Directorial Roles: a Study in Theatrical Communication (open access)

Directorial Roles: a Study in Theatrical Communication

This study examines the process of theatrical direction as a communication system. Its components are described in terms of their function as elements of a communication process. The communication activities within the theatrical process are analyzed by means of four categories of theatrical communication networks: conceptual, aesthetic, observational, and social. Theories of communication have been surveyed and then applied to the theatrical process. Particular attention is paid to role functions of the director within the social and the aesthetic networks. The conclusion reached in the study is that the effectiveness of the communication networks used in theatrical directing is determined by the functional roles and the leadership styles adopted by the director as he participates in these networks.
Date: August 1977
Creator: DeVore, Brenda K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Role of Simulation in the Teaching of Interpersonal Communication: a Descriptive Case Study (open access)

The Role of Simulation in the Teaching of Interpersonal Communication: a Descriptive Case Study

This investigation opened with justification of the association of simulation and rhetoric found in the works of Bitzer, Bryant, Burke, and Nichols. It then focused on some advantages that association provides in the classroom: provides learning experiences for diverse groups, applies to problem solving, gives variety to lecture approach, develops social behavior, and increases awareness of alternatives. A list of simulation procedures was provided for specific rhetorical principles: cooperation/competition; decision making; reasoning; recall; perspective; negotiation; and goal setting. Existing, modified, and original games were included. Simulation with a college Interpersonal Communication class provided two case studies. Procedures, results, and evaluative feedback described degrees of effectiveness, and future application and research were also provided.
Date: December 1975
Creator: Love, Nancy Lorene
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of Behavioral Objectives as They Relate to Speech Communication and Drama Courses (open access)

A Study of Behavioral Objectives as They Relate to Speech Communication and Drama Courses

The problem with which this thesis is concerned is the definition, justification, and implementation of behavioral objectives as they relate to Speech Communication and Drama courses. Chapter One provides definition and justification of behavioral objectives. In Chapter Two, the process of writing the objectives is explained. Chapter Three contains examples of behavioral objectives which could be implemented in two of the basic courses in the Speech Communication and Drama Department at North Texas State University. Chapter Four furnishes examples for two courses which are based on more specific content. Chapter Five contains conclusions. Evidence indicates that behavioral objectives facilitate learning and accrue advantages to parents, administrators, teachers, and students. The teacher of Speech Communication and Drama can no longer ignore the behavioral precepts.
Date: May 1974
Creator: Dukes, Marilee
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Impact of Hearing Impairment upon Communication Apprehension and Self-Disclosure (open access)

The Impact of Hearing Impairment upon Communication Apprehension and Self-Disclosure

The present study used a variety of procedures to investigate which selected communication factors interfered in the interpersonal communication process between hearing-impaired and hearing persons. Three hypotheses were tested and all of them were confirmed. The results of the analyses of responses to the variables revealed that hearing-impaired subjects had greater communication problems when interpersonally interacting with hearing targets than with deaf targets. The hearing subjects reported a higher level of state communication anxiety and an overall lower level of self-disclosure when interacting with deaf targets than with hearing targets.
Date: December 1980
Creator: Gonzalez, Teresa Dennett
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Test of the Degree of Association Among Selected Communication Characteristics and Innate Innovativeness (open access)

A Test of the Degree of Association Among Selected Communication Characteristics and Innate Innovativeness

The present study used regression procedures to investigate the relationships between selected communication variables and innate innovativeness. The three general types of variables examined in this study were communication anxiety, communicator style, and selfdisclosiveness. Ten hypotheses were tested together with a descriptive model which was based on the communication variables and their ability to predict innate innovativeness. Results of the tests of the model were confirmed as were the ten hypothesized relationships. The results of the regression analyses performed on the data indicated that receiver apprehension and honesty of self-disclosiveness were negatively and positively associated with innate innovativeness respectively, and were the variables which most significantly impacted the variance of innate innovativeness scores.
Date: May 1980
Creator: Judice, Steven C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Descriptive Comparison of Value System Analysis and the Personal Orientation Inventory (open access)

A Descriptive Comparison of Value System Analysis and the Personal Orientation Inventory

The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between the Values for Working Test and the Personal Orientation Inventory. Both instruments were administered to the same group of 232 employed individuals. Stepwise multiple linear regression with analysis of variance was the statistical procedure employed. The resulting correlations were high enough to determine directionality and order of selection. The data indicates much support for Clare Graves' theory of value systems. Additional research is needed to further validate the Values for Working Test.
Date: August 1976
Creator: Scoggin, George R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Descriptive Study of Value Systems Within the National Guard (open access)

A Descriptive Study of Value Systems Within the National Guard

The purpose of this study was to determine the various values that may be contaminating the military's communication and to describe the predominant levels of psychological existence. The design of the study involved a National Guard battalion that was composed of 432 personnel. The sample drawn was 280. Data was collected through the use of a values test. Comparisons of the differing scores of demographic variables formed the bases of the conclusions drawn in the study. The results were highly significant at the .0001 level. The data indicate much support to the past research done in the field of Value System Analysis. Much research is yet needed to fully describe the value levels in all military organizations. This investigation is the beginning.
Date: December 1975
Creator: Long, Larry W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effects of Forced Compliance Situations on Neutral, Unfavorable, and Extremely Unfavorable Subjects Toward Oil Companies (open access)

Effects of Forced Compliance Situations on Neutral, Unfavorable, and Extremely Unfavorable Subjects Toward Oil Companies

This study tested effectiveness of a film in forced compliance situations on neutral and negatively predisposed individuals. Subjects (N = 48) were administered an attitudinal questionnaire, subjected to a no (control), low, moderate, or high dissonance-producing situation, and retested for attitude change. Analysis of variance for repeated measures, Scheffe's F tests, and t tests were used for analysis. Results indicated attitude change was greatest under a low dissonance-producing situation for all subjects. The moderate-dissonance situation moved unfavorable subjects toward favorability while the high dissonance situation moved extremely unfavorable subjects toward favorability. No relationship was found between degrees of dissonance and attitude change for netural subjects.
Date: December 1977
Creator: Kosinski, Stanley
System: The UNT Digital Library
Sacrificial and Expressive Value Systems in the English Neo-Classic and Romantic Movements (open access)

Sacrificial and Expressive Value Systems in the English Neo-Classic and Romantic Movements

This rhetorical study applies Clare W. Graves' "Level of Existence" or value systems theory to the English Neo-Classic and Romantic Movements. Graves' framework, which focuses on sacrificial (Tribalistic, Absolutistic, and Sociocentric) systems and expressive (Egocentric, Achievist, and Individualistic) systems~was utilized in analyzing the politics, society, religion, philosophy, and literature of the two periods. The Neo-Classic Period was dominated by sacrificial systems, especially Absolutistic, while the Romantic Movement was dominated by expressive systems, especially Achievist. This thesis suggests that man's cultural development, like his psychological development, appears to evolve in a spiraling, pendular motion between sacrificial and expressive systems.
Date: May 1979
Creator: Heflich, Debra L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Descriptive Study of Value Systems Within Religion (open access)

A Descriptive Study of Value Systems Within Religion

The purpose of this study was to determine the various value levels that may be affecting communication in the church and to discover the predominant levels of psychological existence. Data was collected using the Value for Religion test. A total of 288 college and seminary students were tested. Comparisons of the differing scores of demographic variables formed the bases of the conclusions drawn in the study. Significant relationships were found between one's personal value cluster and sex, career intention, and type of college attended. Much research is still needed in the area of value levels in religion. Hopefully, this research will contribute to the success of religion in the future.
Date: May 1976
Creator: Pryor, Dan
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Descriptive Study of the Value Systems of Selected Nurses (open access)

A Descriptive Study of the Value Systems of Selected Nurses

The purpose of this study was to determine the various values that influence nurses within the hospital, and ascertain, through comparison, any significant differences between the values of the floor nurse and the values of the emergency room nurse, The value systems (Tribalistic, Egocentric, Conformist, Manipulative, Sociocentric, and Existential) were developed by Clare W. Graves as the "Levels of Psychological Existence." A values test was utilized in order to collect data. The "Values for Nursing" test was administered to 161 nurses in a large metropolitan city in Texas. Specific hypotheses regarding value differences in nursing groups were tested.
Date: May 1977
Creator: Poldrugach, Fredric
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Weaverian Study of President Ford's Efforts to Sell His Energy Package (open access)

A Weaverian Study of President Ford's Efforts to Sell His Energy Package

This study analyzed President Gerald Ford's efforts in selling his energy package in February, 1975. Six major speeches and news conferences were examined in terms of Richard Weaver's rhetorical theory. Five criteria of this theory were studied: appeals to man's good values, choice of argumentation, use of "god" and "devil" words, adaptation to the historical setting of the speech, and ethical character of the speaker. This analysis concluded that Ford was a good Weaverian rhetorician because he appealed to good values in language well adapted to each audience, adapted well to historical settings, and elevated his ethos considerably. However, Ford sold himself but not his program because he relied too heavily on his own ethos and circumstantial argumentation and slighted refutation arguments
Date: August 1975
Creator: Fuller, Ellen S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Rise of the Nazi Party as a Rhetorical Movement, 1919-1933 (open access)

The Rise of the Nazi Party as a Rhetorical Movement, 1919-1933

This interpretative study attempts to ascertain why the Nazi movement gained the support of German voters by examining its persuasive strategies. The growth of the movement was divided into three periods. In each period, the verbal and non-verbal rhetorical strategies were explored. It was found that the movement's success stemmed largely from the display of party unity, the display of power through the Storm Troopers' use of violent street rhetoric, and the spread of Nazi ideals through speeches at meetings, on tours, and especially at the Nuremberg Party Rallies. Their communication capitalized skillfully on the conditions in Germany between 1919 and 1933. Hopefully, the findings of this study add to our knowledge of the role of rhetoric in creating mass movements.
Date: December 1975
Creator: Crosby, Debra
System: The UNT Digital Library
Transactional Analysis in the Elementary Classroom: PAC for Children (open access)

Transactional Analysis in the Elementary Classroom: PAC for Children

The focus of this study is on the development of an original script designed to introduce concepts of structural and transactional analysis to elementary school children. Included in Chapter One are reviews of Transactional Analysis and the PAC communication model. Classroom application of Transactional Analysis principles is examined in Chapter Two. Chapter Three examines needs and characteristics of young children. Qualities of good children's literature are discussed in relationship to the selection and explication of script material. The manuscript appears in Appendix B. This report accepts evidence that Transactional Analysis training can be an additive part of the elementary school curriculum. It further proposes that story material conscientiously designed for young children could prove effective and entertaining training vehicles for Transactional Analysis concepts.
Date: May 1974
Creator: McClung, Jadie-Anne
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Application of Small-Group Methods to Judicial Decision Making by the Nixon Court (open access)

An Application of Small-Group Methods to Judicial Decision Making by the Nixon Court

This study isolates the impact of certain factors upon the decision making of the United States Supreme Court. Selected group theory methodology is applied to the Court's decisions from 1969 through 1973. The group structure of the Court, the impact of personnel change, and the effect of judicial attitudes on public policy are explored and statistically measured with a chisquare. Schubert's bloc analysis and a Guttman scale are used to order the data. Conclusions include that two stable blocs existed on the Court during these years. Personnel change is demonstrated as causative of alterations in judicial behavior. Seven of eight groups of cases are shown to stimulate values of the Justices. Suggestions are made for further research.
Date: December 1974
Creator: Brownlee, Don Robert
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Semantic Analysis of the Symbolic and Non-Symbolic Functioning of Certain Taboo Terms Used in Three Contemporary Films (open access)

A Semantic Analysis of the Symbolic and Non-Symbolic Functioning of Certain Taboo Terms Used in Three Contemporary Films

This thesis examines four taboo words (Jesus, God, fuck, ass) used in the films Jaws, Shampoo, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The dominant method of research is semantic, drawing on language theories of I.A. Richards and Alfred Korzybski. Investigation led to these conclusions: (1) Symbolic use of taboo terms is accompanied by positive attitudes, while non-symbolic use, which is more frequent, is accompanied by negative or neutral attitudes. (2) Casual non-symbolic pronunciation is leading to separation of the symbol from its referent. (3) Through this methodology, it is possible to ascertain the speaker's intent and his attitude toward the audience, but not his attitude toward the referent.
Date: August 1976
Creator: Hurlbut, Marilyn Anne
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Descriptive Comparison of the Values for Living Test and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (open access)

A Descriptive Comparison of the Values for Living Test and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between the Values for Living Test and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. The values systems (Tribalistic, Egocentric, Absolutistic, Achievistic, Sociocentric, and Individualistic) based on the "Levels of Psychological Existence," developed by Clare W. Graves, provided the framework for the Values for Living Test. The two tests were administered to 188 subjects. The Pearson product-moment correlation was the statistical measure employed to correlate the data. The scales of egocentrism, sociocentrism and individualism on the Values for Living Test correlated significantly to several of the scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.
Date: August 1977
Creator: Books, Phyllis Beck
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Descriptive Study of Value Systems within a School District in Texas (open access)

A Descriptive Study of Value Systems within a School District in Texas

The purpose of this study was to determine the various values that can be found in teachers of an open school system and how those values differed among various teacher groups within the school. The value systems (Tribalistic, Egocentric, Conformist, Manipulative, Sociocentric, and Existential) were based on the "Levels of Psychological Existence" developed by Clare W. Graves. A values test was utilized in order to collect data. The "Values for Teaching Test" was administered to 492 teachers and staff members of the school district. Specific hypotheses regarding value differences in selective teachers and staff groups were tested. The results were significant on the following levels-- existential, sociocentric, and conformist with relation to grade level taught, educational job profile, and sex of the respondent.
Date: August 1976
Creator: Long, Penelope N.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Descriptive Study of Value Systems within Law Enforcement Organizations in Texas (open access)

A Descriptive Study of Value Systems within Law Enforcement Organizations in Texas

The purpose of this study was to determine the various values that influence police officers within law enforcement organizations. The value systems (Tribalistic, Egocentric, Conformist, Manipulative, Sociocentric, and Existential) were based on the "Levels of Psychological Existence" developed by Clare W. Graves. A values test instrument was administered to 297 police officers. Specific hypotheses regarding value differences in law enforcement groups were tested. The results were significant in the areas of Existentialism and higher personal education; Sociocentrism and older age, male sex, detective rank group; Manipulation and younger age, male sex, officer rank group; Conformitism and longer police service, female sex, married officers; and, Tribalism and longer police service, female sex, less personal education.
Date: August 1976
Creator: Rieke, Reint Neal
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Case Study in the Rhetoric of Resistance: Desegregation of the Dallas Independent School District During the 1975-1976 School Year (open access)

A Case Study in the Rhetoric of Resistance: Desegregation of the Dallas Independent School District During the 1975-1976 School Year

This thesis describes, classifies, analyzes and evaluates the rhetoric of resistance to forced busing to desegregate the Dallas Independent School District during the 1975-1976 school year. This thesis also applies the characteristics of social, protest and agitational movements to the antibusing movement in Dallas to determine the effectiveness of the resistance rhetoric. The findings of this case study demonstrate that, although the Dallas protesters did not achieve all of their goals, their resistance rhetoric did accomplish specific, effective results. However, this thesis also concludes that, in the American system of government, neither violent nor non-violent resistance can prevent implementation of court-ordered busing.
Date: December 1978
Creator: Krug, Paulinda A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Training in the Value Systems for Seventh Grade Students: a Creative Design (open access)

Training in the Value Systems for Seventh Grade Students: a Creative Design

The purpose of this project was to design a values package to create awareness and understanding for seventh grade students in the value system so as to achieve a more complementary classroom atmosphere. The value system is a new concept based on Clare Graves' seven levels of psychological existence: Reactive, Tribalistic, Egocentric, Conformist, Manipulative, Sociocentric, Existential. In addition, the package was designed to integrate the affective and cognitive levels of learning into an experimental learning situation. The package included written material, games, and activities which are all designed to create self-awareness and maintain relevancy for the students.
Date: December 1975
Creator: Rhodes, Sherry C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Relationship of Dogmatism Scale Responses to the Detection of the Satire of Television's Archie Bunker Among an Ethnic Minority (open access)

The Relationship of Dogmatism Scale Responses to the Detection of the Satire of Television's Archie Bunker Among an Ethnic Minority

The purpose of this study was to test the applicability of the theories of selective perception and selective exposure among ethnic minority viewers of the satirical, ethnic humor of the television program, "All in the Family." This study statistically related the Dogmatism Scale responses to selected program opinions among Jewish and non-Jewish high school students. The results of this survey were inconclusive. None of the hypotheses presented were supported by the evidence of the study; however, unexpected data were found that suggests previously unexplored interpretations of the program.
Date: August 1976
Creator: Johnson, Dale W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Shadows with Substance: Performing the Characters of Harold Pinter (open access)

Shadows with Substance: Performing the Characters of Harold Pinter

This thesis considers first, the existence of a relatively new kind of characterization in the plays of Harold Pinter, and second, the need for the actor who performs Pinter to seek a new mode of acting. The purpose of the study is to identify the special problems or tasks which are thus imposed on the actor who plays a Pinter character. An examination of Pinter's dramaturgy reveals an emphasis on character relationships and a combination of the three different styles of characterization defined by Lorenz Kjerbuhl-Petersen: the type, the individual, and the shadow. This study concludes that the Pinter actor must simultaneously perceive a complex psyche in what seems a common human type, create an individualized concept of personality although information and behavior are misleading, and allow the actor's personality to color and expand that of the character.
Date: May 1980
Creator: Beckers, Teresa E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Archetype of the Great Mother in Three Contemporary Films (open access)

The Archetype of the Great Mother in Three Contemporary Films

This thesis is designed to determine the impact of the archetype of the Great Mother on the plot, characterizations, and interpersonal relationships in three contemporary films. Chapter I describes the elements and applications of the archetype and the Jungian analysis employed in the study. Chapter II details the phases of the Great Mother archetype and discusses Jung's process of individuation and how the Great Mother controls this quest. Chapters III, IV, and V focus on The Heretic, Network, and Looking for Mr. Goodbar respectively. Chapter VI summarizes the existence and power of the archetype in the films and postulates that the image of women in film may be stereotyped due to the Great Mother archetype.
Date: August 1979
Creator: Harper, Sandra S.
System: The UNT Digital Library