The major purpose of this study was to identify value selection and to determine whether or not differences in value selection existed between male Caucasian populations of convicted felons, factory workers, and undergraduate college students. In order to identify value selection and to measure differences in values between populations, two instruments were utilized in this research study. Instruments used in the study were Allport, Vernon, and Lindzey's Study of Values, and a questionnaire developed by Estelle Darrah in 1898 and revised by the researcher. The Study of Values (Allport, Vernon, and Lindzey, 1960) identified the theoretical, economic, aesthetic, social, political, and religious values of the sample populations. The revised questionnaire attempted: (1) To determine respondent's acceptance or rejection of various statements indicative of the Protestant Ethic; (2) To provide the researcher with information concerning respondent's age, grade level, occupational aspirations, and father's occupation; (3) To identify reference persons or sources of the subjects' values and aspirations.

No description available.

This thesis studies social influence from the perspective of users' characteristics. The importance of users' characteristics in word-of-mouth applications has been emphasized in economics and marketing fields. We model a category of users called mavens where their unique characteristics nominate them to be the preferable seeds in viral marketing applications. In addition, we develop some methods to learn their characteristics based on a real dataset. We also illustrate the ways to maximize information flow through mavens in social networks. Our experiments show that our model can successfully detect mavens as well as fulfill significant roles in maximizing the information flow in a social network where mavens considerably outperform general influential users for influence maximization. The results verify the compatibility of our model with real marketing applications.

Problem definition and purpose: How do young men view the image of masculinity that is presented in the media, and what men or masculine characteristics do they look up to? Description: As men of a relatively young generation, most likely less influenced by the traditional alpha male ideal than our fathers were - while still being part of the male species at a time when it can be held responsible for many of the modern world’s problems, we have decided to peek into the world of male ideals and role models presented by the media, and try to understand what shape these ideals might take, how a coming generation of young men are affected by them and how they view them. Thus, this qualitative study aims to deepen understanding of correlations between young men’s view of their own masculinity and the way men are portrayed in culture and entertainment media. In order to investigate the matter, we have reached out to three schools at gymnasium level and conducted interviews with students in ages 15 to 19. From the interviews we have gathered information which has later on been used to distinguish four ideal types of masculinity; the Alpha Male, the Beta Male, the Humorist and the Activist. On the basis of these ideal types we have been able to make an analysis of the current media landscape, and more specifically what the young men perceive affects them in their own masculinity, what they believe affects young men in negative and damaging ways, and what kind of masculinities they feel are missing in today’s media outlet. In summary, we feel that the work might be able to help us and others understand something about what the next generation of men will be like - and why. Method and materials: Qualitative study conducted through interviews with men aged 15-19, analyzed in accordance to the ideal-type method. Main results: The interviewed young men identify different kinds of male characteristics given space in the media, which we have categorized into four ideal types - The Alpha Man, The Beta Man, The Humorist and The Activist. That these four types are visible indicates that the form of masculinity which has been the most common in the media, the hegemonic (Alpha) masculinity, characterized by dominant behavior, assertiveness and can be likened to a kind of macho masculinity - now face competition over the medial space. The competitors consist of men who are sensitive and intellectual (Beta Man) , funny and resourceful (Humorist), and a driving force in changing society and spreading goodness (Activist).

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 1974. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-185). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

¡@¡@The study began with a review of the upward influence literature for the past twenty years, then integrated the several important instruments of upward influence behaviors, and developed a new questionnaire. A pretest was conducted to find out the improper items and the questionnaire was revised. The formal questionnaire was administered to a sample of 2536 full time employees in different organizations in Taiwan. Based on factor analysis and different concepts, this study developed two upward influence instruments.(1) The upward influence tactics instrument¡GThere are five dimensions of upward influence tactics: rational, upward manipulation, image management, ingratiation, obstruct.(2) The upward influence strategies instrument¡GThere are three dimensions of upward influence strategies: strong, soft, and rational.

No description available.

No description available.