Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Psychology Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Brigham Young University

Journal

2019

Discipline
Keyword
Publication

Articles 31 - 51 of 51

Full-Text Articles in Psychology

Do Support Groups For Medical Patients Reduce Risk For Mortality? A Meta-Analytic Review, Connor Workman, Dakota Jake, Daniel Rallison, Timothy Smith, Phd, Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Phd Jun 2019

Do Support Groups For Medical Patients Reduce Risk For Mortality? A Meta-Analytic Review, Connor Workman, Dakota Jake, Daniel Rallison, Timothy Smith, Phd, Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Phd

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Recent scientific findings show that loneliness is found among the highest predictors of mortality. This information could prove to be a major influence on future interventions for medical patients. However, the literature is inconclusive on how best to implement these findings in the real world. Given that research is limited, a meta-analysis of all appropriate scientific articles was performed to find how social support affected mortality in a medical setting.


Evaluation Of An Eeg Task For Detecting Latent Infections, Ryan Weels, Savanah Bishun, Bruce Brown Jun 2019

Evaluation Of An Eeg Task For Detecting Latent Infections, Ryan Weels, Savanah Bishun, Bruce Brown

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Ultimately our goal is to develop methods for diagnosing neuropsychiatric illnesses through measurement and analysis of the electrophysiological stream of consciousness. In this project we test how well EEG adaptations of the Sternberg (1966) memory search task and the n-back cognitive task can discriminate between individuals who are positive for Herpes-simplex-1 and healthy controls.


The Effects Of Caffeine On Visual Attention In Caffeine-Naïve Participants, Eva Tveten, Steven Luke Jun 2019

The Effects Of Caffeine On Visual Attention In Caffeine-Naïve Participants, Eva Tveten, Steven Luke

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Controversy exists concerning the effects of caffeine on cognitive function. One of the greatest challenges in resolving this controversy stems from the fact that caffeine is the most widely used drug in the United States, consumed daily by a majority of the population. The frequent and widespread use of caffeine means that most research participants are already using it regularly. When this is the case, effects attributed to caffeine in studies can just as easily be explained by relief from withdrawals. What seems to be an improvement in cognitive function in participants who are given caffeine may simply be a …


Role Of Electrical Synapses In Dopamine Transmission In The Brain, Josh Nelson, Seth Stapley, Scott Steffensen Jun 2019

Role Of Electrical Synapses In Dopamine Transmission In The Brain, Josh Nelson, Seth Stapley, Scott Steffensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Drug addiction has long been a major detriment to society. Its pervasive effects can tear apart the lives of addicted individuals. Many of these individuals go without seeking professional help. In 2015, 22.7 million Americans (8.6 percent) needed treatment for a problem related to drugs or alcohol, but only about 2.5 million people (0.9 percent) received treatment at a specialty facility. This may be due to inadequate treatment methods and therapies in use by professionals. The goal of this project is to better understand the mechanism of dopamine (DA) transmission in the brain in order to develop more effective treatment …


Sex Differences In Ethanol Modulation Of Dopamine Release In The Mesolimbic Reward System, Mandy Parsons, Justin Bowman, Scott Steffensen Jun 2019

Sex Differences In Ethanol Modulation Of Dopamine Release In The Mesolimbic Reward System, Mandy Parsons, Justin Bowman, Scott Steffensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Alcohol abuse disorder is a ubiquitous problem affecting 15.1 million people in the United States, almost 10 million men and more than 15 million women (SAMHSA, 2015). The prevailing view of addiction, including alcohol addiction, is that an increase of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the nucleus accumbens within the brain has powerful rewarding effects. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effects of alcohol on dopamine release in female rats during the three phases of the estrus cycle in order to determine if alcohol is more rewarding at different points in the female hormone cycle.


Acute Ethanol Decreases Infiltration Of Macrophages Across The Blood-Brain Barrier, James Brundage, Jake Lattin, Dr. Scott Steffensen Jun 2019

Acute Ethanol Decreases Infiltration Of Macrophages Across The Blood-Brain Barrier, James Brundage, Jake Lattin, Dr. Scott Steffensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Alcohol addiction affects the lives of millions of people worldwide. In the US alone, an estimated 28 million are currently undergoing treatment to recover from the effects of alcohol abuse at the cost of over 249 billion dollars. The disease has dire consequences for those affected, as well as their families and communities. Despite this, the mechanism of alcohol addiction formation remains a question. One prominent theory relies on the mesolimbic circuitry of the brain, commonly referred to as the reward circuit. This region is made up of two key brain regions, the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) and the Ventral Tegmental …


Oxytocin And Social Affiliation: A Study Of The Genetic Underpinnings Behind Social Behavior In Rhesus Macaques, Ryno Kruger, J. Dee Higley Jun 2019

Oxytocin And Social Affiliation: A Study Of The Genetic Underpinnings Behind Social Behavior In Rhesus Macaques, Ryno Kruger, J. Dee Higley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Studies suggest that social relationships play a critical role in physical and mental health1, with effect sizes similar to that seen for smoking and alcohol abuse. Those experiencing real or perceived social isolation show higher rates of mortality3, while those with stronger social relationships show decreased rates of mortality4. Also, genetic variation has been associated with the degree of individual sociability2. The serotonin (5-HT) and oxytocin (OT) systems are believed to influence social behavior6,2. The serotonin transporter (SERT) gene codes for efficiency of the serotonin system, with the long (L) allele associated with greater efficiency, when compared to the short …


The Impact Of Perceived Support On Multi-Cultural And International College Students In Utah, Erin Kaseda, Wendy Birmingham Jun 2019

The Impact Of Perceived Support On Multi-Cultural And International College Students In Utah, Erin Kaseda, Wendy Birmingham

Journal of Undergraduate Research

College is a time in which young adults face a large number of stressors, including academic adjustment, education and career planning, evolving family relationships, struggles with financial independence, dating and marriage, and exposure to new cultures and ideas.1 Previous studies have suggested that college students face high levels of stress, with 75% of college students reporting themselves as moderately stressed and 12% as highly stressed.2 Prolonged stress can have serious effects on both mental and physical health, including an increased likelihood of developing symptoms of depression and anxiety, decreased immune function, sleep disruption, poor cardiovascular health, increased body mass, and …


The Effects Of Helicobacter Pylori On Cognition: A Report, Kenric Gordon, Thomas Petersen, Dawson Hedges Jun 2019

The Effects Of Helicobacter Pylori On Cognition: A Report, Kenric Gordon, Thomas Petersen, Dawson Hedges

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Last year we applied for an ORCA grant for our study of the effects of Helicobacter Pylori on Cognition. Helicobacter Pylori is a bacterium that causes ulcers in the stomach. It has also been implied to cause decreased cognitive functioning. (Berrett, Erickson, Brown, Hedges, 2016) Due to this, it is necessary to discover how Helicobacter Pylori effects cognition and how we can tell through EEG whether someone has Helicobacter Pylori.


A Comparison Of Gender Ratio, Military Culture, And Organizational Climate As Determinants Of The Sexual Harassment Of Women And Of Men In Eight Government Organizations, Alex Calder, Bruce Brown, Robert Ridge Jun 2019

A Comparison Of Gender Ratio, Military Culture, And Organizational Climate As Determinants Of The Sexual Harassment Of Women And Of Men In Eight Government Organizations, Alex Calder, Bruce Brown, Robert Ridge

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The United States government spends millions of dollars each year in relation to incidences of sexual harassment. Far more important, however, is the psychological toll on individuals who experiences sexual harassment. Organizations function most effectively when people of all levels of the organization feel physically and emotionally safe. Unfortunately, sexual harassment occurs more frequently in the military as compared to other government agencies. Previous research has left clues about why this may be. Some have suggested that the military necessarily breeds an aggressive culture, which in turn could lead to more aggressive misdeeds. Elsewhere, researchers have demonstrated that organizational climate …


Testing The Psychometric Properties Of Positive Psychology Measures, Olivia Hansen, Jared Warren Jun 2019

Testing The Psychometric Properties Of Positive Psychology Measures, Olivia Hansen, Jared Warren

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Positive psychology is the rigorous and empirical study of well-being, human strengths, and human flourishing, and the experiences, traits, and institutions that lead to those aims. It began as a rigorous subdomain of psychology in the late 1990’s. Up until this point, the field of psychology had focused largely on pathology and on the weaknesses of the psyche, and positive psychology has shifted to emphasize that psychology has much more it can offer if it looks past just the very worst of human experiences. Positive psychology is rapidly expanding and gaining popularity, and a huge volume of research is being …


Psychosocial Empowerment Group Creation And Implementation Among Malawi Women, Libby Evans, Benjamin Ogles Jun 2019

Psychosocial Empowerment Group Creation And Implementation Among Malawi Women, Libby Evans, Benjamin Ogles

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Research has shown that most women in Malawi will experience some form of trauma or adversity in their lifetime, and that such adversity can increase rates of mental illness and instability by as much as 15-20% (Saxena, 2017). Simple psychosocial groups and trainings have been shown to increase psychological resilience and prevent and/or heal mental instability. The term psychological resilience is defined as the way a person adapts well in the face of hard times, adversity, trauma, tragedy, or stress. Resilience can be taught through a few simple skills. The goal of this project was to get a better understanding …


Seeing The World Through Humility-Tinted Glasses: Exploring Social Cognitive Explanations For Outcomes Of Humility, Chayce Baldwin, Dr. Robert Ridge Jun 2019

Seeing The World Through Humility-Tinted Glasses: Exploring Social Cognitive Explanations For Outcomes Of Humility, Chayce Baldwin, Dr. Robert Ridge

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In recent years, psychological research on humility has burgeoned, highlighting the influence of humility in prominent aspects of life such as well-being (Toussaint & Webb, 2017), interpersonal relationships, and prosocial behaviors (Hilbig, Zettler, & Heydasch, 2012), as well as self-control (De Vries et al., 2013). Particularly, studies have connected humility to traits and behaviors such as agreeableness and conscientiousness (Lee & Ashton, 2004), cooperation (Hilbig et al., 2012), and helpfulness (Exline & Hill, 2012), painting a picture of humility as predominantly prosocial and characterized by low self-focus. Indeed, many researchers highlight low self-focus as a defining attribute of humility, with …


University And College Counseling Centers: Collegiate Athletes Shifting Changes In Mental Health Risk, Lilly Bautista, Rachelle Clayson, Jared Klundt, Davey Erekson Jun 2019

University And College Counseling Centers: Collegiate Athletes Shifting Changes In Mental Health Risk, Lilly Bautista, Rachelle Clayson, Jared Klundt, Davey Erekson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Within the college population, student athletes are often considered a unique population for mental health concerns. There are more student athletes than ever before, with over 460,000 students participating in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA, 2016). Student athletes have access to more resources than the typical student, but the amount of utilization and extent of these resources can vary greatly. Specifically, the utilization of university and college counseling centers.


Destined To Dominate? Exploring The Link Between Prenatal Androgens And Dominance Rank In Rhesus Monkeys, Alexander Baxter, Dr. J. Dee Higley Jun 2019

Destined To Dominate? Exploring The Link Between Prenatal Androgens And Dominance Rank In Rhesus Monkeys, Alexander Baxter, Dr. J. Dee Higley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Prenatally, androgens are responsible for masculinizing the developing male fetus. Prenatal androgen exposure (PAE) also shapes male brain functioning and organization, and is the main underlying influence underlying sexually dimorphism, to a certain extent even in adulthood. Through its effect on the brain, PAE can influence personality and behavior, likely contributing to gross sex differences in these traits, as well as within-sex variation (see Manning, 2011). One of the most commonly used biomarkers used to study PAE is the second-to-fourth-finger length ratio (2D:4D ratio). In humans, males tend to have a longer ring finger and shorter pointer finger (i.e., a …


Book Review: Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, And Finding Joy, Ammon Kou Apr 2019

Book Review: Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, And Finding Joy, Ammon Kou

Marriott Student Review

No abstract provided.


Book Review: Seeds Of Greatness By Denis Waitley, Jennifer Maynard Apr 2019

Book Review: Seeds Of Greatness By Denis Waitley, Jennifer Maynard

Marriott Student Review

Book review of Seeds of Greatness by Denis Waitley, personal anecdotes and summaries of research on the secrets to success in life and in the business world.


The Art Of Learning, Richard Rolapp Apr 2019

The Art Of Learning, Richard Rolapp

Marriott Student Review

No abstract provided.


How Radical Are The Implications Of Properzi’S Christ-Centered Perspective On Emotion For Psychology And Psychotherapy?, Jeffrey S. Reber Jan 2019

How Radical Are The Implications Of Properzi’S Christ-Centered Perspective On Emotion For Psychology And Psychotherapy?, Jeffrey S. Reber

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

Properzi offers a perspective on emotion that is radically different from traditional secular theories of emotion and the psychotherapy approaches associated with those theories, but perhaps his Christ- centered perspective is even more radical than he perceives it. If it is strongly theistic and strongly relational, as it appears to be, then its implications would significantly alter the psychology of emotion and psychotherapy. These implications need to be explicated so it is clear what a Christ-centered per- spective on emotion would mean to the discipline. I have fleshed out three radical implications regarding scope, relational ontology, and mastery discourse to …


A Brief Response To “Between Identity And Truth”, Terryl Givens Jan 2019

A Brief Response To “Between Identity And Truth”, Terryl Givens

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

No abstract provided.


The Empathetic Leader, Sarah Romney Jan 2019

The Empathetic Leader, Sarah Romney

Marriott Student Review

Research shows that “empathy” is an important quality in a leader and improves one’s ability to resolve group needs, obtain followers, perform prosocial behaviors, and get positive results. However, many business students do not recognize the value of empathy. Business schools can help improve this by teaching the importance of empathy and giving students the opportunity to develop it.