Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Uncharted Territory: Researching The Effect Of Implicit Bias On The Political Attitudes Of Black Participants, Briona Young

Scholars Week

Extant research suggests that implicit bias can predict behavior such as voting, policy preferences, and assessment of government performance (Pérez 2010). Yet, research on implicit bias has largely excluded people of color, leaving a wide gap in our understanding of implicit bias and its effects on society (Orey, 2013). In this study, we research implicit bias within the black community and test its effects on political attitudes. We administer Harvard’s Implicit Association Test (IAT) and a survey to measure levels of implicit bias and subsequently policy preferences and trust in government. We expect to find that the black participants with …

Striking Out Or Hitting A Homer: Relationship Between Sport Fandom And Dating, Emily Kinsey

Scholars Week

Striking Out or Hitting a Homer: Relationship between Sport Fandom and Dating

Emily H. Kinsey

Murray State University

Sport fandom runs deeper than simply cheering for a favorite team. Rather, it assists in meeting powerful, innate human needs, such as sharing a connection that facilitates the need to belong (Wann & James, 2019). Previous research has suggested that men with a high interest in sport tend to view females who share this high level of interest more positively than females showing little interest in sport (Wann, Schinner, & Keenan, 2001). Given this, I was interested in extending this line of …

Orienting Patients To Their Own Care: Implementing Goals And Progress On Whiteboards, Grace Beer, Leah Mcgough

Scholars Week

Introduction: Goal-setting within the hospital setting can be a useful tool for health care professionals. By using a white board in a patient’s room, nurses can work with patients to create goals in their plan of care. Implementing daily goals on these boards can improve patient satisfaction, increase nurse-patient communication, and provide a sense of accomplishment.

Methods: We researched scholarly articles that discuss the use of goal-setting in clinical practice. These articles engage in the idea that patients visually seeing their goals helps them stay focused and motivated in their health care. The researchers used methods such as interviews, focus …

Personality Traits In The Workplace: Examining The Light Triad And Its Relationship With Job Satisfaction, Sarah Overton

Scholars Week

The expanding psychological research into several “dark traits” of one’s personality (Moshagen et al., 2018) has presented a void in examining more positive characteristics. In recent years, Kaufman and colleagues (2019) developed the “Light Triad” to provide a more holistic perspective on humankind. The Light Triad is a construct encompassing benevolent personality traits, including humanism, faith in humanity, and Kantianism. Most relevant to the current study, Kaufman and colleagues (2019) found a significant relationship between the Light Triad and life satisfaction. Furthermore, life satisfaction is also positively correlated with job satisfaction (Rice et al., 1980). Given these relationships, it was …

Understanding Mental Health Stigma, Lainie K. Krumenacker

Scholars Week

Understanding Mental Health Stigma

Lainie K. Krumenacker

Problem or Purpose

Mental illness affects nearly 1 in 5 adults according to the National Institute of Mental Health and yet discrimination against mental illness is not only relevant, but considered a risk factor as stigma can be responsible for treatment delay. Individuals suffering from mental illnesses may not seek treatment, as they may fear they will be regarded negatively which can lead to detrimental health outcomes (Shrivastava, et al., 2022). Where is the disconnect if so many adults are experiencing mental illness? Why isn’t it more widely researched with a solution focus, …

Culturally Sensitive Care For Hispanic Americans, Christopher Dodson, Courtney Hall

Scholars Week

The number of individuals that speak another language that is not English as their primary language is at an all time high in the United States, and this can make healthcare harder to access for this portion of the population. This research examines what barriers are present for those who do not speak English as their primary language, such as miscommunications, reduced trust in their provider related to being unable to speak directly with them, parts of their cultural practices and alternative medicines being ignored or misunderstood by healthcare providers, and not feeling secure enough to reveal sensitive information to …

Exploring Relationships Between Perfectionism, Social Anxiety, And Post-Event Rumination, Xavier Brown, Patrick Cushen

Scholars Week

Disruptive cognitive biases are often problems for people with anxiety-related disorders. For those individuals with social anxiety, one common bias is negative post-event rumination. This bias involves people with social anxiety remembering and distorting past experiences by focusing on negative details and perceptions. This bias may also be key to maintaining social anxiety as it feeds into the cycle of distress associated with social experiences. Another factor that may relate to a person’s likelihood of demonstrating this bias is their level of perfectionism. Two aspects of perfectionism may be related to post-event rumination: socially prescribed perfectionism (thinking that others expect …

Gender Differences And Social Judgements Of Face Masks, Katherine Link, Daphne J. Jackson, Jessica M. Criddle, Jana Hackathorn

Scholars Week

This study seeks to investigate whether face masks influence social judgements of first impressions. Ratings of trustworthiness in strangers has been linked to smiling and facial features. With the Coronavirus pandemic still running rampant in today’s society it has become a social norm to wear a face mask out in public. Due to the fact that a facemask obscures half of an individual’s face, it is expected that the presence of a face mask will influence first impressions. Additionally, gender differences have also been associated with social judgments, in that females are often perceived more positively (e.g., trustworthy) than males. …

Self-Compassion, Anticipatory Anxiety, And Fear Of Evaluation In Social Anxiety, Brooke Short, Alexandria Sherman, Kayla Clarke, Jacob Barnette

Scholars Week

Self-compassion involves treating yourself with kindness instead of judgement, understanding that pain and failure is experienced by everyone instead of isolating oneself, and being mindfully aware of painful thoughts and feelings instead of ruminating on them (Neff, 2003). The present study is interested in self-compassion's effect on social anxiety; it is a replication of a recent study (Harwood & Kocovski, 2017) and an attempt to extend its findings. Harwood and Kocovski (2017) found that, among participants higher in social anxiety, those who completed a self-compassion writing task experienced less anticipatory anxiety before a speech task in comparison to those who …

(S)He Said What Behind My Back: The Negative Effects Of Gossip, Hillary Copeland

Scholars Week

Gossip can be defined as communication within a social context directed towards the evaluation of absent others (Foster, 2004), and likely evolved as an advantage for our ancestors to build social bonds and maintain group stability (Dunbar, 2004). The ubiquitous nature of gossip suggests significant influences on group dynamics, particularly when associated with factors related to social functions, such as influence, friendship, information, or entertainment (Foster, 2004; Peters et al., 2017; Wu et al., 2016). The current study examined the effects of gossip on the evaluations of absent targets. Undergraduate participants (N = 128) were presented with short biographies …

Can I Hit Your Juul? Nicotine Motives & Accessibility In College Students, Ashlen Grubbs

Scholars Week

The purpose of this project was to examine the associations between nicotine dependency, motives, and the impact of new laws on college student nicotine patterns. Motives for smoking can also be analyzed through categorizing motives into primary and secondary motives (Piasecki, et. al., 2011). Primary motives are reasons such as habit, tolerance, cravings, and loss of control (Piasecki, et. el., 2011). All motives for smoking have been shown to have a positive correlation with nicotine dependence except smoking to lose weight and for socialization (McEwen, et. al., 2008). Yet conflicting research by Aloise-Young, Grant, and Hansen (1994) indicates that smoking …

Face Masks And Ambiguity In Expressions: A Barrier To Social Affiliation?, Jessica Criddle, Daphne J. Jackson, Katherine D. Link

Scholars Week

First impressions are a key component of the formation of social relationships. Facial expressions and facial features inform impressions leading to social affiliation, such as trustworthiness. The usage of face masks, common with the incidence of COVID-19, veils features giving information on trustworthiness, attractiveness, and other factors informing social impressions. Existing literature shows ambiguity in expressions and in social situations can make individuals less trusting of others. This is prevalent in those intolerant of uncertainty or with a high need for closure, which is the need to find answers in ambiguous situations. Together, these findings suggest that ambiguity of facial …

Am I Laughing At What You're Laughing At?: The Relationship Between Humor And Empathy, Connor Brown

Scholars Week

How and when does someone decide to tell a joke? The current study is focused primarily on examining the relationship between using humor to communicate and empathy. It was hypothesized that there will be a positive correlation between using humor to communicate and empathy. This furthers previous research which has only commonly looked at enjoying humor as it correlates to empathy (Hampes, 2001; 2010). The current study was administered as an online survey to undergraduate participants (N = 70), and measured using communicative humor, and empathy, as well as other individual difference traits such as openness and conscientiousness. Results of …

A Historical Review Of The Effects Of Violence In The Media, D'Myia Thornton

Scholars Week

From the beginning of newspapers to the dawn of click-for-profit in media today, mass shootings have become a trend in the 21st century. This research paper gives more insight on the effects of media coverage on violence whether positive or negative. There is something wrong with the way the media reports violence. It’s detrimental to society to publicize so specifically, the details pertaining to these heinous acts. In addition, could it be also detrimental to withhold information? This study will be an empirical review of media coverage in the past, to determine the impact media has on mass shootings, violence …

Evaluating The Impact Of Common Fertilizers On Soil Properties After Planting Tomatoes And Marigolds, Rachel Stuckey, Iin Handayani

Scholars Week

There are many name brand fertilizers that are used today in gardening in the state of Kentucky. Due to the standardization of name brand fertilizer production in factories, this can cause the fertilizers to compromise the nutrients of soil, while all-natural fertilizers are seen as better quality for the consumers, plants and soils. Alaska, Miracle Grow, Monty’s, Pure Gold, Tiger Bloom are the top five fertilizers sold in the state of Kentucky. This study aims to determine the impact of five top commercial fertilizers on soil quality indicators including organic matter, acidity level and moisture content. These fertilizers were applied …

Implementing Trauma-Informed Care Early In The Lives Of Children And Adults, Carley Clymer

Scholars Week

Throughout the health care industry, providers are failing to recognize the implications that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have upon adult health. As a result, these patients not only have to endure these traumas, but they’re also faced with crippling health conditions that accompany them including depression, heart disease and obesity. The prevalence of common high-risk behaviors such as smoking, drinking and illicit drug use can also co-exist with adversity, which leads to an exacerbation of already poor health. This presentation aims to relay the significance of adopting a trauma informed care (TIC) approach early in the lives of clients to …

Family Presence During Resuscitation, Brittany Whistle

Scholars Week

Background:

Families want more involvement in their loved one’s care than they did just twenty years ago. Especially, in the matter of resuscitation efforts, this involvement remains controversial.

Evidence and Findings:

Based on research, theories, and multiple educated opinions, family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) needs to be implemented in hospitals. Theories by Kolcaba and Helvie demonstrate a need for comfort and positive energy around patients to enhance the healing process. Evidence has shown multiple benefits of FPDR. The patient receives a holistic approach of care, the family gains closure and feeling of participation of care, and provides a plan for …

Implementation Of Music Therapy To Reduce Anxiety In Icu Patients, Calley Womack

Scholars Week

Current practice in intensive care units regarding anxiety commonly results in administration of an anxiolytic, which can potentially increase patient’s time admitted, increase costs due to adverse effects, and decrease patient involvement in care. An analysis of multiple research studies was conducted to explore the best practice for management of anxiety, particularly the implementation of music therapy. Studies have been conducted on the implementation of music therapy to reduce levels of anxiety in patients on intensive care floors. Specifically, extensive research with music therapy has been conducted on patients receiving ventilation in the ICU. Consequentially, these studies have shown that …

Value-Aligned Behavior & Psychological Flexibility: Exploring Relationships Between Seeking Mental Health Services And Core Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Processes, Morgan Brewington

Scholars Week

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on acceptance, cognitive defusion, being present, the sense of self as context, committed action, and values (Hayes et al., 2006). Valued living, or acting in line with personal values, includes behaviors that are personally meaningful and intrinsically engaging (Smout, et al., 2014). Behavior aligning with values has been related to lower levels of anxiety and depression, as well as lower impairment for individuals experiencing posttraumatic stress symptoms, pain, or other psychological stressors (Fox et al., 2019). Psychological flexibility, particularly low experiential avoidance, aids in valued living (Fox et al., 2019). Approaches such as ACT …

Emotions & Satisfaction: Does Emotional Contagion Make The Heart Grow Fonder?, Morgan Brewington

Scholars Week

Existing research identifies strong links between empathy within couples and relationship quality, often helping to cope with difficult life events (Levesque et al., 2014). Similarly, emotional contagion is the process of mirroring the expressions and affect of others, but going further to adopt the emotions that were mimicked (Doherty, 1997). Some research identifies a positive relationship between contagious emotions and relationship quality but impacts of empathy and emotional contagion in relation to sexual and relational satisfaction are yet to be investigated (Mazzuca et al., 2019). The interpersonal theory of depression includes the contagion of negative affect, by which depressed individuals …

I Couldn't Decide On A Title: The Relationship Between Parenting Style And Indecisiveness, Brooke Short

Scholars Week

The way a child is raised has been proven to be related to many characteristics that they take on as an adult. Indecisiveness is one characteristic, and it has commonly been examined through the lens of career indecision. There is little exploration of indecisiveness as a trait in relation to parenting style. Current literature also presents contradicting findings from different countries, and there has been limited inquiry within the United States. In these respects, the present study aimed to supplement the existing research. Participants were primarily female and Caucasian, and between 18 and 22 years old. Participants were asked to …

Gender In Masterchef, Kailey Bowers

Scholars Week

This study examines whether the mentioning of family and culture is more common in women or men? Are statements of self-confidence more common in men, and what are the conflicts between contestants? My data in this presentation will show the different characters of men and women portrayed through the show MasterChef. This study adds to a small but growing scholarship about gender and food television. Some of the scholars are, Nilsson, Gabriella; Harris, Deborah A., Giuffre, Patti A.; Hornbuckle, Jamie; Jonatan Leer; Rodney, Alexandra, Josée Johnston, and Phillipa Chong. One episode from every season was randomly chosen, giving me a …

Weight Loss And Healthiness: How Advertisements Target This Phenomenon, Madelyn Coleman

Scholars Week

With advertisements being all around us in the media and in magazines, messages flood into our everyday lives that can impact us both negatively and positively. Research prior to this involved how media has portrayed women and their weight loss as well as how they are looking at “skinniness” and body type. This as well as overall effects of the media in the food world were among many that have been studied. For my research, I wanted to look at the overall targeting of weight loss and health within magazines not as much as the idea of weight loss as …

Highlighting Recipes For Recognition And Social Reform In Soul Food Cookbooks., Jake Hicks

Scholars Week

This research explores the writings of African American chefs Edna Lewis and Todd Richards along with Nutritional activists Fabiola Demps Gaines and Roniece Weaver, who have used their published soul food cookbooks to challenge racial stereotypes while redefining America’s perceptions of the southern cuisine known as soul food. Existing scholarship has found that southern cuisine is branching out into more than just a regional food and has shifted into a social movement. This project offers a progressive view on how this social movement of southern cuisine is aiming to reshape the public’s understandings of what constitutes Soul food. Through in-depth …

Yummy Advertising? A Look At The Sexualization Of Food Advertisements, Mackenzie Cook

Scholars Week

This content analysis was to further research in looking how sexuality is used in advertising, but particularly food advertisements. More specifically, words and phrases used, advertising characters, how they are presented and posed, etc. Using a combination of 15 Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s ads, these were analyzed to find consistent themes for advertising tactics. Findings show that sexual innuendos in advertisement phrasing are often used, as well as female characters. It also showed that these characters were often scantily clad or close to nude, making them have more “sex appeal” for the male audience. Facial expressions and posing were also …

The Evolution Of Mcdonald’S: As Seen On Tv., Jay Gibson

Scholars Week

When thinking of fast food, McDonald’s is often one of the first that comes to mind. However, we rarely think about how this industry giant has changed over the years. From this point the question is asked, how has McDonald’s advertisements changed to suit their ever-growing audience? What, if anything, has caused these changes? Many might simply say the changes come with the times, but research reveals that there could potentially be much more serious reasons, such as the anti-obesity movement and battles in the legal field. By analyzing numerous television advertisements from the 90s and recent years, I find …

Sitcom Tv Food Messages: Who Makes And What Are We Eating?, Elizabeth Gagnon

Scholars Week

I dive into the family sitcom Fuller House and observe how it represents people who cook and what we eat. As a modern-day family sitcom, representation is current to our standards within today’s diets and kitchen routines. With both men and women cooking in the kitchen, healthy food choices are displayed everywhere, depicting nutritional awareness. I consider the food being served and discuss whether they may fit into gender tropes, such as a male protagonist taking pride in his special burgers. I focus on what food is represented, whether from shopping, ordering through an app, or in the kitchen, when …

Tasteful Cookie Lingo, Sheldon Baringer

Scholars Week

In stores today, several brands of cookies use selective word choices directed towards the consumer, for example, by using the words organic or natural. Prior research has analyzed in a similar fashion, but to my knowledge has not used this specific test group. In this research, I show how packaging for cookies affect buyer’s choice, as well as, price in comparison to health. Importantly, as claims on package towards a healthier product increase, so does price. I further examine how cost changes the focus of the product from healthy to delicious, or bulk size, in order to demonstrate how consumers …

Representation Of Addiction In The Media, Lauren Gallup

Scholars Week

Presenting the story of addiction in news and entertainment media presents an ethical dilemma for those doing the storytelling. This dilemma faces the ethical paradigm of Right vs. Wrong. In this research project, I focused on how addiction is presented in the media. Media representation of addiction shapes how people think about this disease and can affect legislation to support assistance for recovering addicts. This led me to determine that media has an important place in shaping how we think about addiction. In this paper, I identified how media can do a public good by accurately and ethically covering stories …

Body Language In The Classroom: Effects Of Gesturing, Maia Rolfe

Scholars Week

Body Language in the Classroom: Effects of Gesturing

This study was designed to give some insights into how body language could interact with teaching. This study tested if active gesturing (pointing) had an effect on the amount of a story that was remembered and on how likable someone who is presenting the story was perceived as being. Male and female participants watched a female presenter read a short story projected on a screen while either pointing to key words or not pointing. Then they wrote down as much of the story as they could remember and rated the likeability of …