Theses and Dissertations - Department of Human Environmental Sciences, General

Permanent URI for this collection

https://ir.ua.edu/handle/123456789/112

Browse

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8

Parent and teacher influences on preschool children's emotion regulation, pre-academic and social skills
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2009) Smith, LaToya M.; Jeon, Hyun-Joo; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The purpose of the present study is to examine parent and teacher influences on preschool children's emotion regulation, pre-academic and social skills. Parent-reported child behavior (i.e., effortful control and negative affectivity), parent-child relationship, and family emotion expressiveness were highly correlated with children's emotion regulation ability. Parents' reports of their parenting practices were also correlated with children's social skills. Teacher-reported teacher-child relationship was correlated with children's pre-academic and social skills. Teachers' reports of social skills were also correlated with children's pre-academic skills. In multiple regression analyses, children's behavior significantly predicted emotion regulation abilities. Parent-child relationship, family emotion expressiveness, and parenting practices did not predict children's emotion regulation abilities. Teacher-child relationship predicted children's teacher-reported pre-academic and social skills. Parents' reports of children's emotion regulation also predicted their pre-academic skills. However, parent-child relationship did not predict children's pre-academic skills or social skills. Results indicate that the development of child behavior characteristics (i.e., effortful control) contributes to children's development of emotion regulation. In turn, appropriate emotion regulation skills contribute to academic success. Results also indicate that teacher-child relationship quality may be an important factor of preschoolers' early academic and social competence due to children's reliance on teachers as a secure base of support as they explore, ask questions, and maintain greater involvement in classroom activities.
Promotion of classic Hollywood film costume in 1930s American fashion magazines
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2013) Reaves, Lindsay Danielle; Wimberley, Virginia S.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The world of twenty-first-century fashion evolves into new forms at a more rapid pace when compared with clothing developments of the past. Elements of previous fashion trends are constantly recycled into new clothing to appease the public's cravings. But, to whom does the public look for fashion inspiration? According to the "trickle-down" theory proposed by Simmel (1904) and Sproles (1985), the lower classes turn to the upper classes to find out what styles are in vogue at the moment. Although emulation of upper-class fashions appears to have been happening for some time, it seems fashion inspiration was "kicked into high gear" with the glamorous effects and global outreach of American Hollywood cinema, beginning in the 1930s. When the American film industry boomed in the first half of the twentieth century, actors became the inspiration for fashion as well. The glamour exuding from the Hollywood films produced during the 1930s inspired and influenced the clothing choices of the American public. Well-known costume designers such as Gilbert Adrian, Edith Head, Travis Banton, Howard Greer, Walter Plunkett, and Orry-Kelly designed costumes and personal clothing for many Hollywood leading ladies. Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Bette Davis, Claudette Colbert, Carole Lombard, Katharine Hepburn, Jean Harlow, and Kay Francis were some of the Hollywood stars whose costumes and personal wardrobes inspired the fashion trends of the 1930s. This research, using content analysis of photo layouts and advertisements in 1930s issues of Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Harper's Bazaar, documents examples of two costume designers—Travis Banton and Orry-Kelly—and four Hollywood stars (Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich, Kay Francis, and Carole Lombard) who influenced American women's dress during the 1930s decade. Thirty-seven advertisements and editorials featuring the costume designer, the actress, or the actress with her costume designer were analyzed for the timing of promotion, the type of promotion, and the garment or accessory pictured. The results of this research show that although Banton and Orry-Kelly were two-thirds of the great triumvirate of Hollywood costume designers, the promotion of their designs did not occur very frequently in the selected fashion magazines.
Maintaining lasting recovery after graduating from a collegiate recovery community
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2015) Lovett, John Robert; Wilmarth, Melissa J.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
This phenomenological study sought to identify best practices employed by Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) members who successfully stayed in recovery after graduating and leaving said community. Research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with CRC graduates that self-reported uninterrupted sobriety for at least one year post-graduation. Twelve interviews were conducted and nine tertiary themes were identified through content analysis. Two independent reviewers were utilized to eliminate potential bias, consciously or unconsciously from the researcher. The independent reviewers confirmed six of the nine originally identified themes. The six tertiary themes that were identified and confirmed were: Maintaining Recovery Routines, Social Support, Personal/Peer Accountability, Motivating Emotions, Recovery/Life Balance, and Spirituality. The results of this research provide insights into the best practices utilized by successful CRC alumni and inform the growing literature surrounding CRCs.
Microbrewery consumer behavior
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2017) Carr, Allison Magdaline; Severt, Kimberly; Shin, Yeon Ho; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Microbreweries have become increasingly popular in the United States. This is demonstrated by their tremendous growth within recent decades. Regardless of their growing popularity, there is a lack of research regarding consumer behavior at microbreweries. The purpose of this study was to explore and identify the underlying behavioral, normative, and control beliefs of microbrewery consumers. This was done using a mixed design of both qualitative and quantitative methods. The first was a qualitative phase which used the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explore the underlying behavioral, normative, and control beliefs of microbrewery consumers. The second phase included a questionnaire derived from the results of phase one and was used to understand the significance of the TPB and self-identity on consumer’s intentions. Additionally, beerscape was used to understand the significance of its variables on microbrewery consumer’s attitudes. The population of the study consisted of U.S. microbrewery consumers who were 21 years old or older. The qualitative sample included 25 visitors and 5 owners and/or operators of microbreweries in Alabama. This phase included semi-structured, in-depth interviews which were audio recorded, and transcribed. The second phase used the most salient consumer beliefs found in phase one to construct a questionnaire for consumers and administered at microbreweries in Alabama. There were 238 respondents and of those, 200 were used based off completion. Several themes emerged from phase one of the study. For example, consumers felt that supporting local businesses or communities was an advantage of visiting microbreweries. Phase two found that self-identity, attitude, and perceived behavior controls were the most significant predictors of microbrewery consumer’s intentions and that subjective norm became insignificant following the addition of self-identity. It was also found that the beerscape was not a significant predictor of microbrewery consumer attitudes. This study provides useful information for microbrewery owners and operators which will help them better serve their patrons. In addition to practical implications it also provides the first use of TPB in the microbrewery context, and the development of beerscape.
Hospitable campus: analyzing corporate recruiters' experience on campus visits
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2018) Olive, Ashley; Chen, Hsiangting; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The purpose of this study is to assess the attributes college recruiters’ value when determining their campus recruiting activities. Importance-performance analysis was utilized to evaluate nine attributes: employer development professional, career fair, tabling, classroom visit, information session, faculty meeting, student group meeting, on campus interviewing and sponsorship. Data collection occurred at a southeastern university which hosts career fairs with more than 180 companies. Corporate recruiters were asked to complete a survey with questions regarding 9 primary attributes, with 92 items related to on campus recruiting, and the rate the attribute importance and performance of their recruiting experience with the university. The Servicescape, SERVQUAL and SERVPERF theoretical frameworks are used. This study fills a gap in the research regarding corporate recruiter’s evaluative criteria and decision-making of campus visits. Keywords: campus recruiting, talent acquisition, servicescape, IPA
Assessing the impact of academic programs on student intentions toward selecting an environmentally sustainable workplace
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2019) Hughes, Susan Beamon; Shin, Yeonho; Severt, Kimberly; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The ecosystem has been negatively impacted by the growth of population, an increase of industrial enterprise and an improper use of resources. As humans are the main catalyst of this global change, we have entered the Anthropocene epoch. Worldwide discussions contribute to an overall awareness that corporations need business strategies that incorporate environmentally sustainable initiatives. This poses many challenges as the majority of change initiatives fail. Creating this change requires leadership that is educated about environmental sustainability. Higher education institutions play a role in moving society toward environmental sustainability by integrating this education within the curricula and university culture. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of academic programs on student intentions toward the selection of an environmentally sustainable workplace. The theory of planned behavior was used to determine, among students, the relationship between attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control toward environmentally sustainable behavior and the intention to select an environmentally sustainable workplace. A survey was distributed to students attending a public university in the southeastern United States enrolled in three different degree programs. While the results statistically showed no significance between the groups, the research models did show that attitudes and subjective norm lead toward the students intentions to select an environmentally sustainable workplace, while their college major program is not a significant path to intention. Finally, there are thoughts on future research and ideas for future integration within higher education.
Benefits of participation in arts-based extracurricular activities for youth
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2019) Lemmon, Ladye Joanna; Wilmarth, Melissa J.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
This research investigated the relationship among arts-based extracurricular activities, student proficiency, and student behavior. The study also analyzed the demographic makeup of students that were involved in arts-based extracurricular activities. For this investigation, the data came from the 1992 follow-up study of the National Educational Longitudinal Study (NELS) of 1988. Specific findings from this study showed that if a student was involved in afterschool arts activities, then they were more likely to be involved in the community by volunteering their time and help. Another discovery from this research project showed that there was a difference between gender groups of the student sample. More females participated in arts-based extracurricular activities than males. Future research is needed to help gain a fuller understanding of what types of students participate in arts-based afterschool activities and what are the social, educational, and financial impacts that stem from student participation in arts-based extracurricular activities.
The impact of the social penetration theory on service recovery satisfaction in a restaurant setting
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2019) Brendlinger, Bethany Margaret; Chen, Hsiangting; Severt, Kimberly; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The highly sociable nature of a restaurant is governed by successful customer communication. Effective communication with customers can not only promote customer satisfaction, but can also elicit relationships with customers, bringing them back into the restaurant. This study investigates the drivers of a long-lasting, reliable relationship between servers and customers, and how a customer’s prior experience influences customer satisfaction. The study focuses on maintaining customer satisfaction in the event of a service failure. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of server disclosure on customer disclosure, as well as the impact of prior experience on customer disclosure. Also, the study investigates the influence of server disclosure on customer satisfaction of service recovery, and the influence of prior experience on customer satisfaction of service recovery. A questionnaire was used to collect data for the full study. The questionnaire was developed in Qualtrics, an online survey website, and was distributed through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), an online survey distribution database. The questionnaire was developed using validated measurement items to test each of the constructs of the study: server disclosure, prior experience, customer disclosure-willingness of providing feedback, customer disclosure-willingness of providing personal feelings, and customer satisfaction of service recovery. The questionnaire was used to collect data which was interpreted using MANOVA. The results indicated a significant relationship among all variables. The strongest influence of customer satisfaction of service recovery was server disclosure. Minimal research has applied the Social Penetration Theory to a restaurant setting to evaluate relationships with customers. Few studies have examined the way server disclosure and customer disclosure effect the relationship between front-line employees and customers in a restaurant setting. There is also little research existing in the literature which examines the way the relationship built by server disclosure and customer disclosure effects the outcomes of service recovery. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, no research exists which examines the roles of server disclosure, customer disclosure, and customer satisfaction of service recovery, based on the difference between first-time and repeat restaurant customers. Keywords: Social Penetration Theory, Server disclosure, Customer disclosure, Prior Experience, Satisfaction of Service Recovery

Browse

Browsing Theses and Dissertations - Department of Human Environmental Sciences, General by Issue Date

Results Per Page

Sort Options