A Topological Model of Thought (open access)

A Topological Model of Thought

The problem was to develop a model of thought within the basic structure provided by general or "point-set" topology. To do this, it was necessary to make four basic assumptions. It was assumed that each individual possesses more than the classical five senses and that for each of these there exists a category of sensory data. Also, it was assumed that the Cartesian product of these categories formed a set M of thought elements for each individual, and that certain subsets of M provide support for cogitation. The relation, function, continuous function, and homeomorphism, which are used to relate sets in topology, are discussed as a possible ramification of the model for communication. The global properties of the homeomorphism and continuous function present each as a viable support for strong and meaningful communication between thought spaces of individuals.
Date: May 1979
Creator: Cammack, Raymond W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Views of the Role of the Student in a Science Class as Reported by College Science Educators and Secondary Science Teachers (open access)

The Views of the Role of the Student in a Science Class as Reported by College Science Educators and Secondary Science Teachers

The major problem of this study was to compare the views of the role of the student in a science class as reported by college science educators and secondary science teachers of grades 6-8 and of grades 9-12. Analysis of individual items. The Q-sorts indicate that all groups in this study recommend greater emphasis on student activities, student discovery, student questions, teacher accepting students' new ideas and viewpoints, student freedom to ask any science question, student enjoyment of science, more time spent in doing things other than listening, student ease in getting equipment, student revealing likes and dislikes in science, student maintenance of science equipment and student use of laboratory equipment.
Date: August 1976
Creator: Cooper, Thomas J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Receptivity to Dissonant or Consonant Information Via Taped Media with Self-Esteem as a Variable in Counseling Classes (open access)

Receptivity to Dissonant or Consonant Information Via Taped Media with Self-Esteem as a Variable in Counseling Classes

The problem of this study was to determine through the use of taped media receptivity to dissonant or consonant information and to appraise those conditions which bring about change in attitude in light of dissonance theory.
Date: August 1970
Creator: Booth, Dorothy J. (Dorothy Johnson)
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effect on Marital Adjustment of Teaching Basic Marital Communication in a Conjoint Couples' Group Using Videotape Feedback (open access)

The Effect on Marital Adjustment of Teaching Basic Marital Communication in a Conjoint Couples' Group Using Videotape Feedback

The purposes of this study were (1) to determine the immediate effects, if any, on marital adjustment of a marital enrichment program entitled Marital Skills Training. Program (MSTP); (2) to determine the residual effects, if any, on marital adjustment after MSTP had been terminated; and (3) to determine the differences, if any, in the effect on marital adjustment of an on-going group and extended session group using MSTP. Measures of marital communication and marital adjustment served as the dependent variables while the MSTP training served as the independent variable. Instruments used for data collection were the Marital Adjustment Test (Short Form), the Primary Communication Inventory, and the Semantic Differential. The study concluded that teaching marital communication skills in a conjoint couples' group in an on-going setting is an effective way to increase marital adjustment. However, the passage of time appears to be a necessary factor in integrating MSTP into behaviors which affect marital adjustment since the significant increase did not appear until five weeks following training and was found to exist only in the On-going training group.
Date: May 1979
Creator: Latham, Noreen V.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparison of Success in Academic Foundation College Courses between Students Presenting High School Credits in Practical Arts Courses and Those with Credits in Academic Courses (open access)

A Comparison of Success in Academic Foundation College Courses between Students Presenting High School Credits in Practical Arts Courses and Those with Credits in Academic Courses

This study investigated the relationship of high school curriculum to performance in academic foundation college courses. The purposes of the study were twofold: First, to study the relationship of a practical arts high school curriculum as opposed to a college preparatory high school curriculum to performance in academic foundation college courses. Second, to analyze this relationship and its implications for high school students, parents, teachers, and counselors.
Date: May 1971
Creator: McKenzie, Charles R. (Charles Ray)
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Analysis of Trends in Higher Education and Their Perceived Probability and Desirability by Leaders in Higher Education in Texas (open access)

An Analysis of Trends in Higher Education and Their Perceived Probability and Desirability by Leaders in Higher Education in Texas

This study is an analysis of trends in public higher education and their probability and desirability for the 1970's as perceived by persons in positions of leadership in public higher education. The purposes of this study were (1) to identify the major trends in public higher education in the United States, (2) to assess the opinions of persons in positions of leadership in the public four-year colleges and universities in Texas, (3) to determine if there were significant differences in opinions of the probability and desirability of trends for the 1970's, and (4) to develop projections of the most probable and the most desirable trends for the 1970's.
Date: May 1974
Creator: Brake, Walter L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effect of the Multiple Talent Approach to Teaching on the Creative Thinking Performance of Elementary Students (open access)

The Effect of the Multiple Talent Approach to Teaching on the Creative Thinking Performance of Elementary Students

The purposes of this study were to ascertain the relationship between the treatment and creativity post-test gains with independent variables of sex, grade, group, and Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills total battery scores. Major conclusions include the following. 1. Girls appear to benefit more than boys from the Multiple Talent Approach to Teaching. 2. Fifth grade students appear to benefit more than third grade students from the Multiple Talent Approach to Teaching. 3. The creativity test score gains favoring the experimental students seem to justify the conclusion that it is potentially possible to enhance creative thinking through a teaching process.
Date: August 1979
Creator: Teeling, Therese Kreig
System: The UNT Digital Library
Field Dependence and the Effectiveness of Training in Two Selected Orientations to Counseling (open access)

Field Dependence and the Effectiveness of Training in Two Selected Orientations to Counseling

This study investigates the effect of Witkin's cognitive-style variable on training success in two different orientations to counseling. Field-dependent individuals exhibit more social orientation, social compliance, and emotional warmth than field-independent individuals. Conversely, field-independent individuals exhibit more internal directedness, achievement orientation, emotional distance, and analytical task orientation than field-dependent individuals. Traits associated with field dependence appeared more complementary to an interpersonal-skills counseling approach, while traits associated with field independence appeared more complementary to behavior-modification techniques. Thus it was hypothesized that field-dependent individuals would be significantly more successful and satisfied with interpersonal skills training than would field-independent individuals, and that field-independent individuals would be more successful and satisfied with behavior modification training.
Date: August 1974
Creator: Johnson, Mildred Ann
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Survey of Selected Kindergarten Programs for the Development of Large Muscle Skills and Activities (open access)

A Survey of Selected Kindergarten Programs for the Development of Large Muscle Skills and Activities

The problem of this investigation is to survey the total programs of selected kindergartens. Major emphasis on the program for the development of large muscle skills and activities will be carried out in the analysis.
Date: August 1971
Creator: Nicosia, Ralph Timothy
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effect of IOX Objectives-Based Reading Test Collections upon Fifth-Grade Comprehension and Word-Attack Skills (open access)

The Effect of IOX Objectives-Based Reading Test Collections upon Fifth-Grade Comprehension and Word-Attack Skills

This study compares the effect of the objectives-based test collections of the Instructional Objectives Exchange on reading comprehension and word-attack skills of fifth-grade students in a basal reader program. The IOX, a non-profit educational organization, was established in the late 1960's to provide educators with instructional materials such as criterion-referenced tests to allow realistic assessment of students in reference to specific instructional objectives. IOX Director James Popham states the Exchange's purpose as encouraging educators throughout the country to use criterion-referenced instructional procedures. The study compares gains in reading comprehension and word-attack skills of a research group with the gains of a control group, using the Stanford Diagnostic Reading Test for both pre-test and post-test. The IOX criterion-referenced tests were added to the reading program for the research group but were not given the control group.
Date: August 1974
Creator: Hoff, Jean Estelle
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Relationship Between Intelligence and Two Major Categories of Reading Comprehension: Literal-Explicit and Inferential-Implicit (open access)

The Relationship Between Intelligence and Two Major Categories of Reading Comprehension: Literal-Explicit and Inferential-Implicit

This study examined correlations between assessed intelligence and two major categories of reading comprehension: literal-explicit and inferential-implicit. In addition, efficiency of prediction for criterion variables was investigated by utilizing two regression models which incorporated intelligence scores squared and the square root of intelligence scores. Since it is generally accepted that the higher the assessed intelligence of an individual, the higher will be his achievement in all areas of reading comprehension, the present study sought to discover whether there was a curvilinear relationship between intelligence and the two categories of reading comprehension with the factor of intelligence statistically controlled. It was felt that the hypothesized curvilinear relationship would result in significantly better performance by brighter students on inferential questions and significantly better performance by less-bright students on literal questions. Although no cause and effect has been established, based on the data presented in this study and within the. limitations of this study, the following conclusions seem tenable. 1. Since reading comprehension may be viewed as a thinking process, it is important to note that a relationship exists between the assessed intelligence of an individual and his performance on both literal and inferential tests of that process. 2. This study has demonstrated …
Date: August 1978
Creator: Mosley, Mary Hardy
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effects of Motivational Group Techniques Upon Selected Personality and Behavioral Variables (open access)

The Effects of Motivational Group Techniques Upon Selected Personality and Behavioral Variables

The problem of this study was to investigate the effects of motivational group techniques upon selected personality and behavioral variables. Particular emphasis was placed upon changes in personality and behavior with respect to freshmen college students.
Date: May 1971
Creator: Ballard, Stanley Newton, 1933-
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Validity and Reliability Study of Value Systems Analysis in Counseling and Psychotherapy (open access)

A Validity and Reliability Study of Value Systems Analysis in Counseling and Psychotherapy

The purposes of the study were (1) to assess the validity and reliability of Values for Helpers, (2) to determine whether the test would be a usable instrument for analysis of value systems of mental health professionals, (3) to provide information on possible utilization of the test as a measurement tool for assessing the quality of relationship skills of helpers, and (4) to provide information of a heuristic nature for future research with Values for Helpers. To accomplish these purposes, the following questions were examined. 1. What are the relationships between the scales of the Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Study of Values and Values for Helpers? 2. What are the relationships between the scales of the Personal Orientation Inventory and Values for Helpers? 3. What are the relationships between the total scores on Myrick and Kelly's Counselor Evaluation Rating Scale and the scales of Values for Helpers? Conclusions based on the results suggested that (1) there was acceptable reliability for Values for Helpers, (2) the tribalistic and conformist scales of Values for Helpers demonstrated negative convergent validity with the scales of the Personal Orientation Inventory, (3) the existential scale of Values for Helpers demonstrated positive convergent validity with the scales of the Personal …
Date: May 1977
Creator: Rishe, Harvey Lawrence
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Relationship of Selected Factors and Physical Fitness of White and Negro Students at Two Different Levels (open access)

The Relationship of Selected Factors and Physical Fitness of White and Negro Students at Two Different Levels

The purpose of this investigation was to extend the study of possible differences between Negro and white boys on measures of physical fitness and to determine the relationship between certain variables and physical fitness for Negro and white boys.
Date: August 1970
Creator: Dahl, Ralph L. (Ralph Loyd)
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparative Analysis of Social Alienation in Upper Elementary Student's Receiving Reading Instruction in Five Types of Environmental Settings (open access)

A Comparative Analysis of Social Alienation in Upper Elementary Student's Receiving Reading Instruction in Five Types of Environmental Settings

The problem of this study was to compare the social alienation of upper elementary students receiving reading instruction in five types of environmental settings.
Date: August 1971
Creator: Robinson, Frances Olvis
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Relationship Between Personally Perceived Autonomy and the Professional Activity of Secondary School Teachers (open access)

The Relationship Between Personally Perceived Autonomy and the Professional Activity of Secondary School Teachers

The problem with which this investigation was concerned was that of determining the relationship between personally perceived autonomy and the extent of professional activity of secondary teachers. The two methods of determining this relationship were questionnaire completion and personal interview. It was assumed that the two methods complemented one another in the determination of findings.
Date: May 1971
Creator: Ervay, Stuart B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Compilation of Selected Rationale and Research in Play Therapy (open access)

A Compilation of Selected Rationale and Research in Play Therapy

Literature in the area of play was surveyed, summarized, and organized. The historical approach was used for the collection of data for this study. Materials gathered were acquired through the sources provided by library services as well as current authorities in the field of play therapy. As the material was collected, the focus areas or sections began to naturally develop because of the commonality of the articles. The material found was divided into theory, approach, position, and research. The material found on theory and approach was organized into Chapter II. The material found on position and research was organized into Chapter III. Body movements of both child and therapist offer much research possibility. Since most of the child's language is nonverbal, it is critical that persons develop ways of evaluating and identifying his body signals. Research is needed on the potential use of every toy which is included in the playroom. Research is needed on the potential potency and effect of every type limit set within the play therapy process. Research is needed on the effect of the therapist on the process. Research is needed in reference to training models for the development of play therapy skills in professionals, paraprofessionals, …
Date: May 1975
Creator: McNabb, O'Dessie Oliver
System: The UNT Digital Library
Impact of a Death Laboratory on Self-Concept, Generalized Anxiety and Death Anxiety (open access)

Impact of a Death Laboratory on Self-Concept, Generalized Anxiety and Death Anxiety

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a death education laboratory approach on the participants. Measures of death anxiety, general anxiety, and self-concept were thought to be of particular importance and thus were used as dependent variables. The study was designed to obtain measures of the variables through appropriate testing administered immediately following participation in a death lab and one month after participation in the 16-hour death lab. This design was selected because the possibility exists that anxiety levels may increase during a workshop on death and dying. None of the eight hypotheses in this study were statistically validated. Thus the assumption that the death lab as used in this study would have a positive impact on the participants was rejected. However, non-statistical observations and inferences from analysis of covariance and t-test data suggested that the use of a waiting list control group may have biased the results of the study. A second observation made in this study was that high death anxious treatment group members tended to have reduced anxiety scores on post-testing and low death anxious treatment group members tended to have increased death anxiety scores on post-testing. It is not known if this …
Date: August 1978
Creator: Thomas, Bruce M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of Self-Perceived Leadership Styles of Female Administrators Compared to Those of Their Superordinates of Five Major Texas Junior/Community College Districts (open access)

A Study of Self-Perceived Leadership Styles of Female Administrators Compared to Those of Their Superordinates of Five Major Texas Junior/Community College Districts

The problem of this study was a comparison of female administrators' self-perceived leadership styles to those of their superordinates' perceptions in five major junior/community college districts in Texas. The population included 59 female administrators submitting biographical information with 53 of the 59 submitting information on their leadership styles. The leadership data were paired with 53 superordinates for comparison of the perceptions of each group. In conclusion both groups agreed on the leadership style exhibited most often by female administrators as being high relationship-low task. Even though the female administrators exhibited this dominant style, the majority of the women and their superiors agreed they could span the other styles in an effective manner.
Date: May 1979
Creator: Branch, Elizabeth
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparison of Two Models for Training Personnel for Teaching the Moderately and Severely Retarded (open access)

A Comparison of Two Models for Training Personnel for Teaching the Moderately and Severely Retarded

The problem of this study is the effect of two training models on personnel who teach moderately and severely retarded children. The subjects of this study were sixty-two staff members who work with the moderately and severely retarded pupils in two large metropolitan school systems. Eighteen teachers, eighteen aides, and twenty-six volunteers participated in the study. Two observation instruments administered by trained observers were used as pre- and post-tests to measure the trainees' competencies in applying operant conditioning techniques in both group and one-to-one instructional situations. The purposes of this study were (1) to compare the effectiveness of an experiential model and a didactic model in preparing personnel to deliver cues and reinforcers when working with moderately and severely retarded children; (2) to compare the costs of equipment and supervisory personnel; and (3) to examine the relationship between the trainees' effectiveness of delivering cues and reinforcers to a group of moderately and severely retarded youngsters and the on-task behavior of those students. This report concludes that the trainees' self-evaluation of the training models indicated that they prefer simulated techniques and feedback, which denotes that the Experiential Model may foster certain kinds of incidental learning such as physical mannerisms and visual …
Date: May 1978
Creator: Bower, Nancy Jo
System: The UNT Digital Library
Authoritarianism and Selected Trait Patterns of School Administrators: Seventeen Case Studies (open access)

Authoritarianism and Selected Trait Patterns of School Administrators: Seventeen Case Studies

This study was concerned with analyzing selected Texas school administrators in an attempt to locate intrapersonal patterns of (1) values, (2) leadership traits, (3) personality traits, (4) critical thinking ability, (5) perception, and authoritarianism. A second aspect was correlating these profiles with each other. The study had a threefold purpose. The first was to perform a detailed analysis of school administrators to determine selected intrapersonal patterns. The second was to determine possible relationships between these selected profiles. The third was to generate plausible hypotheses for testing the intrapersonal patterns found and for determining the magnitude of any existing relationships. The case studies revealed the uniqueness of each participant in this study. With the possible exception of one individual, certain weaknesses were evident in each of the participants. Canonical correlation and the Pearson correlation of D matrices determined that a relationship existed between many of the profiles. Eight hypotheses were presented at the close of the study as guides for additional research. The results of this study indicated that further research was justified in these particular areas. The results of this study indicated that intrapersonal patterns existed within school administrators and that these patterns or profiles are related. However, the determination …
Date: May 1971
Creator: Davis, Walter Newton
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Relationship Between Motivational Characteristics and Achievement in Alternative Instructional Modes in a Community College Introductory Psychology Course (open access)

The Relationship Between Motivational Characteristics and Achievement in Alternative Instructional Modes in a Community College Introductory Psychology Course

The purposes were (1) to examine the relationship of four motivational characteristics, as measured by the Merritt College Motivation Inventory (MCMI), to final introductory psychology grades in the two methods of instruction, and (2) to determine the usefulness of the MCMI as a tool for guiding students into open circuit television and on-campus traditional introductory psychology courses. The following research questions were formulated: (1) Can a prediction model using four motivational scales (Intrinsic, Self-Enhancement, Per son-Orientation, and Goal-Deficiency as measured by the MCMI) be developed which will adequately predict achievement in open-circuit television and on-campus traditional introductory psychology courses? (2) Can a prediction model using three of less of the four MCMI scales be developed which will adequately predict achievement in open-circuit television and on-campus traditional introductory psychology courses? (3) Of the four MCMI scales, which one or combination will be applicable in counseling students into open circuit television and on-campus traditional introductory psychology courses? All four hypotheses were confirmed. However, the four motivational characteristics as measured by the MCMI may not adequately predict achievement for the on-campus or telecourse students, The prediction efficiency of the Full and Restricted Models for both groups left significant proportions (81.41 per cent or …
Date: August 1977
Creator: Hegar, Alylene
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effect of Busing on School Success of Minority Students in Urban Elementary Schools (open access)

The Effect of Busing on School Success of Minority Students in Urban Elementary Schools

The purposes of this study were (1) to determine whether the mean gains on achievement scores in reading and mathematics for bused students in grades four and five after one year in integrated schools is greater than the mean gain in reading and mathematics achievement scores for similar non-bused students in segregated schools; (2) to determine whether school attendance for bused students is greater than attendance for similar non-bused students; and (3) to determine if attitude toward school, academic self-concept, and general self-concept among groups of subjects are different. The analysis and interpretation of data yielded the following conclusions. 1. The elements associated with increased achievement in reading for fourth-grade minority students are not likely to be positively facilitated by increasing the majority-minority ratio by busing. 2. The elements associated with increased achievement in reading for minority fifth-grade students may be enhanced by busing for racial balance. 3. The elements associated with increased achievement in mathematics for minority fourth-grade students may be enhanced by busing for racial balance. 4. The elements associated with increased achievement in mathematics for minority students are not likely to be facilitated by increasing the majority-minority ratio. 5. The busing of minority students out of their …
Date: December 1977
Creator: Thomas, Kenneth D., 1939-
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Affective-Cognitive Group Counseling Procedure for Use with Parents of Handicapped Children: A Comparative Study of its Effectiveness for Changing Attitudes and Training Parents in a Method of Child Guidance (open access)

An Affective-Cognitive Group Counseling Procedure for Use with Parents of Handicapped Children: A Comparative Study of its Effectiveness for Changing Attitudes and Training Parents in a Method of Child Guidance

This study concerned the paucity of group counseling procedures designed specifically for use with parents of handicapped children. Purposes of the study were- (1) design of an affective-cognitive group counseling procedure, (2) investigation of affective-cognitive group counseling procedural effects with parents of handicapped children, (3) determination of procedural effects in a. changing the intra- and interpersonal attitudes of parents, b. increasing parents' knowledge of Positive Behavior Management, and (4) determining comparative procedure effects. Four research hypotheses related to the efficacy of the affective-cognitive group counseling procedure were formulated and tested at the .05 level of confidence. Statistical analysis of data indicated that parents participating in the affective-cognitive group counseling procedure did not achieve significantly higher posttest mean scores on the Acceptance of Self and Others test or in the five areas of the Parent Attitude Survey Scale than did parents participating in the affective, cognitive, or control group. Data did reveal that parents participating in the cognitive group did achieve significantly higher adjusted posttest mean scores on the Positive Behavior Management Assessment than did parents participating in the affective-cognitive, affective, or control group. Data also indicated that parents in the affective-cognitive group did not obtain greater mean scores on goal-attainment …
Date: August 1978
Creator: Sumlin, Donna Lee
System: The UNT Digital Library