Psychology Commons^™

Ciis Today, Fall 2010 Issue, Ciis

CIIS Today

This volume is the Fall 2010 issue of CIIS Today, the Magazine of the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Walter Miles And His 1920 Grand Tour Of European Physiology And Psychology Laboratories: A Reproduction Of The Original Typescript, Walter R. Miles, C. James Goodwin, Lizette Royer Barton

University of Akron Press Publications

Walter R. Miles (1885-1978) was an American experimental psychologist very much interested in laboratory apparatus and procedures and their applications to human behavior. Early in his career, Miles received an appointment as a research scientist at the Carnegie Nutrition Laboratory in Boston, Massachusetts. When Miles arrived at the Carnegie Nutrition Laboratory in 1914, work was well underway on the physiological effects of various nutrients on the human body. Miles began studies on the effects of alcohol on physiological and psychological functioning.

The First World War severed many of the relationships that the Carnegie Laboratory had with research counterparts in Europe. …

The Art Of Dying: Living Fully Into The Life To Come, Rob Moll

Alumni Book Gallery

How now shall we die? Death will come to us all, but most of us live our lives as if death does not exist. People are living longer than ever, and medicine has made dying more complicated, more drawn out and more removed from the experience of most people. Death is partitioned off to hospital rooms, separated from our daily lives. Most of us find ourselves at a loss when death approaches. We don't know how to die well. Rob Moll recovers the deeply Christian practice of dying well. For centuries Christians have prepared for the "good death" with particular …

What Makes A Meaningful Universe?, Todd Duncan, James Butler

Systems Science Friday Noon Seminar Series

A common line of thinking says that although we feel subjectively that our thoughts and actions matter in some way, this perception is an illusion. According to this view, an honest look around at the universe shatters this myth and reveals that our lives are ultimately meaningless. If we are to be hard-nosed realists, limiting ourselves to scientific, evidence-based reasoning, then we must accept that human existence is an inconsequential accident of no ultimate significance in the grand scheme of things. Is this attitude really justified by the evidence? We'll explore this question by taking a step back and asking …

Ciis Today, Spring 2010 Issue, Ciis

CIIS Today

This volume is the Spring 2010 issue of CIIS Today, the Magazine of the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Benefits And Applications Of Journaling: Exploring The Lower Boundary For Effective Dosage In Non-Clinical Populations, Ryan Hunsaker, Patrick Steffen

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Written expressions of emotion have been shown to produce favorable outcomes in both spheres of physicalhealth and mentalhealth (Murray, 2009; Pennebaker, 2000). Although scientists have identified to some degree what the effects of journaling are, much less is known regarding exactly whenthis impact is most likely to occur (Pennebaker, 2000). Several studies have shown clinically significant benefits for brief journaling interventions (e.g., Greenberg, Wortman, & Stone, 1996; Burton and King, 2008), but the long-term benefits and the lowest dosages necessary for these benefits are debatable. The current study provides an opportunity to assay the therapeutic effects of a brief journaling …

Abuse History And Therapy Participation Among Men And Women In Methadone Maintenance Treatment, Alexandria Kunzler, Sasha Mondragon, Amy Welsh, Scott Baldwin

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

The differences between men (N = 26) and women’s (N = 27) self-reports of abuse and recorded therapy participation were examined among clients in a methadone maintenance treatment program. Results indicate that women report significantly more abuse. We found no significant difference in therapy participation between men and women.

Acupuncture Reduces Ethanol Inhibition Of Vta Gaba Neuron Activity And Ethanol Self-Administration: Role Of Endogenous Opioids, Jung J. Park, Bryan Blumell, Brian Hoyt, Mandy M. Foote

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Acupuncture of the Shenmen(HT-7) channel has a strong inhibitory effect on ethanol(ETOH)-induced dopamine (DA) release and prevents the reduction of dopamine (DA) by chronic ETOH (Zhaoetal.,2006). GABA neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) regulate DA neuron activity and release in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). They also express mu-opioid receptors (Fig.1) and their firing rate is inhibited by ETOH andopioids (Fig.2).

Brigham Young University Student Perception Of Medical Practitioners Based On Gender, Curtis Pearson, Ryan Jury, Charity Kemp, Benjamin De Jesus

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Gender bias is a problem within the medical field, even to the extent of affecting patients care. At the U of U Medical School in 2001 BYU graduates were involved in gender bias. The female medical students complained of sexist remarks towards their role as a Doctor. Studies have shown repeatedly that patients prefer a certain type of gender when choosing a physician (Adams 2003). Physician gender attributes also contribute to the type of care that patients perceive they will get (Marshall 2007). Also, the patients perceptions of the physician's ability determine whether they follow the physicians counsel or not(Bonds …

Differential Effects Of The Discrete Options Multiple Choice Test Format On Test Takers Assesment And Scores, Ryan Funk, Tamarin Hooper, Emily Hadlock, Jelyn Whicker

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Multiple-choice tests have not sufficiently evolved to counter test-wise individuals. By offering the discrete-option multiple-choice format (DOMC) as an alternative to the traditional format, educators can counter “extra-test” competency. That is, the DOMC format may be fairer. The new format may encourage more thorough study of assigned material. The DOMC format only displays one answer option on the screen at a time. In this case, “29” was the first randomly selected option. Test taker identifies option as correct or incorrect. Not all options appear.

Consistency Of Temperament Of In Group-Housed Infant Rhesus Monkeys (Macacamulatta) During The First Months Of Life, Joshua W. Kirton, Daniel Blocker, Kfir Orgad, James D. Higley

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

While a wide number of studies have assessed temperament as a predictor of future personality or behavior, few studies have assessed its interindividual stability over the first few months of life in nonhuman primates. This laboratory study examined temperament in group-housed infant rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) assessing interindividual consistency from the second through fifth months of life using objective behavioral measures. Stability of temperament was measured by correlating (Pearson Product-Moment tests) individual differences in the frequency of 25 behaviors over months 2-5 of life in 88 mother-reared subjects. Two 5-minute sessions were recorded for subjects each week and the mean …

Classical Music And Its Effects On Verbal And Nonverbal Memory Performance, Clarence Holbrook, Emily Hadlock, Jentri Rasmussen, Erin D. Bigler

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

The purpose of this study was to test the effect that music has on memory. To date there have been several studies done that fail to agree on the question of whether music affects memory. The fairly well-known phenomenon called the Mozart effect found that spatial-temporal memory increased due to exposure to classical music. This research is intended to determine whether the Mozart effect in fact increases verbal and nonverbal memory, employing the Rey-Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCFT).

Drama, Drama, Drama, Trace W. Lund, Mckenzie Gibson, Megan Pixton, Brandon Chandler

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Gender roles are set early in life (Condry & Ross, 1985). Boys are often encouraged in their rough-and-tumble play while girls are discouraged from it (Condry, 1985). Girls are treated as more fragile and are encouraged to act ladylike, including not inflicting physical harm upon others. Much of how we act in society, including aggression, is based on these social norms. The media is full of physically aggressive acts. School shootings, war, terrorism, assaults; the list goes on and on. Who do we imagine performing these tasks? Men or women? Research has shown it to be men (Zeichner, Parrott, & …

Effects Of Mood On Error Processing, Alexander Gray, Michael J. Larson

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

In mood-induced states, anxious participants were most attentive, happy and calm participants were intermediately attentive, and sad participants least attentive. This study investigates if participants in mood-induced states will demonstrate ERN amplitudes that correspond to the outcomes demonstrated in the above study in which greater attentiveness should correspond to larger ERN amplitudes and visa versa.

Does Gender And Marital Status Affect Student Anxiety In School?, Christian Briggs, Zachary Elison, Monica Gonzalez, Scott C. Steffensen

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

School related anxiety and stress is a common psychiatric issue for college students. In recent years, heart rate variability (HRV) has been utilized as a noninvasive and informative way to evaluate autonomic activity by recording electrocardiogram or pulse waves.In past studies, decreased autonomic responsiveness in correlation with task performance has served as a sign of psychological dysfunction (Shinba, 2008). Gender studies have indicated that women are substantially more likely to develop stress disorders and exhibit higher levels of anxiety in clinical testing (McLean, 2009; MacSwain, 2009). Despite these various studies in gender, little research has been done to indicate differences …

Effects Of Relationship Status On Gpa, Emily Albright, Chanel Carlile, Janae Kirkendall, Allyson Webber

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Research on the effect of Relationship Status on GPA is very limited. Some studies find that individuals who date more frequently tend to have lower grades than those who don’t. Other studies have found that relationships can have a positive or a negative effect on GPA depending on other factors. However, most studies find that Relationship status doesn’t have an effect on GPA. We hypothesize that Single and Married individuals will have higher GPA’s than their dating counterparts. We further hypothesize that Single and Married people will also be more consistent in their academic achievement and that those who are …

Don't Deny It: Cultural Patterns In Coping With Stress, Bryan J. Jensen, Julianne Lunstad-Holt, Patrick Steffen, Bruce Brown

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Stress is a part of everyday life. One important way that stress influences our health is by increasing blood pressure. Research has consistently reported that foreign‐born Mexicans have lower blood pressure than Caucasians 1. This surprises many, since foreign‐born Mexicans are typically more socioeconomically under advantaged 2. Numerous psychosocial factors such as social support and perceived control have been shown to moderate this socioeconomic status (SES)‐health gradient3, but surprisingly li1le work has been done examining how perceived stress and coping strategies influence this relationship. The current study seeks to examine how the psychological factors of perceived stress and coping influence …

Evidence Of Opinion: A Critical Analysis Of The Use Of Empirical Literature In Controversial Topics, David Erekson, Sasha Mondragon, Kiley Delange, Amelia Leetham

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

The American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) use the same empirical sources as supporting evidence for differing views on the psychological treatment of sexual minorities. Given this discrepancy, we undertook a critical analysis of all sources commonly cited by APA and NARTH. We conclude that the sources have not been used consistently, and that this may be a product of differing beliefs surrounding a controversial issue.

Facebook And Self-Worth, Dallin Bywater, Chelsey Tautkus, Paul Moss, Dana Kearnes

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

It is already known that self-worth can be easily manipulated and diminished by disparagement. In response to this disparagement, one will then seek social gratification from their peers, which will work to bolster their damaged self-worth. One of the easiest ways for these disparaged people to seek social gratification is through Facebook use. However, it is not yet known if a decrease of self-worth leads to an increase in Facebook usage; if this relationship indeed exists, then we may be able to understand more about the link between self-worth and social networking. For example, it is possible that poor mental …

Moral Conceptions And Parent-Adolescent Congruence: What Does It Mean To Be A Moral Person?, Ryan J. Funk, Sam Hardy

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

In recent years scholars have argued for the importance of greater understanding naturalistic conceptions of moral maturity (Walker & Pitts, 1998). However, given the limited work done thus far in this area, we still know very little about how these conceptions of morality develop. Further, most prior studies of lay conceptions of morality have involved adults (e.g., Smith, Smith, & Christopher, 2007; Walker & Pitts, 1998). Thus, the purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between adolescent’s conceptions of morality and how it relates to their parents’.

Parent-Adolescent Attachment As A Mediator Of Relations Between Parenting And Adolescent Social Behavior And Well-Being In China, Mengfei Cai, Blake Hudson, Ashley Maag, Sam Hardy

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

The study of adolescents’ attachment to parents and its relation to adolescents' well-being has received increasing attention in recent years. But the mechanic in this relation and even in the whole working pattern is still not very clear---not only in western background, but also in eastern culture. This study examined how parenting dimensions (authoritative, psychological control, and over-protecting) relate to adolescent outcomes (self-esteem, autonomy, and peer relationships) by way of parent-teen attachment, among Chinese families.

Marcia’S Identity Statuses In Comparison With Time Management Habits, Anu O'Neill, David Rackham, Mary Finley, Scott C. Steffensen

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

This study found that time management correlates with Marcia's Identity Status theory. Marcia's Identity Status reflects on the four different levels of identity: achievement, foreclosure, moratorium, diffusion. Identity can consist of things such as reasons for going to school, what career they want and knowing what accomplishments they are working towards. Identity and time usage are related because as a person know what is important to them they know how they want to use their time. We are hoping to see the strength of identity in how time is allocated.

Pornography Addiction: Shedding Light On Internet Help Resources, Joshua Ruchty, Sam Hardy

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

The purpose of this pilot study is to empirically evaluate the effectiveness of the Candeo Program by collecting self-reported improvement data from Candeo subscribers. Candeo is an online, subscription-based recovery program for pornography addiction. Candeo guides subscribers through 10 levels of instruction --including text, video, and interactive exercises –all aimed toward reshaping thought processes in order alter addictive behaviors.

Lds Doctrine And Perfectionism, Brittany Mealey, Jeffrey Bernhardt, Michael Davison, Andrea Riggs

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Perfectionism has become a topic of widespread interest within the social sciences. Many of the studies testing and measuring perfectionism have been associated with constructs such as need achievement and level of aspiration. Though it has been found that there may be links between religiosity and perfectionism (Edgington et. al, 2008; Zohar et. al, 2005), only a small amount of studies have actually researched if and how perfectionism is affected by religiosity.

Media Increases Narcissistic Tendencies In College Students, Megan Sheldon, Melanie Johnson, Brady Morris, Brittany Stevenson

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

In the recent decade, society has seen more and more cases of narcissistic entitlement (NE) (Twenge, Konratin, Foster, Campbell, & Bushman, 2008). An increased emphasis on celebrity worship, material wealth, physical appearance, media styles, and attention seeking in recent years may account for this shift in NE (Chen, 1998), (Ashe, Maltby, McCutcheon, 2005). NE occurs when people believe themselves to be entitled to certain privileges and have an obsessive self-love rooted in an insecure self-esteem. Individuals with NE may also be more prone to go into debt than those without it because they feel entitled to certain things even though …

The Effect Of Positive Affect On Memory, Jenna Gardner, Jeremy Ashworth, Brittney Rasmussen, Erin D. Bigler

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

The majority of positive affect research has been studied in relation to mental flexibility and creative thinking, with a smaller emphasis in the area of memory recall. Studies have specifically looked at the influence of positive affect as it relates to the following: creative problem solving (e.g., Mikulincer, & Sheffi, 2000, Estrada, Young, & Isen, 1994; Greene & Noice, 1988; Isen, Johnson, Mertz, & Robinson, 1985), improves recall of neutral and positive information (Isen, Shalker, Clark, & Karp, 1978; Nasby & Yando, 1982; Teasdale & Fogarty, 1979), promotes mental flexibility (Carnevale & Isen, 1986; Estrada, Isen, & Young, 1997; Isen …

Trpv1 Modulation Of Plasticity In The Hippocampus, Curtis Walther, M. Mors, J. Blickenstaff, B. Nelson

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Learning and memory are phenomena made possible via physical changes at neuronal synapses in the brain, a process known as synaptic plasticity. Dysfunctions in synaptic plasticity contribute to such diseases and disorders as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and retrograde amnesia (Brunetal., 2001). Recently, TRPV1 activation was shown to mediate synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus (Gibsonetal., 2008). TRPV1 is a presynaptic ligand-gated calcium (Ca2+) channel located throughout the CNS, including in the hippocampus. TRPV1 channels are activated by the binding of capsaicin, which is responsible for producing the “heat” of red peppers. Several studies implicate a role for TRPV1 in contextual …

Non-Target Incidental Memory And Associated Factors, Sean Peterson, Erin D. Bigler

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Students want to learn what is on the test, but professors want students to learn all the curriculum, tested or not. One compromise is through non-target incidental memory, which acts like peripheral vision, so that even though some material is emphasized, surrounding material is also processed and learned. The current study found a significant amount of incidental memory that did not vary with year in school or sex. Therefore, “teaching to the test” does not necessarily block all learning of other material: some of it is automatically learned as well.

Marital Quality And Risk Factors For Chd, Rebecca Wallace, Nicole Barber, Bryan J. Jensen, Paige Vella

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Epidemiological research indicates that marriage may significantly protect individuals from various causes of morbidity and mortality including cardiovascular disease6,7. There is also growing evidence that marital quality may be equally if not more important than marital status. While married individuals have greater health benefits relative to unmarried individuals, unhappily married individuals may be worse off than unmarried8-10. For instance, marital distress has been associated with a 2 to 3 fold increase in the risk of heart disease11and for recurrent coronary events12.

Note-Taking Method Affects Immediate And Delayed Recall, Keith Lowell, Meagen Jensen, Erin D. Bigler

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Note-taking improves performance on tasks (Heggarty, 1997). Because of the frequent and varied use of notes, many studies have been done on the subject of note-taking. Most studies examine differences between note-taking methods. For example, a current focus is whether note-taking within a teacher-provided outline yields better test performance than free note-taking (Larson, 2009; Piolat, 2007). Other studies examine different note-taking methods used by individuals, i.e. shorthand, diagrams, or graphic organization. A literature review found no studies which have examined the separate effect of note-taking on visual or auditory performance. Because note-taking requires the student to look away from a …