Masters Theses
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
1 - 5 of 1253
-
ItemThe Dark Tetrad, Perceived Stress, Coping, and Depression(Middle Tennessee State University, 2025)Occupational stress has a significant negative influence on the physical health, psychological wellbeing, and performance of employees. The purpose of these two studies was to test a serial mediation pathway in which occupational stressors influence perceived stress, which influences emotion-focused coping, which influences risk of depression. Additionally, the studies tested a moderating influence of the Dark Tetrad personalities on the stress appraisal process. Participants were recruited from two populations of nurses and were asked to respond to a series of questionnaires. Support for the serial mediation pathway was found in Study 1 but not Study 2. Additionally, a moderating effect of grandiose narcissism was found in Study 2 but not Study 1, such that those high in grandiose narcissism were less likely to appraise stressors as stressful. No other findings were significant, suggesting that the Dark Tetrad does not influence stress appraisal. However, future research should use a larger sample size and longer timeframe to further explore these findings.
-
ItemExamining the impact a visible forearm tattoo has on applicants during the selection process(Middle Tennessee State University, 2025)Previous research has suggested that visible tattoos can negatively influence hiring outcomes, particularly in professional settings. This study aimed to examine whether the presence of a visible tattoo influenced interview performance ratings and the likelihood of receiving a job offer for an entry-level management position at a sports store. The results did not fully support the hypotheses that tattoos would negatively impact candidates' interview performance ratings or their chances of being offered the position. While tattoo presence did not significantly affect the likelihood of being hired, there was a significant interaction between tattoo presence and actor identity for interview performance ratings. Specifically, participants rated Alex higher when she had a tattoo, and Cameron lower when she had a tattoo, suggesting that individual characteristics of the candidate may influence how tattoos are perceived. Additionally, participants expressed positive attitudes toward tattoos, rejecting common stereotypes associating tattoos with irresponsibility or unprofessionalism. These findings challenge previous research that suggested tattoos hinder career opportunities, particularly in customer-facing roles. The results indicate that those in charge of hiring candidates may have lower negative stereotypes or biases toward tattoos than in previous years, allowing them to place a greater focus on qualifications and behavior when making hiring decisions. While this study was limited to a specific industry and job type, the findings suggest that visible tattoos may no longer be a significant barrier to employment. Future research should explore how tattoos are perceived in different industries and job roles to further understand their influence on hiring decisions.
-
ItemAutoshaping of the mouse’s lever press for social reinforcers(Middle Tennessee State University, 2025)Diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have spiked within the last decade. Among the most prominent characteristics of ASD are difficulties with social behavior. Animal models are commonly used to study social behavior. Specifically, rodents display complex social behaviors that can be investigated for parallels to that of humans. The current study explored whether ten C57BL/6 wild-type, female mice would work to obtain access to social stimuli. Mice were trained via an autoshaping procedure to associate lever presses with a social reward using only social stimuli. The number of lever presses required for reward access gradually increased until a breakpoint was reached, followed by comparisons to lever presses within an extinction condition. The results of this study determined the differences in social motivation amongst mice as well as the potential influence of an alternative reward type. By studying the value of social stimuli in mice we eventually hope to better understand the mechanisms that initiate and influence the value of social stimuli in humans.
-
ItemEffect of palmar digital analgesia (as a result of "nerving") on forelimb loading over varied surfaces at the walk and trot - a pilot study(Middle Tennessee State University, 2025)Palmar digital neurectomy or “nerving” removes the sensation to the heel region of the hoof, while analgesia or “blocking” results in temporary loss of sensation. This pilot study examined the effect of loss of sensation in the forelimb heel (blocking). Three horses were fitted to hoof sensors on the front hooves. Horses completed the same randomized tests of walking and trotting on hard and soft ground pre and post-nerve blocking. Interaction of ground and blocking status was significant for area (P < 0.0001), with post-blocking having greater loaded area than pre while tracking on hard ground (P = 0.008). The same interaction was found significant for force (P <0.0001), with tracking over hard ground being greater post-blocking than pre (P = 0.008). Stride duration was longer pre-blocking than post (P = 0.0017). Findings from this pilot study show that temporary blocking impacts forelimb loading and that ground may be important in tracking for horses with removed sensation to the forelimb heel.
-
ItemGrit, Growth Mindset, and Gender Differences in College Students(Middle Tennessee State University, 2025)Grit and growth mindset are increasingly being recognized as important non-cognitive traits essential to overcoming adversity. The current study examined gender differences grit and growth mindset across specific life domains (academics, athleticism, leadership, and socialization) among a sample of young adult college students. One hundred and sixty-three participants were recruited in an online study where a validated grit scale, a validated growth mindset scale, and a demographics measure, which were used to assess the amount of grit or growth mindset a participant had, relative to each domain. Among the current sample, women had significantly lower scores of growth mindset for socialization than men, that men had significantly higher scores of growth mindset for athletics than women, and that across all other domains, the overall men and women did not differ beyond what would be expected by chance. Implications and future directions are discussed