Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Power And Dependency In Close Heterosexual Relationships: A Test Of An Exchange Theory Hypothesis, Gregory L. Sanders

Masters Theses

Ninety-nine heterosexual couples were surveyed to test the exchange theory hypothesis that interpersonal power and relative dependency are inversely related in dyadic relationships. Controlling for gender, this hypothesis was examined through a path analysis for each of six groups: the overall population, dating couples, engaged couples, cohabiting couples, married couples, and couples treated as a single unit. Results indicate that males are reported as relatively more powerful than females, and this gender effect is found to increase with the permanence of the relationship. Relative dependency has effects on power which also vary according to the type of relationship. Self-reported "subjective …

A Comparison Of Retail Sales Performance Under Individual And Group Quota Systems, Karen Beth Bishop

Masters Theses

The research goal of this study was to determine if changing from an individual to a group quota system changed variability in sales performance. Data were collected within three branches of the company. Within subject and within group variances were calculated using salesclerk's sales figures. Three months of 1986 represented individual quota figures, while the same three months of 1987 represented group quota figures. Results of the within group variance found two departments had a variance decrease and one department had a variance increase. Cumulative sales for both systems found decreases in sales using the group quota system for two …

The Evolution Of Turkey's Foreign Policy: The Truman Doctrine And Turkey's Entry Into Nato, Sinan Toprak

Masters Theses

This thesis examines the historical development of Turkey's foreign policy up to the period immediately following World War II, and its decision to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The study begins with a survey of Turkey's geopolitical importance. The narrative highlights political conditions from the Ottoman period to the years following World War II. Domestic political developments, as well as foreign relations of Turkey in the Republican period, are analyzed.

Turkey's current foreign policy was established during the initial years following World War II. The thesis discusses the reasons for the shift in Turkey's foreign policy, from peaceful …

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 …

Sex Determination Of Fragmentary Crania By Analysis Of The Cranial Base: Applications For Study Of An Arikara Skeletal Sample, Margaret M. Williams

Masters Theses

A total of 175 adult human crania from an Arikara Indian skeletal sample are used in this evaluation of a discriminant function analysis for determining the sex of fragmentary crania. The method used was developed by Holland (1986b) and employs nine cranial base measurements. Only crania with associated innominates are used for development of the discriminant functions and a total of 26 crania without innominates are used as a test sample.

A test of measurement error indicates an average of 17.5% of variation due to measurement error for all measurements except the Distance between Foramina (DF). Data from the DF …

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.

Premeditated Deceit: The Atomic Energy Commission Against Joseph August Sauter, Clifford T. Honicker

Masters Theses

About 130 miles northwest of Minneapolis, lies the farming community of Farwell, Minnesota (pop. 103). This is the case of Joe Sauter, a sheep farmer who in 1958 filed a claim against the Atomic Energy Commission for loss of livestock, damage to trees, and personal injuries that he believed were the result of radioactive fallout. This case will detail the efforts of the AEC to cut short the claim of radiation injury by suppressing key radiological data which would have substantiated Sauter's claim and proved damaging to the AEC.

Officials within the AEC knowingly and willfully made false statements and …

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 …

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.

Socioeconomic Variability In Federal Period Overhill Cherokee Archaeological Assemblages, Brett High Riggs

Masters Theses

During the early nineteenth century, Cherokee society rapidly evolved from its traditional state of social and economic homogeneity into a state of marked socioeconomic heterogeneity, This transformation is attributable to differential acculturation of Anglo-American economic strategies, material culture, and ideologies by various sectors of Cherokee society. Such socioeconomic heterogeneity is expected to be manifested in the archaeological record by a high degree of intercontextual variability in Federal Period Cherokee assemblages, contrasting with low levels of variability in Colonial Period Cherokee assemblages. This proposition is addressed in this study through comparative analysis of 13 Federal Period Cherokee assemblages, two Federal Period …

An Archaeological Survey Of Big Bone Cave, Tennessee And Diachronic Patterns Of Cave Utilization In The Eastern Woodlands, George Martin Crothers

Masters Theses

An archaeological survey of Big Bone Cave, Tennessee was conducted by the author from August 1984 to August 1985. Results of the survey indicate that while numerous historic activities, particularly the mining of saltpetre, have disturbed prehistoric deposits in the cave, evidence of aboriginal use of the cave remains intact. The nature of prehistoric remains, their context, and the radiocarbon dated period of activity are used as evidence to support the interpretation that extensive mining of selenite gypsum occurred in the cave, primarily during the Early Woodland period.

The radiocarbon age chronology from Big Bone and other similar cave sites …

The Effects Of Kinship On Land Transfer: A Study Of Settlement On The Cumberland Plateau Of Kentucky And Tennessee, Jeffrey W. Gardner

Masters Theses

This thesis examines specific aspects of nineteenth century Euroamerican settlement on the Cumberland Plateau of Kentucky and Tennessee. Primary historical documents i.e. county deed records, are used as the principal data source in a study of the effects of kin relationship on the process of land transfer. Blevins family property transfers, recorded between 1800 and 1910 in Wayne County, Kentucky and Scott County, Tennessee are examined systematically to: 1) test previous ethnographic and ethnohistoric empahses placed on kinship as a primary settlement determinant and the principal basis for local group solidarity; and 2) demonstrate the utility of deed record information …

The Wall Of Anxiety: Moderating Variables Of Empathy In Romantic Relationships, H. Alan Oathout

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Norm-Referenced, Traditional, And Computer-Assisted Language Assessments, Michel P. Helmke

Masters Theses

Current literature in the field of communication disorders suggests that traditional norm-referenced tests may yield erroneous or misleading information regarding a child's level of language acquisition. Additional research suggests that the most valid and reliable technique for determining a client's level of linguistic expertise is language sampling and analysis. Language sampling and analysis has traditionally been rejected as a means of evaluation, especially for the school-age child, due to the length of time necessary to complete such analyses. In recent years, language sampling and analysis techniques have been redesigned as computer software application programs. Computer software application programs may significantly …

Effectiveness Of A Video Recorded Ocean Scene Technique As A Relaxation Therapy, David M. Ford

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a video recorded ocean scene as a relaxation technique by comparing it with an established method, progressive relaxation training (Jacobson, 1938) on their ability to affect the following physiological measurements: systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.

Thirty female elementary school teachers participated in this study and were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: Video Recorded Ocean Scene Group, Progressive Relaxation Training Group, and Self Directed Relaxation Group (used as control). The general protocol for each treatment group consisted of a forty minute session with …

Family Problems In The Background Of Mental Health Professionals, Linda Elaine Mccarter

Masters Theses

It has been proposed by some that students choose to study in mental health related fields in an effort to find solutions for their own personal emotional or family problems. Some believe that those who assumed or were assigned a family role of the good or parentified child (a role which requires that the needs of others be placed ahead of one's own) are over-represented among mental health professionals. Others contend that there are no significant differences in family background between psychotherapists and other individuals with a similar level of education. Little empirical investigation has addressed these issues. Studies which …

Emergent Leadership In A Classroom Situation: As Affected By Birth Order, Gender, Age, And Parental Marital Status, Mary Christine Foley

Masters Theses

This thesis studied leadership with the variables of birth order, parental marital status, age, and gender in mind. Four hypotheses were developed around each of those variables. Other areas that were developed included a review of the literature concerning birth order and birth order characteristic tendencies; parental marital status and its effect of children; and general leadership principles. The results obtained from the experiment proved nonsignificant in all four hypotheses. A survey was also given to the subjects to assess their attitudes on leadership characteristics.

Personal, Professional, And Educational Characteristics Of Illinois Women Superintendents In 1987, Joyce Simpson Kaufman

Masters Theses

This study reviewed the personal, professional, and educational characteristics of the Illinois women superintendents in 1987. A questionnaire was mailed to the twenty-two women superintendents. Eighteen of them replied.

The three specific problems addressed by the study were:

1. What are the personal, professional, and educational characteristics of Illinois women superintendents in 1987?

2. What are the special problems encountered by women superintendents?

3. What advice do the present women superintendents in Illinois offer to women aspiring to become superintendents?

The responses were based on the perceptions of the eighteen women superintendents who replied. The questionnaire results were reported in …

Perceptions Of Leaders And Non-Leaders On The Role Of Leadership And Leadership Training, Janice A. Holobowski

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare leader and non-leader attitudes regarding leadership training. This study states that there is significant differences among industry leaders, student leaders, and non-leaders with regard to the attitudes reflecting leadership and leadership training. A survey comprised of Likert scales, Likert-type scales, and open-ended questions was used to collect data. This data showed there was a significant difference in the expressed opinions of each group. The following conclusions were drawn: Industry and student leaders felt training was necessary to produce effective leaders; whereas, non-leaders seemed to remain neutral. Student leaders and non-leaders felt strongly …

How Revolutionary Was The American Revolutionary War?: An Examination And Analysis Of Two Schools Of Thought And The Causes And Political Impetus Behind The American Revolution, James R. Decker

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

School-Centered And Individual-Centered Benefits Derived From A Selected Secondary Level Intramural Program, Glenna Kathleen Lewis

Masters Theses

An analysis of student perceptions regarding the following research questions constituted the basis of this study: (1) To what extent does an intramural program attract the lost athlete? (2) What school-centered benefits were derived from an intramural program and to what extent? (3) What individual-centered benefits were derived from an intramural program and to what extent? The North High School (NHS) Intramural Program in Downers Grove, Illinois was selected as the basis for this study. Surveys with instructions for distribution only to intramural participants were completed by freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Data revealed the lost athlete was attracted to …

Peyote And Peyotism, Brian P. Akers

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to provide a general comparative discussion of the native use of peyote, past and present.

Historic sources and ethnographic accounts are reviewed in light of relevant botanical, pharmacological, and ethnological considerations.

A Time-Management Procedure For Helping Graduate Students Accomplish Academic Tasks, Yousef Abdulwahab Abuhmaidan

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of time-management and a task checklist on task completion, the amount of study time and students' grade point average (GPA). A package consisting of a time-management calendar and a task checklist was provided to five Jordanian students. A multiple-baseline across subjects design was used. Individual weekly meetings were conducted to assess the progress of the students on the use of the time-management calendar and task checklist. Students were asked to bring proof of accomplishments for the completed tasks. During the study the completion of tasks went from 64.6% to 92.2% …

Effects Of Cued Intertrial Intervals On Response Latency In Pigeons, Franklin Paul Whitley

Masters Theses

Six White Carneaux pigeons were exposed to fixed-ratio schedule components in a systematic replication of a study by Michael et al. (1981). Separation between median latencies for the two schedule components was demonstrated consistently, reproducing the general features of that research. In a subsequent manipulation, differential stimulus conditions were introduced into the intertrial intervals preceding onset of schedule components in an effort to enhance the likelihood that differential "waiting behaviors" would develop. Two subjects demonstrated a clear decrease in the magnitude of the latency splits following introduction of the cued ITI condition, while other subjects evidenced a similar but less …