Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Correcting Fear-Arousing Disinformation On Social Media In The Spread Of A Health Virus: A Focus On Situational Fear, Situational Threat Appraisal, Belief In Disinformation, And Intention To Spread Disinformation On Social Media, Jiyoung Lee

Dissertations - ALL

Disinformation is prevalent in the current social media environment and circulated just as quickly as truthful information. Research has investigated what motivates the spread of disinformation and how to combat it. However, limited research focuses on how fear-arousing disinformation during crises affects individuals’ belief in disinformation and to what extent corrective information can subdue the persuasive effects of fear-arousing disinformation. To address this gap, this research tests the effects of fear-arousing disinformation and different types of corrective information (i.e., no corrective information, simple corrective information, or narrative corrective information) on belief in disinformation and intentions to spread disinformation on social …

Cultivation Effects Of Female-Oriented Dating Sims: Players’ Parasocial Relationships, Gender Attitudes, And Romantic Beliefs In China, Jingjing Yi

Theses - ALL

This study tests cultivation effects of female-oriented dating simulation games on players’ gender attitudes and romantic beliefs. Additionally, the study investigates mediating effects of parasocial relationship, and conditional effects of relationship status. A survey in China with a sample size of 284 participants is utilized to test the hypotheses. This study found that game exposure relates to both parasocial relationships with game avatars and targeted characters. Game exposure also positively relates to equal gender attitudes and romantic beliefs. In addition, there are strong relationships between parasocial relationships and romantic beliefs.

Positioning And Face Work On 4chan’S /R9k/, Michael Camele

Theses - ALL

This thesis uses theories of positioning and politeness to analyze a collection of anonymous discussion board posts gathered from 4chan's ROBOT-9001 message board. I provide an overview of 4chan's history and review recent literature focused on the website. I then examine how users direct gender-based insults at other users within a set of excerpts taken from the larger collection of posts, finding that users who express opposition to misogyny or sexism are identified by others as feminine through the usage of derogatory and misogynistic insults. Next, I examine a second set of excerpts, demonstrating how a user establishes and maintains …

Whose Extension Counts? A Plurality Of Extensions And Their Implications For Credible Evidence Debates, Thomas Archibald

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The debate over what counts as credible evidence often occurs on a methodological level (i.e., about what technical applications of systematic inquiry provide believable, justifiable claims about a program). Less often, it occurs on an epistemological level (i.e., about what ways of knowing are appropriate for making claims about a program). Even less often, the debate touches on ontological concerns (i.e., about what conceptualizations of reality, in general or in relation to a specific program, are in play when we wish to make claims about that program). For example, whether we understand Extension to be a vehicle for the dissemination …

Situational Complexity And The Perception Of Credible Evidence, Scott Chazdon, Samantha Grant

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Situational complexity is the distinction between simple, technically complicated, socially complicated, and complex situations. Programs that operate in simple situations are usually able to follow a prescribed course of action, or recipe, while programs operating in more complicated or complex situations must be flexible and responsive. In this article, the authors present findings from an exploratory, multiple-case study of the credibility of evidence in four distinct program situations ranging from simple to complex. Key informant interviews were conducted with 16 key informants, both internal and external to Extension. The findings were generally that the more complex the situation, the more …

Measurement And Credible Evidence In Extension Evaluations, Marc T. Braverman

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This article examines the concept of credible evidence in Extension evaluations with specific attention to the measures and measurement strategies used to collect and create data. Credibility depends on multiple factors, including data quality and methodological rigor, characteristics of the stakeholder audience, stakeholder beliefs about the information source, and the evaluation context. Measurement planning involves a process of making thoughtful decisions about choosing study variables, measurement strategies, and specific measures that adequately reflect the content and goals of the program being evaluated. The use of specific measures may also entail implicit assumptions, e.g., that the respondent is being truthful and …

How Evaluation Capacity Building Grows Credible And Actionable Evidence For Cooperative Extension Programs, Chelsea Hetherington, Cheryl Eschbach, Courtney Cuthbertson

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Evaluation capacity building (ECB) is an essential element for generating credible and actionable evidence on Extension programs. This paper offers a discussion of ECB efforts in Cooperative Extension and how such efforts enable Extension professionals to collect and use credible and actionable evidence on the quality and impacts of programs. Sufficient investments in ECB, both at the individual and organizational levels, can better equip Extension to advocate for and make changes to programs, advance as a learning organization, and have a more powerful impact on communities. Furthermore, as Extension program stakeholders often have varying perspectives on the credibility of evidence, …

Where Do We Go From Here?: Credible And Actionable Evidence In Extension, Scott R. Cummings, Benjamin Silliman

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The evolution of evaluation in the Cooperative Extension System (Extension) has gone through many changes over the years, from focusing on participation, to the measurement of outcomes, and then impacts. Now, the new evolution in Extension is the use of credible and actionable evidence. This special edition of the Journal of Human Sciences and Extension (JHSE) explored the theme, “What is credible and actionable evidence in Extension programs?” The authors of the articles in this issue wrote about the important concepts ahead of us as we begin on the road to more credible and actionable evidence. This article provides some …

Social Media Utilization In The Teaching Library And Information Science Courses In Tertiary Institutions, Muokebe, Bibana

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study is on social media utilization in the teaching of library and information science courses in tertiary institutions. Survey design was adopted for the study. Three research questions were raised and answered while one null hypothesis was tested. The population of the study consisted of 41 Library and Information Science lecturers. A structured and questionnaire was used for data collection. The instruments yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.75. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings from the study …

International Teaching Assistants’ Perceptions Of English And Spanish Language Use At The University Of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Edward G. Contreras Santiago

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Globalization and sociopolitical factors impact migration patterns all over the world. In Puerto Rico, these factors created superdiverse environments where languages users have pushed the boundaries of language in order to make sense of their worlds. Even though this language dynamic is natural for locals, it is those who visit from different countries, specifically international graduate students, that have a difficult time adjusting to Puerto Rico’s rich use of English and Spanish. Understanding how international graduate students perceive the language used at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez (UPRM) upon arrival is essential to provide a better experience for future …

Measuring And Understanding Food Accessibility In The Tampa Bay Area, Bailey I. Glover

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the Tampa Bay region, increasing population and changing demographics have begun to alter the characteristics of established neighborhoods. An increase in suburban growth has triggered a shift in the location and profitability of food establishments in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods. Supermarket closures have garnered attention from public health officials who are concerned with the overall availability of fresh food throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. Unfortunately, there has been little research surrounding the quality of food sold at establishments in both the Tampa Bay region and abroad. Instead, many geographic studies have chosen to group both fresh and prepared food establishments …

Perceptions Of Infrastructure, Flood Management, And Environmental Redevelopment In The University Area, Hillsborough County, Florida, Kris-An K. Hinds

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The University Area (UA), a low-income, unincorporated neighborhood in Hillsborough County, Florida, is a site of sustainable redevelopment by the local government and nonprofit organizations. Throughout the past decade, the transitions in local and state political climates have significantly impacted the residents’ ability to advocate for infrastructural and environmental improvement to the site. This thesis discusses the findings of a research project dedicated to exploring resident perspectives of stormwater management, infrastructure, and the redevelopment currently occurring the University Area. Drawing from theoretical concepts in political ecology, environmental justice, and the interplay of agency and structure, this research investigates the impacts …

Assessing Cognitive Interview Mnemonics And Their Effectiveness With Non-Native English Speakers, Bryan Keith Wylie

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The cognitive interview is a widely recommended forensic interviewing strategy which elicits more details than comparison interviews. However, little research has attended to which of its component mnemonics drive the overall effect. Furthermore, some mnemonics—like asking witnesses to recall in reverse order—are cognitively demanding. Responding to cognitively demanding interview mnemonics may be challenging for witnesses who are already under heavy cognitive load, such as non-native English speakers. Speaking a second language is a cognitively difficult task that may leave non-native English speakers with limited cognitive resources to devote to complex interviewing mnemonics. Other mnemonics, though, may be particularly beneficial for …

Discrimination Is Not Just Black And White In Romantic Relationships: A Consideration Of Perspective Taking And Self-Expansion, Abigail Caselli

Theses - ALL

Like all relationships, interracial relationships can satisfy our human need for interpersonal

bonds, but have additional challenges that same-race relationships do not face (e.g., discrimination). Interracial couples are more likely to break-up compared to same-race couples. However, many interracial couples prevail in the face of adversity. To understand why some interracial relationships prevail despite their challenges, I will examine processes that might buffer against the negativity of discrimination to lead to better relationship quality post discrimination. Specifically, I predict that White individuals who are able to take their partner’s perspective when experiencing discrimination will experience greater self- expansion and less …

Perceived Stigma And The Positive Illusory Bias In Children With Adhd: A Novel Test Of The Self-Protection Hypothesis, Avery Brooke Albert

Theses - ALL

Background: Despite displaying significant functional impairments across a variety of domains, children with ADHD have been found to overestimate their academic, social, and behavioral competence. This phenomenon has been termed positive illusory bias (PIB). The self-protection theory of PIB in ADHD suggests that PIB may function as a coping mechanism, allowing children with ADHD to defend themselves against feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. The present study aims 1) to test the self-protection theory of PIB in children with ADHD by examining the relationship between perceived stigma and PIB in the social and academic domains, and 2) to examine how …

Psychological Correlates Of Diverse Coerced Sexual Experiences: Clarifying Classes And Severity Continuums Of Sexual Act And Coercive Tactic, Sara Kern

Dissertations

Although different coerced sexual experiences have been associated with different psychological symptoms (e.g., Davis et al., 2014), many limitations have plagued previous classification systems and severity continuums of coerced sexual experiences. The present study aimed to uncover meaningful differences across classes of coerced sexual experiences for the dimensions of sexual act and coercive tactic to inform future classification systems and severity continuums. Participants with a history of coerced sexual experiences (N = 402) completed an online survey about their worst or only coerced sexual experience, identifying the worst (or only) sexual act and the worst (or only) coercive tactic that …

Lindenwood Digest, June 28, 2019, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

The Lindenwood Digest has been a digital employee newsletter since 2009.

Queering Virtual Groups: Exploring Facebook Groups As A Space For Identity Construction And Social Justice Among The Lgbtq Community In India, Sreyoshi Dey

Dissertations - ALL

India has emerged as one of the top users of the Internet. However, the question is how the rise of the Internet influences a society like India, which is still struggling with issues like poverty, literacy, employment, religion, and gender. This research endeavors to explore one aspect of that question by studying the role of the social media platform – Facebook Groups, for the LGBTQ community in India against the backdrop of the societal taboos and lack of legal support for the queer community, coupled with the existing infrastructural loopholes like education and technology. Over the past couple of decades, …

Empirical Essays On Causal Effects Of Job Training Programs: Evidence From Korea, Seokchae Hwang

Dissertations - ALL

This dissertation comprises two chapters that are related to the research topics in Korean Job Training Programs using administrative data. The first chapter examines the effectiveness of the programs on the probability of re-employment and on wages. This observational study tackles multiple biases by adopting: (1) a propensity score matching approach for selection into treatment, and (2) a principal stratification framework for selection into employment when looking at wages. This chapter finds positive effects on employability (0.026), but negative effects on wages (-8.4%), both of which are statistically significant. We conduct sensitivity analysis to violations of our main identifying assumption …

Spatial Analysis Of Burglary And Robbery Crime Concentration Near Mass-Transit In Portland, Bryce Edward Barthuly

Dissertations and Theses

The relationship between mass-transit and the concentration of burglary and robbery crimes is inconsistent within the available literature in environmental criminology. A number of studies have provided evidence of crime concentration at and near mass transit locations where paths intersect, referred to as a node. These empirical studies bring in environmental criminology theory with the idea that crime is clustered, and the pattern of the concentrations is substantially influenced by how and why people travel and move in a city. It is suggested that public transit allows for a large proportion of the population to move around the community along …

Cross-Linguistic Effects Of Intention Recognition In Malay Bilinguals, Maziyah Mohamed, Debra Jared

Western Research Forum

Does the language we speak influence the way we interpret intentions of others? Prior literature has shown that obligatory markers in a language may influence the way we think. In Malay texts, accidental actions are marked using a prefix. Malay speakers are, thus, quick to identify the accidental actions of others. Conversely, it may be that Malay speakers often interpret intentions as deliberate given a more ambiguous context where the prefix is absent. The goal of the current study was to determine whether this way of interpreting one’s intentions of others extends to English texts for Malay-English bilinguals. In Study …

Trauma And Violence Informed Care Workshop For Teachers, Christina Amico, Michelle Philippe

Western Research Forum

Teachers play an integral role in the healthy growth and development of their students. Students that have experienced traumatic events, chronic adversity, and structural violence are vulnerable to a myriad of biological, social, emotional, and behavioural impairments (Blaustein, 2013). Problematic classroom behaviour, therefore, could be a reflection of exposure to trauma and violence. As teachers play an important front-line role in the lives of their students (Brunzell, Waters, & Stokes, 2015), it is important that teachers receive relevant and high-quality professional development, particularly in the area of trauma and violence-informed teaching practices. There is a gap in research on effective …

Mouse Performance On A Novel Touchscreen Continuous Performance Task Is Dependent On Signaling In The Prelimbic Cortex, Tyler D. Dexter, Daniel Palmer, Amy C. Reichelt, Anita Taksokhan, Lisa M. Saksida, Tim J. Bussey

Western Research Forum

Attention is the cognitive processing that facilitates the ability to target and attend to relevant environmental stimuli, while filtering out irrelevant or distracting stimuli. Control over selective attention is theorized to be dependent on organized neural communication that stems from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). To evaluate selective and sustained attention, mice were trained on the novel touchscreen rodent continuous performance task (rCPT), a task designed to emulate the human CPT. In the rodent version, images are continuously presented on a touchscreen, where mice have been trained to selectively respond to one image type while suppressing responses to all others. …

Cycle Of Suffering: Exploring The Final Thoughts Of Creative Minds Who Died By Suicide, Carolina Patryluk, Paul F. Tremblay

Western Research Forum

It is difficult to study the final thoughts of people who die by suicide. To compensate for this gap in knowledge, this study explored the life stories found in the suicide notes of well-known creative individuals. A 6-phase thematic analysis was used to explore the phenomenon of final thoughts. This study presents the narrative trends across entries, which consisted primarily of the artists communicating their suffering and expressing their coping strategies. The artists circled back to the same themes of suffering, mainly the negative view of themselves, the striving to be better, and the paradox of choice. This cycle of …

Supporting The Diverse Needs Of Students By Developing Success Skills In Introductory Psychology, Sarah Grison

Sarah Grison

Life As Game: A Theory Elaboration, Scott Hemann

Augsburg Honors Review

Throughout history, individuals and groups have attempted to manage how they are seen in the public eye. People usually play interaction games with their audiences in order to make themselves appear more positive and desirable. Some cases, however, include individuals or groups who do not want to fit in, and who do not want to appear desirable. This analysis examines Goffman's theory of impression management with the metaphor, ltfe as game.The theory is applied to two cases of differing orgatizational level-an individual, Malmard James Keenan, and a large, complex organization, the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Theory elaboration is an …

Speech We Hate: An Argument For The Cessation Of International Pressure On Japan To Strengthen Its Anti-Child Pornography Laws, Alison Rapp

Augsburg Honors Review

One can hardly mention child pornography, even as a subject of serious academic research, without receiving questioning, fearful, or even disgusted looks. The creation, dissemination, and possession of child pornography is severely criminalized in many countries, and continues to be a topic of intense controversy in countries that have "lagged" in passing laws condemning the trade (though the word "trade" is misleading, as most child pornography is created, disseminated, and consumed almost entirely free of charge). Yet, there is also a great deal of confusion, misunderstanding, and sheer ignorance surrounding child pornogaphy and its connections (or lack thereof) to lowered …

Analysis Of An Inner City Community College And Public School District: The City Of Highland Park District Project, Abdelkhalek Elagamy

Augsburg Honors Review

Highland Park, Michigan, is a city rich with twentieth century history, from the automobile revolution of Henry Ford to the historic landmarks that early immigrants created in wake of the elusive and lucrative American Dream. However, Highland Park is a city today that is characterized by extreme poverty, unemployment, and crime. The City of Highland Park District project is a sociological approach to the study of a selected inner city district in the United States, which was the City of Highland Park, Michigan. This research study is comprised of two sections of detailed analysis regarding the effects of inner city …

A Hidden Markov Model For Matching Spatial Networks, Benoit Costes, Julien Perret

Journal of Spatial Information Science

Datasets of the same geographic space at different scales and temporalities are increasingly abundant, paving the way for new scientific research. These datasets require data integration, which implies linking homologous entities in a process called data matching that remains a challenging task, despite a quite substantial literature, because of data imperfections and heterogeneities. In this paper, we present an approach for matching spatial networks based on a hidden Markov model (HMM) that takes full benefit of the underlying topology of networks. The approach is assessed using four heterogeneous datasets (streets, roads, railway, and hydrographic networks), showing that the HMM algorithm …

Evaluating Existing Manually Constructed Natural Landscape Classification With A Machine Learning-Based Approach, Rok Ciglic, Erik Strumbelj, Rok Cesnovar, Mauro Hrvatin, Drago Perko

Journal of Spatial Information Science

Some landscape classifications officially determine financial obligations; thus, they must be objective and precise. We presume it is possible to quantitatively evaluate existing manually constructed classifications and correct them if necessary. One option for achieving this goal is a machine learning method. With (re)modeling of the landscape classification and an explanation of its structure, we can add quantitative proof to its original (qualitative) description. The main objectives of the paper are to evaluate the consistency of the existing manually constructed natural landscape classification with a machine learning-based approach and to test the newly developed general black-box explanation method in order …