Browsing by Subject "Adult"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

The effect of semantic features on gist and verbatim memory in young adults with language-learning disabilities
(2013-05) Blau, Megan Johanna; Sheng, Li, Ph. D.
This thesis is an expansion of an ongoing examination of gist and verbatim memory in young adults with language-learning disabilities (LLD) using the DRM paradigm (Deese, 1959; Roediger & McDermott, 1995). This study uses lists based on situation semantic features in addition to DRM lists based on backwards associative strength (BAS), which were categorized as strong-, mid-, and low-BAS (Stadler, Roediger, & McDermott, 1999). Items in each list (e.g., bacon, toast, cereal, muffin) related to a non-presented word (e.g., breakfast): the critical lure (CL). BAS is a measure of the likelihood that a list item will elicit the CL. Thirty young adults participated in this study and were divided into three groups: true LLD, compensated LLD, and typically developing (TD). Participants listened to word lists and verbally recalled the words they remembered hearing. Accurate recall was an indicator of verbatim memory; CL recall was an indicator of gist memory. The true LLD group recalled CL at a significantly higher rate than the other groups in the case of the situation lists; additionally, the compensated LLD group recalled CL for the low-BAS lists at a significantly higher rate than the other groups. These findings suggest that the LLD participants may process semantic information differently or may rely on gist memory to a greater extent than the TD controls. Results also indicated list type differences for both verbatim and gist recalls, supporting the effects of both semantic features and BAS together with other factors.
Effects of naturalistic and peer mediated conversation skills training for young adults with ASD
(2015-05) Fowler, Meaghan Meredith; Marquardt, Thomas P.; Franco, Jessica Hetlinger
Purpose: This pilot study sought to examine the efficacy of a naturalistic and peer-supported group language and social skills intervention program called Training for Adults in Language and Other Key Skills (TALKS). This group therapy is offered at the University of Texas at Austin Speech and Hearing Center each semester. The researcher hypothesized that individuals participating in the program would present with increased production of total utterances and decreased productions of off-topic comments and questions during conversations. Methods: Two adult English-speaking males diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder participated in weekly 10-minute Skype conversations both before and during participation in the group therapy. Each 10-minute Skype conversation was recorded and coded to determine ratio of utterances, total comment and off-topic comment production, and total question and off-topic question production. Each Skype video was double coded to ensure accuracy of the data. Results: Participants presented with overall increases in total utterance production and ratio of total utterances across treatment phases. Data indicated a decrease in both off-topic comment and question production for both participants. Both participants performed consistently in their overall question production across all treatment phases. Conclusion: The Training for Adults in Language and Other Key Skills program had a positive effect on each of the participants' social language skills. Future research should include a larger number of participants and additional consecutive treatment phases.
Elaborative processing biases associated with vulnerability and maintenance of depression : evidence across levels of analysis
(2014-08) Clasen, Peter Cunningham; Beevers, Christopher G.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) will soon represent the most costly and debilitating disorder in the world. Yet, a clear model of the mechanisms underlying MDD remains elusive. This lack of clarity obscures efforts to prevent and treat MDD more effectively. This dissertation seeks to advance an integrated model of the mechanisms underlying MDD across cognitive, neural, and genetic levels of analysis. Building on the empirical foundation of cognitive theories of MDD, the dissertation includes three studies that help address questions about the cognitive mechanisms underlying depression vulnerability and maintenance. Specifically, the three studies focus on identifying 1) how elaborative processing biases, including attentional biases and rumination, give rise to specific symptoms of MDD and 2) elucidating biological mechanisms that may give rise to these biases. Together, these studies help advance an integrated model of MDD that, ultimately, may help facilitate the prevention and treatment of this costly and debilitating disorder.
Enabling adult physical activity at parks with a focus on physical design elements
(2010-05) Christoph, Ali Suzanne; Sletto, Bjørn; Kohl, Harold W.
This report studies the built environment of Civitan Park, located in Austin, Texas. Through studying and observing how park design can influence adults’ ability to engage in daily physical activity, alternative design recommendations are suggested for Civitan Park in order to create a park more able to be used by adults for physical activity and in turn, decrease obesity rates.
Improving the speech intelligibility of adults with Down syndrome (DS) using the core vocabulary approach
(2016-05) Easter, Michelle Lee; Davis, Barbara L. (Barbara Lockett); Franco, Jessica Hetlinger
The goal of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Core Vocabulary approach (CVA; Dodd, Holm, Crosbie, & McIntosh, 2006) for improving speech intelligibility in an adult with DS by establishing consistent word production in order to enhance communicative competence and participation within a variety of social settings. Research indicates marked limitations in speech intelligibility in individuals with DS, including delayed and disordered articulation and inconsistent speech errors (i.e., variability in production of the same word) that continues throughout the individual’s life (Kent & Vorperian, 2013). This study evaluated the effectiveness of CVA on intelligibility by targeting reduction in variability in target word productions selected because they were functionally salient for the client. Data collection consisted of a slight adaptation to CVA, including both speech accuracy and variability measures to evaluate the effect of CVA. The following question was addressed: What are the effects of core vocabulary on the variability and accuracy of production of target words in an adult with DS? Results suggest that vowel accuracy is a relative strength in her system as compared to consonants, and two-syllable shaped words are her upper boundary. However, while accuracy measures demonstrated some slight improvement across intervention sessions, variability remained stable and did not show the same change over time. A variety of adaptations and possible future research topics are discussed.