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
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 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
Films in the Library: A General Catalog with Film and Broadcasting Filmography of North Texas State University Library Films (open access)

Films in the Library: A General Catalog with Film and Broadcasting Filmography of North Texas State University Library Films

The purpose of the study was to compile a catalog of two sections: (1) a comprehensive, alphabetic, annotated list of North Texas State University (NTSU) Library films (the general catalog); and (2) a classified and cross-referenced film and broadcasting filmography of NTSU Library films. The catalog represents all films available for distribution from the NTSU Library as of July, 1976. The cataloging and compilation process is described. An analysis is made of the NTSU Library film collection. The titles of 13 films are recommended for addition to the collection.
Date: August 1977
Creator: Saltarelli, Carl A.
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
A Comparison Between the Programming Processes of the Instructional Services Division, KERA-TV, Dallas, and the Instructional Television Center, Israel (open access)

A Comparison Between the Programming Processes of the Instructional Services Division, KERA-TV, Dallas, and the Instructional Television Center, Israel

This paper compares the different approaches to programming taken by KERA--TV Instructional Services Division and by Israel's Instructional Television Center This study first examines the historical development of instructional television in the United States, particularly in Dallas, and in Israel, Next examined are the differences and the similarities between the stations' programming processes. Finally, the study examines the perceived achievements of programming goals set by each station. This report concludes that the stations' differences in their approach to programming are rooted in their historical developments, and discusses the opposite directions which the stations' programming processes are currently developing,
Date: August 1978
Creator: Molad, Clarisse
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
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
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 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 Study of George McGovern's Rhetorical Strategy in Handling the Eagleton Affair (open access)

A Study of George McGovern's Rhetorical Strategy in Handling the Eagleton Affair

The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze George McGovern's rhetorical strategies during the three-week period known as the "Eagleton Affair." First, the thesis describes the communications related to the selection of Thomas Eagleton as McGovern's running mate in 1972. Second, it analyzes the communications related to the disclosure of Eagleton's past medical history. Third, it explains McGovern's vacillating rhetorical strategies and the communications which led to Eagleton's withdrawal from the Democratic ticket. The results of this study show that McGovern's rhetoric reflected indecisiveness, inconsistency, and impulsiveness. The rhetorical errors greatly damaged his credibility as a serious presidential contender.
Date: August 1976
Creator: Alfred, Deanna Dippel
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Examination of Martin Esslin's Concept of the Absurdist Theatre as an Expression of Camus' Concept of Absurdity Set Forth in "The Myth of Sisyphus" (open access)

An Examination of Martin Esslin's Concept of the Absurdist Theatre as an Expression of Camus' Concept of Absurdity Set Forth in "The Myth of Sisyphus"

This work is an effort to investigate the relationship between Albert Camus' philosophic concepts of the absurd presented in "The Myth of Sisyphus" and the Absurdist Theatre as defined by Martin Esslin. Included in this thesis is a discussion of each of the above concepts. Focus is placed upon the characteristics of the Absurdist Theatre which constitute the basis for the label "Absurdity." The conclusion indicates that while the playwright's personal experiences and philosophies correspond to Camus', their plays fail to communicate or express that concept of absurdity satisfactorily. The major emphasis is on the lack of concrete reality used to communicate a concept based upon concrete reality.
Date: May 1976
Creator: Turney, Sandra Page
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Analysis of the Directing Techniques of Takis Muzenidis as Illustrated in the Staging of "The Libation Bearers" (open access)

An Analysis of the Directing Techniques of Takis Muzenidis as Illustrated in the Staging of "The Libation Bearers"

The purpose of this project was to observe and analyze Takis Muzenidis' methods of casting, rehearsal procedures and philosophy of directing as illustrated.in his production of The Libation Bearers at North Texas State University. Chapter I is an introduction to Muzenidis' background, qualifications and purpose for being at North Texas. Chapter II is a subjective description of Muzenidis' methods of casting, style of directing and relationship with the cast and crew. Chapter III discusses problems that occurred in the production. Chapter IV examines the production results through an audience analysis and interviews with the cast and crew. Chapter V is a summary of the thesis with a personal evaluation of the production and the director.
Date: August 1976
Creator: Evans, David L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Impedance Audiometry in Serous Otitis Media (open access)

Impedance Audiometry in Serous Otitis Media

Effectiveness of impedance audiometry in diagnosing serous otitis media in children was examined in this study. The impedance test battery was performed on seventy-six ears of pre-myringotomy children (Mean age: 4.6 years). The status of the middle ear was assessed by the operating physician during surgery, and impedance results were correlated with the operative findings. Middle ear effusion was the variable that most influenced impedance results. Acoustic reflex threshold and tympanometry were the most sensitive tests in predicting effusion. Multiple correlations between these tests and the presence of significant effusion indicated that both measures together are diagnostically more sensitive than either test alone. Also, reflex measurement at one test frequency is as accurate a predictor of effusion as reflex measurement at all frequencies.
Date: August 1977
Creator: Morff, Rosemary
System: The UNT Digital Library
Tympanometry and Middle Ear Effusion (open access)

Tympanometry and Middle Ear Effusion

Research was conducted on twenty-seven preoperative myringotomy patients to clarify the correlation between tympanometry type and the presence of middle ear effusion. Test results indicate that the relationship between tympanometry and middle ear effusion is dependent on the amount of fluid present. In impacted ears primarily Type B tympanograms were obtained whereas for less than impacted ears all tympanogram types were seen. Also suggested was that a combination of height of the tympanogram and the amount of negative pressure may be diagnostically more important than negative pressure alone as an indicator of effusion. It was recommended that other measures in addition to tympanometry be employed in the diagnosis of middle ear effusion and that further research is needed to achieve optimal use of impedance audiometry.
Date: May 1976
Creator: McNutt, Laura
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Time-Compressed Speech Discrimination and Its Relationship to Reading-Readiness Skills (open access)

Time-Compressed Speech Discrimination and Its Relationship to Reading-Readiness Skills

Time-compressed speech discrimination of children grouped as high and low risk on a reading-readiness test was examined. Children were grouped according to performance on a measure of reading-readiness skills. All passed a hearing screening at fifteen decibels for octave frequencies 250-4000 Hz. The Word Intelligibility by Picture Identification (WIPI) comprised the time-compressed speech task, in a sound field at seventy decibels Sound Pressure Level and zero degrees azimuth. The protocol for administration of the time-compressed speech task was sixty per cent time compression, then zero per cent time compression. Significant effects appeared for time compression ratio and test group. Average difference was twelve per cent and approximately eight per cent at zero.
Date: August 1976
Creator: Danko, Mary Carole
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