Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Elder Abuse: A Policy Analysis, Cortni Davis

Undergraduate Research Conference

Elder abuse is a growing social problem in the United States. It takes on many forms, and is prevalent throughout various cultures. Elder Abuse Reporting Laws have been enacted throughout various states to prevent and intervene in elder abuse cases. California’s Financial Abuse Reporting Act of 2005 is one among many laws in the United States which was formed to help ensure social justice for the elderly citizens of America.

Gender,Social Facilitation, And Task Influences On Leadership Selection, Paul Harwell

Undergraduate Research Conference

The opportunities for women to be placed in leadership positions are steadily increasing. With the rise in these positions and the fact that in many cases women are competing with men for the same leadership position, it is very important to understand how gender or other variables may affect who is chosen for such roles. Past research has shown that men are chosen much more frequently than women for leadership roles (Porter, Geis, & Jennings, 1983). The current study examined how additional variables may affect or interact with the selection of leaders of different genders.

Hebl(1995) found that characteristics of …

What Makes Stephen F. Austin State University Students Happy?, Tyler Bishop, Nicole Kurr, Jennifer Mcfarland, Brandon Rogers

Undergraduate Research Conference

When we began our research we believed most people would be happier owning a pet, attending church, or exercising. However, we determined this was not the case, instead concluded students have different things that make them happy. In addition, after reviewing our results we were surprised that holding all else constant, having a hobby, owning a pet, attending church, and exercising will increase a student’s level of happiness.

When Old-Order Amish Meet New Order Science: Genetic Maladies And The Amish Dilemma, Kelley Downey

Undergraduate Research Conference

The Old World Amish, an Anabaptist Christian domination in the United States and Canada are know for their plain dress, avoidance of modern technology, and separation from the mainstream society.

A traditional agricultural religious group, the Old World Amish maintains isolation from the rest of the community. Financially well-off, they are homogeneous on education, occupation by gender, age at marriage, religion/ethnicity, and health care.

Although the Amish strongly discourage marriage between close cousins, the Lancaster Amish genealogy is described as mutational - inbreeding from multiple, remote connections rather than close consanguinity (first-cousin marriages).

Amish settlements have been identified with certain …

Communication Across Random Landings, Kerron Joseph, Jay Walbran

Undergraduate Research Conference

The idea to do this project began with a simple question: Suppose that people carrying communication radios parachute out of a plane, if each device has a certain range, what is the probability that once everyone lands they will be able to communicate. To study this problem I assumed that the spot where each individual lands is normally distributed.

We discuss the different ways the communication radios can work. In particular we examine the situation where all the radios have to be within a certain radius r to operate correctly and the situation where the radios work on a relay …

Religion As The Cause Of Temperance And Abstinence: How The Second Great Awakening Took The Fun Out Of Nineteenth Century America, Savannah L. Williamson

Undergraduate Research Conference

Pre-Marital sex and consumption of alcohol are a continuous presence in America. While many may think this statement would describe a modern day college campus, it is actually an accurate portrayal of the 19th century in the United States. These trends continued until one reform movement resulted in a sudden decrease in pre-marital sexual activity and constant intoxication. This reform came in the shape of religion. The Second Great Awakening brought about several changes in society that altered the way Americans lived their lives. After the mid-19th century, sex and alcohol would never be the same. Ultimately, the Second Great …