Sociology Commons^™

Research Brief: "Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans’ Experiences Living With Their Parents After Separation From The Military", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research examines the experiences of veterans who live with their parents after separation from the military and prepares parents and family to be more knowledgeable and meet the needs of returning veterans. It was found that veterans were better suited to life after military duty with proper emotional support from family, and that providing support and educations for families would aid this transition. In future research, an emphasis on studying a more diverse cohort of male and female veterans as well as their parents is beneficial.

"We Don't Have Any Of Those:" Looking For Leaders In The Horizontal Structure Of Occupy Portland, Aaron Martin Bach

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis documents and examines Occupy Portland's organizational structure and the impact of this structure on the leadership roles of participants. Interviews with key activists and participant observation reveal that the ideologically influenced horizontal organization employed by the movement disrupts the emergence of centralized authority and charismatic leadership. This, in turn, encourages the rise of a "distributed leadership" comprised of multiple, task driven leaders. It finds that these task-oriented leaders within Occupy Portland tend to fulfill three specific leadership roles; the facilitation of process, the construction of movement structures, and the organization of actions. This study provides an exploration of …

Forsaking All Others: Marital Fidelity In Religious Couples, Nathaniel M. Lambert, Dr. David C. Dollahite

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This study reports results from in-depth interviews with 57 highly religious middle-aged married couples from all the major Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Mormonism) from New England and Northern California. The study uses grounded theory methods to create themes and a model describing the ways that religious couples draw on their beliefs and practices to stay faithful to their marital. Couples reported that religion affects their level of faithfulness in 4 important ways: 1) Religion fortifies marital commitment; 2) Religion strengthens moral values; 3) Religion improves one’s relationship with God; 4) Religion sanctifies marriage.

Motorcycles And Development In Southeast Asia, John Hustedt, Dr. Ralph Brown

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Over the past twenty years, motorcycles have proliferated across Southeast Asia (Hsu, 2003). Consequently, I wanted to examine some of the social consequences of this heavy adoption of motorcycles specifically in Vietnam. I examined the reasons people have begun to purchase motorcycles at an increasing rate, and some of the ways in which motorcycles affect their daily lives. Additionally, I examined the various elements of Vietnamese families’ transportation strategies; for example, at what point do they purchase an additional motorcycle or switch to a car or opt for more public transportation? I also looked at what effect those choices have …

Brief Research Report: Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Hiv Status Among African American Women In Washington, Dc, Dexter R. Voisin

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: African American women living in Washington, DC have one of the highest Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence rates in the US. However, this population has been understudied, especially as it relates to factors associated with HIV status. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined sociodemographic factors that were associated with having a negative or positive HIV status among a sample of 115 African American women between the ages of 24 and 44 years. We assessed such factors as age, education, sexual orientation, household income, sources of income, number of children, length of residency tenure in Washington, DC, and level of HIV-prevention …

Benefits Of Religious Education Experiences In High School, David Hales, Dr. Mikaela Dufur

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The recent debate and interest in the under funding of America’s public school systems has caused an increase in the number of students who have abandoned public schooling in favor of private educational institutions. This rapid increase in enrollment in private educational institutions has changed the classroom dynamics for both students and teachers. This paper is primarily interested in the experiences of students who are enrolled in private religious educational institutions. I will attempt to understand what impact enrollment in private religious educational institutions will have on pupil’s educational experiences, spiritual growth, and deviance. Perhaps insight into these dynamics of …

What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love, And Understanding, Jordan G. Cinderich

SURGE

Last Saturday I stood on Stine Lake with a group of friends to pray and spread a message of “Peace for Syria.” This event was sponsored by the Newman Association in response to Pope Francis’s request that “Christians, and our brothers and sisters of other religions and every man and woman of good will, cry out forcefully: Violence and war are never the way to peace!” Students of all religions and backgrounds came to support us, and it was a very rewarding day for me as a Catholic and as a human longing for world peace and understanding. [excerpt …

Cat Got Your Tongue? (The Lost Art Of Conversation), Rebekah Mccloud

UCF Forum

My mother and I were eating dinner recently at her favorite restaurant. We spent several hours talking, laughing and enjoying our meal.

Verbal History Of The 1999 Floods In Teziutlan, Mexico From The Lds Perspective, Amanda Barden, Lynn England

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The time I spent in Teziutlan researching and learning about the 1999 floods there was uplifting but also scientifically frustrating. The goal of this project was to learn about what kind of impact the floods had on the members of the church there, what kind of influence the church may have had on the community during this disaster, and how the help that the church offered may have influenced missionary efforts. I should mention that this is a small departure from my original proposal, as one must adjust his/her research question while this kind of qualitative research develops.

Framing Caste Tracing The Interrelationship Of Caste And Identity In India, Scott Albrecht, Dr. Ralph Brown

Journal of Undergraduate Research

I posit here that three variables must be considered when discussing the devolvement of caste as the dominant element of Indian society: economic organization, the secularization of caste identities, and the disproportionate distribution of power as a remnant of the traditional economic arrangement. By tapping into the rationality of caste in terms of the human experience we can better understand the interrelationship of these variables and caste. I further argue that because caste roles and caste identities are essentially unique phenomena, caste identities may be perpetuated indefinitely where caste roles have become antiquated and unenforceable.

Kuklinski, Whitney, B. 1987 (Fa 765), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full text of paper (click on "Additional Files") for Folklife Archives Project 765. Paper titled “Understanding Servers as a Folk Group” written by Whitney Kuklinski for a folk studies class at Western Kentucky University. The paper focuses on Mariah’s Restaurant in downtown Bowling Green, Kentucky and the role that servers play within the food industry.

A Qualitative Exploration Of Emerging Adults’ And Parents’ Perspectives On Communicating Adulthood Status, Jessica F. Jablonski, Sara Dettinger Martino

The Qualitative Report

In this study the authors examine parent - child communication in Emerging Adulthood. Thirty - seven college students and one or both of their parents completed written questionnaires assessing whether the parent had verbally communicated or did some action to acknowledge the Emerging Adult’s maturity. Communication about changes in the parent - child relationship, as well as the Emerging Adult’s decision - making abilities, obligations to the family, and financial responsibilities were also assessed. The responses to the open ended questions were qualitatively analyzed using grounded theory. The findings indicated that the Emerging Adults’ and parents’ responses were very similar, …

Words Of Wisdom, For Now ...The Constructivist Credo, Michele Repass

The Qualitative Report

In The Constructivist Credo, Yvonna S. Lincoln and Egon G. Guba present 133 conjectures they believe should guide researchers who use a constructivist approach. In addition, several chapters from a recent dissertation are included and annotated to show how the conjectures might be used in practice.

Understanding Student Veterans In Transition, Kevin C. Jones

The Qualitative Report

In this research report the author details a phenomenological study documenting identity development in student veterans making the transition from active military service to higher education. This study took place at a doctoral granting proprietary university with a significant veteran population and consisted of in - depth interviews. This analysis illustrates how student veterans construct and achieve more complex senses of self that incorporate their experiences as service member, veteran, and civilian student into a coherent identity

Data Analysis Using Regression Modeling: Visual Display And Setup Of Simple And Complex Statistical Models, Emil N. Coman, Maria A. Coman, Eugen Iordache, Russell Barbour, Lisa Dierker

Yale Day of Data

We present visual modeling solutions for testing simple and more advanced statistical hypotheses in any research field. All models can be directly specified in analytical software like Mplus or R.

Data analysis in any substantive field can be easily accomplished by translating statistical tests in the intuitive language of regression-based path diagrams with observed and unobserved variables. All models we presented can be directly specified and estimated in analytical software.

Students can particularly benefit from being taught the simple regression modeling setup of the path analytical method, as it empowers them to apply the techniques to any data to test …

A Study Of The Universities Of The Third Age In Hong Kong : An Evaluation Of Elder Academy Model For The Life Long Learning Of Older People, Ka Fai Wong

Lingnan Theses

Education aims at the development of knowledge and skills for its own sake and pleasure. People aged over 65 years currently comprise 11% of the Hong Kong population. Such aging population in Hong Kong constitutes a challenge to our society. To be adaptive to changes in the environment, especially in aging, more emphasis is placed on “lifelong learning” than on “lifelong education” for self-fulfillment Active aging is evidently supported as a solution to the impact of aging population. Lifelong learning is an important strategy for enhancing active aging. The provision and process of lifelong learning for older people can take …

Citizenship Education In Post-1997 Hong Kong : Civic Education Or Nationalistic Education?, Kit Man

Lingnan Theses

This study investigates citizenship education policy under the “One Country, Two Systems” model in Hong Kong. A number of studies have analyzed the Hong Kong-China national unification from the political, legal, economic, socio-cultural perspectives. This study approaches Hong Kong-China integration from the hotly contested issue of nationalistic education, attempted to be implemented by the Hong Kong government in the official school curriculum. I use as my data sources official documents issued by government agencies including the Chief Executive’s annual Policy Address, an internal report of the Commission on Strategic Development, and curriculum guides of the Curriculum Development Council to tease …

Project Vision Evaluation, Cassandra J. Dorius, Dr. Vaughn R. A. Call

Journal of Undergraduate Research

With an estimated one quarter of America’s youth between the ages of 10 and 17 exhibiting signs of high risk or dysfunctional behaviors, organizations aimed at intervention and positive socialization have flourished over the past decade.1 Research has shown that within these organizations a social environment approach such as the establishment of peer groups, role modeling, and pro-social behavior rehearsal are the most effective means of fostering lasting behavioral and attitudinal changes among troubled teens.2 Applying similar mentoring techniques within our own community, the needs of Provo’s at risk youth are being addressed by Project Vision, a non-profit social program …

Pioneers In Hong Kong: A Research Summary, Sarah Burnham, Spencer Palmer

Journal of Undergraduate Research

When I set out to research pioneer stories of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints in Hong Kong, I was rather naive about the amount of work involved. I assumed that it would be a relatively simple matter to gather a base history from the library and then meet with and invite people to share their stories. It sounded simple in theory but was much more complex in reality.

Meta-Analysis Of The Book: "Privilege, Power And Difference" -- A Review Of The Dimensions Of Institutional Segregation As Psychological Paradox, Alexej Savreux

Sociology Student Papers and Presentations

This paper analyzes and synthesizes concepts and alternative perspectives of sociologist and author Allan G. Johnson’s book “Privilege, Power and Difference” through the lens of the sociological imagination. The first phase of the review addresses the different chapter dimensions of the concept (or purported abstraction) of ‘inequality’ as social, economic and historical concretion. The model is later elaborated upon and the work extrapolated into a meta-theoretical analysis of the first seven chapters of the textbook. By identifying and reviewing the principal points within the book, we present a multitude of vantage points by which continuation and assimilation of material in …

Fashion Vs. Function In Cultural Evolution: The Case Of Dog Breed Popularity, Stefano Ghirlanda, Alberto Acerbi, Harold A. Herzog, James A. Serpell

Pets Collection

We investigate the relationship between characteristics of dog breeds and their popularity between years 1926 and 2005. We consider breed health, longevity, and behavioral qualities such as aggressiveness, trainability, and fearfulness. We show that a breed’s overall popularity, fluctuations in popularity, and rates of increase and decrease around popularity peaks show typically no correlation with these breed characteristics. One exception is the finding that more popular breeds tend to suffer from more inherited disorders. Our results support the hypothesis that dog breed popularity has been primarily determined by fashion rather than function.

On Learning And Unlearning, Katherine M. Patterson

SURGE

I remember passing our lunch lady–the nice one with a big bleach-blond afro. She was perched on an elementary-school-sized desk, eyes fixated to the television. I glanced at the screen on the way into my classroom while my teacher hesitated in the hallway, whispering to the other adults. She reentered the room a few minutes later to explain.

In the following months, my television provided me with one of the most formative, practical and comprehensive educational experiences of my life. First it was vocabulary building, with the words like “hi-jacker,” and “terrorist.” Then it was physics, learning that inertia is …

Reflections On The Day The Earth Stood Still, Maritza Martinez

UCF Forum

The day started just like any other day, with concerns over my commute to work and traffic jams, what attire I should wear for the day’s meetings, should I take my lunch to work or eat out?

The Rattler (Volume 101, Issue 7, Edition 1), St. Mary's University

The Rattler (Previous issues)

Founded in 1919, The Rattler is the student voice of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. The newspaper documents campus life, academic and social issues, student opinion, and local and national events as they relate to the University community. Content typically includes news articles, editorial commentary, arts and culture coverage, sports reporting, and advertisements.

Feeling The Heat? Substantial Variation In Temperatures Does Not Affect The Proportion Of Males Born In Australia, Barnaby J. Dixson, John Haywood, Philip J. Lester, Diane K. Ormsby

Human Biology Open Access Pre-Prints

The global proportion of male births has been shown to vary with climate, with a higher proportion of male births documented in colder climates. Here we examined the hypothesis that ambient temperature predicts fluctuations in the proportion of male births in Australia and within seven Australian states using historical annual data spanning 1910-2009. We predicted that within states with tropical ambient temperatures the proportion of male births would decrease when ambient temperatures are higher. Considering the national composite births for the whole of Australia first, the proportion of males born ranged only from 0.510 to 0.517. We observed no relationship …

Living Well, A Pilot Study, Caroline Crane, Dr. Ivan Beutler

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Money attitudes may help us better understand potential vulnerabilities of youth in a growing culture of materialism. Today’s American child is immersed in the consumer marketplace to a degree that dwarfs all other historical experience (Schor, 2004). For many teens success revolves around financial status, social recognition, or appealing appearance (Roberts and Jones, 2001). Extrinsically focused individuals frequently depend on financial resources to achieve the favorable reactions of others in defining themselves. Modern industrialized society has transformed adolescence from a developmental era defined by production to one mainly of consumption where earning and spending money has become one of the …

Modest Fashion: Within Reach Creating Modest Casual Daywear For Women Ages 20-30, Mary Heaps, Dr. Catherine Burnham

Journal of Undergraduate Research

My primary goal with this project was to increase awareness of modesty and provide more options for apparel that is both modest and fashionable. My secondary goal was to start up a sewing business, focusing on patternmaking and custom work. I believe I met the first goal, with plenty of room for increasing awareness. The second goal, has morphed and evolved into a more practical aim that better reflects my current situation and pursuits.

A Case Study Of Gender Neutral Policies In University Housing, Josh Chave

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Gender neutral housing is an innovative new policy being developed in colleges around the country. One reason to create these policies is an attempt to meet the unique needs and challenges of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students. As the number of gender neutral housing policies in the United States continues to rise, research has been slow to meet the growing demand for empirical data on gender neutral housing.

The dissertation presented a case study of one institution. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with administrators, gender neutral housing committee members, residence life staff, and students. This dissertation examined the …

The Irony Of Choice, Cam T. Nguyen

SURGE

We are having the inevitable late night conversation. You talk about your eventual wedding, your marriage to the person you love, the timeline you’ve created for yourself, and your plans for what our future children will do together. I clarify that I don’t want to have children, but you can’t seem to understand that decision. You question how happy, satisfied, or fulfilled my life will be without children, the maternal instincts I’m supposed to be feeling, and my desire to have something to care for and love. You’re convinced that I will recognize how empty my life will be sans …

High Risk Behavior Among Adolescent Males, Debra W. Armstrong, Dr. Renata T. Forste

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Many adolescents today are involved in high risk behaviors which have negative health consequences, and which reduce the likelihood of them growing up to be responsible adults.1 Past research of high risk behavior has been largely based on cross-sectional, area specific data. In this research, national longitudinal data are used to predict high risk behaviors by focusing on risk behaviors such as alcohol use, or smoking cigarettes. Few studies have considered these behaviors together and as noted by Jessor, these behaviors are more of a lifestyle than just separate events.2