Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: In this paper, we use 1999-2000 SASS data to examine how school type and racial mismatch effect teacher satisfaction, through a comparison of charter schools and traditional public schools. We hypothesize that teachers with be more satisfied if they (1) teach students of the same racial background and (2) teach in charter schools, due to increased classroom autonomy. We discovered that racial mismatch between teachers and students does effect teacher satisfaction. With the exception of Black teachers, teachers are more satisfied teaching students of their own racial background. On the other hand, Black teachers are significantly less satisfied teaching Black students than White teachers teaching White students—a distinction that disappears when we control for such variables as school resources and perceived student quality. Additionally, our findings suggest that the more autonomously run charter schools may in fact encourage worker satisfaction more so than traditional public school organizational model.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Satisfied: Consumption, Identity, and Widespread Panic


Abstract

Arguing that culture is an indicator of a particular way of life and that membership in groups is a determinant in the development of a personal and social identity, this paper will provide initial insight into the distinct fan culture surrounding the band Widespread Panic. Research suggests that music provides a framework with which individuals define their world while also being used as a resource to communicate identities. For many fans of Widespread Panic the annual spring, summer, and fall tours provide such an outlet. With the help of aspects of Richard Johnson’s “circuit of culture” this paper attempts to further these ideas concerning music while expanding the notion that media consumption is an activity that defines identity.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper examined whether the Internet will improve life satisfaction. The study surveyed 195 college students and a structural model was built to explain effects of the Internet on school life satisfaction using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In line with social cognitive theory and literature on social effects of the Internet, current data supported the hypotheses that Internet use, online social support and online self-efficacy had direct positive impacts on life satisfaction. Offline extraversion, online extraversion, social self-efficacy and outcome expectations influenced life satisfaction indirectly: offline extraversion acted through social self-efficacy and online extraversion; social self-efficacy acted through online extraversion, outcome expectations and social support; online extraversion acted through outcome expectations; outcome expectations acted through online social support and Internet use. Contrary to our hypothesis, however, the path from outcome expectations to life satisfaction was negative. These findings had implications for Internet social effects research and social cognitive theory.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: In this paper we propose a theory of individual-level orientations toward political parties in which voters are divided into those who are core supporters of particular parties and those whose votes are more easily moved.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The three-component Maslach Burnout Inventory (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment) was used to examine burnout among high school journalism advisers (n = 563). The study also examined the correlation between burnout and job satisfaction. The results indicate that journalism advisers are not experiencing burnout on any level. At most, they indicated average levels of emotional exhaustion, but that is clearly countered by high levels of personal accomplishment. As for depersonalization, it barely makes a ripple, registering in the low range of burnout. So, in essence, journalism advisers in this study are not experiencing high levels of wear and tear from the job, they enjoy working closely with their students, and they feel a great deal of success and achievement in their work. Previous studies have found that journalism teachers are more satisfied with their jobs than other educators, and this study shows that they experienced burnout to a lesser degree than other teachers as well.