Master's theses

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The analysis of eye-movements in the judgment of enjoyment and non-enjoyment smiles in people with schizophrenia
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2014-10-10) Ryan, R.J.
Research has consistently shown that people with schizophrenia have impairments in emotional facial recognition. This deficit has been associated with irregular visual scanning patterns of the face. Since people have the ability to control the expression of emotion that they display, the communication process becomes more complex. In fact, in addition to processing the emotion expressed, decoders must pay attention to the subtle details about the sincerity of the expression. The goal of the current study was to conduct a systematic examination of the ability and perceptual-attentional mechanisms used in distinguishing enjoyment and non-enjoyment smiles in individuals with schizophrenia. More specifically, the activation of the orbicularis oculi muscle and symmetry was examined. Sixteen individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and sixteen control (no diagnosis of schizophrenia) were asked to judge the sincerity of smiles while their eye movements were recorded. Individuals with schizophrenia were less accurate than controls in judging the no-cheek smile as a non-enjoyment smile. This difficulty could be explained by their bias towards the mouth. Furthermore, like their healthy counterparts, individuals with schizophrenia showed difficulty with the judgement of asymmetric smiles. However, while perceptual processing can be ruled out as an explanation for the difficulty suggesting interpretation problems in control individuals, the former explanation cannot be discredited for individuals with schizophrenia.
Are all stereotypes created equal? Examining gender as a moderator of event-related potentials evoked during schema violation
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-10-08) Schubert, Christopher
Schema violation has been shown to have an impact on cognition. Previous research using reading tasks has shown that the impact is not the same across male and female characters, and research has shown that men and women hold different view of schemas. The Implicit Association Test (IAT) has been used as a method to investigate schema violation, but no study has effectively investigated gender differences. Therefore, this study specifically investigates the factors of participant and character gender on schema violation during the IAT. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were used to investigate the cognitive impact of schema violation while participants completed gender and sexuality IATs. Significant effects were found for participant gender and character gender in several ERP components (N100, P200, N400, and LPP), but only for the gender-career IAT. This suggests that on a basic cognitive level ERP activity is influenced by gender.
Are harmonious and obsessive passions distinct?
(2015-10-06) Bridekirk, Jonathan
Abstract Passionate activities can be a source of pleasure and meaning. According to the Dualistic Model of Passion (Vallerand et al., 2003) individuals can have either a harmonious or an obsessive passion for an activity. Where harmonious passions provide positive emotional experience, obsessive passions do not. Using Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory (2004), it was hypothesized that harmonious passions could have cognitive benefits. By grouping individuals (N=141, M-age=24 years, 89 women) based on their passion orientation, the roles of selfreported optimism, social desirability, social support, attention, executive functioning, and life quality were examined in distinguishing harmonious and obsessive passion. It was demonstrated that harmoniously passionate individuals differed from the obsessively passionate on all measures of attention, executive functioning, and life quality. Where obsessively passionate individuals reported lower attention, executive functioning, and life quality, harmoniously passionate individuals did not. Individuals who were highly passionate differed from less passionate people on optimism. These differences correspond well to that which would be predicted on the basis of the broaden-and-build theory. Taxometric methods were also used to investigate the latent structure of Vallerand’s Passion questionnaire. Taxometric methods can test whether a construct is categorical (passion being harmonious or obsessive) or dimensional (only varying in degrees of intensity). Results from taxometric analyses (MAMBAC/MAXCOV) are most consistent with the idea that passion exists in a continuum between its harmonious and obsessive forms.
Becoming a guitar hero: does it alter multisensory processing skills?
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2014-10-09) Berman, Gillian
Three groups of novice gamers were trained for 10 hours using the music-genre game Rock Band©: one group played the game normally, another played using visual cues only, and a third simply listened to music. Pre- and post-test eye-tracking data was collected using a focused attention task in which participants quickly shifted their gaze toward a visual target; on some trials a to-be-ignored auditory tone was also presented. Past research has shown the tone to speed-up saccadic response time (SRT). We hypothesized that training on a music-genre video game would boost this intersensory facilitation effect, defined as the difference between SRTs on unimodal only trials minus SRTs on bimodal trials. There was an overall SRT decrease from pre- to post-test, but, more critically, the magnitude of the facilitation effect was not disproportionally enhanced in the full Rock Band© training group, relative to the controls. Future research avenues are considered.
Body talk and perfectionism in female and male youth: can we shift the focus from appearance to functionality?
(2022-08-18) Henry, Emily
The current study sought to examine if perfectionism facets that have been linked to body image disturbances in youth predict a higher frequency of body talk with friends, and whether these perfectionistic predispositions influence the extent to which novel educational interventions mitigate the harmful effects of body talk exposure such as lower body satisfaction, self-esteem, higher negative affect and self-objectification. The educational interventions provided education on the dangers of body talk, the opportunity to practice challenging body talk, and exercises to help youth shift away from the harmful appearance focus by appreciating body functionality. An online international sample of youth who self-identified as either female (N = 120) or male (N = 158) between the ages of 13 and 24 years were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 educational intervention conditions that either focused on only body talk, body functionality, both body talk and body functionality, or they received no intervention. Overall, the findings demonstrated that perfectionistic predispositions can influence the degree to which educational interventions might mitigate the effects of body talk exposure. Females higher in perfectionism facets sometimes did not receive the same benefits from the body talk focused interventions as females lower in perfectionism, whereas males higher in certain perfectionism facets at times received benefits from the body functionality intervention. Moreover, female and male youth with higher levels of perfectionistic predispositions were more likely to report engaging in body talk with friends as well as having worse experiences after being exposed to body talk. The results are discussed in terms of future directions.
Canada’s history with Indigenous peoples: do reminders of ingroup wrongs and ingroup identification influence collective guilt, moral shame, and reparation intentions?
(2020-05-14) Laprise, Cailynn D.
Research suggests historical accounts of past harm committed by an ingroup toward an outgroup have elicited emotions such as collective guilt and moral shame. The present experiment examined whether an explicit account regarding abuse committed against Indigenous peoples in the residential school system elicited collective guilt, moral shame, and reparation endorsement. Ingroup identification was assessed as a potential moderator of these predicted effects. 108 nonIndigenous students from Laurentian University were randomly assigned to excerpts derived from high school history textbooks were explicit or evasive and completed self-report questionnaires. Results showed ingroup identification was a significant moderator whereby high ingroup identifiers demonstrated greater levels of guilt and monetary support for Indigenous Canadians when exposed to the explicit text. Low ingroup identifiers had greater shame when exposed to an evasive text. Therefore, ingroup identification had an important influence on the moral emotions and reparation intentions following exposure to an explicit vs. evasive account of their group’s past wrongdoing. Implications are discussed in relation to promoting a sense of responsibility and intentions to repair ingroup wrongs, and how this might be facilitated in an educational context.
The central tendency relationships between earthquakes, quantum fluctuations, and the human brain
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2014-09-25) Vares, David A. E.
Physical phenomena occur within a complex manifold of interactions from small scale quantum to large scale energies. These random interactions appear to conform to the central limit theorem, however prediction of these events suggest a non-local factor is typically involved. Data were compiled from a random number generator that utilizes quantum electron tunneling, a photomultiplier tube measuring background photon emissions (~10-11 W/m2), earthquakes recorded by USGS Advanced National Seismic System, and from a database of human electroencephalographic recordings. The data indicated temporal and spatial relationships, suggesting the causality of physical phenomena and the associated entropy conforms to the central limit theorem by means of variable distribution of occurrence.
Child neglect: predicting future protection concerns and a comparison of profiles
(2017-10-20) Newton, Carl
Research suggests that factors that influence child maltreatment are not restricted to one area (e.g. parental characteristics, child characteristics, societal characteristics), but are spread across numerous ecological systems. Child protection data from the Ontario Family and Child Strengths and Needs Assessment (FCSNA) was obtained. Records for children and caregivers of 128 families who had verified child neglect allegations were used in predictive analyses, in order to determine which families would return with further child protection concerns. Results of logistic regression analyses showed that variables related to caregiver capacity and social support were predictive of verified maltreatment concern recurrence. Caregivers with alcohol, drug, and substance abuse concerns, resource management issues, and strengths in physical health were more likely to be involved in recurrent investigations than those non-recurrent parents. Higher levels of social support from peer and adult relationships (for children) indicated a greater likelihood of child protection recurrence. Results suggest greater attention to substance abuse issues, as well as resource management and poverty in families with verified child neglect concerns. Furthermore, the results offer insight into the nature of the relationship between child maltreatment recurrence and social support. Recommendations of future research directions are discussed.
Clinical applications of the quantitative electroencephalograph
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2014-03-19) Corradini, Paula L.
Clinical psychology is a discipline that assesses and treats individuals experiencing a variety of psychological disorders; including brain injuries. Employing neuroimaging tools can reveal biological correlates that have not been previously studied in detail. The quantitative electroencephalograph (QEEG) is a dynamic neuroimaging tool that allows for the measurement of brain activity. QEEG source localization analysis has provided additional construct validity for neuropsychological tests by revealing increased activation in the associated brain regions. In addition, differences in resting brain activity have been found depending on the severity of neuropsychological impairment. Finally, enhancement of memory in normal individuals is shown by applying a weak physiologically-patterned electromagnetic field over the left hemisphere. Therefore, by integrating the QEEG with elements of clinical psychology it is possible to provide construct validity to neuropsychological tests, show differences in brain activation depending on the severity of neuropsychological impairment, and study emerging therapeutic techniques that could enhance memory.
Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) applications in psychological suitability assessments.
(2017-09-11) Kennedy, Kevin M.
Psychological suitability assessments are an integral component of public safety recruitment and selection processes. Psychological suitability assessments can benefit from the implementation of decision support systems. Providing an estimate of the likelihood for outcomes can act to support psychologists in decision making processes. This thesis critiques a content focused approach to psychological suitability assessment, develops a classification algorithm that estimates profile outcome likelihoods of several possible psychological suitability decision categories, and assesses the effect of providing estimates to psychologists on psychological decision making processes when determining profile outcomes. The critique outlines that the assessment model dimensions were developed to suit the needs of the organization at the time and connected psychological data with anticipated behaviours and activities. However, the model was not developed within a systematic process and relied heavily on subjective accounts of on duty officers. The assessment model could be improved with the implementation of new and updated tools, such as the MMPI-2RF or the MPULSE. The classification algorithm established by the discriminant function analysis accurately classified 86.75% of cases (p<0.0001) in this assessment model. In testing the effect of providing outcome estimates to psychologists to assist in their decision making processes, a MANOVA analysis was conducted. When (n=14) psychologists were presented with a likelihood estimate that was in support of the expert decision, psychologists significantly improved in their overall match accuracy (p>0.05). Experience conducting these types of assessments was a significant covariate for the time it took to render a decision, and the time it took to render a decision was not affected by the presentation of a likelihood estimate. Overall, this study suggests that decision support systems can be implemented to support a temporary clinical lead in navigating the psychological data such that candidates are evaluated more consistently for psychological suitability evaluations. Implementing a decision support system in practice can act as a guide for interpreting psychological data, reduce the error of both experienced and inexperienced assessors, and improve the integrity of the assessment.
Clinician perceptions of the impact of emotions on clinical decision making in child and adolescent eating disorders
(2017-02-10) Penney, Sarah
This thesis will examine the impact of emotions on clinical decision-making in the field of child and adolescent ED. Therapists and medical professionals working with chronic and lifethreatening illnesses, such as ED may be particularly vulnerable to emotional influences on their decision-making. This is evident, as past research studies have identified that high levels of clinician anxiety result in lower adherence to treatment protocol. In a survey, clinicians reported that the top three decision categories they perceive to be the most emotionally charged include: 1. Involvement of the family; 2. Autonomy and Control; and 3. Food and Weight. The decision rated as most negatively influenced by clinician emotion was the decision to include a critical/dismissive parent in treatment. Family-based therapy has the most empirical support in the treatment of child/adolescent ED. A treatment team consists of a physician and therapist at minimum; however, studies examining medical professionals indicated that they were not confident in their training in ED or in the treatment of ED and only 1/3 of medical professionals report always including the family in therapy. As such, interviews were conducted in order to gain a better understanding of the impact of emotions on clinical decision-making in clinicians and medical professionals. 22 participants (16 therapists and 5 medical professionals) working in the field of child and adolescent ED completed a 1hour semi-structured interview that included questions regarding clinician and medical professionals perceptions of the impact of emotions on clinical decision making in themselves and in their colleagues. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. The themes identified suggest that clinicians and medical professionals perceive emotional influences on their decision-making in clinical practice. The results are discussed in terms of the implications for self-reflective practice.
Cognitive consequences of sleep deprivation, shift work, and heat exposure for underground miner
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2015-05-27) Clement, Alexandra L.
The extent to which an underground miner’s alertness is influenced by sleep deprivation, shift work, and working in elevated temperatures is currently unknown. Actigraphy and psychomotor vigilance data were collected from nineteen underground miners over 28 consecutive days. Core body temperature data was also gathered during four scheduled work shifts. Participants experienced shortened sleep durations and poor sleep efficiency throughout the study. Significant increases in reaction time occurred over the course of night shifts, a decline that was not observed during day shifts. A strong, negative correlation between core body temperature and reaction time was present throughout day shifts but did not appear during night shifts. Poor sleep and altered circadian rhythms appear to negatively affect the alertness of participants during work times. An inadequate adaptation to night work schedules may be indicated by the poor alertness and absent relationship between core body temperature and performance observed during night shifts.
Conditioned stress-eating and stress non-eating in rats, and their preference for food sweetened with sucralose
(2018-02-16) Colangelo, Gabrielle M.
The current study examined different learning histories in relation to stress and food intake. In other words, stress-induced eating and non-eating could be due to different learned associations between a stressor and food. Seventeen male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to create a model of stress-eating and non-eating using operant conditioning. This model was then used to examine subjects’ food intake and preferences for food formulas sweetened with three different amounts of Splenda: 0%, 10%, and 60%. These formulas were first presented to the rats individually (onechoice test) while a high-frequency tone (the stressor) was present and absent. The second test (two-choice test) exposed the rats to 2/3 formulas at the same time while the stressor was present and absent. It was found that all rats, regardless of group assignment preferred chows containing no Splenda, as demonstrated by an increase in food intake. This did not change as a factor of stress. Additionally, conditioned stress-eaters increased their food overall food intake when the stressor was present, as compared to when it was absent. This was not observed for conditioned stress non-eaters. Limitations, implications, and future directions are discussed.
The confusion of fear/surprise and disgust/anger in children: new evidence from eye movement technology
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2014-05-16) Young, Cheryl
Research shows that children often confuse facial expressions of fear with surprise and disgust with anger. According to the perceptual-attentional limitations hypothesis, facial expressions are confused because they share action units (Camras, 1980; Wiggers, 1982). Experiment 1 tested this hypothesis for the confusion between fear and surprise and Experiment 2 for the confusion between disgust and anger. Eye movements were monitored in both experiments. In experiment 1, the results showed that children were more accurate when two distinctive action units were presented than when the brow lowerer was the only distinctive action unit differentiating between fear and surprise. Furthermore, the results showed that participants spent more time fixating on the mouth than the eyebrows. They made more saccades when the only distinctive cue was in the eyebrows. In experiment 2, participants identified the emotion as anger when the mouth was open, and disgust when the mouth was closed, spending more time on the mouth when the mouth was open. These findings suggest that facial expressions are confused, not only because of the amount of visual similarities they share, but also because children do not allocate their attention to facial regions equally; they tend to focus on the mouth.
Contributing to children’s early comprehension of emotions: a picture book approach
(2017-09-07) LaForge, Christian
Previous studies have suggested that children’s emotion comprehension begins to develop in the early stages of childhood and has been linked to prosocial behaviours, displays of empathy and better interpersonal relationships, to name a few. However, children’s level of emotion comprehension does not develop at the same rhythm due to both environmental and biological factors. That said, there are few interventions that can help children in their development of emotion understanding, but these interventions are not readily accessible (e.g., cost, availability, duration). The current study examined the use of shared book reading and the effectiveness of picture books created on current theories and models of children’s emotion comprehension. Eighteen preschoolers were divided into an experimental and a control group. Over the course of multiple exposures to the experimental treatment, results revealed a significant gain for the experimental group compared to the control group. These results are promising by showing that a simple shared book reading approach can contribute to the development of emotional comprehension without requiring special training or expertise.
The contribution of family composition to attachment, emotional intelligence, and family functioning
(2020-07-14) Saft, Kristine
Family composition is defined as a caregiver (or more than one caregiver) and other people (such as siblings, half-siblings, or step siblings) who live within a household and are related or unrelated. Family composition has been studied in many areas related to physical well-being, psychological well-being, and emotional well-being. Though an abundance of information exists in some areas, information specifically concerning family composition and attachment, emotional intelligence, and family functioning is limited. The available literature neglects the adult child population and has focused primarily on an adolescent population. Several researchers have referred to the importance of studying these variables. The present study aimed to further the literature by primarily investigating the moderation of attachment and emotional intelligence by family composition and the differences in family functioning according to family composition and length of time in a specific family composition. It assessed the prior mentioned hypotheses in 143 undergraduate university students through a variety of questionnaires. The results revealed that family composition did not moderate attachment and emotional intelligence and family functioning did not differ according to family composition and length of time. The findings of the present study contributes to the scarce literature in these areas
Cultural differences in perception of desirability of parental style: the role of sex and age of the child
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2015-05-27) Labonte, Josee
The present study investigated the perceptions of emerging adults regarding desirable parental styles and sought to gain an understanding of whether cultural background, the age paradigm of the child being reared, and gender (of the respondent and child) were contributing factors. A modified version of the Parental Styles Questionnaire was used to measure the perceptions of desirable parental practices. The current study demonstrated that the democratic style of parenting was perceived as the favoured parental practice by both Chinese and Canadian respondents, that the permissive style of parenting was perceived negatively by both cultures (significantly more so by Canadians), and that authoritarian practices were perceived negatively by Chinese, while they were perceived positively by Canadian (when parenting both genders and significantly more so for boys). There were no significant differences in perceptions according to the age of the child or gender of the respondent.
Cyberbullying: interpersonal competence, aggression, and school identification.
(2016-04-29) Drummelsmith, Jennifer
With the development of and increased access to information and communication technologies a new form of peer to peer aggression, cyberbullying, is on the rise. Research has only started to skim the surface of this new form of bullying but, research has shown that there are numerous negative outcomes associated with cyberbullying involvement whether it is as a cyberbully, a cybervictim, both, or a witness. The current study investigated differences in aggression style, interpersonal competence and school identification based on cyberbullying involvement as a cyberbully, cybervictim, both or witness. As well the current study looked at how gender, age, and grade related to cyberbullying involvement, and the impact of computer time, supervision, and access to technology and location of home computers. One hundred twenty four students in grades six through ten completed questionnaire packages, and there were significant differences found in aggression style; cyberbully-victims had higher reactive aggression than cybervictims, and interpersonal competence, specifically on asserting and conflict resolution subscales with cyberbully-victims having lower competence scores than cybervictims. Significant results were also found for access to technology. A correlational analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between interpersonal competence, aggression, and school identification; numerous significant results were found. As well an exploratory discriminant analysis was conducted to determine if cyberbullying involvement could be predicted based on interpersonal competence, aggression style, and school identification. Implications as they apply to research and prevention are discussed.
Dark embrace: orestes complex, catathymic crisis and method of murder: a study of matricide in a forensic psychiatric sample
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2014-05-16) O’Brien, Colleen
A study was conducted to investigate and identify differences inherent in two subtypes of psychosis driven or mentally disordered homicide: matricide versus any other biological intrafamilial homicide or attempted homicide. Matricide was further investigated through the exploration of offence specific details, as well as demographic and diagnostic characteristics of persons who had committed (or attempted) homicide against the mother and were subsequently found not criminally responsible and detained by the Ontario Review Board between 1992 and 2012. Matricidal accused were more often diagnosed with childhood disorders and paranoid schizophrenia. As adults, they failed to mature sexually and socially, and continued to live at home, dependent on the mothers that were the ultimate victims of their violence. Attachment theory is offered as a proposed explanation for the matricidal impulse.
Défi faites le calcul
(2016-04-02) Chevrette, Stéphanie
La pauvreté et l’insécurité alimentaires sont des problèmes sociaux qui affectent plusieurs hommes, femmes et enfants au Canada. Afin de mieux comprendre ce problème, le présent mémoire examinera le vécu de la pauvreté anthropologique ainsi que les théories de Thomas Hobbes, John Locke et Jean Jacques Rousseau afin d’avoir une compréhension historique et théorique de la pauvreté. Ce projet est développé dans le cadre d’un mémoire en service social étant donné que les valeurs en justice et transformation sociale soulignent l’importance d’avoir des structures politiques justes afin que les individus et communautés puissent se développer de manière efficace. À l’heure actuelle, les structures politiques du Canada ne permettent pas une distribution adéquate des richesses, ce qui fait en sorte qu’il y ait une certaine population des citoyens canadiens qui vivent la faim chronique par manque d’argent. Afin de mieux faire comprendre les problèmes de la pauvreté et de l’insécurité alimentaire, une action sociale s’est développée partout en Ontario pour faire connaître le vécu de l’insécurité alimentaire et de la pauvreté. Aux fins de ce mémoire, les actions sociales du Défi faites le calcul de la Ville du grand Sudbury seront analysées. Les participants au Défi de la Ville du grand Sudbury sont des personnes non-pauvres d’une variété de sphères de la communauté qui se sont rassemblées pour vivre d’un panier de la banque alimentaire dans le but de lutter pour que les personnes sur l’assistance sociale puissent avoir 100$ de plus par mois pour mieux se nourrir, se loger et essentiellement pour mieux vivre. Les conclusions du projet soulignent l’importance de continuer la lutte pour avoir des structures politiques qui encouragent la redistribution des richesses adéquate, qui valorisent la dignité de la personne et qui encouragent la solidarité dans nos communautés.

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