DSpace Community: SUNY College at New Paltz

A personal construct psychology perspective on sexual identity

Tue, 13 May 2008 19:28:37 GMT

Title: A personal construct psychology perspective on sexual identity

Authors: Morano, Laurie Ann

Abstract: This paper examines four of the most widely known homosexual identity development models, as well as some of the literature that explores sexual identity as a fluid process. The suggestion is made that sexual identity can be created and recreated based on current individual feelings and experiences rather than by forcing identity to fit into already existing socially constructed categories. Personal Construct Psychology (PCP) is introduced as a theory that can be used to transform sexual identities over a lifetime. A Sexual Identity Cycle is presented using several PCP transitional construing concepts.

Description: M.A. Thesis in Psychology

Generational differences in work life balance attitudes

Tue, 13 May 2008 19:21:54 GMT

Title: Generational differences in work life balance attitudes

Authors: Parker, Catherine C.

Abstract: A study was conducted with 543 SUNY New Paltz alumni representing three generations to determine if there were generational differences in attitudes about work life balance. A paper and pencil survey was mailed to 3000 potential participants containing questions regarding perception of work life balance, engagement in individual initiative behavior and work life balance program usage and perceived risk. Significant differences in engagement in individual initiative behavior, perceptions of risk and program usage were found between Baby Boomers and Millennials. Significant differences in program usage were found between Baby Boomers and Gen X’ers. Some surprising results were found. There were no significant results for gender differences for perceived work life balance across the generations and the result for work life balance by generation only approached significance. This result possibly suggests a more complex relationship between gender, age, and work life balance. Alternative explanations such as age, familial responsibility and gender are discussed. Implications for further research were discussed including possible barriers to usage of work life programs for Baby Boomers and men of all generations.

Conceptualizing and defining romantic love

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:26:38 GMT

Title: Conceptualizing and defining romantic love

Authors: Krass, Justin K.

Abstract: Two studies investigated how individuals conceptualize romantic love using the Love Word Conceptualization Survey to examine how strongly 119 emotions, behaviors, and attitudes were associated with romantic love. Study 1 had 54 participants and study 2 had 320 participants. The results of both studies suggest that individuals mainly associate positive attributes with romantic love and are less likely to associate negative attributes with it. Furthermore, quality communication and nurturing physical behaviors appear to be key components of how individuals conceptualize romantic love. Principal components analyses suggest that there may be a positive emotions factor of romantic love, as well as a negative emotions factor. The results are congruent with the theory that the concept of romantic love is prototypically organized.

Description: SUNY New Paltz Master's Thesis in Psychology

Perceptions of People Who Use Non-Heterosexist Language by People of Different Sexual Orientations

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:21:58 GMT

Title: Perceptions of People Who Use Non-Heterosexist Language by People of Different Sexual Orientations

Authors: Reisner, Michael

Abstract: One hundred fifty participants who self-identified as heterosexual and 152 participants who self-identified as queer were asked to read a vignette containing a character who used either heterosexist or non-heterosexist language. With regards to the latter vignette, the researcher hypothesized that queer participants would assume that the character using non-heterosexist language 1) was more supportive of queer rights; 2) had increased exposure to queer people; 3) was more likely to be queer; 4) was more open to new ideas in general; and 5) was more likely to be someone with whom they could be friends. Heterosexual participants were not expected to make the same assumptions about the character in the vignette. Results showed that both heterosexual and queer participants made similar assumptions about the character in the vignette who used non-heterosexist language; however, in most cases queer participants made significantly stronger assumptions than heterosexual participants.