When a task is boring, repetitive, and takes place over a long period of time, individuals have a propensity to experience a gradual decline in performance known as the vigilance decrement (Mackworth, 1948). This negative trend is consistent across most populations (Davies & Parasuraman, 1982), though slight variations can occur based on the characteristics of the task, as well as characteristics of the human performing it. However, despite the many differences between these tasks, most studies are similar in the sense that, more often than not, participants are provided with immediate feedback on their performance throughout most laboratory trials. Yet, in applied settings, feedback is not always feasible. In fact, in many circumstances, if real-time feedback such as this was always available, then the role of the human component of the system may be brought into question. This also may be concerning for validity of laboratory studies which utilize feedback. Therefore, one goal of this experiment, as well as future work, is to continue to assess the importance of feedback by examining differences in performance on a vigilance task during which feedback may or may not be present. In addition to recent work relating to feedback, many current studies have also examined individual differences in the context of vigilance. Interestingly, it has been shown that performance accuracy often correlates to measures of higher order processing abilities including inhibition, which a component of working memory (Smallwood & Schooler, 2006). Additionally, when working memory load is increased, vigilant behavior also declines (Helton & Russell, 2011). Therefore, an additional goal of this study was to determine how performance relates to individual differences in higher order cognitive processing, such as working memory capacity and need for cognition. It was found that feedback does significantly improve performance, which is worth considering as issues relating to vigilance decrements are addressed in applied environments. The individual differences measures did not yield any significant results.

The organization of Modeling and Simulation (M&S) as a profession started in the early twenty-first century spurred by the advent of computers and the vast networking capabilities of contemporary computing. M&S is still in its infancy when compared to other disciplines, such as engineering, computer science and mathematics. However, the profession has experienced significant growth in part due to the varied use of M&S techniques and tools within almost every discipline. Professional organizations and academic programs supporting M&S across the country have started to materialize. In a short timeframe, the growth of these supporting organizations has outpaced their ability to stay unified as a discipline, aligned with standardized Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) and with growing stakeholder needs. Consequently, there appear to be gaps in the M&S professional organization. Such as a lack of synchronization between the three primary stakeholder groups of the M&S profession: academia, government, and industry. The discipline's professional organization fails to recognize a single body of knowledge as an authoritative reference for M&S KSAs. Academic institutions do not have unanimity regarding targeted KSAs. Industry lacks the confidence to hire M&S professionals who have a core understanding of KSAs directly associated with the version of M&S used by each separate industry. This research study attempts to take a coordinated step forward in unifying the M&S discipline by assessing and prioritizing the current competencies and standards required of M&S professionals and identifying the needs and competencies valued by primary stakeholders. A survey instrument was developed in conjunction with Rebecca Leis' doctorate research. The instrument was distributed to M&S stakeholders to ascertain the breadth of the needed, valued, and required KSAs within the domain. The survey was evaluated by cross-referencing questions and tabulating responses. Results from this research suggest ways in which stakeholders can coordinate efforts in advancing the M&S professional organization and support a uniformed set of KSAs needed in academia, government, and industry now and in the future.

<p>Drug addiction and behavioural sensitization are associated with reorganization of mesolimbocortical circuitry, which we have attempted to model with glutamatergic-based long-term potentiation (LTP) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The objective of the experiments was to examine the effects of dopamine-1 (01) and dopamine-2 (02) receptor family specific agonists and antagonists on LTP in the mPFC in the chronic in vivo preparation using fullyawake, freely-moving rats. Male Long-Evans rats were surgically implanted with stimulating electrodes into the corpus callosum and recording electrodes into the mPFC. Subjects were systemically administered a drug together with high frequency stimulation for the induction of LTP. The rats treated with the 0 1 receptor agonist A68930 (OAmg/kg/ml) showed LTP levels equal to those in the saline LTP group. The 0 1 receptor antagonist SKF83566 (0 . 15m~,/kg/ml) blocked the expression of LTP, and instead induced significant long-term depression. The 02 receptor antagonist sulpiride (3, 6, and 12mg/kg/ml) significantly decreased LTP, compared to the control group, in a dose-dependent fashion. The O2 receptor agonist quinpirole (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5mg/kg/ml) significantly increased LTP, compared to the control group, in a dose-dependent fashion. The O2 receptor agonist also induced behavioural sensitization, the intensity and frequency of which was positively correlated with the LTP effect. This is the first iii work to show that glutamatergic-based LTP in the mPFC is positively modulated by 02 receptors in the chronic in vivo preparation, and behavioural sensitization is, in turn, modulated by LTP induction. As O2 receptor-rich neurons are located largely in mesencephalic nuclei that, in turn, project to the mPFC, the 02 effects may be indirect. This plasticity modulation needs to be more deeply explored to determine its relationship to disorders, such as psychostimulant addiction and schizophrenia that are known to be due to dysregulated dopamime and glutamate function in the mesencephalon and mPFC.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This study draws from the extensive research on work and family, and examined a model of the antecedents and outcomes of work-school conflict and work-school facilitation. As an extension of previous research on the work-school interface, the purpose of this study is two-fold. First, this study aimed to examine the impact of conflict and facilitation on personal health. Second, the study set out to investigate the role of emotional support from friends and family, and self-efficacy as moderators. Data were obtained from 329 full-time students who were also employed part-time. The model was tested using structural equation modeling techniques. One of the primary objectives of the study was partially supported as work-school conflict was negatively related to health-related outcomes (physical and psychological well-being). However, results did not support the other study hypotheses.

This thesis aimed to explore whether a statistically significant relationship existed between experiences of workplace discrimination and self-stigmatization among mental health peer support workers. This relationship has not previously been explored in this group. The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI) was used to measure self-stigmatization, and a 3-measure scale adapted by Stromwall, Holley and Bashor (2011), alongside a newly created measure, were used to assess perceived workplace discrimination. The sample was a convenience sample of 20 participants. The researcher expected a positive correlation between workplace discrimination and self-stigmatization. Ultimately, no statistically significant relationship was found between the two factors. However, there appeared to be some convergent validity between the new measure of workplace discrimination and the existing measure, as well as the ISMI Discrimination Experiences subscale.

A controlled presleep experience was used in an attempt to trace waking experience in dreams. Dream reports were collected in the laboratory from 12 dreamers (half men, half women; half recallers, half nonrecallers), using the electrophysiological method of Dement and Kleitman. Following a baseline night, each dreamer was awakened on three consecutive nights during every REM period (rapid eye movement and Stage 1-ascending EEG pattern). Immediately prior to sleep on Night 3, four of the dreamers viewed an emotionally arousing film, four others viewed a slide sequence having the same content as the stressful film, and four others viewed an emotionally "neutral" film. Two independent judges, using Hall and Van de Castle's dream content analysis method and a tally system designed specifically for this study, failed to differentiate dreamers in the three groups on the basis of their dream content. Analyses of variance of dream content scores also failed to provide any evidence for differences among groups, recallers and nonrecallers, or nights. Some differences in dreaming style (e.g., total REM time, recallability) were noted. Limitations of the study and methodological problems were discussed. Posthoc analyses of dream reports with experimental situation content, dreamers' associations to their own dreams, and some clinical interpretations were included.

A female athlete who identifies as lesbian possesses multiple identities that exist within a heterosexist and homonegative climate. The primary objective of this research was to provide a voice to a marginalized group by describing and to understand the experiences of athletes who identify as lesbian. Phenomenological interviews were conducted with 11 women who identified as athletes and lesbian. An overall thematic structure containing a ground and three figural themes, supported by participant quotations, was developed to represent the lesbian athletes’ experiences. The ground was my own process. The three figural themes that emerged were support, homophobia, and emotions. Further research on athletes who identify as lesbian, and each theme presented in the present study, is necessary to combat the heterosexist and homonegative climate of sport. Furthermore, psychologists, coaches, athletic trainers, sport psychology consultants, and others working with athletes who identify as lesbian may utilize this information to enhance their understanding of the experiences of lesbian athletes. Continued professional and personal dialogue, research, and practical recommendations regarding lesbian athletes are encouraged to promote change.

Humility is widely accepted as a character strength or virtue, yet very little research has been done as to its development or benefits, partly due to the lack of a reliable and valid explicit measure or scale. Since to date no such scale has been published, the current study investigates the importance and nature of humility and develops a measure to be analyzed as to its reliability and validity. Potential scale items were derived from participants’ recollection of humbling experiences and Tangney’s (2000) definition of humility. Principal Components Analysis revealed four humility subscales: openness, self-forgetfulness, accurate self-assessment, and focus on others. Results suggest that the derived 13-item scale has good concurrent and divergent validity, and that three of the four principal components have acceptable reliability. Researchers can use information from the Humility scale to better understand how it relates to other concepts of positive psychology and how increasing humility might be advantageous to interpersonal relationships.

The purpose of the present study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of mothers living in dual-career families. Using existential phenomenology as the guiding research methodology, I interviewed 10 mothers living in dual-career families. Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed four themes that stood out as figural for participants in the study: (a) "Free time isn't really free anymore": Timing is Everthing; (b) "It's because of the support I get": Supporting Me; (c) "I feel like I'm lacking in one area all the time, just a little bit": Struggling to Find a Balance; and (d) "I know how I would do things": Knowing Myself. Each theme stood out against the ground of world, specifically the two worlds of home and work and the struggle that existed in integrating the two. Study findings revealed that the two primary struggles faced by these mothers living in dual-career families were those associated with balancing and time. A limited amount of time necessitated a need to try to balance home and work, a balance that was not easily achieved. Mothers perceived support networks and certain personality characteristics as helpful in balancing the two worlds (although personality characteristics were perceived as disadvantageous at times). Although challenges existed for these mothers, they noted overwhelmingly that they desired to have a career. These mothers saw their careers as one of the primary benefits of the dual-career lifestyle, and it was a lifestyle they willingly chose. Two findings from the study warrant future research. First, supportive others in the community were an integral part of the support network for mothers in the present study, and little empirical literature is dedicated to the impact of this type of support on the dual-career family. Second, participants perceived certain personality characteristics as either advantageous or disadvantageous in helping them navigate the dual-career lifestyle, and little empirical literature is dedicated to denoting the impact of individual personality characteristics on managing the dual-career lifestyle. It would behoove family scholars to be aware of these two unique aspects of the study.

The effects of a video-modeling intervention, given to five children with autism while playing kickball, were evaluated through a multiple-baseline design across subjects. The researcher targeted two social skills, verbal compliments and appropriate gestures, using the iPad as a portable video device to model the desired behaviors in situ, on second base mid-game. Children were required to verbally and non-verbally compliment their peers during the kickball games. After presented the video clip, children showed rapid mastery of the verbal complimenting skills, and displayed an increased but less profound number of gestures displayed in the intervention phase.