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THE DOG DAYS ARE FAR FROM OVER: A STUDY OF PET GUARDIANSHIP AND WELL-BEING
No full textPets are becoming increasingly more important to their guardians. Pet care has become a multibillion dollar industry, and research shows people who own pets are reporting increasing levels of attachment to their pets, and increasingly beginning to see their pets as members of their family. Successful replications of the strange situation attachment style experiment have been made with both cats and dogs, and research has examined attachment style from human to pet. Despite this, only one study exists that examines differences in well-being in pet owners and non-owners, which was set during the COVID-19 pandemic, and none exist that compare differences in attachment style between pet owners and non-owners. The current study seeks to rectify this by comparing well-being, life satisfaction, and attachment style between pet owners (N = 72) and non owners (N = 19). Pet owners scored higher in general well-being and life satisfaction than non owners, though these differences were not significant. Pet owners were less anxiously attached, but more avoidantly attached, though again both these differences failed to reach significance. The results suggest that while pets likely do contribute positively to general well-being and secure attachment, mitigating factors such as external stressors may have dampened the effects in this particular study. These findings are consistent with the majority of research in this field, and have implications that highlight the continued importance pets have to their guardians and the various ways pets improve their lives
DO WE THINK TOGETHER WHEN WE MOVE TOGETHER? THE NEURAL UNDERPINNINGS OF INTERPERSONAL COORDINATION
No full textCooperation is necessary to succeed in numerous settings, including sports, business, and the creative arts. Essential to cooperation between two people is effectively coordinating motor movements. However, there is still a lack of understanding of the neural activation patterns of interpersonal coordination and its connection to task performance outcomes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the neural foundation of interpersonal coordinated movement between individuals and associated interpersonal brain synchronization (IBS) by using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning techniques to measure the level of brain activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the right temporal parietal junction (rTPJ) region. Participants (N = 38) performed an ordered tracing task in two different social conditions, alone and coordinated with a partner, under two cognitive taxation levels, which were relatively easy and relatively complex. When participants performed the task together, they took turns being designated as the leader or follower. Partner performance was operationalized as the difference between partners in the time to complete each tracing task when in the coordinated condition. Results showed that there was significantly less activation in select regions of the PFC and more activation in the rTPJ during the coordinated condition compared to the alone condition, as hypothesized. Further, in the coordinated condition, there was more activation in the PFC during the more cognitively taxing condition compared to the easier condition. However, there was only weak evidence for a slight positive correlation between neural activity in the rTPJ and partner task performance. Findings from this study reveal insights about the nature of brain activity during coordination and the potential for human inter-brain synchrony, which could have practical implications for social neuroscience and other industries, including healthcare, sports, and mental health
THE HIDDEN COSTS OF INCARCERATION IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA
No full textThere are many hidden costs associated with incarceration. These costs include commissary, bail, and costs for using the phone while incarcerated. Because of most jails’ financial reliance on kickbacks from private companies, these companies are permitted to determine the prices that families of incarcerated persons must pay in order to support and stay in contact with their incarcerated loved ones. Drawing on Joshua Page et al.’s (2019) idea of “gendered care work and emotional labor” used by bail bondsmen in order to appeal to women’s duty to care for their friends and family and Silvia Federici’s (1974) idea of “labour of love” where women are burdened with societal expectations to care for their loved ones, I hypothesize that women disproportionately shoulder all of the hidden costs of incarceration. To test this hypothesis, I surveyed 77 people who have been previously incarcerated in Sarasota, Florida. The survey includes questions that ask respondents about the services they received in jail and the gender of who paid for those costs. After analyzing the results of the survey, women and relatives disproportionately shoulder costs related to incarceration – with the exception of fines paid after incarceration. The survey found that fines are predominately paid by the respondent
Directing Stupid Fucking Bird: An Exploration of Theatrical Performance’s Ability to Build Community and Develop Empathy through Collaborative Creation and Shared Space
No full textI have produced and written this thesis as a culmination of my directing-focused educational path at New College of Florida. Within the generalist program of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, I sought out various opportunities over the past three and a half years to expand my knowledge of stage direction both practically, theoretically, and artistically. My goal since my third semester here, determined through conversations with my advisor Dr. Villada, was to direct a main-stage show at New College. This goal eventually became my thesis project: to direct Aaron Posner’s Stupid Fucking Bird and present it to an audience as the Fall show for the 2022-2023 season of [performance @ new college]. This thesis examines my educational journey from student to studentdirector, the pre-production process of putting on a show, and the production period of Stupid Fucking Bird. It also explores the trials and tribulations of becoming the first student to direct a main-stage production at New College of Florida; as well as, the lessons I have learned along the way, the significance of collaborative creation in theatre, and the construction of my own personal aesthetic as a theatre director. Lastly, this thesis details the main finding of my thesis project: a successful student-directed main-stage production at the collegiate academic level is achieve through building community, developing empathy, and practicing honest, open communication
WELLBEING IN HUMAN-DOG DYADS: AN ANALYSIS OF ATTACHMENT AND COMMUNICATION
No full textPeople love their dogs, and past studies have clearly shown that dogs are attached to their caregivers (Palmer, 2008; Schöberl et al., 2016; Topál et al.;1998; 2005). However previous studies have also indicated that people are often poor at recognizing their dog’s body language cues (Demiurbas et al., 2016; Tami & Gallagher, 2009), thereby potentially negatively affecting their relationships with their dogs. Here we investigated the relationship of dog/human dyads by analyzing each dog’s attachment to their caretaker, and each caretaker’s ability to read their dog’s body language. To measure each dog’s attachment to their caregiver, dog/human dyads engaged in the Strange Situation Test (SST) which allowed us to analyze each dog’s behavior, greetings, and reactions to separation from their caregiver across a variety of scenarios. To measure the ability of caregivers to read dogs’ body language, the caregivers watched videos of dogs and answered questions related to interpreting their body language. Dog participants were split into 4 groups reflecting levels of independence, attention to caregivers, and anxiety at separation. One dog was unclassifiable. Caregivers body language knowledge scores ranged greatly, from 8 to 25.In general, they were better able to recognize dogs’ body language cues in pro-social situations, versus situations of conflict. Although we did not find that caretaker ability to read body language was related to attachment style, both tests highlight interesting implications for the relationship between people and their dogs
NOTHINGNESS & EMPTINESS, TWO SOLUTIONS TO MODERN NIETZSCHEAN NIHILISM: ANALYZING SARTRIAN AND BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY AS ANTI-NIHILISTIC, LIFE AFFIRMING WORLDVIEWS.
No full textThis thesis introduces the issue of modern nihilism, which Nietzsche prophesied would plague modern society. The purpose of the work is to introduce Sartrian philosophy and Buddhist philosophy as two potential answers to the plague of nihilism in the modern age. I do this by first introducing Nietzsche and his conception of nihilism and describing how the issue arose. Following this, I introduce Sartre and his existential philosophy. I describe his central notion of nothingness and how it relates as well as encapsulates all areas of his philosophy. Following this, I describe how this philosophy may be seen as one potential solution to the modern issue of nihilism. Following this, I reintroduce the issue of nihilism through the lens of not only Nietzsche but Schopenhauer as well as transition to an analysis of Buddhism. I then analyze Buddhism with special regard to its conception of Emptiness in a similar manner to the analysis of Sartre. Finally, I conclude that Buddhism may also be seen as a potential solution to the issue of modern nihilism
HOW LIFE TRAJECTORIES ARE SHAPED BY CHOICES: DIVING INTO THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS AMONG YOUNG MEXICAN-AMERICAN ADULTS RECOUNTING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCES
No full textThe purpose of this study is to explore how the use and availability of resources along with the perceptions of attainable opportunities for life after high school affect the decision-making process among Mexican American high school students. This project utilized both a quantitative and qualitative approach to gather information on participants\u27 high school experiences and choices as they advanced into their journeys after high school. Participants were given a self-efficacy scale and took part in semi-structured interviews that ranged from 37 to 80 minutes. The thematic analysis highlights nine themes that reveal aspects of participants\u27 journeys since high school while reflecting on their experiences since graduating. Participants’ stories revealed forms of resources Mexican American high school students use to meet their college and career related goals which can include parental, school, and community support. Findings show that the use of resources and the availability of them are separate and that both the use and availability of resources impact the decision-making process when choosing a pathway for life after high school. The perceptions participants had as high school students of what was possible for life after graduating high school were influenced by influential figures such as family and mentors as well as using other forms of resources. These initial perceived opportunities usually had limited awareness of the ways people can diverge from traditionally recognized post-high school pathways. The research presented shows the complexity of factors involved that shape the decision-making process of Mexican American high school students. Findings indicate high school students’ need to authentically explore their interests to better prepare for their transitions out of high school
S.P.A.R.C.K.L.E! A Game Exploring The Magic of Connection, Creativity, and Collaboration
No full textIn this thesis, I explore the relationship between connection, creativity, and collaboration through the vessel of making a game dubbed “Sparckle.” Standing for “Spontaneous Play Attracts Radiant Connection, Kookiness, & Life Evolution,” the Sparckle game creates a collaborative, experimental journey of exploring connection and collaboration through creativity-sparking prompt cards. I will share about my making and play-testing process while weaving threads between connection, creativity, and collaboration in order to show how they can strengthen one another and our lives. This creative work is brought into conversation with creative thinkers Corita Kent, Twyla Tharp, adrienne maree brown, and others in order to connect and expand my work within a wider lineage. To conclude, I discuss possible contexts and impacts of Sparckle
Museums and Placemaking: Community Museums as Catalysts for Urban Transformation
No full textUsing the Anacostia Community Museum in Washington, D.C., the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle, Washington, and the Tenement Museum in New York City, this thesis investigates the potential of community museums as catalysts for social and environmental transformation. This thesis does not examine the physical and economic development of place in relation to museums; rather, it focuses on the socio-environmental benefits of community museums, highlighting the current social and environmental challenges museums face, and proposing a potential framework for standard placemaking in the museum world, provided by the Project for Public Spaces
AFLATOXIN: GLOBAL HEALTH IMPACTS AND METHODS FOR REMOVAL AND MITIGATION
No full textAflatoxin is classified as a class 1 carcinogen by the International Cancer Research Institute and is synthesized by fungi of the genus Aspergillus, but more specifically A. flavus. While being exposed to significant amounts of aflatoxin can lead to death in acute cases, long term exposure can proceed to conditions such as malnutrition, developmental delays, and immunosuppression; this is accomplished through various aflatoxin metabolites, some of which concentrate in specific parts of the body. Although it is known how aflatoxin impacts the integrity of crops, industries such as those that produce Korean rice wine remain uncertain as to how this mycotoxin can affect fermentation products. From what is known, aflatoxin levels can be mitigated by the introduction of non-toxigenic fungal or bacterial species. During processing, aflatoxin can also be reduced through thermal and chemical methods as well as through irradiation of food stuffs. As aflatoxin continues to be a contentious carcinogen, further research on mainstream mitigation strategies will be required for application to economically developing countries