This study investigates variation in preferences for mutual emotional dependence and togetherness in heterosexual romantic relationships among adults in the United States specifically considering the impact of race, gender, gender ideology, and cohort on preferences. A social structure and personality framework and concepts from exchange theory are used to interpret and predict relationship preference patterns found using binary hierarchical logistic regression analysis of data from the 1996 General Social Survey's (GSS) gender and emotions modules. Gender, gender ideology, cohort, and specific sociodemographic variables, such as education and marital status were found to impact preferences for mutual emotional dependence, however, no racially distinct patterns were found. The variables in the models explain less of the differences in preferences for togetherness than emotional dependence. However, education had a curvilinear relationship with preferences for togetherness, as people with the lowest and the highest educations were least likely to prefer togetherness. / Master of Science

The purposes of this study were to investigate consumer satisfaction, preferences, and care procedures of selected nightgown fabrics. Additionally, demographic information was obtained to characterize the sample. The data were provided by 54 females in Delaware, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia. Eight subjects, each wearing two different gown fabrics participated from five states; however, one participant each from Massachusetts and Vermont was disqualified. The four fabrics used in this study, representative of those available in the marketplace for the manufacture of ladies sleepwear, were made from: (1) 100% polyester, pink, brushed knit, (2) 100% nylon, lavender tricot, (3) 80/20% acetate-polyester, blue-green, brushed knit, and (4) 80/20% acetate-nylong, yellow-green, brushed knit. Preliminary and terminal interview questionnaires were used to collect the data as well as satisfaction ratings cards. Frequency distributions and percentages were used to characterize the findings from this study. Participants tended to be fairly young, well educated and dwellers of single family houses. The majority earned incomes in excess of $10,000. Automatic washers and dryers were used predominately. A variety of textile goods were laundered in the same loads as the sleepwear. Wearers indicated preferences for one or the other of the two gowns on each of the following factors: ease of soil removal, colorfastness, shape retention, appearance, hand, and durability. The 100% polyester, brushed knit fabric was preferred overall, but other fabrics received higher ratings on individual factors. On satisfaction factors, hand and ease of care were the most pleasing characteristics. Static electricity continues to be a problem. Satisfaction scores were somewhat parallel to preferences. / Master of Science

The "Dine To Your Heart's Content" program was assessed from points of view of selected patrons and restaurateurs in Virginia. Restaurateurs were interviewed and patrons responded to a mail questionnaire. Patrons were divided into four groups: 1)those following a heart healthy diet due to a physician's recommendation, 2)those with a self reported family history of heart disease, 3)those expressing interest in heart disease, and 4)those who expressed little or no interest in heart health. The frequencies with which patrons dined away from home, dined in restaurants offering this program, and complied with a heart healthy diet when dining out were analyzed. There were no significant differences among groups relative to these factors. The perceived degree of benefit provided by this program also was investigated. Those expressing little or no interest in heart health reported receiving significantly less benefit from the program than the other groups (p<0.02). Restaurateurs' perceptions of the wants and needs of these patrons and of the advantages and disadvantages of this program were explored. The perceived needs for nutrition training for restaurateurs and their waitstaff also were examined. Ninety-six percent of the restaurateurs expressed a need for nutrition education. Patrons, restaurateurs, and waitstaff were tested for knowledge of food composition relative to fats and oils. The average score was 6.2 out of 13 points with no significant differences in scores among groups. Major recommendations suggested for this program include: l)assistance to restaurateurs in the identification of appropriate menu items and in communicating menu attributes positively, and 2)improved nutritional education for both patrons and waitstaff to increase awareness and understanding of the program. / Master of Science

This study investigated female consumers’ awareness of and preference for brand name apparel, sought to determine the relationship between these variables and the purchase of brand name apparel, and attempted to determine the sample’s perceptions of branded apparel. The respondents’ brand name apparel awareness, preference, and perception were also investigated in relation to several demographic variables. Women professors and secretaries employed at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI&SU) were chosen as the sample for this study. A questionnaire was developed to ascertain the needed information and was distributed to 471 women by the intercampus mail system during the summer of 1985. The sample consisted of 97 secretaries and 73 professors, for a total of 170 participants. It was found that the brand name of apparel was unimportant to the sampled consumers in the purchase of dresses for the job, sleepwear and casual clothing. Within these classifications, consumers were generally more concerned with intrinsic garment features such as fit, construction, material, care, and style. Magazines were not found to be a major vehicle to provide clothing information, nor was magazine readership found to be related to the respondents’ levels of overall recognition and preference for name brand clothing. Consumers who were exposed to brand name apparel via media or store displays had a greater level of brand recognition and recall, which ultimately lead to greater preference for brand name apparel. Occupation and total household income were not found to be significant determinants of brand name awareness and preference. / M.S.

Foraging activity and food preferences of odorous house ants (Tapinoma sessile (SAY)) were investigated in both the field and laboratory. Foraging activity was examined in the field from April to September 2001 by attracting T. sessile to feeding stations containing a 20% sucrose solution. Ant foraging activity was recorded over a twenty-four hour period along with ambient temperature to examine possible correlations with ant activity patterns. Results indicate that foraging activity may be influenced by both time and temperature. In April and May when temperatures dropped below approximately 10 C, little or no foraging activity was observed. However, in the summer when temperatures were generally higher, foraging activity was greater during relatively cooler times of the day and night. Under laboratory conditions, T. sessile was attracted to feeding stations and foraged throughout the day and night at a constant temperature of approximately 25 C. Evaluations of seasonal food preferences using carbohydrate, protein and lipid samples were also conducted throughout the spring and summer. Results indicated no seasonal shifts in food preference in foraging ants; T sessile consistently preferred sugar and protein rewards over lipids. Macronutrient choice assays were preformed on T. sessile to evaluate specific food preferences. Several different carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and salts were tested in both liquid and gel formulation. Results indicated significantly greater consumption of sucrose solution at a concentration of approximately 20% compared with other sugars tested (fructose, glucose, trehalose and maltose). In addition, strong feeding responses were observed to both casein hydrolysate and lactalbumin hydrolysate at a 5% concentration. The addition of NaCl to 15% sucrose gel samples also enhanced feeding responses. Lipids were generally ignored by T. sessile and in most cases decreased consumption of the sample. Various amino acids did not enhance feeding responses and were similar to water. / Master of Science

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to determine the extent to which boaters and riverfront landowners on the Great Egg Harbor River are similar or different in perceptions of environmental and social conditions and preferences for management; and (2) to explore factors that contribute to riverfront landowners' and visitors' opinions about possible management decisions for the river. The Great Egg Harbor River represents a complex challenge, with designation as a unit of the Wild and Scenic River system, overseen by the National Park Service, but ownership by twelve municipalities and hundreds of private landowners. Understanding similarities and differences between stakeholders is especially important in such a setting. Data were collected by on-site contact forms for boaters and a 12-page mailback questionnaire for both boaters and riverfront landowners. The final sample size for the mail survey was 428, representing an overall response rate of 44%. Boaters and landowners reported similar evaluations of general crowding and conflict, but landowners were significantly more sensitive to conflicts between boaters and landowners than were boaters. In terms of environmental issues, boaters were significantly more disposed to pro-environmental attitudes than were landowners. Landowners evaluated recreational developments more negatively than did boaters. With respect to management preferences, boaters and landowners did not significantly differ in their evaluation of increased law enforcement and actions that would restrict development and recreational use. On average, both groups supported these types of management actions. However, boaters and landowners significantly differed in their evaluation of management actions that provide additional river access. Although both groups generally opposed additional access, landowners were more opposed to these actions than were boaters. In addition, boaters were more supportive of visitor services than were landowners. Although classification as boater or landowner contributed to preferences for some management actions (increased law enforcement and additional river access), other variables were better predictors of these preferences. Pro-environmental attitudes contributed to preferences for increased law enforcement, restrictions on development and recreational use, and visitor services. Attitudes about development also influenced preferences for increased law enforcement and restrictions, but contributed to preferences for additional river access as well. Other explanatory variables included perceptions of general conflict and activity preference (motorized or non-motorized). These variables contributed to preferences for increased law enforcement and restrictions on development and recreational use. Results from this study indicate that managers need to better understand the correlates of management support in order to meet a more diverse set of visitor needs. Understanding the contribution of a variety of variables in management preferences will likely help resource managers better understand stakeholder groups and how they will respond to proposed management actions. Managers can use such information to better communicate river management goals, thus fostering more widespread constituency support for proposed actions. / Master of Science

The basic purpose of this study was to discover through the use of a projective technique whether the brand purchased by a consumer affects others' perceptions of her image. Several theoretical concepts formed the basis for this study. An understanding of the theory behind symbols was needed in order to understand the way in which products and brands can become symbols for consumers. Product and self-image theories help to explain the relationship between the two images and how congruency between the two can affect consumers' perceptions. The concept of culture was introduced as an added variable in order to discern if culture has an effect upon self-image and/or the perception of product/brand images. / Master of Science

Economic preferences are fundamental to risky decision making and other economic decision- making. Unlike traditional economics, which routinely assumes that individuals are endowed with stable preferences and try to maximize the expected utility when facing risky decision-making problems, behavioral economics and neuroeconomics offer research strategies that help us explore the factors that influence economic preferences and risky decision-making process. This dissertation consists of three essays studying the underlying experiential influences on economic preferences and neurobiological effects on risky decision making. Chapter 2 examines whether experiences during adolescence have a long-term effect on economic preferences. Between 1966 and 1976, China's Sent-Down Movement required seventeen million urban teenagers to spend several years living and working in rural areas. The program had a number of goals for participants, including learning empathy for rural laborers and developing collectivist values. The sent-down movement can be regarded as a natural experiment, which allows us to investigate whether this government policy was successful in effecting a lasting change to economic preferences. Using a modified Global Preference Survey and employing a regression discontinuity design, we find that the experience of being Sent-Down significantly changed participants' risk preferences, other-regarding preferences, and attitudes toward government. Chapter 3 explores how the arousal system modulates attention and investment behavior. Experimental research shows that human decision making is shaped by emotions associated with an outcome's success or failure. Regret, for example, is a powerful predictor of future investment decisions in asset markets. Using a fictive learning model to capture regret, we examine changes in pupil diameter of participants performing a sequential investing task. By manipulating task uncertainty, we show that pupil dilation is positively correlated with both asset price variance and regret. In addition, pupil linked arousal is positively associated with the learning rate. We conclude that the pupil–linked arousal system helps regulate investment behavior in a dynamic market environment. Chapter 4 explores the complex process by which people make risky choices. While traditional models, like expected utility theory, model choice as the selection of the outcome with the highest probability-weighted value, research shows that in some environments these models do a poor job of describing behavior. This study explores the role of attention, pupil-linked arousal, and salience in risky choice. First, we replicate earlier findings that those choices are consistent with expected utility theory when the calculation is easy, however, as the calculation becomes harder, they make decisions by comparing unweighted payoffs and are attend to the salient option. Further, we find that pupil-linked arousal is associated with the level of cognitive effort needed to calculate expected utility. Finally, we show that arousal reflects cognitive effort associated with resisted selecting a more salient option. / Doctor of Philosophy / Economic decisions are those involving trade-offs where an individual must give up one item or possibility to get another. Economic preferences define which outcome an individual will value more, and helps explain why, for example, some people invest their money in high-risk and high- yield bonds while others keep their money in their savings account. Economists and other social scientists are interested in the differences between individuals' economic preferences, how they are formed, and how they translate into peoples' decisions. Risky decision making is one common type of economic decision that people make daily, for example, investing in the stock market, gambling in casinos, buying lottery tickets or trying a new restaurant. We know that when two people make different decisions that sometimes it is because they have different preferences, and sometimes it is because they go about making decisions in different ways. This dissertation explores whether people's early experiences have a long-term impact on economic preferences (Chapter 2), and investigate the roles that attention, emotional arousal, and information salience play in risky decision making (Chapters 3 4) using research methods from behavioral economics, experimental economics, and neuroeconomics. The scientific mission of this dissertation is to deepen our understanding of how and why people make choices. We add to the evidence that economic preferences are not inborn and stable; instead, they are shaped by people's experiences. We also explore risky choices like investing money and find that while people often try to minimize regret, our emotional arousal system significantly affects our attention patterns and behavior. In addition, when faced with decisions requiring calculations that are hard to do in your head, people make different decisions than when the calculations are easy. Overall, we paint a picture of human decision-makers whose past experiences and current options determine both the nature of their choices and how they make them.

Unlike the West, where many studies have explored how people's needs are fulfilled by urban parks, Malaysia has received very little attention from researchers. One reason for this is the fact that Malaysia has only a short public park tradition. Although folk art and stories have chronicled a long history of gardens and other parks, these spaces were only accessible to royal family members and autocrats. In Malaysia, the concept of free public parks is relatively recent, having been introduced by the British colonial government. This thesis aims to analyze the current demands on urban parks in Malaysia. It specifically studies an urban park in the city of Seremban in the state of Negeri Sembilan, which was built by the British in the early 1900's. This park is apparently not meeting the needs of the public at large. Even though it is near active public facilities, such as a state mosque, a downtown area, public offices, and a public library, it suffers from a declining number of visitors. This thesis is based on data obtained from a survey questionnaire that polled public attitudes regarding Seremban Urban Park. The data was analyzed to determine the factors that influence potential park patrons, as well as the preferred activities of those who visit the park. The research suggests that accessibility, sense of territoriality, activities in the park, the natural environment, and park maintenance influence participants' decisions to visit the park. In addition, it points out that participants' preferred park activities include family gatherings and passive socializing activities. The primary implications of this thesis are that urban parks are emerging as important public spaces in Malaysian cities, and that their continuing effectiveness is largely dependent upon a prioritizing of activities and a commitment to maintenance. This research should help landscape architects and planners expand the relationship between urban parks and public life in Malaysian cities. / Master of Landscape Architecture

<p dir="ltr">Citrus greening has severely impacted orange trees in America, causing significant damage to farmers and industry. Gene editing has been proposed as a potential solution, but understanding consumer acceptance of the resulting gene edited products is essential to evaluate the marketability of this potential solution.</p><p dir="ltr">We conducted a hypothetical discrete choice experiment to analyze consumer preferences for gene edited orange juice. We further explored how consumer willingness-to-pay (WTP) for the gene edited attribute varies depending on the total number of attributes presented in the experiment and how information about the benefits of the technology influences WTP across the different attribute scenarios.</p><p dir="ltr">We find that, on average, consumers devalue the gene edited attribute, but their WTP for the attribute increases when information is provided. Importantly, we also observe that the number of attributes significantly impacts the WTP estimates, but the effect is moderated when information is provided.</p>