm of the T-maze used in training. The applicability of various theories on the cholinergic mechanisms involved in the learning processes was investigated. The results indicate the occurrence of a state-dependent learning phenomenon accompanied by a disinhibitory effect of scopolamine upon behavior.

Physical Fatigue As A Discriminative Cue In Choice Learning In The T-Maze, Robert L. Detty

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

It has been found that animals which have acquired a response while under the influence of a drug , fail to emit this response when subsequently tested while nondruggedo Likewise, animals which have acquired a response while nondrugged fail to emit this response when subsequently drugged. However, under both conditions, Ss emlt the response when retested in the original condition. either drugged or nondrugged. Thus, the presence of the response appears to be conditional upon the drug state of the organism during acquisition. This phenomenon has been called state dependent (StD) or dissociative learning (Overton, 1964). Dissociation apparently varies along …

Effect Of Preloading On Learned Food Aversions Due To Delayed Lithium Chloride Sickness, Richard L. Ferrise

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

It is a well established principle that reinforcement must quickly follow a response for learning to occur. The detrimental effects on learning of delays in reinforcement of 1-10 seconds have been repeatedly demonstrated during the past fifty years (Renner, 1964). When secondary reinforcement and mediating cues are eliminated, the delay of reinforcement gradient indicates little learning after delays of five seconds. Delay of punishment gradients parallel those obtained with positive reinforcement.

A Developmental Approach To Color-Mood Associations, Thomas D. Affourtit

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The effect of color on the organism has been the subject of extensive research for many years. Several psychological experiments have attempted to relate color and mood adjectives.

Sex Differentiated Reactions To Experimental "Repression" As Measured By Verbal Recall, Stephen Howard Bank

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of the investigation was to study the evocation of repression in an experimental situation employing the controls made possible by group presentation, using the suggestion of homosexuality as the source of anxiety arousal and ego threat, and providing an opportunity for observing sex differentiated reactions.