Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Impact Of Sleep Restriction (Nap Deprivation) On Preschool Children's (Aged 3-5) Emotional Response, Hui-Ya Gail Han

Dissertations

This study examined the effect of nap restriction on 3- to 5-year-old habitually napping children’s emotional responding. It was predicted that the intensity of emotional stimuli would moderate the relationship between nap restriction and the magnitude of emotional responding. Specifically, following nap restriction, the emotional responses to stronger stimuli would be amplified, while the emotional responses to weaker stimuli would be reduced. Emotional stimuli, were classified into four categories: strong negative, weak negative, weak positive, and strong positive. Facial electromyography was measured to reflect preschoolers’ emotional responses. The results indicated emotional responses to both strong negative and positive stimuli were …

The Effects Of Function-Based Antecedent And Consequent Interventions For Increasing Appropriate Behavior And Decreasing Disruptive Behavior Of Preschool Students In The School Setting, Jonna Halphen Von Schulz

Dissertations

The Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) literature suggests that functionbased interventions are effective at improving problem behavior for individuals in a variety of settings. However, the FBA literature is limited in the number of studies that examine the relative effectiveness of function-based antecedent and consequent interventions for reducing problem behavior and increasing appropriate replacement behaviors. Additionally, while there has been a recent increase in the number of studies conducted in the school setting, only a limited number of studies include children in the preschool setting. The purpose of the present study was to extend the literature by examining the relative effectiveness …

Hardiness, Social Support, Parental Stress, And Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms In Recent Service Members, Victoria Jane Tomassetti-Long

Dissertations

Previous research has demonstrated a link between PTSD symptomatology (PTSS) and parenting stress in veterans. As the literature on veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is increasing, there has been a call to identify variables which may contribute to positive outcomes in these service members (e.g., Cornum, Matthews, & Seligman, 2011). Hardiness is a personality variable that describes an individual’s sense of commitment, control, and challenge in light of life stress and has been identified as a protective factor against the development of psychological symptoms and parenting stress in combat veterans. Social support also seems to have benefits …

Effects Of Parental Modeling On The Development Of Panic-Relevant Escape And Avoidance Among Adolescents: An Experimental Study Using A Biological Challenge Procedure, Liviu Bunaciu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Escape and avoidance behaviors play a prominent role in the maintenance of panic-spectrum difficulties and may also be implicated in the development of such problems. Although the current state of the literature regarding the etiology of these emotion-regulation strategies is relatively underdeveloped, it appears that learning experiences involving parental modeling of such behaviors may be instrumental in the development of panic-relevant escape and avoidance. Given that no tests of such a conceptualization exist at this time, the current study proposed an initial experimental examination of whether parental modeling of defensive reactivity during a well-established biological challenge could impact panic-relevant escape …

Effects Of Health Expenditures On Population Age Distribution And Labor Force Participation Rates: Empirical And Comparative Analysis, Jassim M. H. Al-Jebory

Masters Theses

Baby boom and population aging are the main features of the world population that are leading to child and elderly people in the labor force. Categorizing the world into low and high-income countries, the baby boom and child labor can be found in low-income countries, while population aging and elderly people in the labor force can be found in high-income countries. The cause of these features is declining rates of population and labor force ages 15-64, which is the most productive and active proportion. Health expenditures is one of the main factors that is associated with undesired trends of population …

The Effects Of Varying Duration Of Reinforcement On Novel Selection-Based Mands Versus Topgraphy-Based Mands, Nicholas S. Acker

Masters Theses

In recent years, researchers have evaluated individuals' preferences for different mand modalities and its effects on the acquisition of novel mands during functional con1munication training (i.e., FCT; e.g., Falcomata, Ringdahl, Christensen, & Boelter, 20 I 0). In many of these studies, the modality of responding that Michael ( 1985) classified as selection-based responding, is preferred by participants (e.g., Falcomata et al., 201 0). Wraikat, Sundberg, and Michael (1991) suggest that topography-based responses may be preferable for the acquisition of complex language. However, selection-based verbal responses may have faster acquisition in learning initial verbal operants (Charlop-Christy, Carpenter, Le, LeBlanc & Kellet, …

A Comparison Of Two Variations Of A Stimulus-Stimulus Pairing Procedure On Novel And Infrequent Vocalizations Of Children With Autism, Andrew J. Bulla

Masters Theses

Despite the growth in a behavioral technology for the treatment of autism, a small population of individuals with autism fails to develop functional language. One procedure used for inducing vocalizations in non-verbal children is a stimulus-stimulus pairing (SSP) procedure. In an SSP procedure a vocalization is paired with a reinforcer over a period of time to establish the vocalization as a learned reinforcer, and any utterance of the target vocalization is believed to be automatically reinforced thus increasing the frequency of the vocalization. Past research has yielded mixed results with the SSP procedure, and more research is warranted to identify …

Michigan's Clay Bluffs: The Description And Comparison Of An Erosion-Dependent Natural Community, Nathaniel G. Fuller

Masters Theses

The clay bluffs of Michigan are a natural community found along the shores of the Great Lakes. Groundwater is found to be critical to sustaining the alkaline wetlands on the face of the bluff as well as the source of most erosion events. The clay bluffs are unusual in their vegetation, disturbance regime and geographical context. This thesis focuses primarily on describing seeping clay bluffs and exploring the comparison to other natural communities. The purpose of this is twofold, to better understand the ways in which natural communities are described as distinct from one another, and to assess the distinctness …

Failure Of Democratic Consolidation: The Three Year Interlude Of Military Rule (1958-1962) In Burma, Zaw Thein

Masters Theses

Many scholars believe that the period between 1948 when Burma won Independence and 1962 when the military took over the country from the elected civilian government as the parliamentary democracy era. During this era, there was a three-year interlude where the military leaders ruled the country as the Caretaker Government- a euphemism for the three-year military interlude. My argument is that this interlude happened due to the growing strength of the military as an institution and the decline of political parties in Burma. The strength of the military institution was due to the civil war that broke out just after …

The Effect Of Sensor Errors In Situated Human-Computer Dialogue, Niels Schütte, John D. Kelleher, Brian Mac Namee

Conference papers

Errors in perception are a problem for computer systems that use sensors to perceive the environment. If a computer system is engaged in dialogue with a human user, these problems in perception lead to problems in the dialogue. We present two experiments, one in which participants interact through dialogue with a robot with perfect perception to fulfil a simple task, and a second one in which the robot is affected by sensor errors and compare the resulting dialogues to determine whether the sensor problems have an impact on dialogue success.

The Effects Of Persuasive Communication On Knowledge And Attitudinal Outcomes Of A Sexual Harassment Training Program, Corinne Marjorie Anton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sexual harassment has been recognized as a prevalent issue leading to multiple negative consequences for victims and perpetrators. Efforts to reduce its occurrence and increase awareness are important. The majority of sexual harassment prevention programs evaluated have used knowledge-enhancing techniques in order to combat sexual harassment; however, results have not yielded a decrease in sexual harassment supportive attitudes. This study examined the effects of a sexual harassment training program that incorporated aspects of the elaboration likelihood model (Petty & Cacioppo, 1986) via manipulation of argument strength and source expertise. A pretest established participants' sexual harassment policy knowledge and attitudes. One …

Modeling And Analyzing The Impact Of Advanced Technologies On Transit Performance Measures In Arterial Corridors, Miguel A. Figliozzi, Wei Feng

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Transportation and transit agencies have implemented advanced technologies like transit signal priority (TSP) and Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS) to reduce travel times and improve reliability. However, due to the lack of detailed empirical data, the joint impact of these factors and improvement strategies on bus travel time has not been studied at the stop-to-stop segment level. With the aim of assessing the performance of an existing TSP/SCATS system, this study had access to a unique set of high-resolution bus and traffic signal data. Novel algorithms and performance measures to measure TSP performance are proposed. Results indicate that a …

International Reserves Before And After The Global Crisis: Is There No End To Hoarding?, Joshua Aizenman, Yin-Wong Cheung, Hiro Ito

Economics Faculty Publications and Presentations

We evaluate the global financial crisis (GFC) and the structural changes of recent years that have been associated with new patterns of hoarding international reserves. We confirm that the determining factors of international reserves are evolving with developments in the global economy. From 1999–2006, the pre-GFC period, gross saving is associated with higher international reserves in developing and emerging markets. An outward direct-investment effect is consistent with the view of diverting international assets from the international reserve account, the “Joneses’ effect” lends support to the rivalry hoarding motivation, and commodity price volatility induces hoarding against uncertainty. During the 2007–2009 GFC, …

A Novel Web-Based Depth Video Rewind Approach Toward Fall Preventive Interventions In Hospitals, Moein Enayati, Tanvi Banerjee, Mihail Popescu, Marjorie Skubic, Marilyn J. Rantz

Kno.e.sis Publications

Falls in the hospital rooms are considered a huge burden on healthcare costs. They can lead to injuries, extended length of stay, and increase in cost for both the patients and the hospital. It can also lead to emotional trauma for the patients and their families [1]. Having Microsoft Kinects installed in the hospital rooms to capture and process every movement in the room, we deployed our previously developed fall-detection system to detect naturally occurring falls, generate a real-time fall alarm and broadcast it to hospital nurses for immediate intervention. These systems also store a processed and reduced version …

Determining The Minimum Number Of Individuals And Significance Of The Kuelap Ossuary In Chachapoyas, Peru, Vu Tran

HIM 1990-2015

The pre-Hispanic archaeological site of Kuelap in Chachapoyas, Peru, is representative of the variation in mortuary practices observed throughout the Chachapoya region. The goal of this study was to analyze the human skeletal remains excavated in the center of the Circular Platform between residential structures at Kuelap by creating an inventory of the remains (n=2,573) and determine the minimum number of individuals originally interred in the mortuary context. This study observed a total of 171 femora, 159 humeri, 74 calcanei, 110 ilium bones, 86 temporal bones, and 74 maxillae. Results show that this mortuary context was an ossuary of secondarily, …

Emotional Intelligence: How It Impacts Depression Levels And Perception Of Role Fulfillment Among Caregiver Foster Parents, Elysse Farnell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this investigator-initiated study is to identify levels of emotional intelligence (El), depression, and role fulfillment among foster parents. It is believed that if a link between EI and the other variables is identified, programs can be developed to help build EI in foster parents, and thus aid them in becoming more effective caregivers. A convenience sample of foster parents participated in this mixed methods study. There were 30 participants total recruited through a collaborative effort with a local Foster

Family Agency (FF A). Participants were at least 25 years of age and a certified foster parent. Participants …

Memory Retrieval Is Maintained By Intrinsic And Synaptic Plasticity In Prelimbic Cortex, James Otis

Theses and Dissertations

Abnormally strong memories underlie common disorders including addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Memory disruption would therefore be beneficial for treatment of these disorders. Evidence reveals that cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) memories are susceptible to long-lasting disruption during memory retrieval. For example, inhibition of β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) activity within the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex (PL-mPFC) prevents cocaine CPP memory retrieval, and this retrieval impairment is both long-lasting and prevents subsequent reinstatement of the CPP. Despite this, whether PL-mPFC β-AR activity is a fundamental mechanism required to maintain retrieval of other memories is unclear. Furthermore, how PL-mPFC β-AR activity maintains …

Putting The Dead On Display: An Exploration Of Visitor Perceptions And Motivations Regarding Preserved Human Remains In Museums With Particular Emphasis On The Museo De Las Momias De Guanajuato And Body Worlds & The Cycle Of Life, Amanda Balistreri

Theses and Dissertations

Viewing preserved human remains in museums can evoke visceral reactions of curiosity, awe, and repulsion. The popularity of sites and attractions where "the real dead are recreated, packaged up, and sold as an exhibitory experience" (Stone 2011:12) not only alludes to a contemporary fascination with death and dying but also to the economic benefit that institutions derive from providing such experiences. This study focuses on the institutional discourse and the public perception of two distinct exhibitions of relatively modern preserved human remains, the Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato in Mexico and the Body Worlds & the Cycle of Life …

Career Decision Status, Career-Related Thinking, And Emotional Distress: A Structural Equation Model, Lindsey Marie Andrews

Dissertations

The choosing of a college major or occupation is an important decision with which many individuals struggle. Prior research has suggested that difficulty choosing a major or occupation affects a majority of students entering college and stems from multiple sources including lack of information, insufficient learning experiences, and ineffective decision-making processes. Cognitive-behavioral theory has shown utility in working with a diverse set of difficulties and with diverse populations through the examination of the influence of thoughts and emotions on resulting behavior. Research in the career literature has begun to emphasize connections between one’s thoughts and emotions in regards to career …

Examining Potential Moderators Of Negative Parenting Practices And Children's Internalizing And Externalizing Behavior, Kristen Lee Coln

Dissertations

Direct relations have been found between marital conflict resolution and negative parenting and child maladjustment; however, no studies have analyzed whether marital conflict resolution moderates the relation between negative parenting practices and child behavior. Psychological control has been shown to be an important and unique type of parenting that requires further study as some research has suggested that certain demographic variables and family characteristics may influence the relation between psychological control and child behavior.

The Razor's Edge: Constructing Male Identity In Bronze And Iron Age Northern Europe, Kaitlin Kincade

Theses and Dissertations

Personal hygiene paraphernalia has been largely overlooked in interpretations of prehistoric European societies. Razors in particular have only recently been examined as playing an important role in European prehistoric societies. Typically found in burials and hoards, razors have historically been associated with the "warrior elite" concept in European prehistory. As a counterpoint, this thesis will examine the role personal hygiene and body modification played in identity construction and the possible symbolic role of razors in the construction of male identity in the Bronze and Iron Ages in northern Europe. Direct evidence, such as razors themselves, preserved hair, and bog bodies, …

Historiographical And Archaeological Study Of The M.S. Thomson Collection At The Milwaukee Public Museum, Sara T. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a historiographical and archaeological study of artifacts collected by avocational archaeologist M.S. Thomson, focusing on sites in and near the Sheboygan Marsh, Wisconsin. Evidence from this indicates continuous occupation beginning as early as 12,000 years ago. The history of the acquisition of the collection by the Milwaukee Public Museum is summarized and a comprehensive description of the various kinds of materials in the collection is provided. The locations of sites where Thomson collected are mapped and then compared to other known collectors' assemblages from the area. These other known sites were documented as part of the Great …

Fluency Training The Correct Use Of "To Lie" And "To Lay", Jessica Willadsen

Theses and Dissertations

Proper English is an important skill, but using "to lie" and "to lay" correctly appears challenging, as even college students misuse these verbs. The current project assessed a treatment package that included fluency-based software to train three participants to correctly use "to lie" and "to lay." For each verb several meanings were identified. Model sentences were constructed from the definitions to form basic units. Each basic unit included examples (correct sentences) and non-examples (incorrect sentences) for one of the meanings of each verb. Participants practiced with each basic unit until fluent and then completed a cumulative unit based on all …

Habitat Preferences Of The Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles Minor) In Cities And Villages In Southeastern Wisconsin, Jana M. Viel

Theses and Dissertations

Limited survey data and numerous anecdotal accounts indicate that the Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) is experiencing population declines in Wisconsin. However, the magnitude of the decline is unclear because current avian monitoring efforts are not conducted at dusk when Common Nighthawks are most active nor do they specifically target urban areas such as cities and villages where Common Nighthawks are known to nest on flat graveled rooftops. New urban, crepuscular monitoring methods are needed in order to gain a better understanding of current Common Nighthawk demographics in Wisconsin.

The goal of this thesis was to conduct a baseline study using …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Levels Of Food Security And Depression, Erica K. Svojse

Theses and Dissertations

Prior research has identified a variety of common correlates between food security and depression but oftentimes the data used in these analyses are not representative of the US or do not consider multiple categorical levels of the focal variables. Using data from the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES), this study sought to examine the relationship between four levels of food security - full, marginal, low and very low - and depression. The findings indicate low and very low food security are significantly related to an increased risk of depression, while marginal food security is not significantly different from …

Division I Collegiate Women Athletic Directors' Perceptions Of Sexism And Career Experiences, Ashley L. Kies

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated eight Division I (DI) collegiate women athletic directors' (ADs) career experiences and perceptions of sexism within their careers and athletics as a whole. Over the last century, women's sports have made great strides toward equality in athletics. Specifically, the last four decades have yielded notable progress including the amendment of Title IX in 1972, which allowed women and men equal access to federal funding for sports, as well as the creation of women's professional sports leagues, increased numbers of girls and women participating in athletics, increased numbers of women's collegiate teams, and increased rates of women employed …

Dif Analyses In Multilevel Data: Identification And Effects On Ability Estimates, Yao Wen

Theses and Dissertations

Fairness is an important issue in educational testing in that different groups of examinees should have equal probabilities of answering an item correctly, provided they have the same capabilities. Therefore, differential item functioning (DIF) analyses were developed due to the possibility of bias in cognitive or achievement tests. Data are multilevel structured in educational testing as students are nested within teachers who are nested within schools, and which may further be nested within districts. Although DIF analyses have been discussed for decades, they are rarely investigated in multilevel data. In this study, DIF analyses in multilevel data were investigated via …

Neurophysiological And Morphological Plasticity In Rat Hippocampus And Medial Prefrontal Cortex Following Trace Fear Conditioning, Chenghui Song

Theses and Dissertations

Pavlovian fear conditioning provides a useful model system for investigating the mechanisms underlying associative learning. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in "trace" fear conditioning, which requires conscious awareness of the contingency of CS and US therefore considered as a rodent model of explicit fear. Acquisition of trace fear conditioning requires an intact hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. The current set of studies investigated how trace fear conditioning affects neuronal plasticity in both hippocampus and mPFC in adult rats. Trace fear conditioning significantly enhanced both intrinsic excitability and synaptic …

Rescuing Economics From The Discipline: The Green Learning Community, Michael Daley, Owen Grumbling, Richard B. Peterson

Business Faculty Publications

Undergraduate economics is poised for reform because of readily available data and multimedia content. However, we argue that deep reform is needed to teach complex contemporary problems. This requires including institutional and historical content and restructuring the classroom to facilitate interdisciplinary pedagogy. Using Colander’s (2006) analysis of reform as a starting point, we review the economics literature to identify alternative approaches and interdisciplinary pedagogy. The Green Learning Community is introduced as an intentional approach that links economics, humanities and environmental studies and provides first-year students adequate time to study, reflect upon, and internalize economic assumptions, models, values, and interdisciplinary insights.

Sex Differences In Self-Regulation: An Evolutionary Perspective, Niki Hosseini-Kamkar, J. Bruce Morton

Psychology Publications

Bjorklund and Kipp (1996) provide an evolutionary framework predicting that there is a female advantage in inhibition and self-regulation due to differing selection pressures placed on males and females. The majority of the present review will summarize sex differences in self-regulation at the behavioral level. The neural and hormonal underpinnings of this potential sexual dimorphism will also be investigated and the results of the experiments summarized will be related to the hypothesis advanced by Bjorklund and Kipp (1996). Paradoxically, sex differences in self-regulation are more consistently reported in children prior to the onset of puberty. In adult cohorts, the results …