Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Role And Impact Of The Environment In Saving Private Ryan, Bailey M. Ytterdahl, Paul C. Krakoviak

Student Publications

Although certain films may not be explicitly labeled as environmental film, we approach Saving Private Ryan through an ecocritical analysis. We evaluate how the film not only displays the physical and mental tolls of war in several bloody battles, but we also explore the environmental costs. By examining the genre of historical realism, we demonstrate how the film outlines the unique role of the environment in war but also enables the viewers to consider the impacts of war on the surrounding environment. To understand the environmental message in Saving Private Ryan, we used a concept called the “Three Ecologies” by …

Boroughs And The Badge: Local Contexts And Confidence In Police, Henry F. Goodson

Student Publications

As citizens interact with the police more than most civil servants, increasing the citizenry’s confidence in police is key to helping maintain rule of law and internal stability within a state. One of the key areas to be investigated in the pursuit of better police-community relations is on the impact of public services and housing on police legitimacy. Historically, American cities have been widely segregated based on race and income, especially in urban areas, which in turn alters the services available in those areas. The public services and the neighborhoods in which they are delivered are key parts of many …

Along Ideological Lines: Examining Support For Black Lives Matter, Caden E. Giordano

Student Publications

In this paper, support for the Black Lives Matter is examined through different identity frames: feminism, support for the LGBTQ+ community, and who the respondent voted for in 2016. An interaction variable was created to see how race influenced these categories. For example, whether a white feminist might support Black Lives Matter more or less than a Black feminist or a white non-feminist. Race is the main determinant of support for Black Lives Matter.

Energy Demand And Economic Growth: Public Opinion And Mutual Exclusivity, Nicholas L. Silvis

Student Publications

The world is currently undergoing an energy transition from primarily fossil fuels to cleaner energy. The developing world is becoming more advanced, spawning relentless economic growth and an increase in energy consumption. Energy demand and economic growth are inextricably linked which poses a paradoxical question about future economic growth during a period of energy transition. Unfortunately, the transition requires large upfront costs with no guaranteed net benefit. A multitude of studies depict the impact of education, party identification, and age on how individuals perceive alternative energy. This study shows that views on governmental spending and party membership have a paradoxical …

Women Against "Women's Rights": Pro-Life Women, Jenna L. Vadinsky

Student Publications

The issue of abortion in the political arena became escapable after the 1973 ruling of Roe v. Wade. Nearly 50 years later, the issue of abortion continues to influence voting in all levels of government elections - from President to state governor. Although the restriction of legal abortion access disproportionally affects women, women are generally just as likely to support abortion as men. To research the phenomena of women voting and advocating against their own rights, I turned to religion - measured by how often a female attends religious ceremonies - as a possible explanation. In this paper, I delve …

The Intersection Of An Epidemic And Pandemic: Smoking, Risk-Taking, And Covid-19, Allison H. Stranick

Student Publications

Electronic cigarette use has risen drastically in recent years among teens and young adults. Rates of conventional cigarette use have decreased, while rates of electronic cigarette use are on the rise. Knowledge and perceptions of the risks and benefits of conventional and electronic cigarettes greatly impacts adolescents and young adults’ decisions to use these products. Published literature explores the issues of social norms, intertemporal choice, present bias, prospect theory, and hyperbolic discounting as means to explain the way in which young populations perceive risk and risky behavior. Research suggests that children and young adults believe that e-cigarettes are safer, less …

The Invisible Hurdle: Biases Investors Have Against Sustainable Investing, Kerry E. Ullman

Student Publications

A current trend of many corporations is making it a priority to focus on becoming more socially responsible and ethical in all aspects of their businesses. Investors, on the other hand, have not been as focused on incorporating these issues into their selection criteria, especially when it comes to the issue of sustainable investing (ESG). This research tries to understand what the hidden barriers are that stop individual investors from investing sustainably. This research examines the effect of proper information on sustainable investing and the most effective communication strategies to relay this information to investors. There was a control group …

The Montana Expression 2020: Residents' Attitudes Towards Tourism, Carter Bermingham, Norma P. Nickerson, Kara Grau, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report is a summary of Montana residents’ attitudes toward tourism during the summer of the 2020 pandemic. Data were collected during 3rd quarter (July through September) 2020. The pandemic has dramatically changed travel and tourism patterns in an unprecedented fashion. Anecdotal evidence suggested that visitors to the state were different this year, and residents appeared fairly unhappy about them being in Montana. This study was conducted to determine if residents’ attitudes toward visitors and the travel industry have indeed changed.

Assessing The Impact Of A New Inlet Created By 2012 Hurricane Sandy On The Intensity Of Algae Blooms In Bellport Bay Ny, Ryan A. Wagner

Student Publications

Harmful algae blooms (HABs) are a growing ecosystem health issue in environments worldwide, driven by excess nitrogen runoff (Eutrophication) alongside high summer temperatures. HABs strip oxygen from the environment and create toxic environments that impact other primary producers, fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, and any other organisms that enter an affected body of water. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of a new inlet, created by Hurricane Sandy in Long Island’s Bellport Bay, on the concentration of algae blooms during peak blooming periods (Jul-Aug) to inform ecosystem-based management. Google Earth Engine Code Editor and 2008-2017 Landsat 5-8 …

Potentially Terminal Conditions: Economic Globalization And Ecological Footprint, Raymond A. Wiseley

Student Publications

This paper studies the relationship between economic globalization and environmental footprint. It hypothesizes that economic globalization will increase the negative environmental impact. The study covers theories for and against this argument, focusing especially on the validity of an environmental Kuznets curve, market-based solutions, and other suggested policies. It then gathers data and tests the relationship using a regression analysis. The results show a statistically significant positive relationship between economic globalization and ecological impact. The study concludes by discussing these results and proposing future steps.

African Americans Accused Of “Acting White”: The Impacts On Their Selves And Identities, Brett S. Anderson

Student Publications

A majority of the research on the accusation of acting white focuses on whether it is responsible for creating the wide achievement gap between white and Black people in America (Tyson, Darity, and Castellino 2005). However, there is little research that has looked into the potentially damaging effects that this accusation can have on the selves and identities of Black students. Through the analysis of classical and contemporary sociological theories and studies, it is determined that African Americans’ selves and identities are negatively impacted when they are accused of “acting white.” The suggested impacts are negative social reflection and the …

Organizational Communication, Lynn University Digital Press, Stephanie A. Jackson

Lynn University Digital Press Books

Organizational Communication is a compilation of open educational resources addressing the premise of an organization as a culture. Communication basics (verbal, nonverbal, listening) are described and detailed in terms of organizational behavior. Using these constructs, the process of storytelling throughout the organization is discussed, specifically the use of symbolic elements to develop a system of communication that creates, reinforces, and perpetuates the culture. Primary influences of networks, leadership, and diversity are integrated. These processes are illustrated and analyzed through real-world examples. COM 330

My Child Has Hearing Loss. Will They Talk? Frequently Asked Questions About Language Development Of Deaf Children, Emma Spronk

Education Student Scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What will help my child talk?
2. How can my child learn sign language if I don’t know it?
3. Can we see if cochlear implants (CIs) work before learning sign language?
4. What kind of language environment is ideal for my child?

Primary Reasons For Not Attending Farmers' Market. Do Market Features And Consumer Characteristics Matter?, Autumn Milliner

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The number of farmers’ markets has been growing, but consumer attendance does not appear to rise at the same rate. The overall purpose of this study was to investigate primary reasons for not attending. Specific objectives were: (1) describe the consumer characteristics of individuals who do not attend farmers’ markets (2) investigate the consumer characteristics and market amenities that influence a consumer’s choice to not attend a farmers market (3) estimate the variables that impact a consumer’s level of interest in subscribing to a CSA and (4) assess and estimate the relationship between consumer characteristics and their willingness to pay …

Improving Health Care In Nevada, Ember Smith, Kaylie Pattni

Policy Briefs and Reports

Across the United States, improvements in health outcomes lag while health care costs rapidly rise. Medical personnel and resource shortages combined with high underinsured and uninsured rates further complicate access to quality, affordable health care. In order to better understand state-level solutions, we explore factors that contribute to health care deficiencies and emphasize Nevada’s unique obstacles.

Frontmatter (Volume 40, Issue 8), Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

A Reflection On Religion And Churches In Slovakia 30 Years After The Fall Of Communism, Ján Juran, Lubomir Martin Ondrasek

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Thirty years after the fall of the communist regime in Slovakia presents an opportune time to reflect on various issues related to the broad subjects of religion and society, state-church relations, and the public ministry of the church. The aim of our paper is to offer such reflections with an emphasis on understanding the historical context and religious developments that affect Slovakia’s current reality and must be taken into account when considering present and future challenges and opportunities. The paper consists of two main parts.1 In the first, we present a brief history of Christianity in Slovakia, elucidate developments with …

Financial Situation Of The Russian Orthodox Church And Its Clergy, Sergei Chapnin

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Recently there has been increased talk of the severe financial state of clergy, parishes, and monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), because of the Corona-virus situation. Because of this some priests have appealed to Patriarch Kirill. This article discusses the seriousness of their plight.

Belarus: Religious Freedom Survey, October 2020, Olga Glace

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Before the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Belarus on 2 November, Forum 18 notes continuing violations of freedom of religion and belief and of interlinked freedoms of expression, association, and assembly. These have worsened amid widespread continuing protests against falsified results of the August 2020 presidential election, and against the regime's other serious violations of the human rights of the people it rules.

This was originally published by Forum 18, reposted with permission. Glace, Olga (2020) "Belarus: Religious Freedom Survey, October 2020," Forum 18. Available at: http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2612

Assessment Of Non-Indexed Open Access Journals Impact, Daniela Solomon, Mark Eddy

Researchers, Instructors, & Staff Scholarship

The journal impact factor remains a controversial metric and its widespread adoption has critical implications for the development of open access journals not indexed by the Web of Science. The present study evolved from collaborations with editors of a small open-access locally published social sciences journal to assess its global reach and research value according to the professed scope and mission of the journal. Using a combination of Google Scholar and BePress data, we built a customized multifaceted framework to measure the success of this journal beyond citation counts. Our analysis incorporated the bibliometric concepts of popularity and prestige, as …

Minecrafting Bar Mitzvah: Two Rabbis Negotiating And Cultivating Learner-Driven Inclusion Through New Media., Owen Gottlieb

Articles

In 2013, a boy with special needs used the video game Minecraft to deliver the sermon at his bar mitzvah at a Reform synagogue, an apparently unique ritual phenomenon to this day. Using a narrative inquiry approach, this article examines two rabbis’ negotiations with new media, leading up to, during, and upon reflection after the event. The article explores acceptance, innovation, and validation of new media in religious practice, drawing on Campbell’s (2010) framework for negotiation of new media in religious communities. Clergy biography, philosophy, and institutional context all impact the negotiations with new media. By providing context of a …

Children’S Ethno-National Flag Categories In Three Divided Societies, Edona Maloku, Jocelyn B. Dautel, Ana Tomovska Misoska, Laura K. Taylor

Articles

Flags are conceptual representations that can prime nationalism and allegiance to one’s group. Investigating children’s understanding of conflict-related ethno-national flags in divided societies sheds light on the development of national categories. We explored the development of children’s awareness of, and preferences for, ethno-national flags in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, and the Republic of North Macedonia. Children displayed early categorization of, and ingroup preferences for, ethno-national flags. By middle-childhood, children’s conflict-related social categories shaped systematic predictions about other’s group-based preferences for flags. Children of minority-status groups demonstrated more accurate flag categorization and were more likely to accurately infer others’ flag preferences. While …

The Montana Expression 2020: Impact Of Covid-19 On Montana's Tourism Related Businesses - Wave 4, Carter Bermingham, Kara Grau, Norma P. Nickerson

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this report was to collect and analyze responses from business owners and managers on a COVID-19 related survey as it pertains to their operations in Montana. This study was the fourth iteration in a series of similar studies conducted by The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research (ITRR) with the goal of capturing the perceptions of business owners and managers throughout the course of the pandemic.

Students’ Experiences Of College Professor Communication In Online Instruction: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, William E. Carpenter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe 13 students’ experiences of college professor communication in asynchronous online courses at a large urban community college in central North Carolina. The focus was to answer the central research question of how online students describe communication experiences in an online college learning environment. The theories guiding this study were Knowles’ (1980) theory of adult learning- andragogy, and Short, Williams, and Christie’s (1976) social presence theory, as they correlated the need for professor communication with adult learning and social presence since communication can impact academic success for adult learners. To collect …

From Ideology To Implementation: Moving One Church Staff From An Aspirational Mindset Of Developing Leaders To An Actionable Movement Of Leadership Development, Trevor Blake Hislop

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

According to a recent article on “The Paradox of Leadership” from Harvard University, there are more than 15,000 books in print on the topic of leadership, and the number of works written about leadership in the past decade is greater than the total number of works ever written. So, if leadership is so highly valued in our culture today, then why is there a decline in leadership development in the church? Additionally, there are a growing number of churches that have detailed programs for leadership development; however, few churches are producing new leaders. Church at Viera in Viera, Florida, embraces …

Latinos In Massachusetts: Ecuadorians, Phillip Granberry, Krizia Valentino

Gastón Institute Publications

The Gastón Institute’s 2020 Latinos in Massachusetts series focuses on the ten largest Latino populations located throughout the state. In order of size, these Latino populations are Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Brazilians, Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Mexicans, Colombians, Cubans, Hondurans, and Ecuadorians. This report analyzes Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) data from the 2017 American Community Survey (ACS) conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. Our descriptive analysis uses both household- and individual-level data to estimate population size and percentages and to compare Ecuadorians to Other Latinos and Non-Latinos in the state.

Towards A Workforce Development Action Plan In The City Of Chelsea: Community Voices, Fabián Torres-Ardila, Daniela Bravo, Henry Chavez, Lorna Rivera

Gastón Institute Publications

The mission of the Gastón Institute at UMass Boston is to inform policymakers and the public about issues vital to the state’s growing Latino community and to provide research, analysis, and information necessary for more effective public policy development. The Gastón Institute has a long track record of conducting collaborative mixed-methods research in Chelsea, especially with Latino immigrants from Central and South America. For example, in 2008-2010, Gastón researchers worked with Chelsea Public Schools to evaluate family literacy programs at five schools. Since 2016, Gastón faculty have been working with Chelsea High School and Bunker Hill Community College’s Chelsea campus …

Chronic Disease And Its Relationship With Elder Mistreatment, Ryan Wong

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The relationship between chronic disease and elder mistreatment was investigated using a meta-analytic approach, where 48 studies were utilized for the random effects analysis of 178 effect size data. Twelve risk markers were combined into four categories: endocrine disease, heart disease, neurological disease, and other chronic diseases for comparative analysis of elder mistreatment. Neurological disease (OR = 1.51) was found to have a significantly stronger association with elder mistreatment when compared to the heart disease category (OR = 1.17) and the other chronic disease category (OR = 1.26). When specifically investigating emotional abuse, there was a significantly stronger association with …

Montana Voices Amplified: A Parent Teacher’S Perspective: Exploring Disability And Navigating A New World, Elizabeth Cummings, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

I found myself unexpectedly entering the world of disability 13 years ago when my oldest son, Charlie, was born with complex health and developmental challenges. Later diagnosed with autism and a genetic disorder, Charlie led me through the new worlds of early intervention, case management, children’s hospitals, and intervention plans. As Charlie grew older, I shifted my professional focus to special education, hoping others in my community might benefit from the skills I am learning in raising a child of my own with special needs. I want to share with you a few of the amazing students I have the …

Predictors Of Positive Outcomes In Treating Individuals Diagnosed With Idd And Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders, Jacob Omondi Wasonga

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the use of a new treatment protocol, the systemic treatment plan (STP) by identifying the predictors of positive treatment outcomes for individuals diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and comorbid mental health conditions. This study examined the relationship between challenging behaviors, psychiatric conditions, and positive treatment outcomes for individuals with IDD and co-occurring disorders, particularly those individuals whose treatment was driven by the STP. A linear regression analysis was conducted to determine which challenging behaviors and psychiatric disorders best predict positive outcomes in systemically engaged treatment. The results from this study …