Digital Commons Network^™

Friends In Fiction: Bonding With Fictional Characters Introduced Through Fictional Narrative Positively Affects And Interplays With The Psychology And Social Behaviors Of Adults To Influence Engagement, Vishnupriya Alavala

Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Just as people can form relationships with each other, they can befriend and interact with characters. As broadening media outlets continue to introduce fictional characters, it is vital to understand the effects relationships with characters, referred to as parasocial phenomena, have on individuals. In turn, this will offer a new perspective on the effects of engaging with fiction. Bonding with fictional characters introduced through television or print narratives affects and interplays with the psychology and social behaviors of adults. Most studies support the positive effects of parasocial phenomena in terms of personality, mindset, and social skills. Other studies state that …

The Extent To Which The Humanistic Approach In Japanese Juvenile Training Schools Affects Recidivism, Natalie Bui

Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Japan’s juvenile justice system is regarded as one of the most unique and successful implementations of reformative justice. This approach has remained effective in maintaining Japan’s low rates of juvenile delinquency and recidivism, despite massive changes in Japanese society over the past decade. While Japan’s crime seems to be on an impressive decline, the United States continues to struggle with social control, juvenile delinquency, and, more recently, demands for justice reform from social movements like the Black Lives Matter Movement. The American juvenile justice system needs reform now more than ever and where better to get inspiration, than the industrialized …

Legal Pressure To Attend Substance Abuse Treatment, Angelicia Courteau

Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

This paper was written to bring awareness of how the legal system does not take into consideration those who suffer from substance use disorder, as well as ACEs. Brian Luke Burijon’s battle with addiction while incarcerated was used as an example of how the legal system’s one-size-fits-all approach is flawed. Mr. Burijon opted for a treatment he did not feel was ideal for him because the alternative was to remain incarcerated for a long period. Mr. Burijon was unable to tolerate the treatment at the facility and left early, which resulted in his overdose death.

Masculinity, Pornography, And Inceldom: The Use Of American Ideals Of Masculinity And The Consumption Of Heterosexual Pornography To Radicalize Young Men Into Inceldom, Adelaide Verdugo-Thomson

Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

The increased presence of the internet has granted many young American men a safe space to share beliefs and experiences, access new materials, and reach wider audiences. At the same time, heterosexual pornographic content has become increasingly accessible, and misogynistic beliefs are protected on various user-run forums. Male dominance in heterosexual pornography, the prevalence of rape myth acceptance, Incel slang, and the strong brotherhood bonds present in Incel communities may be radicalizing factors to encourage young American men to adopt Incel ideology. This literature review seeks to highlight the relationship between American masculinity, consumption of heterosexual pornography, and Inceldom in …

Women’S Decisions About Mental Health Treatment In The Perinatal Period, Marina G. Green

Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

This study examined a mother’s decision-making process in regards to mental health treatment for emotional difficulties during pregnancy and/or in the postpartum period. The literature shows that different factors influence a woman’s ability and willingness to seek services, including demographic factors, cultural factors, and interactions with healthcare providers and acquaintances. A sample of women who experienced emotional difficulties in the perinatal period was recruited through social media. Participants answered an anonymous electronic survey; the quantitative data was analyzed through SPSS, and the qualitative data was aggregated by themes. Quantitative findings indicate that age might be an influencing factor for women …

Body Image Perception: Adolescent Boys And Avatar Depiction In Video Games, Usha Raman

Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Research on mass media’s impact on body image has mostly been focused on females thus far. Of the little research that has been done on male body image, most of it has been focused on adult males, and therefore the effect of mass media on adolescent boys’ body image is still a relatively primitive field of knowledge. Through comparing the exposure of adolescent boys to muscular avatars in popular video games, a source of mass media that a majority of adolescent boys are exposed to, and relating it to research done on the effects of frequent ideal image exposure through …

Meditations On The Machine, Stephanie Schapowal

Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

I've been thinking a lot lately about the machine. In my last project the machine took on many different roles, many of which were very human. I recently found myself explaining to someone my empathy for machines and their personalities, and how they shouldn’t necessarily be struggled against or eliminated, but rather embraced. This made me realize my connection to machines is deeper than previously realized, and I wondered–

Can this role reversal work in the other direction? Can I become a machine?

By definition, what is the machine?