This project seeks to understand the relationship between visual rhetoric and power structure between FEMA’s Earthquake publications and their audience. Research shows images leave a longer impression on readers than text, causing more studies to focus on visuals rather than just text in technical communication. Author uses Critical Discourse Analysis to analyze the images in relation to text, design, and intended audience to determine what information is being privileged. It is determined that homeowners are being privileged with information over non-homeowners, established through a collection of images and image types. The lack of information for non-homeowners could result in injury or death of potential disaster victims, making it crucial for technical document revision.

Artificial intelligence is an emerging technology; something far beyond smartphones, cloud integration, or surgical microchip implantation. Utilizing the work of Ray Kurzweil, Nick Bostrom, and Steven Shaviro, this thesis investigates technology and artificial intelligence through the lens of the cinema. It does this by mapping contemporary concepts and the imagined worlds in film as an intersection of reality and fiction that examines issues of individual identity and alienation. I look at a non-linear timeline of films involving machine advancement, machine intelligence, and stages of post-human development; Elysium (2013) and Surrogates (2009) are about technology as an extension of the self, The Terminator franchise (1984-2015), Blade Runner (1982), and Bicentennial Man (1999) portray artificial intelligent androids and cyborgs, Transcendence (2013) is a contemporary depiction of human consciousness fusing with technology, and Chappie and Ex Machina are both released in 2015 are situated in contemporary society with sentient artificial intelligence. Looking at these films portrayals of man’s relationship with machines creates a discourse for contemporary society’s anxiety surrounding technology. I argue that recent film’s depiction of artificial intelligence signals a contemporary change in our perception of technology, urging that we reevaluate the ways that we define our identity.

This overview was made to discuss coping with families who have lost a child/sibling, specifically children in preschool and elementary school. This subject can be daunting and difficult to navigate for parents however, understanding the importance of communication, involvement, and proper coping techniques is vital to the child’s development and perception of death. This educational poster discusses ways to tackle the issues that come when losing a child and give parents further insight into young minds dealing with tragedy. We look at Family Stress Theory to further explain assumptions about families, how families manage conflict and stress, stressors family systems undergo, and other related concepts.

Grounded in Bandura's theory of self-efficacy, the purpose of this study was to examine if one aspect of counselor training, counselor educator self-efficacy with technology (SE), was associated with counselor educator teaching distance counseling skills in their classroom (INC). For this correlation study, 176 counselor educators in the United States with experience teaching a skills-based class completed an anonymous online survey. Survey data were used to assess if self-efficacy with technology and demographic data were related to the inclusion of distance counseling skills in the classroom. Point-biserial correlation and logistic regression analysis were used to examine relationships between SE, demographic data, and INC. There was a positive correlation between the Intrapersonal technology integrations scale (ITIS) score, used to measure SE, and INC scoresn=176, rpb=.343, p< .001. A logistic regression was performed to determine the effects of prior experience (EXP), availability of technology (AV), and SE on teaching distance counseling skills. The model was statistically significant, χ2 (3) = 64.342, p <.000., explained 41.5 % (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance in teaching distance counseling, and correctly classified 79.3% of cases. The results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that SE, EXP, and AV were significant predictors of INC. The findings confirm prior research on technology integration in education. Specifically, availability of technology, although an important factor, is not the only variable impacting technology integration. The findings from this study can help guide counselor training programs to prepare students for the expanding use of technology in counseling increasing access to care.

This study examines experiences of racial microaggressions as related to an audience through the art of Storytelling. Integrating Performance Ethnography and Critical Race Theory, it examines how storytelling may serve to illuminate the concept of racial microaggressions. After examining the current body of work on Racism, Storytelling and Microaggression, the author moves through the stories of experiences with racial microaggression from four individuals, gathered and performed as a storytelling event, before a live audience. The communicative management methods individuals use when talking about race and racial microaggressions are explored in presentation of the audience discussion which followed the performance. The author concludes storytelling has merit as a tool for the illumination of racial microaggressions, yet the potency with which racism is ingrained in the psyche of white people in U.S. indicates significant structure must be applied to public discussions of race to support the utilization of storytelling in this manner.

Increased client accessibility strategies, awareness of technology cost, and factors of third-party data security capabilities are elements small real estate business (SREB) owners need to know before adopting cloud and mobility technology. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies SREB owners use to implement cloud and mobility products to reduce their technology costs. The target population consisted of 3 SREB owners who had experience implementing cloud and mobility products in their businesses in the state of Texas. The conceptual framework of this research study was the technology acceptance model theory. Semistructured interviews were conducted and the data analyzed for emergent themes. Member checking was subsequently employed to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings. Three important themes emerged: client accessibility strategies, product affordability, and transferability of information technology security risks. The findings revealed SREB owners used informal strategies based on the customer-centric necessity to implement cloud and mobility technology costs. The SREB owners' highest strategic priority was the ability to access their clients, followed by cost reduction and securing client information. The findings may contribute to social change by providing possible insights to survivability for SREB owners through cost reduction, reduced security risks, and the increased ability to deliver the dream of home ownership to their clients while contributing to the economy and enhancing the community standards of living.

An increasing number of older adults must continue working, which requires that they maintain their competencies and work skills, including use of mobile technology (MT). However, little is known about older adult adoption of MT in relation to work. This study used Rogers's diffusion of innovation theory and Davis's technology acceptance model as a framework. The purpose of this exploratory sequential mixed methods study was to examine the experiences of older adults' who adopted MT in the emergency communications (EC) field. Participants came from an emergency services LinkedIn group. Data sources included surveys completed by 85 respondents and interviews of a subset of 10 of the respondents. Phase 1 included survey analysis to develop descriptive statistics on the participants' placement in Rogers's stages of adoption, their perceptions of the usefulness, and the ease of use. Phase 2 included analysis of in-depth interviews, coding for themes and patterns. Survey results indicated that both perceived usefulness and ease of use affect the adoption of MT by older adult users in the EC field. The results of the interviews identified the usefulness and ease of use as factors for the participants. The social implications for employers include a deeper understanding of the specific factors that impact the adoption of MT by older adults. This study provides employers with a deeper understanding of the adoption of MT by older adults so they can develop stronger plans to help their older adults adopt mobile technology.

Adolescents are adopting computer-mediated communication (CMC) at a higher rate than any other age group, with CMC becoming integral to their social relationships. This is particularly significant given the role peer relationships play in adolescent mental health. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to explore the relationship between adolescent CMC and social anxiety. The research was guided by Erikson's theory of psychosocial development and Kock's media naturalness theory. This multiwave panel study included a convenience sample of 58 adolescents ages 11 to 18. Surveys were completed on participant's social skills and introversion, and daily data were gathered on CMC, face-to-face communication, and social anxiety. Three regression models were produced from each day's data. Results indicated a modest relationship between daily CMC and social anxiety. Results also indicated CMC users with lower social skills or higher in introversion may be at greater risk for social anxiety. Lower face-to-face communication was also found to be related to increased social anxiety in CMC users. Findings may be useful to researchers seeking to identify specific populations who are at greater risk for negative outcomes in CMC use. Findings may also be useful to clinicians, educators, and parents interested in CMC's role in adolescent mental health or its impact on the quality of adolescent peer relationships.

Several psychological processes motivate the use of Facebook. The correlation between subclinical narcissistic traits and Facebook use has been examined, but the results have been inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Facebook use and the exhibition of subclinical narcissistic traits. The method for this study was meant to improve upon previous studies that used self-reported data by providing researchers with a technique to collect Facebook data from the personal pages of participants, with informed consent. Social learning theory provided the theoretical foundation for this study. This theory posits that new patterns of behavior can be acquired through direct experience or by observing the behavior of others. This theory could explain why a billion people choose to post pictures, share news articles, add friends, and engage in other Facebook activities. Using a quantitative approach, approximately 3 months of Facebook activity from 93 participants were analyzed and correlated with Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) scores. A multiple regression analysis was then used to examine the data in relation to the research questions and hypotheses. There were no statistically significant findings for Facebook activity and NPI scores. These findings may challenge the popular notion that Facebook and other social media represent a platform for narcissistic self-promotion. This study has potential to promote social change, in that the negative connotation may be removed from social media use, allowing more people to communicate openly without the fear of being perceived as narcissistic.

Ineffective strategies to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) to support global virtual teams (GVTs) have adversely affected organizations' performance. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the effective strategies participating GVT managers in 2 organizations in the United States used to integrate ICT to support teams' success. The population comprised managers in New York with at least 3 years of service integrating successful strategies in ICT to support GVT success. Transformational leadership theory was used as the conceptual framework for this study. The data collection process included asking 4 participants semistructured interview questions as well as reviewing archival data from the organizations. Data analysis using mind mapping analysis resulted in 5 major themes: forms of communication, redundancy, inclusion, accessibility, and infrastructure. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to create economic opportunities in developed and underdeveloped countries by incorporating or adapting some or all these strategies to improve efficiencies using ICT to support the success of GVTs. Improving GVT success rates could enable organizations to maintain and grow jobs benefiting employees, families, and communities.