Middle Tennessee State University
JEWLScholar @MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University)Not a member yet
7964 research outputs found
Sort by
Creativity, Flexibility, and Aging
No full textABSTRACT
Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to switch between tasks, concepts, or strategies. It is a fundamental element of executive functioning and has been shown to be positively associated with creativity. Past studies have demonstrated that cognitive flexibility may increase accessibility to creative ideas through inhibiting fixating thoughts and promoting perspective switching processes. Despite substantial evidence that cognitive abilities decline with age, recent research suggests that creativity may remain stable in adulthood. Further, it may be an important factor in successful aging. While the relationship between aging and creativity is not fully understood, evidence suggests that engagement in creative activities during later life is associated with more positive outcomes. The current study aims to prime cognitive flexibility with a divided attention task in order to increase creativity in younger and older adults. The divided attention task consisted of a go/no-go task and spatial attention task. Creativity was measured using the Abbreviated Torrance Test for Adults (ATTA). A two-way ANOVA was conducted to assess creativity based on the priming task and age group. While there were no significant results, it was revealed that young adults were slightly more creative than older adults. Similarly, those in the experimental condition displayed slightly more creative ability compared to those in the control condition. However, more research is needed to fully elucidate the relationship between creativity, cognitive flexibility, and age.M.A
Building Characters: Using Shapes to Communicate Emotion and Story in Narrative Art
No full textThe use of shape in the early stages of the creative process allows for artistic
products to be built as a whole rather than separate parts sitting on a one-dimensional
plane or appearing without form. Regardless of style, the ability to comprehend and find
meaning in an artwork is often based on the individual experiences of the viewer. Using
shape as a foundation of the creation of one’s work creates possible common ground
among viewers, resulting in a more comprehensive experience. My thesis investigates
how shapes psychologically impact viewer interpretation of narrative art. The ten
illustrations I completed focus on using shapes to portray different insects in a stylistic
interpretation and their anecdotal qualities rather than just literal anatomical subject
matter. These illustrations emphasize the importance of shape-building as an integral part
of unification, personality, and the communication of character to an audience
Reproducing Hierarchies at the APSA Annual Meeting: Patterns of Panel Attendance by Gender, Race, and Ethnicity
No full textResearch on the political science profession has shown that homophilous research networks—that is, those organized along the lines of gender and race/ethnicity—reproduce hierarchies. Research networks composed of whitemen experience themost prestige and lead to the most opportunities. This study documents homophilous networks in a setting where they likely are nurtured: academic conferences. Drawing data from the 2019 Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, we examine the correspondence between the gender and the racial/ethnic composition of section members, panelists, and audience members for four research sections: Political Methodology; Political Psychology; Race, Ethnicity, and Politics; and Women and Politics. We find that attendees’ and panelists’ gender and racial/ethnic identity largely mirror the dominant gender and racial/ethnic group in their section. These findings indicate that homophily manifests at academic conferences and that efforts to diversify research networks should consider who listens to whom in these settings
Variable Play Enriches Children's Development: An Investigation of Variability in Play Behavior in Children Diagnosed with ASD and Neurotypical Controls
No full textPlaying variably contributes to children's social, cognitive, and behavioral development. Variable play behavior can be taught through reinforcement, and children can learn to play variably and repetitively in different contexts. Most neurotypical children learn variable behaviors readily, but individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) tend to behave overly repetitively. Teaching variable behavior can open new doors for people who tend to engage in repetitive actions and can be beneficial in many situations. There is evidence that behavioral variability can be taught using reinforcement, but no direct comparisons have yet been made between children diagnosed with ASD and typically developing children. Throughout the course of the present study, neurotypical children and children with ASD were taught to play repetitively and variably in different contexts. After participants successfully discriminated between the two conditions, their preference for either variable or repetitive play was assessed. Thus far, the data indicate that one neurotypical participant learned to play variably in one context and repetitively in another using reinforcement, variable play behavior can be increased when reinforced with a lag schedule and that discriminative stimuli can control repetitive versus variable play. When given a choice, the same neurotypical participant showed a slight preference for repetitive play sessions. In followup research, this preference will be compared to future participants' data to determine if there is a difference in preference for variable or repetitive play between neurotypical children and children with ASD
Assessing Ecdysone Levels in Atorvastatin Treated Procambarus clarkii
No full textCommonly used medically prescribed drugs, like atorvastatin, are making their way into
local water systems. Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-inhibiting drug in humans that blocks
the mevalonate pathway in crayfish, potentially affecting ecdysone. The objective of this
project was to investigate the effects of atorvastatin on ecdysone levels in the crayfish
Procambarus clarkii. Crayfish were dosed with atorvastatin in the laboratory at
concentrations ranging from 0.15 - 100μg/L, and ecdysone levels were measured using
ELISA. A Kruskal-Wallis Test revealed no differences among dosing groups for
ecdysone levels (p=0.610). However, sampling was only carried out at one time in the
molt cycle. In future studies, sampling should be done at different times throughout the
molt cycle to better understand the potential effects of atorvastatin on crayfish ecdysone
The Decisions- Making Process involved in Degree Selection by Students
No full textWith over 19 million students enrolled in college, understanding the degree selection process is important for departments, colleges, and universities alike. As the number of traditional college-aged students declines, this information is even more important as universities, colleges, and departments will be fighting for majors. For students, selecting the proper major early on reduces time in school, resulting in lower tuition costs. Therefore, a better understanding of the degree selection process is beneficial for both parties involved.
Data was collected from 1,177 undergraduate students at Middle Tennessee State University using a Qualtrics survey. The survey asked questions about personality types, reasons for selecting a major, and a variety of attitude and demographic items. The results were investigated in a variety of ways and displayed in individual tables to examine differences in means and responses.
The results indicate that the highest ranked reasons that students select a major are interest and passion. Next, they feel the major is a fit with their personality type. Further, when changing a major, the highest reason for doing so was also interest and passion, followed again by fit with personality. While students seek support from their families for the major that they selected, family influence was not a significant contributor to selecting the degree with the exception of students in the College of Business. Five differences were found based on gender. Additionally, several differences were noted based on class standing and college. Recommendations are based on the results of this study are provided
EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERSONALITY, TASK INTERDEPENDENCE, AND REMOTE WORK ISOLATION
No full textThe present study examined the relationship between telecommuting and workplace isolation, specifically focusing on perceptions of professional and social isolation. It also explored the impact of task interdependence and personality factors on workplace isolation. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in telecommuting, with a majority of employees working remotely at some point. The findings suggest that personality factors, specifically introversion and low emotional stability, can exacerbate feelings of isolation among telecommuters. Additionally, the results showed job complexity was found to be negatively related to isolation. These findings show the potential challenges and implications of remote work, particularly in terms of workplace isolation. With the increasing prevalence of telecommuting, organizations need to understand the factors that contribute to professional and social isolation among remote employees. Understanding these dynamics can help organizations develop strategies to support remote employees and foster a sense of connection and belonging in a virtual work environment.M.A
The Little Boy for Children: Reactions to and Representations of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
No full textThe atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of the Second World War changed the world forever. There have been many studies done discussing the reasons for their dropping, reactions to the dropping, and modern interpretations of the bombs. However, all of these sources ignore a vital population that has been and continues to be affected by the atomic bombings – children. Children are vital to study because their idea of the bombs is not affected by politics or prejudice. This thesis finds that children in both Japan and the United States suffered traumatic experiences in the aftermath of the atomic bombings. However, despite this trauma, many found hope in the atomic bombings as well and used them instead as a symbol for a better future. Unfortunately, modern representations of the atomic bombings for children do not match this quality. Modern textbooks often neglect the full story of the bombings in both the United States and Japan. This could potentially be supplemented by children’s literature regarding the bombings, which does tend to show a more humanized perspective. However, this literature also falls victim to nationalistic messages and tropes surrounding the bombs in both countries. Because of these shortcomings, atomic bomb education in both the United States and Japan can be said to be lacking and requires great improvement to do justice to the stories of children who experienced the bombs firsthand.M.A
The Complete Restoration of a Wurlitzer Model 206 Electric Piano
No full textKEYWORDS: audio; audio production; engineering; electronics; music; electric piano; music production; electrical engineering; Wurlitze
Drilling Down into Stull v. Entek: Making the Case for Future Litigants
No full textAmerican landowners take immense pride in pursuing life, liberty, and property, but sometimes these ideals collide in the courtroom with their government’s interests. This was the case for Stull Ranches, LLC, in its suit with Entek GRB, LLC, a federal mineral lessee. Stull and Entek disagreed over whether Entek was free to use Stull’s road for mining operations on the federal government’s property. Stull took issue with Entek’s interpretation of the federal government’s power, derived from 20th-century statutes, leading Entek to file suit with a federal district court. That court partially ruled in favor of Stull. However, upon appeal, Entek garnered a decisive victory, granting it the right to use Stull’s road as incident to its mining activities. So, what factors prompted the court of appeals to diverge from the district court’s ruling? If this issue surfaces again, can future litigants reverse its result