Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, August 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 116-131).

Thesis (M.S. in architecture)--Washington State University, May 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 91-96).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Iowa, 2007. / Supervisor: Dhananjay Nayakankuppam. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-74).

No description available.

The purpose of this investigation was to explore the relationship between the general psychological mood of the population regarding the national economy and its effect upon the level of stock market prices. It was hypothesized that there should be evidence of a positive relation between the two. In an effort to explain stock price levels several models were constructed which contained various component variables, among which were an Index of Consumer Mood, GNP, Corporate Earnings Before Tax, Money Supply and Canadian Government Long-Term Bond Interest Rates. All datum covered 38 quarters, from 3rd quarter I960 to 4th quarter 1969. From these variables five models were constructed containing three equations each. Five tests were conducted on the five individual models in which the correlations, multiple regressions and polynomial distributed lags were measured. Various tests contained data based on first differences deflated values, relative differences and combinations thereof. A final test was with the exclusion of the Consumer Mood variable in order to judge the effect its presence had made upon the accuracy of the equations. The conclusions based upon the results of the tests must initially indicate that the general psychological consumer attitude has little bearing upon the level of stock prices. Deflated money supply however, proved to be highly relevant and a valuable predictor. The total picture presented by the models is unsatisfactory, requiring either the substitution of more accurate variables or the inclusion of further data to supplant the inefficiency of the variables that were used. The components employed in the tests were both inefficient in some cases and insufficient in others. The results must only indicate areas for further investigation and refinement of the datum. Any generalization on the lack of statistical support for a relationship between consumer confidence and stock prices to the effect of consumer opinions about the economy as a whole would neither be reasonable nor justifiable at this time. / Business, Sauder School of / Finance, Division of / Graduate

This study reports an investigation of teenagers' perceptions of food and their food behaviors. The study was qualitative in design. Data were collected on eleven teenagers in their homes through interviews and observations. Data were analysed using the method of constant comparative analysis. The adolescents' rationales for their food behaviors reflected both their perceptions of what was important regarding foods and food behaviors and how these perceptions or actual behaviors might change over time or as situations changed. The data were interpreted to show that teenagers have frameworks which guide their decision making about food. Processes which contributed to the development of the adolescents' frameworks were their interpretation of cues and knowledge, the comparison of themselves with others and the desire to resolve issues of personal concern. The adolescents were also described as having food behaviors directed by issues related to either "convictions" or "convenience." The knowledge guiding the teenagers' decision making was based on their interpretations of information and personal experiences. Adolescents assessed the usefulness of information presented to them by examining its relevancy to their own situation, its compatibility with personal beliefs and its consistency with sources identified as credible. Such credible sources might include parents, nurses or teachers. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

The problem of this study examines two questions which were posed. First, would color preferences of children in the N.W. Harllee School of the Dallas Independent School District be the same as those found in other studies of color preferences of elementary school children? Second, would there be differences in choices made by low academic aptitude groups and high academic aptitude groups? In an attempt to answer these questions, a series of tests was devised and administered to children grades IV through VII.

No description available.

The primary purpose of my dissertation was to assess two competing models of catch-related attitudes (CRA) of recreational anglers for: 1) valid psychometric measurement, 2) consistency of CRA under different angling contexts, and 3) effect of CRA on angler preferences. Data came from a statewide survey of 6,924 licensed Texas anglers, and a follow-up survey of 1,078 freshwater catfish anglers identified by the statewide survey. I used confirmatory factor analysis to determine that a 4-construct model of CRA provided better fit to the data than a 3-construct model, and was configural and metric invariant across gender, ethnic, and angling context groups indicating cross-group comparisons would be unbiased. However, low factor loadings on several items, and low variance extracted estimates, indicate that current CRA scales require refinement. Additionally, structural equation models found that angler responses to the CRA scale were moderately consistent when measured in generic and species-specific contexts (50-60% shared variance), and the relationship between the two was not consistently moderated by measures of angling avidity. Next, I assessed influence of CRA on angler fishing trip preferences using a stated choice analysis. Results showed that angler choice of hypothetical fishing trips was influenced primarily by travel costs and catch-related trip attributes, and that CRA were significant mediators of angler preferences for associated trip attributes. Finally, I used a latent class state choice model to analyze separate trip choice models for five sub-groups of catfish anglers divided based on their CRA scores. Individual models showed considerable variation in preference for catch-related attributes paralleling strength of each groups’ attitudes towards a given CRA construct. Overall, results indicated that CRA scales are valid predictors of angler preferences and behavioral intentions. Human dimensions researchers studying angler populations will find the CRA scale to be a useful tool to incorporate into predictive models of angler behavior and preferences. Furthermore, fisheries managers should find the CRA scales useful to assess management preferences of an increasingly heterogeneous angler clientele, and aide them in designing management plans that efficiently meet angler needs and catch-related expectations.

Some research suggests that the reason men and women choose mates who are physically similar to them, is because though they may be genetically similar (given the physical characteristics), the fact that there is no kinship allows for genetic stability. Some researchers believe this is a product of evolutionary forces, therefore allowing possible mates to find those whom they would see as compatible and fertile. Researchers have found that as children we imprint our parent’s facial features, which helps develop the normal facial recognition later. With this knowledge it is suggested that we subconsciously use our parent’s facial imprint as our standard for beauty when it comes to finding a mate. As children share a resemblance to their parents, it is not unlikely that as adults, men and women then choose mates who are physically similar to themselves. The current study examined whether men and women look for mates who are physically similar, even if they do not realize it. This study looked at a range of physical characteristics from hair color to height to body type. The wide range of physical characteristics allowed participants to be very specific about the ideal physical features they desire in a mate. It also allowed participants to be specific about their own physical characteristics. The survey was distributed through an online link that was distributed by upper and lower level sociology professors as well as social media sites. The results of this study are important because most research on heterosexual relationships focus on what characteristics each partner are looking to find. However, there is very little research on the phenomena of heterosexual partners choosing a mate who are physically similar.