Self-determination theory and student motivation in social studies in an urban Broward County public high school

This study investigated how students perceived their motivation in high school social studies classes in school and to determine if a correlation exists between students’ grade level, race, gender, and their motivation. The sample included 337 high school students in Broward County, Florida. To assess students’ perceptions on their motivation the academic self-regulation questionnaire was utilized. Results indicate that social studies students show high levels of external regulation, with a mean score at 22.31 on a scale of 36 points. The results show a mean score of 24 on a scale of 28 points for identified regulation among social studies students. Findings revealed that student motivation could be gauged. No statistical significance was found between high school students’ grade level, race, gender, and their motivation in social studies classes. The findings of this study have shown that students at Boyd H. Anderson High School want to learn social studies.

An automated method for the determination of electroreception thresholds in weakly electric fish

Weakly electric fish produce a dual function electric signal that makes them ideal models for the study of sensory computation and signal evolution. This signal, the electric organ discharge (EOD), is used for communication and navigation. In some families of gymnotiform electric fish, the EOD is a dynamic signal that increases in amplitude during social interactions. Amplitude increase could facilitate communication by increasing the likelihood of being sensed by others or by impressing prospective mates or rivals. Conversely, by increasing its signal amplitude a fish might increase its sensitivity to objects by lowering its electrolocation detection threshold. To determine how EOD modulations elicited in the social context affect electrolocation, I developed an automated and fast method for measuring electroreception thresholds using a classical conditioning paradigm. This method employs a moving shelter tube, which these fish occupy at rest during the day, paired with an electrical stimulus. A custom built and programmed robotic system presents the electrical stimulus to the fish, slides the shelter tube requiring them to follow, and records video of their movements. I trained the electric fish of the genus Sternopygus was trained to respond to a resistive stimulus on this apparatus in 2 days. The motion detection algorithm correctly identifies the responses 91% of the time, with a false positive rate of only 4%. This system allows for a large number of trials, decreasing the amount of time needed to determine behavioral electroreception thresholds. This novel method enables the evaluation the evolutionary interplay between two conflicting sensory forces, social communication and navigation.

Personal autonomy in discharge planning decision -making in mentally alert hospitalized elderly individuals: The social workers' perspective

This study was conducted to understand (a) hospital social workers' perspectives about patients' personal autonomy and self-determination, (b) their experiences, and (c) their beliefs and behaviors. The study used the maximum variation sampling strategy to select hospitals and hospital social work respondents. Individual interviews were conducted with 31 medical/surgical and mental health hospital social workers who worked in 13 hospitals. The data suggest the following four points. First, the hospital setting as an outside influence as it relates to illness and safety, and its four categories, mentally alert patients, family members, health care professionals, and social work respondents, seems to enhance or diminish patients' autonomy in discharge planning decision making. Second, respondents report they believe patients must be safe both inside and outside the hospital. In theory, respondents support autonomy and self-determination, respect patients' wishes, and believe patients are the decision makers. However, in practice, respondents respect autonomy and self-determination to a point. Third, a model, The Patient's Decision in Discharge Planning: A Continuum, is presented where a safe discharge plan is at one end of a continuum, while an unsafe discharge plan is at the other end. Respondents respect personal autonomy and the patient's self-determination to a point. This point is likely to be located in a gray area where the patient's decision crosses from one end of the continuum to the other. When patients decide on an unsafe discharge plan, workers' interventions range from autonomy to paternalism. And fourth, the hospital setting as an outside influence may not offer the best opportunity for patients to make decisions (a) because of beliefs family members and health care professionals hold about the value of patient self-determination, and (b) because patients may not feel free to make decisions in an environment where they are surrounded by family members, health care professionals, and social work respondents who have power and who think they know best. Workers need to continue to educate elderly patients about their right to self-determination in the hospital setting. ^