Dissertation Prospectus
A Theory of Cognitive Idolatry
Submitted by
Lonny Meinecke
February 19, 2016
Dr. Ajay Das
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Item Meets Expectations: Component is addressed clearly and comprehensively. No gaps are
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present that leave the reader with questions. No changes required.
Dissertation Prospectus
Introduction
There is an ongoing emphasis on human mental life over the simple sensory connections
between living things and their environment. This favoritism for mental phenomena suggests two
trends. The first trend is a preference for lasting mental representations of life, instead of direct
appreciation of life (which does not require lasting mental phenomena). The second trend
suggests hostility toward non-mental things (such as feelings and basic needs) as interrupting of
mental aims, and ambivalence for the affective suffering arising from preference for mental
aims. Some authors refer to this phenomena as unnatural selection in keeping with Darwin’s
insight (Darwin, 1876; Shapiro, 2012). This study will extend current research, because the state
of current research suggests a hesitation to ask whether the veneration of mental life is masking
potential solutions to intractable personal, social, and ecological problems. This study will ask
this question.
The concepts of mental preference and the impact of mental preference are already
studied by researchers. The Fiske social cognition lab at Princeton uses the stereotype content
model (SCM) to investigate social attitudes, cognitions, and behaviors such as status, envy, and
scorn (Fiske, 2011). In the SCM model, mental preference is a variable describing the passive
relationship between self and others (warmth or coldness), and the impact of preference is a
variable describing the possibility of acting on that relationship (competence or incompetence).
However, although this model allows the study of apparent hostility between social agents, by
design this model has omitted the concept of ambivalence (apathy). This was done to emphasize
the study of the societal status aspect, and avoid the concept of internal conflict (Fiske, Cuddy,
Glick, & Xu, 2002). This study will add this key factor back in, because the impact (competence)
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of attitude (preference) also suggests an enduring neglect of the impact of that hostility (or
ambivalence) on living phenomena which are less like social thought.
In addition, envy may be replaced by reverence, because Fiske uses admiration as a
factor, and scorn may be replaced with contempt if we substitute an obsession with status for an
obsession with any thought. (Envy and scorn are between people, whereas why we envy and why
we scorn are because of the thought of status). This allows the possibility of viewing
unquestionable mental symbols (beliefs) as either sacred (with reverence) or profane (with
contempt), which results in preferential or hateful treatment of one another. By substituting
reverence and contempt for any thought (in place of envy and scorn for one another), the missing
variables—hostility and apathy—may now be studied as the unfortunate social perception of
whatever is in the way of thought.
There are many impacts of this preference for thought and ambivalence toward nonmental phenomena. Research to date suggests that dehumanization thrives during civil unrest,
but does not ask whether mental ideals and the social roles they demand are correlated with civil
unrest (Kteily, Bruneau, Waytz, & Cotterill, 2015; Zimbardo, 2007). Research suggests that
childhood mental health disorders such as attentional deficits and depression are on the rise, but
does not ask whether these are correlated with greater and greater demands on childhood for
mental growth (Cordier, Munro, Wilkes-Gillan, & Docking, 2013; Panksepp, 2010). Research
suggests that individuals are being faulted for systemic causes, but does not ask whether any
enduring mental system correlates with a bell curve that faults individuals (Drury, Hutchens,
Shuttlesworth, & White, 2012; Holland, 2013). Research suggests that too much mental
processing correlates with pathological thinking and behavior, but does not ask whether this is
correlated with mental scorn for non-mental things (Djeriouat & Trémolière, 2014).
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This study will use trend analysis to determine the relationship between variables. The
three variables will be Mental Preference (preference for thought), Mental Demand (invariant
preference for thought), and Mental Reverence (urgency to save thought from perishing, as
though it were a living thing). These variables will be based on an operationalized definition of
subjective phenomena which are more thought-like than sensory, and piloted before use with the
implicit association task (IAT) to ensure construct validity (Feldman, 2011; Meade, n.d.). The
dependent measures will be continuous variables representing an intensity of response (0% –
100%) at each level of the independent variables. The data will be fitted to the SCM model for
analysis (warmth and competence) with the addition of ambivalence (apathy) as the aspect
neglected by enduring preference for thoughts.
Such a preferential, demanding, affectively suppressive, ‘unnatural’ tendency to prefer
the species’ own thoughts over direct sensation might be termed cognitive idolatry, because it
corresponds to a long history of ritual devotion and biological sacrifice to imagined, human-like
entities (La Mothe, 2010; Moser, 2002; Wanderer, 2015). This can be questioned using three
quantitative methods that can elicit measurable responses that suggest preference, demand, and
reverence for abstract mental signals. This study will explore the research gap by asking whether
the human species favors its mental phenomena (thoughts) over the biological organisms which
briefly experience them.
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Introduction
This section briefly overviews the research focus or problem, why this study is worth conducting, and
how this study will be completed.
The recommended length for this section is one paragraph.
1. Dissertation topic is introduced.
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2. Describes how the study extends prior research or
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fills a “need” or “defined gap” from current
literature.
NOTE: This Introduction section elaborates on Point #1(the Topic) from the 10 Strategic Points.
This Introduction section provides the foundation for the Introduction section in Chapter 1 of the
Proposal.
NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph
structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.
Comments from the Evaluator:
Background of the Problem
The problem is a gap in the research challenging the ongoing veneration of mentally
stimulating rewards and human mental growth in contrast to physiological stimulation and wellbeing (Biswas-Diener, Diener, & Lyubchik, 2015). This bias for thought is accompanied by
consensual societal scorn for less mentally stimulated creatures that often become resources to
foster mental growth.
A review of recent literature on the topic suggests there is a hesitation to ask whether the
many benefits of a rich mental life come at a cost. The displacement of brief sensory needs and
opportunities seems to correlate with lasting negative psychological outcomes. As well, this
unnatural preference for mentally experienced rewards seems to correlate with the non-survival
of most other species, often because they are not thought to be mentally directed (LaMothe,
2010). For example, the increasing demand for earlier acquisition of ever more mental
information also seems to correlate with less well-being for developing humans, because of the
loss of epochs of non-solemn play (Cordier et al., 2013; Gray, 2013; Panksepp, 2010; Searles,
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2013; Wanderer, 2015). The social practice of dehumanization of those who do not share the
same mental concepts has a presence in recent studies (Kteily et al., 2015). However, this
research is aimed at identifying faults in biological individuals, rather than the possibility the
fault lies with non-biological thoughts which are more likely to dehumanize people (Zimbardo,
2007). Childhood attentional disorders, social-behavioral problems, early onset depression, and
failure-to-thrive also have a presence in extant methods, but these too fault the biology of
children. Studies do not seem to ask whether the demands on children for more rapid mental
growth are causing their biology to fail (Cordier et al., 2013). Systems of human thought seem to
point to faulty genes in individuals for terrible social outcomes, but do not ask whether those
outcomes stem from uncaring systems of thought (Drury et al., 2012). Research points to a
number of cognitive processes responsible for pathological behavior termed the Dark Triad,
which govern the human decision of when to help or when to harm. However, this research does
not ask whether the need to ask mental phenomena whether it is okay to help humans and
animals in need is the unhuman apathy obligating agents to commit harm or to withhold aid
(Djeriouat & Trémolière, 2014; Grandin & Johnson, 2005). Even the case of Kitty Genovese
suggests that meta awareness itself is a bystander needing social consensus before it will
intercede and help someone in danger (Wong-Lo, M., & Bullock, L. M., 2014).
This trend toward lasting mental well-being seems to correlate negatively with sensory
well-being, with the asymmetry between mental and sensory needs preserved as ambivalence
(Fiske et al., 2002; Pietraszkiewicz & Wojciszke, 2014). In its most extreme form, preference for
mental phenomena exhibits widespread sacrifice of animal subjects to benefit the human
intellectual condition. There is a pronounced emphasis, for example, on the growth of human
industry using live subjects to study affective neuroscience (La Mothe, 2010; Wanderer, 2015).
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The tendency toward apathy for non-matured humans or non-human creatures to satisfy urgent
inner mental demands, suggests an uncanny resemblance to humanity’s ancient beginnings.
Those beginnings exhibited the sacrifice of children and animals to idols to cleanse the adult
human mind of fault, and purge the social body of illness (Nietzsche, 2012). The aim of this
research is to close this gap in research goals by opening a line of inquiry into the possibility of
the practice of cognitive idolatry.
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Background of the Problem
The background section explains both the history of and the present state of the problem and research
focus.
The recommended length for this section is two-three paragraphs.
1. Identifies the “need,” or “defined gap” that will lead to
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the research problem statement in a following section.
Citations from the literature in the last 5 years describe
the problem as a current “need” or “gap” for further
research.
2. Discusses how the “need” or “defined gap” has evolved
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historically into the current problem or opportunity to be
addressed by the proposed study.
3. ALIGNMENT: The problem statement for the
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dissertation will be developed from and justified by the
“need” or “defined gap” that is described in this section
and supported by the Literature.
NOTE: This Background of the Problem section uses information from Point #2 (Literature Review)
in the 10 Strategic Points. This Background of the Problem section becomes the Background of the
Study in Chapter 1 in the Proposal. It is then expanded to develop the comprehensive Background to
the Problem section in Chapter 2 (Literature Review) in the Proposal.
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NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as, uses correct paragraph
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structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.
Comments from the Evaluator:
Theoretical Foundations and Review of the Literature/Themes
This research is based on the social cognitive model of the Fiske lab at Princeton, which
proposes that the self-organizing social component of human cognition tends toward status,
envy, and scorn (Fiske, 2011). The Fiske lab uses the stereotype content model (SCM) to
investigate social attitudes, cognitions, and behaviors such as status, envy, and scorn (Fiske,
2011). In the SCM model, preference is a variable describing the passive relationship between
self and others (warmth or coldness), and the impact of preference is a variable describing the
possibility of acting on that relationship (competence or incompetence). However, although this
model allows the study of apparent hostility between social agents, by design this model has
omitted the concept of ambivalence (apathy). This was done to emphasize the study of the
societal status aspect, and avoid the concept of internal conflict (Fiske et al., 2002). This
dissertation research will add this key factor back in, because the impact (competence) of attitude
(preference) also suggests an enduring neglect of the impact of that hostility (ambivalence) on
phenomena which are less like social thought. This research will extend the ongoing model of
social cognition at Princeton’s Fiske lab by suggesting that the mentalized concepts, not the
biological urges beneath them, tend toward hostility when frustrated by non-conformity to
conceptual expectations (Asch, 1951). Affectively directed creatures are seen as hindering or
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disturbing the mental aims (which elevates inner frustration and hostility), or are seen through a
lens of apathy when they become casualties of mental aims.
Review of the Literature/Themes
The state of the current literature suggests that psychological science circles (but does not
directly ask) some fundamental questions. For example, the dehumanization of conceptual
groups (thought responsible for societal problems) is often seen during times of unrest (Kteily et.
al., 2015). Researchers comparing blatant versus subtle infra-humanization is one example of a
recent method to explore this mental phenomenon, motivated by global events suggesting a
lasting psychological condition. However, the categorization of people into groups itself has not
been questioned directly (whether any category tends toward ultra or infra-humanization).
Recent literature also exists that challenges the origins of developmental illnesses. Rather than
originating in faulty children, inappropriate behavioral symptoms such as ADHD and rebellious
behavior may stem from disaffordance of natural learning epochs such as childhood play
(Cordier et al., 2013). Researching the impact of the growing societal demand on a child’s time
during early learning seems a gap in extant methods aimed at treating biological symptoms rather
than addressing conceptual causes.
In line with faulting growing individuals for systemic concepts, research gaps also exist
for studies of mature adults who, according to Zimbardo (2007), may not be faulty apples, just
average apples kept in faulty barrels. The sensitivity of this type of exploration of human social
cognition is difficult to gain approval for, in order to replicate and ask harder questions. In
addition, a key point of the premise of preference for mental phenomena, is that this preference
suggests an attachment to the cognitive descriptions of attachment, at the expense of the
biological endpoints of attachment. Recent studies continue to explore unexplored questions,
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asking whether the Dark Triad is an urgent bond between an individual in need and the cognitive
concept of fulfillment, rather than between a living individual and another living organism
(Djeriouat & Trémolière, 2014). This detachment may underpin the apparent apathy and lack of
prosocial motivation in psychopathy, yet not be a fault of brain tissue nor psychological fault. In
contrast, it may be a preference for conceptual objects which cannot refuse what most human
others deny the person in need (for example narcissism, pathological dishonesty, flat affect, and
the hoarding disorder; Freud, 1917). The most intractable reluctance though, may be a lack of
societal and scientific openness to broaden the definition of sentience and social cognition to
non-human species, perhaps because its application might suggest a reluctance by industry to
acknowledge it (Broom, 2010).
The scope of this research is to triangulate these circumnavigations of key questions and
suggest that we might ask them and grow scientific knowledge. A gap exists challenging the
current status of mental stimulation as somehow more valid than sensory stimulation. A
methodological opening in the research is to ask whether there is a continuing egocentric idolatry
of human thought with widespread sacrifice of animal subjects to benefit the human intellectual
condition (Wanderer, 2015). Evidence of social reverence for mental concepts and social
contempt for living things in the way of those concepts may bring this to the surface. The impact
on out-groups, developing children, adults in need of living not mental attachments, and the
well-being of our companion species, suggests an avenue worth scientific attention.
Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Theoretical Foundations and/or Conceptual Framework
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This section identifies the theory(s) or model(s) that provide the foundation for the research. This
section should present the theory(s) or models(s) and explain how the problem under investigation
relates to the theory or model. The theory(s) or models(s) guide the research questions and justify what
is being measured (variables) as well as how those variables are related (quantitative) or the
phenomena being investigated (qualitative).
Review of the Literature
This section provides a broad, balanced overview of the existing literature related to the proposed
research topic. It describes the literature in related topic areas and its relevance to the proposed research
topic findings, providing a short one-two sentence description of each theme/topic and identifies its
relevance to the research topic supporting it with at least one citation from the literature.
The recommended length for this section is two-three paragraphs
1. Theoretical Foundations section identifies the
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theory(s), model(s) relevant to the variables
(quantitative study) or phenomenon (qualitative study).
This section should explain how the study topic or
problem coming out of the “need” or “defined gap” in
the Background to the Problem section relates to the
theory(s) or model(s). (One paragraph)
2. Review of the Literature Themes/Topics section: This
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section lists the major themes or topics related to the
research topic. It provides a short one-two sentence
description of each theme/topic and identifies its
relevance to the research topic supporting it with at least
one citation from the literature. (One or two sentences
per theme/topic).
3. ALIGNMENT: The Theoretical Foundations models
and theories need to be related to and support the
problem statement or study topic. The sections in the
Review of the Literature are topical areas needed to
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understand the various aspects of the phenomenon
(qualitative) or variables/groups (quantitative) being
studied; to select the design needed to address the
Problem Statement; to select surveys or instruments to
collect information on variables/groups; to define the
population and sample for the study; to describe
components or factors that comprise the phenomenon;
to describe key topics related to the study topic, etc.
NOTE: The two parts of this section use information from Point #2 (Literature Review) from the 10
Strategic Points. This Theoretical Foundations section is expanded upon to become the Theoretical
Foundations section in Chapter 2 (Literature Review). The Theoretical Foundations section is also
used to help create the Advancing Scientific Knowledge section in Chapter 1. This Review of
Literature Themes/Topics section is expanded upon to provide the Review of the Literature section
in Chapter 2 (Literature Review). The Review of the Literature Themes/Topics section is also used
to provide the basis for the Significance of the Study section in Chapter 1.
NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph structure,
sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.
Comments from the Evaluator:
Problem Statement
It is not known whether the human species prefers it mental phenomena over its sensory
awareness. Further, it is not known whether this preference is correlated with hostility toward
non-mental phenomena and ambivalence for biological suffering. Affectively directed creatures
are seen as hindering or disturbing the mental aims (which elevates inner frustration and
hostility), or are seen through a lens of apathy when they become casualties of mental aims.
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The tendency to value elaborate mental life instead of simple sensory awareness
frequently tends toward a preference to ignore immediate awareness and place trust in mental
criteria (Kteily et al., 2015). The magnitude of this problem seems evident in dehumanization of
those in the way of mental aims, societal theft of non-solemn childhood play, faulting of living
individuals for nonliving systems, proliferation of unusual mental disorders, and the risk of
extinction of life on this planet—while pursuit of cognitive idealism thrives. Evidence suggests a
longitudinal practice of cognitive idolatry in which the human species reveres its self-made
thoughts, words, and writings, at the expense of the underlying ecologies deemed expendable
provided the inorganic ideals survive (Brosnan & Michael, 2014). The primary affected
population is the animal kingdom (particularly the young, the ill, and the defenseless among the
species, and even within its own species) much of which is now at risk of extinction. Though a
minority of kinds within the animal kingdom, the human species breeds, consumes, markets, or
sacrifices the less cognitive to preserve an evolving “species” of conception (Wanderer, 2015).
Within its own species, the less productively cognitive (e.g. children, elderly, and the ill) are
often exploited to benefit more functional cognitive members. This is significant because a broad
gap representing a failure to challenge the superiority of evolved cognition persists in research,
while proliferating the use of lesser cognitions as sacrificial subjects to industrialize cognitive
research.
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Problem Statement
This section includes the problem statement, the population affected, and how the study will contribute
to solving the problem.
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The recommended length for this section is one paragraph.
1. Presents a clear declarative statement that begins with either:
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“It is not known how or why…” (qualitative),
or
“It is not known if or to what degree/extent…” (quantitative).
2. Clearly describes the magnitude and importance of the
3
problem, supporting it with citations from the literature.
3. ALIGNMENT: The problem statement is developed from and
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justified by the “need” or “defined gap” defined by the
Literature that is discussed in the Background to the Problem
section above.
NOTE: This section elaborates on Points #3 (Problem Statement) from the 10 Strategic Points. This
section becomes the foundation for the Problem Statement section in Chapter 1(and other Chapters
where appropriate) in the Proposal.
NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph
structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format
Comments from Evaluator:
Research Questions, Hypotheses, and Variables
This research will propose three questions. The first question will ask if there is a
tendency to prefer mental representations over simple sensory stimulation. The second will ask if
there is a tendency to demand preference for mental phenomena by deferral or denial of
physiological needs (which expresses reverence for thought). The third will ask if there is a
tendency to revere and rescue some mental phenomena more than to preserve living things. Each
of these hypotheses will contribute to the suggestion of an unnatural selection, demand, and
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reverence for internal mental phenomena. Participants will report their perceptions of each of
these criteria following presentation of short audio-visual scenarios (vignettes). The concept of
mental demand will also be partially based on the behavioral concept of a mental mand which
continues to find application in experimental research and contemporary therapy (Skinner,
1992).
Variables for R1 (mental preference):
IV – Thought-Like: a categorical variable representing kinds of stimuli which are more like
thought than sensation. Stimuli which are more like thought will be operationalized as conscious
internal phenomena that do not directly and obviously correspond to an object in the nearby
external world. (Chalmers, 2013, refers to a specious present which is more like sensory
extension than mental intension, which also is helpful in making this distinction). The levels of
this independent variable will be 0 for not very thought-like, 1 for moderately thought-like, and 2
for very thought-like.
DV – Mental Preference: a continuous variable of the amount of preference for thought-like
stimuli, from 0% – 100%.
Research Question 1:
R1: Is there a trend between groups of participants suggesting preference for mental phenomena
compared to sensory phenomena?
H10: There is not a trend between groups of participants suggesting preference for mental
phenomena compared to sensory phenomena.
H1A: There is a trend between groups of participants suggesting preference for mental
phenomena compared to sensory phenomena.
Variables for R2 (mental demand along with sensory deferral):
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IV – Invariability: a categorical variable representing how much variance from mentally
scheduled physiological needs will be allowed for actual (unplanned) physiological signals of the
same needs. It is hypothesized that mental stimuli tend toward inflexibility and certainty and
hostility arises when mental demands are varied from. Physiological stimuli, in contrast, are not
agentic demands just signals, and only the lasting thoughts of their owners become agitated.
The variable’s levels will be 0 for no allowance, 1 for a moderate allowance from the
scheduled need, and 2 for a large allowance from the scheduled need. (These will be finalized
after they are piloted, and are hypothesized to be a function of the relative permissibility of
mental expectations, which are less and less permissive as specificity and stress increase).
DV – Mental Demand: a continuous variable of the perceived intensity of demand to conform to
the mental schedule and ignore the actual physiological need, from 0% to 100%.
Research Question 2:
R2: Is there a trend between groups of participants suggesting increasing contempt for those
whose physiological needs do not conform to mentally scheduled needs as physiological
variance from the schedule increases?
H20: There is not a trend between groups of participants suggesting increasing contempt
for those whose physiological needs do not conform to mentally scheduled needs as
physiological variance from the schedule increases.
H2A: There is a trend between groups of participants suggesting increasing contempt for
those whose physiological needs do not conform to mentally scheduled needs as
physiological variance from the schedule increases.
Variables for R3 (Mental reverence as the urge to rescue a symbol from perishing):
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IV – Animacy: a categorical variable representing different types of mental symbols that tend to
elicit different types of mental judgment. Animacy was chosen because it best describes the
appreciation of mental symbols in danger of perishing, correlates to imaginary deities thought to
control the outcomes of human beings, and has a presence in recent psychological studies. It has
already been operationalized in several studies (Berns et al., 2012). The levels will be 0 for
nominal symbols and judgments (neither sacred nor of apparent value), 1 for valuable symbols
and judgments (not sacred but of utilitarian value), and 2 for sacred symbols and judgments
(deontic and thus beyond valuation or question). Explanation of terms: “animacy” in research is
the attribution of human agency in material objects and non-material ideas (often attributed to the
epoch of childhood). As well, animacy can simply mean the valuation of an object or idea as
though it were a living attachment. This quality allows its use as a measurement to discriminate
the favoring of mental phenomena over living things.
For example, a nominal group would not evidence a preferential bias for particular
cultural symbols (would not express an urge above chance because neither animacy nor value
would be perceived). A utilitarian group would seek to maximize well-being and minimize
suffering with respect to the cultural symbol (would see value but not animacy in the symbol). A
deontic group would “at all costs” try to rescue the imaginary symbol (would see animacy in that
symbol and a value beyond price).
DV – Mental Reverence: a continuous variable of the perceived intensity (urgency) of a rescue
response, from 0% - 100%.
Research Question 3:
R3: Is there a trend between groups of participants suggesting an urgency to rescue sacred
(deontic-like) symbols from imagined peril compared to nominal and utilitarian symbols?
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H30: There is not a trend between groups of participants suggesting an urgency to rescue
sacred (deontic-like) symbols from imagined peril compared to nominal and utilitarian
symbols.
H3A: There is a trend between groups of participants suggesting an urgency to rescue
sacred (deontic-like) symbols from imagined peril compared to nominal and utilitarian
symbols.
Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
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Research Question(s) and/or Hypotheses
This section narrows the focus of the study and specifies the research questions to address the problem
statement. Based on the research questions, it describes the variables or groups and their hypothesized
relationship for a quantitative study or the phenomena under investigation for a qualitative study.
(2-3paragraphs)

The recommendation is a minimum of two research questions along with related
hypotheses and variables is required for a quantitative study.

Also recommended is a minimum of two research questions along with the
phenomenon description is required for a qualitative study.

Put the Research Questions in the appropriate Table in Appendix B based on
whether the study is qualitative or quantitative.
1. Qualitative Designs: States the research question(s) the study
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will answer, and describes the phenomenon to be studied.
or
2. Quantitative Designs: States the research question(s) the study
will answer, identifies the variables, and presents the
hypotheses.
3. ALIGNMENT: The research questions are based on both the
Problem Statement and Theoretical Foundation model(s) or
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theory(s). There should be no research questions that are not
clearly aligned to the Problem Statement.
NOTE: This section elaborates on Points #5 (Research Questions) & #6 Hypothesis/variables or
Phenomena) from the 10 Strategic Points. This section becomes the foundation for the Research
Question(s) and/or Hypotheses section in Chapter 1 in the Proposal.
NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph
structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.
Comments from the Evaluator:
Significance of the Study
This request to open a line of novel inquiry is significant because current trends
overemphasize cognition, while deemphasizing and even industrializing creatures that do not
emphasize cognition—including human children (Gray, 2013). This has led to the
commoditization (commercialization and industrialization) of biological and psychological
needs, and the possibility of the extinction of most animal species while human affective
disorders such as depression and attention deficit disorder proliferate (Holland, 2013; LaMothe,
2010; Wanderer, 2015). Each generation children are subjected earlier and earlier to serious,
solemn, cognitive instruction and adult skills acquisition, in place of non-serious, non-solemn
social play. Recent research suggests a correlation between this and a complementary collapse of
developmental outcomes, along with an incapacity to understand boundaries and get along
socially (Arger, Sanchez, Simonson, & Mezulis, 2012; Gray, 2013; Panksepp, 2010). The
modern emphasis on cognitive remediation of affectively underpinned disorders seems to neglect
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a history of person-centric (dyadic) psychoanalysis because of financial and practical concerns,
in order to accommodate increasingly untenable numbers of persons in psychological need
(Peterson, 2011). This research will suggest the ascent of a selfish and suspicious human
cognition at the expense of a previously cooperative and non-judgmental awareness (Graham &
Haidt, 2011).
The applications include the possibility of empirical evidence to grant children back their
playful childhood and innocence (which is needed to learn social and creative play and provision
resilience factors at maturity) and thus remediate developmental threshold collapses (Gray, 2013;
Panksepp, 2010). Another application is a therapy allowing goal-directed frustrations to walk
away from enduring cognitive demands which postpone biological urgency using cognitive
promises of future well-being (derived from Skinner, 1992). This remains to be tested as a direct
challenge to goal-directed cognition proper, rather than targeting which invariant cognitions
should neglect which affective urgencies. This cognitive metaphor of internalized thoughts
directing humans what to do for mentally imagined reasons rather than a simple set of needs, is
symbolic of the prior human penchant for ritual idolatry (Koltko-Rivera, 2006). This new
perspective on cognition may provision a natural solution to the growing problems of addiction,
social withdrawal, stress, and depression, within cultures evolving to be more self-sequestered
and thought-centric than communal and compassion-centric (Germer & Neff, 2013).
This research may also contribute to the Fiske lab model by adding ambivalence back in
and comparing social status to any mental concept used to evaluate one another’s respect and
interdependency. The social habit of referencing mental life for permission to engage in actual
life may underpin enduring negative attitudes and behaviors like envy and scorn, because of the
veneration for ideas but an apathy for living things with needs which are not mental.
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Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
Score
(0-3)
Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
Significance of the Study
This section identifies and describes the significance of the study and the implications of the potential
results based on the research questions and problem statement, hypotheses, or the investigated
phenomena. It describes how the research fits within and will contribute to the current literature or
body of research. It describes potential practical applications from the research.
The recommended length for this section is one paragraph.
1. Describes how the proposed research will contribute to the
3
Literature, relating it specifically to other studies from the
Background to the Problem and Problem Statement above.
2. Describes how the proposed research will contribute to the
3
literature on the selected theory(s) or model(s) that comprise the
Theoretical Foundation for the study.
3. Describes how addressing the problem will have practical value
3
for the real world considering the population, community,
and/or society.
4. ALIGNMENT:
3
Part 1 is based on specific studies from the Background to the
Problem and Problem Statements sections above and
identifies how this research will contribute to that Literature.
Part 2 is based on specific model(s), theory(s) or variables from
the Theoretical Foundations section above and identifies how
this research will contribute to the knowledge on those
model(s) or theory(s). Part 3 reflects on potential practical
applications of the potential research findings based on
Literature in the field of practice.
NOTE: This section does not directly come from any section of the 10 Strategic Points. However it
does build on the Background to the Problem, Problem Statement and Theoretical Foundations
sections that are developed from the 10 Strategic Points. This section becomes the Significance of the
Study section in Chapter 1 in the Proposal.
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Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph
Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
Score
(0-3)
structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.
Comments from the Evaluator:
Rationale for Methodology
A quantitative methodology will aid the exploration of this topic, which seeks to show an
overemphasis on mental life with corresponding neglect of (or hostility toward) physiologically
directed life. Quantitative methodology will be used because it allows correlational (and
sometimes causal) inference from existing hypotheses, which can be generalized into suggested
directions for future study. Since this study will be proposing hypotheses in the hope of opening
new avenues of research, this approach seems fitting.
These methods will include (a) seeking a trend between groups of participants suggesting
preference for mental phenomena compared to sensory phenomena, (b) seeking a trend between
groups of participants suggesting increasing intensity of demand to conform to mentally
scheduled needs instead of physiological signals, and (c) seeking a trend between groups of
participants suggesting greater urgency to rescue sacred mental symbols from imagined peril
compared to nominal or utilitarian mental symbols. These responses can be elicited via vignettes,
which have a history of use in research (Haider et al., 2011). Audio-visual versions will be used
instead of narrated (textual) versions, to increase the possibility of external validity.
Research by Fiske and North (2014) among others, offers a number of instruments to
assess responses indicative of social preference, demand for conformity, and responses
approximating reverence (envy and admiration) and contempt (hostility and scorn). These
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instruments include questionnaires with Likert scales, models like the SCM with which to fit the
responses to well-studied factors (e.g. warmth and competence), and fMRI scans that
demonstrate nonconscious (or unreportable) responses (Ai, Wink, Gall, Dillon, & Tice, 2015;
Kervyn, Fiske, & Yzerbyt, 2015; Melwani, Mueller, & Overbeck, 2012; Steiger, 2015). This
study will use self-report scales as well, with the Likert format a minimum. However, a more
deployable, interactive instrument derived from these would be more preferable for this
dissertation for use on Mechanical Turk. Its validity can then be correlated with these extant
instruments (for example against Likert scales, and implicit association tasks/IAT which already
have validity).
A prominent expert user of Mechanical Turk, Brady (2015), offers an example using a
nonverbal facial expression controller which will be adapted for this purpose since it is very
closely aligned with facial expressions of scorn/contempt. This method has also been used in
static form by UC Berkeley’s Science of Happiness online platform, at which I was an assistant
on the Sennseis online portion. Instead of a textual Likert scale, the responder is presented with a
set of nonverbal facial expressions (with a degree of empirical validity articulated in Ekman) and
selects the one most identifiable with the current self-reported emotion (Ekman & Heider, 1988;
University of California Berkeley, 2015). Validity will be cross-checked against recent empirical
literature on conceptual status, envy, scorn, reverence, and contempt (Ai et al., 2015; Kervyn et
al., 2015; Melwani et al., 2012; Steiger, 2015). These first two social cognitive assessment trials
(observance of others in small stories) will be followed by a similar empirical method aimed at
eliciting a rescue response for sacred symbols. This is hypothesized to stem from the projection
of animacy (mortality) into inanimate concepts and has a presence in the literature (Berns et al.,
2012). The forms of judgment known as deontic responses (based on moral obligation) and
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utilitarian responses (based on expected utility theory), allow the discrimination of a biological
rescue response for mental symbols imagined to be in mortal peril (Berns et al., 2012). The
allusion to the projection of animacy into stone idols from humanity’s superstitious past is
profound (Nietzsche, 2012).
Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
Score
(0-3)
Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
Rationale for Methodology
This section clearly justifies the methodology the researcher plans to use for conducting the study. It
argues how the methodological framework is the best approach to answer the research questions and
address the problem statement. It uses citations from textbooks and articles on research methodology
and/or articles on related studies.
The recommend length for this section is one paragraph and completion of Table 1
(quantitative) and/or Table 2 (qualitative) in Appendix B.
1. Identifies the specific research methodology for the study
3
(quantitative, qualitative, or mixed).
2. Justifies the research methodology to be used for the study by
3
discussing why it is the best approach for answering the
research question and addressing the problem statement. Uses
citations from original sources in the literature on the specific
research methodology to support the arguments. (NOTE:
Books such as those by Creswell, which are secondary sources
summarizing others approaches to research, may not be used
as sources in this section).
3. ALIGNMENT: The selected methodology should be justified
3
based on the Problem Statement and Research Questions.
NOTE: This section elaborates on the methodology part of Point #7(Methodology and Design) in the
10 Strategic Points.
This section becomes the foundation for the Research Methodology in Chapter 1 of the Proposal and
the basis for developing Chapter 3, Research Methodology.
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Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph
Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
Score
(0-3)
structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format
Comments from the Evaluator:
Nature of the Research Design for the Study
A correlational (quantitative) study was chosen because this study needs only to
demonstrate the relationship between mental stimulation and sensory stimulation, not a causal
effect. Correlational methods are commonly used for the purpose of comparing without implying
a direction (Allwood, 2012). Since this study needs to show only which is preferred (mental life
or sensory awareness), this approach is sufficient. This design will require a sample drawn from
an accessible pool of subjects (via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk) whose kinds of awareness may
vary, but will consist predominantly of the target population of mature persons with working
social cognition.
Amazon’s Mechanical Turk was chosen for ease of access and deployment, affordability,
potential approval by IRB, and presence in modern research. Some experimental psychologists
consider it more representative than a college student population, when factoring for its
limitations (Grady, 2015). According to research comparing the sample size needed on
Mechanical Turk to approximate lab samples for this type of research, the number of participants
needed is about 150 per cell (Simmons, 2014). As there are three methods (preference, demand,
and reverence) with three levels each (nine cells), this requires a total of 1,350 subjects. At a cost
of $0.10 per HIT (participation), the cost is a manageable $135 to explore the possible
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significance of this topic. Amazon’s Mechanical Turk is ideal for this sampling process, because
use of the interface assumes adequate cognitive abilities and anonymity, and motivation is high
for low cost. It is also commonly used for psychological tests and experiments.
Vignettes (audio-visual mini-stories) will prompt participants to indicate whether they see
a trend suggesting preference for mental phenomena. This design was chosen because it best
symbolizes the underlying hypothesis of an inner urgency to ignore sensation and pay more
attention to mental life. These internalized responses can be observed using the variables
reverence and contempt (expectation of reverence/conformity and contempt/exclusion if not)
which draw upon a number of similar social psychological terms. Those terms are outlined well
in work by Fiske (2011) and Sammut & Sartawi (2012) among others, including status,
admiration, anger, insistence, ignorance, dominance, warmth, envy, and scorn). Together, these
observations will help argue for the exploration of reverence for human thought and social
contempt for irreverence for human thought.
Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
Score
(0-3)
Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
Nature of the Research Design for the Study
This section describes the specific research design to answer the research questions and why this
approach was selected. It describes the research sample being studied as well as the process that will be
used to collect the data on the sample.
The recommend length for this section is one paragraph and completion of Table 1
(quantitative) and/or Table 2 (qualitative) in Appendix B.
1. Identifies the specific type of research design chosen for the
study as well as a sample appropriate for the design. (e.g.,
Quantitative designs include descriptive/survey, correlational,
causal-comparative, quasi-experimental, and experimental.
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Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
Score
(0-3)
Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
Qualitative designs include case study, narrative, grounded
theory, historical, and phenomenological.) Although other
designs are possible, these are the designs GCU recommends
doctoral learners use to help ensure a doable study.
2. Discusses why the selected design is the best design to address
3
the research questions as compared to other designs.
3. ALIGNMENT: The selected Research Design should be
3
justified based on the research questions as well as the
hypotheses/variables (quantitative) or phenomenon
(qualitative). It should also be aligned with the selected
Research Methodology.
NOTE: This section also elaborates on the Design part of Point #7 (Methodology and Design) in the
10 Strategic Points. This section provides the foundation for Nature of the Research Design for the
Study in Chapter 1.
NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph
structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.
Comments from Evaluator:
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this quantitative correlational research is to investigate the possibility
that the human species favors its mental phenomena (thoughts) over the biological organisms
which briefly experience them. Further, this research will investigate whether this mental
favoritism is correlated with hostility toward non-mental things which tend to interrupt mental
goals, and with ambivalence for the affective suffering arising from hyper-preference for mental
goals. This can be investigated using a set of three correlational methods, using vignettes to
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propose situations requiring a decision to prefer hidden phenomena (internalized thoughts) over
manifest phenomena (extant things). The target population is the “kind” of awareness that prefers
thoughts of existence over existence (hypothesized to be mature humans with functional social
cognition). These will be sampled from an accessible pool of subjects (via Amazon’s Mechanical
Turk) whose kinds of awareness may vary, but will consist predominantly of the target
population. The three variables will be Mental Preference (preference for thought), Mental
Demand (invariant preference for thought), and Mental Reverence (urgency to save thought from
perishing, as though it were a living thing). These variables will be based on an operationalized
definition of what is more thought-like than sensory, and piloted before use with the implicit
association task (IAT) to ensure construct validity (Feldman, 2011; Meade, n.d.). The dependent
measures will be continuous variables representing the observed intensity of response from 0% 100% at each level of the independent variables. The data will be fitted to the SCM model for
analysis (warmth and competence) with the addition of ambivalence (apathy) as the aspect
neglected by enduring preference for thoughts.
Each group will be comprised of 150 subjects per advice by Simmons (2014) on adequate
cell sizes for Mechanical Turk, and will be paid a nominal participation fee of approximately
$0.10 per response which is a common amount (each response is called a Human Intelligence
Task or HIT using Amazon’s tool). This will essentially be a between-subjects design and expert
advice exists to conduct these (Brady, 2015). Some pilot studies will be conducted beforehand.
Geographically, participants will be initially limited to the U.S. to help control for cultural
distinctions needed for the vignettes.
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Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
Score
(0-3)
Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
Purpose of the Study
The purpose statement section provides a reflection of the problem statement and identifies how the
study will be accomplished. It explains how the proposed study will contribute to the field.
The recommend length for this section is one paragraph.
1. Presents a declarative statement: “The purpose of this
3
_______study is….” that identifies the research methodology,
research design, target population, variables/groups
(quantitative), or phenomena (qualitative) to be studied, and
geographic location. It often includes a version of the Problem
Statement as a way to define the phenomenon or
variables/hypotheses.
2. ALIGNMENT: The Purpose Statement includes: Research
3
Methodology, Research Design, and Problem Statement
from the previous sections. It also includes the target
population, which should be of sufficient size to provide a large
enough sample to complete the study and provide significant
(quantitative) or meaningful (qualitative) results.
NOTE: This section elaborates on Points #8 (Purpose Statement) in the 10 Strategic Points. This
section becomes the foundation for the Purpose of the Study in Chapter 1 of the Proposal.
NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph
structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.
Comments from the Evaluator:
Instrumentation or Sources of Data
Demographic data will be collected using the survey in Appendix C (CIDQ-1). A set of
three vignettes (short, 20 second audio-visual stories) with three versions each will be used to
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elicit responses. Each group will observe just one vignette from any one method (a betweengroups design). This will be followed by an affective self-report instrument to help measure
participant responses. The instruments need to be finalized and piloted against existing research,
however, example prompts will be of the form: Do you see preference/bias? How much do you
see? Is it benign or malicious? Do you see demand? How much do you see? Is it benign or
malicious? Do you see reverence? How much do you see? Is it benign or malicious? (The
benign/malicious factor may not be included but will aid derivative discussion if included).
A Likert scale will be used at a minimum, however a nonverbal facial expression
controller is planned since it is very closely aligned with facial expressions of scorn/contempt
(Brady, 2015). The dependent measures will be continuous variables representing intensity of the
observed response (0% - 100%) at each level of the independent variables, indicative of the
intensity of preference, demand, or reverential urgency for mental rather than sensory stimuli.
Examples of these instruments occur in the research, for example reverence (Ai et al., 2015),
contempt (Norton, Frost, & Ariely, 2013), and dominance (Pires, Silva, & Ferreira, 2013).
Additional instruments also exist to corroborate findings. These include evidence of
infrahumanization responses (Kteil y et al., 2015), responses to deontic and utilitarian judgments
(Djeriouat & Trémolière, 2014), responses to sacred symbols (Berns et al., 2012), and also
instruments describing how to gather time affect and intensity (Scollon, Diener, Oishi, &
Biswas-Diener, 2005).
These vignettes will be constructed using Adobe Flash Professional CS4 version 10.0.2
and TechSmith’s Camtasia Studio version 8.6.4 and entered into the interface at Amazon’s
Mechanical Turk along with response boxes. A separate web server will be needed to host the
videos (and is already in place), which will use a success code for completion of the HIT at
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Mechanical Turk. This is similar to the American Psychological Association’s Online
Psychology Lab (OPL) which I have teaching experience with (Online Psychological
Laboratory, n.d.). These instruments are currently being finalized, and their permission for use
will be applied for if needed (for application components which may require permission for use;
Brady, 2015). There is ample explanation, however, in cognitive research—I have
education/experience with the software tools, and many of the components are free for use
(Brady, 2015; Crump, McDonnell, & Gureckis, 2013). The resulting participant data will be
downloaded from Mechanical Turk, screened as needed, and imported into IBM SPSS.
Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
Score
(0-3)
Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
Instrumentation or Sources of Data
Describes, in detail, all data collection instruments and sources (tests, questionnaires, interviews,
data bases, media, etc.). Discusses the specific instrument or source to collect data for each variable
or group (quantitative study). Discusses specific instrument or source to collect information to
describe the phenomena being studied (qualitative study).
The recommend length for this section is one paragraph AND completion of Table 1
(quantitative) and/or Table 2 (qualitative) in Appendix B.
1. Identifies and describes the types of data that will be collected
3
to answer each Research Question for a qualitative study.
Identifies the data that will be collected for each
Variable/Group in a quantitative study.
2. Identifies tools, instruments, or databases to be used to collect
the data (e.g., observations, interviews, questionnaires,
documents, media (qualitative), standardized tests, surveys, and
databases (quantitative)). For a qualitative study, identify the
specific tools, instruments, or databases for each research
question in a qualitative study. For a quantitative study, identify
the name of the specific “validated” and “previously used in
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Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
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Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
quantitative research” survey or data source to be used to
collect data for each variable, providing a citation for the
instrument or data source.
3. ALIGNMENT: Aligns with the Research Questions
3
(qualitative) or Variables (quantitative) previously described in
the Research Question(s) and Phenomena or Research
Questions, Hypotheses, and Variables section above.
Identifies and describes the data and data source that will be
used to answer each Research Question for a qualitative study.
Identifies, describes, and names the type of numerical data and
specific data collection instrument or source that will be used
for each variable and group in a quantitative study.
NOTE: This section elaborates on Point #9 (Data Collection) from the 10 Strategic Points.
This information is summarized high level in Chapter 1 in the Proposal in the Nature of the
Research Design for the Study section. This section provides the foundation for Instrumentation
(quantitative) or Sources of Data (qualitative) section in Chapter 3.
NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph
structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.
Comments from the Evaluator: Please address my comments above.
Data Collection Procedures
Sampling for the population will be accomplished via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk based
on advice from the research center at Princeton (where Fiske’s research is located) and tutorials
from the University of California San Diego (Brady, 2015; Princeton University, 2008). Prior to
the actual study, the experimental instruments and study design will be submitted to the IRB first
for approval on the basis of educational exemption if possible, or expedited review if not.
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Standards of human subjects research will be followed for the protection and well-being of
participants, as well as the respect of their privacy. Data will be kept by the primary investigator
only, and secured so as not to compromise anonymity of subjects (although anonymity on
Mechanical Turk is already guaranteed by its design for the most part). Only the data needed for
the correlational design will be gathered, in keeping with best practices (the current demographic
questionnaire will be edited as needed). If granted by participants (which is expected due to the
anonymous nature of their participation), data will be stored after the primary analysis in a
protected location, and encrypted/password-encoded. This is to allow derivate study designs to
analyze features not predicted in the initial study. The platform allows for a consent form, and
the study will be limited to subjects in the U.S. to account for cultural variations.
According to research comparing the sample size needed on Mechanical Turk to
approximate lab samples for this type of research, the number of participants needed is about 150
per cell (Simmons, 2014). As there are three methods (preference, demand, and reverence) with
three levels each (nine cells), this requires a total of 1,350 subjects. At a cost of $0.10 per HIT
(participation), the cost is a manageable $135 to explore the possible significance of this topic.
Amazon’s Mechanical Turk is ideal for this sampling process, because use of the interface
assumes adequate cognitive abilities and anonymity, and motivation is high for low cost. It is
also commonly used for psychological tests and experiments (Brady, 2015). Each group will
then participate in one level of the three primary instruments, which will present layers of
preference for mental phenomena, concluding with a visualization of sacred symbols in jeopardy
of being lost forever. These will be presented using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk platform and the
resulting data downloaded from the platform and imported into IBM SPSS. The dependent
variables will be coded as continuous variables, then evaluated according to intensity of affective
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response, which will approximate the hypothesized trend of an unnatural attachment to the
conceptual independent variable (Ai, Wink, & Shearer, 2011). With IRB approval, all
instruments will be piloted prior to use, to help guarantee their effectiveness and allow a
“smooth” session.
Experimental researchers do note some limitations of Mechanical Turk as a
sampling/delivery method, such as difficulty performing counterbalancing measures. However,
tutorials have been identified to address these. Self-reporting is known to have limitations, so this
design uses participant assessment of characters in the vignettes, rather than self-assessment.
This will also align more closely with the process of social cognitive attribution and contempt for
responses outside one’s control.
Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
Score
(0-3)
Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
Data Collection Procedures
This section details the entirety of the process used to collect the data. It describes each step of the
data collection process in a way that another researcher could replicate the study.
NOTE: It is recommended that the researcher get written approval (or at the very least unofficial
approval) to conduct their research study in their selected organization. Ensure the person (who is
usually a school superintendent, school boards, or corporate officer) providing approval is
authorized by the organization to grant approval for research. Do not assume your organization will
allow you to collect data since many organization do not allow research to be completed within the
organization.
The recommended length for this section is two paragraphs.
1. Defines the target population and the expected sample size,
which comprises the people or organizations being studied,
as defined in the problem statement. For quantitative studies, it
justifies why the target population and expected sample size
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Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
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Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
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(0-3)
(final number of people or organizations being studied for
which data will be collected) is large enough to produce
statistically significant results (quantitative) or meaningful
results (qualitative).
2. Provides an overview the proposed step-by-step procedure to
3
collect data using the tools, instruments, or databases from the
section above. Includes the steps (e.g., obtaining initial
informed consent from participating organization; IRB review;
sample selection; groupings; protecting rights/well-being;
maintaining data security; sample recruitment; data collection
instruments and approaches; field testing instruments; notifying
participants; collecting the data, etc.) in a way another
researcher can replicate the study. Steps may be provided in a
list format.
3. ALIGNMENT: Shows the steps and approach to collect data
3
for each and every data source identified in the Instrumentation
or Sources of Data section. Defines the sample as the set of
people or organizations being studied for which data will be
collected. The sample size must be correct for the type of
design selected to get statistically significant (quantitative) or
meaningful (qualitative) results.
NOTE: This section elaborates on Points #4 (Sample and Location) and #9 (Data Collection) in the 10
Strategic Points.
This section provides the foundation for the Data Collection Procedures section in Chapter 3 in the
Proposal. And it is summarized high level in Chapter 1 in Nature of the Research Design for the
Study in the Proposal.
NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph
structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.
Comments from the Evaluator:
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Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
Score
(0-3)
Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
Data Analysis Procedures
The data from the three methods will be analyzed using three separate univariate
comparisons of means (one-way ANOVA). Each one-way ANOVA will have a single
categorical IV with 3 levels, and one continuous DV. For the purpose of this dissertation,
separate ANOVAs will be sufficient as independent tests of types of cognitive preference
(mental dominance), rather than a single complicated analysis to preserve alpha. The logic is to
triangulate evidence to support exploration of this possible veneration of cognition rather than to
experimentally discover main or mixed effects. Trends will be sought using the planned
comparisons feature of SPSS (contrasts), to determine the relationship between variables, most
likely using a quadratic trend which is explained in several sample explanations (Field, 2000).
Post hoc tests will also be conducted using Tukey’s HSD and Dennett’s, to help
determine whether the effect increases with each level (the equidistality is of less importance
than rank order), supporting the hypothesis of greater contempt for greater deviation from mental
preference.
Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
Score
(0-3)
Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
Data Analysis Procedures
This section describes how the data were collected for each variable or group (quantitative study) or for
each research question (qualitative study). It describes the type of data to be analyzed, identifying the
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Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
descriptive, inferential, and/or non-statistical analyses. Demonstrates that the research analysis is
Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
Score
(0-3)
aligned to the specific research design.
The recommend length for this section is one paragraph AND completion of Table 1
(quantitative) and/or Table 2 (qualitative) in Appendix B.
1. Describes the analysis to examine each stated research
3
question and/or hypothesis. For quantitative studies,
describes the analyses including the inferential and/or
descriptive statistics to be completed. For qualitative
studies, describes the specific analytic approach appropriate
for the Research Design and each research question to be
completed. In qualitative research the different research
questions may require different approaches to doing
qualitative data analysis, as well as descriptive statistics.
2. ALIGNMENT: For qualitative studies, there is a clear and
3
obvious alignment between each research question, data to
be collected, tool or data source, as well as data analysis to
understand/explain the phenomenon. For quantitative
studies, there is a clear and obvious alignment between each
variable, data to be collected, instrument or data source, as
well as data analysis for each hypothesis.
NOTE: This section elaborates on Point #10 (Data Analysis) from the 10 Strategic Points. This section
provides the foundation for Data Analysis Procedures section in Chapter 3 in the Proposal.
NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph
structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.
Comments from the Evaluator:
Prospectus Template v6.2.14.14
37
Ethical Considerations
The two primary ethical problems for this study are as follows. One is the possibility of
offending the values held (including the nobility of the human species). The other is the
possibility of aftereffects from the sensory vignettes, since those will propose a believable
scenario in which endearing concepts are in vicarious peril. However, the aim of this research is
to remove these distinctions by demonstrating an unneeded hyper-reverence for cognitions,
instead of simple appreciation (gratitude and positive regard) for the biological urgencies of
people and animals. In that case, the benefits may actually offset the risks, possibly freeing the
individual from harmful invariant beliefs and greater mindfulness of one another’s need for each
other.
The primary investigator will follow all appropriate procedures for human subjects
research and under approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before collecting data. All
data will be kept private and secure. Informed consent will be presented before each trial using
the examples offered by Brady (2015). No site permission issues are anticipated, because the
Amazon Mechanical Turk platform is commonly used for experimental psychology,
participation is fully anonymous, and participants select tasks (HITs) for payment. There are no
known conflicts of interest, and the risk of participating in the research is mostly limited to the
residual effects of challenging beliefs, and the impact of projecting self-outcomes into the
vignettes (Salomon et al., 2013).
Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Ethical Considerations
Prospectus Template v6.2.14.14
Learner SelfEvaluation
Score
(0-3)
Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
38
Chair or
Reviewer
Evaluation
Score
(0-3)
This section discusses the potential ethical issues surrounding the research, as well as how human
Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3
Learner SelfEvaluation
Score
(0-3)
subjects and data will be protected. It identifies how any potential ethical issues will be addressed.
The recommended length for this section is one paragraph.
1. Discusses potential ethical concerns that might occur during the
3
data collection process.
2. Describes how the identities of the participants in the study and
3
data will be protected.
3. Describes subject recruiting, informed consent and site
3
authorization processes.
4. ALIGNMENT: Ethical considerations are clearly aligned with,
3
and relate directly to the specific Data Collection Procedures.
This section also identifies ethical considerations related to the
target population being researched and organization or location
as described in the Purpose Statement section.
NOTE: This section does use information from any of the 10 Strategic Points.
This section provides the foundation for Ethical Considerations section in Chapter 3 in the Proposal.
NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph
structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.
Comments from the Evaluator:
Prospectus Template v6.2.14.14
39
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Appendix A
The 10 Strategic Points for the Prospectus, Proposal, and Dissertation
1) Topic – Provides a broad research topic area/title.
Correlate evidence that the hominin species reveres the phenomenality of non-living thoughts
over those living entities from which thoughts arise and to which phenomenal thoughts refer.
Correlate evidence that the hominin species is more worried about the survival of its thoughts
than the biodiversity of the natural world. Correlate evidence of societal contempt for those
that do not revere (or possess) mental phenomena, and apathy for species which are
incidentally harmed or made extinct by mental aims.
2) Literature Review - Lists primary points for four sections in the Literature Review: (a)
Background of the problem/gap; (b) Theoretical foundations (models and theories to be
foundation for study); (c) Review of literature topics with key theme for each one; (d)
Summary.
a) Background of the problem/gap:
i) Reverence for thought and contempt for simple awareness
ii) Dehumanization of those who do not share the same cognitive concepts
iii) "Theft" of childhood to expand information industry
iv) Difficulty approving studies that explore the negative aspects of invariant conception
v) Hyper-preference for thoughts cultivates apathy for nature, and compliance with
processes harmful to human and non-human nature
vi) Challenge the assumption that cognitive (unnatural) processing is a superior
evolutionary outcome that results in better natural outcomes
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vii) Expose possible idolatry of human thought and sacrifice of lesser awareness styles to
grow cognitive industries
b) Theoretical Foundations (models and theories of human thought)
i) Conception, reverence, and contempt based on the social cognitive model of Susan
Fiske’s lab at Princeton, which uses social status, envy, and scorn. In the SCM model,
mental preference is a variable describing the passive relationship between self and
others (warmth or coldness), and the impact of preference is a variable describing the
possibility of acting on that relationship (competence or incompetence). However,
although this model allows the study of apparent hostility between social agents, by
design this model has omitted the concept of ambivalence. By substituting reverence
of thought in place of envy of one another, the third variable (ambivalence or apathy)
for less thought-like creatures can be studied, and thoughts will exhibit reverence or
contempt
c) Review of literature topics with key theme for each one:
i) Dehumanization thrives during civil unrest
ii) Children faulted for greater demands on childhood early learning/attention
iii) Individuals faulted for systemic causes
iv) Attachment for living things replaced by attachment to objects because of rejection in
time of need (Freud’s insight in Mourning and Melancholia)
v) Scientific reluctance to question widespread practice of sacrifice of animals for
science/human health
vi) Suggestion of continuing practice of idolatry with a new name
d) Summary
Prospectus Template v6.2.14.14
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i) Gap/problem: The phenomenon of human cognition evinces preference for the
survival of its thoughts over the survival of its biological and ecological
underpinnings.
ii) Prior studies: group behaviors focus on faulty biology rather than concepts that
collapse biological coping; child development studies are beginning to point to denial
of childhood play, but many more are needed pointing to veneration of cognition;
psychopathy studies stop short of identifying successful cognition as the origin of
apathy/dishonesty/asocial urges; animal sentience unacknowledged but scientific
evidence growing
iii) Quantitative study(s): (a) preference for mental phenomena, (b) demand to prefer
mental phenomena, (c) reverence for mental phenomena (rescue urge)
iv) Significance: This research will contribute to opening a line of inquiry challenging
the need to view human cognition and human utterance as superior to simpler forms
of existence, expression, and survival. This research may allow re-perception of
childhood as a time meant for its own sake and not preparatory to maturation, to view
divergent awareness styles as acceptable varieties of solutions rather than deviations
from a cognitive ideal, and the entitlement of animals to the same ethics humans
anticipate access to while briefly here.
3) Problem Statement - Describes the phenomena to study (qualitative) or
variables/groups (quantitative) to study, in one sentence.
It is not known whether the human species prefers it mental phenomena over its sensory
awareness. Further, it is not known whether this preference is correlated with hostility toward
non-mental phenomena and ambivalence for biological suffering.
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4) Sample and Location – Identifies sample, needed sample size, and location (study
phenomena with small numbers and variables/groups with large numbers).
a) A human subjects sample of 150 per cell (1,350 total) will be drawn using Amazon’s
Mechanical Turk platform for a within-groups design
5) Research Questions – Provides research questions to collect data to address the
problem statement.
a) R1: Is there a trend between groups of participants suggesting preference for mental
phenomena compared to sensory phenomena?
b) R2: Is there a trend between groups of participants suggesting increasing contempt for
those whose physiological needs do not conform to mentally scheduled needs as
physiological variance from the schedule increases?
c) R3: Is there a trend between groups of participants suggesting an urgency to rescue sacred
(deontic-like) symbols from imagined peril compared to nominal and utilitarian symbols?
6) Hypothesis/Variables or Phenomena - Provides hypotheses with variables for each
research question (quantitative) or describes the phenomena to be better understood
(qualitative).
a) H10: There is not a trend between groups of participants suggesting preference for
mental phenomena compared to sensory phenomena.
b) H1A: There is a trend between groups of participants suggesting preference for mental
phenomena compared to sensory phenomena.
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c) H20: There is not a trend between groups of participants suggesting increasing
contempt for those whose physiological needs do not conform to mentally scheduled
needs as physiological variance from the schedule increases.
d) H2A: There is a trend between groups of participants suggesting increasing contempt
for those whose physiological needs do not conform to mentally scheduled needs as
physiological variance from the schedule increases.
e) H30: There is not a trend between groups of participants suggesting an urgency to
rescue sacred (deontic-like) symbols from imagined peril compared to nominal and
utilitarian symbols.
f) H3A: There is a trend between groups of participants suggesting an urgency to rescue
sacred (deontic-like) symbols from imagined peril compared to nominal and
utilitarian symbols.
7) Methodology and Design - Describes the selected methodology and specific research
design to address problem statement and research questions.
a) Preliminary demographics
b) Quantitative (correlational) methodology will be used, with 3 vignettes (3 levels each)
analyzed separately by one-way ANOVA with contrast (quadratic trend analysis) and
Tukey/Dunnett post hocs.
8) Purpose Statement – Provides one sentence statement of purpose including the problem
statement, sample, methodology, and design.
The purpose of this quantitative correlational research is to investigate the possibility that the
human species favors its mental phenomena (thoughts) over the biological organisms which
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briefly experience them. Further, this research will investigate whether this mental favoritism
is correlated with hostility toward non-mental things which tend to interrupt mental goals,
and with ambivalence for the affective suffering arising from hyper-preference for mental
goals.
9) Data Collection – Describes primary instruments and sources of data to answer
research questions.
a) Three audio-visual vignettes, each with three versions, will present the treatment levels
b) Responses will be gathered using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk interface
10) Data Analysis – Describes the specific data analysis approaches to be used to address
research questions.
a) Three separate one-way ANOVAs with contrast (quadratic trend analysis) will analyze
the significance of preference for mental phenomena in each of the vignettes.
b) Post hoc tests will be conducted using Tukey’s HSD and Dunnett’s, to determine whether
the effect increases with each level, supporting the hypothesis of a trend of greater
contempt for greater deviation from mental preference.
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Appendix B
Variables/Groups, Phenomena, and Data Analysis
Table 1
Quantitative Studies
Research
Questions:
State the research
Questions
1.
Is there a trend
between groups
of participants
suggesting
preference for
mental
phenomena
compared to
sensory
phenomena?
Hypotheses:
State the
hypotheses to
match each
Research question
List of
Variables/Groups to
Collect Data for:
Independent and
Dependent Variable(s)
Instrument(s)
To collect data
for each variable
H10: There is not a
trend between
groups of
participants
suggesting
preference for
mental phenomena
compared to
sensory
phenomena.
IV: Thought-Like: a 3.
categorical variable
representing kinds of 4.
stimuli which are more 5.
like thought than
sensation. Stimuli which
are more like thought
will be operationalized as
conscious internal
phenomena that do not 6.
directly and obviously 7.
correspond to an object
in the nearby external
world.
The instruments 8.
used include:
H1A: There is a
trend between
groups of
participants
suggesting
preference for
mental phenomena
compared to
sensory
phenomena.
2.
2.
Is there a trend
between groups
of participants
suggesting
increasing
contempt for
those whose
physiological
needs do not
conform to
mentally
scheduled needs
as physiological
variance from
H20: There is not a
trend between
groups of
participants
suggesting
increasing
contempt for those
whose
physiological
needs do not
conform to
mentally scheduled
needs as
physiological
Prospectus Template v6.2.14.14
(a) a custom
audio-visual
sensory vignette
series (1 vignette
with 3 kinds of
stimuli)
Analysis Plan
Data analysis
approach to (1)
describe data and
(2) test the
hypothesis
One-way ANOVA
with contrast
(quadratic),
Tukey’s HSD,
Dunnett’s
(b) a computer
interface for user
responses on
Mechanical Turk
Levels: 0 = not very
thought-like, 1 =
moderately thought-like,
2 = very thought-like
DV: Mental Preference:
a continuous variable of
the amount of preference
for thought-like stimuli,
coded as a coefficient
from -1.00 to 1.00.
IV: Invariability: a
9.
categorical variable
representing how much 10.
variance from mentally 11.
scheduled physiological
needs will be allowed for
actual (unplanned)
physiological signals of
the same needs.
Levels: 0 = no
allowance, 1 = moderate
The instruments
used include:
(a) a custom
audio-visual
sensory vignette
series (1 vignette
with 3 levels of
variability)
(b) a computer
interface for user
responses on
Mechanical Turk
One-way ANOVA
with contrast
(quadratic),
Tukey’s HSD,
Dunnett’s
54
the schedule
increases?
3.
Is there a trend
between groups
of participants
suggesting an
urgency to
rescue sacred
(deontic-like)
symbols from
imagined peril
compared to
nominal and
utilitarian
symbols?
variance from the
schedule increases.
allowance, 2 = large
allowance.
H2A: There is a
trend between
groups of
participants
suggesting
increasing
contempt for those
whose
physiological
needs do not
conform to
mentally scheduled
needs as
physiological
variance from the
schedule increases.
H50: There is not a
trend between
groups of
participants
suggesting an
urgency to rescue
sacred (deonticlike) symbols from
imagined peril
compared to
nominal and
utilitarian symbols.
DV: Mental Demand: a
continuous variable of
the perceived intensity of
demand to conform to
the mental schedule and
ignore the actual
physiological need,
coded as a coefficient
from -1.00 to 1.00
H5A: There is a
trend between
groups of
participants
suggesting an
urgency to rescue
sacred (deonticlike) symbols from
imagined peril
compared to
nominal and
utilitarian symbols.
Prospectus Template v6.2.14.14
IV: Animacy: a
12.
categorical variable
representing different 13.
types of mental symbols14.
that tend to elicit
different types of mental
judgment.
The instruments
used include:
(a) a custom
audio-visual
sensory vignette
series (1 vignette
with 3 different
versions for 3
types of symbols)
Levels: 0 =
nominal/arbitrary, 1 =
valuable/utilitarian, 2 = 15.
16. (b) a computer
sacred/deontic.
interface for user
DV: Mental Reverence: a responses on
Mechanical Turk
continuous variable of
the perceived intensity
(urgency) of a rescue
response, coded as a
coefficient from -1.00 to
1.00.
One-way ANOVA
with contrast
(quadratic),
Tukey’s HSD,
Dunnett’s
55
Appendix C
Demographic Questionnaire (CIDQ-1)
1. What is your gender? (Please circle)
Male
Female
2. In what year were you born? ____
3. What is your marital status? (Please circle)
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
Single (never married)
4. What is the highest degree or level of school you have completed? (Please circle)
Some high school
High school graduate/GED
Trade/vocational School
Some college
College graduate (bachelors)
Post graduate (M/PhD)
5. Employment Status - are you currently...? (Please circle)
Employed
Self-employed
Unemployed
Student
Retired
Unable to work
6. What is your total household income? (Please circle)
Less than $10,000
$10,000 to $19,999
$20,000 to $29,999
$30,000 to $39,999
$40,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $59,999
$60,000 to $69,999
$70,000 to $79,999
$80,000 to $89,999
$90,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $149,999
$150,000 or more
7. What is your ethnicity? (Please circle)
European American
African American
Latin American
Native American
Asian American
Native Pacific Islander
8. What is your religious/spiritual preference? (Please circle)
Roman Catholic
Orthodox Church
Prospectus Template v6.2.14.14
Protestant
56
Christian Scientist
Muslim
Jewish
7th-Day Adventist
Mormon
Atheist
Hinduism
Sikhism
Buddhism
None
Other (please specify) ______________________
Prospectus Template v6.2.14.14