The purpose of this study was to determine if any significant difference existed between kibbutz and city children in terms of their concept of family and concept of self within the family. The subjects chosen for the investigation consisted of 51 pupils in the third and fourth grades from two communities in Israel. The two communities were a kibbutz community and a middle class small suburb community. Raw score data were obtained for the investigation from two testing devices. The Draw-A-Family Test (DAF) was used here in order to gain insight to the subjects' perception of the two concepts under investigation; the written attitude test was constructed in order to gain broader understanding of the subjects' concepts under study. Three raters were used in order to analyze the data obtained from the DAF Test. Interrater reliability coefficient was computed using the Pearson Product Coefficient technique. Using the nonparamatic chi square technique, a comparison was made of the two subject groups' responses to each individual item on the DAF Test and on the written attitude test. Validation of findings on the DAF Test were done by using the Pearson Correlation Coefficient technique. With the use of the same statistical technique, a further comparison was made of subjects' responses to items on the DAF Test which were designed to measure the same concepts. Using the Mann Whitney Q Test between groups, a statistical comparison of the two groups' responses to each of the testing devices was conducted. An analysis of subject responses on the DAF Test showed significant difference between the two groups' concepts of family and of self within the family. Drawings produced for this study by the kibbutz children reflected a significantly more positive view of the concepts under observation. Statistical analysis of the reliability of the DAF Test demonstrated high correlation between items dealing with the same concepts. No significant difference between the two groups' concepts of family and of self within the family was found in the statistical analysis of subjects' responses to the written attitude test. However, subjects' unexpected added responses to the written attitude test were interpreted as being supportive of the difference found in the DAF Test. Statistical analysis of relations between the two testing devices showed low negative correlation between the DAF Test and the written attitude test. Investigation of subjects' responses on both tests were interpreted as reflecting (a) low variability in subjects' responses to the written attitude test within and between groups and (b) broad variability in subjects' responses to the DAF Test within and between groups. The conclusions based on the findings of the study were that (1) the two measuring tools used in this study (graphic and verbal) measured different aspects of the concepts under study. It seemed to the investigator that the written attitude test measured primarily the conscious level of the subjects' concepts while the DAF Test seemed to reveal primarily information about the unconscious level of the subjects' concepts. (2) Subjects' responses to the DAF Test were interpreted to demonstrate the positive effect of kibbutz lifestyle on children's formation of the unconscious aspect of concepts of family and of self within the family. (3) Subjects' responses on the written attitude test were interpreted to demonstrate that the kibbutz lifestyle did not seem to differ from the middle class suburb city lifestyle in its affect upon the formation of the conscious level of the concepts of family and of self within the family.

The effects on self-concept as a result of behavior changes made during a self-directed self-modification project were studied on 16 students at Utah State University over a period of nine weeks. Pre and post measures of self-concept administered were the Tennessee Self Concept Scale and the Well-Being Scale from the California Psychological Inventory. The research design employed was the pretest-.posttest control group design. A separate analysis of covariance was run for the Total P raw score of the Tennessee Self Concept Scale and raw scores on the Well-Being Scale. The F was substantially short of the value of F needed for significance. The hypothesis that a behavior change would result in a self concept change was not supported. It was hypothesized that a behavior change was not the only variable that controlled self-concept. It was suggested that a more homogeneous group of subjects be used in further research, one where all the subjects were changing the same behavior, and then control for education and age.

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the usefulness of primary representational systems (prs) as a basis for improved comprehension and communication. Primary representational systems were discussed as being cognitive representations of experience which are revealed through auditory (A), visual (V), or kinesthetic (K) language. Specifically, this study tested Bandler and Grinder's assumption that an identified A, V, or K individual would better comprehend a communication which contained predicates representative of that individual's prs. Comprehension was operationalized into general information (GI) and specific predicate usage (SPU) segments in order to isolate possible group differences on this dimension. A total of 80 volunteers were screened from undergraduate psychology courses in order to determine individuals' prs. The prs was determined by each individual's preference for either A, V, or K predicates on a taped language sample. No A individuals were identified and this category was subsequently dropped from the study. Twenty identified "visuals" and 20 identified "kinesthetics" were randomly assigned to either the V or K experimental conditions. These experimental conditions consisted of a test of comprehension given over a role -played, taped therapy session using primarily either V or K predicates. Kuder-Richardson reliability for the V and K tests of comprehension was .52 and .70 respectively. It was found that the V and K groups did not differ in their overall comprehension of V and K taped therapy sessions. These groups did differ, however, when the type of comprehension (GI or SPU) factor was considered. Specifically, it was found that V individuals comprehended V SPU questions better than K individuals and that K individuals comprehended K SPU questions better than V individuals. It was also noted that V individuals were relatively worse at comprehending K SPU questions than K individuals were at comprehending V SPU questions. These findings were discussed in the context of their potential utility in the psychotherapeutic domain. A speculative discussion was offered which suggested language as the mechanism of psychotherapeutic commonality. Future research directions were suggested among which was the possibility of using the visual and tactual-kinesthetic mediums more in psychotherapeutic communication.

Current research on organizational stress suggests a relationship between stressors, and psychological and psychosomatic health outcomes. The strength of this relationship varies between 0.17 and 0.35. Research has also suggested that personal relationships may moderate these correlations. One such variable is thought to be social support. This study set out to examine the relationship between social support in the workplace and organizational stressors while at the same time controlling for variables that may obscure the true nature of the relationship. Taking measurements while still seniors in college (Time one) and shortly after they were employed (Time two) allowed this control to be accomplished in a longitudinal setting. This study evaluated the nature of these relationships among new employees in a variety of organizations. The personality variable negative affectivity (NA) was measured at time one and at time two. In addition, reported psychosomatic outcomes were measured at time one and at time two. The interval between time one and time two was 12 - 15 months. Organizational stressors, NA, strains, and transient mood were measured at time two. The results indicated that after controlling for mood and NA, supervisory social support was negatively related to stressors and strains. Coworker social support demonstrated a significant affective/emotional component. When both mood scales and NA were partialled out many of the corrleations dropped below significance. Results for the NA construct variable specifically suggested that it did not appear to be a major underlying explanatory variable. Future research directions are discussed.

In this Dissertation, I detail how dopamine within the nucleus accumbens regulates social attachment. I first describe our animal model for social attachment, the monogamous prairie vole, and our experimental methods. I then present two studies assessing the manner in which extracellular dopamine regulates pair bond formation and maintenance in the prairie vole. Next, I describe the intracellular regulation of this behavior. These studies are followed by a detailed comparison of dopamine neuroanatomy between the monogamous prairie vole and a closely related but non-monogamous species of vole. Finally, I provide a general discussion of these findings and related them to dopamine regulation of other behaviors. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Degree Awarded: Summer Semester, 2004. / Date of Defense: June 28, 2004. / Monogamy, neuroscience, pair bonds / Includes bibliographical references. / Zuoxin Wang, Professor Directing Dissertation; Thomas A. Houpt, Outside Committee Member; Friedrich K. Stephan, Committee Member; Michael Meredith, Committee Member; Mark H. Licht, Committee Member.

This study examined the efficacy of brief functional assessment methodologies, including descriptive assessment and contingency reversal conditions, in determining function of ADHD behavior and the effects of stimulant medication in regular classroom environments. Students diagnosed with ADHD participated in a double blind placebo controlled stimulant medication trial within this functional assessment. One of the four participants showed differential responding to stimulant medication during the descriptive conditions, suggesting an effect of the medication for this participant, and also showing the descriptive measures used can be sensitive to changes in behavior due to the presence of stimulant medication. Results from the brief FBA also showed the assessment procedures are sensitive enough to show differential responding to the medication as well as across manipulated environmental variables. Three of the four of the participants displayed higher rates of off-task behavior when peer attention was delivered contingent on off-task behavior. Two of the four participants displayed the lowest levels of off-task behavior during the contingency reversal conditions, regardless of medication. Overall, results indicated the usefulness of the functional assessment procedures in common classroom environments in determining function of behavior and efficacy of stimulant medication. This study also continued to support the trend of current research by detailing the importance of individual assessment of behavior and the effects of stimulant medication on the treatment of ADHD behavior. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2005. / Date of Defense: March 22, 2005. / ADHD, Stimulant medication, Functional assessment, Behavior assessment / Includes bibliographical references. / Jon S. Bailey, Professor Directing Dissertation; Bruce Thyer, Outside Committee Member; Mark Licht, Committee Member; Jack Brigham, Committee Member; Frank Johnson, Committee Member.

Prior findings of emotional numbness (rather than distress) among socially excluded persons led us to investigate whether exclusion causes a far-reaching insensitivity to both physical and emotional pain. Experiments 1-4 showed that receiving an ostensibly diagnostic forecast of a lonesome future life reduced sensitivity to physical pain, as indicated by both (higher) thresholds and tolerance. Exclusion also caused emotional insensitivity, as indicated by reductions in affective forecasting of joy or woe over a future football outcome (Experiment 3), as well as lesser empathizing with another person's suffering from either romantic breakup (Experiment 4) or a broken leg (Experiment 5). Mediation analyses confirmed the link between insensitivities to physical and emotional pain. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2006. / Date of Defense: February 18, 2005. / Physical Pain, Rejection, Social Exclusion, Empathy, Affective Forecasting, Emotion / Includes bibliographical references. / Roy F. Baumeister, Professor Directing Thesis; Thomas Joiner, Outside Committee Member; Jon K. Maner, Committee Member.

Prior work on maladaptive coping behaviors has cited impulsivity as a risk factor. The concept of impulsivity, however, fails to address the potential role of negative affect in such behaviors. The UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale attempts to address this weakness by dividing impulsivity into four subscales: Urgency, Sensation Seeking, (lack of) Premeditation, and (lack of) Perseverance. I predicted that urgency, defined as the tendency to act rashly in response to the experience of negative affect, would be related to elevations on three maladaptive coping behaviors - excessive reassurance seeking, drinking to cope, and bulimic symptoms as measured by the Eating Disorder Inventory - in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses in an undergraduate sample (N=70). Participants were assessed at two time points, three to four weeks apart. Urgency significantly predicted all three outcome variables cross-sectionally at both Time 1 and Time 2. Time 1 urgency significantly predicted Time 2 excessive reassurance seeking. Changes in urgency from Time 1 to Time 2 predicted changes in all three outcome variables. Results indicate a cross-sectional relationship exists between urgency and certain maladaptive coping behaviors. Additionally, some form of longitudinal relationship appears to exist between these variables. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2007. / Date of Defense: September 21, 2006. / Impulsivity, Bulimia Nervosa, Urgency / Includes bibliographical references. / Thomas Joiner, Professor Directing Thesis; Norman B. Schmidt, Committee Member; Chris Schatschneider, Committee Member.

Two theories have been proposed to explain the covariation between antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), histrionic personality disorder (HPD), and psychopathy: the sex differentiated-manifestation hypothesis (e.g., Hamburger, Hogben, & Lilienfeld, 1996) and the impulsivity hypothesis (e.g., Cale & Lilienfeld, 2002). The current study examined these two hypotheses in an undergraduate sample using dimensional constructs (e.g., symptom severity ratings). The current study also attempted to test these theories while controlling for overlapping symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Direct tests of the two models provided no support for either. When BPD symptoms were controlled for, ASPD and HPD symptoms were no longer related to each other or to impulsivity. Implications of this study and recommendations for future studies are discussed. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Degree Awarded: Fall Semester, 2007. / Date of Defense: July 25, 2007. / Impulsivity, Personality Disorders, Psychopathy / Includes bibliographical references. / Joyce Carbonell, Professor Directing Thesis; Jeanette Taylor, Committee Member; Christopher Schatschneider, Committee Member.

Suicide claims the lives of approximately 32,000 Americans each year. The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide (IPTS; Joiner, 2005) was developed in an effort to clarify the nature of suicidality as well as to enhance risk assessment and prevention approaches. The IPTS differentiates between the desire for death by suicide and the capability for suicide, which is said to be acquired through repeated exposure to painful and provocative life events. Thus far, the relationship between painful and provocative events and the acquired capability for suicide has been repeatedly supported in independent samples (e.g., Van Orden et al.,2008; Bryan et al., 2010). To date, however, no research has investigated whether the path from pain and provocation to the acquired capability is uniform across populations. I sought to test whether individuals' experiences with negative affect might moderate this relationship, with individuals exhibiting greater difficulty managing emotional distress who report greater levels of lifetime pain and provocation demonstrating the highest levels of the acquired capability. Specifically, I examined negative urgency and distress tolerance as moderators. Results utilizing structural equation modeling indicated that the proposed models were not an adequate fit for the data; however, a post hoc series of hierarchical linear regressions revealed a number of significant interactions between emotion-based individual difference variables (negative urgency, distress tolerance) and pain and provocation in the prediction of the acquired capability for suicide. These significant interactions were not in the hypothesized direction, as greater levels of negative urgency and lower levels of distress tolerance dampened the relationship between painful and provocative events and the acquired capability for suicide. These results might indicate that, although emotionally dysregulated individuals exhibit a higher rate of death by suicide (e.g., Linehan, 1993), this is true despite their emotion dysregulation, not because of it. Experiencing discomfort as highly aversive may actually serve as a buffer against suicide and require that such individuals experience greater exposure to pain and provocation in order to habituate sufficiently to such stimuli. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Degree Awarded: Summer Semester, 2011. / Date of Defense: September 22, 2010. / Emotion Dysregulation, Suicide / Includes bibliographical references. / Thomas Joiner, Professor Directing Dissertation; Mark Winegardner, University Representative; Chris Schatschneider, Committee Member; Natalie Sachs-Ericsson, Committee Member; Norman B. Schmidt, Committee Member.