Thesis (D. Miss.)--Western Seminary, 1996. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 306-322).

Thesis (D. Miss.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Ill., 1998. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 180-190).

Thesis (M.A.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on July 08, 2010). Creative project (M.A.), 3 hrs. Includes bibliographical references (p. [29]-31).

Thesis (D. Miss.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Ill., 1998. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 180-190).

Thesis (M.A.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on July 01, 2010). Creative project (M.A.), 3 hrs. Includes bibliographical references (p. [39]-42).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, May 2010. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on June 18, 2010). "Department of History." Includes bibliographical references (p. 263-280).

Smartphones are the most personalized and in the meantime the most anthropomorphized computing and communication technology in our society. Existing studies, especially Computers as Social Actors studies, on anthropomorphism and social interactions focus on how to implement and elicit positive anthropomorphic effects but fail to address the motivations and dispositional factors. Through an online survey that incorporates well-tested social psychological scales, this study provides empirical evidences that smartphone users’ social dispositions including chronic loneliness, attachment style, and cultural orientations are associated with their acceptance and awareness of anthropomorphism. Findings in this study suggest that existing studies are limited to method of choice and overlooked how people adapt to communication technologies differently in real life settings. Anthropomorphic design in communication technology and anthropomorphized message in advertising strategies need further examination when targeting a diversified or specified demographic.

In the context of developing effective PSAs to help increase the number of young adults who quit smoking or don’t start, this study took cultural orientation into account and assessed the persuasive effect of high and low source credibility. This present study showed that, in terms of attitude toward the ad message, people who were exposed to a commercial brand actually had a more positive attitude than those who saw the video that had CCTV as its producer. However, no significant differences were found in the other four constructs, including attitude toward antismoking, smoking-related social norms and subjective norms, smoking-related anticipated regret and intentions to quit or not start smoking.

In training programs designed to help immigrant women adapt to Canada, drop-out rates are frequently high and attendance is often low. Investigating some reasons behind this observation was the motivation for this thesis. A literature review revealed that curricula used in existing programs are often developed from experts' understanding of immigrants' needs; research on immigrant women's curricular needs as perceived by themselves is virtually nonexistent. An objective of this thesis was to address this knowledge gap. This study inquired into what curricular needs immigrant women have, how these needs differ, and what relationship exists between the women's backgrounds and their curricular needs. A questionnaire was developed and validated by an expert panel, and then administered to graduates from an orientational training program. Post-survey interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution, cluster analysis, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), factor analysis, and linear discriminant analysis. It was found that the program, although well received, did not reflect the curricular needs perceived by the immigrant women themselves. Life skills instruction was unwanted by many students while English and computer lessons were in demand. A desire to regain higherquality jobs partially explained the women's curricular needs. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

M.A. (Information Science) / The potential formative value of children's literature has repeatedly been proven by research. A child's perception of society is shaped early and the beneficial contribution of literature in bringing about a framework of awareness and understanding about society, cannot be denied. South African society is pre-eminently multicultural - a fact which is reflected in the rich diversity of ethnic groups, cultures, languages and creeds. A given political policy compelled the different ethnic groups in South Africa to live in separate areas, under divergent circumstances. This resulted in a deeply divided South African society in which alienation, distrust and conflict still prevail. However, fundamental changes are occurring in political, socio-economic and educational spheres. Amidst all of these changes, the South African child has to establish and enhance a cultural identity of its own. Secondly, a broadened South African identity must be attained. There is doubt whether the children of South Africa are equipped to cope with this new phase into which South African society is entering. The value of multicultural children's literature and.its potential to bring about understanding and acceptance with regard to the rich cultural diversity in South African society, offers a field of research which up to now has not been explored in South Africa...