Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Shared Neural Circuits For Visuospatial Working Memory And Arithmetic In Children And Adults, Anna A. Matejko, Daniel Ansari

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

Visuospatial working memory (VSWM) plays an important role in arithmetic problem solving, and the relationship between these two skills is thought to change over development. Even though neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that VSWM and arithmetic both recruit frontoparietal networks, inferences about common neural substrates have largely been made by comparisons across studies. Little work has examined how brain activation for VSWM and arithmetic converge within the same participants and whether there are age-related changes in the overlap of these neural networks. In this study, we examined how brain activity for VSWM and arithmetic overlap in 38 children and 26 adults. …

“One Of The Most Elaborate Doping Ploys In Sports History”: The Impact Of The 2016 Russian Doping Scandal On Anti-Doping, Wada And Athletes’ Rights, Mikael J. Gonsalves

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This dissertation analyzes the impacts of the 2016 Russian doping scandal from a philosophical and historical perspective. This dissertation’s second chapter, the article entitled (1) “The Brave New World of Athletes’ Rights: A Canadian Perspective on Significant Shifts for the World Anti- Doping Agency” in time for the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) 20 th anniversary, puts into words the new investigative reality of contemporary anti-doping. It explains a new attitude of anti-doping authorities in response to the ‘game-changing’ Russian manipulation of samples, what has been described as “one of the most elaborate doping ploys in sports history” 1 (Icarus, 2016) …

Early Adversity And Positive Parenting: Predicting Executive Functioning In Children With Asd, Elizabeth A. Kuenzel

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are statistically more likely to experience early adversity; however, little is known about which types of adversity are most prevalent, the role of parenting as a protective factor, and how this early life stress impacts cognitive outcomes. We assessed adversity and parenting styles in 238 children (ASD=82) aged 6–16 years using parent report. Intellectual abilities were assessed using the WISC-V. Children with ASD had increased incidence of familial stressors compared to Typically Developing (TD) children. Positive parenting was associated with significant decreases in familial adversity for all children. Environmental stressors were associated with cognitive …

Heavy Metal Fundraisers: Entrepreneurial Recording Artists In Platform Capitalism, Jason Netherton

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Abstract

How do cultural producers square customary understandings of what it means to be authentic and autonomous creators in new contexts characterized by digital-era entrepreneurial pressures and online platform-mediated financial opportunities? This study examines how heavy metal recording artists experience these pressures; how some of them engage in platform-based crowdfunding, argue over its legitimacy, and rationalize varying degrees of acceptance and dependence. First, my analysis centers on a case study which follows the experiences of a progressive metal band as they navigate a new financial relation in conjunction first with the fundraising platform Pozible and then the patronage-based crowdfunding platform …

Three Essays On Individual And Household Responses To Information, Liquidity, And Policy Shocks, Brian C. Held

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This thesis consists of three empirical studies of heterogeneous individual and household behaviour in response to shocks that occur in the labour market and in the consumer marketplace. Chapter 2 contributes to the labour literature by examining the long-term effects of firings on subsequent labour market outcomes from an ability learning perspective. Chapter 3 contributes to the household savings and personal finance literature by studying how households navigate temporary liquidity shocks due to income disruption. Chapter 4 contributes to our understanding of online sales tax policy in the context of the rural-urban divide. In Chapter 2, I develop a search …

Exploring Effectiveness Of Implementation Of The Mindup Program Through Implementor Perspectives, Maria Jelic

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Developing feasible universal school-based programs that help children develop social and emotional competencies is crucial for the development of improved mental health in children, especially those who have been exposed to trauma. Educators need to be motivated to implement such programs with high quality so that intended outcomes are more likely to occur, but a variety of both internal and external factors can affect implementation. The present study explores these factors by inviting the perceptions of implementers and support staff who were involved in an SEL program called MindUP. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants, the interviews were transcribed …

U.S., Nato Afghanistan Withdrawal Impacts Counterterrorism Operations, Progress For Afghan Women, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

No abstract provided.

U.S., Nato Afghanistan Withdrawal Impacts Counterterrorism Operations, Progress For Afghan Women, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

This abstract discusses the abrupt decision by the United States and NATO allies to accelerate the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan by September 11th, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Framed as an effort to conclude America's longest war, the withdrawal reflects shifting priorities and challenges, including financial strains and global health concerns amid COVID-19. It examines the impact on Afghanistan's security landscape, the potential resurgence of the Taliban, and the plight of women and children in a country marked by ongoing conflict and instability. The abstract also explores geopolitical implications and the broader strategic recalibration within …

Nato Expansion Not The Answer As Ukraine Crisis Brews, But Nuclear Weapon Free Zones Needed, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

This abstract examines the escalating tensions between NATO, Ukraine, and Russia amidst accusations of aggressive behavior and militarization in Ukraine's eastern region. It explores NATO's cautious support for Ukraine, emphasizing diplomatic and military cooperation without committing to troop deployments or lethal assistance. The abstract highlights recent diplomatic interactions, including U.S. President Joe Biden's assurance of support and NATO's condemnation of Russia's actions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. It also discusses Canada's stance on nuclear disarmament, reflecting public sentiment and advocating for multilateral approaches to regional security challenges.

Exploring The Feasibility Of A Concurrent Mindful Awareness Program, M3, For Children In A Community Setting, Alyssa E. Mueller

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study explored the feasibility of the Making Mindfulness Matter (M3) program for children. M3 is a universal eight-week, concurrent parent and child mindfulness program implemented in a community setting. The M3 curriculum includes mindful awareness concepts, social emotional learning, neuroscience and positive psychology. Ninety-seven children between the ages of 3-10-years and their parents participated in the M3 program. Children completed a mindfulness knowledge questionnaire pre and post-intervention and their responses to prompting questions related to using the skills at home were recorded. Parents completed the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning pre and post-intervention to investigate the efficacy of …

The Socio-Political Shaping And Lived Consequences Of Involuntary Retirement For Women With Ms, Kristen A. Bishop

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) face a number of challenges negotiating and maintaining work, and are at risk for involuntary retirement and associated consequences. Few studies have positioned involuntary retirement and such consequences in socio-political contexts or examined their implications in women’s lives. This study critically examines the socio-political production and lived consequences of involuntary retirement for women with MS within the contemporary context of Southwestern Ontario. Employing critical narrative inquiry, informed by critical life course theory and disability studies perspectives with an intersectional lens, narratives of work and retirement were co-constructed with five women with MS who self-identified as …

Neoliberalism, Race And Empowerment: A Study Of Microenterprise Programs In Toronto And Los Angeles, Julie N. Young

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This dissertation focuses on microenterprise in Toronto and Los Angeles. Two related research objectives are pursued in this dissertation. The first and overarching question concerns empowerment. 1) To what extent do microfinance and microenterprise programs empower their clients? The second broad theme concerns neoliberalism. How is the experience of empowerment shaped by neoliberalism? To gain further insight, I consider the following questions. 2) What are the objectives, intended outcomes and structures of microenterprise programs? 3) Who are the key actors in the space and are there any patterns in relation to race, gender and class? 4) What role does structural …

Pollinator People: An Ethnography Of Bees, Bee Advocates And Possibilities For Multispecies Commoning In Toronto And London, On, Rebecca A. Ellis

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

There is growing scientific evidence showing that many important pollinator species are in decline around the world. Bees are the most important pollinators in many parts of the world, and the combination of population declines in wild bees and widespread health problems among domesticated honey bees have potentially devastating impacts on both ecosystem health and agricultural prospects. Some scientists, native bee advocates, and beekeepers argue that cities can provide a refuge for bees from pesticide-laden rural landscapes, which has contributed to an increase in urban, hobbyist beekeeping and pollinator gardening.

This dissertation employs a multispecies ethnography in two cities in …

The Consequences Of Denominational Typicality On Individual Political Attitudes, Michael W. Wagner, Amanda Friesen

Political Science Publications

No abstract provided.

Using Cognitive Dissonance To Encourage Covid-Preventive Behaviours, Xuanqiao Wang

Brescia Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

This study investigated whether a hypocrisy-based intervention would increase students’ intentions to engage in COVID-preventive behaviours. We hypothesized that participants in the hypocrisy-induction condition (experimental condition) would express higher levels of intention to engage in COVID-preventative behaviours than participants in whom hypocrisy has not been induced (control condition). The sample consisted of 2 male and 64 female undergraduate students at Brescia University College. An independent t-test was conducted on the intention rating scores of practicing COVID-preventative behaviours for the experimental and control conditions. It was found that there was no significant difference in the average intention rating score between the …

Classroom Social Connection And Academic Success In The Online Classroom During Covid-19, Marena Dib

Brescia Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

With the emergence of COVID-19, a shift towards online learning has become necessary. At Brescia University College, mandatory Psychology courses, which have previously only been provided in person, are now only offered online. The purpose of the current study is to characterize previous and current course experiences, and the current classroom learning community of Brescia psychology students as well as investigate how forced online learning impacts their achievement as measured by perceived learning, final grade, and course satisfaction. Participants completed an online survey, which assembled questions from various sources, including the Community of Inquiry Survey. It is hypothesized that students …

The Impact Of Locus Of Control, Norms, And Social Desirability On Substance Risk Perception, Rachel A. Turner

Brescia Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

Drug use among college students is common and can be associated with adverse effects. This study sought to identify how drug-related beliefs about risk and descriptive and injunctive social norms vary for a variety of legal, prescription, and illicit drugs. The relationship between these attitudes, locus of control and social desirability was also assessed. A sample of 58 female undergraduate students from a university in Ontario, Canada completed a web-based survey. Findings indicated no association between locus of control and any other measures apart from social desirability and descriptive marijuana norms, which were also associated. Although marijuana was perceived as …

Interactive Media And Problem-Solving Skills, Tiffany M. Atkinson

Brescia Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

This study investigated whether undergraduate students who have high video gaming experience would have increased problem-solving abilities compared to those who have moderate or low to no gaming experience. The sample consisted of twenty-two undergraduate students at Brescia University College. Participants completed one online questionnaire which consisted of three problem-solving tasks, a Problem-Solving Inventory (PSI), a Motivation for Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ), and gaming information questionnaire. The problem-solving tasks included numbers-based math problems, language-based anagram problems, and logic-based riddle problems. The results from a 3x3 ANOVA test found no statistically significant effect of video game experience on problem-solving skills. Though, there …

The Effect Of Individual Difference On The Continued Use Of False Information: Intelligence And Personality, Brandy F. Mcneil

Brescia Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

The current study aimed to assess whether individual differences in fluid intelligence, as measured by abstract reasoning, emotional intelligence, and the Big Five personality traits would predict susceptibility to the continued influence effect. A total of 29 undergraduate students at Brescia University College read a news story that contained both misinformation and a retraction and were then tested on that news story. Participants also completed three additional questionnaires measuring personality traits, emotional intelligence, and abstract reasoning. It was predicted that individuals with lower levels of fluid and emotional intelligence, as well as those who scored higher in neuroticism and extraversion …

Exploring Learner And Classroom Characteristics In The Online Classroom During Covid-19, Emily S. Sluys

Brescia Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

Given the novel learning context induced by COVID-19, the current study sought to characterize Brescia students’ reactions to forced online learning for mandatory courses. Importantly, this study aimed to address gaps in existing literature by combining more commonly studied reactions; Learned Helplessness and Mastery Orientation, and a less commonly studied reaction, Psychological Reactance and examine their relationship between multiple indicators of academic success including perceived learning, course satisfaction, and final course grade. Female students in second year mandatory psychology and sociology courses participated in the study by completing two online surveys administered via Qualtrics. The Early Course Survey measured demographics, …

Exploring Social Connections And Perceived Stress During Covid-19, Lily G. Mackenzie

Brescia Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

This study evaluated university students’ levels of overall social connectedness, social connectedness with various groups (family, friends, classmates, instructors, school community), and perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this study investigated whether there were associations between students’ overall social connectedness levels, levels of social connectedness with various groups, and perceived stress levels. Undergraduate students (n = 91) at a university in London, Ontario, completed a questionnaire comprising the Social Connectedness Scale, questions about social connections with particular groups, and the Perceived Stress Scale. A correlation analysis revealed a significant, negative correlation between overall social connectedness and perceived stress. Furthermore, …

The Impact Of Using Social Media To Understand The Pandemic: Does It Spread Conspiracy And Discourage Health-Protective Behaviours?, Kitara Patry

Brescia Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

This study investigates the interplay between social media use for COVID-19 related information, belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories, and the negative behaviours associated with these conspiracy theories that manifest in participants’ disregard of health-protective behaviours. Participants (N = 69) were recruited from an all-female undergraduate population and completed one online questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic information and experience with the pandemic. Questions about COVID-19 conspiracy theories and health-protective behaviours were adapted from Allington et al.’s (2020) research. A Pearson correlation analysis for using social media or traditional news as a main source of COVID-19 information was not significant with measures …

Athlete Coping Strategies Relating To Different Types Of Stressors, Michelle Loft

Brescia Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

Coping strategies used by varsity athletes connected to sports-related stressors have been studied but, what has yet to be determined is if the stressor type affects the coping strategies selected by these athletes. Participants consisted of 26 competitive athletes with injuries, 27 competitive athletes with other stressors, 12 non-competitive athletes with injuries, and 19 non-competitive athletes with other stressors. Instruments used to measure coping strategies, perception of stress, and athletic identity were the Brief Cope Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Athletic Identity Measurement Scale. Although hypothesized that competitive athletes with injuries would utilize unhealthy coping strategies more than other groups, …

Types Of Social Relationships And Their Effects On Psychological Well-Being, Alana A. Graham

Brescia Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

Research has already established the importance of social networks in developing and maintaining well-being. Furthermore, different types of social relationships have been found to influence individuals’ lives in unique ways. There is little understanding, however, of the manner in which relationship types compare in their effects on individuals’ psychological well-being. Using a correlational design, this study investigated the associations between relationship intimacy and psychological well-being. Relationship intimacy was measured for respondents’ parents, significant others, close friends, and pets. The surveys were distributed to 91 undergraduate students and combined the Miller Social Intimacy Scale (MSIS) and Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-being …

Place Attachment And Locus Of Control, Katherine Hudson

Brescia Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

This study investigated the association between place attachment and locus of control in students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, it examined how students’ attachments to Brescia University College and London, Ontario predicted internal versus external locus of control, the link between year of study and attachment to Brescia and London, and the correlation between students’ attachments to London and their hometown. A sample of 20 students completed questionnaires which measured attachment to Brescia, attachment to London, attachment to hometown, and locus of control. Brescia attachment and London attachment were not found to be significant predictors of locus of control and …

Adversity, Neurodevelopment, And Cognition In Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Alissa Papadopoulos

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Problem behaviours associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptomatology put children at increased risk of experiencing peer victimization, which has been associated with altered brain development and cognitive ability. A large sample of typically developing (TD), ADHD combined type (ADHD-C), and ADHD inattentive type (ADHD-I) children underwent behavioural assessment, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cognitive testing. We examined how problem behaviours and peer victimization differed among the groups, how problem behaviours and peer victimization related to hippocampal volume, and how hippocampal volume related to working memory (WM). The ADHD-C group displayed the highest levels of peer victimization and problem …

Neither Seen Nor Heard: Surviving Children Of Domestic Homicide, Alexis Winfield

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Domestic homicide is a critical human rights issue that continues to impact women, children, and families in Canada. Between 2010-2018, 662 individuals died as a result of domestic homicide, many of whom were mothers who left surviving children behind. This study examined the experiences of surviving children prior to, during, and in the aftermath of domestic homicide through quantitative and qualitative court and media document analyses. It was found that 136 children in Ontario experienced domestic homicide between 2010-2017. Domestic homicide impacted surviving children in all domains of functioning and was often associated with long-term adverse outcomes. Court documents revealed …

Psychotherapists’ Approaches To Transgender Affirmative Psychotherapy, Jordyn Banks

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This qualitative research study investigated how psychotherapists understand trans-affirmative psychotherapies and apply them to transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) populations in their practice. Additionally, this study aimed to gain a better understanding of how psychotherapists who work with these populations work with microaggressions should they occur in session with a TGNC client. Five Canadian psychotherapists were interviewed in-depth about their experiences and a qualitative content analysis revealed 5 themes: (1) the person-centered nature of trans-affirmative psychotherapy, (2) accessing the ability to repair the therapeutic relationship post-microaggression, (3) the role of shame, (4) the universality of trans-affirmative therapy, and (5) therapist …

Building Climate Resilient Communities: Living Within The Earth’S Carrying Capacity, Gordon Mcbean, Paul Kovacs, James Voogt, Greg Kopp, Sophie Guilbault

Geography & Environment Publications

This Knowledge Synthesis examines how Canadian communities can proactively advance climate resilience to effectively reduce the risk from climate change impacts.

Our synthesis reveals that some communities have prepared high level adaptation plans, but very few have a detailed implementation strategy with established funding frameworks. Most actions to build community resilience in Canada are unplanned and take place in recovery following an extreme loss event. Indigenous communities are at the forefront of climate change adaptation in Canada. Self-determination and adaptive capacity building through community-led risk assessments, planning, and disaster recovery organizations, while addressing the broader context of reconciliation gaps and …

The Validity Of The Test Of Memory Malingering (Tomm) With Deaf Individuals., Cathy J Chovaz, V Lynn Ashton Rennison, Dominica O Chorostecki

Psychology

OBJECTIVE: Administration of performance validity tests (PVT) during neuropsychological assessments is standard practice, with the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) being a commonly used measure. The TOMM has been well validated in hearing populations with various medical and psychiatric backgrounds. A major gap in the literature is the use of the TOMM amongst culturally Deaf individuals who use American Sign Language (ASL) as their first and preferred language. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of the TOMM with this population to determine if there may be differences related to the use of semantic knowledge and recall …