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- Title
- Weight Discrimination Through Social Networking Sites: The Moderating Effects of Gender, Occupation, BMI, and Stereotype Consistency.
- Creator
-
McHugh, Bridget, Joseph, Dana, Jentsch, Kimberly, Fritzsche, Barbara, Wisniewski, Pamela, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
As the use of social networking sites (SNSs) in hiring increases, human resources professionals have become concerned with the increased probability of discriminatory hiring decisions. At the same time, there is increasing evidence that discrimination towards overweight and obese applicants has risen in the past decade. The present study addressed these concerns by examining the impact of an applicant's weight in a SNS profile picture on the decision to hire the applicant for a sales position...
Show moreAs the use of social networking sites (SNSs) in hiring increases, human resources professionals have become concerned with the increased probability of discriminatory hiring decisions. At the same time, there is increasing evidence that discrimination towards overweight and obese applicants has risen in the past decade. The present study addressed these concerns by examining the impact of an applicant's weight in a SNS profile picture on the decision to hire the applicant for a sales position. The impact of the applicant's gender, body mass index, and stereotype-consistent behaviors on hiring intentions were examined. In addition, the type of sales position (face to face or over the phone) were also examined. Results indicated that only overweight, and not obese, candidates experienced discrimination. Moreover, whereas the types of behaviors disclosed on social media profiles impact hiring intentions, there were no interaction effects between applicant weight and the types of behaviors disclosed. Analyses suggested that stereotype-consistent behaviors associated with conscientiousness (i.e., laziness, discipline) were a stronger predictor of hiring intentions than behavior that was less work-related (i.e., unhealthy behaviors). In addition, results suggested that weight discrimination did not occur more for the in person position than the phone position. Overall, the present study suggests that disclosing behaviors on social media that reflect negative traits (i.e., lazy, undisciplined, unhealthy) may impact hiring intentions, regardless of the applicant's weight. Moreover, while applicants who are overweight are less likely to be hired than their average weight counterparts, this discrimination does not occur more often when the applicant engages in stereotype-consistent behavior.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006141, ucf:51172
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006141
- Title
- EXPLORING RELIGIOUS BIAS AND PERCEPTIONS OF ATHEISM.
- Creator
-
Leckie, Raina, Mottarella, Karen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Much research focuses on religious bias and in particular the marginalization of Muslims in America. What initially surprised post 9-11 researchers is that participants typically rank atheists lower than Muslims in the areas of private and public trust. Further research is needed to continue to understand the nature and extent of religious-based bias. The present study explores whether a job candidate's religion impacts perception of the candidate's "hireability" and source credibility,...
Show moreMuch research focuses on religious bias and in particular the marginalization of Muslims in America. What initially surprised post 9-11 researchers is that participants typically rank atheists lower than Muslims in the areas of private and public trust. Further research is needed to continue to understand the nature and extent of religious-based bias. The present study explores whether a job candidate's religion impacts perception of the candidate's "hireability" and source credibility, including elements of trustworthiness, expertise and attractiveness. Participants were randomly assigned to review an identical version of a resume in which only the implied religion of the candidate was manipulated. One line of the candidate's resume suggested that the candidate was Christian, Muslim, Scientologist, Atheist or no religion was indicated. Participants then rated the candidate using a 3-question Hireability Index (Rudman & Glick, 2001) and the Source-Credibility Scale (SCS: Ohanian, 1990). The SCS contains 3 subscales measuring Attractiveness, Expertise and Trustworthiness. In this study, attractiveness emerged as a variable influenced by the religion of the candidate. Trends in the data also suggest that the candidate's religion may influence the candidate's overall Hireability Index score as well. The results suggest that religion may influence variables related to hireability but seem to more strongly influence personal variables such as ratings of attractiveness when the ratings are made by participants who are young and educated.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004368, ucf:44991
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004368
- Title
- THE EFFECTS OF SPORTS TEAM ALLEGIANCE ON JURORS' PERCEPTIONS OF A DEFENDANT.
- Creator
-
Ranieri, Andrea, Smither, Janan, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
ABSTRACT. This study examined the relationship between levels of sports team identification and sentence leniency. It was hypothesized that sharing the same sports team affiliation with the defendant would create bias in the form of juror leniency, and that highly identified fans would show more bias than lower identified fans. A case description of a hit and run accident, in which the defendant was described as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, was read by 220 participants. Results showed a...
Show moreABSTRACT. This study examined the relationship between levels of sports team identification and sentence leniency. It was hypothesized that sharing the same sports team affiliation with the defendant would create bias in the form of juror leniency, and that highly identified fans would show more bias than lower identified fans. A case description of a hit and run accident, in which the defendant was described as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, was read by 220 participants. Results showed a significant difference in recommended sentence length and levels of sympathy between the three groups (High Identity, Low Identity, & No Identity). However, contrary to the original hypothesis, participants who were highly identified with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers recommended a significantly longer sentence for the defendant and were less sympathetic than participants who had lower identification to the Buccaneers and those who had no Buccaneer identification. This paper discusses the relation of this finding with the Reverse Attractive Leniency Effect, as well as the Same-Sex Penalty Effect.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFH0004136, ucf:44864
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004136
- Title
- AN EXPLORATION OF TEXT AND ILLUSTRATIONS FOR IMPLICIT AND EXPLICIT GENDER BIAS AND STEREOTYPES IN CALDECOTT AWARD AND HONOR BOOKS FROM 2001-2014.
- Creator
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Kunkel, Jessica, Wenzel, Taylar, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Children's literature is a critical aspect during a child's development; the messages portrayed in children's books can affect the development of gender identity in young children and can affect how a child with act and perceive the world around them in the future (Tsao, 2008). Expanding on this research this study aimed to determine if award winning children's literature contained implicit and explicit gender stereotypes and biases in the illustrations and text. The sample examined was...
Show moreChildren's literature is a critical aspect during a child's development; the messages portrayed in children's books can affect the development of gender identity in young children and can affect how a child with act and perceive the world around them in the future (Tsao, 2008). Expanding on this research this study aimed to determine if award winning children's literature contained implicit and explicit gender stereotypes and biases in the illustrations and text. The sample examined was Caldecott Award and Honor books from 2001 through 2014; the sample size was did not include biographies, autobiographies, informational books, concept books, poetry, and science fiction. This study only examined works of fiction and each book was examined, read, and analyzed. Following the methodology of various studies, a three part Data Collection Instrument was used: book identification, frequency analysis of illustrations, and a character analysis. This research attempted to answer the following questions: (1) Is there evidence of gender stereotypes in the written depiction of characters in Caldecott Award and Honor books award between 2001 and 2014?, (2) Is there evidence of gender stereotypes in the illustrated depictions of characters in Caldecott Award and Honor books award between 2001 and 2014?, and (3) Are males' and females' roles and attributes represented equally through the text and illustrations? This research aimed at examining whether gender biases and stereotypes still existed in the text and illustrations and if so, to what extent.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFH0004791, ucf:45327
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004791
- Title
- Female Bias in Technical Communication and an Exploration of Pedagogical Strategies for Reversing the Bias.
- Creator
-
Beeson, Rebecca, Applen, John, Jones, Daniel, Bowdon, Melody, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This thesis explores technical communication and seeks to establish that females outnumber males in the field while also holder more high-level positions. It further seeks to show why a field does not benefit from having one sex outnumber the other. The benefits of having an equal number of females and males contributing to the growth and expansion of the field are discussed. Finally, this thesis discusses potential pedagogical strategies which could be employed at the college level as a...
Show moreThis thesis explores technical communication and seeks to establish that females outnumber males in the field while also holder more high-level positions. It further seeks to show why a field does not benefit from having one sex outnumber the other. The benefits of having an equal number of females and males contributing to the growth and expansion of the field are discussed. Finally, this thesis discusses potential pedagogical strategies which could be employed at the college level as a means of attracting more young men to the field and allowing for maximum growth of technical communication as a field of study and work. The thesis begins by exploring the history of technical communication as a means of understanding how it came to be a field where women outnumber men. It then briefly explores the differences between the learning styles of females and males as a means of demonstrating the importance of including both sexes equally. Lastly, using research from other, related fields pedagogical strategies are suggested for drawing more young males into the study and practice of technical communication.The conclusions drawn in this thesis are as follows: 1.) Women currently outnumber men in both the study and practice of technical communication. 2.) Research indicates that any field will benefit the most from including the skills and experiences of both sexes. 3.) Pedagogy may be effectively used as a means to help attract more young males into the field, thus increasing the growth and development of technical communication.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005131, ucf:50680
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005131
- Title
- THE EFFECT OF GENDER, CONFIRMATION BIAS, AND METACOGNITIVE SELF ASSESSMENT OVER VARYING LEVELS OF EXPERTISE IN A VISUOSPATIAL TASK.
- Creator
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Ballion, Tatiana, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
It has been shown that there exists a relationship between levels of metacognitive ability and estimation of personal ability for largely verbally-based tasks, where those with lessened facility for the task tend toward overestimation of their aptitude relative to their peers (Kruger and Dunning, 1999). This study examines this effect for a task of mechanical ability for volunteer participants (n = 69), where participants were given an abbreviated form of the Bennett Mechanical Comprehension...
Show moreIt has been shown that there exists a relationship between levels of metacognitive ability and estimation of personal ability for largely verbally-based tasks, where those with lessened facility for the task tend toward overestimation of their aptitude relative to their peers (Kruger and Dunning, 1999). This study examines this effect for a task of mechanical ability for volunteer participants (n = 69), where participants were given an abbreviated form of the Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Test (BMCT) to establish a level of competency. Following the administration of the BMCT, the participants were then asked to speculate on the hypothetical grade for their performance, as well as the relationship between their hypothetical grade, and the grades of others. Participants then "tutored" a hypothetical student on the solution to one of the problems found on the BMCT, and their explanations were coded for degree of bias towards confirmation versus disconfirmation that was utilized in the problem solving. It was found that females' basic ability had a greater range than males', and females on the high and low ends of competency made greater use of confirming strategies in their problem solving. This is indicative of the overall observed interaction effect between Gender, Perceived Relative Competence, and Actual Competence observed in this study.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000547, ucf:46429
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000547
- Title
- SEMANTIC BIAS AS AN APPLICATION OF THE UNIVERSAL GRAMMAR MODEL IN THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
- Creator
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Gural, Iryna, Modianos, Doan T., Villegas, Alvaro, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The theory of the Universal Grammar developed by Chomsky has been known for many years. The main idea behind the theory was that the processing of the language does not depend on the culture but it universal among all the languages. Further psycholinguistic studies developed the ideas about schematic comprehension of the language, giving rise to the idea of the "garden path effect". Research focused on the processing of the ambiguous sentences and found the tendency for readers to prefer...
Show moreThe theory of the Universal Grammar developed by Chomsky has been known for many years. The main idea behind the theory was that the processing of the language does not depend on the culture but it universal among all the languages. Further psycholinguistic studies developed the ideas about schematic comprehension of the language, giving rise to the idea of the "garden path effect". Research focused on the processing of the ambiguous sentences and found the tendency for readers to prefer interpretations of specific sentence areas as objects. The current study summarizes the ideas of psycholinguistic study and incorporates a novel language structure to study readers' syntactic preferences. In addition, conducting the study in Russian language accompanies previous research in other languages, also arguing in favor of the Universal Grammar model given the hypothesis was supported. It was hypothesized that readers would prefer the comparison of the two direct objects over the subjects, which would be reflected by faster reading times. Self-paced reading ask was administered to the participants in order to measure their reading times. The analysis found no significant differences in the reading times of the critical area, thus hypothesis was not supported. Possible explanations, limitations, and further directions are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000513, ucf:45697
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000513
- Title
- Gender Bias in the Technical Disciplines.
- Creator
-
Campbell, Jessica, Jones, Daniel, Flammia, Madelyn, Marinara, Martha, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study investigates how women are affected by gender bias in the workplace. Despite the increasing numbers of women in the workforce, women are still under-represented and under-valued in workplaces, which, in part, is due to their gender stereotype. This study demonstrates how gender bias in the workplace has been proven to limit women in their careers and potential in their occupational roles. The media's negative depiction of women in their gender stereotype reinforces and perpetuates...
Show moreThis study investigates how women are affected by gender bias in the workplace. Despite the increasing numbers of women in the workforce, women are still under-represented and under-valued in workplaces, which, in part, is due to their gender stereotype. This study demonstrates how gender bias in the workplace has been proven to limit women in their careers and potential in their occupational roles. The media's negative depiction of women in their gender stereotype reinforces and perpetuates this image as a cultural norm in society. Women both conform and are judged and evaluated according to their weak and submissive gender stereotype. Women face challenges and problems in the workplace when they are evaluated and appraised by their female gender stereotype. Women have been prevented from acquiring jobs and positions, have been denied promotions and advancements, failed to be perceived as desiring of and capable of leadership or management positions, as well as typically receive lower paid than their male counterparts. Furthermore, women's unique, indirect, and congenial conversational methods are perceived as unconfident, incompetent, and thus, incapable in the masculine organizational culture of most workplaces. Through the investigation of gender bias in the workplace, professionals and employers will gain an awareness of how gender bias and socially-prescribed gender roles can affect the workplace and interfere with women's success in their career. Technical communicators and other educators will have a better understanding of how to overcome gender stereotyping and be encouraged to teach students on how to be gender-neutral in their communications in the workplace, perhaps striving for a more egalitarian society.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004248, ucf:49538
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004248
- Title
- TESTING BIAS IN THE OCCUPATIONAL INTERVIEW: A PILOT STUDY ON RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.
- Creator
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Presley, Brandon, Lynxwiler, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study is to determine the possibility of the occupational interview utilizing tests that prove to be bias towards one particular race or another. This study is a pilot study and represents the first step in developing a more extensive research design to examine testing bias within the occupational employment interview setting. Ten black students and ten white students are asked to complete two types of occupational interview samples. Those samples are then reviewed by two...
Show moreThe purpose of this study is to determine the possibility of the occupational interview utilizing tests that prove to be bias towards one particular race or another. This study is a pilot study and represents the first step in developing a more extensive research design to examine testing bias within the occupational employment interview setting. Ten black students and ten white students are asked to complete two types of occupational interview samples. Those samples are then reviewed by two black hiring managers and two white hiring managers. The results are examined to determine if one test had a greater impact on the manager's hiring decisions. The findings indicate that when compared to the unstructured interview, the structured interview was associated with less bias in the hiring selection. From the data reviewed, possible limitations and future research was discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002780, ucf:48107
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002780
- Title
- Body Mass Bias Mitigation for Females in Military Physical Readiness Testing through Load Carriage Implementation.
- Creator
-
Yeaton, Aaron, McCauley, Pamela, Rabelo, Luis, Lee, Gene, Cummings, Nancy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The US Military requires specific fitness testing, known as the Physical Readiness Test (PRT), for its members to determine their overall fitness levels. The test currently being used has been shown to have bias towards heavier mass individuals of up to 20%. Prior research has been completed and several recommendations have been made to eliminate mass bias, but this has been conducted almost exclusively on males. There is very little data and research on military physical fitness testing for...
Show moreThe US Military requires specific fitness testing, known as the Physical Readiness Test (PRT), for its members to determine their overall fitness levels. The test currently being used has been shown to have bias towards heavier mass individuals of up to 20%. Prior research has been completed and several recommendations have been made to eliminate mass bias, but this has been conducted almost exclusively on males. There is very little data and research on military physical fitness testing for women besides combat specific evolution exercises. A possibility exists to eliminate the bias for females through implementing load carriage during PRT events. A specified load is to be placed on women while performing the PRT and compared to a non-loaded control test. The results should show if the load carriage devised has a beneficial effect on current testing methods through eliminating the mass bias for women.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0006020, ucf:51009
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006020
- Title
- Discovering Latent Gender Bias in Children's STEM Literature.
- Creator
-
Herlihy, Christine, Campbell, Laurie, Butler, Malcolm, Gunter, Glenda, Grauerholz, Liz, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
A mixed method, exploratory, sequential research design was conducted to investigate the presence of latent bias in early childhood STEM literature content, applying a non-biased, sociocultural, STEM identity, theoretical framework. A survey of children's perceptions of gender and a content analysis found unintentional bias. Exploratory findings confirmed 102 children were gendering images. An examination of the relationship between the participants' gender and how the participant gendered...
Show moreA mixed method, exploratory, sequential research design was conducted to investigate the presence of latent bias in early childhood STEM literature content, applying a non-biased, sociocultural, STEM identity, theoretical framework. A survey of children's perceptions of gender and a content analysis found unintentional bias. Exploratory findings confirmed 102 children were gendering images. An examination of the relationship between the participants' gender and how the participant gendered AND preferred the images indicated differences existed between boys and girls. Children preferred images perceived as matching their own, with statistical significance. Girls were found to prefer images less than boys AND they were more likely to gender the images. Children were more likely to give gender to the 50 images considered in the study, than to non-gender them. The gendering and preference was found to be statistically significantly higher for anthropomorphic and personified inanimate images. Additionally, a content analysis of eight award winning and popular selling STEM children's books were conducted and were found to contain biased narratives and image content. A content analysis found significant differences relating to the frequency of character representation in the eight books. Analysis indicated a higher lexical representation of females to males, and image representation was more male than female. Further analysis of additional books and images is warranted from the findings of this exploratory study.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007890, ucf:52797
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007890
- Title
- DO DIFFERENT PERSONALITY TYPES DIFFER IN LEVEL OF CONFIRMATION BIAS?.
- Creator
-
Long, Allison J, Whitten, Shannon, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this research study was to determine if there is a correlation between personality type and level of confirmation bias. Confirmation bias is the idea that people are more likely to agree with opinions already similar to their own and they will actively seek out that opinion. The NEO Five Factor Inventory was administered to determine the subjects' levels in openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. The Confirmation Inventory was...
Show moreThe purpose of this research study was to determine if there is a correlation between personality type and level of confirmation bias. Confirmation bias is the idea that people are more likely to agree with opinions already similar to their own and they will actively seek out that opinion. The NEO Five Factor Inventory was administered to determine the subjects' levels in openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. The Confirmation Inventory was administered to determine the level of confirmation bias. It was predicted that people high in openness will score low in confirmation bias; people who score high in conscientiousness will score high in confirmation bias; high levels of agreeableness will result in low scores of confirmation bias; and the final hypothesis is people who score high in neuroticism will also score high levels of confirmation bias. It is predicted that a person's level of extraversion will not affect their level of confirmation bias. The low participant number caused non-significant results. Overall, no significant differences were found that illuminate the relationship between confirmation bias and personality. None of the comparisons were found to be significant at the .01 level.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFH2000200, ucf:46007
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000200
- Title
- HIGH VOLTAGE BIAS TESTING AND DEGRADATION ANALYSIS OF PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES.
- Creator
-
Hadagali, Vinaykumar, Dhere, Neelkanth, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This thesis mainly focuses on two important aspects of the photovoltaic modules. The first aspect addressed the high voltage bias testing and data and degradation analysis of high voltage biased thin film photovoltaic modules. The second aspect addressed the issues of reliability and durability of crystalline silicon module. Grid-connected photovoltaic systems must withstand high voltage bias in addition to harsh environmental conditions such as intermittent solar irradiance, high humidity,...
Show moreThis thesis mainly focuses on two important aspects of the photovoltaic modules. The first aspect addressed the high voltage bias testing and data and degradation analysis of high voltage biased thin film photovoltaic modules. The second aspect addressed the issues of reliability and durability of crystalline silicon module. Grid-connected photovoltaic systems must withstand high voltage bias in addition to harsh environmental conditions such as intermittent solar irradiance, high humidity, heat and wind. a-Si:H thin-film photovoltaic modules with earlier generation SnO2:F transparent conducting oxide (TCO) on the front glass installed on the FSEC High Voltage Test Bed were monitored since December 2001. The data was collected on a daily basis and analyzed. The leakage currents for some chosen time period were calculated and compared with the measured values. Current-voltage characteristic measurements were carried out to check any reduction in the power. Samples were cored and extracted for analysis from one of the -600 V biased modules. Leakage currents in high-voltage-biased laminates specially prepared with improved SnO2:F TCO are being monitored in the hot and humid climate in Florida. Negatively-biased modules showed clear signs of delamination. The leakage currents in high-voltage biased photovoltaic modules are functions of both temperature and relative humidity. Photovoltaic module leakage conductance was found to be thermally stimulated with a characteristic activation energy that depends on relative humidity. The adhesional strength was lost completely in the damaged area. Leakage current values from support to ground in new, unframed laminates fabricated with improved SnO2:F TCO layer were ~100 times lower under the high voltage bias in hot and humid environment. Information on the failure of field deployed modules must be complemented with why and how the modules fail while considering the issues of reliability and durability of crystalline silicon module. At present, all the failure modes have not been identified and failure mechanisms have not been understood. Experience has shown that as the materials and processes are changed, reliability issues that apparently had been resolved resurface. A multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic module that was manufactured by a non-US company and that had shown >50% performance loss in field-deployment of <2 years in hot and dry climate were studied for degradation analysis in comparison with a mc-Si module that was manufactured by the same company and that performed well after 10 years of field-deployment in hot and humid climate.. I-V measurements were carried out to analyze the reduction in photovoltaic parameters. Solder bond strength in mc-Si photovoltaic modules were measured to understand early degradation of performance. Samples were cored and extracted for further analysis. Adhesional strength between the busline metallization and the silicon cell in a newer generation mc-Si photovoltaic module was found to be considerably lower than that in the earlier vintage module. These results can be useful for early detection and diagnosis of field reliability issues and could assist in establishing correlation between long-term field data and observations and accelerated environmental stress testing. It is suggested that more detailed study should be undertaken using unencapsulated strings of crystalline silicon modules so as to avoid complication due to encapsulant creeping beneath the ribbons.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000798, ucf:46563
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000798
- Title
- THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENTIAL ITEM FUNCTIONING ON PREDICTIVE BIAS.
- Creator
-
Bryant, Damon, Stone-Romero, Eugene, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this research was to investigate the relation between measurement bias at the item level (differential item functioning, dif) and predictive bias at the test score level. Dif was defined as a difference in the probability of getting a test item correct for examinees with the same ability but from different subgroups. Predictive bias was defined as a difference in subgroup regression intercepts and/or slopes in predicting a criterion. Data were simulated by computer. Two...
Show moreThe purpose of this research was to investigate the relation between measurement bias at the item level (differential item functioning, dif) and predictive bias at the test score level. Dif was defined as a difference in the probability of getting a test item correct for examinees with the same ability but from different subgroups. Predictive bias was defined as a difference in subgroup regression intercepts and/or slopes in predicting a criterion. Data were simulated by computer. Two hypothetical subgroups (a reference group and a focal group) were used. The predictor was a composite score on a dimensionally complex test with 60 items. Sample size (35, 70, and 105 per group), validity coefficient (.3 or .5), and the mean difference on the predictor (0, .33, .66, and 1 standard deviation, sd) and the criterion (0 and .35 sd) were manipulated. The percentage of items showing dif (0%, 15%, and 30%) and the effect size of dif (small = .3, medium = .6, and large = .9) were also manipulated. Each of the 432 conditions in the 3 x 2 x 4 x 2 x 3 x 3 design was replicated 500 times. For each replication, a predictive bias analysis was conducted, and the detection of predictive bias against each subgroup was the dependent variable. The percentage of dif and the effect size of dif were hypothesized to influence the detection of predictive bias; hypotheses were also advanced about the influence of sample size and mean subgroup differences on the predictor and criterion. Results indicated that dif was not related to the probability of detecting predictive bias against any subgroup. Results were inconsistent with the notion that measurement bias and predictive bias are mutually supportive, i.e., the presence (or absence) of one type of bias is evidence in support of the presence (or absence) of the other type of bias. Sample size and mean differences on the predictor/criterion had direct and indirect effects on the probability of detecting predictive bias against both reference and focal groups. Implications for future research are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- Identifier
- CFE0000157, ucf:46160
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000157
- Title
- THE ROLE OF CONTENT MODALITY ON THE LIKABILITY OF AN ONLINE COMMUNICATOR.
- Creator
-
Pharmer, Rebecca L, Whitten, Shannon, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
With the growing popularity of social media platforms like Facebook, human interaction in online environments is increasing. As a result, social perceptions of the individuals "behind the screen" has become a topic that needs to be explored. The present study explores how the media platform (specifically Facebook post versus Video) affects perceptions of an individual with a controversial opinion. Potentially, the same content in a video format may increase the likability of the presenter in...
Show moreWith the growing popularity of social media platforms like Facebook, human interaction in online environments is increasing. As a result, social perceptions of the individuals "behind the screen" has become a topic that needs to be explored. The present study explores how the media platform (specifically Facebook post versus Video) affects perceptions of an individual with a controversial opinion. Potentially, the same content in a video format may increase the likability of the presenter in contrast to reading the same opinions in Facebook posts. The present study examined the role of alignment of opinion (agree vs. disagree with presenter) and content modality (Facebook video vs. Facebook text post) on participants' perception of likeability towards the online persona. In this study, three hypotheses were tested. The first hypothesis is that video posts will generally yield more likability for the presenter about a controversial issue than the same content in a Facebook post. Second, people who agree with the presenter's position of a controversial issue will find the person posting more likable. Finally, an interaction is expected such that likability will be most affected for the participants who disagree with the presenter; specifically those participants who disagree will be more likely to like the presenter in the video condition, whereas format will matter less for those who agree with the presenter's opinion. The dependent variables of the present study are the Interpersonal Adjective Scale (IAS, Trapnell & Wiggins 1990) and scores on the Basic Empathy Scale in Adults (BES-A, Jolliffe and Farrington, 2006).
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000434, ucf:45717
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000434
- Title
- ALLEVIATING OBESITY BIAS: DOES INFORMATION CONTENT MATTER?.
- Creator
-
Mendoza, Kimberly, Murdoch, Erin, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Obesity bias has become the most acceptable form of prejudice in American society (Latner, O'Brien, Durso, Brinkman, & MacDonald, 2008). Stigmatization of the obese has tremendous social and economic costs both for the stigmatized population and for society as a whole. Few studies have been done to show effective ways to reduce obesity bias. This study looked to expand the research on effective ways to reduce obesity bias. Using a between-participants experimental design, the present study...
Show moreObesity bias has become the most acceptable form of prejudice in American society (Latner, O'Brien, Durso, Brinkman, & MacDonald, 2008). Stigmatization of the obese has tremendous social and economic costs both for the stigmatized population and for society as a whole. Few studies have been done to show effective ways to reduce obesity bias. This study looked to expand the research on effective ways to reduce obesity bias. Using a between-participants experimental design, the present study investigated whether multi-faceted information content about the causes of obesity (including psychological, social, and physiological causes) would be more effective in reducing obesity bias than any one of these causes presented alone. Results showed that participants' evaluations of a target woman who was overweight did not differ between the information content conditions, nor did they differ from a control condition. Implications, as well as limitations in the current study, are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004391, ucf:44995
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004391
- Title
- Black, White, and Read All Over: Exploring Racial Bias in Print Media Coverage of Serial Rape Cases.
- Creator
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Wright, Lauren, Huff-Corzine, Lin, Corzine, Harold, Hinojosa, Melanie, Vander Ven, Thomas, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The discussion of race and crime has been a long-standing interest of researchers, with statistics consistently showing an overrepresentation of non-white offenders compared to their white counterparts (-) specifically in relation to violent crimes such as murder and rape. Prior research has found that about 46 percent of serial rapists are black, a fact that correlates with other sensationalized violent crimes such as mass murder and serial murder. The news media are the primary sources of...
Show moreThe discussion of race and crime has been a long-standing interest of researchers, with statistics consistently showing an overrepresentation of non-white offenders compared to their white counterparts (-) specifically in relation to violent crimes such as murder and rape. Prior research has found that about 46 percent of serial rapists are black, a fact that correlates with other sensationalized violent crimes such as mass murder and serial murder. The news media are the primary sources of this kind of information for the general public, with previous studies acknowledging that the media primarily focus on discussing non-white offenders in their crime-based news stories. With the majority of Americans receiving their information about crime from the news media, it is important to increase our understanding of how their representations might influence the general public. The current study explores the print media representations of serial rapists, from 1940-2010, from five newspapers: The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, and the Chicago Tribune. A content analysis was conducted on 524 articles covering 297 serial rape offenders from the data compiled by Wright, Vander Ven, and Fesmire (2016) in which race of the offender was known. Results show that newspaper articles tend to report about fear-related topics and anxiety surrounding offenders when the offenders are non-white. Results also indicate that while newspapers dehumanize both white and non-white offenders, white offenders tend to have their behavior neutralized using techniques to garner more sympathy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006674, ucf:51243
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006674
- Title
- LEARNING AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY IN A SYNTHETIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
- Creator
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Greenwood-Ericksen, Adams, Hancock, Peter, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Synthetic Learning Environments (SLEs) represent a hybrid of simulations and games, and in addition to their pedagogical content, rely on elements of story and interactivity to drive engagement with the learning material. The present work examined the differential impact of varying levels of story and interactivity on learning. The 2x2 between subjects design tested learning and retention among 4 different groups of participants, each receiving one of the 4 possible combinations of low and...
Show moreSynthetic Learning Environments (SLEs) represent a hybrid of simulations and games, and in addition to their pedagogical content, rely on elements of story and interactivity to drive engagement with the learning material. The present work examined the differential impact of varying levels of story and interactivity on learning. The 2x2 between subjects design tested learning and retention among 4 different groups of participants, each receiving one of the 4 possible combinations of low and high levels of story and interactivity. Objective assessments of participant performance yielded the unexpected finding that learners using the SLE performed more poorly than any other learning group, including the gold-standard baseline. This result is made even more surprising by the finding that participants rated their enjoyment of and performance in that condition highest among the four conditions in the experiment. This apparent example of metacognitive bias has important implications for understanding how affect, narrative structure, and interactivity impact learning tasks, particularly in synthetic learning environments.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002087, ucf:47580
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002087
- Title
- PERCEPTION OF FACIAL EXPRESSIONS IN SOCIAL ANXIETY AND GAZE ANXIETY.
- Creator
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Necaise, Aaron, Neer, Sandra, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study explored the relationship between gaze anxiety and the perception of facial expressions. The literature suggests that individuals experiencing Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) might have a fear of making direct eye contact, and that these individuals also demonstrate a hypervigilance towards the eye region. It was thought that this increased anxiety concerning eye contact might be related to the tendency of socially anxious individuals to mislabel emotion in the faces of onlookers. A...
Show moreThis study explored the relationship between gaze anxiety and the perception of facial expressions. The literature suggests that individuals experiencing Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) might have a fear of making direct eye contact, and that these individuals also demonstrate a hypervigilance towards the eye region. It was thought that this increased anxiety concerning eye contact might be related to the tendency of socially anxious individuals to mislabel emotion in the faces of onlookers. A better understanding of the cognitive biases common to SAD could lead to more efficient intervention and assessment methods. In the present study, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory-23 (SPAI-23) were used to measure social anxiety, depression, and overall distress. These forms allowed us to separate participants who reported high socially anxious and depressive traits from those in the normal range. We then compared anxiety concerning mutual eye contact as measured by the Gaze Anxiety Rating Scale (GARS) to performance on a facial recognition task. Performance was measured as recognition accuracy and average perceived intensity of onlooker expression on a scale of 1-5. A linear regression analysis revealed that higher GARS scores were related to higher perceived intensity of emotion by socially anxious individuals. An exploratory correlation analysis also revealed that higher gaze anxiety was related to lower accuracy at identifying neutral emotions and higher accuracy at identifying angry emotions. While past research has demonstrated these same biases by socially anxious individuals, gaze anxiety had not been explored extensively. Future research should investigate gaze anxiety�s role as a moderating variable.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000039, ucf:45554
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000039