Browsing by Subject "Sex differences"
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Item An examination of the influence of sex and sex role identity on learned helplessness and depression(Texas Tech University, 1983-08) Danker-Brown, Pamela SAttempts have been made to explain why depression occurs more frequently in women than in men. A number of authors have focused particularly on the learned helplessness model of depression and have emphasized the possible effects of sex role identity on exposure and susceptibility to helplessness. The current research was designed to further explore the role of sex role identity in susceptibility to depression. Introductory psychology students who volunteered to participate were given a battery of questionnaires that assessed masculinity and femininity, desire for control over decision making on a team problem-solving task, preference for luck versus skill based tasks, and attributional style. Eighty males and eighty females were selected to participate further. Half of the males and females in each of the four sex role identity groups were exposed to unsolvable concept formation problems and responded to questions concerning attributions for their performance. All students completed measures of mood, self-esteem and an anagram task as measures of symptoms of helplessness. All of the students were then taken to another room to what they thought was a separate experiment and given additional measures of mood, self-esteem and generalizability of helplessness effects. Both sex and sex role identity were found to influence preference for control over decision making and for luck versus skill tasks. Male gender and high masculinity was associated with preference to have control over one's environment. The implications of these findings for differential self-exposure to depression producing experiences is discussed. Contrary to earlier research, only androgynous females appeared to have been affected by the helplessness manipulation. Sex and sex role identity did influence measures of attributions; however, these differences did not parallel differences found in susceptibility to helplessness symptoms. Results are discussed in relation to sex differences in reported rates of depression, the learned helplessness model of depression, and methodological considerations for research on sex or sex role identity differences in susceptibility to learned helplessness.Item An experimental approach examining reciprocity between distressed and nondistressed couples(Texas Tech University, 1983-12) Taylor, Vincent LNot availableItem The benefits of advertising status : what conspicuous consumption buys women(2012-05) Cloud, Jaime Marie; Buss, David M.; Loving, Timothy J.; Meston, Cindy M.; Raghunathan, Raj; Tucker-Drob, Elliot M.The primary objectives of the current research were to (1) test the effectiveness of conspicuous consumption as a status-enhancement tactic and (2) examine access to material resources as an interpersonal benefit that incentivizes status striving behavior. The studies that follow investigated the status striving motivations of both men and women; however, this research endeavor was primarily designed to address the paucity of research on female status. In Study 1, a nation-wide sample of participants perceived target women to be higher status when they were depicted conspicuously consuming than when not. Several individual difference variables that predict conspicuous consumption were also identified, many of which related to the attainment of high status. In Studies 2 and 3, conspicuous consumption was shown to increase perceptions of status in face-to-face interactions, further supporting the status signaling function of conspicuous consumption. Study 3 utilized a Dictator Game methodology to test the prediction that participants would share more of a monetary allotment with confederates who were conspicuously consuming than with those who were not. Results indicated that conspicuous consumption did not increase generosity except in male participants who shared more of a monetary allotment with conspicuous consumers, particularly those of the same sex. This sex-specific result is discussed in light of the possibility that conspicuous consumption signals a type of status that is particularly relevant to men (i.e., economic status). In conclusion, I consider the different pathways by which high status individuals receive increased access to resources.Item Evolution of body size and sexual size dimorphism in the order primates: Rensch's rule, quantitative genetics, and phylogenetic effects(2004) Gordon, Adam Duffy; Kappelman, John W.Item Gender, marital status, and mental well-being(Texas Tech University, 1984-05) Smith, Robert R.Not availableItem Intimate identity: female and male differences(Texas Tech University, 1993-05) Terrell, Benita LouIn an effort to expand Erikson's conceptualization of the identity construct to include an attachment component and allow for the development of a view of oneself as an intimate person, an identity component labelled intimate identity was proposed in this research project. The dimension components of intimate identity are commitment, shared activities, decision-making, sexual involvement, emotional involvement, and openness. The Intimate Relationship Interview was used to measure intimate dentity in 30 women and 30 men who are college seniors involved in a serious relationship. The women's scores and the men's scores were compared on each of the dimension components using a one-way analysis of variance with age as a covariate. The outcomes show women to score significantly higher on the expressive components of intimate identity. There was no significant difference between women and men on the instrumental components and sexual involvement. The results support the idea that there is an attachment component in identity and that women and men experience themselves and others differently. The intimate identity of women is composed of expressive and instrumental dimensions and sexual involvement. The intimate identity of men is composed of instrumental dimensions and sexual involvement. The outcomes reflect the theoretical perspective of object relations, explain the relationship problems documented in literature, and support the argument that women can satisfy men's intimacy needs, but that the reverse is not true.Item Lingual fungiform papillae and teh evolution of the primate gustatory system(2009-05) Alport, Laura Jean; Kirk, E. Christopher, 1974-Among humans, the density of lingual fungiform papillae (DFP) is correlated with taste sensitivity. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the evolution of the primate gustatory system through a comparative analysis of DFP. This investigation was conducted in three separate studies. The first study took a broad perspective incorporating data from 37 primate species to assess the relationships among DFP, body mass, taste sensitivity, and diet. Among the major findings of this first study: (1) Sucrose sensitivity was negatively correlated with DFP and positively correlated with papilla area. (2) Sucrose sensitivity was not correlated with the percent of leaves or fruit in the diet. (3) DFP and papilla area were correlated with diet. (4) The relationships between fungiform papillae and diet differed among different taxonomic groups. The second study of DFP investigated whether there are sex differences in the DFP of non-human primates, as there are in humans. In all five primate species investigated, females had higher mean DFPs than males. These sex differences were significant in Pan troglodytes and Cebus apella, and not significant in Alouatta palliata, Cercopithecus aethiops, or Varecia variegata. Pan, Cebus, and Homo share large relative brain sizes with associated life history parameters making each offspring very costly. Accordingly it was suggested that sex differences in DFP may be due to the particularly high risk of lacking nutrients or ingesting toxins for females of these three species. The third study was a comparison of phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) taste ability and DFP in humans and chimpanzees. The major questions addressed in this study were (1) Is DFP correlated with PTC phenotype in chimpanzees as it is in humans? (2) Are there sex differences in PTC genotype and phenotype as there are in DFP? Although females had greater DFPs than males, and significantly more females had the genotype for higher PTC taste sensitivity, there was no correlation between DFP and PTC phenotype. Several explanations for the differences between human and chimpanzee results were offered, including small sample sizes for chimpanzees and greater accuracy in determining PTC sensitivity among humans.Item Sexual misperception : individual differences and context effects(2011-05) Perilloux, Carin Jeanne; Buss, David M.; Gosling, Samuel D.; Henderson, Marlone D.; Loving, Timothy J.; Meston, Cindy M.The current research evaluated individual differences and contextual effects on men’s robust sexual overperception bias and on women’s tendency to be misperceived. Study 1 pioneered the use of a “speed-meeting” methodology which allowed for a direct calculation of sexual misperception by comparing measures of actual interest to measures of estimated interest across five interactions. As predicted, men demonstrated a robust sexual over-perception bias, a bias that was influenced by their mating strategy and physical attractiveness. Women, on the other hand, consistently underestimated men’s sexual interest in them, and physical attractiveness was a key predictor of their likelihood of being overperceived. Study 2 replicated the prediction tests from Study 1 and narrowed down the exploratory regression models to the most specific and robust effects, namely mating strategy and physical attractiveness. Study 3 examined the effects of testosterone (T) on men’s sexual misperception by manipulating intrasexual competition in the lab. Men engaged in a computer game, which randomly assigned them to win or lose, against an unseen male competitor. After the game, each participant interacted with a trained female confederate posing as a participant, after which they rated her on multiple traits, including interest in her and his estimate of her interest in him. Salivary assays for T were collected before and after the game, and after interacting with the confederate. The results of the experiment demonstrated that although the competition outcome did not affect men’s T, changes in T during the interaction with the woman predicted men’s sexual misperception. The more attractive the man found her, and the more interested he was in her, the more his T increased during their interaction and the more he overperceived her interest. Taken together, these studies indicate that far from a simple sex difference, men’s overperception bias is predictably nuanced and specific.Item Spirituality, gender, and supervisory style in supervision(Texas Tech University, 2003-12) Miller, Marianne McInnesThis dissertation explores spirituality as a facet of marriage and family therapy supervision, which is a key component of training clinicians. Supervision is a complex process; therefore, it would seem that several factors shape how therapists-in-training perceive the conversations about spirituality in this context. The sex of therapist and sex of supervisor influences the experiences of supervisees, given that gender issues relate to power and hierarchy. Moreover, supervisory style has emerged as a key factor affecting therapist/supervisor interactions. This study, therefore, explores these issues using the following guiding question: Is gender associated with variations in perceptions of supervisory style and the frequency with which spiritual issues are addressed in supervision?Item Temperament and the social competence of children one to three years of age(Texas Tech University, 1984-08) Carson, David KThe relationship between temperament and social competence was investigated in a sample of 12- to 36-month-old group-care children {H - 202) by the use of maternal and group-caregiver evaluations of child behavior. Subjects easy in temperament were assessed by mothers as significantly more socially competent than the difficult and slow-to-warm-up subjects on one measure of social competence. There were significant main effects of sex on social competency in regard to three measures of social competence. Females were rated as more competent than males by mothers and group-caregivers on all four measures of social competence, and significantly more so on three of these measures. Sex and temperament style did not interact in influencing child social competency. Children categorized as difficult in temperament (n^ = 22) were not found to be delayed in their level of social competence in a significant number of cases. However, slightly more than half of these subjects were assessed as delayed by the group-caregivers. The temperament characteristics of low response threshold, high persistence and attention span, adaptability to change, approach behavior, and rhythmicity (regularity) were positively associated with social competence. Presence or absence of a sibling in the family and marital status of the parents were unrelated to the subjects' social competency. Boys were significiantly more active than girls, whereas girls were more responsive to sensory stimulation and adaptable to changing situations and people than boys. The older children (24 to 36 months) were significantly less active but more persistent, adaptable, and reactive than the younger children (12 to 24 months). The discussion centers around the potential usefulness of specific temperament characteristics as opposed to general behavioral styles in predicting the social competence of older infants and toddlers. Explanations concerning the sex differences noted in temperament and in relation to the children's social competency are offered. The advantages of multimodal assessment approaches, as well as multivariate and multidirectional models of temperament-environment interaction, are described. Theoretical implications and practical applications of the study are finally discussed and future research directions proposed.Item The development of gender differences in cerebral lateralization for spatial tasks(Texas Tech University, 1984-05) Hobbs, Susan LNot availableItem The effects of interviewer presumptuousness and interviewee sex on interviewee self disclosure in a female-conducted counseling interview(Texas Tech University, 1982-05) Sullivan, Chesna R..Item The effects of neonatal testosterone on the prepubertal female rat's response to different stressors(Texas Tech University, 1985-12) Smith, Constance JNot availableItem The effects of sex role and fear of success on competitive behavior(Texas Tech University, 1979-08) Daniels, Howard B.In spite of the fact that we live in a culture which overtly promotes equality and in spite of the fact that we encourage our children to attend educational systems which purportedly prepare men and women for identical careers, there exist vast differences between men and women when examining ultimate achievement levels. This is especially true if standards of achievement are those such as income, power, or status. Anastasi (1953), in a survey of women throughout history, reported that less than 10% of the people who have achieved eminence have been women and that more than half of these achieved such eminence by being sovereigns by birthright. Although these statistics have undoubtedly changed, recent reports continue to emphasize differences. As late as 1970, only 5% of all lawyers and judges and 9% of all physicians in the United States were wom.en (Council of Economic Advisors, 1973).Item The impact of Erikson's industry vs. inferiority stage development upon preadolescents(Texas Tech University, 1986-12) Lovett, Nancy ElizabethThe present study explored the importance of Erikson's fourth stage of development. Industry versus Inferiority, by developing an interview to locate preadolescent males and females within the stage. Through a questionnaire, the degree of completion by the subjects of the first three stages. Trust versus Mistrust, Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt, and Initiative versus Guilt was identified. Another questionnaire assessed the subjects' self-esteem. It was hypothesized that the first three of Erikson's developmental stages, self-esteem, and the fourth stage as shown by the Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory and the Industry Status Inverview would be positively and significantly related, Support for all hypotheses was found indicating initial validity of the Industry Status Inverview. It was further posited that the interview can become a useful diagnostic tool in the classroom and clinical setting. Future study should be carried out for additional validation of the interview.Item The relationships among sex, gender, and verbal immediacy in the college classroom(Texas Tech University, 1999-08) Edwards, Chad C.In the past twenty years, immediacy has received a good deal of attention in the communication studies literature (Christophel, 1990; Christophel, & Gorham, 1995; Frymier, 1994; Frymier & Shulman, 1995; Gorham, 1988; Gorham & Zakahi, 1990; Jensen, 1995; Menzel & Carroll, 1999; Moore, Masterson, Christophel, & Shea, 1996; Sanders & Wiseman, 1990). Mehrabian (1966, 1967a, 1967b, 1971) originally developed the idea of immediacy. Immediacy refers to "the degree of directness and intensity of interaction between a communicator and the object of communication" (Mehrabian, 1967a, p. 414). Mehrabian (1971) defines immediacy as a construct that allows people to reduce the psychological distance that might exist between them. Mehrabian (1971) stated that liking and immediacy are basically "two sides of the same coin" and that "liking encourages greater immediacy and immediacy produces more liking" (p. 77). Immediacy is based "on an approach-avoidance theory and is an affect-based construct" (Christophel, 1990, p. 325). This statement demonstrates that immediacy is the closeness or distance between one person and another. Moreover, Mehrabian illustrates that people are drawn to other people they like and find acceptable (Frymier & Shulamn, 1995) .Item Understanding gender differences in children referred to mental health services(Texas Tech University, 1996-08) Green, Michelle T.In an effort to understand why young girls tend to be overlooked for referral to mental health sen/ices, this dissertation examined the referral process at the point at which it usually begins: with teachers in the elementary school system. One hundred and thirty-five first-, second-, and third-grade teachers read vignettes describing boys and girls with externalizing and internalizing disorders. Teachers rated whether the child described in each vignette needed to be referred for mental health treatment, whether each child would improve with maturity, and whether their referral decisions would change if the child's academic standing changed. Finally, they rated each symptom In the vignettes according to the degree to which It influenced them to refer. Teachers rated children with externalizing disorders as needing referral significantly more often than children with internalizing disorders. Girls and children with internalizing disorders were referred significantly less often if their academic standing was good and were rated as significantly more likely than boys and children with externalizing disorders to improve with maturity. Finally, externalizing symptoms and symptoms typically found in boys were rated as significantly more likely to influence a teacher to refer than internalizing symptoms and symptoms typically found in girls. The results of this dissertation Indicate that several factors may cause a teacher to overlook girls for referral. Girls tend to have good academic standing and to have the type of disorder and symptoms that are believed to improve with maturity and believed to be less In need of referral.