Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Prior And Interpolated Shock Exposures On Subsequent Escape/Avoidance Conditioning With Goldfish, Toshiyuki Kimbara

Masters Theses

The relationship between inescapable shocks and subsequent escape/avoidance learning was first deomonstrated by Overmier and Seligman (1967). They found that dogs exposed to inescapable electric shock, while restrained in a harness, later failed to learn to escape shock in a two way shuttle box where escape was possible. Ninety goldfish were randomly assigned to one of five groups (N=18 per group). Ninety fish were tested in a Lafayette Aquatic Unit A-660 type shuttle tank. There are four independent variables in this study. The first independent variable is the presence of prior inescapable shock. The second independent variable is the level …

An Exploratory Investigation Comparing Battered And Non-Battered Women Using The Hand Test, Debra A. Dalton

Masters Theses

The physical and mental abuse of women as wives and lovers is a largely unrecognized crime of violence just beginning to receive attention in the United States. The extent of wifebeating is difficult to determine since, although it occurs in every strata of society and every age group, it is underreported for a variety of reasons. The motives for wife abuse are complex. There are several social and psychological explanations that have been suggested as the underlying rationale for wifebeating. Psychological testing with battered women is rare and what testing that has been done has been limited to interviews and …

Internship With The Public Affairs Office, Illinois Arts Council, Ann Adele Dunn

Masters Theses

This paper reports on anticipated and actual experiences of an internship with the Public Affairs Office of the Illinois Arts Council. The internship, accompanied by this paper, was chosen in lieu of the traditional thesis to culminate the Master of Arts in Related Arts degree. In addition to the description, the paper includes a proposal for the internship, a daily log of internship activities, an appendix of the writings accomplished during the internship, and recommendations. The paper is 70 pages in length.

Being the first Related Arts graduate student to serve such an internship, it was inevitable that certain discrepancies …

Cross-Cultural Comparisons Of Sex-Attributes And Sex-Roles At Eastern Illinois University, Li-Hsing Chen

Masters Theses

Statement of the Problem:

The main purpose of this research is to compare the attitudes of graduate students, who came from different cultural backgrounds and were studying at Eastern Illinois University, toward sex-attributes and sex-roles. Meanwhile, sex, marital status, age, family's religious affiliation, educational major area, and length of time in the United States were included as considerable factors whict may influence their attitudes toward sex-attributes and sex-roles.

Procedures:

The materials of this survey include two parts. The first part is a letter written by the researcher and revised by her academic advisor and one nonacademic advisor, to all subjects. …

The Dependent Development Of Brazil: 1822-1980, Robin Guy-Michel Romans

Masters Theses

This thesis is an attmept to define the dependence contextual approach. This approach argues that national development is an international problem that should be studies from an international perspective. It also asserts that development and underdevelopment are functionally linked (i.e., the development of one nation may be a cause of the underdevelopment of another and vice versa).

This approach is utilized to examine the national development of Brazil since independence in 1822 to 1980. Dependence writers propose that Brazil’s national development can be categorized into three stages. Those are 1) the era of export economy (1822-1930); 2) the period of …

Sexual Harassment Of Working Women: An Exploratory Study, Cheryl Mcmichaels

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to empirically investigate the subject of sexual harassment. A total of 82 women were recruited from central Illinois to fill out a questionnaire on sexual harassment and the Assertiveness Inventory (Gambrill and Richey, 1975). An attempt was made to control the subjects for occupational levels. Their occupational levels ranged from physician to unskilled worker, and their educational levels ranged from a high school degree to an advanced degree. The women in this sample worked full-time, part-time, and did volunteer work.

All of the women filled out the Assertiveness Inventory, a 40-item self-report, (Gambrill and …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Life Events And Empathy, Catherine Ferme

Masters Theses

The study investigated the relationship between the occurrence of stressful events in people's lives and their empathy for other people. Subjects were 74 graduate and undergraduate psychology students at Eastern Illinois University. The subects viewed videotapes of persons describing stressful events such as academic problems, death of a relative or friend, divorce, et cetera. The subjects rated themselves on their empathy for each person. They then completed a questionnaire based on Holmes and Rahe's Social Readjustment Rating Scale. Subjects' empathy scores and life event scores were analyzed using Pearson r correlations. Results of the study confirmed the hypothesis that experienced …

Job Satisfaction And Attitudes Of Professional Autonomy Among Community Hospital Staff Nurses, Michael Thomas Quinn

Masters Theses

The rapid rate of specialization within the health care field has affected the practice of nursing by demanding increased autonomy and professional identification among nurses. Past research has demonstrated that nurses' attitudes relevant to autonomous functioning and professional identification differ with the occupational role and setting in which the nurse works, with community hospital staff nurses being less likely than other nurses to endorse professionalism or autonomous functioning. The research has also demonstrated that the job turnover rate among hospital staff nurses is extremely high and that a large proportion of this turnover rate is directly related to job dissatisfaction. …

A Feasibility Study On The Inception Of A Nine-Hole, Par Three Golf Course At Eastern Illinois University, William Derek Cunningham Hilton

Masters Theses

This study was designed to determine the feasibility of installing a nine-hole, par three golf course at Eastern Illinois University. An analysis of selected feasibility factors included a population and age distribution survey for Charleston and Coles County; a topographical survey of the proposed new golf course site; an inventory of existing area golf courses; and, a demand analysis to ascertain the need for a new golf course.

Census figures were used to estimate population and age distribution trends in Charleston and Coles County. The topographical survey was comprised mainly of a soil sample analysis of the proposed site. Selected …

The Politics Of Repression: Argentina, 1976-79, Nattasin Chongsanguan

Masters Theses

Argentina in 1976 was a place of unusual paradox. The government with more than 60% of the popular vote seemed to have crumbled to the ground with almost no backing from those who had put it into office. Its downfall was due to its inability to resolve the "national crisis" facing the nation.

On 24 March 1976, the military finally intervened via a coup d'etat. Under the new regime, violations of human rights have been reported and protests have been made by leading human rights movements. The military junta argues that its policies and course of actions are necessary for …

An Intercultural Comparison Of Instrumental And Terminal Value Preferences Of American And Chinese Students, Ferne M. Rogers

Masters Theses

Robert Oliver has said, "Mankind is separated less by language barriers (grievous though they are) than it is by cultural differences." One effect of this separation can be denial of the rich experiences available through expansion of cultural perspectives. More serious effects in a thermo-nuclear world can be repeated conflict, war, even annihilation. Hence, it is in the interest of all to find a way to co-exist. The means for doing this begins with understanding the cultures of others through communication.

The first step in intercultural communication is acceptance of the worth of other systems. There are barriers, however, to …

Preferences Of Students For The Hutchings "Low Stress" Compared To The Conventional Algorithm Under Conditions Of Differentially Increasing The Number Of Problems With And Without Reinforcement, Pamela G. Buitendorp Drew

Masters Theses

This study was an attempt to determine which computation procedure students would select under varying classroom conditions. It is a systematic replication of previous research by Gillespie (1976). Algorithm preferences of 14 third grade students, 10 high accuracy and four low accuracy on a math facts test, were investigated under conditions of differentially increasing the number of problems with and without reinforcement, Reversal designs were used. The students completed 4X5 array problems and chose which algorithm to use, but after choosing the same algorithm for three consecutive sessions, they were required to use the alternative algorithm the next session. Preference …

Citizen Advisory Committees: The Relationship Between Member Satisfaction And Committee Variables, Linda Kimmel Pifer

Masters Theses

The relationship between the satisfaction members of locally initiated citizen advisory committees have with their committees and the following types of independent variables were examined: (a) shortcomings of the committees; (b) external influences on the committees; (c) information available to the committees; (d) specific actions performed by the committees; and (e) personal characteristics of the members. The membership of eight citizen advisory committees in Kalamazoo, Michigan comprise the sample. A questionnaire was distributed to the members to collect information on the five groups of independent variables, member satisfaction with the committees, and socio-economic characteristics of the members. A satisfaction scale …

An Analysis Of The Role Of Reinforcement Magnitude In The Transfer Of Stimulus Control In A Receptive Discrimination Task, Beverly S. Adler

Masters Theses

The role of reinforcement magnitude in the transfer of stimulus control was analyzed using a delayed prompting procedure. A delay was gradually lengthened between the presentations of the relevant discriminative stimulus and an imitative prompt. During one condition, the contingencies of reinforcement were arranged such that the reinforcement available for anticipatory and prompt-controlled responses were equal. During another condition, responses which preceded delivery of the prompt were given more reinforcement than prompt-controlled responses. Two subjects were exposed to these conditions in the context of acquiring a series of receptive discrimination tasks. Results were inconclusive. Mean trials to criterion showed little …

The Effects Of A Transfer Of Stimulus Control Procedure, Probes, And Reinforcement On The Acquisition And Generalization Of An Intraverbal Repertoire, Steven John Braam

Masters Theses

A deaf, mentally-impaired youth was trained to emit intraverbal responses within the same response class to verbal stimuli which were presented in daily probe sessions (e.g., "food" evoked "apple", "bread","hot dog", etc.). Training consisted of a transfer of stimulus control procedure. If an incorrect response was made, the therapist would re-present the verbal training stimulus and immediately present a non-verbal prompt (picture) which evoked a verbal response. Since the transfer procedure was only Implemented contingent upon incorrect responding, it resulted in longer delays to trade-in for back-up reinforcers in sessions where mistakes were made. Correct responding Increased only as training …

Effects Of Withdrawing Diphenylhydantoin (Dilantin) On Matching To Sample Performance In Mentally Retarded Persons, Vicky June Davis

Masters Theses

The present study was designed to examine the effects of gradual DPH withdrawal on the matching to sample performance of three mentally retarded persons. The percentage of correct responses per session served as the dependent variable and the sample and comparison stimuli were red, green, and blue illumination of translucent response windows. The results showed that doses of diphenylhydantoin considerably lower than the suggested optimim therapeutic level can impair the performance of mentally retarded individuals on a simple discrimination task. As doses were reduced for each subject, there were increases in the percentage of correct responding with the highest percentage …

A Treatment Package To Improve Academic Performance, Lynn Daniel Larrow

Masters Theses

Six high school students volunteered to participate in a research project to improve their academic grades. Of these six subjects, it was found that subjects with low grade point averages (GPA) were the main beneficiaries of a behavior treatment package consisting of contingency contracting, graphing, and a self-management lecture. In addition, this study demonstrated that a contingency contract, employing a weekly consequence, and graphing can control an academic behavior, note taking. Finally, it was shown that a cost effective treatment package could produce GPA increases comparable to more expensive and time consuming treatments. It is hoped that the findings of …

Availability And Utilization Of Student/Personnel Services For Academic And Personal Development At Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Verlyn R. Knowles

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Development And Application Of Service Management By Objectives Within One Program Of One Division Of A Michigan Intermediate School District, James Harper Kaye

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Changing Appointment Making Procedures On Increasing The Number Of Initial Appointments Kept At A Family Planning Agency, Carla A. Jones

Masters Theses

The procedures for making initial client appointments at a family planning clinic were manipulated to increase the number of kept appointments. Receptionists and counselors made appointments on the two appointment forms used. Questions on the appointment sheet varied depending on the age of the caller. The 1,432 women participating in the study were placed into three groups (a) 19 years of age and under (b) 20 to 30 years of age and (c) 31 years of age and over. The results showed that the occupation of the person making the appointment at the agency did not affect the number of …

An Analysis Of The Faunal Remains From The Schwerdt Site, A Late Prehistoric Encampment In Allegan County, Michigan, Michael J. Higgins

Masters Theses

Analysis of faunal remains from the Schwerdt site, a fifteenth century encampment on the Kalamazoo River, reveals a temporary late spring occupation with an exploitative strategy aimed primarily at the spawning sturgeon. The position of Schwerdt in a larger subsistence/ settlement system is examined through comparisons with other contemporaneous sites in the southeastern Lake Michigan region. Changes in subsistence strategies on the northern periphery of effective maize agriculture.

Teaching Self-Protective Behaviors To Preschool Children Using A Videotape Training Program, Paul James Yoder

Masters Theses

This study investigated the effectiveness of a videotape training program to teach self-protective skills to preschool children. Children were taught to say, "I have to ask my teacher/parent," and to run to their teacher/parent when presented with one of two lures commonly used by child molesters. The videotape incorporated the direct instructional techniques of active pupil responding; the model, lead, and test format; and use of minimally different stimuli to teach children to discriminate between correct and incorrect responses. The results showed that although none of the subjects showed any improvement in responding after only one viewing, five of the …

The Effects Of Cumulative Review In An Interspersal Procedure On The Acquisition And Retention Of Sight Words, Kathleen M. Wright

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The 1973 Oil Embargo Arab Oil Diplomacy, Amal Mustafa Shamma

Masters Theses

The Arab oil producing countries, following years of a stalemate in the Arab-Israeli dispute,- decided to put their oil resource in the service of the Arab cause using it as an instrument of pressure against the West. Their objective was to induce a change in the Western world Middle East policy and to work toward achieving a lasting and peaceful solution for the Arab-Israeli problem.

The purpose of this thesis is to show that the application of Arab oil diplomacy has been effective into producing a more even handed policy in the area, and into breaking the deadlock in the …

The Development And Validation Of Concept Programmed Materials Based On A Direct Instruction Model, Curt E. Lalonde

Masters Theses

The experiment validated a set of instructional materials designed to teach behavioral concepts. Twenty-two subjects matched on the basis of their scores on a pretest covering these concepts comprised the experimental and control groups. Following a pretest, subjects in these two groups completed both sets of materials. After exposure to the instructional materials, they took an alternate-form posttest on the same concepts. Gain scores on the posttest were significantly higher (p<.05, means = .91, -.55) for subjects who completed the experimental materials than for the subjects who completed the control materials, materials contained sequences of examples and nonexamples of the behavioral concepts which were designed to maximize learned of those concepts.

An Assessment Of Anthropology In The Elementary Social Studies Curriculum In Tennessee, Denise Shannon Woodhall Wilkinson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which anthropology is presently included in public elementary schools in Tennessee and to identify factors which tend to favor or disfavor its inclusion. Six factors were proposed as being likely influences determining whether or not anthropology is taught in Tennessee's public elementary schools. A questionnaire was devised in relation to these six factors and was sent to 302 randomly selected elementary schools across the state.

Of the 302 questionnaires which were sent, 163 (54%) were returned and analyzed. It was determined that 62% of those teachers in the sample …

The Effects Of A Lottery On Completion Of Medical Records By Physicians, Richard William Beers

Masters Theses

Completion of hospital medical records by physicians is a frequent problem to hospital administrations. A performance based lottery was used to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing the number of medical records which were unfinished and considered delinquent. Thirty-three male physicians were included in this study. Physicians earned or lost lottery chances in weekly drawings for a dinner at a restaurant or gift certificate to a local store. Results show an immediate increase in rate of record completion which declines over the course of the eight week experimental condition. Age of records were inversely correlated to the rate of completion. The …

An Examination Of Certain Factors Which Contributed To The Separation Of Central America From Spain: 1808-1821, John R. Permesang

Masters Theses

The separation of Central America from Spain in 1321 was, unlike other similar occurrences, a peaceful event. This thesis, after presenting an historical overview, narrates certain happenings in the area during the thirteen years prior to the gaining of political independence. Commencing with the Napoleonic invasion of Spain in 1808, this thesis places special emphasis on political changes in the Spanish Empire which were brought about through the adoption of a liberal Spanish constitution in 1812. In Central America the new measures were opposed by a recently appointed Captain-General who effectively frustrated any creole ambitions towards having an enlightened government. …

Self-Protective Behavior: Acquisition And Generalization Of Preschool Children's Responses To Strangers, Pamela K. Kies

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Establishing Verbal Behavior: The Effects Of Using Establishing Operations And Imitative Prompts To Teach Mands To Two Non-Verbal Elderly Retarded Persons, Terry Steven Bradford

Masters Theses

The present study tested a procedure to establish vocal mands in a 47- year-old non-verbal male with Down's syndrome and manually signed mands in a 64-year-old severely retarded female who was physically incapable of speech. In a multiple baseline design across subjects and settings, subjects were taught to complete four behavioral sequences. An establishing operation was then introduced: an item required to complete each sequence was systematically removed once as a probe for manding. Following this, relevant establishing operations were paired with imitative prompts to train manding missing items. Following mastery of a ll mands during booster training, subjects were …