MacEwan Open Journals (MacEwan University)
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The Siren Song Stays the Same: Cult Recruitment Tactics and Rhetoric
No full textStories of cults, particularly those fueled by accounts of violence, have captivated the public throughout history. Beyond the fascination with high-profile cases lies a genuine curiosity about the factors that lead people to join and remain in cults. Particularly interesting are the methods cults use to persuade their followers to embrace self-annihilation willingly. While communication’s role in cult recruitment may seem obvious, it remains an unexplored realm of study. Therefore, this research sought to shed light on the communication and rhetorical strategies employed by established cults like the Peoples Temple (Moore, 2013), the Branch Davidians (Rifkind & Harper, 1994), and Heaven’s Gate (Robinson, 1997), compared to the tactics employed by the self-help organization Teal Eye LLC (Swan, 2020). By examining the details and impact of Teal Eye LLC’s (Swan, 2020) communication methods, the study aimed to determine if this organization employs a cult-like stratagem. This research employed historical, content, and critical discourse analysis to determine what communication tactics cults use to attract and retain followers. Moreover, this investigation addressed the scarcity of research and the strength of virtual connections in contemporary cult dynamics, considering the influence of digital platforms and online interactions.
Faculty Mentors: Candas Dorsey & Lucille Maz
Teaching, Technology, and Time: Revisiting Ellen Rose’s Call for Reflection in an AI Era
No full textEllen Rose’s On Reflection explores the importance of reflective thought in education, particularly in response to the technological shifts that have reshaped post-secondary teaching. She outlines three forms of reflection—reflection-in-action, reflection-on-action, and reflection-then-action—drawing from established concepts previously discussed in literature. While Rose grounds her arguments in interdisciplinary theory, including the work of Dewey and Schön, the latter half of the book adopts a nostalgic tone, advocating for a return to pre-digital modes of reflection—an era that no longer exists. This paper critiques that stance by addressing the current realities of post-secondary educators who must navigate bureaucratic barriers, limited time, and rapid technological advancement. These challenges demand ongoing pedagogical adaptation, often leaving little room for the deep, sustained reflection Rose calls for. Reflection remains essential but must be reimagined to align with contemporary constraints. As institutions respond to demands for accountability and innovation, reflective practice is increasingly sidelined, creating new tensions around academic integrity, assessment design, and student learning. This paper examines how educators can respond to the ethical and instructional challenges posed by AI while maintaining pedagogical integrity and calls for renewed institutional support for reflection as a foundational element of effective teaching and learning
Interdisciplinary supports for student mental health: Pets Assisting With Student Success - PAWSS at MacEwan University
No full textThis research study is an evaluation of the Pets Assisting with Students\u27 Success (PAWSS) program at MacEwan University. We need research on the effectiveness of low barrier, interdisciplinary campus services that help students such as animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on campus (Ecclestone et al., 2023). However, there are no studies published specifically that explore the benefits of animal-assisted interventions in post-secondary education such as the PAWSS program. We used qualitative methods, and quantitative methods; specifically online surveys with student and staff participants after their PAWSS sessions. This qualitative phenomenological approach provided data on participants’ experiences and insights on their lived experiences. We identified themes and patterns in participants’ experiences during and after PAWSS sessions. Research participants voluntarily signed up and were provided with an informed consent form and the study has been approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. According to the research project findings, PAWSS program participants reported enhanced mental health, stronger social connections, reduced stress, and increased well being after engaging in sessions with dogs and cats. Participants also recommended broader advertising of the PAWSS program and increased availability of sessions across the campus. Furthermore, we are currently using measures for the levels of stress and mood before interacting with the PAWSS, and after attending sessions over 3 and 6 months (Spielberg et al., 1983; Cohen et al., 1983). The measures are The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-SF), and we will report the result in the poster.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anna Rissane
On Love and Death
No full text"On Love and Death" is a short story recounting the brief meetings of a personified Love and Death. The two meet on three occasions, from the beginning to the end of time. Without dialogue or biological classification, the story tells of life beyond the confines of humankind\u27s perspective and implies a destructive evolutionary process by which the two suffer
Exploring the Efficacy of Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
No full textExposure and response prevention therapy (EX/RP) is a well-established treatment method for combatting intrusive obsessions and repetitive, time-consuming compulsions that classify obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Through therapist encouragement and self-monitoring, individuals confront their compulsive fears, in vivo or imaginal, without the ability to alleviate anxiety through obsessive behaviours. The following paper\u27s purpose is to evaluate the efficacy of this therapy and its components for treating individuals diagnosed with OCD. Research showed that response prevention had a promising impact on those as young as 11. Other research emphasized the positive effects of EX/RP on all ages contingent on patients\u27 ability to adhere to the therapy techniques, specifically response prevention. Moreover, studies have found that this singular type of therapy had more effectiveness and fewer disadvantages than other types of anxiety therapies, biological therapies, or integrative therapies. Cumulatively, the studies supported and affirmed EX/RP as a leading treatment method for OCD on the grounds of its efficacy
The Effectiveness of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
No full textObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety-related disorder. Obsessions are experienced as recurring, unwanted thoughts. In response to obsessions, people feel driven to act with repetitive behaviours, known as compulsions. Obsessions and compulsions cause significant distress and impairment in an individual’s daily life and relationships. OCD is relatively common, with a lifetime prevalence rate between 2%-3%. Thus, research must find an effective treatment for individuals with OCD. This paper examines a relatively new area of research that explores the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to treat OCD. TMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation that has recently shown promising effects in treating psychological disorders. Studies researching TMS on OCD, primarily with individuals who have not responded to previous treatments, have found it to be effective, with symptoms significantly decreasing post-treatment, and with effects lasting up to 3-months post-treatment. Overall, TMS appears to offer an effective alternative for individuals with treatment-resistant OCD. However, while studies on TMS show significant results, participants with greater OCD symptoms and/or sleep disturbances tend to report a decreased response to treatment. Also, studies using TMS typically have limitations with their sample sizes, lack of control groups, and lack of long-term follow-up assessments. Overall, TMS appears to be effective for OCD, but future research needs to address current limitations to determine the true effectiveness of this new treatment
Addressing Patron’s Increasing Psychosocial Needs in the Public Library: Responsive Community Care Through Improved Education, Training, and Partnerships
No full textThe public library remains perhaps the only truly free public space, one that vulnerable community members can easily and safely access. Consequently, public libraries’ physical spaces are being used to meet patrons’ complex physical, psychological, and social needs. Public library staff are increasingly encountering patrons experiencing mental health issues, housing precarity, and substance use issues (such as opioid poisoning and overdoses), as well as a rise in security incidents. Unfortunately, public library staff are often not adequately trained to navigate these challenging situations before encountering them. As front-line workers, public library staff must be supported by library organizations and institutions to provide the best service for their patrons and protect themselves from burnout, traumatization, and compassion fatigue. This must include clear, consistent policies and procedures and appropriate training that support staff’s physical and mental health. Creating more social work-aligned programs in Library and Information Science (LIS) education, partnering with community organizations to address gaps in service and knowledge, and introducing trauma-informed practices to the public library would work to empower and protect staff and strengthen equitable library service
Literature Review of the Stigma of People Experiencing Homelessness
No full textI live in a community with a large homeless population. I witness and take part in conversations with community members and have noted that a seemingly large portion of them have little empathy, education, or understanding of what it means to be homeless. These conversations are often very polarizing, as there are many stigmas regarding the homeless population. I am passionate about promoting change. I want to educate the community, to help them understand and have empathy. In my attempt to decrease the stigmas that homeless people face, I have completed a literature review to research what these stigmas are and how to address them effectively. I aim to find ways to most effectively educate my community on homelessness
An Observation of Organizational Behaviour Differences Between White and Blue-Collar Transportation Roles
No full textThis project aims to provide a detailed overview and observation of the organizational behavioural differences found between on-site, blue-collar, and off-site, white-collar workers within the transportation industry. The observation will be drawn from personal experiences found between the two industries and the use of researched articles. The differences found will include studies of communication, delegation and autonomy, morale. and ethics between the two fields. The observations draw from my own experience as both a residential and commercial mover to contrast the behavioural differences between one industry to provide variabilities found within similar blue-collar roles, and my current role as an international freight forwarder, a white-collar position coordinating transportation in a global scope. Researched roles include a 10-ton linehaul truck driver and a trucking company dispatcher—both roles I am not directly familiar with to provide further insight beyond my experiences
Increasing Enrollment in MacEwan University’s Co-op Program for Marketing Majors
No full textThe study aimed to identify barriers to enrolling in the marketing cooperative education program at MacEwan University and to develop strategies that encourage higher enrollment among marketing majors. Research focused on understanding student perceptions and the effectiveness of current enrollment initiatives, including the primary reasons for their low participation. The research design targeted non-co-op Bachelor of Commerce marketing students, employing a probability sampling method to ensure a representative sample.
Major findings indicate that a higher likelihood of recommending the co-op program correlates with better knowledge of program details, suggesting that increasing awareness could boost interest. However, the impact of current advertisements on program recommendation is low, indicating the need for improved marketing strategies. Students preferred receiving information through emails and in-class presentations, which are deemed most effective. Despite some support for mandatory work-integrated learning, there is ambivalence toward making the co-op program compulsory, signalling a need for further exploration.
Based on these findings, the study recommends establishing partnerships with local businesses for part-time co-op placements to avoid extending graduation timelines. Additionally, it suggests integrating co-op program information and promotional activities into relevant courses to enhance visibility and stimulate student interest. Another recommendation is allowing students to count co-op placements as elective credits, aligning practical experience with academic and career goals