The thesis is an extended study of a question of particular interest to the student. A wide variety of topics have been researched and presented to the University community by Honors Program students. Here are a few examples of the research conducted within the SVSU Honors Program which shows the range of interest among its students and faculty.
FAMILY COMPOSITION WITHIN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAMILY: THE IMPORTANCE OF FATHER INVOLVEMENT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the family composition of African-Americans and the effects of fatherless homes to help perpetuate a cycle of broken families. It specifically looked, in retrospect, at the impact of father absence and weak father involvement on self-esteem, prevalence for child sexual abuse/sexual assault, mate preference, fear of intimacy and relationship p stability. Participants, all members of two local Baptist churches (N-52),completed questionnaires that measured self-esteem, father involvement, perceived father involvement, father nurturance, fear of intimacy, intimacy anxiety, satisfaction with life, and all aforementioned variables along with demographic information. It was hypothesized that father absence and low levels of father involvement would be correlated with: (a) lower self-esteem in both male and females; (b) higher levels of fear and anxiety in intimate situations; (c) higher levels of relationship stability and that it would perpetuate a cycle of single female-headed households. The study did not confirm any of the above hypotheses. This is believed to be due largely to the small sample size.
PERCEIVED CONTROL AND WELL-BEING OVER THE LIFESPAN IN INDIA AND THE U.S.A,
Despite voluminous literature on perceived control, there remain considerable gaps in our knowledge, especially as it relates to cross-cultural research. Using cross-sectional data from India (N=2259) ad the United States (N=244), this study examined cultural differences in perceived control and how it affects their well-being. Participants were community dwelling adults and ranged in age from 20 to 76 and were categorized into three age groups (young, middle, and old). . . The association between powerful others and chance control was significantly smaller in India than the United States Indians were significantly lower in mean levels on measures of internality and mastery and higher in measure of powerful others and chance control. . . .
COMPARING MICHIGAN’S HEALTH CARE TO THE NEW MASSACHUSETTS PLAN
In a society where we insure everything from our vehicles, houses, death, and pets, we sometimes forget to insure the one thing that connects all of these, that all of the parts of a whole depend on: our health. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether or not Michigan can use the whole, or aspects of the, new Massachusetts Health Care Reform to further this cause in its own state. This paper will attempt to explore the statistical standing of Michigan as part of the national scale, as a state, and in comparison with Massachusetts. The same treatment will be applied to Massachusetts, but on a smaller scale. From there we will slight explore the Massachusetts plan, determining success not only on number of insured, but quality as well, due to the very current nature of this report, some of the figures will greatly change in a year or two, particularly with Massachusetts. Some data has yet to e collected, and so inferences must be drawn, and considerations based on plans and goals. The report will finish with an explanation as to whether or not this is the right plan for Michigan.
CELLULOSE TO GLUCOSE: DIGESTION OF WASTE PAPER CELLULOSE USING COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE ENZYMES
. . .The focus of this research is many-faceted. The initial purpose was to find an effective enzyme for the digestion of waste paper, a good cellulose source because it has already been processed, the lignin removed, and comes at a very low cost. The exploration of th enzyme revealed that perhaps the newest generations of digestive enzymes are not as economical as what has been publicized. Different methods to maximize cellulose digestion w ere explored in an effort to make the whole process more efficient. Ultimately, the project in its entirety was to create an economically competitive fuel from start to finish. From stock choice to enzyme to pretreatment to fermentation, the goal was to maximize each step in the process and end up with whole new bio-fuel with little realized potential; butanol.
MATCHING HYPOTHESIS AND BEHAVIORS AMONG ROMANTIC COUPLES
This study was designed to examine the relationship between perceived matched physical and psychological attractiveness and onset of sexual intercourse. Forty-four couples completed the Matching Hypothesis Survey, Body-Esteem Scale, and Intimate Bond Measure. Perceived matched attractiveness was a significant predictor of onset of sexual intercourse. The body-Esteem Scale’s sexual attractiveness rating was not a predictor [of] sexual onset. The intimate Bond Measure revealed gender differences among the Intimacy care and Intimacy control subscales. Intimacy care was a predictor of onset of sexual intercourse for females, whereas Intimacy control was a predictor for males. Thus, this study revealed that both physical and psychological perceived attractiveness plays a central role in a sexual relationship. Additionally, intimacy is equally important for the development of a sexual relationship.
AMERICAN BEAUTY: AN ANALYSIS OF NEGATIVE SELF-CONCEPTS IN THE BLUEST EYE
This analysis of The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison, explores various psychological theories of negative self-concepts that affect the main character—an adolescent African American girl named Pecola Breedlove. Within the novel, beauty was often seen as having white skin, blond hair, and blue eyes. This ideal was put forth and accepted by the dominant white culture, and the African Americans who lived in this environment felt they must internalize this idea as well or face rejection by society. Pecola’s negative self-concept and subsequent destruction of self is ultimately the result of this internalization of the white standards of beauty by her parents, the surrounding black community, and even herself.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE "SCENE"?
The aim of this ethnographic study is to investigate the use of the term "scene" because it seem s to be a way of analyzing how punk subcultures operate today and what it means to people thirty years later. To provide a theoretical background, the theory of John Clarke et al. Is reviewed as an example of the subcultural perspective of the Birmingham school. Also9 reviewed are David Muggleton’s "post-subculturalist," Sarah Thornton’s theory of "subcultural capital," and Jason Middleton’s theory of the "production of authenticity." Data were obtained through semi-structured, in-depth interviews and Internet questionnaires. Ten interviews were conducted in total. Findings revealed that respondents very seldom associate any meaning with their music, fashion, rituals, and language, and do not consider the current subculture to be politically significant. They also revealed how important the media, especially social networking sites like Myspace.com have become in defining what it means to be alternative. In addition, findings showed that respondents were obsessed with the issue of status, and they made no claim of attempting to create a feeling of authenticity within the scene through the sue of activism and alternative commerce. Though my respondents often emphasized the importance of clothes and hipness in the alternative scene, they also often attempted to distance themselves from this concern, thus, they seemed stuck between a view of themselves as subcultural members and a concern that such membership might reflect an elitism that they were against.
MELODIES, CHORD PROGRESSIONS AND LYRICS
A musical thesis presented as a performance of the Honors student’s compositions.