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Genetic modification presents the potential to advance not only agricultural production but to increase quality of life as well. The potential this innovation presents will be irrelevant if the public is unwilling to accept and adopt it. The following study examines public perceptions of biotechnology, specifically the consumer approval of genetically modified food products. This study was based on data collected from a national survey conducted in both the United States and South Korea. The United States survey was designed to be nationally representative and consisted of 1201 respondents. The South Korean survey was also designed to be nationally representative and consisted of 1054 respondents Analysis was conducted using two questions from the survey questionnaire as dependent variables: (1) approval of the use of genetic modification in the creation of plant-based food products, and (2) approval of the use of genetic modification in the creation of animal-based food products. This study utilized probit models for binary choice and ordered probit models to analyze the likelihood of consumer approval of the use of genetic modification for the creation of food products. Findings indicated that consumers in the U.S. and South Korea who possessed an accurate knowledge of the applications and outcomes of GM technology were more likely to approve of its use for the creation of foods than those who had inaccurate or no knowledge of the technology. Additionally, the majority of consumers in the U.S. and South Korea believe that GM foods should be labeled as such. Those consumers who felt GM labeling to be necessary were less likely to approve of the GM of foods than those who did not feel GM labeling to be necessary. It was also found that consumers in both countries are less approving of the GM of animals than the GM of plants. Consumer approval of the use of genetic modification in the creation of food products can be increased with proper education that provides accurate knowledge of the applications of GM. Labeling of GM products is likely to result in a decrease in demand, which may be offset by public educational campaigns.

The primary purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a highly individualized conjoint behavioural consultation model with group videotape therapy as a means of decreasing externalizing behaviour problems of children with developmental disabilities. The effects of the intervention were examined via changes in children's target behaviors throughout the course of the intervention, along with pre-intervention and postintervention changes of problem behaviors on standardized measures, and during parentchild play observations. Parent outcome was evaluated by changes in parental knowledge of behavioural principles, changes in parental management skills, and parental discipline approaches. Finally, parental acceptability of the intervention was examined as well as the relationship between intervention acceptability and outcome. A multiple baseline research design was used with 22 children, their parents, and teachers. Results indicated that children's target behaviors improved from baseline to intervention. Moreover, parental knowledge of behavioral principles, parental discipline strategies, and behavioral management skills improved from pre-intervention to post-intervention. Further, high acceptability ratings were reported by parents at post-intervention. Finally, a positive relationship was found between intervention effectiveness and acceptability. Results are discussed in light of their implications and contributions to the literature in school psychology.

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This thesis demonstrates how tidal changes in the availability of intertidal zone habitats can affect the distribution and behaviour of juvenile pollock (Pollachius virens). Schools of pollock moved from the subtidal zone to the open habitat in the intertidal zone. On rising tides, pollock switched from the open habitat at low tidal stages to the dense algal habitat at high tidal stages. On falling tides, pollock rapidly schooled downshore in the open habitat. Pollock were rarely solitary in the open habitat and usually formed large schools. In the algal habitats, pollock were usually dispersed and preferred the dense algae over the sparse algae. Predation risk from birds was widely distributed among depths, habitats and stages of the tide, during the day. In a mesocosm experiment, pollock increased their use of the algal habitat and were more difficult to detect following a simulated bird predator threat. Preference for the algal habitat was density-dependent when either pollock abundance or algal habitat area were manipulated. Pollock responded to their potentially high density in the algae by schooling in the open habitat.

We use metapopulation models based on a classic competition-colonization trade-off in order to (1) study community responses to spatially structured habitat loss on dynamic landscapes when species are assembled by ecological (biogeographic) processes; and (2) to study how species are assembled into communities by evolutionary mechanisms. In the first part of our study we show how the response of species richness to habitat destruction in dynamic landscapes can be driven by the existence of either the spatial structure of habitat dynamics or by life-history trade-offs among species. In the second part of our study we confirm that competitive trade-off models predict runaway evolution towards stochastic extinction, making it impossible for stable multispecies assemblages to evolve. We demonstrate that by relaxing the strict deterministic nature of competitive exclusion in such models species can avoid selection towards extinction, allowing for the possibility of species co-evolution resulting in stable multispecies assemblages.

This study examined the efficacy of conjoint behavioural consultation (CBC) in the remediation of behavioural problems in children with cognitive disabilities. Further, this study sought to determine whether parents' knowledge of behavioural principles and behavioural management skills improved as a result of participating in CBC. An A/B design was utilized with 6 children (ages 7--10), their parents and teachers. Children evidenced improvements in their target behaviours from baseline to treatment at home or at school (effect sizes = -2.11 to +1.35). Overall, children evidenced improvements in social skills, problem behaviours, or externalizing behaviours (Reliable Change Indices [RCI] = -0.27 to 3.29). Moreover, knowledge of behavioural principles increased significantly for two parents at posttest when compared to pretest (RCI = 1.25 to 3.47). Also, parents used more praise statements, fewer critical statements, and fewer no-opportunity commands at posttest than at pretest. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings, limitations of this study, and future research directions are discussed.