Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of Magnitude Of Extrinsic Reinforcement On Intrinsic Interest: An Experimental Analysis, Brian Howard Gribler

Masters Theses

The present study examined the effect that three magnitudes of extrinsic reinforcement had on wheel running following the termination of reinforcement. After an initial baseline period, three groups of rats were assigned to one of three conditions: a variable interval 60 second schedule of reinforcement, a variable time 60 second schedule of reinforcement, or a control condition. Each subject in the reinforcement groups was exposed to three different magnitudes of reinforcement. Each reinforcement phase was followed by a return to baseline. The results indicated that contingent reinforcement increased wheel running although rates were comparable for all magnitudes of reinforcement. No …

The Effects Of Music Videos On Adolescent Females Self-Concept And Body-Image, David Scott Eggli

Masters Theses

Music videos are a phenomenon of the 1980s. Their striking imagery, flashy choreography, sexy clothing, and quick cuts have attracted a huge audience of adolescents and changed the face of the fashion industry. If rock stars and music videos can attract millions of teenage viewers and change the style of clothes worn, they may also affect a teenager's self-concept and body-image.

The subjects in this research project were 18 adolescent females between the ages of 12 and 17. The subjects viewed either music videos or G-rated movies. The Piers Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale served as the dependent variable for pretest …

Preventing The "All But Thesis" Phenomenon, Maria Emma Garcia

Dissertations

Twenty-three to 54% of the students who enter graduate programs never obtain their degrees. A high percentage of those students drop out after the completion of all the academic requirements except their master's theses or doctoral dissertations. The literature makes reference to the "all but thesis" (ABT) and the "all but dissertation" (ABD) phenomenon.

The present study involved the implementation of a research supervisory system designed to help students complete their theses and dissertations, therefore preventing the ABT and ABD problems. Twenty-nine graduate students in psychology formed the research supervisory group and 53 graduate students from several departments formed a …

Treatment Of Spasticity Via Transcranial Electrical Stimulation In Persons With Cerebral Palsy And Severe Mental Retardation, George A. Thompson Jr.

Dissertations

Although the clinical manifestations of cerebral palsy are many and varied, spasticity is a common aspect of the disorder, observed in as many as 75% of all cases (Paneth & Kiely, 1984). A double-blind and placebo-controlled and counter balanced reversal design was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of transcranial electrical stimulation (TCS) in the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy in six severely mentally impaired individuals. Although there appeared to be some improvement from pre to post measures, a comparison of the placebo and treatment conditions yielded results indicating that transcranial electrical stimulation did not increase the passive range of motion …

The Mexican American Elderly And Barriers To The Utilization Of Health Care Services, Kathleen Anne Hoekstra

Masters Theses

The utilization of health care services by the Mexican American elderly is low compared to the severity of their health problems. This thesis examines the sociocultural factors which affect the interaction of the Mexican American elderly and mainstream health professionals. Included is a brief history detailing discriminatory practices, a description of traditional Mexican cultural practices and attitudes, and an exploration of the cultural barriers which limit access to health care.

An Assessment Of The Counseling Services Provided To Juvenile Delinquents In Jordan Through The Perceptions Of Juvenile Probation Officers And Administrators, Ahmad Suleiman Zaghalil

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the present status of counseling services provided to juvenile delinquents in Jordan. More specifically, this study focused on the characteristics, priorities, major strengths and weaknesses, problems of counseling services provided to juvenile delinquents, portion of time spent in counseling juvenile delinquents individually and in groups, as perceived by juvenile probation officers and administrators in Jordan, and the academic courses studied by both groups which helped them to practice the profession of counseling with juvenile delinquents.

The subjects for this study consisted of 28 juvenile probation officers and 10 administrators. A questionnaire developed …

Teenage Pregnancy, Professional Agendas, And Problem Definitions, Richard A. Weatherley

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Many of the adverse consequences associated with adolescent childbearing are due to poverty and inadequate health care. Historically, definitions of the problem have emphasized individual, female culpability. Underlying social and economic factors have received less attention. For many adolescents, the early initiation of sexual activity and the failure to use birth control is associated with their perception of limited life opportunities, as well as sex role socialization inhibiting contraceptive initiative. This paper considers the role of professional groups and service advocates in defining the problem and developing policy alternatives. It examines the processes through which an issue having significant redistributive …

The Failure Of The Destitute Mother's Bill: The Use Of Political Power In Social Welfare, Eve P. Smith

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Although social and economic conditions and prevailing popular philosophies may affect the success or failure of an attempt at change in social welfare policy and practice, the relative strengths and weaknesses of the political forces for and against the change may be more important. In 1897, fourteen years before the passage of the first U.S. Mothers' Pension law in Illinois, New York State Senator John Ahearn attempted such a law in New York. Although the bill was passed unanimously by both houses of the State Legislature, it was never signed into law. The reason was that the children's institutions and …

Minneapolis Settlement Houses In The "Not So Roaring 20'S' Americanization, Morality, And The Revolt Against Popular Culture, Howard Jacob Karger

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The article traces the theoretical and ideological development of the Minneapolis settlement house community during the 1920's. As such, the article examines the social control function of Minneapolis settlements through their emphasis on Americanization, morality, the concepts of neighborhood and democracy, and the role of domestic politics within the settlement community. The article also explores the dialectical relationship between the social control function of Minneapolis settlement houses and the altruistic motives of settlement workers.

Organizational Adaptation: The National Urban League During The Great Depression, Dona Hamilton

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study examines the effect that bureaucratic attributes and the dual function of the National Urban League (NUL) had on its ability to respond quickly to New Deal programs and legislation. With the exception of its decentralized structure, bureaucratic attributes contributed to the organization's effectiveness. Its structure limited its ability to implement national programs and pressure for national policies. The NUL was unable to make a permanent change in its structure that would be more compatible with its targets. Its dual function, attempting to change individual behavior and societal institutions, helped it maintain a support base without becoming more conservative.

Social Work's Professional Mistake: Confusing Status For Control And Losing Both, Gary R. Lowe

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The dimensions of control and power supporting monopoly are central to the professional notion. These factors are implicit in the attribute professional formulation traditionally put forth and adopted by Social Work. This paper asserts that social work leadership between 1915 and 1952 misunderstood or ignored these crucial dynamics. This "mistake" led to practice methodology (casework) and educational policies (graduate-only) that sought status rather than occupational control. This flawed analysis split the occupation in its formative years. The article concludes that the result has been social work's inability to gain professional standing.

Introduction, Robert D. Leighninger Jr.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This issue is devoted entirely to articles examining the history of social welfare. It did not come into being as our other Special Issues do: with a formal proposal to the Editorial Board, a Call for Papers, and other solicitations of manuscripts.

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 14, No. 2 (June 1987)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

CONTENTS

• INTRODUCTION - Robert D. Leighninger, Jr., Editor
• TEENAGE PREGNANCY, PROFESSIONAL AGENDAS, AND PROBLEM DEFINITIONS - Richard A. Weatherley
• NOT FOR POVERTY ALONE: FOSTER CARE POPULATION TRENDS IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY - Leroy H. Pelton
• THE FAILURE OF THE DESTITUTE MOTHERS' BILL: THE USE OF POLITICAL POWER IN SOCIAL WELFARE - Eve P. Smith
• MINNEAPOLIS SETTLEMENT HOUSES IN THE "NOT SO ROARING 20's:
• AMERICANIZATION, MORALITY, AND THE REVOLT AGAINST POPULAR CULTURE - Howard Jacob Karger
• HARRY LURIE'S ASSESSMENT AND PRESCRIPTION: AN EARLY VIEW OF SOCIAL WORKERS' ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES REGARDING POLITICAL ACTION - Joe M. Schriver
• ORGANIZATIONAL ADAPTATION: THE NATIONAL …

Not For Poverty Alone: Foster Care Population Trends In The Twentieth Century, Leroy H. Pelton

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Trends in the size of the national foster care population from 1910 to 1983 are examined in the context of child welfare policy toward dependent and neglected children. Several major turning points in the child placement rate are identified, and the reasons for them are explored. The relationship between poverty and foster care placement is discussed, and it is concluded that the child placement rate is not related to the poverty rate, but rather, to how our society chooses to intervene with the children of families living in poverty.

Harry Lurie's Assessment And Prescription: An Early View Of Social Workers' Roles And Responsibilities Regarding Political Action, Joe M. Schriver

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Harry Lawrence Lurie's recommendations and analyses concerning social workers' involvement in political action are reviewed. By reviewing some of Lurie's concerns and activities from the 1930's into the 1950's in this area, it is possible to gain helpful guidance and insight into contemporary concerns about social workers in the political arena. Lurie argued consistently for greater involvement by social workers in political action as individuals, as members of professional organizations, and in coalition with other groups outside of social work who were concerned with progressive social change. Lurie also articulated many of the conditions preventing effective political action by social …

From Countrywoman To Federal Emergency Relief Administrator: Josephine Chapin Brown, A Biographical Study, Emilia E. Martinez-Brawley

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study documents the life and career of Josephine Chapin Brown, an early leader in public welfare and rural social work. Historical research showed that Brown's ideas on social work and on professional training for social work were often against the paradigm of her time. For example, Brown was a committed ruralite when social work was primarily urban; Brown supported social work training for public welfare workers in the agricultural colleges (many now state universities) when social work was committed to a more elitist training model. As a result she was ostracized by many of her influential contemporaries. Her orientation …

Book Review, Maurice M. Vance

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Trattner, Walter I., editor. Biographical Dictionary of Social Welfare in America. New York: Greenwood Press, 1986.

A Cultural Study Of The Hispanic Population In Kalamazoo, Michigan, Diane M. Rodriguez

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to detail the cultural diversity of the Hispanic population in Kalamazoo, Michigan, so as to enhance the efforts of social and government agencies in dealing with the social and economic needs of these people.

While other studies have been conducted on Hispanics, this project was unique in that (a) data were collected while the researcher was in the role of advocate as an employee of the Hispanic-American Council, and (b) emphasis was placed on the cultural components of each Hispanic group in Kalamazoo. The discussion centers on the Mexican-Americans, Cubans, and Panamanians, with briefer …

A Study-Support Program For High-Risk, Black College Freshman Enrolled In A General Psychology Course, Angela Michelle Williams

Masters Theses

As a replication of Jackson's (1984) work, this research compared the performance of three groups of college freshmen. The groups consisted of black, high-risk students who voluntarily enrolled in a study-support group because of their initial quiz scores. The support program required the students to study each week's psychology objectives in four smaller segments, rather than studying all the week's material at once. The assumption was that this would increase the students' contact with the study material and improve their performances. An ABA design was used. The participants in the support program received higher quiz scores and final grades than …

The Effects Of Methsuximide And Mephenytoin On The Repeated Acquisition Performance Of Pigeons, Dawn D. Delaney

Masters Theses

Learning impairment is a potentially serious side effect of antiepilepsy medications. The present study investigated the effects of methsuximide and mephenytoin on learning in pigeons performing under a repeated acquisition procedure. Given acutely, methusuximide (25, 50, 75, 100 mg/kg) and mephenytoin (60, 120, 240 mg/kg) produced generally dose-dependent decreases in rates of responding; increases in percent errors were largest at doses that produced the greatest decrease in response rate. An analysis of the within-session distribution of errors revealed that certain

Increasing Appropriate Behavior Using Antecedent Physical Exercise In Mentally Retarded Adults, Steven Degroot

Masters Theses

In order to ascertain if aerobic exercise would facilitate task performance, two mentally retarded adults exercised five days a week and performed three discrimination tasks three days a week. Baseline performance was determined for the two subjects on the tasks which involved shape discrimination, picture discrimination, number discrimination, and sequencing. After their baseline performance was determined, the participants began an exercise program which worked toward increasing their pulse rates to an aerobic level (150% of resting pulse). Subsequently, the subjects performed the discrimination tasks immediately after exercise. After this intervention period, baseline performance was again determined. The results indicated that …

Drug Addict And Non-Addict Offenders: A Comparison Of The Disparity In The Types Of Crimes, Sentencing Recommendations, And Formal Dispositions Of Each Group, Scott B. Courtney

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the type and severity of a crime and the offender's known history (past or present) of controlled substance abuse.

A random sample of federal cases between the years 1980-1985 was used to see if the offender's known problem with substance abuse had any impact on the severity of the recommended and actual sentence imposed on the offender.

Specific control variables such as race, age, educational level, and marital status of the offenders were also incorporated.

Assessment And Training Of Visual And Tactual Stimulus Equivalence, Brooke Ann Rigney

Masters Theses

Visual-tactual equivalence was examined within the stimulus equivalence paradigm originally developed by Sidman in studies of verbal behavior (1971). Experiment I assessed for equivalence between tactually and visually presented objects. In Experiment II, colors and textures were added to the objects and the effect of modality distinctive stimuli on equivalence was examined. Experiment III then studied the establishment of equivalence with these modality distinctive stimuli using the Sidman stimulus equivalence paradigm.

Visual-tactual equivalence was demonstrated in Experiment I. Experiment II demonstrated that equivalence could be disrupted by modality distinctive stimuli. Experiment III then showed that equivalence could be demonstrated between …

Out Of Control: An Exploration Into The Dynamics Of Anorexia Nervosa And Bulimia And The Consequences For The Sufferer And Those Around Her, Shenandoah M. Cardwell

Honors Theses

A theoretical and personal exploration into the dynamics of anorexia nervosa and bulimia was conducted with reviews of literature, interviews, and personal accounts. A basic definition of the problem according to the DSM-III was stated. Discussed in detail are factors which contribute to a possible predisposition for developing an eating disorder; these include the physiological/biological, psychological, familial and societal. The effects of eating disorders on those persons around an anorexic or bulimic were explained along with a special section emphasizing the epidemic of eating disorders on college campuses. Emphasis was placed on the importance of the role of helper in …

Prescriptive Supervisor Verbal Responding And Its Effect Upon Trainee Satisfaction In Counseling Supervision, Douglas A. Riley

Dissertations

An experimental strategy of supervisor verbal responding was compared to two other strategies. Termed "direct responding," it involved answering trainee requests for information, opinion, or suggestion, by giving information, opinion, or suggestion. Trainee statements of fact or opinion were answered by a request for elaboration. This strategy was compared with a reflective-type response, modeled on base-rate studies of supervisor verbalizations, and with a random-type of response in which supervisor responses were not necessarily related to trainee statements.

The purpose of this study was to determine if a direct strategy of responding to trainee verbalizations would be perceived as superior to …

Differential Response Latencies Using Auditory Stimuli, Albert Edward Neal

Dissertations

Previous research has identified and isolated the elicited (autoshaped) control of pigeons' response latencies. The present research, using auditory frequencies as discriminative stimuli, was designed to eliminate the intrusion of this elicited control.

Two experiments are presented, both using a discrete-trial, two-component multiple schedule. In Experiment 1, in which a two-key arrangement was used, pigeons were required to peck a continuously-illuminated left key when one of two different frequencies, each correlated with a different amount of reinforcement, was presented behind the illuminated right key. In Experiment 2, in which a three-key arrangement was used, pigeons were required to peck either …

School District Current Operating Expenditures: A Comparative Analysis Of Michigan School Districts Having A Student Population Of 10,000 To 50,000 For 1984-85, James Ross Constandt

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare line item current operating expenses among school districts in Michigan having a student population of 10,000 but less than 50,000 and to present a budget model which establishes minimum and maximum line item current operating expenses for such school districts. Line item expenditures were compared and analyzed among those school districts within the same student population grouping.

Local school districts in Michigan are categorized by the State Board of Education into 14 groupings based on pupil membership. School districts in Groups B and C were studied. Group B included four school districts …

American Indian Perception Of Counselor Characteristics In A Counseling Interview, Francis Donald Mcleod

Dissertations

This investigation of Native Americans determined to what extent counselor expertness, effectiveness and trustworthiness affect their perception of the counseling interview. The study was specifically designed to assess Native American attitudes as they relate to situational counselor characteristics and behavior. The attitudinal preferences investigated were: (a) racial characteristics of counselor, (b) personal attractiveness of counselor, (c) expertness of counselor, and (d) trustworthiness of counselor.

The sample for the study was composed of 60 Native American students randomly selected through Project M.A.I.S.S. (Making American Indians Self-Sufficient), an academic remedial program for American Indian students from the area around Kalamazoo, Michigan. The …

Responding Under Homogeneous Versus Heterogeneous Chained Variable-Interval Schedules, Stephen P. Starin

Masters Theses

Four pigeons responded under chained variable-interval schedules in which the required response topographies were either similar [i.e., a homogeneous chain] or dissimilar Ci.e., a heterogeneous chain]. Subjects were exposed to all possible combinations of initial-link key pecking or treadle pressing and terminal-link pecking or treadling. Three of four subjects displayed higher initial-link response rates under the homogeneous chains. The present results were explained in terms of an induction effect in which the strengthening effect of reinforcing a particular terminal-link response topagrapahy generalizes to similar responses earlier in the chain, but not to topographically different responses.

Perceptions Of Western Michigan University International Students Regarding Seeking Personal Counseling, Nader F. Al-Qasem

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of the international students at Western Michigan University toward seeking personal counseling and to answer the following questions: (1) Is there a relationship between international students' duration of stay in the United States and their perceptions toward seeking personal counseling? (2) Is there a relationship between international students' previous contact with counselors and their perceptions toward seeking personal counseling? (3) Are the perceptions of international students toward seeking personal counseling affected by their sex? (4) Is there a relationship between the academic level of international students and their perceptions toward …