Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International.

Thesis (M. P. A.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2009. / "Fall 2009." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-85).

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Interdisciplinary Studies. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 133-142). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR19742

The Same-Different task is an experimental paradigm in which a stimulus pair is presented in succession to a participant whose task is to determine if the stimuli are Same or Different. Typical results show that participants tend to be quicker to respond Same then they are to respond Different. Since the 1960s, many models were proposed to explain this effect, but none has yielded conclusive evidence. The objective of this thesis is to test these models with three experiments by focusing on three research questions: 1) what is the source of the effect, the participant or the stimuli?; 2) what is the organization of the cognitive mechanisms underlying the task?; and 3) what is the effect of the number of attributes on the processing capacity? Results show that the fast-same effect stems from the characteristics of the stimuli rather than an inherent preference for sameness. They also show that the cognitive architecture underlying the task is serial, but that it does not seem to explain solely the fast-same effect. Indeed, the fast-same effect seems to be rather caused by a more efficient processing of Same stimuli in the first 500 ms of the treatment compared to Different stimuli.

For many centuries, homosexual behavior has been viewed differently by many cultures. The Greeks and Romans practiced homosexuality openly while other cultures, such as our own, condemn the practice because of religious and moral beliefs. The decision of Lawrence v. Texas has had a hefty impact on homosexual rights because it was the first instance in which the Supreme Court recognized the rights of same-sex partners to be intimate. This thesis will explore the new rights given (although not expressly) to same· sex couples in Lawrence, the decriminalization of intimate homosexual behavior, and how these rights relate to the possible future rights of same-sex marriages or civil unions.

Print version of the author's thesis (M.A.)--Miami University, Dept. of Communication, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 64-71). Original thesis available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

With the recent legalizing of same-sex marriage in the United States by the Supreme Court, this opens the door to more rights for same-sex couples, such as parenting. However, people still have opposing views of same-sex relationships. What makes people different in their attitudes toward same-sex relationships, such as same-sex parents? This study has examined the attitudes of the students at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and potential factors that might affect their attitudes toward same-sex parenting. For example, it is found that religious people are less likely to accept same-sex relationships, women are more accepting than men to same-sex relationships, and younger generations are also more accepting than previous generations. How about the majors then? How about the class materials and topics that students are taught within class? Would curriculum, majors, classes, topics in class, and other factors that students are exposed to during college life make a difference in students? The current study has explored the possible dynamics among various factors (e.g., major, class, classification) and students’ attitudes toward same-sex relationships. The undergraduate students at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette were asked to fill out the survey regarding the variables addressed above. So far, we have collected 167 samples from diverse majors, such as Engineering, Child and Family Studies, and Business students. The results show that women in general are more accepting than men and, even among men, men with more social science related majors, are more accepting than men in the other majors. In addition, it was found that the variable – having personal relationships with LGBT community or not, was significantly related to the acceptance of men. For this conference, more data will be collected and analyzed with more structured analysis in order to find more objective dynamics among variables addressed above. Note: Last year, I presented the current study at poster symposium but, this year I will present more updated findings with more data and more advanced statistical analysis.

Foster and adoptive parents are crucial in the child welfare system, with the large number of foster children in the system at any time. Same-sex foster and adoptive homes are underrepresented in the child welfare system, despite the shortage and need for more certified foster and adoptive homes. There are limited studies documenting the experiences of gay and lesbian foster and adoptive parents. Some research has demonstrated that "non-traditional," or same-sex couples are met with more obstacles to become certified foster and adoptive parents, in comparison to their heterosexual counterparts. This qualitative study explores the experiences of same-sex foster and adoptive parents during the certification process. The findings suggest that social workers need to gain more knowledge regarding the values and practices of same-sex families, provide resources specific to same-sex family challenges, be sensitive to the unique circumstances of same-sex families, and most importantly, treat same-sex couples equally during the foster and adoptive certification process. Further research is needed looking at the areas of Family Court and judges' rulings, as well as social workers' perceptions in working with same-sex foster and adoptive parents.

Scholarly literature supports that individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer face inequities as a result of living in a heteronormative society. However, scholarly literature lacks body of research available that provides insight as to the experiences that counselors have while providing mediation to same-sex couple regarding coparenting. Thus, a literature gap exists pertaining to the lived experiences of counselors who provide mediation for same-sex couple coparenting. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to develop an understanding of counselors who provide same-sex couple coparenting. The theoretical framework used in this study was the equity theory, which speaks to how inequities in inputs and gains from a relationship affect behaviors. Participant selections criteria included being 21 years of age, a licensed counselor, and having worked with same-sex couples for coparenting mediation for 1 year. Data were collected from 5 counselors through interviews and analyzed, which produced 5 main themes and 18 subthemes. Data analysis was conducted by considering the whole transcription, statements and phrases and a line by line approach. The 5 main themes were practices, skills, knowledge, beliefs, and challenges noted by the participants. The results of this study provide insight as to similarities and differences in education that are necessary for both counseling and mediation. A better-defined understanding of counselor mediation experiences may promote changes in counseling programs to include mediation skills, increased multicultural competence, and knowledge of basic family law in regard to child custody.

Prior research focused upon the intersection of race, ethnicity, citizenship and identity produced as a result of the Census Schedule. In this dissertation, I focus on the Census, as an instrument of the state, to capture the process of inclusion and exclusion as it relates specifically to the intersection of sexualities and family formation. Using Sewell’s (1992) concept of dual structures, that is, cultural schemas and resources, I argue that sexuality is structural. Using mixed-methodology and three different data sources, I produce five different indices to determine settlement patterns of same-sex households in various geographic areas. Secondly, drawing on variables operationalized as cultural schema and resources, I identify characteristics of metropolitan areas that have arguably been related to levels of gay and lesbian concentration. In the multivariate context, the variables that are most influential in predicting levels of gay and lesbian concentration are physical temperature index, poverty rate, and heterosexual cohabitation rate. Variables focusing on characteristics of the metropolitan areas of relevance mainly to gays and lesbians such as those dealing with sodomy laws and anti-discrimination laws pertaining to sexual orientation, as well as the presence of political and religious conservatism are either not statistically important predictors or exhibited minimal influences. Through the Internet survey and thirty interviews, I examine how gay and lesbian couples answered the Census Schedule. The highest percentage of individuals marked single on the Census Schedule, suggesting that partnered homosexuals are being underenumerated by the Census Bureau. Furthermore, in regards to the Census and the state, two underlying ideas influence individuals’ enactments of agency: legal consciousness and statistical consciousness. Legal consciousness refers to people’s lay understandings of the law, while statistical consciousness refers to everyday knowledge of statistics. In both cases the production of legal interpretation and statistics by authoritative sources is then variously understood, consumed, and employed by ordinary citizens for their distinct purposes. This understanding takes on forms of generally unquestioned folk knowledge, despite being socially constructed in specific historical-cultural contexts. The production and consumption of statistics serve as a pivotal point of contestation of power and resistance, especially for these interviewees.