Application of a Vibrotactile Aid in Improvement of Speech Production in Deaf Children (open access)

Application of a Vibrotactile Aid in Improvement of Speech Production in Deaf Children

The SRA-10 is a tactile instrument which provides hearing impaired subjects with acoustic transforms that can be easily discriminated on the skin. Whether or not the SRA-10 is an effective means of training speech-language skills in profoundly hearing impaired subjects was the focus of this investigation. Two profoundly hearing impaired subjects were trained on phonetic reception/production tasks and on discrimination of multisyllabic words. Each subject served as his own control, wearing the SRA-10 for 14, 30 minute sessions, and a Bioacoustics 70-B auditory training unit for the same period of time. Results indicated a greater correct performance gain function with the SRA-10 than with the 70-B, suggesting that speech perception/production training using the SRA-10 or similar device would be superior to training using acoustic amplification.
Date: December 1981
Creator: Hunt, Sherrie L. (Sherrie Lynn)
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 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
A Chamber Theatre Adaptation and Analysis of Arthur Schnitzler's "The Blind Geronimo and His Brother" (open access)

A Chamber Theatre Adaptation and Analysis of Arthur Schnitzler's "The Blind Geronimo and His Brother"

This oral interpretation thesis describes and analyzes Chamber Theatre as a technique for the presentation and critical understanding of narrative prose. Arthur Schnitzler and his work are analyzed, and his short story, "The Blind Geronimo and His Brother," is adapted to Chamber Theatre script form. It was discovered that Schnitzler's work is well suited to and would probably benefit from Chamber Theatre productions.
Date: December 1980
Creator: Smith, Albert Len, 1954-
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Communicative Analysis of the Role of Television Coverage of the 1968 Democratic National Convention (open access)

A Communicative Analysis of the Role of Television Coverage of the 1968 Democratic National Convention

This study investigates how television coverage of the 1968 Democratic National Convention largely determined the negative public impression of the convention and its candidate. The coverage had a definite effect on the workings of the convention through the images and information it conveyed to the delegates. The coverage also shaped the broadcast picture of the event by linking the convention to the violence in the streets.
Date: December 1974
Creator: Scheibal, William J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Contrast and The School for Scandal: A Comparison of Two Eighteenth Century Plays (open access)

The Contrast and The School for Scandal: A Comparison of Two Eighteenth Century Plays

This study explores the relationship of Royall Tyler's The Contrast with Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The School for Scandal, to determine whether Tyler used The School for Scandal as a model for The Contrast. Chapter I contains a statement of the problem and an introduction to the historical importance of Tyler and The Contrast. Chapter II discusses the theatrical background of Tyler and the city of Boston. Chapter III includes a brief history of Sheridan and an examination of The School for Scandal. Chapter IV compares The Contrast with The School for Scandal. Chapter V presents conclusions drawn from the evidence examined in Chapters III and IV. The Contrast is not an imitation of The School for Scandal, though both contain elements of similarity.
Date: December 1974
Creator: Eyman, Terry D.
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
The Development of Congressional Concern with Violence in Entertainment Media (open access)

The Development of Congressional Concern with Violence in Entertainment Media

This investigation deals with a change of congressional attitude concerning violence in entertainment media, from noninterference to investigation to initiation of research. The data are primarily from official government records. This study first examines a period of congressional reluctance to interfere with the violent content of movies and radio in 1929-45. Next examined is the period 1945-68, when Congress actively investigated media violence,, focusing on television. Finally, the study examines congressional activity concerning television violence in 1968-74 and the Surgeon General's report on television violence. This report concludes that, by 1955, the pattern of congressional interest in media violence had turned from reluctance to activity, -and discusses the likelihood of future control of television program content.
Date: December 1977
Creator: Butt, Charles H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Development of Radio Broadcasting in Nigeria, West Africa (open access)

The Development of Radio Broadcasting in Nigeria, West Africa

The purpose of this study is to set forth the history of radio in Nigeria. Chapters explore the history of Nigeria, the history of Nigerian radio, and the present structure of Nigerian radio. In a final chapter, specific historical factors are isolated that have made Nigerian radio what it is today. The study concludes that the present structure of Nigerian radio is a direct product of the peculiar history of Nigeria as a former British Colony. Little can be done to solve the problems of Nigerian radio unless the problems of Nigeria itself are first solved.
Date: December 1974
Creator: Adejunmobi, Jonathan Adegoke
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
Effects of Gender and Self-Monitoring on Observer Accuracy in Decoding Affect Displays (open access)

Effects of Gender and Self-Monitoring on Observer Accuracy in Decoding Affect Displays

This study examined gender and self-monitoring as separate and interacting variables predicting judgmental accuracy on the part of observers of facial expressions of emotional categories. The main and interaction effects failed to reach significant levels during the preliminary analysis. However, post hoc analyses demonstrated a significant encoder sex variable. Female encoders of emotion were judged more accurately by both sexes. Additionally, when the stimulus was limited to female enactments of emotional categories, the hypothesized main and interaction effects reached significant F levels. This study utilized 100 observers and 10 encoders of seven emotional categories. Methodological considerations and alternatives are examined at length.
Date: December 1982
Creator: Spencer, R. Keith (Raymond Keith)
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effects of News Commentary on the Image of Political Debaters: An Experimental Study (open access)

The Effects of News Commentary on the Image of Political Debaters: An Experimental Study

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of news commentary on the image of political candidates. Subjects were exposed to a political debate, which was followed by three experimental manipulations of a news commentary. One group saw a commentary biased toward one candidate and against the other. In a second group the bias was reversed. A third experimental group saw a neutral commentary and the control group viewed the debate but no commentary. The primary statistical analyses used were a multivariate analysis of variance, a multiple discriminant analysis and a factor analysis. The results indicated that the commentary did have some effects on the perception of the candidates' images. Furthermore, the commentaries affected the amount of the candidates' message which was recalled by the subjects, and cued the subjects to recall specific issues which were mentioned in the commentaries. Finally, the factor analysis indicated certain characteristics of the images of political candidates.
Date: December 1977
Creator: Hertzog, Robert L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Examination of the Comedic Techniques Found in Selected Works of Neil Simon (open access)

An Examination of the Comedic Techniques Found in Selected Works of Neil Simon

Justification of Neil Simon's credibility as a comedic playwright by examining established principles of comedy and humor from Aristotle to Bergson to Bier, and their prevalence in The Star Spangled Girl, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Promises, Promises, and Chapter Two.
Date: December 1980
Creator: Garrison, Gary
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Group Interpretation Script Based on the Life, Works, and Times of Dante Alighieri (open access)

A Group Interpretation Script Based on the Life, Works, and Times of Dante Alighieri

The purpose of this thesis has been to prepare a script based on the life and works of Dante Alighieri, with special attention to the effects of medieval culture and politics on him and his works. Chapter I includes a discussion of the reputation and poetry of Dante, as well as the purpose and procedure followed in this thesis. Chapter II describes the historical and cultural background of Medieval Europe during Dante's time. Chapter III describes Dante's life and works. Chapter IV contains the script and a production concept that offers ideas and suggestions concerning the production of the script.
Date: December 1977
Creator: Lambert, Larry Lee
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Historical and Attitudinal Study of the Oral Interpretation Events in the Arkansas State Speech Festival (open access)

An Historical and Attitudinal Study of the Oral Interpretation Events in the Arkansas State Speech Festival

The primary purpose of this study is to survey the attitudes of Arkansas speech teachers toward the oral interpretation events in the Arkansas State Speech Festival. The secondary purpose is to trace the development of oral interpretation from its inception in the festival to the present time. The thesis contains four chapters: I--an explanation of the purposes and procedures followed in the study; II--a history of the interpretation events and present structure of the festival; III--a compilation of the results of a questionnaire mailed to seventy-one Arkansas teachers; IV--a summary of the attitudes reflected in the questionnaires and recommendations for change in the current structure of the Arkansas State Speech Festival.
Date: December 1976
Creator: Benson, Priscilla Lee
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 Lecture Recital Illustrating the Southern Influence on the Poetry of Robert Penn Warren (open access)

A Lecture Recital Illustrating the Southern Influence on the Poetry of Robert Penn Warren

This study explores the profound influence of the South on the poetry of Robert Penn Warren and creates an oral interpretation lecture-recital script illustrating this influences. The study shows Warren's poetry to be worthy of consideration. The study also defines oral interpretation, lecture recital, and poet-centered programs. Included with a biographical sketch of Warren is a chronological listing of works and events in his life. There are discussions of several poems which illustrate the influence of the Southern landscape and several which show the influence of the Southern people. The forty-five minute lecture-recital script is included as an appendix,
Date: December 1974
Creator: Calk, Judith Ann
System: The UNT Digital Library
McCarthyism: an Analysis of the Leadership and Rhetorical Strategies of Agitation and Control (open access)

McCarthyism: an Analysis of the Leadership and Rhetorical Strategies of Agitation and Control

This study analyzes the leadership qualities of Joseph McCarthy and the rhetorical qualities of agitative and control forces in a specific social movement. The methods used are founded upon various theories outlined by sociologists, historians, and rhetoricians. This investigation is organized around the climate of the times, McCarthy's leadership development, agitative strategies, control group responses, and support and opposition groups. It was found that the movement's success was probably due to McCarthy's position of attack and offense and to the control group's failure to neither strongly confront McCarthy nor to maintain its preparedness and superiority. It is theorized that had the control group engaged earlier in strategies other than adjustment and avoidance, the movement might have been halted sooner.
Date: December 1978
Creator: Palmer, Deborah K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Oral Interpretation Program of Selected Navajo Literature (open access)

An Oral Interpretation Program of Selected Navajo Literature

This study selects and arranges Navajo literature for an oral interpretation program. The presentation includes an introduction, a statement of purpose, an explanation of the limitations of the study, and the procedure used. There is a brief examination of the history of the Navajo Tribe. Also included is information for selection of material for the oral interpretation program and a discussion of the selection and arrangement of Navajo literature. A summary and conclusion are included, as well as an appendix which comprises the script of Navajo literature for the oral interpretation program. Through the oral interpretation program, this study conveys the beauty and poetry of the Navajo language.
Date: December 1974
Creator: Kerr, Barbara
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
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
Social Classes in Contemporary Mexican Drama (open access)

Social Classes in Contemporary Mexican Drama

This examination of the most popular plays of Rodolfo Usigli, Salvador Novo, and Emilio Carballido shows their concern with Mexico's social problems--especially as evidenced by their representation of contemporary social classes through characterization. Treating socio-political and sexual problems with special emphasis upon psychology, Usigli combines melodramatic reality and imagination. Psychoanalysis is also important in Novo's characterizations; his themes and characters express a social criticism which often becomes a malicious satire of Mexican life. Carballido's symbolic surrealism creates an atmosphere of fantasy, with scenic neo-realism representing everyday life, bourgeois ideas, and the Mexican psychology.
Date: December 1974
Creator: Peña, Eloy B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of George Canning's Sustained Campaign for the Recognition of Latin America from 1822-1826 (open access)

A Study of George Canning's Sustained Campaign for the Recognition of Latin America from 1822-1826

This thesis analyzes George Canning's persuasive campaign to gain British recognition of Latin America. The modification of an exigence capable of change through persuasion was emphasized, and the audiences which had the power to bring about the change were identified. The campaign was broken into seven discernible, but dependent, stages which were examined to test the progress of the campaign. Canning was the prime mover of the campaign, and through a series of petitions, speeches, and press releases plus other strategic maneuvers, gained the necessary public and political support to successfully achieve his goal.
Date: December 1976
Creator: Prior, John B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of the Impact of Junior High or Middle School Forensic Training on High School Forensic Programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (open access)

A Study of the Impact of Junior High or Middle School Forensic Training on High School Forensic Programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

The purpose of this thesis is to determine the impact of intermediate school forensics on high school forensic programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. First, the thesis records student and instructor evaluations of both the intermediate school and high school forensic programs. Second, it compares the evaluations by students with intermediate forensics and students without intermediate forensics. Third, it discusses the impact of intermediate forensics on high school forensic programs. This study reveals that intermediate forensics is beneficial to high school forensics. Previously trained students teach and interest others in high school. They are more confident, have more initiative and win more than other students.
Date: December 1976
Creator: Ballard, Lynda Dyer
System: The UNT Digital Library