title: Impacts of roads and cranberry agriculture on bog wetland hydrology with restoration recommendations for Langley Bog

format:
electronic
70 pages
electronic

subject:
Peatlands--British Columbia
Restoration ecology
Water table
Sphagnum fuscum

abstract:
Bog wetlands store a disproportionate amount of carbon for their size, making their conservation an important part of climate change mitigation. The goal of this project is to investigate how roads and agriculture impact the hydrology and vegetation composition of Langley Bog and to provide restoration recommendations. Langley Bog, in Langley Township, BC, is a formerly mined peatland with a fill road running through the center and surrounded to the north and west by cranberry farms. From November 2020 to November 2021, depth to water table and pH were measured monthly at nine wells. Twelve vegetation transects were completed in July 2021. Sites adjacent to the road were correlated with a decrease in summer water level, while sites adjacent to the cranberry farms were correlated with an increase in spring pH levels. A positive relationship was found between an increase in water-table level and percent cover of wetland obligate species. Roads may be lowering the water table through subsidence and drainage. The cranberry farms may be increasing the pH through the deposition of fertilizer. These impacts may have been exacerbated by the unusually dry 2021 summer season.
To raise the water table, tree and road removal is recommended to restore lateral flow and decrease evapotranspiration. Culverts installed under the primary fill road will provide additional hydrologic connectivity. Building a berm at outlet points will also help prevent water loss, keeping a higher water table. To increase carbon sequestration, Sphagnum mosses are to be reintroduced to denuded areas in Langley Bog. Tree removal will help in moss establishment by maintaining open bog conditions free from shading. Existing rare ecosystems present in Langley Bog would benefit from the removal of point source pollutants and invasive species on the site. Given the urgency of climate change, restoring the functionality of Langley Bog and protecting the existing stored carbon is a practical and achievable way to move Metro Vancouver a step closer to carbon neutrality.

abstract: peatlands

abstract: ecological restoration

abstract: water levels

abstract: pH

abstract: sphagnum


title: An experimental field study on the thermal & water balance performance of vegetated roof systems

type: Text Dissertation/thesis

contributor: British Columbia Institute of Technology Building Engineering/Building Science (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
122 pages
electronic

abstract: Four roof assemblies were constructed at Helena Gutteridge Plaza in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to compare the stormwater management capabilities and relative thermal performance. A conventional, green, blue, and connected blue-green roof were equipped with sensors to record roof temperature profile, runoff, and soil moisture content data from January 2020 until August 2021. The blue and connected roofs had a water cavity of 85mm with wicking fabric to store water. The green and connected roofs had sedum mats as vegetation with 100mm and 75mm of soil respectively. The vegetated roof assemblies lowered the surface temperature by up to 50% during summer compared to the conventional roof’s peak surface temperatures reaching over 60°C. With available water, the green, blue, and connected roof assemblies are able to reduce internal temperatures by up to 4°C in the summer. As long as there is available water for the blue. Green, and connected roof assemblies, they can effectively reduce internal and surface temperatures. Over a period of 2 years, the green roof was able to retain 23.3% of the rainfall while the connected and blue roofs retained 20.2% and 17.3% respectively, compared to the conventional roof. During warmer months between May and September, the connected roof was able to retain 100% of the runoff while its vegetation outlasted the green roof’s vegetation during drought by 3 weeks in 2020 and 2 weeks in 2021. The blue roof retains 96% of rainfall during summer while the green roof retains 91% due its lack of storage compared to the other assemblies. The blue and green roofs were better able to delay the peak flow and reduce it with less overall runoff during winter compared to the connected roof. The vegetation of the connected roof was taller, more vibrant, and had more ecological activity than the green roof and also resulted in a higher saturation moisture content.


title: A prey-based approach to restoration: prioritizing the habitat requirements of prey species to assist in the recovery of the coastal northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis laingi)

contributor: Ganaway, Danielle Jacqualine Marie (author)

contributor: British Columbia Institute of Technology School of Construction and the Environment (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
57 pages

rights: © Danielle Jacqualine Marie Ganaway, 2022. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject:
Goshawk--British Columbia
Old growth forests--British Columbia

abstract: Forestry in British Columbia’s old-growth forests has reduced critical foraging and breeding habitat for the coastal northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis laingi) and restricted population growth. Now at-risk, efforts to recover this subspecies have focused on establishing suitable habitat and a well-distributed population within the province. However, regional diets and associated dynamics are also critical to goshawk recovery and remain poorly understood. Including a synchronous predator-prey recovery approach to current plans can bridge these knowledge gaps. A new model and methods were developed to translate prey biological requirements into structural surrogate features that could be parameterized and ranked within GIS software. Applying these ranks to known goshawk territories in the South Coast allowed for the visualization and quantification of areas with subpar predicted prey abundances. This provided insight on links between prey and forest structure and can be used to direct future restoration and research decisions for coastal goshawk prey-based recovery.


title: The scale of ecological restoration: restoring steelhead habitat in the Oktwanch Watershed, Vancouver Island, B.C.

publisher: British Columbia Institute of Technology

contributor: Heckels, Alexander Robert Lee Greene (author)

contributor: Simon Fraser University Faculty of Environment (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
65 pages

rights: © Alexander Heckels , 2022. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject:
Fishes -- Habitat -- Conservation
Forest ecology
Forest ecology--Vancouver Island (B.C.)
Salmon
Salmonidae
Steelhead (Fish)
Stream ecology

abstract: Forestry practices are thought to be the major cause of degraded salmonid habitat and declining steelhead populations in the Oktwanch River on Vancouver Island. Large woody debris installations and channel modifications were completed in Reach 1 of the Oktwanch River and adjacent side channels in 2001 to provide spawning and rearing habitat for multiple salmonid species and prevent further degradation, but were ultimately unsuccessful. This study investigated if watershed-scale restoration, rather than reach-scale, is necessary to restore this habitat for steelhead in the Oktwanch River indefinitely. This was achieved through an assessment of fish habitat in Reach 1 of the Oktwanch River and adjacent side channels and spatial analysis of the Oktwanch watershed using Landsat historical aerial imagery and i-Tree Canopy. The findings from this study suggest watershed-scale changes to forestry practices are required to restore steelhead populations in the Oktwanch River.

abstract: forestry practices

abstract: watershed-scale restoration

abstract: reach-scale

abstract: woody debris installations

abstract: channel modifications


title: Assessment of an urban floodplain reconnection project: A case study from the Mamquam River basin, BC.

format:
electronic
89 pages

rights: © Samanta Zbinden, 2021. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject:
Coho salmon
Fishes -- Habitat -- Conservation
Salmon
Stream ecology
Stream ecology--Squamish (B.C.)

abstract: Dikes and culverts have limited access to off-channel rearing habitats important to juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhyncus kisutch). This study assessed the success of a floodplain reconnection project in Squamish, BC, at providing rearing habitats. Recommendations on restoration priorities within the area were also provided. A single-season, multi-scale occupancy model was used to estimate the probability of occurrence and detection of juvenile coho during the summer. Regression models were used to assess water and habitat quality and identify relationships with juvenile coho metrics. Culverts were also scored for fish passage. The results of this study indicate that the reconnection project was overall successful. Coho non-detections occurred in areas with poor dissolved oxygen and culvert passage issues. Restoration actions should focus on improving water quality in these areas, and protection of areas of high CPUE. Positive relationships between stream productivity and coho metrics indicates the importance of future studies on macroinvertebrate supply.

abstract: coho salmon

abstract: escape cover

abstract: rearing habitat

abstract: floodplain reconnection

abstract: urban channels

abstract: Mamquam River


title: A contrast of two novel deterrents of goose herbivory at Westham Island foreshore tidal marsh

format:
electronic
30 pages

coverage:
Westham Island (B.C.)
Fraser River Estuary (B.C.)

rights: © Esmeralda Martinez Bonilla, 2022. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject: Canada goose

subject: Restoration ecology

subject: Restoration ecology--Westham Island (B.C.)

subject: Salt marshes

subject: Salt marshes--Fraser River Estuary (B.C.)

subject: Snow goose

abstract:
Since the 1980s, at least 160 ha of marsh vegetation has died off in Sturgeon Bank and Westham Island, located within the Fraser River Estuary. Proposed causes for this marsh recession include sediment deficit, relative sea-level rise, increased salinity, and goose herbivory. At Westham Island, the loss of tidal marsh vegetation is locally distinct in that it occurs in a closed polygon shape versus along the leading edge of the marsh, suggesting that goose herbivory is a principal cause. Goose herbivory on tidal marsh vegetation has become a global problem as many geese populations are becoming hyperabundant. In the Fraser River Estuary, Canada goose (Branta canadensis) and snow goose (Anser caerulescens) numbers have been increasing exponentially. I conducted a field experiment, testing two novel goose herbivory deterrents at Westham Island’s foreshore tidal marsh: metal and snow fencing placed flat against the substrate. I used a randomized complete block design with six replicates and three treatments: metal fencing, snow fencing
and control (no fencing). Each treatment's effectiveness was assessed by monitoring changes in common three-square bulrush (Schoenoplectus pungens) every two weeks throughout the summer season (June-September 2022) in terms of stem density, percent cover, and percent of stems grazed. Results indicated that there was no difference in stem density, percent cover, and percent of stems grazed between the two fencing types. However, compared to bulrush in the controls, both snow and metal fencing treatments yielded a higher stem density and percent cover (x̄% difference = 82.9%, 53.1%, respectively) as well as a lower percent of stems grazed. These results suggest that both fencing materials are equally effective at deterring goose herbivory in a tidal marsh. Additional assessments are needed to clarify whether this technique can be scaled up to promote marsh recovery throughout the entire area of recession.

abstract: tidal marsh recession

abstract: goose herbivory deterrents

abstract: goose management

abstract: Canada geese

abstract: common three-square bulrush

abstract: snow fencing

abstract: chain-link fencing


title: In distrust we trust : analysis of academic apocalypse

subject:
Trust
Social Sciences

abstract:
The paper concentrates on trust as a research topic that receives increasing attention from
the side of different social disciplines.
The author of this thesis attempts to identify the reasons of this phenomenon, as well as
the decline in usage of the concepts conveying a congenial idea, such as, solidarity,
cooperation, social cohesion, social capital or connectedness. The key hypotheses, such
as paradigmatic change within the social sciences, emergence of risk society,
proliferation of the postmodem condition, new infonnation and communication
technologies and the crisis of democracy are considered through the works of the authors
who now mainly responsible for the shaping of the discourse of trust. The concepts of
Luhmann, Putnam, Sztompka, Fukuyama and Hardin are analyzed from an
epistemological viewpoint in its ontological and political implications.
The primary goal of the paper is to overview trust from the methodological viewpoint,
illustrating the limitations of the concept as a research strategy as weII as it advantages in
the epoch when the social sciences acquire a status of moral disciplines.


title: Characterization of the chitinolytic system during the mycoparasitic interaction between Trichoderma aggressivum f. aggressivum and different host strains of Agaricus bisporus /

subject:
Mushrooms, Edible
Chitinase.
Mycoparasitism.
Trichoderma.

abstract:
Green mould is a serious disease of commercially grown mushrooms, the causal agent
being attributed to the filamentous soil fungus Triclzodenna aggressivum f. aggressivu11l
and T. aggressivum f. ellropaellm. Found worldwide, and capable of devastating crops,
this disease has caused millions of dollars in lost revenue within the mushroom industry.
One mechanism used by TricllOdenlla spp. in the antagonism of other fungi, is the
secretion of lytic enzymes such as chitinases, which actively degrade a host's cell wall.
Therefore, the intent of this study was to examine the production of chitinase enzymes
during the host-parasite interaction of Agaricus bisporus (commercial mushroom) and
Triclzodemza aggressivum, focusing specifically on chitinase involvement in the
differential resistance of white, off-white, and brown commercial mushroom strains.
Chitinases isolated from cultures of A. bisporus and T. aggressivu11l grown together
and separately, were identified following native PAGE, and analysis of fluorescence
based on specific enzymatic cleavage of 4-methylumbelliferyl glucoside substrates.
Results indicate that the interaction between T. aggressivulll and A. bisporus involves a
complex enzyme battle. It was determined that T. aggressivum produces a number of
chitinases that appear to correlate to those isolated in previous studies using biocontrol
strains of T. Izarziallilm. A 122 kDa N-acetylglucosaminidase of T. aggressivu11l revealed
the highest and most variable activity, and is therefore believed to be an important
predictor of antifungal activity. Furthermore, results indicate that brown strain resistance
of mushrooms may be related to high levels of a 96 kDa N-acetylglucosaminidase, which
showed elevated activity in both solitary and dual cultures with T. aggressivum.
Overall, each host-parasite combination produced unique enzyme profiles, with the
majority of the differences seen between day 0 and day 6 for the extracellular chitinases.
Therefore, it was concluded that the antagonistic behaviour of T. aggressivli1ll does not
involve a typical response, always producing the same types and levels of enzymes, but
that mycoparasitism, specifically in the form of chitinase production, may be induced and
regulated based on the host presented.


title: Collaborative learning in a Japanese as a foreign language classroom /

contributor: Department of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies in Education

subject:
Japanese language
Group work in education.
Asian students

abstract:
This study examined the influence of training on Asian learners' beliefs,
interaction, and attitudes during collaborative learning (CL) and explored the processes of
their CL in pairs. The literature contains few studies on the effect of collaborative training
in language learning. In addition, it shows gaps between SLA theory and practice
resulting from learners' cultural differences. Although second/subsequent language
acquisition (SLA) theory assumes that CL contributes to language learning, implementing
CL in a multicultural classroom is often considered to be unsuccessful by teachers. The
research questions designed to address this gap explore: (a) the extent to which tra~ng
affects Asian learners' attitudes towards and interaction during CL; (b) how Asian learners
accomplish collaborative tasks in pairs.
In the quasi-experimental research design, the learners in the treatment group
received special training in CL for 5 weeks while the learners in the comparison group did
not receive similar training. Data were collected from 45 McMaster University students
through pre- and posttests, pre- and postintervention questionnaires, student information,
and informal classroom observations. To detennine the influence of training, the
frequency of communication units (c-units), Language Related Episodes (LREs),
Collaborative Dialogue (CD) from audio-taped data, and the fmal draft scores were
compared between pre- and posttests. The learners' pre- and postintervention
questionnaires were also compared. Transcripts from audio-taped data, students'
information, their responses and comments from questionnaires, and informal observations
served to investigate the processes of Asian learners' CL.
Overall, this study found that training had significant influence on the frequency of
c-units and CD, and considerable impact on the draft scores, although little influence on the frequency of LREs was observed. The results from the questionnaires in the treatment
group showed positive changes in the learners' beliefs on pair work after training. On the
other hand, analyses of the transcription data showed that the learners did not conduct
enough discussion for a resolution of problems with peers.
In conclusion, results suggested the need for teacher intervention, a longer period
of collaborative training, and an implementation of self-evaluation into the course grade to
encourage the learners to succeed in collaborative learning.


title: Collective learning within nursing clinical groups /

subject:
Nursing
Team learning approach in education.

abstract:
This qualitative study examined collective learning within nursing clinical groups.
Specifically, it explored the influence of the individual on the group and the impact of the
group on the individual. The study was organized using the concepts from Debbie
Kilgore's theory of collective learning (1999).
The sample consisted of 1 8 second-year university nursing students and 3 clinical
instructors. Data were collected via individual interviews with each participant and
researcher's observations during a group conference. The interviews were tape-recorded,
transcribed, and analyzed using key concepts from Kilgore's framework. Several
interesting findings emerged.
Overall, it appeared that individual components and group components
contributed to the quality and quantity of collective learning that occurred in the groups.
Individually, each person's past group experiences, personality, culture, and gender
influenced how that individual acted in the group, their roles, and how much influence
they had over group decisions. Moreover, the situation which seemed to cause the
greatest sense of helplessness and loss of control was when one of their group members
was breaking a norm. They were unable to deal with such situations constructively. Also,
the amount of sense of worthiness (respect) and sense of agency (control) the member felt
within the group had an impact on the person's role in group decisions. Finally, it seemed
that students felt more connected with their peers within the clinical setting when they
were close with them on a personal and social level.
With respect to the group elements, it seemed that the instructors' values and way
of being were instrumental in shaping the group's identity. In group 2, there were clear examples of group consciousness and the students' need to go along with the majority
viewpoint, even when it was contrary to their own beliefs. Finally, the common goal of
passing clinical and dealing with the fears of being in the clinical setting brought
solidarity among the group members, and there seemed to be a high level of positive
interdependence among them. From the discussion and analysis of the findings,
recommendations were given on how to improve the learning within clinical groups.


title: Explorations and comparisons of actual, ideal, and ought forgiveness definitions : a Q-methodological study /

subject: Forgiveness

abstract:
Numerous definitions of forgiveness have been proposed in the literature (e.g.. North, 1987;
Enright, Freedman & Rique, 1998), most ofwhich are based on religious or philosophical
notions, rather than on empirical evidence. Definitions employed by researchers have typically
set very high standards for forgiveness. This research was designed to investigate the
possibility that these definitions describe an ideal of forgiveness and may not reflect
laypersons' beliefe and experiences. Using Higgins' Self-Discrepancy Theory as a fiamework,
three types of forgiveness beliefs were investigated: actual, ideal, and ought Q-methodology
(which permits intensive study ofphenomena in small samples) was employed to examine and
compare participants' beliefs about forgiveness across these domains. Thirty participants (20
women), 25 to 78 years of age, were recruited firom the community. They were asked to sort a
set of66 statements about forgiveness according to their level of agreement with each
statement This process was repeated three times, with the goal of modelling participants'
actual experiences, their ideals, and how they believed forgiveness ought to be. Three
perspectives on forgiveness emerged across the domains: forgiveness as motivated by
religious beliefs, reconciliation-focussed forgiveness, and conflicted forgiveness. These
perspectives indicated that, for many participants, the definitions presented in the literature
may coincide with their beliefs about how forgiveness would ideally be and should be, as well
as with their experiences of forgiveness; however, a large number of participants' experiences
of, and beliefs about, forgiveness do not conform to the standards set out in the literature, and
to exclude these participants' experiences and beliefs would mean overlooking what
forgiveness means to a large portion of people. Results of this study indicate that researchers
need to keep an open mind about what forgiveness may mean to their participants.


title: Gender and human security : the challenge facing Canada's human security policy /

subject:
Human rights.
Women's rights.
Security, International.
International relations.

abstract:
During the 1980's and for much of the 1990's, many countries in the Asia Pacific
were renowned for their economic development and prosperity. The Asian tigers were a
source of great interest for many economists and international investors. The 1997 Asian
financial crisis, however, dramatically altered the growth and the performance of these
economies. The crisis sent several ofAsia's best performing economies on a downward spiral
from which many have yet to fully recover. The crisis exposed the financial and the political
weaknesses ofmany countries in the region. Moreover, the crisis severely affected the wellbeing
and the security ofmany ofthe region's citizens.
This text will examine the economic crisis in greater detail and explore current debates
in the study of international relations theory. More specifically, this paper will examine
recent challenges posed to traditional international relations theory and address alternative
approaches to this field of study. This paper will examine Critical theory and its role in
shifting the referent object of security from the state to the individual. In this context, this
paper will also assess Critical theory's role in enabling such issues as gender and human
security to find a place on the agendas of international relations scholars and foreign policy
makers. The central focus ofthis study will be the financial crisis and its impact on human
security in the Southeast Asia. Furthermore, this paper will assess the recovery efforts ofthe
domestic governments, international organizations and various Canadian sponsored
initiatives in the context ofhuman security.


title: The influence of physical attractiveness and gender on perceived competence of sportscasters

subject:
Sportscasters
Women in television broadcasting
Sex role.
Physical-appearance-based bias.

abstract:
The media tends to represent female athletes as women first and athletes second
(Koivula, 1 999). The present study investigated whether this same trend was present for
female sportscasters, using a self-presentational framework. Self-presentation is the
process by which people try to control how others see them (Leary, 1995). One factor
that may influence the type of image they try to project is their roles held in society,
including gender roles. The gender roles for a man include dominance, assertiveness, and
masculinity, while the gender roles for a woman include nurturer, femininity, and
attractiveness (Deaux & Major, 1 987). By contrast, sports broadcasters are expected to be
knowledgeable, assertive, and competent. Research suggests that female sports
broadcasters are seen as less competent and less persuasive than male sports broadcasters
(Mitrook & Dorr, 2001; Ordman & Zillmann, 1994, Toro, 2005). One reason for this
difference may be that the gender roles for a man are much more similar to those of a
sportscaster, compared to those of a woman. Thus, there may be a conflict between the
two roles for women. The present study investigated whether the gender and perceived
attractiveness of sportscasters influenced the audience's perceptions of the level of
competence that a sportscaster demonstrates.
Two hundred and four male (n =75) and female (n =129) undergraduate students
were recruited from a southern Ontario university to participate in the study. The average
age of the male participants was 21 .23 years {SD =1 .60), and the average age for female
participants was 20.67 years {SD = 1 .31). The age range for all participants was from 19
to 30 years {M = 20.87 years, SD = 1 .45). Af^er providing informed consent, participants
randomly received one of four possible questionnaire packages. The participants answered the demographic questionnaire, and then proceeded to view the picture and
read the script of a sports newscast. Next, based on the picture and script, the participants
answered the competence questionnaire, assessing the general, sport specific, and overall
competence of the sportscaster. Once participants had finished, they returned the package
to the researcher and were thanked for their time.
Data was analyzed using an ANOVA to determine if general sport competence
differs with respect to gender and attractiveness of the sportscaster. Overall, the ANOVA
was non-significant (p > .05), indicating no differences on the dependent variable based
on gender (F (3, 194) = .631, p = .426), attractiveness (F (3, 194) = .070, p = .791), or the
interaction of the two {F (3, 194) = .043,/? = .836). Although none of the study
hypotheses were supported, the study provided some insight to the perceived competence
of female sportscasters. It is possible that female sportscasters are now seen as competent
in the area of sports. Sample characteristics could also have influenced these results; the
participants in the current study were primarily physical education and kinesiology
students, who had experience participating in physical activity with both men and
women. Future research should investigate this issue further by using a video sportscast.
It is possible that delivery characteristics such as voice quality or eye contact may also
impact perceptions of sportscasters.


title: Kindergartners' perceptions of bullying /

subject:
Bullying in schools.
Kindergarten.
School children.

abstract:
Currently, few studies address what kindergarten children think about bullying
behaviour and explore whether or not they perceive bullying as a prevalent concern in
their day-to-day school activities. This study described 15 Canadian kindergarten
students' graphic and narrative representations (drawings and stories) of their bullying
experiences. The content of students' drawings and stories were analyzed to explore how
kindergarten children perceived bullying within the context of their lives. Coding
categories were developed to analyze the kindergartners' perceptions, and emerging
themes were also explored. In general, findings showed that kindergartners perceive
bullying situations as occurring during one-to-one peer interaction and not within social
group situations. Results are discussed in relation to educational implications.


title: Perceived modifiability of self-blame attributions for negative life events : implications for well-being /

subject:
Life change events
Adjustment (Psychology)

abstract:
Research suggests that self-blame attributions are important in the process of
adjustment to negative life events. Much of the research originates from JanofTBulman's
(1979) theory regarding behavioural and characterological self-blame. She
argued that attributing negative events to one's behaviour is adaptive because
behavioural self-blame involves attributions to a modifiable source, which implies that a
similar event can be avoided in the future. In contrast, attributing negative events to
one's character is believed to be maladaptive because character is seen as relatively
stable and unmodifiable.
Unfortunately, the empirical literature does not show consistent relations between
these two types of self-blame attributions and well-being as predicted by Janoff-Bulman.
For this thesis, I proposed that one reason for this inconsistency is that Janoff-Bulman's
assumption about the perceived modifiability of behavioural versus characterological
causes is incorrect — people often dlo perceive character (as well as behaviour) to be
modifiable.
Sixty-two participants completed a questionnaire regarding a recent negative life
event and its impact on their well-being. Consistent with my argument, I found that both
behavioural and characterological self-blame attributions following a negative life event
were seen as modifiable. As hypothesized, perceived modifiability of causes v^as related
to well-being. For example, overall modifiability was related to greater coping efficacy,
less social dysfunction, less severe depression, and greater positive affect; however.
contrary to predictions, the relation between perceived modifiability of causes and wellbeing
was not mediated by the perception that similar events could be avoided in the
future.
Individual differences in attributional style were also assessed in this study. An
attributional style that tended to be more internal, stable, and specific was related to wellbeing
as expected; however, neither the perceived modifiability of blame attributions nor
the perceived avoidability of similar future events mediated this relation. Implications
for professionals dealing with trauma victims and potential directions for future research
are discussed.


title: Pleiomorphic deterioration in entomopathogenic fungi : biochemical and genetic analyses /

subject: Entomopathogenic fungi


title: The quality of the mother-child relationship during collaborative problem solving /

subject:
Mother and child.
Problem solving.

abstract:
The quality of the mother-child relationship was examined in relation to joint planning,
maternal teaching strategies, maternal emotional support, mutual positive affect and
attachment security. Fifty-five grade five children and their mothers participated in a
laboratory session comprised of various activities and completed questionnaires to
evaluate attachment security. Joint planning and social problem solving were assessed
observationally during an origami task. Problem solving effectiveness was unrelated to
maternal teaching strategies, maternal encouragement and mutual positive affect. A
marginally significant relationship was found between maternal encouragement and
active child participation. Attachment security was found to be significantly related to
sharing of responsibility during local planning, but only for child autonomous
performance. An examination of conditional probabilities revealed that mutual positive
affect did not increase the likelihood of subsequent mother-child dyadic regulation.
However, mutual positive affect was found to be significantly related to both active child
participation and dyadic regulation. The hypothesis predicting a mediational model was
not supported. The implications of these findings in the theoretical and empirical
literature were considered and suggestions for future research were made.


title: Registered nurses' perceptions of factors impacting on their continuing education /

subject:
Nursing
Hospitals
Health care reform
Nurses

abstract:
This qualitative study examined the effects of hospital restructuring on a group of
nurses at a community hospital. Eleven nurses were asked questions in order to gain
insight into their experience in this situation. Ten of these participants were female,
and one was male. The intent was to gather information about how restructuring has
affected their lives, including, their motivational factors and barriers to participation
in continuing education, and their descriptions of their workplace environment.
Audiotaped interviews were conducted on two occasions to obtain this data. Emergent
themes included the nurses' comments about continuing education, motivational
factors, barriers that included geography and time, reactions of co-workers,
restructuring, the College of Nurses' Quality Assurance Program including peer
feedback, and performance appraisals. The literature review compares the barriers and
motivational factors to the previous research findings. Thus, this study gave voice to
the experience of this group of nurses, working in a healthcare setting that is involved
in restructuring. This information is important to the healthcare system, since many
areas are involved in restructuring. The whole process, if it is to be successful,
depends on the frontline workers, namely the nurses. Thus, if there is anything to be
learned from this group of people, that could be used to improve this progression,
everyone would benefit from this information, were it to be implemented. Everyone is
a stakeholder in the quality of healthcare in our province. The frontline workers are
the ones that hold the vantage point to be able to provide suggestions for the changes
needed to successful. These nurses are not just motivated by work issues however,
and educating them and motivating them will also improve the care provided through
increased knowledge and enhanced self-esteem.


title: (Re)writing the other/self : autoethnography in the transcultural arena of representation

contributor: Social Justice and Equity Studies Program

subject:
Pratt, Mary Louise, 1948-
Mernissi, Fatima
Mernissi, Fatima.
Mernissi, Fatima.
Ethnology
Postcolonialism in literature.

abstract:
Abstract:
In Imperial Eyes Mary Louise Pratt (1992: 7, emphasis original) defines autoethnography
as "instances in which colonized subjects undertake to represent themselves in ways that
engage with the colonizer's own terms ... in response to or in dialogue with . .
.
metropolitan representations." Although Pratt's conceptualization of autoethnography has
much to offer post-colonial studies, it has received little attention in the field. In this
thesis, I interrogate Pratt's notion of autoethnography as a theoretical tool for
understanding the self-representations of subordinate peoples within transcultural terrains
of signification. I argue that autoethnography is a concept that allows us to move beyond
some theoretical dualisms, and to recognize the (necessary) coexistence of subordinate
peoples' simultaneous accommodation of and resistance to dominant representations of
themselves. I suggest that even when autoethnographic expressions seem to rely on or to
reproduce dominant knowledges, their very existence as speech acts implicitly resists
dominant discourses which objectify members of oppressed populations and re-create
them as Native Informants. I use Pratt's concept to analyze two books by Islamic feminist
sociologist Fatima Memissi. Memissi's Dreams ofTrespass and Scheherazade Goes
West illustrate the simultaneity of accommodation and disruption evident in
autoethnographic communication. Across the two books, Memissi shows herself
renegotiating the discourses which discipline her (and her speech). She switches back and
forth between the positions of reader and author, demonstrates the reciprocity of the
disciplinary gaze (she looks back at her dominants, reading their own reading of her
representation of her social group), and provides a model of autoethnographic dialogue.


title: The role of motivational systems in community service involvement : initiating and sustaining factors and quality of experience /

subject:
Student volunteers in social service
Motivation (Psychology)
College students

abstract:
Community service participation can have a positive impact on development,
especially for youth. Although researchers have found positive outcomes, there has been
a notable decline in youth participation over the past few years (Statistics Canada, 2000).
Given the positive outcomes and current decline, it has been argued that youth should be
encouraged to get involved in service activities. In the present study, quantitative and
qualitative data were collected to determine factors that would help youth to initiate and
sustain service, along with examining the quality of their experience. Eighty-two
university undergraduate students (23 men), ranging in age from 17-20 years completed a
60-minute self-report questionnaire. Initiating and sustaining factors, motivational
systems (similar to approach and avoidance dimensions), activity dimensions {Structure,
Supportive Social Environment), quality of experience {Positive, Stress-Challenge), and
future intention to participate in community service were measured. Eight participants
also completed a 20-minute telephone interview to complement and expand on the
quantitative data collected.
Some initiating and sustaining factors were specific to individuals higher on the
avoidance dimension, while others were relevant to those higher on the approach
dimension. Several factors also were important to individuals regardless of their
motivational system orientation. Positive quality of experience was related positively to
experiencing a supportive social environment. In addition, women rated their community
service as more positive than did men. A predicted interaction between the avoidance
dimension and Structure in predicting positive quality of experience was not supported;
however, positive quality of experience was predicted by the interaction of the approach
dimension and Structure. A tested interaction between the avoidance dimension and
Supportive Social Environment in predicting positive quality of experience was not
supported. Similarly, a predicted interaction between the approach dimension and
Supportive Social Environment in predicting positive experience quality was not
supported. However, Supportive Social Environment was positively related to positive
quality of experience. No support was found for a mediational role for positive quality of
experience or stress-challenge quality of experience in exploring the relation between
motivational orientation and fiiture intention to engage in service activities.
The results of this study suggest that participating in a service environment that is
supportive and provides the opportunity for social interactions with others would promote
positive quality of experience and help youth sustain involvement. Thus, to help youth
have positive experiences and to remain active in service, it is important for service
agencies to promote these types of environments. In addition, some initiating and
sustaining factors were specific to youth higher on the avoidance dimension and some
were relevant to youth higher on the approach dimension. Therefore, service agencies
may need to consider using different recruitment and retention strategies, depending on
the type of youth they wish to recruit.


title: Synthetic approaches to syn-diol containing biologically active compounds /

subject:
Drugs
Synthetic drugs.
Stereochemistry.
Pharmaceutical chemistry.

abstract:
The deoxy derivative of pancratistatin 1.10 was prepared in good yield through
the use of a [4+2] Diels-Alder cycloaddition and Bischler-Napieralski cyclization
approach. The Bischler-Napieralski cyclization was shown to yield two additional side
products 2.9, 2.10, however, under slightly modified hydrolysis conditions, the
tetracyclic product 2.11 was obtained exclusively in greater than 84% yield. Initial
screening of the di-hydroxylatgd derivative, and the other complementary pair
analogue 1.10' previously prepared in our laboratories gave interesting results. Both of
these compounds were shown to exhibit cytostatic activity; the mono-alcohol was
marginally active while the di-hydroxylated analogue proved to be more potent
although one to two magnitudes less potent than pancratistatin itself Human tumour
cell line assay results indicated that the di-hydroxylated derivative exhibited selective
cytotoxic inhibition in the following cell lines: non-small cell lung cancer line
NCI-H226 (ED50 - 0.65 ^g/mL), leukemia cell lines CCRF-CEM (ED30 = 0.55
Hg/mL) and HL-60(TB) (ED50 = 0.89^ig/mL). Our results demonstrated that the
pharmacophore is not a mono-alcohol, and that the minimum pharmacophore contains
the hydroxyl group at the C4 position in addition to either, or both, of the hydroxyl
groups present at C2 and C3.' The minimum pharmacophore has been narrowed to only
three possibilities which are current synthetic targets in several research groups. The controlled Grignard addition to the tartaric acid derived bis-Weinreb
amide 1.25 afforded a direct entry to a host of 1,4-diflferentiated tartaric acid derived
intermediates (2.12-2.18). This potentially usefiil methodology was demonstrated
through the efficient synthesis of the naturally occurring lactone 2.23, which bears the
inherent syn-dio\ subunit. Based on this result, a similar approach to the synthesis of
syn-dio\ bearing natural products looks very promising? A direct 2,3-diol desymmetrization method using TIPS-triflate was shown to be
effective on the selective differentiation of Z,-methyl tartrate (and diisopropyl tartrate).
The mono-silyl-protected intermediates 2.31 also proved to be useful when they were
selectively differentiated at the 1,4-carboxyl position (2.35, 2.36) through the use of a
borohydride reducing agent. Furthermore, the mono-silyl-protected derivative
underwent periodate cleavage affording two synthetically useful a,P-unsaturated
esters 2.43, 2.44, with one of esters being obtained via a silyl-migration method.''


title: Understanding how a spiritual retreat enhances the search for meaning and fulfillment in a large corporate workplace /

subject:
Spiritual retreats.
Business enterprises
Self-realization.

abstract:
This study explored the concept of a spiritual retreat for frontline employees of a
large corporate call centre. During a 1 day retreat, 4 call centre employees were
introduced to various meditation and retreat activities. Follovsdng the retreat the
participants were asked to incorporate the various meditations and activities into their
workplace. The participants kept journals throughout the study in an effort to determine
what occurred when these practices were transferred from the retreat setting to the
workplace.
This study examined how a working spirituality enhances one's sense of
fulfillment, defined by certain critical elements: relationship, awareness, ritual, internal
commitment, and choice. Although the retreat was a successful means of exploring these
elements, the degree to which each employee could benefit from them was determined by
the extent of their internal commitment not only to themselves, but also to their jobs.


title: Variational Monte Carlo study of core-valence separation schemes for first-row atoms and positive ions /

subject:
Valence (Theoretical chemistry)
Atomic structure.
Monte Carlo method.

abstract:
All-electron partitioning of wave functions into products ^core^vai of core and valence
parts in orbital space results in the loss of core-valence antisymmetry, uncorrelation of
motion of core and valence electrons, and core-valence overlap. These effects are studied
with the variational Monte Carlo method using appropriately designed wave functions
for the first-row atoms and positive ions.
It is shown that the loss of antisymmetry with respect to interchange of core and
valence electrons is a dominant effect which increases rapidly through the row, while the
effect of core-valence uncorrelation is generally smaller. Orthogonality of the core and
valence parts partially substitutes the exclusion principle and is absolutely necessary for
meaningful calculations with partitioned wave functions. Core-valence overlap may lead
to nonsensical values of the total energy.
It has been found that even relatively crude core-valence partitioned wave functions
generally can estimate ionization potentials with better accuracy than that of the traditional,
non-partitioned ones, provided that they achieve maximum separation (independence)
of core and valence shells accompanied by high internal flexibility of ^core
and Wvai- Our best core-valence partitioned wave function of that kind estimates the
IP's with an accuracy comparable to the most accurate theoretical determinations in the
literature.


title: Exploring the experiences of youth in a development program with integrated physical activity in Costa Rica

subject:
Poor youth
Exercise for youth
Community development

abstract:
National governments, the United Nations, and other organizations have deemed sport
and other means of physical activity such as recreation, games and play for development
a useful means for addressing a wide range of problems in communities and more
specifically, providing youth with an opportunity to experience the benefits of physical
activity. There is a need for research that furthers our understanding of how participants
experience these programs. Specifically, the purpose of this study, was to better
understand the lived experiences of the participants in a YMCA camp program that
integrated physical activity and play for the specific development of poor youth street
workers. A phenomenological approach infonned by a critical perspective (Creswell,
2003; Rossman & Rallis, 2003) was used. The study took place through the Asociaci6n
Cristiana de J6venes de Costa Rica (ACJ) in Central America. The focus was on a camp
program and the lived experiences of six purposefully chosen, youth street workers
between the ages of 13-17. Their experiences were explored through semi-structured
interviews. Other data that fonn the study include: field notes, observations, a reflexive
journal and document analysis. The findings that emerged from the data include main
themes of relationships, poverty, personal change and empowennent. For many youth,
the ACJ is a relatively safe place to play, to "detach," their minds, to "distract" and
"disorient" themselves from their dysfunctional families, violent neighbourhood, the
poverty they live in, and from the necessity of having to work in the street to supplement
the family income. Although many studies have shown that programs that include
physical activity, play and/or sport have a positive impact on youth with regard to
healthy development and improvements in well-being, there has been little work done to
address the voices and experiences of the youth that participate in these programs. Using
an interpretive-critical approach, this study focused on the participants' personal
backgrounds, their experiences within the program and their critical reflections on the
program. This study draws from a phenomenological philosophy and method to report
findings from participants in an ACJ program in Costa Rica. This research shows how
these youth were given the opportunity to use the program and the ACJ property as a
relatively safe place to play, to behave like the youth they are, to establish and maintain
their friendship networks, and develop empathy and conflict resolution skills. The
fmdings from this study reveal how by participating in the ACJ program they each
described a personal change, wherein they felt empowered to learn they could positivel y
control themselves and as a result positively affect their own futures. These fmdings
contribute knowledge surrounding the lived experiences of youth in developmental
programs that use physical activity.


title: Ontario high school sport : an investigation of organizational design and its context

subject:
School sports
Sports administration

abstract:
In 2002, The Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA)
identified that in providing extracurricular sport programs schools are faced with the
'new realities' of the education system. Although research has been conducted
exploring the pressures impacting the provision of extracurricular school sport
(Donnelly, Mcloy, Petherick, & Safai, 2000), few studies within the field have
focused on understanding extracurricular school sport from an organizational level.
The focus of this study was to examine the organizational design (structure, systems,
and values) of the extracurricular sport department within three Ontario high schools,
as well as to understand the context within which the departments exist.
A qualitative multiple case study design was adopted and three public high
schools were selected from one district school board in Ontario to represent the cases
under investigation. Interviews, observations and documents were used to analyze
the extracurricular sport department design of each case and to better understand the
context within which the departments exist. As the result of the analysis of the
structure, systems and values of each case, two designs emerged- Design KT1 and
Design KT2. Differences in the characteristics of design archetype KT1 and KT2
centered on the design dimension of values, and therefore this study identified that
contrasting organizational values reflect differences in design types. The
characteristics of the Kitchen Table archetype were found to be transferable to the
sub-sector of extracurricular school sport, and therefore this research provides a springboard for further research in organizational design within the education sector
of extracurricular high school sport.
Interconnections were found between the data associated with the external and
internal contexts within which the extracurricular sport departments exist. The
analysis of the internal context indicated the important role played by organizational
members in shaping the context within which the departments exist. The analysis of
the external context highlighted the institutional pressures that were present within
the education environment. Both political and cultural expectations related to the role
of extracurricular sport within schools were visible and were subsequently used by
the high schools to create legitimacy and prestige, and to access resources.


title: The inadequate dominance of realism : an analysis of the U.S. war on terror /

subject:
International relations.
Security, International.
War on Terrorism, 2001-

abstract:
There has been and will continue to be substantial debate over how the international system
can best be characterized. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that the
international system can best be characterized by the essential features of realism, but the
use of realist policy prescriptions are inadequate when applied independently to deal with
the threat of terrorism as it exists today. In order to demonstrate this an examination of
realism in the international system, U.S. foreign policy, and case analysis of Afghanistan
and Iraq will be undertaken to demonstrate that although realist policy prescriptions do
have a role in dealing with modem transnational security threats, these prescriptions on
their own are inadequate when dealing with terrorism.


title: Capacity and transformational development within the 2005 Canada Summer Games host society

subject:
Hosting of sporting events
Sports administration
Volunteer workers in recreation
Organizational effectiveness.

abstract:
Although capacity has been used in recent federal government accords and
policies related to the voluntary and amateur sport sectors, there is little consensus over
the meaning of the term. Consequently, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to
explore the concept of organizational capacity within a temporary voluntary sport
organization. Specifically, the nature of organizational capacity was examined within the
case of the Volunteers Division of the 2005 Canada Summer Games (CSG) Host Society.
Data were collected from executive planning and middle management CSG volunteers
through the use of a variety of methods: verbal journals, interviews, observations,
documents and a focus group. Findings indicated several challenges associated with the
volunteer management model utilized by the host society, varying levels of importance
among six elements of capacity, and key aspects of the relationship between
organizational capacity and transformational development. Implications focused upon the
importance of highlighting individuals rather than the organizational as a whole in order
to build capacity, and utilizing a brain or hybrid brain-machine organizational form to
enhance capacity. Recommendations are provided for both the Canada Games Council
and Canada Games host societies.


title: Evaluation of a treatment program for individuals with an intellectual disability who have high risk behaviours

subject:
Offenders with mental disabilities
Sex offenders
People with mental disabilities
Behavior therapy.

abstract:
In the past two decades numerous programs have emerged to treat individuals with
developmental disabilities who have sexual offending behaviours. There has, however
been very few studies that systematically examine the effectiveness of long term
treatment with this population. The present research examines the therapeutic outcomes
of a multi-modal behaviour approach with six individuals with intellectual disabilities
previously charged with sexual assault. The participants also exhibited severe
behavioural challenges that included verbal aggression, physical aggression, destruction
and self-injury. These six participants (5 males, 1 female) were admitted to a Long Term
Residential Treatment Program (LTRTP), due to the severity of their behaviours and due
to their lack of treatment success in other programs. Individualized treatment plans
focused on the reduction of maladaptive behaviours and the enhancing of skills such as
positive coping strategies, socio-sexual knowledge, life skills, recreation and leisure
skills. The treatment program also included psychiatric, psychological, medical,
behavioural and educational interventions. The participants remained in the Long Term
Residential Treatment Program (LTRTP) program from 181 to 932 days (average of 1.5
years). Pre and post treatment evaluations were conducted using the following tools:
frequency of target behaviours, Psychopathology Inventory for Mentally Retarded Adults
(PIMRA), Emotional Problems Scale (EPS), Socio-Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes
Assessment Tool (SSKAAT-R) and Quality of Life Questionnaire (QOL-Q). Recidivism
rates and the need for re-hospitalization were also noted for each participant. By offering
high levels of individualized interventions, all six participants showed a 37 % rate of
reduction in maladaptive behaviours with zero to low rates of inappropriate sexualbehaviour, there were no psychiatric hospitalizations, and there was no recidivism for 5
of 6 participants. In addition, medication was reduced. Mental health scores on the
PIMRA were reduced across all participants by 25 % and scores on the Quality of Life
Questionnaire increased for all participants by an average of 72 %. These findings add to
and build upon the existing literature on long term treatment benefits for individuals with
a intellectual disability who sexually offend. By utilizing an individualized and multimodal
treatment approach to reduce severe behavioural challenges, not only can the
maladaptive behaviours be reduced, but adaptive behaviours can be increased, mental
health concerns can be managed, and overall quality of life can be improved.


title: The last resort : spa therapy and the docile body in Victorian St. Catharines /

subject: Health resorts

abstract:
By relying on existing cultural models, the Victorian spa promoted health
and wellness. Advertising, together with other forms of promotion, strengthened the
legitimacy of its claims to cure a variety of health problems. By the use of some links to
science and a mystical folk belief about the efficacy of the local mineral waters, three
spas emerged in St.Catharines: the Stephenson House, the WeIland House, and the
Springbank. As the twentieth century approached, the spa movement declined and
institutionalized medicine struggled to establish a monopoly on health care. This thesis
argues that the health spas in St. Catharines occupied that transitional space in nineteenth
century medicine between home remedy and hospital.
The interplay between scientific discovery and business enterprise produced a
climate in which the Victorian health resort flourished. This phenomenon, combined with
the various maladies brought on by industrialization, nineteenth-century lifestyle, and the
absence of medical options, created a surge in the popularity of health spas and mineral
spring therapies.
By the tum of the twentieth century, interest in mineral water treatments had
declined. The health resorts that had blossomed between 1850 and 1899 began to
experience a serious decrease in business. This popular movement became outmoded in
the face of emerging medical and scientific knowledge. In St. Catharines, the last resort
to remain standing, the WeIland House, finished out the city's spa era as a hospital.


title: Early detection and intervention for infants at risk of autism spectrum disorders

subject:
Autism in children
Autism in children
Autism

abstract:
Autism is a developmental disorder that is characterized by abnonnal social interactions and
communications as well as repetitive and restricted activities and interests. There is evidence of a
genetic component, as 5% of younger siblings are diagnosed if their older sibling has been
diagnosed. Autism is generally not diagnosed until age 3 at the earliest, yet it has been shown that
early intervention for children with autism can greatly increase their functioning. Because of this, it
is important that symptoms of autism are identified as early as possible so that diagnosis can occur as
soon as possible to allow these children the earliest intervention.
This thesis was divided into two parts. The first looked at the psychometrics of two proposed
measures, the Parent Observation Checklist (POC), administered monthly, and the Infant Behavior
Summary Evaluation (mSE), administered bimonthly, to see if they can be used with the infant
population to identify autistic symptoms in infants who are at high risk for autism or related
problems because they have an older sibling with autism. Study 1 reported acceptable psychometric
properties of both the POC and IBSE in terms of test-retest reliability, internal consistency, construct
validity and predictive validity. These results provide preliminary evidence that parent report
measures can help to detect early symptoms of ASD in infants. The POC was shown to differentiate
infants who were diagnosed from a matched group that was not diagnosed by 3 years of age.
The second part of this thesis involved a telephone interview of parents who reported
developmental and/or behavior problems in their high-risk infants that may be early signs of Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD). During the interview, a service questionnaire was administered to see
what interventions (including strategies recommended by the researchers) their at risk infants and
affected older siblings were receiving, how satisfied the parents were with them and how effective
they felt the interventions were.
3
Study 2 also yielded promising results. Parents utilized a variety of services for at risk infants
and children with ASD. The interventions included empirically validated early intervention (e.g.,
ABA) to non-empirically validated treatments (e.g., diet therapy). The large number of nonempirically
validated treatments parents used was surprising, yet parents reported being involved and
satisfied, and thought that the services were effective. Parents' perceptions of their stress levels went
down slightly and feelings of competence rose when they accessed services for their infants.
Overall, the results of this thesis provide new evidence that parent-report methods hold
promise as early detection instruments for ASD in at-risk infants. More research is needed to further
validate these instruments as well as to understand the variables related to the parents' choice of
early intervention for their at risk and affected children.


title: The role of self-presentation in adolescent health risk behaviours

subject:
Health behavior in adolescence.
Self-presentation.
Health behavior
Adolescent psychopathology.

abstract:
Self-presentation has been identified as playing a key role in the perfonnance of
various potentially hazardous health behaviours such as substance abuse, eating disorders
and reckless behaviours (Leary, Tchividjian, & Kraxberger, 1994; Martin & Leary, 2001;
Martin, Leary, & O'Brien, 2001). The present study investigated the role of selfpresentation
on adolescent health-risk behaviours. Specifically, this study examined the
prevalence of adolescent identified health-risk behaviours rooted in self-presentational
motives in youths aged 13-18 years. The current study also identified the specific images
associated with these behaviours desired by youth, and the targets of these behaviours.
Also, the relationship between these behaviours, and several trait measures (social
physique anxiety, public-self consciousness, fear of negative evaluations, selfpresentational
efficacy) of self-presentation were examined. Finally, the gender
differences in health risk behaviours and self-presentational concerns were examined.
Participants in the present study were 96 adolescent students, 34 male and 62
female, recruited from various private schools across Southern Ontario. Students ranged
in age from 13 to 18 years for both males (M age = 15.81 years, SD = 1.49) and females
(M age = 14.89 years, SD = 1.17) and ranged from grades 8 through 13. Results of the
current study suggested that Canadian adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 years
participated in health risk behaviours for self-presentational purposes. Drinking alcohol,
skipping school, and performing stunts and dares were identified as the most common
health risk behaviours performed for self-presentational purposes by both males and
females. Appearing fun and cool were the most commonly reported desired images while
appearing brave and mature were the least reported. The most desired target group cited
was same sex friends, followed by other sex friends. Trait measures of self-presentational
concerns identified females as being higher in public self-consciousness, and social
physique anxiety than males. Males were found to be higher in self-presentational
efficacy than females. The total number of health risk behaviours was predicted by selfpresentational
efficacy and social physique anxiety for males, and social physique anxiety
for females.
Findings of the current study suggest that Canadian adolescents' health risk
behaviours are rooted, in part, in self-presentational motives. Thus far, an educational
approach to health interventions has been favoured and/or adopted by teachers, health
promoters, and educators (Jessor, 1992). Implications of the current study suggest that
although educational interventions are beneficial in presenting the associated risks with
certain activities and/or behaviours, one reason this type of approach may be ineffective
in changing adolescent behaviour over the long run is that it does not address the strong
and prominent influences of interpersonal motives on health damaging behaviour. It is
evident that social acceptance and public image are of importance to adolescents, and the
desire to make the "right" impression and to achieve peer approval and acceptance often
override health and safety concerns (Jessor, 1992). Thus, a self-presentational approach
focusing on changing the images associated with the behaviours may be more successful
at deterring adolescent health risk behaviours.


title: "I like my beer cold, my TV loud, and my homosexuals flaming!" : preference for stereotype consistency as a function of a person x situation interaction /

subject:
Right-wing extremists
Dominance (Psychology)
Heterosexism.
Social psychology.

abstract:
The study centers on the power of Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) and Social
Dominance Orientation (SDO) as predictors of prejudice against stereotypical and nonstereotypical
homosexuals under the threat of death and the threat of uncertainty.
Right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) is an individual difference variable that
measures the tendency for individuals to unquestionably follow those perceived to be
authorities. Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) is an individual difference variable that
measures the degree to which an individual prefers inequality among social groups. The
RWA and SDO Scales are considered to be two of the strongest predictors of prejudice, such
as prejudice against homosexuals. The study focuses on the unique predictive power of these
two variables in predicting prejudice against homosexuals.
The study also examines the role of situational threat in prejudice, specifically the
threat of death (mortality salience) and the threat of uncertainty (uncertainty salience).
Competing predictions from theories involving the threat of death (Terror Management
Theory) and the threat of uncertainty (Uncertainty Management Theory) are also tested. The
preference for expected information in the form of stereotypes concerning male homosexuals
(that is, a stereotypical or non-stereotypical homosexual) were tested.
The difference between the predictive power ofRWA and SDO was examined by
measuring how these variables predict liking of a stereotypical or non-stereotypical
homosexual under the threat of death, the threat of uncertainty, or a control condition. Along
with completing a measure for RWA and a measure for SDO, participants were asked to
think of their own death, of their being uncertain or about watching television then were
asked to read about a week in the life of either a stereotypical or non-stereotypical male
homosexual. Participants were then asked to evaluate the individual and his essay.
Based on the participants' evaluations, results from 180 heterosexual university
students show that RWA and SDO are strong predictors for disliking of a stereotypical
homosexual under the threat of uncertainty and disliking of a non-stereotypical homosexual
under the threat of death. Furthermore, however, results show that RWA is a particularly
strong predictor of disliking of a stereotypical homosexual under the threat of uncertainty,
whereas SDO is an exceptionally strong predictor of disliking of the non-stereotypical
homosexual under the threat of death. This further adds to the notion that RWA and SDO are
indeed unique predictors of prejudice. Implications are also explored, including the fact that
the study simuhaneously examined the role of individual difference variables and situational
threat variables, as well as exploratory analysis on Dominating Authoritarians.


title: Charting developmental EEG gamma changes in the auditory modality /

subject:
Neural circuitry.
Electroencephalography.
Auditory perception.

abstract:
The oscillation of neuronal circuits reflected in the EEG gamma frequency may be
fundamental to the perceptual process referred to as binding (the integration of various thoughts
and perceptions into a coherent picture). The aim of our study was to expand our knowledge of
the developmental course ofEEG gamma in the auditory modality.
2
We investigated EEG 40 Hz gamma band responses (35.2 to 43.0 Hz) using an auditory
novelty oddball paradigm alone and with a visual-number-series distracter task in 208
participants as a function of age (7 years to adult) at 9 sites across the sagital and lateral axes (F3,
Fz, F4, C3, Cz, C4, P3, Pz, P4). Gamma responses were operationally defined as change in
power or a change in phase synchrony level from baseline within two time windows. The evoked
gamma response was defined as a significant change from baseline occurring between 0 to 150
ms after stimulus onset; the induced gamma response was measured from 250 to 750 ms after
stimulus onset.
A significant evoked gamma band response was found when measuring changes in both
power and phase synchrony. The increase in both measures was maximal at frontal regions.
Decreases in both measures were found when participants were distracted by a secondary task.
For neither measure were developmental effects noted. However, evoked gamma power was
significantly enhanced with the presentation of a novel stimulus, especially at the right frontal
site (F4); frontal evoked gamma phase synchrony also showed enhancement for novel stimuli but
only for our two oldest age groups (16-18 year olds and adults).
Induced gamma band responses also varied with task-dependent cognitive stimulus
properties. In the induced gamma power response in all age groups, target stimuli generated the highest power values at the parietal region, while the novel stimuli were always below baseline.
Target stimuli increased induced synchrony in all regions for all participants, but the novel
stimulus selectively affected participants dependent on their age and gender. Adult participants,
for example, exhibited a reduction in gamma power, but an increase in synchrony to the novel
stimulus within the same region. Induced gamma synchrony was more sensitive to the gender of
the participant than was induced gamma power. While induced gamma power produced little
effects of age, gamma synchrony did have age effects.
These results confirm that the perceptual process which regulates gamma power is
distinct from that which governs the synchronization for neuronal firing, and both gamma power
and synchrony are important factors to be considered for the "binding" hypothesis. However,
there is surprisingly little effect of age on the absolute levels of or distribution of EEG gamma in
the age range investigated.


title: Memory mixed with desire : a preliminary study of philosophy and literature in the works of Friedrich Nietzsche and Milan Kundera

subject:
Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900
Kundera, Milan
Memory (Philosophy)
Memory in literature.
Kitsch in literature.
Desire in literature.
Philosophy, Comparative.

abstract:
Memory Mixed with Desire: A preliminary study of Philosophy and Literature in
the works of Friedrich Nietzsche and Milan Kundera
Robert Spinelli
Brock University, Department of Philosophy
This thesis studies intertextuality in the works of Friedrich Nietzsche and Milan
Kundera through the primary themes of memory and forgetting. The thesis starts
with two introductory chapters that delineate memory according to Nietzsche
and Kundera respectively. From here, I move into a discussion of Nietzsche's
Ubermensch as an example of the type of forgetting that Nietzsche sees as a cure
for the overabundance of memory that has led to Christian morality. Next, I
explore the Kunderan concept of kitsch as the polar opposite of what Nietzsche
has sought in his philosophy, finishing the chapter by tying the two thinkers
together in a Kunderan critique of Nietzsche. The thesis ends with a chapter
devoted to the Eternal Return beginning with an exegesis of Nietzsche's idea and
ending with a similar exegesis of Kundera's treatment of this thought. What I
suggest in this chapter is that the Eternal Return might itself be a form of kitsch
even in its attempt to revalue existence.


title: Production under glass : working conditions and class-consciousness of the Niagara greenhouse workers

subject:
Greenhouse management
Greenhouses
Agricultural laborers
Class consciousness.

abstract:
This study applies a Marxist theoretical paradigm to examine the working conditions of
greenhouse workers in the Niagara Region, and the range of factors that bear upon the formation
of their class-consciousness. The Niagara greenhouse industry represents one of the most
developed horticultural regions in Canada and plays a prominent role in the local economy. The
industry generates substantial revenues and employs a significant number of people, yet the
greenhouse workers are paid one of the lowest rates in the region. Being classified as agricultural
workers, the greenhouse employees are exempted from many provisions of federal and
provincial labour regulations. Under the current provincial statutes, agricultural workers in
Ontario are denied the right to organize and bargain collectively. Except for a few technical and
managerial positions, the greenhouse industry employs mostly low-skilled workers who are
subjected to poor working conditions that stem from the employer's attempts to adapt to larger
structural imperatives of the capitalist economy. While subjected to these poor working
conditions, the greenhouse workers are also affected by objectively alienated social relations and
by ruling class ideological domination and hegemony. These two sets of factors arise from the
inherent conflict of interests between wage-labour and capital but also militate against the
development of class-consciousness.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 greenhouse workers to examine the
role played by their material circumstances in the formulation of their social and political views
as well as the extent to which they are aware of their class location and class interests. The
hegemonic notions of 'common sense' acted as impediments to formation of classconsciousness.
The greenhouse workers have virtually no opportunities to access alternative
perspectives that would address the issues associated with exploitation in production and offer
solutions leading to 'social justice'. Fonnidable challenges confront any organized political body
seeking to improve the conditions of the working people.


title: Understanding value congruence : a sport organization case study

subject:
Sports administration
Values
Employee motivation.
Organizational behavior.

abstract:
With the recent growth in cultural complexity, many organizations are faced with
increasingly diverse employee pools. Gaining a greater understanding of the values that
employees possess is the first step in effectively satisfying their needs and achieving a
more productive workforce (lung & Avolio, 2000). Values playa significant role in
influencing individual behaviours. It is therefore necessary to assess the qualities of
employee value systems and directly link them to the values of the organization. The
importance of values and value congruence has been emphasized by many organizational
behaviour researchers (cf. Adkins & Caldwell, 2004; Erdogan, Kraimer, & Liden, 2004;
Jung & Avolio, 2000; Rokeach, 1973); however the emphasis on value studies remains
fairly stagnant within the sport industry (Amis, Slack, & Hinings, 2002). In order to
examine the realities that were constructed by the participants in this study a holistic view
of the impact of values within a specific sport organization were provided. The purpose
of this case study was to examine organizational and employee values to understand the
effects of values and value congruence on employee behaviours within the context of a
large Canadian sport organization.
A mUltiple methods case study approach was adopted in order to fully serve the
purpose and provide a comprehensive view of the organization being examined.
Document analysis, observations, surveys, as well as semi-structured interviews were
conducted. The process allowed for triangulation and confirmability of the findings. Each
method functioned to create an overarching understanding of the values and value
congruence within this organization.
The analysis of the findings was divided into qualitative and quantitative sections.
The qualitative documents were analyzed twice, once manually by the researcher and
once via AtIas.ti Version 4 (1998). The a priori and emergent coding that took place was
based on triangulating the findings and uncovering common themes throughout the data.
The Rokeach Value Survey (1973) that was incorporated into the survey design of the
study was analyzed using descriptive statistics, as well as Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal
Wallis formulas. These were deemed appropriate for analysis given the non-parametric
nature of the survey instrument (Kinnear & Gray, 2004). The quantitative survey served
to help define the values and value congruence that was then holistically examined
through the qualitative interviews, document analyses, and observations.
The results of the study indicated incongruent value levels between employees and
those stated or perceived as the organization's values. Each finding demonstrated that
varying levels of congruence may have diverse affects on individual behaviours. These
behaviours range from production levels to interactions with fellow employees to
turnover.
In addition to the findings pertaining to the research questions, a number of other
key issues were uncovered regarding departmentalization, communication, and board
relations. Each has contributed to a greater understanding of the organization and has
created direction for further research within this area of study.


title: Organizational commitment and perceived relatedness as correlates of the intention to continue officiating in track and field

subject:
Track and field
Organizational commitment.
Relatedness (Psychology)
Intention.
Volunteer workers in recreation.

abstract:
The objectives of the present study were to explore three components of organizational
commitment (affective [AC], normative [NC] and continuance [CC] commitment; Allen
& Meyer, 1991), perceived relatedness (Oeci & Ryan, 1985; 2002), and behavioural
intention (Ajzen, 2002) within the context of volunteer track and field officiating. The
objectives were examined in a 2-phase study. Ouring phase 1, experts (N = 10) with
domain familiarity assessed the item content relevance and representation of modified
organizational commitment (OC; Meyer, Allen & Smith, 1993) and perceived relatedness
(La Guardia, Oeci, Ryan & Couchman, 2000) items. Fourteen of 26 (p < .05) items were
relevant (Aiken's coefficient V) and NC (M = 3.88, SO = .64), CC (M = 3.63, SD = .52),
and relatedness (M = 4.00, SD = .93) items had mean item content-representation ratings
of either "good" or "very good" while AC (M = 2.50, SD = 0.58) was rated "fair".
Participants in phase 2 (N = 80) responded to items measuring demographic variables,
perceptions of OC to Athletics Canada, perceived relatedness to other track and field
officials, and a measure of intention (yiu, Au & Tang, 2001) to continue officiating.
Internal consistency reliability estimates (Cronbach's (1951) coefficient alpha) were as
follows: (a) AC = .78, (b) CC = .85, (c) NC = .80 (d) perceived relatedness = .70 and, (e)
intention = .92 in the present sample. Results suggest that the track and field officials felt
only minimally committed to Athletics Canada (AC M = 3.90, SD = 1.23; NC M = 2.47,
SD = 1.25; CC M = 3.32; SD = 1.34) and that their relationships with other track and field
officials were strongly endorsed (M = 5.86, SD = 0.74). Bivariate correlations (Pearson
r) indicated that perceived relatedness to other track and field officials demonstrated the
strongest relationship with intention to continue officiating (r = .346, p < .05), while
dimensions of OC were not significantly related to intention (all p's > .05). Together
perceived relatedness (j3 = .339, p = .004), affective commitment (j3 = -.1 53, p = .308),
normative commitment (j3 = -.024, p = .864) and continuance commitment (j3 = .186, P =
.287) contribute to the prediction of intention to continued officiating (K = .139). These
relationships remained unaffected by the inclusion of demographic (j3age = -.02; P years with
Athletics Canada = -.13; bothp's > .05) or alternative commitment (j3sport = -.19; P role =
.15; Pathletes = .20; all p' s > .05) considerations. Three open-ended questions elicited
qualitative responses regarding participants' reasons for officiating. Responses reflecting
initial reasons for officiating formed these higher order themes: convenience, helping
reasons, extension of role, and intrinsic reasons. Responses reflecting reasons for
continuing to officiate formed these higher order themes: track and field, to help, and
personal benefits. Responses reflecting changes that would influence continued
involvement were: political, organizational/structural, and personal. These results
corroborate the findings of previous investigations which state that the reasons
underpinning volunteer motivations change over time (Cuskelly et al., 2002). Overall,
the results of this study suggest that track and field officials feel minimal commitment to
the organization of Athletics Canada but a stronger bond with their fellow officials.
Moreover, the degree to which track and field officials feel meaningfully connected to
one another appears to exert a positive influence on their intentions to continue
officiating. As such, it is suggested that in order to promote continued involvement,
Athletics Canada increases its focus on fostering environments promoting positive
interactions among officials.


title: A physical activity intervention in a workplace setting

subject:
Employee health promotion.
Pedometers.
Fitness walking.
Exercise.
Achievement motivation.

abstract:
Physical inactivity poses a huge burden on Canada's health care system and is
detrimental to the health of Canadians (Katzmarzyk & Janssen, 2004). Walking is a
viable option for individuals to become physically active on a daily basis and is in fact
the most commonly reported leisure time physical activity. It has been associated with
many health benefits including weight loss/weight control, reduced risk of coronary
artery disease and diabetes, lowered blood pressure, and improved psychological wellbeing
(Brisson & Tudor-Locke, 2004). Specifically, individuals' stage of change, selfefficacy
and health related quality of life (HRQL) are three psychological constructs that
can be greatly improved with increased physical activity (Dishman, 1991; Penedo &
Dahn, 2005; Poag & McAuley, 1992). Public health physical activity recommendations
exist but many individuals find these difficult to meet due to overly busy lifestyles
(Public Health Agency of Canada, 2003). Pedometers are inexpensive devices that can
monitor individual bouts of walking so that the incorporation of physical activity into
one's daily life is more plausible. They are also excellent tools for motivation, goalsetting,
and immediate feedback (Brisson & Tudor-Locke, 2004). Since many people
spend a large proportion of their time at their places of employment, workplaces have
begun to be a common site for the development of physical activity interventions. These
programs have been growing in popUlarity and have shown numerous benefits for both
employees and employers (Voit, 2001).
The purpose of the current study was to implement and evaluate the use of a
pedometer-based physical activity intervention incorporating goal-setting and physical
activity logs in a workplace setting, and to examine the relationship between different
types of self-efficacy (task, barrier, and scheduling) and different phases of the
intervention. Twenty male participants from a local steel manufacturing plant who
exhibited health risk factors (e.g. hypertension, diabetes, etc.) were assigned to one of
two groups (group A or group B). All participants were asked to wear pedometers on
their waists, record their daily steps, set goals that were outlined on a step-tracking sheet
(detennined by their baseline number of steps), and keep track of their work days,
wakelbed time, sedentary time, and time spent doing other physical activity. Group A
began the intervention immediately following the baseline measures, whereas group B
continued with their regular routine for 4 weeks before beginning. Physiological
measures (height, weight, blood pressure, relative body fat, waist and hip circumference,
and body mass index) were taken and a battery of questionnaires that assessed barrier,
task and scheduling self-efficacy, HRQL, and stage of change administered at baseline,
week 5 (end of intervention for group A), week 9 (end of intervention for group B;
follow-up for group A) and week 13 (follow-up for both groups).
Results showed that this workplace physical activity intervention was successful
at increasing the participants' daily steps, that task self-efficacy is a significant predictor
of participants' exercise adherence during the initial stages of participation (intervention
phase), and that the participants felt that this intervention was effective. Finally, further
exploratory analyses showed that this intervention was effective for all participants, but
most valuable for participants most in need of improvement - that is, those who were
most sedentary prior to the intervention. This intervention is an inexpensive use of simple
and effective tools (e.g. pedometers), has the potential to attract a wide variety of
participants and become a pennanent part of any health promotion initiative.


title: Individual difference factors and men's attraction to female body features /

subject:
Sex (Psychology)
Men
Masculinity.
Women

abstract:
Existing research on attraction to body features has suggested that men show general
preferences for women with lower waist-to-hip ratios (WHR), larger breasts, and slender
body weights. The present study intended to expand on this research by investigating
several individual difference factors and their potential contribution to variation in what
men find attractive in female body features. Two hundred and seventy-three men were
assessed for sex-role identity, 2D:4D digit ratios (a possible marker of prenatal exposure
to androgens, and thus masculinization), physical attractiveness, early sexual experiences
(as indices of early sexual conditioning), and early family attitudes toward body features,
as well as their current preferences for WHR, breast size, weight, and height in women.
For WHR, as predicted, physical attractiveness, early sexual experiences, and lower
(more masculine) right-hand 2D:4D ratios significantly predicted current preferences for
more feminine (lower) WHR. Early sexual experiences significantly predicted later
preferences for breast size; in addition, more masculine occupational preferences and
lower (more masculine) left-hand 2D:4D ratios predicted preferences for larger breasts.
Participants' height, education level, Unmitigated Agency (masculinity) scores, and early
sexual experiences significantly predicted current preferences for height. Finally, early
sexual experiences significantly predicted current preferences for weight. The results
suggest that variation in preferences for women's bodily features can be uniquely
accounted for by a number of individual difference factors. Strengths and weaknesses of
the study, along with implications for future research, are discussed.


title: "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference" : further exploration of attitude alignment in the context of close relationship dyads /

subject:
Attitude change.
Attitude (Psychology)
Influence (Psychology)
Couples.
Interpersonal relations

abstract:
One hundred and five primarily Caucasian undergraduate couples were tested to
study the phenomenon of attitude alignment, or the way in which individuals change their
opinions to achieve greater attitudinal congruence with their romantic partners, and the
hypotheses that relationship closeness, affect, attachment, social desirability, and
centrality are each related to attitude alignment for individuals in close couples. The
couples filled out an attitude questionnaire consisting of 50 issues in which they were
asked to give their attitude on a scale from 1 to 9 as well as to rate the centrality, or
importance, of that issue on a scale from 1 to 9. Before discussing four of these issues
with each other - 2 were more central to the man and less central, or peripheral, to the
woman, whereas the other 2 were central to the woman and peripheral to the man - the
individuals completed established measures of relationship closeness, affect, attachment,
and social desirability. The couples then filled out the identical attitudes questionnaire
again, and their answers on the four discussion issues were compared to their prediscussion
answers to determine whether attitude alignment had occurred. There were
two experimental groups: a social desirability group, where the couples were told it was
natural and normal to disagree with their partners, and a control group. Results indicated
that attitude alignment did significantly occur across all couples, but most other variables
- including centrality, relationship closeness, and affect - did not predict attitude
alignment behaviour. As well, the social desirability experimental groups did not
significantly differ on attitude alignment behaviours, but higher scores on the social
desirability scale, specifically self-deception, significantly predicted higher attitude
alignment scores across all couples. Large differences between individuals' frequency.


title: Can low domain knowledge be compensated for when using the internet? /

subject:
Internet research.
Internet in higher education.
Learning.

abstract:
Previous researchers have found that learners do not benefit fi-om using the Internet when
domain knowledge is low. The purpose of the current study was to investigate possible
methods to compensate for low domain knowledge. Specifically, the presence of notes,
more time to search the Internet, and high levels of motivation to use the Internet were
examined as possible compensating factors. Sixty Political Science and Kinesiology
undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions. Students
searched the Internet for an hour prior to vmting an essay with notes present, searched the
Internet for an hour prior to writing an essay without notes present, or did not search the
Internet prior to completing an essay. Each participant completed the same two essays,
one corresponding to a high knowledge domain and another corresponding to a low
knowledge domain. First, the presence of notes did not significantly improve essay scores
in comparison to the absence of notes. Second, learners did benefit fi-om using the
Internet for 1 hour in comparison to their peers who were not exposed to the Internet,
regardless of level of domain knowledge. Third, high levels of motivation did not affect
essay performance. A discussion of why time may have compensated for low domain
knowledge while notes and motivation did not is included. In addition, methods that may
compensate for low domain knowledge when time is restricted are suggested.


title: An investigation of the emotion assumptions of just-world theory /

subject:
Social justice
Distributive justice.
Belief and doubt.
Social perception.

abstract:
The purpose ofthis study was to investigate the emotion assumptions underlying just-world
theory. This theory proposes that people have a need to believe in a just world - a world where
people get what they deserve. The first emotion assumption is that people, therefore, find
injustices (Le., undeserved outcomes) threatening and thus emotionally arousing. Second, it is
this arousal that is assumed to drive subsequent strategies for maintaining the belief in a just
world. One strategy an individual may use to maintain this belief is derogating victims of
injustice, or seeing their character in a more negative light. To test these two assumptions, 102
participants viewed a video depicting either a victim who presumably presented a high threat to
people's belief in ajust world (she was innocent and, therefore, undeserving of her fate) or low
threat (she was not innocent and, therefore, more deserving of her fate) while their heart rate and
EDA was measured. Half of the participants were then given the opportunity to help the victim
whereas the other half were not given this opportunity. The manipulations were followed by
both explicit and indirect measures of evaluations ofthe victim as well as self-report measures of
affect experienced while watching the victim video, and an individual difference scale assessing
the strength of participants' just-world beliefs (as well as other measures that were part ofa
larger study). Results indicated that participants did report feeling more threatened by the
innocent victim. Although there was some evidence of victim derogation on the implicit
measure of victim evaluation, there was no evidence that emotional arousal drove the negative
evaluations of the victim who could not be helped. Some interaction effects with individual
differences in just-world beliefs did occur, but these were not entirely consistent with the
rationale behind the individual difference scales. These results provide only weak support for the first emotion assumption ofjust-world theory. Implications of these findings as well as
limitations of the study and future directions concerning just-world theory are discussed.


title: Slackers, slashers and sticklers : Hollywood films and audience reception /

subject:
Identity (Psychology)
Motion pictures
Motion picture audiences.

abstract:
This thesis examines the processes through which identity is acquired and the
processes that Hollywood :films employ to facilitate audience identification in order to
determine the extent to which individuality is possible within postmodem society.
Opposing views of identity formation are considered: on the one hand, that of the
Frankfurt School which envisions the mass audience controlled by the culture industry and
on the other, that of John Fiske which places control in the hands of the individual. The
thesis takes a mediating approach, conceding that while the mass media do provide and
influence identity formation, individuals can and do decode a variety of meanings from the
material made available to them in accordance with the text's use-value in relation to the
individual's circumstances. The analysis conducted in this thesis operates on the
assumption that audiences acquire identity components in exchange for paying to see a
particular film.
Reality Bites (Ben Stiller 1994) and Scream (Wes Craven 1996) are analyzed as
examples of mainstream 1990s films whose material circumstances encourage audience
identification and whose popularity suggest that audiences did indeed identify with them.
The Royal Tenenbaums (Wes Anderson 2001) is considered for its art film sensibilities and
is examined in order to determine to what extent this film can be considered a counter
example. The analysis consists of a combination of textual analysis and reception study in
an attempt to avoid the problems associated with each approach when employed alone.
My interpretation of the filmmakers' and marketers' messages will be compared with online
reviews posted by film viewers to determine how audiences received and made use of the
material available to them. Viewer-posted reviews, both unsolicited and unrestricted, as
found online, will be consulted and will represent a segment of the popular audience for
the three films to be analyzed.


title: Philosophy of death in Vedanta and Plotinus

subject: Plotinus Death. Vedanta.