APUS ePress: Psychology

Todrick Body
Program: Psychology: Capstone-Thesis: Master of Arts (MA)
Awarded: February 2017
Capstone Instructor: Dr. Shaneika Dilka
Abstract: Recent technological advances involving the use of the Internet and complex communication devices have significantly impacted the provision of psychotherapy and other mental health services as well as how the training of educators and clinicians may be conducted. Technology can provide greater access to needed services such as training, treatment, and consultations. The prevalence of mental health professionals that are using social media and emerging technologies to engage with clients, conduct research, and interact with other professionals has led to unique opportunities as well as previously unforeseen challenges for today’s mental health practitioners. This paper reviews literature that is relevant to the use of technology in four major areas of psychological field which are contemporary issues, ethics, physiology, and learning/cognition. These studies highlighted the positive outcomes of the increased use of technology and the limitations specific to technology-related mental health interventions. Findings suggest that the unavoidable incorporation of new forms of technology may provide a long list of positive breakthroughs in the future, but they might also lead to a myriad of challenging ethical and legal issues if they are not fully understood in the present.

Derek M. Maxwell
Program Psychology: Capstone-Thesis: Master of Arts (MA)
Awarded April 2019
Capstone Instructor:Dr. Pamela Curtain
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the current understanding of cultural variables which affect the risk factors, progression, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of anorexia nervosa (AN). Recent studies discussing this disorder were reviewed for data concerning these cultural factors in an attempt to create a more complete understanding. Several trends were noted, particularly regarding age, gender, national origin, and level of education. Individuals with AN generally experienced onset of the disorder during adolescence and were predominantly females in developed countries with education above the mean for their region. However, shortfalls in demographic data collected in much of this research was identified, indicating the need for more detailed and standardized questionnaires regarding demographics in order to provide a more complete understanding. Additionally, overgeneralization of populations on a national scale is observed, indicating the need for increased education regarding the significance of variations within cultures.

Brian John Hiatt
Program Psychology: Capstone-Thesis: Master of Arts (MA)
Awarded September 2020
Capstone Instructor:Dr. Pamela Curtain
The degree by which a child develops cognitively, behaviorally, and emotionally, has been linked with the relationships and interactions that they form with their parents, their school teachers, as well as external environmental influences. The purpose of this research was to gauge the impact that parents and teachers have on positively developing their children as they reach preschool and early adolescence. Through surveys, statistics, observation, and personal interviews, researchers were able to see how certain learning techniques possess more value in terms of positive cognitive development. Maternal sensitivity played a big role in identifying a child’s strengths and weaknesses so that effort from teachers could be student focused to enable development and learning. Furthermore, a child’s self-regulation played a big role in how the child controlled their emotions and behaviors, which also aided their cognitive development. By observing the emotional and social beliefs and attitudes of others, the research presented supports Bandura’s social learning theory.

Jason M. Fosco
Program Psychology: Capstone-Thesis: Master of Arts (MA)
Awarded April 2019
Capstone Instructor:Dr. Pamela Curtain
Discrimination divides populations because of something as simple as a difference in pigmentation, origin of birth or cultural practices. What some would consider harmless jokes and in some areas of the country, normal behavior, impact minorities in ways not understood by the general population. What is truly baffling is the lack of investment in our country towards combatting discrimination as well as treating those who have been discriminated against. The lasting effects of discrimination have yet to be determined and while we know discrimination impacts depression and PTSD, we have not yet identified lasting solutions. Research included in this study is relevant to the Examination of Discrimination and its Impact on Depression and PTSD. The researchers included in this study lend support to the causal effect discrimination has on depression and PTSD. Furthermore, common themes throughout the review such as discrimination, depression and PTSD are discussed along with potential applications and treatment strategies. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research and strategies to minimize the impacts of discrimination. In order to adequately address discrimination and its impact on depression and PTSD. I selected studies which were not specific to any one race or culture to better illustrate the impacts of discrimination. Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning is the theoretical framework of my study. His theory that behavior is acquired through interactions with the environment and is either positively or negatively reinforced is similar to the behaviors of those who discriminate and those who suffer from discrimination.

Corianne Carver
Program Psychology: Capstone-Thesis: Master of Arts (MA)
Awarded September 2020
Capstone Instructor:Dr. Pamela Curtin
Cognitive development in adolescence and young adulthood has been associated with heightened vulnerabilities to anxiety. The research purpose was to examine the development, recognition, and treatment of anxiety. The predominant premise was that students can be taught selectivity for neurological beliefs that influence the development of anxiety disorders. Neurological and situational triggers of irrational anxiety were examined along with the efficacy of treatments. The review process involved locating, categorizing, assessing, and synthesizing scholarly articles related to four anxiety themes: neurological development, perceptions of control, challenges of enacting school-based anxiety programs, and moving forward with future programs. The findings indicated neurological variations in volume, reactivity, or functional connectivity were associated with dysfunctional anxiety. The alterations were linked with activating events like social conflicts or abuse, academic pressures, and puberty. Albert Ellis elaborated upon the cognitive behavioral theory to expose the rationale of anxiety development and irrational behaviors by positing that thoughts govern feelings and behaviors. Cognitive reframing was associated with lowered levels of anxiety and depression. School therapists could use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to diminish the development of anxiety disorders. Students code experiences into memory which guide their actions as explained by cognitive learning and the planned behavior theory.

Derek M. Maxwell
Program Psychology: Capstone-Thesis: Master of Arts (MA)
Awarded April 2019
Capstone Instructor:Dr. Pamela Curtain
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the current understanding of cultural variables which affect the risk factors, progression, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of anorexia nervosa (AN). Recent studies discussing this disorder were reviewed for data concerning these cultural factors in an attempt to create a more complete understanding. Several trends were noted, particularly regarding age, gender, national origin, and level of education. Individuals with AN generally experienced onset of the disorder during adolescence and were predominantly females in developed countries with education above the mean for their region. However, shortfalls in demographic data collected in much of this research was identified, indicating the need for more detailed and standardized questionnaires regarding demographics in order to provide a more complete understanding. Additionally, overgeneralization of populations on a national scale is observed, indicating the need for increased education regarding the significance of variations within cultures.

Kraig Andrews
Program Psychology: Capstone-Thesis: Master of Arts (MA)
Awarded September 2020
Capstone Instructor:Dr. Beau Diehl
Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been a major issue throughout societies across the world (Ali & Naylor, 2013). Many theories and perspectives have been used to describe the very complex IPV, what it is, and why it occurs. A literature analysis review has been conducted on prior research conducted to identify the variables that cause IPV, how it affects both children and adults, why victims decide to stay in abusive relationships, what causes victims to return back to their abusers once they leave, and what interventions could help IPV victims. Some predictors of IPV are cognitive distortions and exposure to IPV as a child. IPV affects children and adults differently due to children being primarily witnesses and adults being the first-hand victims of the abuse. Childhood exposure to IPV can cause more psychological distress causing behavioral, emotional, social, and cognitive distortions than those children in homes without violence (Pernebo et al., 2018). Men and women are affected differently, which social stigmas and other variables are identified as being different between both men and women. To help mitigate IPV, predictive factors must be identified early in order to formulate interventions for the victims.

Kristyn Larae Jackson
Program Psychology: Capstone-Thesis: Master of Arts (MA)
Awarded January 2021
Capstone Instructor:Dr. Melissa Trevathan-Minnis
Understanding the concepts of marital rape and the differences across world is critical to dissecting views of culture, religion and myths. The purpose is to shed light on the injustice survivors of marital rape receive and the foundation it is formed upon. This research is important to understanding the commonality of marital rape, the injustice present, and the lack of acknowledgement of the reality of marital rape. It is far more severe than any other type of rape because of the psychological component and the deep level of betrayal by a loved one. The findings show that culturally and religiously, marital rape perpetrators have been given free passes to do what they chose to those closest to them, solely based on the fact that they are married to them. Findings also show that victims of marital rape continue to feed into the justification of rape myths because of the pure fact they do not report. This continues the cycle in the belief that ‘husbands cannot rape their wives’ because wives are intimidated and conceptualized to believe they are not victims. Accountability is necessary for change to happen and that starts with deep rooted cultural and religious ties.

Casey L. Hayes
Program Psychology: Capstone-Thesis: Master of Arts (MA)
Awarded January 2021
Capstone Instructor:Dr. Melissa Trevathan-Minnis
It has scarcely been tested whether the opinions held towards online learning regarding motivation, performance, and sociality are accurate in comparison to real student experiences and performance. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to determine whether various perspectives towards online learning were accurate or if discrepancies existed. The real experiences and performance of online students were also evaluated. Specific topics relating to online learning covered in the review included general opinions of online students, academic performance, motivation, and both social and technological experiences within the online educational domain, particularly in comparison to the brick-and-mortar equivalent. These opinions and experiences were also compared against findings of actual student performance, motivation scales, and other past studies. It was found through the review of many studies that the views held towards online learning are not always representative of real student experiences and outcomes who attended virtual high schools and that multiple variables account for real student performance. Positive opinions tended to be more accurate than negative opinions held towards online learning and students. The literature review challenged previously held beliefs about online learning while also presenting multiple different existing opinions.