An Examination of the Social Acceptability of Elderspeak by College Students and Community Dwelling Older Adults

The dissonance that exists in the literature, in regards to Elderspeak, has helped pave the way for the current study. The main goal of this research is to understand under what circumstances college students and older adults perceive Elderspeak to be acceptable or unacceptable and to compare the results between these two specific populations. A 37-item questionnaire was used to empirically test the validity of old age cues described in the communication accommodation theory. Consistent with this theory and previous research, it was hypothesized that Elderspeak would be rated as more appropriate in response to negative factors (e.g., physical or cognitive impairments) and that there would be a significant difference in responding between the two age groups. The results of this study supported the purposed hypothesis. First, negative factors such as physical and cognitive impairments led to higher ratings of appropriateness. In addition, college students significantly rated Elderspeak as more appropriate than did the older adults. One implication of this research is that the factors and cues that tend to evoke Elderspeak may provide more information for the education and training of those who will be caring for and interacting with older adults

Reclamation: The Crown of African American Identity

African American voices have been the main sources of influence on society and culture. For this reason, it is important that African Americans speak up and reclaim their voices. Not only are their voices important, but the stories that lie behind the voices are what need to be amplified. With the application of postcolonial theory, this thesis takes modern stories located in North America depicting racist behavior towards African Americans from the year 1970 to present-day New York City in order to fully amplify the process of social struggle. As these narratives are passed down through generations serving as a platform for understanding their identity, the realization of reclamation is present within the African American community. Reclamation is the reclaiming of one’s identity and true state of being. This thesis argues that African Americans reject the colonization mindset and reclaim their identity of voice and culture through verbal and nonverbal communication. With the assistance of James Baldwin’s If Beale Street Could Talk and Regina Taylor’s Crowns, we are given permission to view through the lens of reclamation and identity in order to fully understand what it means for African Americans to reclaim identity and culture

Fluency in dialogue: Turn‐taking behavior shapes perceived fluency in native and nonnative speech

Fluency is an important part of research on second language learning, but most research on language proficiency typically has not included oral fluency as part of interaction, even though natural communication usually occurs in conversations. The present study considered aspects of turn-taking behavior as part of the construct of fluency and investigated whether these aspects differentially influence perceived fluency ratings of native and non-native speech. Results from two experiments using acoustically manipulated speech showed that, in native speech, too ‘eager’ (interrupting a question with a fast answer) and too ‘reluctant’ answers (answering slowly after a long turn gap) negatively affected fluency ratings. However, in non-native speech, only too ‘reluctant’ answers led to lower fluency ratings. Thus, we demonstrate that acoustic properties of dialogue are perceived as part of fluency. By adding to our current understanding of dialogue fluency, these lab-based findings carry implications for language teaching and assessmen

THE EFFECTS OF AN AUDITOR’S COMMUNICATION MODE AND PROFESSIONAL TONE ON CLIENT RESPONSES TO AUDIT INQUIRIES

Recent audit research has indicated that junior auditors tend to use e-mail for client inquiries. Additionally, audit firms have expressed concerns regarding the ability of junior auditors to communicate professionally. In this study, I investigate whether receiving an auditor inquiry via e-mail differentially affects client responses as compared to more traditional modes of inquiry and whether those responses are affected by the auditor’s professional tone. In an experiment, experienced business professionals respond to a request for information from an auditor regarding a potential accounting adjustment. I varied the communication mode of the request (e-mail, audio, or visual) and the professional tone of the communication (more vs. less professional tone) and then measured the extent to which participants revealed information that either supported or did not support the client’s accounting position. I find that an auditor e-mail inquiry results in client responses that are more biased towards items that support the client’s position as compared to audio or visual inquiries. In addition, I find that clients respond in a more biased manner when the inquiry is worded in a less professional tone as compared to a more professional tone and that this tendency may be exacerbated when they receive the request via e-mail. Further underscoring the implications of these findings for audit outcomes, I find that clients are less likely to agree with an auditor’s proposed income-decreasing adjustment if the client did not personally reveal applicable information to the auditor

The motivation of flaming perpetrators as cyberbullying behavior in social media

The most troubling behavior of cyberbullying is flaming on social media. Technological sophistication makes it easy for everyone to create fake accounts for negative comments to bullying activities on social media. The impact is very detrimental, especially for victims or targets. The most frequent consequences are deep trauma, fear, anxiety, lack of confidence, mental illness, and depression, and they can even motivate the victim to commit suicide. This impact is considered quite dangerous for the victim. Therefore, concrete handling and solutions are needed that can be implemented according to the motivation of the perpetrators to do hate speech and cyberbullying. This study aimed to identify the motives of flaming perpetrators through social media and formulate strategic and practical recommendations for preventing flaming behavior. By identifying through a qualitative approach, phenomenological research strategies, and in-depth interviews with 10 (ten) research informants, the research aims to obtain a comprehensive picture of the motivations of flaming actors in social media. The results of this study indicate some of the motivations of flaming actors in social media, namely excessive fanaticism, personal interests, spontaneous emotions and anxiety, low digital literacy, the anonymity of netizens on social media through second accounts, and lack of empathy. The motivations found in this study are the basis for formulating strategic and practical recommendations in preventing flaming behavior in social media through the KIFE Model (Collaboration, Innovation, News Framing, and Peer group Education). It is practical and effective for Media Literacy and Healthy Digital

“I figured her feeling a little bit bad was worth it to not spread that kind of hate”:exploring how UK families discuss and challenge misinformation

Misinformation has become a regular occurrence in our lives with many different approaches being sought to address it. One effective way to combat misinformation is for trusted individuals (e.g., family members) to challenge the misinformed person. However, less is known about how these conversations between trusted individuals occur, and how they may impact on relationships. We look to address this gap by conducting semi-structured interviews with family members in the UK who have experienced misinformation within their family networks. We identify several barriers individuals face when challenging misinformed family members, such as the misinformed person’s personality and the extent that pre-conceptions influence beliefs. We also find individuals developing strategies to overcome these barriers, and to cope with difficulties that arise through these conversations. Despite technology being the main driver for misinformation spread, we find it has limitations when used to facilitate or mediate conversations for challenging misinformation between family members

“I figured her feeling a litle bit bad was worth it to not spread that kind of hate”: Exploring how UK families discuss and challenge misinformation

Misinformation has become a regular occurrence in our lives with many diferent approaches being sought to address it. One efective way to combat misinformation is for trusted individuals (e.g., family members) to challenge the misinformed person. However, less is known about how these conversations between trusted individuals occur, and how they may impact on relationships. We look to address this gap by conducting semi-structured interviews with family members in the UK who have experienced misinformation within their family networks. We identify several barriers individuals face when challenging misinformed family members, such as the misinformed person’s personality and the extent that preconceptions infuence beliefs. We also fnd individuals developing strategies to overcome these barriers, and to cope with difculties that arise through these conversations. Despite technology being the main driver for misinformation spread, we fnd it has limitations when used to facilitate or mediate conversations for challenging misinformation between family members

Exploring the Occupation-Based Needs of Older Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease at a Reminiscence Therapy Adult Day Center

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting approximately 60% to 70% of the older adult population aged 65 and older (Santos da Silva, de Oliveira Alves, Barros Leite Slagueiro & Bezerra Barbosa, 2018). Reminiscence therapy prompts an individual’s memory by stimulating their sense – sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch, and provides an opportunity for them to revisit and relive their past through their surrounding environment (Swann, 2013). For individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, occupational therapy focuses on adapting the environment in order to promote their ability to engage in meaningful occupations, increase quality of life, and social participation; ultimately optimizing occupational performance (Letts, et. al, 2011). Activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, leisure activities and social activities are reported as problematic areas for individuals Alzheimer’s disease and dementia (Padilla, 2011). Reminiscence therapy shows the potential to improve occupational functioning for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease, however occupational therapy is not currently involved. The objectives of this project were to complete a needs assessment identifying the occupation-based activity related needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia at an adult day reminiscence therapy program, and then propose program recommendations to the staff on adapting activities to meet the identified population needs. Identified behaviors from the observation of the Alzheimer’s disease and dementia population at Glenner Town Square were connected to an overall decrease in activity engagement and participation. Current staff discussed their experiences with lack of participation, disengagement, and the ongoing barriers to redirect or reengage participants in activities. Caregivers expressed their day to day concerns and challenges living with and caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The needs assessment ultimately supported the limited research currently available on the role occupational therapy and reminiscence therapy play on activity engagement and occupational performance in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonespring2020/1013/thumbnail.jp