Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Old Dogs, New Tricks: Authoritarian Regime Persistence Through Learning, Nicholas Ryan Davis

Theses and Dissertations

How does diffusion lead to authoritarian regime persistence? Political decisions, regardless of what the actors involved might believe or espouse, do not happen in isolation. Policy changes, institutional alterations, regime transitions-- these political phenomena are all in some part a product of diffusion processes as much as they are derived from internal determinants. As such, political regimes do not exist in a vacuum, nor do they ignore the outside world. When making decisions about policy and practice, we should expect competent political actors to take a look at the wider external world. This dissertation project presents a theory of regime …

Neural Substrates Of Active Avoidance And Its Impact On Fear Extinction, Elizabeth Parisi

Theses and Dissertations

Models of anxiety suggest that avoidance of a conditioned fear stimulus prevents new safety learning, thereby serving to maintain fear. However, there is little empirical data in humans on the impact of avoidance of conditioned fear stimuli on subsequent fear extinction. In the present study I investigated the effect of avoidance of threat on neural activity during avoidance/control and a subsequent extinction phase using ultra high-resolution (7T) fMRI. Results indicated that active avoidance was associated with increased activity in regions involved in reward prediction, but this did not differentiate active avoidance from an active control condition. Neural activation during the …

Inequality In The United States 1946-2015, John Albert Schwendel

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of two essays which are concerned with the measurement and description of Income Inequality. Chapter 1 studies the measurement of inequality when data is presented in binned form. While various methods have been proposed for this purpose, I reveal an issue which has not yet been addressed in the literature. I demonstrate that differences in mean earnings can cause differences in the measures of inequality, even if underlying income shares remain constant. The consequence of this issue is that the usage of many of the available methods will create estimates of inequality not suitable for descriptive purposes …

Streamlined Prevention And Early Intervention For Pediatric Anxiety Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Armando A. Pina, Nancy A. Gonzales, Gina L. Mazza, Heather J. Gunn, Lindsay E. Holly, Ryan D. Stoll, Julia Parker, Amanda Chiapa, Henry Wynne, Jenn-Yun Tien

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

There is a need to optimize the fit between psychosocial interventions with known efficacy and the demands of real-word service delivery settings. However, adaptation of evidence-based interventions (EBI) raises questions about whether effectiveness can be retained. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluated a streamlined package of cognitive, behavior, and social skills training strategies known to prevent and reduce anxiety symptom and disorder escalation in youth. A total of 109 youth (M_age = 9.72; 68% girls; 54% Latinx) at risk based on high anxiety were randomized to the streamlined prevention and early intervention (SPEI) (n = 59) or control (n …

Lindenwood Digest, May 1, 2020, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

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

Adolescent Psychiatric Readmission In Rural West Texas, Keila Gabel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the following replication study was to collect and analyze data regarding demographic, psychological, and environmental factors that are associated with adolescent readmission. A literature review was conducted, as well as a manual chart review of 16 adolescent patients from May 2019 to January 2020. Frequencies and descriptive statistics were run and results suggest that the majority of adolescents readmitted were female, living with a stepparent, had been diagnosed with some variation of major depressive disorder, identified as heterosexual, and had experienced some type of bullying, abuse, or other trauma. Oceans Behavioral Hospital provides specialized care, however the …

Extracurricular Involvement And Identification: An Analysis Of The Student Experience, Kelvin Kelley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Every year universities and colleges provide millions of students with not only educational experiences but also social experiences. Students’ involvement on campus influences their identification with other students, student groups, and even the university. Understanding the relationship between extracurricular involvement and a student’s sense of belonging is essential for higher education professionals. This research looked at the college student experience through the lens of student involvement theory, relationship motivation theory, and social identity theory. The study examined the level of extracurricular involvement a student has and the relationship to both social identity and organizational identity. Social identity theory and organizational …

Attrition In A Holistic Job Skills Training Program: A Qualitative Study, Jeaniece Silas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Today thousands of individuals and families are unemployed or underemployed and are seeking ways to combat poverty and become employed. One way that individuals seek to gain employment is by attending job skills training and adult education programs. However, there are barriers that hinder those individuals from successfully completing the programs. The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of applicants of a nonprofit job skills training program called FaithWorks and explore the reasons why applicants were not able to continue and, or complete the program. This study was conducted, through qualitative interviewing of four participants (N=4) utilizing …

A Baseline Measurement Of Alcohol Use And Its Relating Factors As It Pertains To Abilene Christian University, Emily Glaze

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many studies show correlation in the understanding of social norms relating to drugs and alcohol use on college campuses and the effectiveness of campus alcohol education and prevention programs (Borsari & Carey, 2003; Dvorak et al., 2018; LaChance et al., 2009). Interest in alcohol education programs is increasing across the U.S. due to universities being asked to take more accountability for their students’ actions and the consequences of those actions, both on and off campus (Knoll v. Board of Regents of University of Nebraska, 1999). However, managing student drinking patterns is a daunting task for universities, as research indicates …

The Effects Of Parental Involvement On Family Functioning Of Children In Counseling, Rebecca Schardt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Families with higher parental involvement indicate higher family functioning and child achievement. The STAR (Services to At-Risk Youth) program is designed to serve families identified as being at risk for child abuse and neglect. STAR services are intended to provide individual as well as family therapy for identified families. This study was designed to analyze the parent involvement in these services as compared to family functioning and child success. The study used closed STAR files to determine if children who had received services met their goals and if there was any increase in family functioning based on the pretests and …

Texas Region Two Crossover Youth Practice Model Proposed Pilot Study, Erin Snider

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT The term crossover youth refers to children who have been abused or neglected, participated in delinquent behavior, and are involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice system. The purpose of this study was to gain information about the current crossover youth population within Texas Region Two, who could potentially benefit from the Crossover Youth Practice Model (CYPM).This proposed pilot study advocates for the implementation of the CYPM in Abilene, Texas, which is one of the counties in Region Two and a place that has not yet enacted protocols and specific services for the crossover youth population. This was …

An Evaluation Of The Methodist Children's Home Gap Program, Ashten Wiedebusch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Methodist Children’s Home’s (MCH) GAP Program provides services for grandparents raising their grandchildren. This single case study explores whether the services provided by the GAP Program will reduce the risk factors for grandparents raising their grandchildren while increasing their ability to care for the child in a way that will promote well-being in today’s complex world. The literature shows some challenges for these grandparents include: role ambiguity, limited legal rights, lack of resources, inadequate living arrangements, employment and retirement, health issues, and outdated parenting skills and disciplinary methods. Protective factors for grandparents include: adaptive coping skills, self-care, positive relationships, support, …

The Effectiveness Of A High School Girls Group On Self-Esteem And Leadership, Esperanza M. Harper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The effectiveness of a high school girls group was examined using a pretest-post-test group design with young adolescent girls identified as having low self-esteem. Individuals were identified by teachers and counselors as having low self-esteem or being at risk for having low self-esteem. This research project includes a literature review that explored self-understanding and its dimensions of self-concept and self-esteem, as well as how this research relates to development. The curriculum used came from the Girls In Real Life Situations (GIRLS) group program created by Julia V. Taylor and Shannon Trice-Black (2007). The research study was conducted at a high …

F#@&!: Profanity As A Means Of Emotional Regulation, Nicholas Gregorich

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Profanity is a commonplace occurrence in everyday conversation and society as whole. Previous studies have analyzed the reasons people use profanity as well as the function of profanity in various stressful situations, such as pain. Emotional regulation is a series of strategies people use to control and modify their emotions. One frequent target emotion to be regulated is anxiety, a state of fear which may elicit avoidance behaviors and defense reactions. However, no previous research has exclusively looked at profanity as a potential emotional regulation strategy. This study determined whether or not profanity was a useful emotional regulation strategy for …

Where Are All The Women? A Cross-Cultural Study Of The Representation Of Women In Online News In Sweden, The Us, And Egypt, Basma Mostafa Taha Mahmoud

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Lancaster County Population Projections: 2010 To 2050, David J. Drozd, Tara Grell

Publications

In projections prepared for Lancaster County, population and household growth continues in each decade between 2010 and 2050. The projections show the population increasing to about 321,000 in 2020, rising by more than 35,000 people or 12.4% from 2010. The number of households rises to nearly 130,000 in 2020, an increase of 14.4%, nearly identical to the growth rate during the 2000s. The adjectives “steady” and “stable” accurately describe Lancaster County’s expected future growth. Between 2020 and 2050, the projections indicate growth of nearly 40,000 persons and 18,000 households each decade. The county should reach the milestones of having 150,000 …

Outside The Wire: U.S. Military Deployments And Public Opinion In Host States, Michael A. Allen, Michael E. Flynn, Carla Martinez Machain, Andrew Stravers

Political Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

How do citizens within countries hosting U.S. military personnel view that presence? Using new cross-national survey data from 14 countries, we examine how different forms of exposure to a U.S. military presence in a country affect attitudes towards the U.S. military, government, and people. We find that contact with U.S. military personnel or the receipt of economic benefits from the U.S. presence correlates with stronger support for the U.S. presence, people, and government. This study has profound implications for the role that U.S. installations play in affecting the social fabric of host nations, and policy implications for the conduct of …

Who Is More Motivated To Answer Survey Questions: Men Or Women?, Anthony Jenkins Jr.

Scholars Day Conference

There are a wide range of factors that are considered motivators. Each individual is motivated differently. Before starting, I suspected that women would be more motivated to take this survey than men. This was based on the research I did involving the different ways males are motivated versus females.

Differential Patterns Of Theta Activation Underlying Various Cognitive Control Strategies, Jarrod Eisma

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

In this study, EEG was recorded from 157 participants at the University of Arkansas as they performed three computer tasks that tested inhibitory control (Go/Nogo Task), proactive and reactive control (AX-Continuous Performance Task), and resolving response conflict (Global/Local Task- modified Flanker Task). Time-frequency analysis (ERSP) was the primary focus of this study, in order to take advantage of the temporal and frequential characteristics of EEG recordings. The ERSPs and following statistical analysis showed significantly higher midfrontal theta band (4-8 Hz) power values for target trials (those that required more cognitive control) than control trials, which indicated that the procedure was …

Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) And Temperament In Children Aged 14 To 36-Months, Elysabeth Sexton

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Researchers have explored the effects of early adverse life experiences (ACEs) on children’s developmental outcomes for decades. In this study, I explored whether ACEs in toddlerhood were associated with temperament. I tested the hypotheses that: 1) children who were determined to have a difficult temperamental profile would have higher parent-reported ACE scores than children with an easy temperamental profile, and 2) children’s temperament types would have stronger associations with abuse and neglect ACE scores than with household dysfunction ACE scores. Parents of 94 toddlers, who were between 14 and 36 months of age, completed online surveys on behalf of their …

Les Femmes Capables: A Supplementary Curriculum Teaching Survival English To Female Senegalese Ells, Abigail Morse

Scholars Day Conference

My thesis examines the contrast between a Muslim man’s opportunity to learn English versus his wife's, who, in a traditional context, would be limited by social obligations to her home and family's welfare. I look specifically at the roles of Muslim Senegalese women. I provide basic cultural context and teaching methods to ESL teachers. I also provide basic vocabulary lists and lesson plans about important situations such as "going to the doctor." The language needed to complete daily tasks is not taught in general language classes, and my goal is to change that.

Spid: A New Database For Inferring Public Policy Innovativeness And Diffusion Networks, Frederick J. Boehmke, Mark Brockway, Bruce A. Desmarais, Jeffrey J. Harden, Scott Lacombe, Fridolin Linder, Hanna Wallach

Government: Faculty Publications

Despite its rich tradition, there are key limitations to researchers' ability to make generalizable inferences about state policy innovation and diffusion. This paper introduces new data and methods to move from empirical analyses of single policies to the analysis of comprehensive populations of policies and rigorously inferred diffusion networks. We have gathered policy adoption data appropriate for estimating policy innovativeness and tracing diffusion ties in a targeted manner (e.g., by policy domain, time period, or policy type) and extended the development of methods necessary to accurately and efficiently infer those ties. Our state policy innovation and diffusion (SPID) database includes …

Landings, Vol. 28, No. 5, Maine Lobstermen’S Community Alliance

Landings: News & Views from Maine's Lobstering Community

Landings content emphasizes science, history, resource sustainability, economic development, and human interest stories related to

Maine’s lobster industry. The newsletter emphasizes lobstering as a traditional, majority-European American lifeway with an economic and social heritage unique to the coast of Maine. The publication focuses how ongoing research to engage in sustainable, non-harmful, and non-wasteful commercial fishing practices benefit both the fishery and Maine's coastal legacy.

Maine Lobstermen’s Community Alliance (MLCA) started publication of Landings, a 24-page newsletter in January 2013 as the successor of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) Newsletter. As of 2022, the MLCA published over 6,500 copies of …

Privilege In A Pandemic: An International Student's Perspective, Athena Macatangay

Social Space

And just like that, Singapore is approaching the end of its national circuit breaker.

These days, my university dorm has become my little universe. With COVID-19 showing no signs of abating, my schoolmates and I have been spending our semester break indoors. All the action takes place within the four walls of my room, where I clock my hours at a virtual internship, read, exercise and FaceTime with friends and family.

Nurturing Societal Leadership: Activities As Building Blocks, Simon Mckenzie, Jane Sassienie, Sunil Savara

Social Space

We previously discussed the importance of societal leadership in building a better world for future generations—and how societal leaders are driven by a purpose far greater than themselves. In the first article, we introduced the Bridge Societal Leadership Model and outlined the common beliefs observed in many societal leaders. In the second article, we examined their common capacities, such as their remarkable abilities and capabilities.

5-Ht2a Receptors Modulate Dopamine D2-Mediated Maternal Effects, Jun Gao

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Serotonin 5-HT2A receptors are expressed throughout the mesolimbic and mesocortical dopamine pathways, and manipulation of this receptor system has a profound impact on dopamine functions and dopamine-mediated behaviors. It is highly likely that 5-HT2A receptors may also modulate the D2-mediated maternal effects. The present study investigated this issue and also explored the possible behavioral mechanisms. We tested the effects of two D2 drugs (an agonist quinpirole: 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg, and a potent D2 antagonist haloperidol: 0.05, 0.10 mg/kg, sc) and their combinations with two 5-HT2A drugs (a selective 5-HT2A agonist TCB-2: 2.5 mg/kg, and 5-HT2A antagonist MDL100907, 1.0 mg/kg, sc) …

Stability And Robustness In Misspecified Learning Models, Mira Frick, Ryota Iijima, Yuhta Ishii

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

We present an approach to analyze learning outcomes in a broad class of misspecified environments, spanning both single-agent and social learning. Our main results provide general criteria to determine—without the need to explicitly analyze learning dynamics—when beliefs in a given environment converge to some long-run belief either locally or globally (i.e., from some or all initial beliefs). The key ingredient underlying these criteria is a novel “prediction accuracy” ordering over subjective models that refines existing comparisons based on Kullback-Leibler divergence. We show that these criteria can be applied, first, to unify and generalize various convergence results in previously studied settings. …

Financing Firms In Hibernation During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Tatiana Didier, Federico Huneeus, Mauricio Larrain, Sergio L. Schmukler

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has halted economic activity worldwide, hurting firms and pushing them toward bankruptcy. This paper provides a unified framework to organize the policy debate related to firm financing during the downturn, centered along four main points. First, the economic crisis triggered by the spread of the virus is radically different from past crises, with important consequences for optimal policy responses. Second, to avoid inefficient bankruptcies and long-term detrimental effects, it is important to preserve firms’ relationships with key stakeholders, like workers, suppliers, customers, and creditors. Third, firms can benefit from “hibernating,” using the minimum bare cash necessary …

Editor's Note, Joseph A. Cernik

Missouri Policy Journal

No abstract provided.

Cover, Joseph A. Cernik

Missouri Policy Journal

No abstract provided.