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- Creator:
- Vahle, Laura
- Description:
- Incest is underdiagnosed in the clinical setting. Clinicians often assign non-incest diagnoses based on symptomatology that is secondary to the underlying primary problem which is the impact of the externally induced trauma, incest. Another aspect of this underdiagnosis lies in the clinical setting in which the victim is examined. In this setting, her symptomatology is out of the context which gave rise to it and is therefore misinterpreted. A diagnosis of incest based on the same symptomatology would "make sense" if placed in the context of her family structure. Family patterns characteristic of paternal incest have been identified and used as the basis for a preliminary instrument for the identification of incest.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Johnson, Kelly M.
- Description:
- In order to generalize the results of stereotyping and discrimination studies to intergroup situations, it is important to attempt to examine simultaneously the many individual variables that have been implicated in this process. Three of these variables are affect, group categorization and self-esteem. Affect is known to influence intergroup perceptions, yet anger has received very little attention in studies on affect and intergroup relations. Minimal group paradigm studies have shown that participants perceive themselves as group members even though group divisions are based upon insignificant criteria, more so when divisions are based upon more salient features. Further, the more an individual identifies with his or her ingroup, the greater the ingroup favoritism. Self-esteem has also been implicated in intergroup perceptions: it appears to both influence and be influenced by stereotyping and discrimination. Further, self-esteem levels are differentially associated with intergroup bias: individuals with high self-esteem tend to use direct methods of bias and those with low self-esteem tend to use indirect methods of bias. In the following experiment, the researcher manipulated affect (induced anger versus a neutral mood) and group categorization based upon similar (dot estimation capabilities) or non-similar characteristics (no participant characteristics). Self-esteem was measured at the beginning and the end of the experiment to examine its relationship to the other variables. Stereotyping was examined through participants' 1) evaluative ratings of personality traits of in-and outgroup members; and 2) perception of variability of in-and out group members' personality traits. Discrimination was examined through participants' recall of previously-stated in-and out group behaviors. This measure is intended to reveal indirect bias. Ingroup identity was gauged through participants' perceived similarity to their ingroup. As hypothesized, significant ingroup favoritism was found on all dependent variables. Regardless of condition, the ingroup received more positive trait ratings, was perceived as more variable, and was more favorably remembered relative to the outgroup. In line with expectations, neutral mood participants and high self-esteem participants rated in-and outgroup personality traits higher than did angry or low self-esteem participants. Unexpectedly, there was no main effect of affect or self-esteem on discrimination. Expectations of greater intergroup bias (difference between ingroup and outgroup evaluations in favor of the ingroup) in trait ratings by angry, as compared to neutral participants, did not materialize. While predicted interactions between self-esteem and the group rated were not significant, implications for future research are promising. The predicted trends materialized for angry subjects only indicating that anger and self-esteem may combine to differentially influence how an individual expresses intergroup bias. Individuals with high self-esteem showed an expected, but non-significant trend towards greater ingroup identity than did those with low self-esteem. Contrary to expectations, affect did not influence ingroup identity. As predicted, stereotyping and discrimination did not influence self-esteem. Categorization was omitted from analysis since the manipulation check indicated the manipulation had failed.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Steiger, Laura L.
- Description:
- Construct accessibility has been found to play an important role in the interpretation of social information. Even when a construct is primed implicitly it has been proven to have a temporary effect on person perception. The present experiment examined the effects of increasing the construct accessibility for the traits of friendliness and hostility on social perception. The interaction of these two trait categories with person perception and gender was also investigated. Subjects performed a task in which they were unknowingly exposed to either 0%, 20%, or 80% friendly or hostile words. Next, subjects read a behavioral description that was ambiguously related to both hostility and friendliness, and rated the stimulus person on several trait scales. Although there were no significant priming effects in the experimental condition, two separate experiments indicate that effects would have been found had the exposure time during the priming task been slower. There was a significant gender difference in the hostility rating of the behavioral description across conditions; the implications of this are discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Guzman, Isabel Pacheco
- Description:
- The purpose of this study is to examine group differences in attachment styles and relationship functioning among individuals with high and low psychopathic traits. It was hypothesized that individuals with high psychopathic traits would report greater incidence of dismissing attachment and a lower incidence of secure attachment, relationship satisfaction, and relational-anxiety as compared with individuals with low psychopathic traits. It was also hypothesized that high psychopathic traits will have greater negative associations with secure attachment, preoccupied attachment, fearful attachment, relationship satisfaction, and relational-anxiety, as well as a greater positive association with dismissing attachment as compared to lower levels of psychopathic traits. Procedures included recruitment of 117 undergraduate students and administration of several self-report measures. The high psychopathy group reported greater incidence of fearful attachment while the low psychopathy group reported greater incidence of secure attachment and relationship satisfaction. No significant group differences were found in relationships between psychopathy, attachment, relationship satisfaction, and relational-anxiety. Clinical implications are discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Ruzicka, Alyssa L.
- Description:
- Cognitive workload theories typically assume linear additive impacts on performance as cognitive workload increases (O'Donnell & Eggemeier, 1986; Tsang & Wilson, 1997). Meanwhile, current trends suggest inclusion of variability analysis may be of benefit (Balota & Spieler, 1999; Brown & Heathcote, 2003; Van Zandt, 2002). The first study replicates Cooper and Shepard's mental rotation study (1973), confirming that mean response times shift in the analysis of variance (ANOVA), but that significant variability changes are also present. The second study adds a grouped-response dual tone discrimination task, revealing similar trends in means shifts and further significant increases in variability as difficulty rises. Implications for the development and analysis of cognitive theories of cognitive workload are discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Sweo, Robert Edward
- Description:
- This study was conducted to determine the effect of hand used and input task on input device selection. Forty-two right handed subjects were tested on both hands, across three input tasks: selection, position and orientation. Input device was used as a between subjects variable with an equal number of subjects carrying out the tasks with a mechanical mouse, trackball or graphics tablet. Of the three input devices tested in this experiment the graphics tablet allowed the fastest data entry. Performance on the graphics tablet was equal to or better than either the mouse or trackball on every task with either hand. Performance with the trackball and mouse was nearly equal on all the tasks, with either hand. Methodological limitations in this study made it difficult to assess the effects of hand used on input device. Further investigation is necessary before any firm conclusions can be reached. The variable that measured which direction the subject had to look from the target object to find the test object (horizontal, vertical or diagonal) entered into a three way interaction with hand and input device on the selection task. Analysis of the data showed most of the difference occurred in the left hand results. The left hand trackball users did equally well in each direction, while the mouse users did best on diagonal movements, worst on vertical and the graphics tablet users did best on horizontal movements but showed no difference for diagonal or vertical movements. The implications and limitations of this studies results are discussed and recommendations for future research are made.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Hirsch, Haim Daniel
- Description:
- To determine how trust is affected by an interface containing the anthropomorphic representation of an intelligent agent, 593 visitors to a popular automotive Web site were surveyed on their use of an online agent-like system. The type of Personification (plain text-only, text with an icon representing the agent, text with an icon and a biography about the agent) and Message Style (Structured and Anthropomorphic) were manipulated. A significant interaction was found for all three derived factors: Decision Support, F(2, 587) = 5.79, p ? .01; Implicit Trust, F(2, 587) = 6.08, p ? .01; and System Competence, F(2, 587) = 3.29, p ? .05. The lack of main effects indicates that simple manipulations may not have the large impact typically assumed in the literature. Interface Designers wishing to enhance the acceptance of systems that include intelligent agents should ensure that the anthropomorphic characteristics as a whole, including the communication style and visual representation, should form a strongly cohesive and consistent presentation to the user.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- David, Suzanne R.
- Description:
- The effect of database linking structure on complex search task performance was examined. Database structure was either hierarchical only or hierarchical with added relational links (mixed structure). Participants were asked to provide answers to five complex task scenarios, using one of two versions of a large, unfamiliar database. Participants also completed a questionnaire about their subjective ratings and comments about the database. The results indicated that the mixed structure facilitated better performance with respect to time for task completion and number of information and menu screens visited. No significant difference was found for accuracy/ completeness of response. Likewise, no significant difference was found with respect to subjective satisfaction or cognitive/navigational disorientation. The results appear to support the position that properly implemented relational links aid users in information search tasks.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Balderrama, Joe O.
- Description:
- This study examined the effects of explicit warning salience on perceived risk. The design was a 4 X 6 mixed factorial. The between-subjects variable was warning label type. Its 4 levels were reactive pictogram plus text, proactive pictogram plus text, text only, and control. Reactive pictograms showed vivid injuries, and proactive pictograms showed protective behaviors. Hazard type was the within-subjects variable. Its 6 levels were bum, acid, inhalation, crush, eye projectile, and laceration. Subjects were presented with scenarios and then asked to rate warning labels. The 5 dependent measures were ratings on perceived level of hazard, level of caution, severity of injury, likelihood of injury, and susceptibility of injury. Compared to text only warnings, reactive warnings were perceived with greater risk than proactive warnings. However, the most interesting results are how certain hazard types were already perceived with a high degree of hazard regardless of the warning label type.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Nguyen, Paul
- Description:
- Understanding group dynamics is important in order to enhance and maintain performance of work-teams. The purpose of this thesis is to examine factors related to social loafing and social facilitation and how such factors hinder and promote teamwork. One hundred seventy-five undergraduate students were randomly assigned to perform a task in one of two conditions: alone or with a partner in a dyad. (See more in text.)
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Kakos, Bernadette
- Description:
- There is very little literature available regarding the relationship between neuropsychological functioning of a patient with cognitive impairment and his/her caregiver's leyel of stress or burden. The purpose of the present study was to examine the burden caregiyer's of patients with cognitive impairment experience as a function of the patient�s neuropsychological test scores and their functional abilities. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with mild cognitive impairment were recruited from community hospitals and clinics in the Los Angeles area. Patients were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery designed to assess the following cognitive domains: memory, attention, and information processing speed. The patients were also administered an observation based activities of daily living test which assess seven different areas of functioning, including ability to shop, grooming, carry out financial tasks, communication and understanding of transportation rules. Twenty-nine caregivers of the patients were administered a 24-item burden inventory, which is designed to assess their level of stress and physical and emotional burden in caring for the patient. Results: Bivariate correlation analyses were conducted between patients test scores and the caregiver burden measures. The analyses revealed a relationship between a specific neuropsychological domain and the caregiver measure. Specifically, the lower the verbal processing ability, the verbal memory, and functional ability of the patient, the greater the caregiver reported their stress or burden level to be. Interestingly, specific activities of daily living domains, such as transportation, appeared to cause the greatest burden in caregivers. Conclusion: The results from the current study suggest that neuropsychological test scores of cognitively impaired patients can be used when predicting the burden of care a caregiver is likely to experience. Further implications from this study are that we can assist healthcare providers in tailoring specific support programs for caregivers of patients with specific cognitive deficits.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Steers, William Neil
- Description:
- A study was conducted for the purpose of demonstrating the effects of sex of subject, sex of target person, attributes of the target person, and search stage on the order and amount of information accession during the impression formation process. Equal numbers of male and female subjects were given the opportunity to access appearance, behavior, and trait information about either male or female targets. The targets and their attributes were represented in an information board, which is a matrix with each row representing a different target person, and each column representing either an appearance, behavior, or trait attribute of the target. Each cell contained cards with information regarding how the attribute in the column characterized the person in the row. Subjects were given the task of choosing which target impressed them most favorably by removing cards from the cells of their choice and reading the information printed on the cards. Two quadruple interactions were hypothesized. Male subjects were hypothesized to search a greater amount of appearance information about female targets in the first search stage than subjects in all other experimental conditions. Male subjects were also hypothesized to conduct a higher within-attribute search when searching appearance information about female targets in the first stage than subjects in all other conditions. Neither of these hypotheses was confirmed. It was found that subjects executed a higher within-target search in the second search stage than the first. The effect of subject sex on search sequence and the effect of attribute type on search depth were tested post hoc. It was found that females conducted a higher within-target search than males. Surprisingly, an overall preference for searching trait information than appearance or behavior information was also found. Results are discussed in light of existing models of information search.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Morawiec, Risako
- Description:
- Past studies have shown mixed results in the effect of presenting information in visual and auditory modalities on students' learning. Some studies suggest that presenting information in visual and auditory modalities provides more resources to working memory and thereby improves the learning process (Feinbergm & Murphy, 200; Kalyuga et al. , 2000; Mayer, 2001; Moreno & Mayer, 199, 2002). Some other studies suggest using Cognitive load theory (CLT) that redundant auditory and visual information increases cognitive load and interferes with learning (Kalyuga, et al., 2004; Mayer, 2001 ; Mayer & Moreno, 2002, 2003). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of different multimedia presentation styles on participants' learning performance. The participants were 85 undergraduate university students, and they were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions or the control group. The control group received narration only. The first independent variable is an on-screen text density, including on-screen keyword text and on-screen summary text. The second independent variable is on-screen text segmentation, including small-chunked versus continuously presented on-screen text. Dependent variables are subjective rating of cognitive load, a recall test, and a problem solving transfer test. It was hypothesized that on-screen text groups would experience less cognitive load and would outscore the other groups in overall total test scores. Among on-screen text groups, those who received the keyword presentation were predicted to report less cognitive load and scores higher in overall test scores than those who received summary presentations. Also, it was hypothesized that the segmented presentation groups would experience less cognitive load and outperform in overall test scores than the continuous presentation groups. One way ANOVA and 2x2 between-subjects ANOVA revealed that there were no significant differences between the five groups. The study was not conclusive in terms of recommending effective ways of multimedia presentation styles using both onscreen text and narration. Future studies should examine the same variables with different presentations or other ways to improve learning using multimedia presentations.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Anderson, James Edward
- Description:
- This evaluation focused on accessing word-processing functions by testing the efficiency of predetermined key combinations often called "accelerator-commands," "keyboard-equivalents," or "keyboard-shortcuts." Only the alpha-key component of accelerator-command key combinations has previously been addressed by user interface guidelines (International Business Machines Corporation., 1992; Apple Computer Inc., 1987; Digital Equipment Corporation, 1988). This evaluation focused on two other accelerator-command components: accelerator-keys and the shift-key. The evaluation compared key combination assignment principles using a three by three between-subject design. The accelerator-key assignment principle was the first dimension with three conditions: using one accelerator-key, using multiple accelerator-keys for added mnemonics, and using multiple accelerator-keys for categories. The shift-key assignment principle was the second dimension with three conditions: not using the shiftkey, using the shift-key for added mnemonics, and using the shift-key for related commands. Each cell had different key combinations for the 60 commands. The subjects were to press the correct key combination when presented with a definition of the command. The test ended when the subject pressed the correct key combination 19 of 20 times (95% correct responses) in a single trial. None of the overall measures, trials to 95 percent, percentage correct on first trial, or total errors, were significantly different on any dimension. The principles used to predict the overall results including the Category Coding Principle, the Number Of Accelerator-Keys Principle, the Number of Shift-Keys Principle, the Related Coding Principle, and the Mnemonic Principle have the following flawed assumption in common: that by reducing a targeted type of component error (accelerator-key errors, shift-key errors, or alpha-key errors) the overall number of errors will be reduced. The results of the component error measures (accelerator-key errors, shift-key errors, and alpha-key errors) give application designers the following strategies to help predict the key combinations that are more likely to cause users to have the different kinds of component errors: � Key combinations that are more likely to have accelerator-key errors can be predicted better by using the Category Coding Principle than by using the Number Of Accelerator-Keys Principle. � Key combinations that are more likely to have shift-key errors can be predicted better by using the Number of Shift-Keys Principle than by using the Related Coding Principle. � Key combinations that are more likely to have alpha-key errors can be predicted using the Mnemonic Principle. By using the previous strategies to predict the key combinations that will have the most component errors, the following guidelines could be used by application designers to reduce the frequency of component errors if they can predict the frequency with which individual commands will be used: � To reduce the frequency of accelerator-key errors, 1) assign the most frequently used functions to key combinations using the primary accelerator-key and assign the less frequently used functions to a secondary accelerator-key or 2) use the Category Coding Principle. � To reduce the frequency of shift-key errors, 1) assign the most frequently used functions to key combinations without the shift-key and assign the less frequently used functions to key combinations with the shift-key or 2) use the Category Coding Principle for the shift-key. � As previously stated in the guidelines, to reduce the frequency of alpha-key errors, assign the most frequently used functions to mnemonic key combinations and assign the less frequently used functions to non-mnemonic key combinations.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Prenovost, Linda M.
- Description:
- The goal of the present study wa'i to uncover interrelationships among sexual orientation, sex, attitudes toward women's roles in society, and level of dietary restraint. It was hypothesized that sexual orientation, attitudes toward traditional gender roles, and sexual self-esteem would be at least as highly associated with restraint as gender. Other expected relationships predicted that participants who seek male sexual acceptance (homosexual men and heterosexual women) would report higher restraint and lower sexual self -esteem than their counterparts and, in addition, high restraint levels were expected to relate to women who had been raised or lived inside the U.S. as opposed to women from other countries. A questionnaire was administered to volunteers at CSU, Northridge which contained the Restraint Scale, Attitudes Towards Women Scale, the Sexual Self-Esteem Scale, questions pertaining to sexual orientation, as well as demographic items. The useable sample consisted of 183 cases (60 men and 122 women; 13 homosexual and 170 heterosexual respondents). Results were found to be unreliable due to a lack of power; however the arithmetic means of the hypotheses involving restraint and the respondents seeking male acceptance and their estimation of their sexual self-esteem were in the predicted directions. Supplementary analyses revealed that, in addition to the small representation of homosexual participants, the sample also lacked respondents who were restrained eaters. A more powerful sample would be expected from a more directed purposive sampling procedure. Finally, principal components analyses with oblique rotation were performed on the Restraint Scale and Sexual Self-Esteem Scale respectively. The factor structure of the Restraint Scale supported the pre-established structure (two factors: concern for dieting and weight fluctuation) and the structure of the latter scale revealed only one component. It was recommended that the items pertaining to the factor, weight fluctuation, be re-constructed to reflect purer measures of dieting and binging behaviors separately since fluctuations of weight are generally the result of a combination of dieting and overeating.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Metchikian, Karyn L.
- Description:
- The responses of 10 mothers reported for child abuse, 12 reported for child neglect, and 12 comparison mothers, were compared on the Parenting Stress Index/Short Form (PSI/SF), the Expectations subscale of the Parent Behavior Checklist, and the Abuse subscale of the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAP Inventory). The abuse and neglect group mothers had significantly higher scores than comparison mothers on the CAP Inventory; the neglect group had significantly higher stress scores than the comparison group on the PSI/SF; there were no group differences in terms of mothers' expectations for their child's behavior. Stress was a significant predictor of child abuse potential on the CAP Inventory. Post hoc analyses indicated that neglectful mothers reported the use of significantly more discipline and less nurturing with their children than comparison mothers. This study indicates that mothers with high stress levels would benefit from preventive services aimed at the reduction of future maltreatment rates.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Mandel, Jerrold L.
- Description:
- This study represents an attempt to assess the relationship between unclear communication and deviant behavior. It was hypothesized that as stimuli became less discriminable, and the consequences of responses became less predictable, behavior would become less efficient, and more inappropriate responses would be observed. To test this hypothesis, four groups of Ss from a prep school were given a verbal learning task consisting of lists of paired associates with two levels of discriminability. Ss were required to learn one of the lists to a criterion of one perfect trial. Upon reaching criterion, either 50% or 100% reversal was instituted. Following institution of reversal, all Ss were given two additional test trials. This study was replicated using students from a remedial school, in order to test for the influence of behavioral problems upon performance level in this task. The study yielded a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design with two levels of discriminability, and two levels of reversal, using Ss from both schools. Three dependent variables were measured on all Ss: trials to criterion, number of errors after reversal was instituted, and number of inappropriate responses during reversal. The results supported the major hypotheses. The groups given the less discriminable word list showed a greater number of trials to criterion than those given the more discriminable list. The groups given 50% reversal showed more errors and inappropriate responses than the groups given 100% reversal. There were no statistically significant differences in performance between the two schools.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Sharp, Tilghman
- Description:
- Forty-six depressed and anxious cardiac patients who had suffered myocardial infarction and/or bypass surgery were given twelve weekly sessions of either supportive or behavioral therapy. Patients completed a battery of psychological assessments at five different time periods, before therapy, at the completion of therapy, and at three, nine and fifteen month follow-ups. A combined standard-hierarchical multiple regression was used to determine if certain selected variables could predict success in therapy at each of the four post-therapy time periods. Two of the individual variables, Global Severity Index and Expectations were significant predictors. Taking the eleven variables as a group, strong prediction prediction was obtained, with predictable variance in therapy success increasing from 44% at the conclusion of therapy to 72% at the fifteen month follow-up. Further research is indicated with a larger group of patients in order to investigate a more diverse socioeconomic group and to further study the best combination of predictor variables. Cardiac patients form a group that is continuously at risk for further heart problems, therefore maintenance of the best possible quality of life, with the least amount of stress, is important for this population.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Smyth, Tim Christopher
- Description:
- Since the concept of locus of control was proposed by Rotter in 1954, other theorists have sought to expand upon his initial bipolar concept. Levenson (1972) proposed that locus of control is not two dimensional or bipolar but that externality can be further subdivided to account for perceived control by powerful others and the attribution of chance or fate as a causal factor. Factor analyses consistently reveal at least 3 dimensions of locus of control and indicate that Rotter’s scale is too simplistic to account for intersubject variations in measures of adjustment. Previous studies also reveal a correlation between externality and well-being. The present study utilized Levenson’s three factor locus of control scale in an effort to replicate and clarify the relationship of locus of control to indices of adjustment and self-esteem. Additionally, the introduction of instructional manipulation was designed to address the issue of instructional effects, singly and in combination with the factor of sex. Results support the replicability and stability of the relationships between locus of control, well-being, and self-esteem. The instructional manipulation had the effect of decreasing attributions of internality in both sexes. Sex of subjects was shown to be related to reports of self-regard, physical abilities (subscales of the self-esteem measure), and depressive symptomatology.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Hofacker, Charles F.
- Description:
- In order to resolve some of the contradictions that exist in the area of pictorial memory and to more fully understand the processing of visual materials, a study was undertaken to examine the serial position curve when the stimuli are relatively complex ‘vacation type’ slides of outdoor scenes. The method chosen for mapping out the serial position function was that of probe recognition. Further, the normative complexity of the slides was varied over two levels. It was predicted that low complexity slides would lead to superior performance on the probe task as compared to high complexity slides. Another expectation was that any serial position effect would be limited to the low complexity slides. This prediction was made on the assumption that low complexity slides are labeled with words and rehearsed as words while no rehearsal, either imaginal or verbal, occurs for high complexity slides. Lists were nine items long and were probed at the first, third, fifth, seventh, and eighth serial positions. Recognition was for exact list sequence rather than for list membership. Separate 2 by 5 analyses of variance were performed for total correct and for the d' of signal detection theory. The probability of a correct response did not differ for the five probe positions sampled, nor was there any reliable effect of slide complexity. These results were discussed in the context of a depth of processing point of view.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Haber, Sharon Joy
- Description:
- This study was designed to investigate the various factors which might influence the decision-making process of clinical psychologists in relation to ethical violations. One of 27 questionnaires containing a vignette of an ethical violation by a psychologist was mailed to 860 clinical psychologists selected at random from the 1981 APA directory. Each of these questionnaires also contained a rating scale from 1-7 for the levels of seriousness as well as 7 sanctions listed in order of severity. It was hypothesized that there would be a substantial relationship between the severity of rating and penalty imposed. It was further hypothesized that the severity of rating of the infraction and the penalty imposed would be directly related to the various levels of minor, moderate and severe. It was also predicted that there would be a significant difference in judgments imposed on offending psychologists who showed various reactions (apologetic/ contrite or obstinate/unrepenting) as opposed to those with no reaction and also that there would be a significant difference in penalties given to offending veteran vs. novice psychologists and to those with no time in field specified. In addition it was hypothesized that the obstinate/unrepenting, veteran psychologist was expected to be rated most severely. From 270 responses it was found that there is a significant relationship between severity of rating and penalty imposed. The severity of rating and the penalty imposed were not found to be significantly related to the levels (minor, moderate, and severe) however they were within the predicted direction. The three hypotheses which included vignettes with responses by the offender, no response given or time in the field specified, were not substantiated by any significant findings.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Kimball, Mary Eleanor
- Description:
- The hypothesis that Graphoanalysis (GA) is a valid predictor of scores on the Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey was tested by correlating Graphoanalyses of writing samples from 30 Ss, done separately by two Graphoanalysts (Gs), with results of the Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey ( GZ), taken by the same 30 Ss. The hypothesis that GA is a reliable measure was tested by calculating Pearson's r and a z-score for the two sets of GA results. A specific group of GA traits was assigned to each GZ trait and correlated with it; each GA trait in the group was also separately correlated with its assigned GZ trait. Correlations of groups of GA traits with GZ traits produced significant correlations (p<0.05) associated with the GZ traits of Sociability, Objectivity, and Friendliness, and their respective GA correlates, out of 18 correlations calculated. Correlations of GZ traits with individual GA traits produced 8 significant correlations, out of 102 calculated. Since these numbers of significant correlations might have occurred by chance alone, the results are not held to support the hypothesis that GA scores will predict GZ scores. Fifty-one traits were evaluated by each G. The degree of agreement between them was tested by Pearson's r; the absolute agreement, by the Z-score for binomial distributions for an n of 30 or more. r was significant (p<0.05) for 16 of the 51 traits. The z-score showed significant results for 37 of the 51 (p<0.05). These results tend to support the hypothesis that GA is a reliable experimental tool. Difficulties in scoring and data analysis in both measures were discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Giacomi, M. Jean
- Description:
- Results from a “science Functional Test” done on a glove-box type work station developed at NASA-Ames Research Center provided the questions addressed in the present study. An experiment was conducted to examine the optimum arrangement of access positions which would allow two operators to most effectively work together on tasks done inside a glove box. Two access position arrangements were considered in the study: a side access position arrangement and an opposite access position arrangement. In the experiment, 40 pairs of subjects worked on assembly tasks which involved fine and gross manipulation of objects. The subjects were divided into four groups according to access position (side vs opposite) and amount of coordination used to complete the assemblies (high vs low). Five “steps” were performed in each of the fine and gross manipulation task groups. Each step was considered one part of an assembly sequence, and involved reaches to different points inside the workstation. After a practice trial the subjects performed each of the five steps in sequence four additional times. (See more in text.)
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- deLara, Christine
- Description:
- The purpose of the present study is to investigate both male and female subjects’ attributions of responsibility to a rape victim as a function of the following variables: (1) sex of the rape victim (female vs. male); (2) level of attitudinal similarity to the victim (similar vs. dissimilar); and (3) number of rapists or defendants (1 vs. 2). The design of this experiment is a 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 factorial which includes sex of subject as a classification variable. Subjects for this experiment were undergraduate students enrolled in various sections of the introductory psychology course at California State University, Northridge. Each subject received a booklet which contained all the information for each of the eight treatment combinations as well as the posttest questionnaire. Shaver's (1970) version of defensive attribution theory, which emphasizes the role of situational and personal similarity between the subject and the stimulus person in responsibility attribution, has been successfully upheld when applied to the situation of a rape victim (de Lara and Fulero, 1974). The present study seeks to extend the defensive attribution process with regard to a rape victim by ascertaining what effect sexual similarity to the victim in addition to personal similarity as measured by attitudes has on responsibility attribution. Furthermore, the manipulation of number of rapists is intended to clarify whether the defensive attribution process will generally prevail in the attribution of responsibility to a rape victim or whether, in the case of the two rapists, a more "rational" attribution model such as Heider's (1958) will apply and yield sharply diminished attributions of responsibility to the rape victim. Ratings were obtained of the seriousness of the rape's consequences for the victim, probability that what happened to the victim as well as to the defendant could happen to the subject, and probability that a similar crime could occur again on campus. Additional measures included subjects' identification, perceived similarity, and attraction for the victim, as well as an item assessing punitiveness toward the defendant(s). Analysis of variance based on the transformed scores from the above measures overwhelmingly indicates that the rape situation is more relevant for females than for males. The main dependent variable of this study was attribution of responsibility to the victim for the rape's occurrence. The principle finding was a sex of subject X level of attitudinal similarity interaction which, when taken in conjunction with the findings of an appended control group which included a "no information" condition with respect to attitudes, directly supports the defensive attribution hypothesis.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Sarchio, John Peter
- Description:
- It is through Transpersonal Psychology that--in the West--the spiritual facet of life is formally accepted as a legitimate aspect of the psychological realm of humankind. Where Eastern philosophy and religion have focused on spiritual development, and Western psychology has focused on intra- and interpersonal development, Transpersonal Psychology is the embodiment of the meeting ground between East and West: where the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and transpersonal (spiritual) realms merge. This paper goes into some detail as to the value of Transpersonal Psychology for clients and therapists. Some of what Transpersonal Psychology offers to clients is a new image of who and what we are, exploration of altered states of consciousness, spiritual growth and selftranscendence, and new forms of energy. What is to be expected of a transpersonal therapist is that he/she has an intimate awareness, involvement, and high degree of development on intra-, inter-, and transpersonal levels. Many traditional techniques may be employed by a transpersonal therapist, but he/she focuses as much, or even more so, on the quality of the energy/life of the counseling situation. Although a client may need to do intensive work on an intra-, or interpersonal level, various exercises (a few of which are illustrated in this paper) can be used to align transpersonal qualities which can contribute to the work being done. On a group level, individual work is enhanced through a conscious focus on utilizing and maximizing the collective energy of the group. The new direction of Transpersonal Psychology is focused more on spiritual energy than psychological malady; the transpersonal "gold" as opposed to the intrapersonal pathology. The aim is not only for an individual to feel whole and harmonious in respect to oneself and others, but also in respect to the entire cosmos.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Marziani, Alexander William
- Description:
- This study investigated the effects of group learning experiences on changes in cognitive complexity. Cognitive complexity is defined by Scott (1962) as the number of independent dimensions worth of concepts the individual brings to bear in describing a particular domain of phenomena. Bieri (1966) defined cognitive complexity as the degree to which a system of concepts differentiates or discriminates people. It has been postulated by Kelly (1955) that the concepts an individual has available for structuring his interpersonal relationships determines the kinds of responses which are possible for him. As part of this study a two page questionnaire was developed based on the work of Bieri, Scott, Kelly and Osgood to measure cognitive complexity. The questionnaire was administered to 71 subjects enrolled or about to be enrolled in upper division psychology courses at San Fernando Valley State College. A non-equivalent control group design with pre-test and post-test measures was used in this study to take advantage of indigenous group selection and setting. Two upper division college courses in sensitivity training were used as the experimental groups. There were three control groups. One control group was an upper division course in motivation taught by one of the sensitivity training leaders. A second control group was composed of persons waiting to take a sensitivity training course the next college term with the second sensitivity training leader. The third control group was an upper division course in behavioral disorders taught by an instructor not involved in sensitivity training. Sensitivity training has as a stated goal an increase in the participant's awareness of his own social stimulus value; the feelings, attitudes and perceptions of others toward him. It also aims towards increased awareness of one's own feelings and attitudes in interpersonal situations (Bennis, 1964). Harrison (1966) postulates that these goals imply that interpersonal concepts should change in the direction of greater complexity, greater abstractness, and greater depth. This study attempted to determine in objectively quantifiable terms how a sensitivity training experience differed from an academic learning experience or no formal learning experience in affecting cognitive complexity. The results of the study indicated that while there were large individual differences in cognitive complexity, no significant changes or differences in cognitive complexity was found in either the experimental or control groups. Several different possibilities for the lack of significant results are discussed. One of the explanations for the lack of significant differences could be that the subjects had a generally high level of cognitive complexity before the group experience. This seems plausible since the subject pool consisted of advanced students in psychology who previously had been exposed to broadening experiences. Some suggestions for further research in the area of sensitivity training are made with some selection procedures for screening sensitivity training candidates.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Chenevert, Ollie S.
- Description:
- This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of aural presentation of instructions upon comprehension, as measured by performance in a complex task, particularly among individuals demonstrating low reading comprehension. Subjects performed a task having concrete and abstract parts after receiving instructions in one of three experimental modes; i.e., Condition 1, 100% visual presentation; Condition 2, 50% visual/50% aural presentation or Condition 3, 100% aural presentation. To effectively assess the instructional modes, a task was chosen with which subjects would have little familiarity, namely the assembly and use of a binary adder (BA). Persons with binary number system background were not used. In Part 1, the concrete portion of the task, subjects assembled wiring necessary for the correct use of a 2-position BA. In Part 2, subjects were required to troubleshoot an error in a 4-position BA, then use the adder to add a 4-position binary problem and convert the answer to a decimal number. Subject population was composed of 90 male and female students at California State University, Northridge. Pretests were conducted to assess the subject's reading comprehension level and manual dexterity ability. Manual dexterity was not to be considered as a separate variable therefore, subjects scoring above 80 and below 20 were eliminated from further participation. (See more in text.)
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Cherry, Thomas James
- Description:
- In this thesis the effects of three cognitive variables were studied as they affect the aesthetic communication process. It was assumed that aesthetic communication is the process whereby the artist through his work, communicates his feelings to the perceiver. Consequently, each subject was initially tested to determine if he were: a. elative or depressive; b. variable or stable mood; c. sensitizer or repressor. The subjects were then measured on the accuracy of their perceptions of four aesthetic stimuli (paintings), two of which were elative while the other two were depressive. Their accuracy was determined by comparing their responses to those of the artist. The sample consisted of 104 introductory psychology students at San Fernando Valley State College. (See more in text.)
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Skryha, Bryan Wilson
- Description:
- Systematic desensitization and progressive relaxation were compared as to their effectiveness in alleviating test anxiety, in improving examination performance, and in reducing general anxiety in test anxious college students. Sixty students served as Ss selected on the basis of high scores on Sarason's Test Anxiety Scale. All sixty students were evenly divided into high and low generally anxious groups by their initial scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. After completing the Test Anxiety Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, these 60 high test anxious Ss were randomly assigned either to a systematic desensitization, a progressive relaxation, or a no treatment control group. All Ss were measured for test anxiety before and after treatments, and general anxiety (State) before, during and after treatments. It was found that low generally anxious systematically desensitized and progressively relaxed Ss significantly reduced their levels of test anxiety when compared to a no treatment control group. No significant differences in test anxiety were found between treatment and control groups for those Ss who were high in general anxiety. (See more in text.)
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Mapp, Casey
- Description:
- Research has suggested that higher self-efficacy is associated with not only greater improvements to mood following exercise, but also less perceived exertion during exercise. Though differences between gender and ethnicity have been reported in behaviors, beliefs, and self-efficacy regarding physical activity, the majority of studies exploring this relationship between self-efficacy and exercise related affect have used homogenous subject pools and do not take into account gender and cultural differences between subjects. The current study used an exercise task with self-efficacy ratings and pre- and post-exercise mood measurements as well as in-task ratings of perceived exertion to investigate potential differences between gender and ethnic groups, regarding this relationship between self-efficacy and exercise-related mood states. The results of this study found that affective responses that were influenced by self-efficacy varied among different ethnic/gender combinations.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Ades, Audrey June
- Description:
- The present study was an investigation into the relationship between two personality variables: “Time perspective”,and “Self-Actualizing tendency”. The review of the literataure and introduction to the problem contained a discussion about, the theories of Maslow, May,Rogers, Allport, and others as they pertain to ''self.actualization and as they are concerned, in certain aspects, with “time orientation”. Both theory and research are reviewed as they are relevant to the pas, present and future time orientation and the personality characteristics of individuals. See more in text.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Terceman, John O.
- Description:
- Predicted increases in air traffic are driving a paradigm shift in the Air Traffic Management system. The ATM research community has identified the adoption of Trajectory-Based Operations a viable concept of operation to accommodate the traffic growth while maintaining system safety and efficiency. This transition would require pilots and controllers to use trial planner tools to create, evaluate, modify trajectories that are exchanged between the ground and airborne systems. However, various lags (e.g., in communications or computation of trajectories) can induce delays in providing the feedback to the user during conflict search and trial planning processes. This research addresses this issue by conducting an experiment to study the effects of feedback delays on pilots during conflict detection and avoidance tasks. Twelve pilots participated in 40 en-route flight part-task simulations that required them to avoid separation violations with surrounding aircraft while maintaining flight safety and fuel efficiency. Actual air traffic over Kansas City airspace was simulated in the experiment and scaled to have moderate and higher density than current day level. The traffic was displayed on the NASA Ames Cockpit Situation Display, which featured a trial planner tool equipped with conflict alerting functionality. Feedback delays of 0, 2, 4 and 8 seconds were added to the conflict alerting functionality to observe any significant changes in pilot comfort as well as route efficiency and safety. Irrespective of the levels of feedback delays, pilots showed no significant decrease in performance in moderate traffic density simulations. However, the results were considerably different in the high traffic density condition, where the efficiency decreased significantly at levels of delay greater than 0 seconds and the pilot decision time increased significantly. In addition, pilots were more likely to commit to unsafe routes in high-density conditions with feedback delays greater than 0 seconds. It is reasonable to assume that delays are impossible to completely eradicate, but perhaps they need not be completely removed from these systems to successfully meet flight and business objectives. With thorough calculations stakeholders may be able to extrapolate the amount of feedback delay that can be deemed as acceptable in order to meet safety as well as business requirements.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Welsh, Kayleigh L.
- Description:
- The purpose of this research was to examine whether perceived mutual respect in schools (between teachers, administrators, and students) can moderate the relationship between environmental stressors (i.e., peer victimization, ethnic discrimination, parental intrusiveness) and the exhibition of high-risk behaviors (i.e., substance use, delinquent behaviors, physical aggression) in Latino adolescents in southern California. Research frequently investigates ways in which family-related variables can buffer such behaviors, but few studies have examined whether school climate can minimize the effects of stressors on youth high-risk behaviors. Given how much time adolescents typically spend at school, a positive school climate may serve as a protective factor against various stressors. Data from 610 ninth and tenth grade Latino adolescents (M=14.8 years old) in Los Angeles were used in the present study; a majority of which were 2nd generation youth (i.e., born in the U.S., parents born in other countries). Hierarchical regression analyses were performed (1) to assess the direct and direct effects of environmental stressors on high-risk behaviors, and (2) to test mutual respect in school and gender as potential moderators. Analyses revealed that ethnic discrimination was the only environmental stressor that was significantly related to all three high-risk behavior outcomes. Also, school respect significantly moderated the effects of peer victimization and parental intrusiveness on all three high-risk behavior outcomes. Results of the study indicated that promoting respect within the school environment could potentially buffer the impact of intrusive parenting and peer victimization on adolescent engagement in high-risk behaviors. In addition, schools should continue to investigate ways to decrease the incidences of peer victimization and ethnic discrimination within the schools, as well as ways to assist Latino youth in adaptively coping with environmental stressors when they do occur.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Revels-Macalinao, Michelle
- Description:
- The manifestation of discrimination has changed from overt to subtle forms, such as microaggressions-the conditions or communications that send negative messages to marginalized individuals and/or groups-yet the research on microaggressions remains limited and mostly qualitative. In addition, recent scholars have argued that intersectionality, the simultaneous examination of multiple social categorizations, is an important methodological approach to incorporate into scientific research. However, no research to date has directly compared intersectionality with the traditional way of examining social categories (i.e., the additive approach). In light of this, it becomes important to empirically examine microaggressions using intersectionality as a methodological approach. To address these gaps in the literature, an online survey was used to (a) develop an intersectional ethnic lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) microaggressions scale and (b) directly examine if the intersectional ethnic LGB microaggressions scale, rather than the ethnic/racial and LGB microaggressions scales together, is better at predicting anxiety and depression scores. Consistent with ethnic/racial and LGB microaggressions literature, 7 subscales emerged on the intersectional ethnic LGB microaggressions scale, including: (1) LGB community alien in own land, (2) negative treatment, (3) denial of experiences, (4) exoticization, (5) being pathologized, (6) gendered stereotypes, and (7) ethnic/racial community alien in own land. Additionally, the intersectional ethnic LGB microaggressions scale was found to better predict anxiety and depression scores than the ethnic/racial and LGB microaggressions scales together. These results support our hypotheses and suggest that intersectionality is a better methodological approach to measuring social identities.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Kitchen, Richard
- Description:
- This research explored the effects of button position and screen layout of touch screens on a mobile device. Three dependent variables were measured: reaction time, errors, and perceived convenience. Thirty participants were required to select a rectangular button displayed on the device as quickly and accurately as possible. Twenty individual button locations were used. Button locations were grouped into exterior and interior buttons. Exterior buttons were around the perimeter of the display while interior buttons did not come in contact with any edges. Convenience was significantly higher for interior buttons for both dominant and non-dominant thumb conditions for small, medium, and large thumb sizes. Implications for touch screen design and layout were discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Gonzalez, Sandy
- Description:
- This study examined adults' ability to discern children's true and false memory reports. Jury-eligible community members (N = 329) watched video-clips from children's interviews about a memory event involving a secret and rated various attributes related to children's perceived cognitive ability and honesty. Video-clips were divided into eight experimental conditions based on event type (secret, no secret), child response (report, denial) and child age (5-6 years, 7-8 years). Overall, adults were more likely to believe reports over denials, but they were likely to be misled by both false reports and false denials. When children were asked to keep a secret, adults believed children who reported more than those who incorrectly denied, but when children were not asked to keep a secret, adults believed children who falsely reported more than those who accurately denied. This presents a problem for the legal system. If jurors are unable to correctly assess the accuracy of children's statements, there are serious risks for the miscarriage of justice in child maltreatment cases.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Vaughn, Linda Susan
- Description:
- In order to determine what variables contribute or detract from the interpersonal attraction of a successful career woman, 80 male and 80 female introductory psychology students from California State University, Northridge viewed one of eight different videotapes of a female stimulus person discussing aspects of her career and homelife. Two levels of occupation (traditional vs. nontraditional), two levels of competence (high vs. low), and two levels of role overload (high vs. low) were factorially varied for each videotape. This manipulation served four purposes. First, it assessed whether men respond more negatively than women to a female stimulus person in a nontraditional occupation (as was suggested by one group of investigators) or whether there is no longer a sex of subject difference in response to such a cue (as was suggested by another group of investigators.) Second, the study assessed whether the sex of subject difference reported by the aforementioned investigators was the result of subjects’ attitudes toward women or instead a function of their sex.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
38. Jewish identity and self-rejection : its impact on anti-Semitism, self-esteem and locus of control
- Creator:
- Capuano-Cohen, Lucy
- Description:
- There is a vast body of literature which has focused upon the relationship between Jewish self-rejectors and their extent of Jewish identification. Some studies have indicated the presence of anti-Semitism, lower self-esteem, and an external locus of control among these self-rejecting Jews, however, it has yet to be determined if there is a relationship among these variables. In addition, no study has focused upon the prediction value of these variables on Jewish identification or lack of it. The present study examines the relationship among Jewish identification, anti-Semitism, self-esteem, and locus of control, as well as how the latter three, can contribute to the prediction of Jewish identification. 101 subjects were recruited from the Psychology department, the Jewish studies department and the Crisis Intervention organization at California State University Northridge. The sample consisted of 57 females, 44 males, 71 undergraduates, and 30 graduate students; they ranged in age between 17 and 65 years of age. Subjects were administered the revised Anti-Semitism (A-S) scale, a brief biographical questionnaire, Brenner’s scale of Jewish Identification, Rosenberg’s Self Esteem scale, and Rotter’s Locus of Control scale. A Pearson correlation was performed among the anti-Semitism, the Jewish identification, the self-esteem, and the locus of control variables. A standard multiple regression was performed on Jewish identification using the above variables. The results demonstrated a statistically significant negative relationship between Jewish identification and identification and anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism was the only variable found to add significant predictability to Jewish identification. A statistically significant difference was found between the older and younger group in relationship to Jewish identification. The fact that the rest of the main hypotheses were not found to be supported, only adds to the perplexity surrounding what variables, or combinations thereof, are involved in the relationship between Jewish Identification and Jewish self-rejection.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Jacobson, Ralph David
- Description:
- Measurements were made of the Test Anxiety level and Achievement Motivation level of 174 third, fourth, fifth, and sixth 9rade boys. One-half the subjects, balanced for grade level, were given five, two-minute, digit symbol exercises under non-stress instructions. The other half of the subjects received stress instructions for the same digit symbol exercises. Under an analysis of covariance on repeated measures, where scores on the dependent variable were adjusted for both age and IQ of the subjects, the following results obtained: 1) the hypothesis that subjects high in Achievement Motivation would perform better on the criterion measure than subjects low in this motive received only weak support. 2) the hypothesis that high anxiety subjects would score lower on the criterion measure than low anxiety subjects was not confirmed. 3) the hypothesis that under stress, the performance of high anxiety subjects would be lower relative to their performance under non-stress instructions, and low anxiety subjects would do better under stress was not supported. 4) an hypothesized 11greatest difference 11 score between experimental subgroups was found but was not tested for significance. 5) an unexpected significant result, that high n Ach subjects do better under non-stress than under stress, and low n Ach subjects do better under stress than nonstress, was found. various theoretical positions and relevant research were discussed initially. Causes for the findings were offered and discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Lyons, Bruce
- Description:
- The issue of how to effectively deal with stress in our everyday lives is one that plagues every individual. The investigation conducted examined how individuals cope with life stresses. The purpose of the investigation was to assess the effectiveness of various ways of coping upon one’s overall adjustment, and to see if one particular method of coping was more adaptive than others. The general hypothesis being investigated was that people who cope with stress through physical activity would display more coping skills and a better overall adjustment than people who cope with stress through other means. Adjustment was defined according to scores on the six tests administered (the Beck Depression Inventory, the Janis-Fields Feelings of Inadequacy Scale, Rotter’s Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, the Ways of Coping Checklist, the Hassles Scale, and the Uplifts Scale). Two hundred and twenty-eight participants were grouped as follows. Physical Copers (individuals using physical activity to cope) consisted of 78 participants. Cognitive Copers (individuals using cognitive activities to cope) consisted of 66 participants. Miscellaneous Copers (individuals using other means of coping than physical or cognitive) consisted of 84 participants. Results of the 2 x 3 between-subjects multivariate analysis of variance offered some support of the following hypotheses. Physical Copers reported significantly more coping mechanisms than did Cognitive Copers. There was no significant difference, however, between Physical Copers and Miscellaneous Copers with respect to reported numbers of coping mechanisms. Secondly, the use of physical activity to cope appeared to aid as well in the relief of depression as did cognitively oriented activities, and appeared to be more effective than such activities as sleeping or eating. Other hypotheses were not confirmed, and no significant sex differences were found for any of the six measures used. Issues in stress research were discussed and directions for future research were mentioned.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Arreola, Jose
- Description:
- Extant literature has demonstrated associations between exposure to community violence (ECV) and family violence and poorer mental health outcomes among youth including depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as aggressive and antisocial behaviors (Aisenberg & Mennen, 2000; Brady et al., 2008, Ceballo et al., 2003; Ford et al., 2010). Furthermore, it is well documented that when youth experience maladaptive behavioral outcomes, racial/ethnic disparities are prevalent in terms of mental health treatment engagement and utilization (Cauce et al., 2002; Gudiño et al., 2009; Martinez, Gudiño, & Lau, 2013). The present research utilizes preexisting data from the National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence III (NatSCEV III) to identify the risk and protective factors that help explain the various pathways to psychological adjustment and mental health service use among youths between the ages of 10 and 17 years, to better inform violence prevention and intervention efforts. Specifically, this research utilizes an ecological framework to assess the relationship between violence exposure and maladaptive behavioral outcomes and identify factors that buffer the adverse effects of violence. Lastly, this study also investigates how problem-type (internalizing versus externalizing) influences mental health service use. The data analytic strategy for this research includes a series of multigroup structural equation models to examine the relationship between violence exposure and psychological adjustment as well as the moderating effects of parent emotional engagement, peer emotional support, and race/ethnicity. The analytic objectives for the current study were achieved using RStudio statistical software (RStudio Team, 2016). The first model examining ECV and parent emotional engagement via a multigroup design indicated excellent fit to the data, χ2 = 153.154, df = 42, p < .001, CFI = .955, RMSEA = .069. Similarly, the ECV and peer support model also suggested an excellent fit to the data, χ2 = 184.287, df = 42, p < .001, CFI = .936, RMSEA = .078. The family violence and parent engagement model and the family violence and peer support model both indicated good fit to the data, χ2 = 267.027, df = 42, p < .001, CFI = .929, RMSEA = .095, χ2 = 287.734, df = 42, p < .001, CFI = .913, RMSEA = .099, respectively. Racial/ethnic differences in service use based on problem-type were assessed via comparisons between fully constrained models and unconstrained models for each of the multigroup models proposed. As hypothesized, findings indicated across all racial/ethnic groups that ECV and family violence were associated with increases in internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Peer emotional support was only found to moderate the relationship between family violence and externalizing symptoms among White youth. Internalizing symptoms were significantly associated with mental health service use, but only for White youth. Integration of these findings are significant for the development of policy, theory building, and treatment services to better inform violence prevention and intervention efforts. Implications and future directions are discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Shivley-Scott, Travis Martin
- Description:
- Several factors including acculturation, amount of education inside and outside the United States, age, and English fluency have been found to negatively impact performance on neuropsychological tests in ethnically diverse individuals. To our knowledge, none of these studies used a quantitative measure of English language proficiency in a multiethnic sample. The present study used a quantitative measure of English language proficiency to determine the best predictor of poor performance on neuropsychological tests. Participants were 59 individuals composed of the following ethnic groups: Hispanic, Middle Eastern and Asian/Pacific Islander. All participants were administered a neuropsychological battery containing both verbal (Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT), Boston Naming Test (BNT), and the Stroop Test) and nonverbal (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF), Ruff Figural Fluency Test (RFFT), and the Color Trails Test (CTT)) subtests. Based on bivariate correlations, the following measures were included in the verbal composite: COWAT (FAS and animal naming), BNT, and Stroop Test part B, and the following measures were included in the nonverbal composite: WCST (total errors, categories completed, and percentage of conceptual-level responses), CTT-1 and 2, and Stroop C. A standard hierarchical regression was conducted to determine whether either verbal or nonverbal composite variables were related to demographic (age and total years of education) and cultural variables (acculturation, amount of education obtained outside of the U.S., and English language proficiency). It was hypothesized that 1) level of acculturation and amount of education obtained outside of the United States would impact verbal and nonverbal neuropsychological test performance above and beyond demographic factors, and 2) English language proficiency would be a stronger predictor of verbal neuropsychological test performance than the other two cultural factors. The results mostly supported the hypotheses and demonstrate the importance of quantitatively assessing English language proficiency in neuropsychological testing with ethnically diverse individuals.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Tonsing, Linda Ann
- Description:
- This study profiles the adult with muscular dystrophy and determines what psychosocial needs are important to him in the management of this physically disabling condition. Ample research exists to support the fact that physical disabilities are accompanied by personal and social problems, prejudices and stigma. Through the use of personal interviews and mailed questionnaires, 64 adults (males and females ranging in age from 18 to 70 years) with muscular dystrophy or other neuromuscular diseases were sampled in the Los Angeles area. In a three-part measure, designed by the investigator, subjects provided extensive demographic data; responded in agreement/disagreement with 18 positive and negative statements involving certain aspects of living with a physical disability, and evaluated the importance and usefulness of 25 services which could be a part of an adult program. The question is raised as to whether large volunteer agencies, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association of America, should be responsible for the research and provision of psychosocial services to its adult population. An essentially medical problem has been compounded by social, personal and vocational handicaps, and effective medical treatment is limited. It is suggested that each such agency reexamine and reevaluate, if necessary, the original tenets upon which it was formed, and consider the social responsibility of eliminating the effects of stigma and prejudice from the disabled person’s life.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Dascal, Julieta
- Description:
- Fear of success is a psychological barrier arising due to individuals' avoidance of perceived negative consequences of success, such as unwanted attention and pressure to perform, managing people's expectations, and peer rivalry. The present study investigated the role of two constructs (i.e., anxiety and depression) that potentially contribute to fear of success in student populations. Despite the increasing rates of anxiety and depression in undergraduate students (Gupta & Basak, 2013), no previous research had previously investigated the relationship between depression and fear of success. A total of 425 undergraduate students completed online self-report surveys assessing anxiety, depressive symptoms, and fear of success. Results indicated that individuals scoring high on anxiety and depressive symptoms were also more likely to score high on fear of success. However, only depressive symptoms appeared to be a strong predictor of fear of success. Gender comparisons found fear of success to be higher in men, while anxiety and depressive symptoms were higher for women. Based on these findings, implications of the observed results as well as directions for future research were also discussed. Keywords: fear of success, anxiety, depression, self-defeating behaviors
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Babush, Maxim
- Description:
- Although the combination of impulsivity and depleted self-control could have unique effects on financial decision-making and temporal discounting, their combined influence has not been empirically tested. The present research addresses this gap by examining the effects of hunger-induced impulsivity and depleted self-control on intertemporal choice. The results suggest the combined influence of impulsivity and depleted self-control has no effect on temporal discounting specifically. However, depleted self-control did influence intertemporal choice in a way inconsistent with most previous studies: depleted participants displayed less myopic preferences.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Kramarova, Olga
- Description:
- Dancers often have difficulty remembering choreography they learn in a class or workshop. This project investigates strategies dancers can use to effectively learn and remember choreography so that they will be more likely to perform it correctly in the future. The first part of this project introduces and tests the effects of new strategies designed to improve dancers' abilities to cluster movements and organize events together in ways that might make choreography easier to remember (Hanna, 2008; Stinson, 1985). The second part of this project extends these findings by making some redesign recommendations for the Nintendo Wii's Just Dance video game. Both goals have the potential to augment usability, increase customer satisfaction, and maximize the potential health benefits related to learning how to dance.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Spolter, Barry Marshall
- Description:
- An investigation of situational factors was made in order to compare the multiple linear and multiple logistic regression models. The study was performed in two phases. During the first phase, an artificially created data set was employed, while in phase two, analysis was performed on a real data set. Phase one of the study involved creation of data sets by using a logistic regression equation obtained from a previous research project for the comparative analysis of the linear model and the logistic model without any residual error. The development of the data sets allowed for investigation of several situational factors which might influence model preference. The first involved holding the parameter estimates of the logistic equations constant, while making the values of the predictor variable more and more extreme. The second investigation was performed in a similar fashion, except that on this occasion, the predictor variable values were held constant, while the parameter values were varied. The second phase of the study involved the use of a real data set, in order to compare the multiple linear and multiple logistic regression models. This data set consisted of 70 predictor variables in order to evaluate the multiple linear and multiple logistic regression models on the selected criteria. For phase one of the study, it was found for constant parameter values that as the value of the predictor variable became more extreme, the multiple linear model became less accurate in the criterion used to evaluate the models. This difference was even greater when all values for the predictor variable were extreme and of the same sign. For the situation where the values of the predictor variable was constant, and the value of the parameter estimate was varied, it was found that, as compared to the logistic model, the multiple linear regression model became less accurate as the value of the parameter increased. For phase two, few differences were found between the two models for most of the methods used to select subsets of predictor variables. However, one method did indicate a significant difference between the models on all designated criteria used for phase two. For subset selection using the stepwise logistic regression method, it was found for a number of criteria that the logistic model had a significantly higher level of performance than the multiple linear model. The multiple logistic model had an increase of 10% over the variance explained by the linear model; the logistic model had 27 more cases with residuals values less than 0,1; and it had three fewer misclassifications.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Kern, Shira Michelle
- Description:
- Dementia represents a series of degenerative diseases known to cause a decline in cognitive functioning. A significant yet understudied type of dementia is frontotemporal dementia (FTD), characterized primarily by deficits in executive abilities and language. There is, particularly, little data regarding the daily functional abilities of FTD patients. The current study aimed to detail patterns of activities of daily living, using an observation-based test, and neuropsychological performance of patients with FTD. Thirteen participants with FTD were administered the Direct Assessment of Functional Status (DAFS). Fourteen subscales of the DAFS, designed to assess areas of orientation, communication, transportation, shopping, and financial skills were assessed. Each task within the subscales is observed and rated objectively by the researcher who scores participants on their performance; higher scores are equivalent to better performance. DAFS subscale scores were then converted to percentage correct responses for each subscale. FTD and 57 normal age and education-matched controls also completed a battery of cognitive tests designed to assess major cognitive domains, which included the Digit Span, CVLT, WCST, FAS and Rey-O. FTD patients' raw neuropsychological test scores were converted to z-scores using control participants' mean and standard deviation measures in order to create comparable units of measurement. The results revealed no significant differences between the neuropsychological z-scores for the FTD. However, a significant difference in ADL performance across groups, with NC outperforming those with FTD on nearly all areas of ADL performance was found. Within group analyses revealed that tasks related to recall, recognition and executive functioning were particularly difficult for those with FTD. Overall results support prior research in stating that those with FTD will be outperformed by normal controls on tasks related to ADL functioning. However, what this study specifically identifies is that within the range of deficits characterized through the DAFS scores, there are areas of ADL performance which are significantly more challenging for those with FTD in relation to not only age matched controls, but within their own patterns of deficits.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Bhurawala, Huma Khurshid
- Description:
- Comparisons of two contemporary models used to analyze bicultural identity; the UDM (unidimensional model) and BDM (bidimensional model) show that conceptualization is not clear in the field. Thus, it is suggested that a third model, the TDM (tridimensional model) is able to better unpack the contents of ethnogenesis (Flannery et al., 2001), or the phenomenon by which heritage and host cultures intertwine to form a new ethno-cultural group over generations. This present study seeks to examine the construct of ethnogenesis as it relates to bicultural college students by employing the TDM model and the similarly related Alternation model. It is further predicted that biculturals who vary on two dimensions, alternating and blending, will differ in amounts of bicultural selfefficacy (LaFramboise et al. , 1993).
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Zamora, Luis
- Description:
- The current study examines the effects of viewing positive and negative exemplars directly prior to an athletic performance task. It was hypothesized that participants who were given a positive exemplar (as opposed to the negative exemplar) would: perform worse in an athletic task, have lower levels of perceived control and state anxiety - positive, and higher levels of state anxiety - negative. Accordingly, it was predicted that greater perceived control would correlate with higher levels of performance, with recent findings supporting this view. Positive state anxiety was also studied to monitor how an athlete may use feelings of arousal to enhance performance. The participants included n = 269 undergraduate students from a local university who had a minimum level of previous basketball proficiency. Participants were asked to complete two sets of basketball free throws and given several questionnaires to fill out, including the Perceived Control scale (based on Otten, 2009), the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 Revised (Cox et al., 2003), and a new Competitive State Anxiety - Positive inventory. Participants in the experimental groups were shown pictures and text of professional basketball players who shot over 80% (positive exemplar), 75% (control), or below 50% (negative exemplar). As in Dijksterhuis et al. (1998), participants transcribed their reactions regarding these exemplars, and then were asked here to shoot the second of two rounds of free throws. Results were not demonstrative of differences across the exemplar conditions on performance, perceived control, or the state anxiety levels of the participants. There were positive correlations, however, between performance and perceived control, and perceived control and positive state anxiety. This study is intended to aid athletes, coaches, and trainers to better understand the antecedents of a successful performance under pressure.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Psychology