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Full-Text Articles in Psychology

Tiktok Made Me Buy It: Emotional Carryover Of Doomscrolling On Purchasing Decisions, Maria Gerges Jan 2023

Tiktok Made Me Buy It: Emotional Carryover Of Doomscrolling On Purchasing Decisions, Maria Gerges

CMC Senior Theses

“Doomscrolling,” defined as excessively poring through negative content on social media, has become increasingly prevalent over the past several years. Although recent research suggests that doomscrolling reduces positive emotions, even over relatively short exposure (< 5 min) times, the effect of doomscrolling on other behaviors remains unexplored. This question is especially relevant because exposure to sad movie clips has previously been shown to increase willingness-to-pay (WTP) for unrelated purchases, due to the desire to change one’s circumstances by seeking out higher rewards. In this experiment, we examined the effect of doomscrolling on purchasing decisions via exposure to video content from a popular social media platform (TikTok). Participants (N = 91) viewed 8-10 minutes of TikTok videos before choosing whether to purchase an unrelated consumer product (Apple AirPods). Participants were randomly assigned to view either content to induce sadness (thematically related to climate change) or neutral content (thematically related to nature appreciation). Relative to participants in the Nature Appreciation condition, participants in the Climate Change condition reported significantly higher levels of sadness, confirming that the emotion induction was successful. In addition, participants in the Climate Change condition had higher WTP for the AirPods. However, the results from the WTP analysis were not statistically significant, perhaps reflecting limited power due to the small sample size of this study. While methodological issues constrain the interpretation of these results, the successful replication of these findings could have practical implications for how consumers and technology companies structure decisions following extended exposure to negative content on social media.


Pressing The Verdict: The Social Influence Of Pretrial Publicity On Juror Biases, Kara Cato Jan 2023

Pressing The Verdict: The Social Influence Of Pretrial Publicity On Juror Biases, Kara Cato

CMC Senior Theses

Past psychological research has indicated that pretrial publicity has a significant impact on jury decision-making (Shniderman, 2013). This current review aims to expand on past research by investigating the social influence of pretrial publicity on juror biases. The effects of pretrial publicity on juror biases are examined through three mechanisms of social influence: story model, predecisional distortion, and conformity prejudice. This research inspects the relationship between media and the law by reviewing the pervasiveness of the media's depiction of criminal cases, the changing nature of media, and the biasing effects of media exposure. In addition, it explores the different forms …


The Influence Of Early Childhood Parental Feeding Behaviors On Self-Regulation & Food Decision-Making In Young Adults, Natasha Singareddy Jan 2023

The Influence Of Early Childhood Parental Feeding Behaviors On Self-Regulation & Food Decision-Making In Young Adults, Natasha Singareddy

CMC Senior Theses

This study used data from a diverse set of undergraduates from the Claremont Colleges to examine the relationship between cognitive control (impulsivity and response inhibition) and self-regulatory ability as an indicator of sustained early childhood parental feeding behaviors in adulthood. In addition, the current study explored if early childhood parental feeding behaviors predicted food decision-making in adulthood as a result of perceived taste and nutritional value of food items. It was hypothesized that heightened impulsivity and impaired response inhibition as measures of cognitive control would correlate to poorer self-regulation, in turn reflecting a particular mode of early childhood parental feeding …


Identifying The Main Causes For Support Of Crime Control Theater Forms, And Understanding How To Correct The Public’S Perception, Erisjames M. Elliott Jan 2023

Identifying The Main Causes For Support Of Crime Control Theater Forms, And Understanding How To Correct The Public’S Perception, Erisjames M. Elliott

CMC Senior Theses

Much research has been completed on the forms of crime control theater (CCT), and the impact that the existence of CCT laws have on society. Research on CCT laws has shown that they are definitively unsuccessful in providing the safety they were created to provide. This thesis will utilize completed research to explain the main psychological phenomena holding people back from decreasing their support for CCT laws. It will also describe proven methods of correcting misinformation in order to change the perceptions of people who support crime control theater laws, and provide suggestions for how research should be continued.


The Relationship Between Maternal Emotion Socialization And Child Executive Functioning And Behavior: Exploring The Moderating Role Of Cortisol, Mayela Norwood Jan 2023

The Relationship Between Maternal Emotion Socialization And Child Executive Functioning And Behavior: Exploring The Moderating Role Of Cortisol, Mayela Norwood

CMC Senior Theses

In the early years of life, the development of children’s executive functioning (EF) and behavior regulation are critical to their later growth and self-sufficiency. Previous studies have indicated that one pathway by which children learn to regulate their emotions is through their immediate social environments (de Cock et al., 2017). Parents, in particular, play a significant role in the development of their children‘s emotion regulation and executive functioning (Fernandes et al., 2022). At the same time, physiological responses to stress also matter. Cortisol, the end product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, has also been associated with children’s executive functioning and behavior …


The Psychology Behind The Marketing Of Alcohol And Tobacco: How We Convince People To Do Things That Are Bad For Them, Sophie Dvorkin Jan 2023

The Psychology Behind The Marketing Of Alcohol And Tobacco: How We Convince People To Do Things That Are Bad For Them, Sophie Dvorkin

CMC Senior Theses

The marketing tactics of the alcohol and tobacco industry are inextricably linked through the psychological basis upon which these companies target their customers. Through the principles of reciprocity, social proof, scarcity, commitment and consistency, unity, and authority featured in Robert Cialdini’s book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion (2021). The principle of reciprocity explains how companies get customers to buy in, social proof explains our dependence on our peers’ validation, and scarcity explains why we want what we can’t have. The principles of commitment and consistency explain how companies garner long-term customers that see themselves as an extension of a brand, …


A Review Examining Biases In Workplace Hiring And Promotion Processes, Claire Chen Jan 2023

A Review Examining Biases In Workplace Hiring And Promotion Processes, Claire Chen

CMC Senior Theses

This review examined three different types of workplace biases: racial, gender, and unconscious biases. First, the review studied how these biases affect the hiring process and found that even though there have been marginal improvements for some minority groups, racial biases still exist in the workplace. Certain minorities, such as African Americans, experienced the same amount of hiring discrimination since the 1990s. Second, the review looked at how these biases influence the promotion process and inhibit marginalized groups from reaching higher paying jobs. Despite Asian Americans experiencing fewer struggles with the hiring process, they are the least likely race to …


The Gay Science: Power On The Body, Population, And Psyche, Nicola Augustyn Jan 2023

The Gay Science: Power On The Body, Population, And Psyche, Nicola Augustyn

CMC Senior Theses

Michel Foucault is a philosopher of power who left behind a legacy of ideas that continue to inspire scholars today. His conceptualization of power is not limited to the figures of kings, monarchs, or the sovereign state. Rather, he regards power as a productive force that shapes subjectivity, manufactures knowledge, and engenders the truth in a particular historical context. In this thesis, I aim to provide a comprehensive account of Foucault’s analysis of power, starting with his refutation of the “repressive hypothesis” that challenges the predominant view of centralized top-down power. Then, I present Foucault’s proposal for redefining power as …


Trials To Triumphs: A Conceptual Integration Of Resilience And Leadership, Siri Kazilionis Jan 2023

Trials To Triumphs: A Conceptual Integration Of Resilience And Leadership, Siri Kazilionis

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis is a conceptual integration of the psychological construct of resilience and leadership. It emphasizes how leaders develop and utilize resilience to navigate adversity effectively. This thesis defines psychological resilience as a capacity built through life experiences and measurable through various scales. The literature selected focuses on the resilient leader, distinguished by emotional competence, personal growth, and a significant organizational impact. It challenges conventional leadership perceptions by underscoring the importance of resilience, particularly in crises. The research introduces essential theoretical models, including the Adversity Leadership Praxis Trajectory (APT) and Förster and Duchek's Three-Part Model, to elucidate how resilience is …


“Ella Se Lo Buscó”: Marianismo As A Cultural Vehicle For Self-Invalidation Among Latina Survivors Of Sexual Violence, Juliana Gutierrez Hudson Jan 2023

“Ella Se Lo Buscó”: Marianismo As A Cultural Vehicle For Self-Invalidation Among Latina Survivors Of Sexual Violence, Juliana Gutierrez Hudson

CMC Senior Theses

Sexual violence (SV) survivors are often confronted with hostile environments that perpetuate victim-blaming attitudes. One common response to SV is self-invalidation; whereby, survivors deny, neglect, minimize or judge themselves and their experiences via feelings of self-blame, shame, taintedness, and anticipatory stigma. Research suggests that patriarchal gender-based values like marianismo are prevalent in Latinx communities and that Latina survivors are at increased risk for self-invalidation and mental illness. Consequently, it is imperative to examine cultural mechanisms that may contribute to these negative outcomes among Latina survivors. This study’s objectives were threefold: (1) examine ethnic differences in self-invalidation between Latina and White …


The Effect Of Visual Alcohol Cues On Risk Taking Behavior Based On Memory Primes And Individual Drinking Habits, Madison Mccue Jan 2023

The Effect Of Visual Alcohol Cues On Risk Taking Behavior Based On Memory Primes And Individual Drinking Habits, Madison Mccue

CMC Senior Theses

Given the strong presence of alcohol cues in the media, this study aimed to investigate whether exposure to a visual alcohol cue versus a neutral cue would elicit memories about alcohol and increase the likelihood to engage in risk taking behavior, particularly for individuals who consume higher levels of alcohol or who report positive memories associated with alcohol. Through an online Qualtrics survey, 110 college student participants watched either two video advertisements for alcohol brands (alcohol cue), or two advertisements for soda brands (neutral cue), and then completed a memory cue task to assess if positive, neutral or negative memories …


The Relationship Between Body Mass Index And Depression In College Students, Bryn Kable Jan 2023

The Relationship Between Body Mass Index And Depression In College Students, Bryn Kable

CMC Senior Theses

College student mental health has seen a serious decline over the last decade (Esaki-Smith, 2022). One factor that has been linked to both physical and mental disorders is obesity. A common way to operationalize weight is through body mass index (BMI) (Ilman et al., 2015). There is evidence that BMI and depression are correlated linearly in that individuals with higher BMIs have higher levels of depression (Badillo et al., 2022; Simon et al., 2008). The exact mechanisms of this relationship are still generally unknown; thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between BMI and depression in …


Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Support For The Rebus Hypothesis And Its Application To Specific Psychiatric Illnesses, Wren Cilimburg Jan 2023

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Support For The Rebus Hypothesis And Its Application To Specific Psychiatric Illnesses, Wren Cilimburg

CMC Senior Theses

For centuries, psychedelic substances have been a part of human culture. Classic psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin are characterized by their agonism of 5HT-2A receptors, and recent clinical trials have found that these substances hold great promise for treating mental disorders. Neurobiological evidence supports the recent theory that psychedelic-assisted therapy works by increasing neuroplasticity and allowing for the revision of maladaptive predictions. This theory is called the REBUS hypothesis, and it is situated within a predictive processing model of cognition. There is evidence that individuals with mental disorders such as depression, addiction, and eating disorders have a diminished ability …


Examining How The Cultural Differences Between Countries Influence Individual’S Perceptions Of A Successful Leader, Karen Almachi Jan 2023

Examining How The Cultural Differences Between Countries Influence Individual’S Perceptions Of A Successful Leader, Karen Almachi

CMC Senior Theses

This literature review examines the influence of culture on an individual’s perception of a leader. Research on cultural influences and perceptions is taken to establish an interconnection between the two. The research is analyzed through the lens of two theoretical frameworks: the implicit leadership theory and the cultural dimensions theory. The frameworks are used to operationalize cultural differences and perceptions. The research establishes six dimensions that describe cultural differences between countries. To put into perspective, two culturally different countries are examined for their perception of leadership: the United States and Ecuador. The United States has a low power distance, individualistic, …


Leaning In, Or Lack Thereof: Uncovering The Impacts Of Intersectional Discrimination On Asian American Women, Nishka Khoobchandani Jan 2023

Leaning In, Or Lack Thereof: Uncovering The Impacts Of Intersectional Discrimination On Asian American Women, Nishka Khoobchandani

CMC Senior Theses

Women in the workplace are told to lean into their strengths and self-advocate in order to get promoted but this does not take into account the systemic barriers that prevent them from wanting to in the first place. Compared to women of other ethnicities, Asian American women have the lowest ratio of representation at the executive versus non-executive level. Yet, there is a lack of research on how two marginalized identities – as a woman and as an Asian American individual – synergistically interact and explain the intersectional discrimination only experienced by Asian American women, potentially interacting with cultural variables …


Gamblers And The Game Of Life: A Literary Examination Of The Professional And The Addict, Annika Ozizmir Jan 2023

Gamblers And The Game Of Life: A Literary Examination Of The Professional And The Addict, Annika Ozizmir

CMC Senior Theses

The gambler is a mysterious persona in life and in literature. Who is the gambler? While we can envision the gambler as many different kinds of people, this thesis seeks to answer this question by focusing on certain literary figures who gamble. Its author analyzes two archetypes in particular, that of the professional gambler and that of the addict. To illustrate these types, the author looks to four protagonists from a mix of four novels and short stories: Casino Royale by Ian Fleming, “A Gentleman’s Game” by Jonathan Lethem, “Queen of Spades” by Alexander Pushkin, and The Gambler by Fyodor …


At The Intersection Of Identity: An Exploration Of Sense Of Belonging And Depression, Kalah Brown Jan 2023

At The Intersection Of Identity: An Exploration Of Sense Of Belonging And Depression, Kalah Brown

CMC Senior Theses

Belonging is vital to our well-being, health, and identity. At the same time, belongingness is tied so closely to our identity, such that our specific identity may influence the extent to which we feel that we belong, as well as moderating the relationship between belonging and mental health. This present study investigates whether intersectionality, how and if a person is a minority, moderates the relationship between belonging and depression. College students were administered the Beck’s Depression Inventory II and the General Belongingness Scale. They also filled out demographic information to capture their identity and levels of intersectionality. Both belonging and …


Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia And Depressive Symptoms: Considering The Role Of Cultural Orientation And Fit, Akriti Poudel Jan 2023

Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia And Depressive Symptoms: Considering The Role Of Cultural Orientation And Fit, Akriti Poudel

CMC Senior Theses

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between cultural orientation, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), and depression. Horizontal collectivism (HC) has been shown to be predictive of positive psychological adjustment (Oh, 2022; Schermer et al., 2023), but the extent to which the individual’s level of HC matches with the group is not well understood. RSA has traditionally been conceptualized as a measure of adaptive functioning; (Graziano & Derefinko, 2013; Qu & Leerkes, 2018, Hinnant et al., 2011) however, more recent research has proposed that RSA is better conceptualized as a marker of susceptibility to environmental influences (Sturge-Apple et …