Psychology Commons^™

Who Knows What? An Agent-Based Simulation Of Indirect Learning In Teams, Taylor Mccrossan, Sabina Samipour-Biel

Psychology Student Work

While the term is unknown to most people, Transactive Memory Systems (TMS) are a mechanism through which teams of experts (e.g., surgical teams, military teams, etc.) are able to combine their unique areas of expertise to accomplish their shared goals. To develop a TMS, team members must first learn who on the team has what expertise (Peltokorpi, 2008), and together develop a “shared knowledge directory”(SKD). Meanwhile, modern technology has changed the ways that team members can work together and communicate with each other. This research examined how the process of SKD development is impacted by team members’ability to “overhear” each …

Development Of A Leadership Mindset Scale, Nathan M. Kangas, V. Krishna Kumar, Betsy J. Moore, Christopher A. Flickinger, Jennifer L. Barnett

Psychology Student Work

The purpose of the study was to construct a Leadership Mindset Scale (LMS) and to assess its reliability and construct validity. Participants were 100 employees in a variety of leadership and non-leadership positions at various organizations in three states. An item and factor analysis on the 13 LMS items led to a scale with 11 items (Cronbach α = .80). A Principal Axis Factor analysis with Promax rotation suggested three factors: Leadership Mindset Teachability (LMS-T), a belief in leadership teachability; Leadership Mindset Improvability (LMS-I), a belief in leadership improvability over time; and Leadership Mindset Predictability (LMS-P), a belief that leadership …

The Role Of Dispositional Mindfulness Against Craving In Trauma Recovery For Oud, Sarah Mathewson, Melanie Somppi, Michael Gawrysiak

Psychology Student Work

BACKGROUND: In 2020, it was estimated that 2.7 million people suffered with an opioid use disorder (OUD). Prior research suggests that dispositional mindfulness can buffer substance use severity and posttraumatic stress. However, further research is needed to clarify the relationships between dispositional mindfulness and craving specifically for those suffering from OUD. Dispositional mindfulness greater awareness and non-reactivity to emotions and internal thought patterns are features relevant to both OUD and posttraumatic stress. Therefore, we hypothesized that dispositional mindfulness would inversely relate to opioid craving and posttraumatic stress symptom severity.

METHODS: This study utilized archival data that collected from an ongoing …

Does It Hurt And Heal? A Qualitative Study Of The Relationships Among Sexual Assault Survivors In Support Groups, Brittni Gettys, Sydney Monaghan, Autumn Greene

Psychology Student Work

Research exploring relationships between trauma survivors is largely non-existent. This study will explore effects of social relationships formed between individuals sharing experiences of sexual trauma through group therapy. Researchers will examine potential buffering and supportive effects, and potential negative effects of vicarious traumatization, that may occur from social support. These complex dynamics are explored through examining relationships and experiences of individuals in support groups; open-ended and semi-structured interviews will be utilized in this qualitative approach. The interviews explore experiences such as: healing effects of group therapy for sexual trauma, the extent to which relationships facilitate healing and trauma recovery, experiences …

Cortisol Relates To Executive Functioning For Children Attending Head Start Preschool, Eleanor D. Brown, Zachary Weaver, Mallory L. Garnett, M. Streich, Geeta Shivde

Psychology Student Work

Background: Approximately 15 million children in the United States grow up in poverty circumstances (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2018), as 24% of all children under the age of 6 live in households with income levels classified as below the federal poverty guideline (Jiang et al., 2016). Recent research has highlighted the impact of early childhood poverty circumstances on physiological systems that respond to stress (Lupien et al., 2001), with implications for typical development in the prefrontal cortex (Hair et al., 2015) and related executive functioning (Blair & Raver, 2016). Method: The present study investigated relations among various components …

Ageism And Perceptions Of Vulnerability: Framing Of Age During Covid-19 Pandemic, Jordan Broussard, Frauke Schnell, Jasmin Tahmaseb Mcconatha, Jacqueline Magnarelli

Psychology Student Work

Media representations of the Covid-19 pandemic and its devastating consequences have shaped people’s fears, anxiety, and perceptions of vulnerability. Social scientists have examined the consequences of how information is “framed.” Framing theory asserts that issues can be portrayed differently by emphasizing or de-emphasizing aspects and information. According to Lakoff (2004) the impact of a message is not based on what is said but how it is said. Theories of framing focus on how the media frames issues, which then structure and shape attitudes and policies. A news article serves as a frame for an intended message. This paper examines the …

Want To Change Perspectives On Social Justice? Academic Courses And Social Movements Matter, Benjamin Wolfe, Kenia Tumbiolo, Keriann Mosley, Sam Miller

Psychology Student Work

Background: Ending systemic racism and other interrelated forms of oppression depends on institutional change, as well as changing individuals’ hearts and minds. The present study examines first the impact of a course focusing on social justice and second the impact of 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic, a critical stage of the Black Lives Matter Movement, and increasing awareness of racism and classism. Method: Participants were 139 WCU students (87% female identified, 36% BIPOC): 101 were enrolled in 2017-2019, and 38 in 2020. Measures included the White Privileges Attitudes Scale (Pinterits, Poteat, & Spanierman, 2009) in its original form as well …

Afterschool Music Education Program Linked To Social-Emotional Advantages For Children Facing Economic Hardship, Eleanor D. Brown, Mallory Garnett, Blanca Velazquez-Martin, Suzanne Varnell

Psychology Student Work

Background: The start of the 21st century has hosted decreased access to music education, particularly for children facing economic hardship and children who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) (McMurrer, 2007). This is problematic in terms of arts equity and social-emotional benefits children may gain via music participation. The present study examines the impact of an afterschool music education program on social-emotional functioning for elementary school children facing risks related to poverty and racism. Method: Participants were 503 students who attended public elementary schools: 345 students received the Music Education Program (MEP), whereas 158 students enrolled for comparison …

Examining Student Service Members/Veterans (Ssm/V) College Adjustment And Mental Health Risk-Resilience Factors, Michael Quin, Michael Gawrysiak Ph.D.

Psychology Student Work

Student Service Members/Veterans (SSM/V) are an important proportion of the college student population and may be at risk for unique mental health difficulties in comparison to civilian students. Prior research has indicated that the SSM/V population (1) is at greater risk for depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress (PTS), (2) experiences greater stigma surrounding mental health issues and treatment, (3) is more likely to engage in problematic alcohol/drug misuse, and (4) experiences greater difficulty adapting to college. Currently, there is limited research attempting to identify risk and protective factors that may exacerbate or attenuate the difficulties SSM/V may face. The present …

A Theoretical Foundation Introducing An Innovative Service Delivery Model For Families Impacted By Intimate Partner Violence, Rosa L. Boniface, Stevie N. Grassetti

Psychology Student Work

Trauma confers risk for many psychological difficulties among adults and children. Families who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) may have unique mental health needs because multiple family members have experienced risk due to trauma exposure (either directly or indirectly) and this experience may impact the protective factor of positive parent and child relationships. Currently available therapeutic services target either adult PTS symptoms or child PTS symptoms and the parent-child relationship. This narrow focus provides suboptimal care for families impacted by IPV. A three-pronged treatment approach targeting adult PTS symptoms, child PTS symptoms, and the parent-child relationship may improve psychological …

Pilot Analysis Of The Contemporary Beliefs And Identity Inventory, Kathleen Moser, Shelby Kreglow, Stevie N. Grassetti, Caroline Guzi

Psychology Student Work

Background: Feminism is a social movement that advocates for the protection and implementation of policies that promote gender equality. In one study of 116 master’s program students, 42 percent identified as feminist (Charter, 2015). Although little variation was detected between genders, only 6% of participants were male; this disparity is seen in much of the feminism research published today (Rickard, 1987; Bargad, & Hyde 1991, Fischer et al. 2000). The support of people who do not identify as women is imperative to advancing feminist ideals (Precopio, & Ramsey, 2017). While many non-women may support feminist views, measures of feminist identity …

Evaluating Differences Between Psychedelic Drug-Users And Non-Psychedelic Drug Users Among College Students, Samuel Colligan, Zachery Engle, Michael Gawrysiak

Psychology Student Work

There has been a recent surge in scientific publications documenting the therapeutic applications of psychedelic drugs (e.g., LSD, psilocybin). Emerging research has demonstrated the potential for medicinal use of psychedelic drugs to mitigate psychiatric concerns, including depression, anxiety, and addiction. While research into psychedelics suggests promise for these atypical substances to address psychiatric concerns, additional research is needed to focus on the associated consequences of recreational psychedelic use (i.e., use of psychedelics for fun or to get “high”) engaged in outside the observation and guidance of a trained mental health practitioner. The present proposal used an archival dataset collected from …

Playtime And Bedtime Relate To Stress Levels For Children Facing Economic Hardship, Fola Shokunbi, Molly Murphy, Mallory Garnet

Psychology Student Work

Background: Poverty circumstances tax physiological systems that respond to stress. Yet research suggests that supportive parenting may offer some protection. The present study uses daily interview methodology to probe how parents might structure children’s days to promote lower stress levels in the context of poverty risks. Method: Participants were 139 children who attended a Head Start preschool. Mean age was 4 years, 2 months, and 48.9% were identified as female, and 51.1% as male. Approximately 52.6% were identified as Black/African American, 16.6% as Latino/Hispanic American, 8.6% as Asian American and 22.3% as White/European American. Nearly 100% faced economic hardship. Ethical …

Stress Hormone Cortisol Relates To Emotion Expression For Young Children Facing Economic Hardship, Corinne Yost, Jessa Malatesta, Alyssa Allen, Zachary Weaver, Keara Hennesey, Kaytlin Landis-Rotondi, Mallory Garnett

Psychology Student Work

Background: Around 40% of children in the US face economic hardship. Related stressors influence physiological functioning and brain development, with implications for cognitive and social-emotional functioning. The hormone cortisol indicates stress levels, yet because cortisol responses to current stressors are imposed on baseline levels, the meaning of cortisol as measured on a particular occasion often is unclear: both elevated and depressed cortisol levels can indicate problematic dysregulation. The present study aims to elucidate how cortisol levels relate to expressed emotion for children attending Head Start preschool. Participants: Participants included 70 children attending a Head Start preschool in Philadelphia, PA. Mean …

Music Education Program Linked To Social-Emotional Advantage For Students Facing Economic Hardship, Amelia Oberholtzer, Jessica Dowdell, Dominique Mcquade, Keriann Mosley, Eleanor D. Brown

Psychology Student Work

Purpose

School success depends on the ability to regulate emotions, behavior, and attention in the service of learning. This study examines the impact of MacPhail’s Learning with Music Program on the development of self-regulatory skills for young children at risk via economic hardship.

Design

In Learning with Music, MacPhail music teachers visit partner preschool classrooms and model music integration for early childhood educators. We used a two-year, quasi-experimental waitlist control design to examine the impact of Learning with Music on children’s development of self-regulatory skills. In Year 1, both participating preschool programs received their preschool programming as usual, and in …

School Mindfulness Project, Emily Hershorin, Emily Marks, Geaniant Echavarria, Allison Parker, Stevie N. Grassetti

Psychology Student Work

Mindfulness is the state of being present in the moment and being aware of what is happening in the current situation. Previous research has found that promoting mindfulness in the classroom can result in an increase in well-being and maintaining better relationships with students, (Meiklejohn et al., 2012). To date, little is known about whether mindfulness training for teachers may relate to positive outcomes in their classrooms. In the current study, we collaborated with community partners to evaluate a mindfulness training delivered to teachers across 5 afterschool sessions. We expected to observe associations between mindfulness training and positive outcomes at …

A Proposal For A Modern Measure Of Feminist Identity, Caroline Guzi, Kathleen Moser, Shelby Kreglow, Stevie N. Grassetti

Psychology Student Work

Feminism is a social movement that advocates for the protection and implementation of policies which promote gender equality. Approximately 60 percent of women identify as feminists (Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation, 2016), but feminism is not exclusive to women. As knowledge about equality is becoming more salient, people of all genders are beginning to identify as feminists. Still, measures of feminist identity are typically worded to pertain to women only. To advance the feminist movement, we need measures of feminism that apply to all people. For example, as approximately half of the population, male opinions on feminism and gender roles are …

Methodological Proposal Of A 2gen Approach To Treating Trauma For Mothers With Substance-Use And Their Children, Rosa L. Boniface, Jenna A. Cummings, Seth Krier, Dylan Lisnow, Stevie N. Grassetti

Psychology Student Work

Background: Existing literature shows adverse environments are detrimental to a family’s overall health and wellbeing. Estimates from 2016 indicate 18 million children experienced at least one family stressor such as economic hardship, exposure to parental substance use or witnessing domestic violence. Women are three times more likely to pass intergenerational trauma, or trauma passed from caregiver to child. If left untreated, adults and children are at risk for developing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and rupturing the parent child relationship. Current services typically treat the parent and child individually, despite research showing positive relational and therapeutic effects when they are …

Ageism In The Workplace: Ageing In The Age Of Intolerance, Jacqueline Magnarelli, Lauren Stricker, Dylan Fry, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha, Frauke Schnell, V. Krishna Kumar

Psychology Student Work

Age discrimination is widespread, but not widely acknowledged. Unlike racism and sexism, ageism is often normalized (WHO, 2020). As people live longer, healthier lives, they also remain in the workplace longer (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). A majority (64%), of older workers, particularly female workers, report being subjected to discriminatory mistreatment (AARP, 2014).

This presentation focuses on a discussion of the preliminary results of an ongoing study addressing age discrimination in the workplace. A sample of 244 WCU faculty and staff (ages 20 - 80) responded to an online survey. Questions probed work experiences, work attitudes, stress, and life satisfaction. …

Learning With Music: Early Childhood Program Associated With Advantage In Self-Regulation, Zachary Weaver, Mary Ann Blumenthal, Keriann Mosley, Alyssa Allen, Amelia Oberholtzer, Jessica Dowdell, Dominique Mcquade, Tessa Richard, Eleanor D. Brown

Psychology Student Work

Purpose

School success depends on the ability to regulate emotions, behavior, and attention in the service of learning. This study examines the impact of MacPhail’s Learning with Music Program on the development of self-regulatory skills for young children at risk via economic hardship.

Design

In Learning with Music, MacPhail music teachers visit partner preschool classrooms and model music integration for early childhood educators. We used a two-year, quasi-experimental waitlist control design to examine the impact of Learning with Music on children’s development of self-regulatory skills. In Year 1, both participating preschool programs received their preschool programming as usual, and in …

Targeting Youth's Motivation To Change Substance Use Behaviors: Feasibility & Preliminary Outcomes From An Open Trial Of The Free Talk Program In A Short-Term Juvenile Detention Facility, Cassidy Tennity, Stevie N. Grassetti

Psychology Student Work

Background: Trauma exposure in adolescents is associated with increased rates of externalizing behaviors, substance use disorder and conduct disorder. Youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system have elevated levels of mental health difficulties and the many detained youth who have experienced trauma may be a group with particularly high needs.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of trauma exposure and correlates of such exposure in a sample of justice-involved youth.

Methods: Staff administered the Massachusetts Youth Screening Inventory (MAYSI-2) to N=41 detained youth upon their arrival at a juvenile justice facility. In the …

Heart Rate Variability: Impact Of Neuroticism And Social Isolation, John Beckius

Psychology Student Work

Psychologists are interested in self-compassion and its effects on our biopsychological well-being. A common method found throughout much research in assessing this is through heart rate variability. In the present study, we attempt to see whether or not self-compassion has an impact on one’s heart rate variability as a higher HRV indicates one is better able to adapt to stress. Self-compassion was measured beforehand through an online self-compassion survey that contained subscales measuring neuroticism. We also tested to see if social isolation would have an impact on HRV. Social isolation was implemented through a computer program game titled CyberBall, …

Heart Rate Variability: The Effects Of Self-Compassion, John Beckius

Psychology Student Work

Psychologists are interested in self-compassion and its effects on our biopsychological well-being. A common method found throughout much research in assessing this is through heart rate variability. In the present study, we attempt to see whether or not self-compassion has an impact on one’s heart rate variability as a higher HRV indicates one is better able to adapt to stress. Self-compassion was measured through a self-compassion survey and we hypothesized that heart rate variability would then be prone to change across three 5-minute test intervals. We unfortunately found no significant change in HRV predicted by our hypothesis. Given the results …

Stereotypes About Boys Of Color: Information About Race/Ethnicity And Socioeconomic Status Biases Ratings Of Boys’ Behavior, Eleanor D. Brown, Mallory L. Garnett, Lauren Burlew, Peter Ippolito, Julie Belling, Masataka Mitsuzuka, Anna Di Stefano

Psychology Student Work

No abstract provided.

Learning With Music: Macphail’S Innovative Early Childhood Program Associated With Social-Emotional Advantage, Eleanor D. Brown, Mallory Garnett, Ashley Labrador, Lydia Faro, Amelia Hallenbeck, Breona Jackson, Sophia Pazmino

Psychology Student Work

No abstract provided.

The Body Image Culture Within Sororities: A Qualitative Study, Kyle Ross, Melissa Bene, Lisa Edwards, Rebeca Chlebnikow, Alexandra Dolla, Kristen Perone, Deanne Zotter

Psychology Student Work

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Gesture In Spatial And Non-Spatial Learning In Children And Adults, Gwendolyn Marrin, Amanda Olsen

Psychology Student Work

The purpose of this study was to identify whether gesture differentially affects spatial or non-spatial language comprehension and memory in both children and adults. Previous research (i.e. Goldin-Meadow, 1996, 2001; McNeill, 1992, 2005) examines only the role of gesture in learning without addressing development. For this study, participant’s baseline gesture rate is recorded and then stories containing either spatial or non-spatial components are read to the participants. Participants then receive factual and convergent comprehension questions. While answering, they either gesture naturally, are required to gesture, or are told not to gesture. A three-term inference problem task (Knauff & Johnson-Laird, 2002) …

A Comparison Of The Attachment With Parents And The Attachment Of Romantic Partner, Matia Twedt

Psychology Student Work

No abstract provided.

Gender Differences In Decision Making When Faced With Multiple Options, Kallie R. Reiter

Psychology Student Work

This study tested the gender differences in decision-making patterns when multiple options were available among college students. The researchers tested this by measuring the amount of time it took students to choose a food line to wait in at the cafeteria, predicting that males would not spend as much time observing all of the different options as females would. 116 male students and 116 female students from two separate cafeterias on two different campuses participated in the study. The researchers found that when males had formed a routine and were in their more natural environment, they were quicker to choose …

The Effect Of Positive And Negative Pictures On The Processing Of Emotion-Related Words, Tricia K. Engen

Psychology Student Work

In our study, we wanted to test whether negative and positive stimuli affect lexical decision tasks. The participants consisted of 30 CSB/SJU students (14 males and 16 females). The participants saw either negative or positive pictures. After rating the various pictures, the participants’ reaction times to words and non-words was recorded to see how priming affected their reactions. We hypothesized that emotional priming would make a difference in their reaction times to words of different emotions (positive and negative). The results demonstrated that there was not an interaction between the picture group the participants were assigned to and their reaction …