Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Front Matter

Modern Psychological Studies

No abstract provided.

Gender Ratio And Stereotype Threat In An Academic Setting, Theodore T. Bartholomew

Modern Psychological Studies

The study focused on the impact of stereotype threat effectiveness and gender differences in political knowledge. Sex ratio was manipulated to create conditions in which women significantly outnumbered men, similar to the overall gender ratio of women to men at Creighton University. Seventy-seven participants, 52 female and 25 male, were randomly assigned into two conditions, both of which prompted stereotype threat but differed in the gender ratio. One condition was 75% women to 25% men and the other was an equal gender ratio. The participants were given a ten question quiz of political knowledge followed by a short series of …

Verbal Abuse In Married Versus Non-Married Couples: The Relationship Between Perception Of Acceptability And Experience, Po Wa Wong, Brigitte K. Matthies

Modern Psychological Studies

Verbal abuse can lead to physical abuse if it is not recognized, or is tolerated in one's partner. Participant's perception of the acceptability of verbal abuse (PAVA) was compared to the level of verbal abuse in their own relationship (Conflict Tactics Scales-II). PAVA had a weak positive relationship with the actual occurrence of verbal abuse. PAVA and levels of verbal abuse were highest in very new and more established relationships regardless of relationship status. Males were more accepting of verbal abuse, and reported it less in their relationships. Finally, African American, Hispanic American and Asian American participants reported lower levels …

When Counting Sheep Becomes Counting Worries: Insomnia, Rumination, And Depression, Huiting Lui, Partrick Rich, Emily Maurer, Shivani Santoki

Modern Psychological Studies

Previous studies have examined how both external and internal factors are related to sleep disorders. Internal factors such as depression have been linked to insomnia and other sleep disorders. The current study examines the relationship between rumination, insomnia, and depression. The study also examines how sleep rumination, the act of persistently worrying about how much sleep one is getting, might affect the relationship between insomnia and depression. In the results, depression was strongly correlated with rumination (r = .635, p < .001). Though there was no correlation between sleep rumination and depression, there was a significant correlation between depression and sleep discrepancy, the difference between the amount of sleep and the amount of sleep desired (r = .51, p < .001). This finding suggests that more research should be conducted on sleep discrepancy to see how it may relate to other disorders and psychological concepts.

Ageism And Psychological Well-Being In Older Adults, Jenny Denver

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Despite being faced with difficulties such as declining physical health and negative stereotypes, older adults are often able to maintain a positive sense of well-being in the face of such challenges (Mroczek & Kolarz, 1998). This finding is known as the paradox of well-being. The present study examined this phenomenon as it relates to the experience of ageism, reactions to aging as interpreted through identity process theory, and psychological well-being. The study is an exploratory examination of these factors in a sample of 137 community-dwelling older adults. It was hypothesized that 1) a greater experience of ageism would be associated …

Artisanal Whaling In The Atlantic: A Comparative Study Of Culture, Conflict, And Conservation In St. Vincent And The Faroe Islands, Russell Fielding

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Whalers from the Caribbean island of St. Vincent and the North Atlantic archipelago of the Faroe Islands hunt pilot whales and a variety of other small cetaceans for food. Vincentian whalers use harpoons, thrown by hand or fired from a modified shotgun mounted on the boat. Faroese whalers, using several dozen boats, work cooperatively to drive an entire pod of whales ashore, where shore-based whalers are waiting to complete the kill with traditional whaling knives. Vincentian whaling traces its origins to the late nineteenth century. Records of Faroese whaling date to the late sixteenth century but the practice is thought …

Individual Differences And Memory Aging Concerns Of Older Adults, Emily Olinde Boudreaux

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The present research was designed to address two issues with respect to the self-reported memory functioning of older adults. The first issue concerns older adults’ practical memory concerns, defined as self-appraisals of one’s own memory that include worries, apprehension, and fears about aging that relate to memory. We used a mixed method approach in this study to provide a comprehensive assessment of self-reported memory functioning based on quantitative (the Memory Functioning Questionnaire, the Memory Controllability Inventory) and qualitative (the Practical Memory Concerns survey) indicators. The second issue concerns the contribution of individual difference to older adults’ self-perceived memory functioning. The …

Traditionalism And Temporal Variance In Predictors Of Gendered Homicide, 1970-2000, Julia Maria D'Antonio-Del Rio

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

During the second half of the 20th century, changes in gender relations and equality have led to substantial shifts in many aspects of American life. As one feature of society, the relationship between social structure and crime has also changed with the shift from traditional to nontraditional views of gendered interaction. In particular, what were once thought to be invariant structural predictors of homicide may, in fact, have varying explanatory power over time; in particular, measurements of disadvantage and population structure may not equally affect men and women between 1970 and 2000. Therefore, the present study posits a transformation in …

Maladies Of Modernity: Scientism In Politics, David Nathan Whitney

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores the complex relationship between science and politics. More specifically, it focuses on the problem of scientism. Features of scientism include the dogmatic faith in the methods of the natural sciences (and the accompanying assumption that those methods can be successfully imported into the social sciences), a materialistic worldview, the rejection of the bios theoretikos, the prohibition of philosophical questions, and an emphasis on immanent fulfillment through the power of science. I seek to demonstrate that scientism is intellectually impoverishing and politically dangerous. Given the lack of full-length studies on the subject, I trace the development of scientism …

Social And Family Support For Individuals With Mental Illness, Beth Filzen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Though the patient remains the primary focus throughout the hospital stay, family members of the patient play a crucial role in the patient’s healing process and in helping them to maintain independent living in the community following a hospital stay.

The purpose of this project is to provide family members of individuals hospitalized with information regarding mental illness that is concise and easy to understand. The information will also include resources and supports for family members as they continue to support their loved one.

A Meta-Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Sex Offender Residential Restrictions To Recidivism, Cheryl Kack

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to review the empirical research studies pertaining to the enactment of sex offender residency restrictions and its impact on recidivism. The intended purpose for residency restrictions is to limit the distance an offender can reside in proximity to schools, parks, playgrounds and daycare facilities. These residency restrictions were implemented as a safe guard to prevent sex offenders from residing in close proximity to where children typically gather (Chajewski & Mercado, 2009; During, 2006; Melroy, Miller & Curtis, 2008; Mercado, Alvarez & Levenson, 2008; Zgoba, Levenson & McKee, 2009). There has been a limited number …

Stigma Reduction Techniques/Campaigns For Practitioners In A Rural Community Mental Health Practice, Becky Mensing

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to systematically review the literature on the negative effects of stigma on the therapy seeking clients of rural mental health centers. Also to provide information on anti-stigma campaign efforts. The goal of anti-stigma programs are to create awareness about how stigma affects people with mental illnesses, and to have participants develop a sense of what it means to walk in the shoes of a person with mental illness (Corrigan, 2004, p. 19). The research question was how do we help people from being victimized by the prejudice and discrimination that arises from stigma?

Assessing Gaps In Services For Geriatric Patients With Mental Health Needs, Angela Nelson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Older adults in southwest Minnesota have limited options regarding mental health services. Sanford Tracy Medical Center and Sanford Westbrook Medical Center sought to identify the needs of this population so they can better serve their patients. The following research questions were asked: Do local service providers feel gaps in services exist for older adults experiencing mental health needs in the rural southwestern Minnesota communities of Tracy and Westbrook and the surrounding areas? Do area service providers feel that geriatric patients would benefit from a mental health intervention implemented within the primary healthcare setting? A survey of area geriatric service providers …

Defining Exemplary Children's Mental Health Services In Minnesota's Rural Communities, Melanie Wurtzberger

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Research shows that children’s mental health services in rural areas are not likely to meet all the qualities to be determined ‘exemplary’ with regards to diverse groups and at-risk populations due to: limited community resources, decreased funding and reimbursement rates, geographic distance from consumers, lack of collaborations from primary care physicians, and sparse number of adequately trained mental health (Fenell & Hovestadt, 2005; Gamm, Stone & Pittman, 2003; Moore et al., 2005; Powell & Dunlap, 2005) The purpose of the research was to define exemplary services as it applies to rural county children’s mental health services so as to assist …

A Proposal For Early Impact, Persistent, And Cost-Effective Job Creation Policies, Timothy J. Bartik

Employment Research Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Integrating Education, Evaluation & Partnerships Into Large-Scale Sustainable Stormwater Management Programs, Vivek Shandas, Anne Nelson, Carine Arendes

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

Integrated stormwater management using green infrastructure shows promise in saving money and mitigating environmental impacts caused by urban development. Equally important are the potential community benefits, including better understanding of ecological systems, increased access to urban green spaces, safer and healthier neighborhoods, and informed residents that are equipped to take action to improve watershed health. As a partnership between the City of Portland Environmental Services, Portland State University, and residents of the Tabor to the River (T2R) neighborhood, we conducted a survey to understand the role of civic ecology in green infrastructure projects. The survey results indicate a high interest …

Brew To Bikes: Portland's Artisan Economy, Charles H. Heying

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

Brew to Bikes: Portland's Artisan Economy explains how post-industrial economic transformations have created a space for artisan enterprises to flourish. Dissatisfied with passive consumption, many residents of Portland, OR take matters into their own hands. Associate Professor of Urban Studies Charles Heying noticed these local artisans prospering all over the city and set out to study their thriving economy. Profiling hundreds of local businesses, and with an eye on Portland's unique penchant for sustainability and urban development, Brew to Bikes is about everything from bike manufacturers to microbreweries, from do-it-yourself to traditional crafts. A treatise to local, ethical business practices, …

The Winners In China’S Urban Housing Reform, John R. Logan, Yiping Fang, Zhanxin Zhang

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

Housing reform in China has proceeded on two tracks: privatization of public housing and development of a new private housing sector. During this period of transition, rents have remained relatively low in the remaining public housing, and purchase prices offered to occupants of public housing have been well below market prices. Although these rents and prices are partly based on known formulas, there is considerable variability in how much people pay for similar apartments. This study uses 2000 Census data to estimate the housing subsidy received by the remaining renters in the public sector and purchasers of public housing, based …

What’S Missing In Theories Of The Residential Energy User, Mithra Moezzi, Loren Lutzenhiser

Center for Urban Studies Publications and Reports

Residential energy use has been envisioned in varied ways, each highlighting different factors and capturing a partial truth. This paper outlines assumptions of core theories about household energy use. It gives an abbreviated list of major empirical findings framed by these theories. It then identifies a new set of "blind spots" created by overly-simple reliance on models and by data shortcomings that in combination may block development of a more sophisticated understanding of energy use. Policies and program strategies, in turn, can become oriented toward simplistic approaches to change. We point to the need for improved interpretation and elaboration of …

Sticky Points In Modeling Household Energy Consumption, Loren Lutzenhiser, Mithra Moezzi, David Hungerford, Rafael Friedmann

Center for Urban Studies Publications and Reports

A variety of approaches have been proposed to explaining individual household energy consumption, its variation, and its potential reduction. Some focus on technology, some on costs, and some on a combination of behaviors, attitudes, intentions, and norms. All try to make sense of a problem that, from a modeling perspective, involves hundreds of potentially important factors, yet is supported by highly inadequate or at best selective data. While there is value in "doing the best one can" with the resources at hand, building a defensible science requires a cold hard look at the quality of theory, research and data. This …

Using Mathematics As A Gateway To Literacy For English Language Learners, Krista Hemphill

Honors Program Theses

One teaching approach that alleviates language barriers involves teachers using what students know and can do to develop students‟ understanding of and ability in another area. Thus, 2 teachers can promote ELLs‟ literacy development by integrating knowledge and skills ELLs have from another subject area into their literacy instruction. Specifically, teachers can integrate mathematics into literacy instruction because research suggests that ELLs often understand and successfully carry out mathematical tasks. For example, Gunning (2003) points out that ELLs tend to perform well on mathematical computations. The universality of mathematical symbols seems to promote ELLs‟ understanding of mathematics instruction although lessons …

Optimizing Pdf Searchability With Google, Barbara West, Pat Newcombe, Steve Bobowicz

Faculty Scholarship

The Authors recount how they optimized pdf searchability of faculty scholarship on Digital Commons--an institutional repository. They used Adobe Professional to ensure the PDFs were searchable via the full text.

Expatriatism: The Theory And Practice Of Open Borders, Chandran Kukathas

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Every day, large numbers of people cross borders that separate one political jurisdiction from another. Most do so legally, though many break the law in changing jurisdictions. Many more do not cross borders, because they dare not break the law or cannot cross undetected-sometimes because they are denied permission to leave one jurisdiction, and other times because they are prohibited from entering another. Some cross borders fully aware that they are leaving one defined space and entering another, while others have no idea that anything has changed or that the imaginary lines that define distinct regions exist even in the …

Mate Selection, Margaret J. Cason, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife"—so wrote Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice. From classic literature to contemporary screenplays, from the latest celebrity news to office gossip, it is nearly impossible to escape the pervasive topic of romantic relationships. Indeed, the pursuit of mates consumes a significant portion of our time and energy, and for good reason—mates give us companionship, pleasure, comfort, security, and even health benefits. As we discuss in this article, there are two major theoretical perspectives for understanding mate selection. …

The Pacto De Sangre In The Late Nineteenth-Century Nationalist Emplotment Of Philippine History, Filomeno V. Aguilar Jr

History Department Faculty Publications

The Pacto de Sangre (Blood Compact), despite its crucial significance in Filipino conceptions of history, is seldom interrogated in Philippine historiography. The event that happened in Bohol in 1565, involving Sikatuna and Legazpi, was narrativized in the late nineteenth century and became integral to the nationalist emplotment of the past. However, the two principal narrative strands of Marcelo del Pilar and Andres Bonifacio differed owing to divergent political projects. This article revisits the making of a founding myth of Filipino nationhood in light of scholarship on ancient blood oaths and the historical account of the encounter of Sikatuna and Legazpi.

The Relationship Between Intensity Of Involvement And Community Service Engagement In The Moral Development Of Student Members Of Greek Organizations, Franklin Hadley Phillips

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Anime In America, Disney In Japan: The Global Exchange Of Popular Media Visualized Through Disney's "Stitch", Nicolette Lucinda Pisha

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Federal Recognition Politics And Collaborative Archaeologists: The Need For A Cultural Consensus, Alexandra Grace Martin

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Heavy Metal Archaeology: A N Examination Of Lead's Significance For The Interpretation Of Archaeological Bone, Peter Andrew Regan

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

From Sight To Site To Website: Travel-Writing, Tourism And The American Experience In Haiti, 1900-2008, Landon Cole Yarrington

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.