Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Improving Customer Service In A Large Department Store Through The Use Of Training And Feedback, Mark G. Brown

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to increase the frequency of four specific customer-service behaviors in three full-time department store salespeople. Each related to the steps involved in a sales transaction, the behaviors recorded were: approaching and greeting customers, being courteous, and appropriately closing the sale. These four responses were defined as exceptional customer service behaviors. A training program had only a slight impact on improving service, but feedback produced a substantial improvement in the frequency of all four targeted customer-service behaviors Removal of feedback produced a small decline in performance; but the percentage of exceptional customer-service behaviors increased to …

Breastfeeding And Changing American Child-Rearing Practices, Jeanne Reed

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Behavioral Analysis Of Ethical Systems, Glen R. Peterson

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Origins And Functional Significance Of Incest Avoidance, R. Daniel Murray

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Increasing Audience Participation In Seminars, Linda J. Parrott

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Racial And Class Biases In The Criminal Justice System: A Radical Conflict Interpretation, Mansoor Moaddel

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Cue Presence, Duration And Association With Reinforcement On A Punishment Procedure, Elias Robles Sotelo

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Taxonomy Of Organizations For Assessing Research In Organizational Communication, Margaret E. Dennany

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Reinforcement Psychology And The Market Environment, Richard P. Eastman

Masters Theses

A functional analysis of behavior requires a monopoly of controlling variables. Where contingency-control is mutual, i.e., where there is mutual shaping of shaping, functional analysis of contingency control is impossible. Weingarten and Mechner's notion of 'dependent-contingency* analysis restores some sense here, but not enough to salvage grandiose schemes for monopolistically controlled experimental cultures.

Utopian behaviorists do not realize the scope of functions performed by markets in the human environment. Prediction and control of a dependent-variable culture requires prior elimination of entrepreneurship, (black) markets, and the far-reaching division of labor that is provided only by market coordination. Under such a system, …

A Behavioral System For Supervising Undergraduate Research, Gary D. Gant

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Inmate Deaths In Kalamazoo County, Berrien County And 42 States: A Comparative Analysis For The Years 1970-1977, Janice Bernice Howard

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of Pre And Post Employment Interview Opinions Held By Applicants In A University Job Placement Center, Robert J. Mcavoy

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Habituation And Sensitization Induced By Aggression, Diane Joy Redalia

Masters Theses

Four complex unlearned behaviors (locomotion, grooming, sensory scanning and pausing) induced by electric shock presented every 210" were studied in the presence and absence of an opportunity to attack an aggression target. Three male Wistar rats, approx. 12 mo. old, were observed for 84 hours of the shock presentation schedule. An observer used a modified IMSAI 8048 control computer to record the frequency and duration of locomotion, sensory scanning, grooming and pausing; the computer also controlled shock delivery. The validity of response definitions were asessed by the correlation between the simultaneous observations of the behaviors. Interobserver correlations for all behaviors …

Interaction With Americans And Length Of Stay Related To The Unfavorable Attitudes Of Saudi Students Toward The Traditional Family Ideology, Ibrahim Obeidy

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of The Opportunity To Engage In Self-Stimulatory Behavior On Task Responding In Retarded Children, Paula Shilton

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Parametric Study Of Geometric Progressive Ratio Performance, Ali Uzunoz

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Social Work And Criminal Justice Student Support Of Civil Liberties, David A. Fabianic

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Varying levels of support for civil liberties have been imputed to social work and criminal justice personnel. Assuming students planning to pursue these professional roles reflect attitudes in accordance with anticipated demands of the positions and the effects of preparatory educational experiences, this paper examines the levels of support for selected provisions of the Bill of Rights among social work and criminal justice undergraduate students.

Social Polics And Social Welfare Administration, Bernard Neugeboren

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Effective administration of social welfare programs requires the integration of knowledge of social policy with the understanding of the theory and practice of management and administrative decision making. This integration of substantive knowledge of social policy with administrative practice is needed to avoid overemphasis on means to the detriment of the goals of social programs. This paper discusses a policy analysis framework in relationship to a model of decisionmaking which includes rational and non-rational elements. Principles of policy formulation (major system change) is applied to specific issues in social welfare, i.e. should social services be directed at changing the individual …

Blacks And Capital Punishment: An Assessment Of Latent Discriminatory Justice In The United States, Laurence French

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

A major consideration in interethnic relations is the control factor and how this is maintained in minority/ majority situations especially those occurring within heterogeneous societies. Granted numerous subtle control processes operate at both the primary and secondary levels of interethnic interaction but a critical measure of the effectiveness of minority subjugation is reflected in judicial discrimination. This formal legal control apparatus has a legal mandate to deny social members their freedom, to punish and even to execute them. In the United States the criminal justice system's avowed mandate is to provide 'equal justice' for all citizens without discrimination due to …

Socioeconomic Achievement: The Case Of The Working Poor, Manuel Vaz Pato, John B. Williamson

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In recent years a great deal of effort has gone into the specification of causal models describing the social mobility process, but virtually no effort has been made to specify a model for the poor, a segment of the population for which the issue of social mobility is particularly crucial. In the present study we ask whether the process of socioeconomic achievement for the poor can be described using the same model as for the non-poor, or whether a separate model is required for the poor; we conclude that a separate model for the poor is needed. The data used …

Problems And Issues In Community-Based Residential Services As Alternatives To Institutionalization, Anthony N. Maluccio

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In recent years there has been increasing interest in community based residential services (e.g. foster homes and group homes) as alternatives to institutionalization of people in problem areas such as mental health, mental retardation, child welfare, and aging.

A selective review of the literature was undertaken to identify key issues, problems and concepts in the use and development of community-based services. This article presents selected findings and conclusions regarding conceptualization of services, issues in service delivery, and evaluation of effectiveness. In addition, it proposes a conceptual framework useful in examining the continuum of emerging services.

The Principles Of General Systems Theory Applied To The Medical Model: Who Benefits?, James T. Decker, John R. Redhorse

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The term "Medical Model", though frequently used by professionals, theoreticians and laymen in referring to certain aspects of the medical profession, or of the entire medical system, is rarely used with any degree of precision. The term, indeed, has been used as a shorthand expression, leaving it unnecessary to explicate descriptively the interrelated components of the medical arena. The theories, conceptual constructs, practice, and operating ideologies of the Medical Model, and their association with bi-cultural, economic, political and other concepts are left unspoken. These elements are simply assumed to be implicit in the use of the term. It is our …

Homosexuality: A Social Worker's Imbroglio, Carol Tully, Joyce C. Albro

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Few members of our society take time to put into historical context their prejudices about homosexuality. This article examines the historical context of these prejudices as well as how social workers may become co-opted by society into overlooking the social service needs of homosexual clients. How to combat institutional homophobia is also discussed.

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 6, No. 2 (March 1979)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Table of Contents

• THE PRINCIPLES OF GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY APPLIED TO THE MEDICAL MODEL. WHO BENEFITS? - James T. Decker, John R. Redhorse
• HOMOSEXUALITY: A SOCIAL WORKER'S IMBROGLIO - Carol Tully, Joyce C. Aibro
• SOCIAL POLICX AND SOCIAL WELFARE ADMINISTRATION - Bernard Neugeboren
• PROBLEMS AND ISSUES IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES AS ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION - Anthony N. Maluccio
• ORGANIZATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE APPLICATION OF BUDGETING AND COST EFFECTIVENESS SYSTEMS TO SOCIAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS - Charles Cowger
• SOCIAL WORK AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDENT SUPPORT OF CIVIL LIBERTIES - David A. Fabianic
• BLACKS AND CAPITAL PUNISHMENT: AN ASSESSMENT OF LATENT DISCRIMINATORY JUSTICE …

Organizational Considerations In The Application Of Budgeting And Cost Effectiveness Systems To Social Welfare Organizations, Charles Cowger

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Social welfare organizations have distinctive organizational characteristics which hinder their adaptability to budget and cost effectiveness systems. This paper identifies those characteristics and discusses their significance.

Professional Social Work Associations And Legislative Action 1974 To 1977, Timothy Lause

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

NASW state chapters have increasingly become involved in the pursuit of state legislative priorities. However, direct focus upon social problem concerns accounted for a minor and declining share of the chapters' foremost legislative priorities. Preoccupation with the institutionalization of professional status does not appear to be a transitional chapter concern associated only with the attainment of licensed status.

The Educational Needs Of Social Work Faculty In Medical Schools, Richard M. Grinnell Jr., Nancy S. Kyte

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Despite a long-standing association and promise for a closer alliance in the future, considerable ambiguity surrounds the current participation of social workers in medical education. A nationwide study was conducted to obtain a comprehensive, up-todate profile of social work faculty employed by medical schools-- their total number, demographic characteristics, department affiliations, primary specialties, methods and content areas of academic instruction, etc. An accompanying study focused on the opinions of medical school Deans concerning the present and future status of social work faculty in medical education. Attention has been given to social work education in relation to health care practice. Another …

39-Archaeological Evaluation Of The Right-Of-Way Along Us-31 Connector-Walton Road From Winn Road To Existing Us-31 (Alternate 4), Niles Township, Berrien County, Michigan, William M. Cremin

Reports of Investigations

Pursuant to a letter from the office of Mr. John P. Woodford, Director, Michigan Department of Transportation, authorizing an archaeological survey of the Walton Road right-of-way designated Alternate 4, a team of archaeologists from Western Michigan University undertook on-site assessment of the project in order to determine whether or not road improvement activities would impact cultural resources. There follows a report of fieldwork conducted between 6-8 Aug 79, together with recommendations based upon our findings. It should be understood that the opinions, findings and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of the …

On The Promise Of Symbolic Interaction For Social Welfare (A Comment By The Editor Of The Special Issue), Ralph Segalman

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In a previous article ("Theoretical Models of Social Structure and the Practice of Social Work," Arete Spring 1976, Vol. 4 no. 1) I commented on the variety of non-interchangable social theory doctrines utilized by social work, past and present, to explain the relationship between the client (or client group) and society. In it I indicated the hidden assumptions of the practitioner as revealed by his social theory of choice. As therapist he (or she) inferentially laid the onus of adjustment on the client; as advocate--on the society, depending upon the particular consensus or conflict theory utilized. I pointed out that …

The Informant Volume Xi, Number 2, Western Michigan University

Informant (1968-1981)

Volume XI, Number 2

Winter 1979

• Chomsky's Visit to WMU
• The Language and Linguistics Forum
• The Informant
• Career English Program
• Latvian Studies Program
• Course and Curriculum Changes for 1979-80
• Faculty/Staff News
• New Students -- Recent Graduates
• Student/Alumni News
• Undergraduate Major and Minor
• Critical Language Minor
• Graduate Major
• Linguistics Department Fall 1979