Schedule of Events
Social and Behavioral Sciences Showcase: Poster Session
Soiland Recreational Center
Posters will be set up on easels and a light snack/drink table will be available.
Student Abstracts
The Importance of Knowledge and Concern when Disclosing Personal Information on Social Media Sites
Social media sites (SMS) are great outlets for Americans’ freedom of expression, however, it comes at the cost of their privacy. Terms of Service agreements have hidden language that gives SMS partial ownership of users’ content and allows them to sell data about their users to third parties. In exchange for having the ability to share one’s life with family, friends, and acquaintances via SMS, one is also giving away rights and access to their personal memories. The goal of this research is to find out if millennials who have more awareness about the terms of service agreements of SMS and third party viewers’ ability to view their accounts will disclose less information about themselves on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. According to the Pew Research Center, 87% of 18-29 year old Internet users in America are using Facebook, 53% are using Instagram, and 37% are using Twitter (Duggan, 2015). It is inevitable that social media use is only going to keep growing as more people gain access to the Internet, so it important for users to gain knowledge about the potential benefits and risks of using social media. For this study California Lutheran University students were asked in their classes to participate in a 10-15 minute online survey about their social media use, knowledge of terms of service agreements, and privacy concerns.
Student(s):
Ashley Aaland
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Monica Gracyalny
Does Music Have an Effect on Memory Recall?
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of music type on memory recall. We hypothesized that classical music would increase memory recall as opposed to having no music(control). In addition, listening to hip-hop music would decrease memory recall compared to no music. In this experiment, participants were randomly assigned to listen to classical music, hip-hop music, or no music while completing a memory recall task. Results revealed a significant main effect of music on memory recall. More specifically the hip-hop and no music groups were significantly different, which means that people who listened to hip-hop music had worse memory recall than those who listened classical music and no music at all. This research demonstrates that certain types of music (i.e., hip-hop) interferes with memory processes.
Student(s):
Amanda Adams, Reyna Gamino
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ariana Young
Impact of Implicit Stereotypes on Perceived Deserved Punishment
Individuals are influenced by experiences and have learned associations between various qualities and social categories, including ethnicity. Even well-meaning, educated people may hold stereotypes that impact their perceptions, especially in situations where thoughtful consideration is minimized. Understanding implicit stereotypes can help lower discrimination. In a 2 (Ethnicity of Character) x 2 (Time to Judge) complex experiment, undergraduates read a brief background on a criminal history for a person who had either a traditional “white name” or a traditional “black name.” They were given either very little or ample time to answer questions pertaining to their perceived deserved punishment for the individual. We hypothesized that Ethnicity of Character (Caucasian, African American) will interact significantly with Time to Judge (High, Low), such that a character with a traditional African American name will be given higher punishment than a character with a traditional Caucasian name only when Time to Judge is Low.
Student(s):
Christopher Aguilar, Andres Mendoza
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
The Effects of Culture on the Latina Woman’s Perceptions of Intimate Partner Violence
This session highlights the necessity for unique and new therapeutic approaches when addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) in the Hispanic community. The purpose of this study was to identify how acculturation (i.e. assimilating to a foreign culture) and enculturation (i.e. maintaining one’s own native culture) affect a Latina woman’s perception of healthy versus adverse patterns within an intimate relationship. If the women were able to distinguish between the two patterns, it was equally important to assess reasons they tolerated the violence and the underlying cause they ultimately fled the unhealthy relationship. The design for this project consisted of multiple evidence based case studies that aimed to obtain a deeper understanding of the relationship between culture and IPV. The study consisted of two Latina participants who were recruited from a domestic violence agency in the southern California region. Participants were administered the acculturation (Bidimensional Acculturation Scale for Hispanics; Marín & Gamba, 1996) and enculturation (Latino/a Values Scale; Kim, Soliz, Orellana, & Alamilla, 2009) scales that helped identify their most prominent culture they identified with. Following the assessments was a qualitative interview of 7 oral questions that sought to identify the participants’ perceptions of IPV.
Student(s):
Mayra Aguilar
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Linda Holder
Impact of Body Weight and Gender of Models on Female Body Image
Poor body image is one of the most prevalent issues for young women in today’s society. A large contributing factor may be the images women are viewing as the ideal body in the media. Past research has found that the body weight of models impacts the way women view their own bodies. The present study explored whether this finding applies only to viewing female models. In a 2 (body weight) x 2 (gender of model) complex experiment, undergraduates were randomly assigned to view pictures with either heavy or thin models that were either male or female. Participants viewed the pictures and then responded to a questionnaire assessing their personal body image. I hypothesized that body weight of the model (thin, heavy) will interact significantly with the gender of the model (male, female), such that thin models that are female will lead to lower body image than thin models that are male, but that heavy models that are female will lead to higher body image than heavy models that are male.
Student(s):
Danielle Beckerman
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Impact of Gender and Presence of a Pet on the Perceived Approachability of a Homeless Person
Homelessness is on the rise due to a harsh economic environment. Finding ways to facilitate a sense of community unity and support for the homeless is important. The present study explored characteristics that might increase the perceived approachability of homeless individuals. In a 2 (gender) X 2 (presence of pet) complex experiment, undergraduates were randomly assigned to vignettes describing a homeless person who was either male or female and with or without a pet. We hypothesized that gender and pet presence will interact significantly such that men with a pet will be perceived to be more approachable than men without a pet while pet presence will not impact the perceived approachability of women.
Student(s):
Alexandra Burgos, Savannah Aviles
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Distractions and Academic Performance
The use of technological devices such as cell phones has demonstrated to reduce the quality of task performance due to the divided attention that each task receives (Stothart, Mitchum, & Yehnert, 2015). The purpose of this study was to answer the following question: Do cell phones have a negative effect on student’s academic performance? We examined this question by analyzing data gathered from an experiment consisting of two conditions. Condition 1 (the control group) tested participant's academic performance by having them read a passage from An Outline of Psycho-Analysis by Sigmund Freud and then having them take a short quiz about the passage without the distraction of cell phones. Condition 2 tested participant's academic performance by having them read the same passage and quiz as Condition 1 with the distraction of cell phones present. In Condition 2, participants were asked to place their cell phone on their desk and turn the volume of their cell phone all the way up. The experiment also asked questions pertaining to cell phone usage habits as well as studying habits. Results showed that participants completing the task without cell phones appeared to perform better than participants who completed the task with cell phones present. The results of the experiment support the idea that cell phones have a negative impact on student’s academic performance.
Student(s):
Itzel Carranza, Jocelyn Sepulveda
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Sell
Attachment Patterns And The Link To Relationship Satisfaction Among Same-Sex Partners
Attachment theory can be viewed as a structure for understanding differences among individuals in close relationships. Based on the major infant attachment styles research supports that the attachment styles are later demonstrated in adult romantic relationships. There is a large body of literature regarding heterosexuals in romantic relationships and relationship satisfaction. However, little is known regarding attachment patterns and relationship satisfaction among same-sex couples. Additionally, attachment models among gay and lesbian individuals in romantic relationships may differ in that they may face unique stressors. The purpose of my dissertation research is to explore attachment patterns in same-sex couples and variables that may affect relationship satisfaction.
Student(s):
Ebony Christian
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Morris Eagle
The Effects of News Source and Language on Mood
This study explored the effects of news source and adjectives on negative moods. How the media chooses to portray certain events has an impact on how the audience perceives the event and the people involved in the event. This is important because language is a powerful tool that can be used in many different ways, both negative and positive. There were 43 participants who participated in the experiment; average age was 20 years (SD = 3.31). All participants were asked to complete the informed consent form before completing the rest of the packet. Participants analyzed a news story from either domestic or foreign news sources that contained either natural or emotional language. Participants then completed a short survey and were thanked for their time. I hypothesized that there will be a significant interaction between news source and language such that participants will experience a greater negative mood when reading the foreign news source with emotional language than any other group. The results did not support the hypothesis. News source and language significantly interacted such that participants in the neutral condition of the foreign news source experienced the greatest negative mood.
Student(s):
Jesse Coon
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Traits of Performance Excellence
Collegiate female athletes have been identified in the literature as a population with a particularly high risk for developing eating disorders, and the percentage of athletes with eating disorders is higher among the female athletic population as compared to the non-athlete population (Greenleaf, Petrie, Carter, & Reel, 2009; Arthur-Cameselle & Quatromoni, 2010). Prevention, identification, and treatment of disordered eating in athletes is difficult, and often times complicated by the sport environment (Thompson & Sherman, 2005). Thompson and Sherman (1999) have identified several parallels between a competitive athlete, and an individual who displays eating disorder behavior, (described in the literature as good athlete traits) which could explain the difficulty in both detecting and treating athletes struggling with an eating disorder. The present study will use a correlational design to examine the relationship between relative risk for eating disorders among female student-athletes, and the extent to which their respective coaches endorse good athlete traits. Athletes will complete the EAT-26, a widely used eating disorder screening tool, and their respective coaches will be asked to complete a self-report survey that includes the six constructs that make up the good athlete traits (i.e. Mental toughness/Asceticism; Commitment to Training/Excessive Exercise; Pursuit of Excellence/Perfectionism; Coachability/Overcompliance; Unselfishness/Selflessness; Performance Despite Pain/Denial of Discomfort). A moderated regression will be used to ascertain whether or not student-athlete perfectionism and the coach-athlete attachment style moderates or interacts with the effects of coaches’ endorsement of good athlete traits on student-athletes' relative risk for an eating disorder.
Student(s):
Nicole Crawford
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Jennifer Twyford
Behavioral Intervention on a Child With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
As a part of the Clinical Practicum, a behavioral intervention was implemented with a child diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. This is a mental and social impairment diagnosed in early childhood, and is characterized by a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in more than two settings. Several techniques were implemented in the classroom to increase the child’s length of concentration. Positive reinforcement was made contingent on the child increasing the length of time the child focused on schoolwork without having to be reminded. Progress was measured, recorded and graphed.
Student(s):
Christina Davi
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
The Impact of a Person's Attractiveness and Gender on Their Perceived Trustworthiness
People who are considered to be attractive are often seen as trustworthy and truthful. A common gender stereotype suggests that women are supposed to “look pretty” but not be “in charge,” leading to a question regarding whether attractiveness will impact perceptions of men and women differently. In a 2 (male, female stimulus person) x 2 (attractive, unattractive) complex experiment, undergraduates were randomly assigned to view either an attractive or unattractive male or female and rated the stimulus person in terms of trustworthiness and truthfulness. I hypothesized that attractiveness and gender will interact significantly, such that attractive men will be perceived to be more trustworthy and truthful than unattractive men and attractive women will be perceived to be less trustworthy and truthful than unattractive women.
Student(s):
Christina Davi
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Social Support in Intimate Relationships: The Role of Autonomous Motivation
Prior research suggests effective social support exchange among intimate relationship partners is crucial to individual and couple well-being. Yet, research examining the factors which contribute to healthy social support exchanges among intimate couples is surprisingly limited. The current study drew upon Self-Determination Theory to examine the role of autonomous motivation in the social support process among couples. Specifically, we examined whether individuals who were more autonomously motivated would seek and provide social support in a more effective manner. Eighty-four intimate couples (n = 168) were recruited from a large university in the Midwestern United States. In a laboratory, one member of the couple was asked to discuss one thing they would like to improve about themselves with their intimate relationship partner. The couples’ video-taped interactions were subsequently coded by our research team using a well-established social support coding scheme (Overall, Fletcher & Simpson, 2010). Although data analysis is on-going, initial results indicate that the motivation of the support seeker was the primary determinant of the success of the process. That is, when the support seeker was autonomously motivated, they tended to seek support in a more positive manner, which then predicted better support provision. These results suggest that a) the support seeker plays a crucial role in the outcome of the social support process, and b) in accordance with self-determination theory, autonomous motivation is beneficial to the social support process.
Student(s):
Brian Don, Jesse Coon, Adrian Castellon, Madison Jaramillo, Felicity Frost, Lorna Bracken
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Brian Don
The Impact of Identification with a Stranger and Relay of Information on Secondhand Embarrassment
Individuals can often recall feeling embarrassed for another individual given an awkward or uncomfortable situation. Past research has found that this phenomenon of “secondhand embarrassment” is really a case of feeling empathy for another individual. It is important for individuals to feel empathy for one another in order to create an environment that encourages cooperation and tolerance. If more situations were promoted in order to increase empathy, individuals in a workplace or at school could work more mutually and collaboratively. In a 2 (identification with a stranger) x 2 (relay of information) complex experiment, undergraduates were randomly assigned to watch a video either of an older or same-age woman retelling an embarrassing event or of an older or same-age woman experiencing the embarrassing event. After watching the video, participants were asked to rate how much they identified with the woman in the video and how much they felt embarrassed for her. I hypothesized that identification with a stranger (older, same-age) will interact significantly with relay of information (retelling the story, witnessing the event), such that a same-age woman retelling an embarrassing event will elicit greater secondhand embarrassment than an older woman retelling the same story, but that witnessing the embarrassing event will elicit greater secondhand embarrassment than simply hearing the event retold, regardless of the age of the stranger.
Student(s):
Christine Flores
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
The Effects of Film on Viewer Experiences
Movies have unrivaled reach to mass audiences. Due to its ability to relay information to masses, it is important to examine its effects on viewers. Past research offers evidence of film’s impact on the audience. For example, studies show that people can become immersed into stories (Green & Brock, 2000). In the classroom, supplementing lessons with movies can prolong interest (Freeman & Hoefner, 1931). The purpose of the current study is to examine the effects of style (documentary vs. docudrama) on the educational effectiveness of film, including its ability to inform, interest, and immerse viewers. Both documentaries and docudramas aim to portray factual information, but use different structures to do so. The docudrama is a reenactment of events using actors to portray real people. The documentary employs techniques including interviews and actual footage. Participants (n=95) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: documentary exposure or docudrama exposure. Both groups watched a 15-minute clip about Steve Jobs and the early years of Apple – varying in film style – then answered a series of questions assessing retention (how much content the audience recalled), immersion (how engaged the audience was), and perceived accuracy (the extent the audience accepted the information as fact). We hypothesize the docudrama will produce better retention and immersion compared to the documentary. However, we hypothesize the docudrama will be perceived as less accurate compared to the documentary. In conducting this research, we hope to better understand the effectiveness of movies communicating history especially in an educational context.
Student(s):
Morgan Flynn
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ariana Young
Does Slow and steady Always Win?
Our study aimed to determine if the tempo of music had an effect on one's reaction time. We hypothesized that those in the slow tempo condition would have a slower reaction time than those in the normal (control) and the fast tempo groups. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three music tempo conditions (slow tempo, normal tempo, or fast tempo) while they completed an online reaction time test. We did not find any significant results between the tempo condition and participant's reaction time, and thus concluded that music tempo does not have a significant effect on reaction time.
Student(s):
Felicity Frost, Claudia Mendoza, Emily Glossbrenner, Paige Vuksic
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ariana Young
Autism Spectrum Characteristics, Eyetracking, and Perceptions of a Magic Presentation
How ambiguous situations with unexpected consequences, such as magic performances, impact people may have implications for theory of mind—an ability believed to differ for those on the Autism Spectrum from neuro-typical people. In a videotaped magic performance with cards, a magician and participant were shown choosing the same cards from two decks, accompanied by patter regarding whether people could be on the same “mental wavelength.” Sixty undergraduates at California Lutheran University individually viewed the performance on a laptop equipped with an eyetracking device (Gazepoint GP3) to measure retinal movements, fixation points, and durations. Aspects of neuro-atypicality were assessed by subscales of the abbreviated Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ-Short). We hypothesized that visual tracking, explanations, and subjective interest would differ for individuals scoring high on difficulty with imagination, shifting of attention, and/or social skills, as compared to neuro-typical individuals. Those scoring high on the overall AQ-Short or on the imagination subscale spent significantly less time looking at faces than did low scorers. Those scoring high on difficulty in shifting attention looked at the cards less frequently and spent less time looking at them than did those without difficulty. Problems with social skills correlated significantly and positively with difficulties with imagination, but did not predict attention to either faces or cards. Interestingly, both high and low scorers were interested in the trick, most participants were largely unsure about how the trick had been done, and no one correctly identified the method. These are preliminary data for the first of four magic presentations.
Student(s):
Marylie Gerson, Dr. Michael J. Gerson, Dr. Marylie W. Gerson, Joelle Georgeff, Kala Randazzo, Torrey Fernandez, Iuri Conceicao, Nicole Renee, Samantha Spielfogel
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Michael J. Gerson
Predictors of Resilience, Thriving, and Positive Affect: Spirituality and Perceived Social Support
The importance of spirituality and social support has been well-documented for resilience and thriving (Gerson, Fahmy, Glossbrenner, & Mullen, 2015). We sought to replicate these findings and to explore whether spirituality or perceived social support predict positive affect as well. Undergraduates (n = 267) at California Lutheran University completed online questionnaires to assess spirituality (Spirituality Scale), perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), resilience (negative subscales of Positive and Negative Affect Scales [PANAS]), thriving (Satisfaction with Life Scale), and positive affect (positive subscales of PANAS). Spirituality scales (personal, relationship, ecological, and overall) and perceived social support scales (family, significant other, friends, and overall) were regressed separately on resilience, thriving, and positive affect scores in three stepwise multiple regression analyses. Personal spirituality significantly predicted resilience, and an overall sense of social support and low score on ecological spirituality significantly added to the prediction. Personal spirituality also significantly predicted thriving, and an overall sense of social support again significantly added to the prediction. Personal spirituality was the sole significant predictor of positive affect. Thus, personal spirituality was the strongest predictor of all three measures of well-being, and perceived social support added significantly to the prediction of resilience as well as thriving. Personal spirituality may be enough for feeling at peace in the moment, whereas being able to resist the “lows” and experiencing general life satisfaction may involve assessments of one’s social connectedness as well. Identifying the differential predictors of various aspects of well-being deserves further research.
Student(s):
Marylie Gerson, Dr. Marylie W. Gerson, Patricia Fahmy, Emily Glossbrenner, Sabrina Mullen
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Are Extraverts and Introverts Equally Strong in Resilience and Thriving?
Jung saw extraverts and introverts as healthy variations in personality style. Research has shown the importance of social connection and spirituality for resilience and thriving, and Gerson et al. (2014) found extraverts to rely more on perceived social support and less on personal spirituality than introverts for thriving. Do these personality styles merely differ in their sources of well-being? We hypothesized that extraverts will score significantly higher in perceived social support and lower in personal spirituality than introverts, but that extraverts and introverts will not differ in resilience, happiness, or thriving. Students (n = 467) at California Lutheran University completed online questionnaires to assess perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), personal spirituality (Spirituality Scale subscale), resilience (Positive and Negative Affect Scale [PANAS] negative subscales), happiness (PANAS positive subscales), and thriving (Satisfaction with Life Scale). Extraversion and introversion were operationalized by Big Five Inventory (BFI) extraversion scores of over 1 SE above or below the mean, respectively. As predicted, extraverts scored significantly higher than introverts in perceived social support and the two groups did not differ significantly in resilience. Contrary to predictions, extraverts scored significantly higher than introverts in personal spirituality, happiness, and thriving. Further research is needed to explore possible means to build life satisfaction in individuals with various personality styles.
Student(s):
Marylie Gerson, Dr. Marylie W. Gerson, Sabrina Mullen, Patricia Fahmy, Emily Glossbrenner
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Interpersonal Influences and Drinking Habits in a College Sample
Approximately 2,000 college students die annually in the United States as a result of unintentional alcohol-related injuries (Hingson, Zha, & Weitzman, 2009). There is an extensive body of literature that emphasizes the importance of interpersonal influences on adolescents’ propensity for alcohol consumption (Van de Vorst, Engels, Meeus, Dekovic, & Van Leeuwe, 2005). Peer and parental influences have proven especially influential in predicting an adolescent’s tendency to consume alcohol (Barnes, Reifman, Farrell, & Dintcheff, 2000; Borsari & Carey, 2001). Consequently, it is essential to examine, understand, and expand upon previously implemented intervention strategies, in an attempt to reduce alcohol consumption in first-year college students for student safety. The purpose of this study is to assess the role of various interpersonal influences that shape college students’ drinking habits in order to elucidate certain factors that should be targeted when developing effective interventions. Specifically, the current study examined how perceived parental permissiveness of alcohol use and parent-child communication frequency moderated the relationship between peer influences and college students’ drinking habits. Results will be discussed in the context of recommendations for the intervention of problematic drinking among college freshman.
Student(s):
Zachary Graham
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Jamie Bedics
The Effects of Parasocial Relationship Status with Superheroes on Prosocial Intentions and Behavior
Today, superheroes are a source of entertainment and inspiration for men and women of all ages. Previous research demonstrates that having a parasocial relationship (PSR; one-sided relationship) with a superhero has positive effects on men’s body image (Young, Gabriel, & Hollar, 2013). The purpose of this study is to examine the possible effects of having a PSR with a superhero on prosocial intentions and behavior. We predict that exposure to a non-PSR superhero will decrease participants’ willingness to help. However, we predict that if a PSR exists, exposure to a superhero will increase their willingness to help. Participants who have vs. do not have a PSR with a superhero will view a video clip of a superhero movie or a control movie. Following, participants will complete questionnaires assessing their prosocial intentions. Lastly, they will be asked if they would like to stay after and volunteer for an unrelated study (prosocial behavior measure). Analyses will be conducted to test our hypotheses. Overall, the current research seeks to better understand the potential consequences of exposure to superheroes.
Student(s):
Kurtis Gruoner, Jennifer N. Kraska, Dr. Brian P. Don
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ariana Young
Increasing Attention to Homework in Child with ADHD
As a part of the Clinical Practicum class a behavior intervention was used to increase attention to homework in a child who shows ADHD symptoms. ADHD manifests itself with symptoms of both inattention and hyperactive or impulsive behaviors. Symptoms include being easily distracted, struggling to stay seated, and talking out of turn. A token economy was introduced coupled with a self-instructional technique to encourage on-task behaviors including focusing on homework and ignoring external stimuli. The on-task behaviors were reinforced by extra time with Legos or a toy from a prize box. Progress was measured by counting how many off-task behaviors were exhibited in a specific time period and how many prompts were needed to keep the client on track.
Student(s):
Kirsten Hagen
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
Impact of Emotional Expression and Gender on Perceived Attractiveness
Humans are social creatures, highly dependent on the ability to read facial expression. Gender stereotypes lead to different expectations for women and men—women are expected to “look pretty,” while men are perceived to be “in charge.” The present study explored whether perceived attractiveness will differ for men and women, depending on whether they appear to be smiling or to have a serious facial expression. In a 2 (gender) x 2 (emotional expression) complex experiment, undergraduates were randomly assigned to view a photograph of a smiling female, smiling male, expressionless female, or expressionless male, and then responded to survey questions regarding the attractiveness of the person in the photograph. I hypothesized that gender will interact significantly with emotional expression, such that males will be found to be more attractive when they display little emotional expression, and females will be found to be more attractive when smiling.
Student(s):
Emma Hardiman
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
The Possible Effects of Music on Emotional State
Does listening to a particular style of music influence stress level? This study investigates the idea that motivational music tends to agitate people who feel negative emotions, such as anxiety, while classical music will provide a calming effect. To test this idea, we asked participants to answer questions based on the Big 5 Personality Test. Then, they were asked a series of questions that measured their current emotional state. The participants then listened to two audio clips, one of classical music and one of motivational music, and answered questions that assessed their emotional state after they listened to each one. We hoped to show that participants who scored higher in neuroticism reported higher levels of stress after listening to motivational music and lower levels after listening to classical music. In general, these results can be used to help people who feel anxious.
Student(s):
Amy Harger, Larrilynn Lee
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Sell
Digit-Ratio and Depression in Aging Men
Previous research has demonstrated that testosterone decreases with age, while depression increases with age. It has also been found that, especially in men, decreased testosterone can lead to increased levels of depression. This study aimed to determine if depression, as measured on the Beck Depression Inventory, could be correlated with the ratio between the second and fourth digits, which has been shown to be an accurate measure of prenatal testosterone. It was expected that age would moderate the relationship between digit ratio and depression scores such that older participants would be significantly more depressed than their younger counterparts. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory – II and measured their digit ratios digitally via Mechanical Turk. A multiple linear regression revealed that age did not significantly moderate the relationship between digit ratio and depression. However both age and digit ratio were significantly correlated with depression scores in men, though it appears that younger males were more likely to have higher depression scores.
Student(s):
Kevlyn Holmes
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
Happiness in Relation to Culture
Happiness is considered one of the most important values people seek throughout life (Joshanloo & Weijers, 2014). Studies have reported that happiness is significantly related to cultural factors such as collectivism and individualism (I/C) have a strong effect on individual’s happiness (Lee et al, 2000). Therefore, levels of happiness have been shown to vary by culture. Despite the cultural differences, people from individualistic societies and collectivistic societies appear to use similar happiness criteria (Lee et al, 2000; Peterson et al, 2007). Yet, individualistic societies and personal individualistic orientation tends to produce higher levels of life satisfaction because individualistic people create life styles that fit with their preferences (Rego & Cunha, 2009; Yetim 2003). However, other researches show that individuals from collectivistic societies are more encouraged and successful in pursuing of happiness than individuals from individualistic societies (Ford et al, 2015; Rego & Cunha, 2009). Therefore, the current study will test if an individual is more likely to experience happiness when individual’s I/C orientation matches with society by comparing an individualistic country (the U.S.) and collectivistic country (India). Combination of the past research and the findings from the present study may help to uncover the unexplained variance of happiness across the culture. The current study used Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT) to collect participants from the U.S. and India. The survey was posted on AMT for three days and the participants who completed the survey received $.20.
Student(s):
Yurie Igarashi
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ryan Sharma
Attachment, Role Reversal, and Child Behavior in IPV Survivors and their Young Children
Role reversal involves a relationship between a parent and a child in which the parent looks to the child to fulfill his or her unmet needs, rather than seeking out a spouse, peer, or other adult (Macfie, Mcelwain, Houts, & Cox, 2005). From a developmental psychopathology perspective, role reversal is recognized as a risk factor which may have detrimental effects on a child’s mental health. While previous research has addressed role reversal in infants and in toddlers in normative samples, there has been a lack of studies examining how mothers who have experienced relational trauma utilize their children as a means of meeting their unmet emotional and attachment needs. The purpose of the present study is to understand the relationships among attachment patterns, mother-child role reversal, and child behavior in mother-child dyads in which the mother is a survivor of intimate partner violence. In addressing these variables of interest, the study will utilize an attachment theory and a developmental psychopathology perspective, both of which provide the context for studying this phenomenon. Data collection will include self-report measures of role-reversal, attachment patterns, and child behavior as well as observational data from a video-recorded activity between a mother and her child. Correlational and regressional analyses will be used to investigate the relationships among attachment patterns, mother-child role reversal, and child behavior. This study has implications for interventions that address role reversal behaviors and that attempt to modify internal working models in mothers, therefore disrupting the intergenerational transmission of role reversal.
Student(s):
Lauren Jensen
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Mindy Puopolo
Behavioral Intervention
As part of the Clinical Practicum, a behavior intervention was used to treat a child with Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This mental and social impairment is diagnosed in younger children, often in middle childhood. The main behavior deficits of this disorder include difficulty restricting impulses, talking and running about excessively, struggling to do leisure activities quietly. Techniques were implemented to increase the quantity of appropriate classroom behavior (ex: hand-raising), while decreasing the quantity of prompts/teacher intervention needed. Reinforcement was made contingent on the child raising their hand and being calm. Progress was measured by documenting the number of appropriate classroom behaviors and the number of teacher interventions needed, gradually increasing the former and decreasing the latter.
Student(s):
Hannah Khablein
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
Political Speeches and the Perception of Control
Does the tone of a political speech change the level of control that an individual attributes to their environment? This study investigates the idea that a direct tone will make people feel like they don’t have control over their environment. To test this idea, we asked participants to view one of the two videos displaying politicians speaking with different tones to the audience. We hoped to show that participants who view a video with politician speaking in a direct tone will feel like they have less personal control over their environment, while participants who view a politician speaking in a less direct tone will feel like they have more control over their environment. In general, these results can be used to help us understand political attitudes in society.
Student(s):
Joshua Kraus, Dominick Sarte
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Sell
Increasing Task Behaviors and Decreasing Distractible Behaviors in a Child with ADHD
As a part of the Clinical Practicum course, a behavior intervention was implemented in a classroom to help a 9 year old child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder- Combined Type. Children with ADHD-Combined Type often struggle in the classroom with a deficit maintaining focus and a deficit in following assignment instructions. In this case study, there were a few techniques put into action in order to increase following the rules, in addition to decreasing distracting behaviors during morning journal. Positive reinforcement was used in the form of a token economy if rules were met and if there were limited to no distracting behaviors. Subtle cues were also put into play, such as a reminder note on his desk and having him say the rules out loud quietly to himself every morning before getting to work. Progress was measured through counting words per sentence (journal rules) and then counting how many times he would engage in disruptive behaviors during morning journal. The focus began on increasing the behavior of following journal instructions, and then moved to distractibility once instruction following became consistent.
Student(s):
Chase Kunz
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
The Impact of Selfies and Personality on Perceived Normality
University students are becoming active users of social media, as it is growing more and more in popularity. We were interested in exploring how selfies may influence perceptions of a person and whether the impact depends on expectations based on personality. In a 2 (high or low number of selfies) x 2 (introverted or extroverted personality) complex experiment, undergraduates reviewed a booklet that contained a description of a woman and showed a screenshot of her social media page. They then rated her on her perceived normality. We hypothesized that number of selfies and perceived personality will interact significantly such that an introverted woman seen as posting many selfies will be rated as least normal.
Student(s):
Shannon Lahey, Kassandra Hernandez
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Persistence, Hope, and Academic Self-Efficacy: The Academic Success of Elementary Students
In the United States, 43% school-age children receive special education services within the public school system under the eligibility of learning disabilities (LD) (Cortiella et al., 2014). Children with LD experience frequent academic failure and develop maladaptive achievement-related beliefs (Zimmerman, 2000). Findings support a shift in the conceptualization of remediation and interventions that address not only the academic, but the social and emotional needs of struggling learners (U.S. Department of Education, 2013). Empirical evidence has identified the non-cognitive motivational traits of academic self-efficacy (Zimmeran, 2000), hope (Rand, 2009), and persistence (Furlong, et al., 2013), as significant predictors of an individual’s academic success. The U.S. Department of Education (2013) suggests the influence of non-cognitive motivational traits extends beyond the classroom, and is crucial in a student’s ability to persist in the face of adversities throughout life, as well as academic challenges in the classroom. This researcher hypothesizes these non-cognitive motivational traits form a mindset that could increase academic performance in all students. This study will utilize a quasi-experimental design and multiple regression analysis to investigate the influential role of persistence, hope, and academic self-efficacy on the academic gains in the oral reading fluency rate scores of elementary students impacted by LD. Students will complete a curriculum-based oral reading fluency measure and three self-report measures (SEHS-P, PALS, and CHS). To examine the state versus trait nature of these non-cognitive motivational traits this researcher will also implement a pretest/posttest research design.
Student(s):
Amanda Lawrence, Amanda Lawrence
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Jennifer Twyford
The Nighttime Light Development Index (NLDI) as an Indicator of Societal Progress: The Case of ASEAN
While the potential rewards of regional integration include market liberalization, trade creation, and access to markets of scale, which create opportunities for economic growth, the negative societal implications for less developed nations and their citizens merits serious discussion, which can only begin once reliable and accurate measurements of progress and development are accepted and utilized on a broad scale. The present aim of this study is to observe potential disparities in rates and outcomes of development for countries entering into regional integration agreements (RIAs). This research compares existing indices that seek to measure progress and development using national economic accounting and survey data, to the Nighttime Light Development Index (NLDI), derived from the use of satellite images of the Earth’s anthropogenic lights at night, provided by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Linescan System (DMSP-OLS), along with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s LandScan population grid. While economic studies of regional integration have often presumed positive growth outcomes for member countries, it is my proposition that by examining the broader effects on human and societal development we will be able to construct a deeper understanding of our future as an increasingly interdependent and integrated global society and of the sustainability of such changes. It is imperative to consider what these potential inconsistencies may mean for developing nations looking to RIAs as a path for economic growth. This approach is applied to an analysis of the holistic development outcomes of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Student(s):
Olivia Marcey
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Akiko Yasuike
An Investigation of Football Specialists and Team Relationships: A Social Identity Perspective
This study aims to investigate a very unique social group inside one of North America’s four major sports. The research, data, and findings that are collected from this study will hopefully provide tools for coaches, leaders, and teammates to better understand the feelings, thoughts, and opinions of these specialists in relation to the rest of their team. Social identity theory is a useful theoretical lens for this study because it provides a framework for examining ingroup/outgroup relations. Data will be gathered using an online survey via Qualtrics. The study will be open to anyone who is currently competing in football at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) university, Junior College, or National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) institution. The primary researcher will contact (at random) universities of various levels, and of various calibers (that have a football program) and ask permission to distribute the survey to the specialists of that institution. In addition to this method the primary researcher will also contact combines that only service specialists and ask to distribute the survey through participants that are now at NCAA, JUCO, or NAIA institutions. With these two methods in place, there will be a higher likelihood that more subjects will be reached.
Student(s):
Jack McFarland
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Monica Gracyalny
Is Beauty Only Skin Deep? The Impact of Kindness and Wealth on Perceived Attractiveness
First impressions are an integral part of successful relationships and greatly impact perceived attractiveness. Evolutionary psychology argues that women will perceive wealthy men as more attractive than men with little financial means, but increasing expectations for men’s involvement in child-rearing in modern society may impact the value placed by women on such qualities as kindness. In a complex 2 x 2 experiment, female undergraduate students were randomly assigned to read a vignette giving information on a suitor who was described as either high or low in wealth and high or low in overall kindness. Participants then rated their feelings of attraction towards the suitor. We hypothesized a significant main effect only for kindness, such that students will find the suitor described as high in kindness to be more attractive than the suitor described as low in kindness, while wealth will not have an impact perceived attraction.
Student(s):
Katelyn Mussell, Hannah Khablein
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Interpersonal Dependence, Emotion, and Behavior During Social Interactions
The ability to trust and rely on others is critical throughout the lifespan Individuals with a dependent personality can experience interpersonal problems in their close relationships by trusting too much. The present study explored the daily interactions of individuals classified as dependent. Participants were asked to rate their perception of daily interactions and also their mood following the same interaction. The study sought to expand prior literature by examining subtypes of interpersonal dependence and how dependent subtypes effect perceptions of social interactions. Consistent with prior research, the first hypothesis predicts that individuals high in dependency will react with greater deference and submission in daily social interactions. The second hypothesis predicts that individuals higher in dependency will report greater arousal and discomfort following their perceive of others as acting with more autonomy towards them. The study employed event-contingent recording (i.e. that data is contingent on specific events occurring) as a way for participants to report on their experienced social interactions.
Student(s):
Adam Neeley
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Jamie Bedics
The Effect of Gesture on Empathy in Social Communication
Social communication, a component of human behavior that catalyzed the evolutionary advancement of our species, occurs through speech, facial expression, and notably, gesture. Additionally, empathy is a component of social communication that relies heavily on the Action Observation Brain Network, the same system that gesture comprehension and production arises from. Further, the Action Observation system of empathy comprehension is sensitive to action intention however; the same effect is not known for gesture. This study aims to extend the relationship between gesture and empathy from shared mechanism to an ability to predict one using the other, while also determining if the gestural system is sensitive to intention. To test this, participants watched a video with a speaker either gesturing or not gesturing while either being told that the speaker was instructed not to gesture or they were given no further information regarding the gestures. From here, participants answered questions to determine their perceived empathy of the speaker, their empathy towards the speaker, and their own level of personal empathy. A two-way ANOVA will be run to determine the effect that gesture has on empathy, as well as whether the system utilized for gesture is also sensitive to intention. These results will have clinical implications for individuals that face deficits in their own empathy system. Further, it will give insight for social psychologists into the mechanism and interaction between the two systems, information that could be essential for understanding and determining the importance of social interaction between individuals.
Student(s):
Lauren Neiger
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Sell
The Phenomena of Boredom
This project is a review of all that has been said and discussed about the phenomena of boredom in literature along with what has been researched. This includes a conceptual flow chart of the typologies of boredom along with a proposed future direction in research to better understand boredom. The research idea for future investigations hopes to qualitatively analyze how people cope with boredom.
Student(s):
Madeline Nelson
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Rainer Diriwächter
Bored to Tears or to Cheers? What People do to Cope with Boredom
This study will investigate the activities people engage in when they are bored versus when they are stimulated. Some participants will be asked to recall a situation in which they were bored and other participants will be asked to recall a situation in which they were stimulated. All participants will then answer an online questionnaire that aims to determine their interest in various positive and negative activities. It is predicted that those who recall a boring situation will report more interest in negative activities (but not positive activities) than those who recall a stimulating situation.
Student(s):
Madeline Nelson
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ariana Young
The Impact of Student-Faculty Interaction and Communication Apprehension on Student Participation
This study investigates how out of class communication and communication apprehension relate to in class student participation. While student participation is a rapidly developing topic in the field of Instructional Communication, there is little research focusing on student-faculty interaction and its relation to communication apprehension (Rocca, 2010). Studies have shown that students who participate in class engage in higher levels of thinking (interpretation, analysis, and synthesis), as well as “self-reported gains in character” (Smith, 1977; Kuh & Umbach, 2004). Despite the many positive effects of student participation, a very small amount of class-time is normally spent with students participating. Undergraduate communication students were measured using McCroskey’s Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24) and Fusani’s Extra-class Communication Student Inventory. Communication faculty members were then asked to observe and record the correlating student’s participation based upon quality and frequency. Current research suggests that students tend to overestimate their in-class participation on self-report measures; therefore, the current study relies upon faculty reports of student participation for a more valid measure. The questionnaire data was linked to the student’s participation data from the faculty to evaluate the dyadic relationship. Faculty members are in a “multiple dyadic relationship,” but the focal person, the student, is in a singular relationship with the faculty member. Due to the non-independence of the relationships, a “One-with Many” research design was necessary (Kenny, 2006).
Student(s):
Christopher Otmar
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Monica Gracyalny
The Possible Effect of Power and Love on Social Motives
Do the concepts of love or power influence social motives? This study investigates the idea that thoughts of love will influence social motives to reflect a focus on relationships, while thoughts of power will influence social motives to reflect a focus on status and leadership. To test this idea, we randomly assigned participants to one of two conditions, write about 1) a memory about love or 2) a memory about power. Afterwards, we asked participants to answer questions derived from the fundamental social motives inventory. We hoped to show that participant’s social motives can be influenced by love if the particpants were thinking about love or influenced by power if the participants were thinking about power. In general, these results can be used to understand how powerful motivators like love or power can be in influencing our social motives.
Student(s):
Charisse Regina Palaad
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Sell
Impact of Similar or Dissimilar Personality Types on Perceived Happiness of Relationship
When committing to a life partner, it is important to know if the personalities of each partner fit well together in order to avoid future conflict. Past research has found that higher levels of perceived extroversion within a partner lead to higher levels of perceived happiness. Women’s satisfaction especially correlates with male extroversion. However, research also shows that the more someone perceives their partner to be similar to themselves (extrovert with an extrovert, introvert with an introvert), the more satisfied they are in the relationship, even if the similarities are actually complimentary (extrovert with an introvert, introvert with an extrovert). This would mean that perception plays a larger role than actual personality types. In a 2 (male extroversion, male introversion) x 2 (female extroversion, female introversion) complex experiment, undergraduates were randomly assigned to an online survey which displayed one of four descriptions of a relationship: 1) an introverted male with an extroverted female, 2) an introverted female with an extroverted male, 3) an extroverted male with an introverted female, and 4) and extroverted female with an introverted male. I hypothesized that relationships where personalities match (extroverted male, extroverted female or introverted male, introverted female) will be perceived to be significantly happier than relationships where personalities do not match (extroverted male, introverted female or introverted male, extroverted female).
Student(s):
Tianna Pasko
Faculty Mentor:
Marylie Gerson
Women's Perception of Men's Attractiveness and Power
In this study, we are assessing women's perception of men's attractiveness and power based on the color of clothing they are wearing. The three colors that will be observed are black, white, and red. Women will view photos of men wearing red clothing vs white clothing vs black clothing and rate how they perceieve their attractivness and power. Our prediction is the men wearing red will be perceived as more attractive and more powerful compared to men wearing white or black clothing.
Student(s):
Morgan Press, Elizabeth Van Nuys, Kooshawn Shokraie
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ariana Young
Attitudes Toward Puberty Blockers for Children Experiencing Gender Dysphoria
Transgender populations currently face discrimination, unique health concerns, and particularly high rates of depression and suicide. With gender identity forming around 2.5 years of age, it is crucial that the health of gender nonconforming children is not overlooked. Children who experience gender dysphoria (i.e., the feeling that one’s biological sex is not aligned with their identity) have few options for affirming their identity. One current option is drug series called puberty blockers which can postpone puberty. Although there are few reported side effects, these drugs are a relatively new treatment for gender dysphoria and opinions about their use in children vary. The current study explores individuals’ reasoning behind their opinions about puberty blockers for treating gender dysphoria. Participants (n = 135) read a story about Alex, an 8 year old who would like to begin puberty blockers for treating precocious puberty (control vignette) or gender dysphoria (experimental vignette). Participants also completed a transphobia scale, answered questions about their contact with transgender individuals, and indicated whether, as Alex’s hypothetical parent, they would grant permission for Alex to receive puberty blockers and how certain they were of their decision. Participants’ responses are discussed in the context of transphobia.
Student(s):
Kala Randazzo
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Rainer Diriwaechter
Making Young-Adults Look Old: Cognitive Mechanisms of Forgetting and Forgiveness
Directed forgetting (forgetting on purpose) has previously been linked to increased forgiveness. Experiment 1 explores this in older adults (n=50). Experiment 2 used younger adults (n=74) to assess the impact of self-control on forgiveness. Older adults, previously found to have declining ability to inhibit unwanted behavior, were predicted to use directed forgetting less compared to younger adults. We also predicted that younger adults unable to use inhibition would perform the forgiveness task similarly to older adults. Participants read a story with each sentence followed by a remember, forget, or control cue. Participants then rated the likelihood of forgiving the story’s antagonist who crashed their car. Experiment 2 adds a self-control depleting task before the story. Experiment 1 found a marginally significant effect for cue, F(2,11) = 3.19, p = .09, = .415. Among participants ages 65-78, forget and remember cues led to higher forgiveness scores (Mforget = 5.11, SDforget = .57, Mremember = 4.80, SDremember = .69) compared to the control cue (M = 2.97, SD = .69). A significant effect was found for recall such that participants ages 65-78 who recalled the target sentence (M = 5.32, SD = .46) had higher forgiveness scores compared to those who did not recall (M = 3.27, SD = .56), F(1,11) = 7.74, p = .02, = .462. Preliminary Experiment 2 findings also found a significant effect for cue, F(2,93) = 4.25, p = .02. Further results will be discussed in the context of inhibitory theories of directed forgetting.
Student(s):
Kala Randazzo
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Sell
Facial Expression and Perception
Gender roles have been a pressure in society for quite some time. Much has been accomplished to eliminate stigmas and to make gender roles more neutral, but stereotypes persist. The present study explored whether people perceive nonverbal cues differently for men and women. In our 2 (gender) x 2 (facial expression) experiment, we presented undergraduates with a neutral vignette, accompanied by a photo of either a man or a woman with either a smiling or neutral expression. We hypothesized that gender and facial expression will interact significantly such that a smiling man will be perceived as more flirtatious than a smiling woman, but a woman with a neutral expression will be perceived as more flirtatious than a man with a neutral expression.
Student(s):
Sydney Rathjens, Jack Hagen
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Horizontal and Vertical Spatial Representation of Chords and Melodies
This study explored the possibility that humans employ spatial image schemas in order to understand music. People tend to view higher pitched notes as being higher spatially, and lower pitched notes as being lower spatially. If people use spatial representations in conceptualizing specific notes, then perhaps people employ complex spatial image schemas for representing melodies and chords. To test this, participants were presented a series of melodies and chords. After each sound, they were asked to choose between one of two spatial image schemas (vertical or horizontal) that they felt best corresponded to whichever sound they heard. Results showed a significant effect of type (Chord vs. Melody). Participants tended to choose a vertical image after hearing a melody, and a horizontal image after hearing a chord. This effect was not qualified by ability to read music such that participants who were able to read music performed similarly as people who were not. Generally, these results confirm that people use spatial representations to represent music. However, these results suggest that the representation is based on the sounds of the notes, and the events in the music rather than being influenced by how the notes look on a page or reading direction.
Student(s):
Samantha Roberts
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Sell
Sharpening Sharpie’s Social Media Strategy
In the last decade, social media has become an increasingly important public relations tool for organizations and products. The purpose of this project was to critically analyze Sharpie’s social media presence and, based on the results, persuasively propose a social media strategy to increase Sharpie’s positive public relations, and consequently its sales. The PESO (paid, earned, shared and owned media) model by Gina Dietrich provides a foundational structure on which to analyze and create a social media strategy as part of an overall public relations program. Using the PESO model and cloud-based software Hootsuite Pro, this project analyzed Sharpie's media environment. Sharpie is fourth in market share of writing instruments behind Pilot, first in market share with an active social media presence that Sharpie lacks. Using the PESO model, the project analyzed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to Sharpie’s current media environment, in particular its social media presence (or lack thereof). Using the results of the analysis, a strategy was developed to increase Sharpie’s positive public relations. The plan was presented in a creative video (using a Sharpie) that outlined specific steps to create a successful social media campaign: engage users, initiate visual social media platforms, target thought leaders in key online publics (mommy bloggers and young adult artists), target posts to key online publics, and gain timeliness through themes and partnerships.
Student(s):
Elizabeth Roemisch
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Jean Sandlin
Language Facilitating Gender Bias
Language must have the flexibility to evolve with the social context of the generation. I explored whether language carries an implicit gender bias within stereotypical male and female dominated fields in the workplace. In a 2 (male or gender neutral nouns) x 2 (male or female dominated occupation) complex experiment, participants were given passages to read and interpret. I hypothesized that when gender neutral nouns are used in the context of a male dominated occupation, participants will assume a male rather than a female is being described, whereas when gender neutral nouns are used in the context of a female dominated occupation, participants will be more likely to assume that a female rather than a male is being described.
Student(s):
Jocelyn Salvador-Jacob
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
The Impact of Receiving Feedback from the Client on the Alliance and Outcome in Therapy
Patient-focused research occurs in a naturalistic setting in which client’s progress is monitored before every session. Studies have shown that when a therapist receives feedback on clients that are not-on-track by the third session, they are more likely to reach reliable or clinically significant change compared to therapists that do not receive feedback. In addition, variability in the ability of the client and therapist to form an alliance makes it imperative that the alliance gets assessed regularly (Martin et al., 2000). The present study will take place in a community mental health center in which clients with chronic mental health conditions are often seen. Using an ABAB model, four clients over 16 sessions will fill out the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) before and the Session Rating Scale (SRS) after each session. The ORS measures how the client is doing individually, interpersonally, socially, and overall. The SRS measures the alliance by examining the therapeutic relationship, goals and topics of therapy, the approach or method used, and how the session was overall. Throughout the 16 weeks, the feedback will be looked at half the time. It is hypothesized that the scores on the ORS and SRS will be higher when the feedback is examined. When feedback is examined, the therapist can make adjustments based on the client’s perception of problems such as those measured by the SRS and ORS to help treatment stay on-track.
Student(s):
Amy Scott
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ryan Sharma
Perceptions of the Exploring Your Options Program from Adolescents with ASD
The current study aimed to gather feedback from the participants in The College Skills Program: Exploring Your Options, a 3 day program designed to help students with ASD navigate how to apply for college. The program included 3 sessions over the span of a week which were designed to help the students discover which colleges met their needs and how to gather information about the application process, such as utilizing the website collegeboard.com. The current program involved guest speakers, including a current college student with ASD, a director of a college disability support office, and a past participant of the College Skills Program who recently completed the college application process. Participants met as a group for each session, and, in addition, each participant was paired with a program assistant for more individualized conversation. The 6 participants were all male and were sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school, or in community college. Four participants consented to be interviewed regarding their experience in the program. Interview questions explored the participants’ feedback about the program and suggestions for future programs. Interviews were transcribed and coded, and will be analyzed for prominent themes. Interviews with program assistants suggested changes for future programs. Limitations of the study and implications for future programs and research are discussed.
Student(s):
Jacqueline Shlain, Natalie Cicekci, Paige Pensivy, Katherine East, Jessamine Gilman-Vorm
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Jodie Kocur
Effects of Percieved Importance
This study is intended to identify the effects of perceived importance on performance of a reading comprehension task. We hypothesized that participants who perceive that the task they are completing is important will perform better than those who perceive that the task they are completing is of little importance. We employed an experimental design in which participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups. One group was told that the task they were going to complete was of the upmost importance, the second group was told the task was of little importance and the third group was told nothing of the importance. After the data is collected we will analyze the results to determine which group performed best on the reading comprehension task.
Student(s):
Kirby Sigler, Justin Freeman, Bailey Mena, Roman Ramirez, Kirby Sigler
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ariana Young
Looking at Your-Selfie: How Social Comparison via Social Media Usage Affects Relational Satisfaction
Past research has found that individuals are more likely to make upward comparisons based on unrealistic media representations of romantic relationships, which often results in lower relational satisfaction (Segrin & Nabi, 2002). Other reports have also found a positive correlation between objectification of one’s partner and media consumption (Zurbriggen, Ramsey, & Jaworski, 2011). Although researchers have studied the effects of social comparison on relationships based on traditional media (e.g., movies, television, magazines), few studies have examined how social media influences social comparison in romantic relationships. With the increasing number of social media platforms, and because college students in particular spend a significant amount of time on social media (O’Brien, 2011), it is important to investigate the effects of social media on college students’ romantic relationships. This project examines associations between college students’ romantic relationships and their use of social media. Using social comparison theory, this study aims to understand how frequency and duration of social media use influences social comparison processes and romantic relationship satisfaction. In addition, because 20-45% of romantic relationships between college students are long-distance (Knox et al., 2002), we aim to assess how social media effects differ between geographically-close (GCRs) and long-distance relationships (LDRs). This study was conducted with an anonymous online survey via Qualtrics. The 10-15 minute survey included questions about general demographics, relationship satisfaction, social media usage, relational social comparison, personal social comparison orientation, and relational expectations. Participants were adults aged 18 and older who were currently in a romantic relationship and use social media.
Student(s):
Brittany Smolarski, Annika Stenfjord
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Monica Gracyalny
The Impact of Color and Word Meanings on Recall
Figuring out what helps students recall information most efficiently is vital for university students. Past research has shown that different text color may influence recall ability and university students are often presented with opportunities to take notes in different colored inks. Colors can also be associated with different mood states. The present study explored whether text color and the mood of material to be recalled may interact as they impact memory. In a 2 (text color) x 2 (adjective type) complex experiment, undergraduates were randomly assigned to encounter either orange or black colored text, with either happy or sad adjectives. Participants studied a happy word list or sad word list for 2 minutes and then were given 1 minute to write down as many of the words as they could recall. We hypothesized that text color (orange, black) will interact significantly with the type of adjectives (happy, sad), such that reading happy information in the color orange will lead to better recall of a word list than reading happy adjectives with black text color, but that reading sad adjectives in the black text color will lead to better recall of the list than reading sad adjectives in the orange text color.
Student(s):
Tara Spencer, Amber Bryan
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Moral Reconation Therapy and its Effect on Moral Reasoning
There is ongoing research examining the association between moral reasoning and criminal behavior (Palmer & Hollin, 1998). Research has consistently shown that the levels of moral reasoning are lower for offenders than non-offenders (Little, 20010. Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy, recently used for treatment in the criminal justice system (Little, 2001). The purpose of MRT is to enhance the moral reasoning abilities of offenders by improving their social, moral, and behavioral processes (Wilson, Bouffard, & Mackenzie, 2005). To date, there have been nine pretest posttest research studies on moral reasoning level change due to the effects of MRT, with four studies done by the Correctional Counseling Incorporate (CCI), an affiliate of MRT. The literature does not seem to address this method of analysis conducted by people not affiliated with the CCI. In this quasi-experimental research design, MRT is the experimental intervention that will be assessed utilizing pretest and posttest scores on two measures of moral reasoning, the Defining Issues Test (DIT-II) and the Prosocial Reasoning Objective Measure (PROM-R), as well as comparing MRT participants to pending MRT participants. An independent samples t-test was conducted to compare the prosocial moral reasoning on MRT participants and non MRT participants. There was a significant difference in the scores for MRT participants (M=1.96, SD=.004) and pending MRT participants (M=1.97, SD=.006) conditions; t(34)=2.03, p=.67). These results suggest that individuals who participated in MRT were functioning at a higher prosocial reasoning level than individuals who had not participated in treatment.
Student(s):
Laura Townsend
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Michael Gerson