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Mom Is Developing Too: Preliminary Evidence For The Reciprocal Effects Of Infant Sensory Reactivity And Maternal Behavior, Emily C. Sweiss, Vincent Berardi, Elysia Poggi Davis, Curt A. Sandman, Laura M. Glynn

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Caregiver sensitivity to infant cues is well-established as a predictor of child development. Infants also actively influence their social environment, especially their caregivers, even from their earliest days. Sensory reactivity, characterized as hypo- (under) and hyper- (over) responding to environmental stimuli, is one domain of development that is likely to influence caregiver-infant interaction, due to its role in regulating emotions and responses to both physical and social stimuli. Although sensory reactivity could be an important target for improving caregiver-child interaction, the longitudinal, reciprocal relations between infant sensory reactivity and caregiver behaviors are currently unknown. In the present proof-of-concept study, we …

Trump Country: The Role Of Alienated Voters In Alabama And Georgia, Scott E. Buchanan, Bruce L. Blair

Commonwealth Review of Political Science

Abstract Since 2016, U.S. politics has galvanized by the Trump presidency. During his two previous, and now third, campaigns for president, Donald Trump has been successful in appealing to rural white voters through the nation, but most especially in the South. Methods. Using a variety of socioeconomic variables, we examined the 2016 and 2020 election cycles to see where Donald Trump was performing the best, and worst, in Alabama and Georgia. Results. Our analysis indicates that the oft-discussed rural/urban divide is alive and well in both states, with rural counties being much more supportive of Donald Trump in …

Texture Density Discrimination Is More Precise Than Number Discrimination, Frank H. Durgin, Nichole Suero Gonzalez , '27, P. Wen, A. C. Huk

Psychology Faculty Works

Density information is a possible primitive for the perception of numerosity. It has been argued, however, that the perception of numerosity is more precise than density perception at low numbers, whereas density is more precise for high numbers. An interpretive problem with the stimuli used to make those claims is that actual stimulus density was often mis-specified owing to an ambiguity regarding the idealized versus actual filled area. This ambiguity had the effect of underestimating density precision at low numerosities. Here we used a novel method of stimulus generation that allows us to accurately specify stimulus density independent of patch …

Nostalgia's Impact On The Perception Of The Past And Future, Sara Lazo

The Kean Review: Journal in Student Research

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects nostalgia may have on the perceptions of the past and future. Nostalgia has always been perceived as a positive psychological tool for hope and fulfillment, but is also viewed negatively for its distortions of the past. To observe its effects, a survey was sent via Microsoft Teams which included 7 statements where participants were asked to either agree or disagree using a number scale of 1-5, with1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree. Results yielded that nostalgia perceives the past more positively and the future negatively. Additionally, results …

Supporting Latine Older Adults’ Nutrition And Physical Health Goals In Counseling, Zachary Mcniece, Jacqueline Bergman

Adultspan Journal

Latine older adults face disproportionate risk of chronic nutrition-related conditions and food insecurity, which can exacerbate or contribute to mental health-related concerns. Cultural stigma toward mental illness can result in Latine clients, especially older adults, somatizing symptoms and focusing on physical health goals in counseling. Despite these intersecting needs, counselors often overlook their clients' physical health goals due to limited training and the assumption that medical providers alone should address these needs. This article advocates for the integration of basic, culturally responsive nutrition information into counseling practice to support client well-being while remaining within the scope of practice. We offer …

Gardening As A Psychosocial Well-Being Activity For Adults: Integrating Eco-Wellness And Developmental Theory, Christopher T. Belser, Helene Tavormina, Ann O'Hanlon

Adultspan Journal

Prior research has demonstrated the myriad of benefits that gardening can offer individuals, ranging from physical, mental, emotional, and social benefits. Though the counseling literature has begun to address the nature-wellness connection via EcoWellness theory (Reese & Myers, 2012), little attention has been paid to the benefits of gardening as a psychosocial well-being activity for adult populations. In this manuscript, authors offer a conceptual framework built on EcoWellness theory, psychosocial development theory, life-span, life-space career theory, and selection, optimization, and compensation theory that contextualizes gardening as a beneficial activity for young adults, middle adults, and older adults. Authors present specific …

Uncertain Search With Knowledge Transfer, Woonghee Tim Huh, Michael Jong Kim, Meichun Lin

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

We consider a sequential search over a group of similar alternatives. The individual value of an alternative contains two components, an observable utility and an idiosyncratic value. Observable utilities share an unknown population distribution, which captures the similarity across the alternatives and allows for knowledge transfer within the group. Once a decision maker encounters an alternative, its utility is revealed immediately, whereas the idiosyncratic value is unobservable and needs to be learned by sampling. The goal is to select an alternative with the highest individual value while accounting for the sampling and search costs. A novel feature of this problem …

Situation Descriptions In Situational Judgment Tests: A Matter Of Including Trait-Relevant Situational Cues?, Philipp Schapers, Stefan Krumm, Filip Lievens, Jan-Philipp Freudenstein, Julian Schulze, Cornelius J. Konig

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

SJTs have traditionally been conceptualized as low-fidelity simulations of how respond to work-related situations. Yet, several studies demonstrated that situation descriptions were necessary to solve some SJT items, whereas they were not needed for other SJT items. So far, no solid support was found for various factors (e.g., item characteristics, presentation format, instructions, and content domain) that make some situation descriptions relevant and others irrelevant for responding to SJT items. Building on trait activation theory, we posit that trait-relevant situational cues serve as an ignored factor in SJT situation descriptions. Across two main studies (N-1 = 269, N-2 = 1,092), …

Towards Ecological Validity When Assessing Adhd Symptoms: Patterns In Automatically Collected, Real-World Pc Activity Data, Matheus B. Da Costa, Elizabeth S.M. Chan, Joshua Langberg, Isabelle Cuber, Fatemeh Jamalinabijan, Aleksander Kurgan, Thomas Fritz, David C. Shepherd

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Neuropsychological tests assessing attention and executive function (EF) in individuals with ADHD demonstrate little to no association with real-world ratings of ADHD behaviors. To address this critical gap, this study developed metrics that can analyze automatically collected data to measure levels of attention, motivation, and effort in emerging adults with ADHD. Specifically, we used virtual reality to simulate a study space and collect in-the-moment computer activity data while university students with ADHD (N = 21; 38% female) engaged in 12 sessions (total 180 h) of real-world tasks. To identify common sequences we performed a qualitative analysis of this work session …

Perceptions Of Game-Based Assessments: The Role Of Test Takers' Occupational Background, Marie L. Ohlms, Klaus G. Melchers, Filip Lievens

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Game-based assessments (GBAs) have become increasingly popular in personnel selection. However, research on perceptions of GBAs has yielded mixed results, highlighting the need to explore variables that may shape perceptions of GBAs. Therefore, we examined whether test takers' occupational background and other person-related characteristics (i.e., gender, age, video game usage, openness to experience) are associated with their perceptions of GBAs. N = 179 individuals from technical and social occupational backgrounds rated their perceptions of GBAs and non-gamified tests. We found that GBAs were generally rated more positively than non-gamified tests in terms of organizational attractiveness, behavioral intentions toward the organization, …

Derivation Of An Updated Brief Multivariable Prediction Model To Detect Panic-Related Anxiety In Emergency Department Patients With Cardiopulmonary Complaints, Sharon C. Sung, Felicia J. L. Ang, Arul Earnest, Leslie E. C. Lim, Shreshtha Jolly, Gilaine Rui Ng, A. John Rush, Marcus E. H. Ong

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Background Patients with panic related-anxiety (i.e., panic attacks or panic disorder) frequently present to emergency departments (EDs) with cardiopulmonary complaints but are often undiagnosed, which can lead to recurrent visits and prolonged distress. This study aimed to derive a new symptom-based multivariable diagnostic prediction model to detect panic-related anxiety in ED patients with cardiopulmonary symptoms.Methods We conducted a single-blind prospective derivation study over 15 months in the ED of a major tertiary hospital in Singapore. Patients presenting with symptoms of palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, or difficulty breathing were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID) to diagnose …

Examining The Effects Of Viewing Nature And Animal Smartphone Wallpapers On Affect, Behaviour, And Cognition: A Randomised Cross-Over Trial, Nadyanna M. Majeed, Nicole R. Y. Chen, Adalia Y. H. Goh, Meilan Hu, Kenneth J. J. Koh, Yuolmae H. G. Ang, Andree Hartanto

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

This study aims to investigate the effects of different smartphone lock screen wallpapers on weekly perceived well-being, procrastination, and productivity in young adults. Through a pre-registered within-subject experiment, 60 participants were exposed to three smartphone wallpaper conditions: nature, animal, and neutral (control). Each participant experienced each condition over three weeks, with the order of conditions counterbalanced. Using Frequentist and Bayesian analyses, we did not find any differences between conditions across the pre-registered confirmatory outcomes (i.e., life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, stress, productivity, and procrastination). Exploratory outcomes related to lock screen engagement, however, revealed some meaningful effects. Animal-themed smartphone wallpapers …

The Powerful Teacher: A Power Hypothesis For The Benefits Of Learning-By-Teaching, Sarah Shi Hui Wong, Stephen Lim

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Why does teaching others enhance one's learning? This study advanced a novel power hypothesis of learning-by-teaching: When assuming the role of a teacher, students experience a heightened sense of power in influencing others, which increases their own learning. University students (N = 242) studied a scientific text using one of three learning methods: notetaking, explaining, or teaching. The notetaking group prepared to be tested and wrote study notes about the topic; the explaining group prepared to explain and wrote an explanation about the topic as how they would write a textbook for their peers; the teaching group prepared to teach …

How Consistent Friendlike Conversation With Ai Companions Influences Our Attitudes And Perceptions Toward Ai: An Exploratory Experiment, Qi Hui Jerlyn Ho, Meilan Hu, Adalia Yin Hui Goh, Emma Jane Pragasam, Andree Hartanto

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Despite skepticism and distrust in artificial intelligence (AI), it is increasingly integrated into daily life, with its potential benefits drawing interest. Yet little is known about the attitudinal and psychological effects of human–AI interactions, and whether consistent interactions with AI chatbots can change users’ attitudes and perceptions. Our within-subjects experiment (N = 52) investigated how five days of socially oriented, friendlike interactions with an AI chatbot, versus a journaling control, influenced changes in attitudes and perceptions of AI. Participants’ attitudes towards AI, trust, perceived empathy, anthropomorphism, animacy, likeability, perceived intelligence and safety, dependency, and exploratory well-being indicators were recorded. Results …

Examining The Effect Of Newcomers’ Adaptability On Proximal And Distal Outcomes Of Organizational Socialization, Vahe Permzadian, Mishra Vipanchi

Psychological Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

We investigate the role of individual adaptability (I-ADAPT) in newcomer socialization by exploring its effects on the proximal and distal outcomes of the work-role transition process. Based on I-ADAPT theory, our study assesses how I-ADAPT affects the three key indicators of newcomer adjustment (i.e., role clarity, task mastery, and social acceptance) and, in turn, their effect on the distal socialization outcomes of job satisfaction, turnover intention, and work withdrawal. Using a 2-wave prospective design, we collected data from 280 newcomers recruited through Prolific. Results indicated that I-ADAPT dimensions differentially predict newcomer adjustment, with learning adaptability affecting role clarity, uncertainty adaptability …

Towards Ecological Validity When Assessing Adhd Symptoms: Patterns In Automatically Collected, Real-World Pc Activity Data, Matheus B. Da Costa, Elizabeth S.M. Chan, Joshua Langberg, Isabelle Cuber, Fatemeh Jamalinabijan, Aleksander Kurgan, Thomas Fritz, David C. Shepherd

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Neuropsychological tests assessing attention and executive function (EF) in individuals with ADHD demonstrate little to no association with real-world ratings of ADHD behaviors. To address this critical gap, this study developed metrics that can analyze automatically collected data to measure levels of attention, motivation, and effort in emerging adults with ADHD. Specifically, we used virtual reality to simulate a study space and collect in-the-moment computer activity data while university students with ADHD (N = 21; 38% female) engaged in 12 sessions (total 180 h) of real-world tasks. To identify common sequences we performed a qualitative analysis of this work session …

Voices In Transit: Intersectionality, Silence, And Political Engagement In Ride-Sharing, Soran Tarkhani

Commonwealth Review of Political Science

Abstract This study examines Uber as a digitally governed “third space” for political discourse. Based on 4,716 ride observations from Louisville–Southern Indiana—3,676 collected in 2023–2024 and 1,040 in 2025—it uses a mixed-methods design combining multinomial logistic regression and qualitative observation. Political conversations are defined as discussions of parties, elections, policies, or major social issues. Results show that White and male passengers were most likely to initiate such talk, while African American and female riders often remained silent, consistent with Noelle-Neumann’s spiral of silence. African American women faced the strongest intersectional constraints. Women and LGBTQ passengers leaned liberal, while men displayed …

Reimagining Safety And Justice: Experiences Of And Resistance To Police Sexual Violence In New York City, Priscilla Bustamante

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

In the era following both Black Lives Matter and #MeToo, police sexual violence (PSV) currently constitutes the second most commonly reported police complaint after excessive force. Police across the U.S. are caught for some form of sexual misconduct once every five days, with on-duty officers found to commit sexual assaults at more than double the rate of the general population. The gendered and racialized perpetration of sexual violence extends far beyond policing; however, it has been intensified within the masculine, militarized carceral structures designed to legally control and punish.

Accordingly, this dissertation utilizes an interdisciplinary, multi-method approach to offer what …

Exploring The Dynamics Of Romantic Relationships Through The Lens Of Prem Rog, Umang Jain, Dheeraj Sharma, Pranay Goswami, Kuldeep Malik

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Romantic relationships are dynamic events that begin, grow, and frequently remain for a long time in a stagnant or fluctuating state until possibly dissipating. Although they are unquestionably the most significant dynamic events in our lives, dynamic systems theory has only recently included them in its formal framework. Without a mathematical model, it would be impossible to analyze and comprehend the dynamics because, in general, love stories are too brief to allow things to stabilize and are affected by the ups and downs of the surrounding community. In this paper, we set up models made up of four ordinary differential …

A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach To Evaluating Perceptions Of Bilingualism Among Latino Parents Of Autistic Children, Ana C. Ramirez, Philip Gerard Gasquoine, Amy A. Weimer, Gabriel González Núñez, Juan R. Maldonado-Coronado, Sarah Surrain, Ana M. Gonzalez-Barrero, Cecilia Montiel-Nava

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Bilingualism has multiple benefits, however, non-native English speakers in the United States often lose their minority language. Nevertheless, language attrition is preventable, as parental perceptions of bilingualism (PoB) contribute to a child’s active use of each language and influence proficiency. At present, there is a significant gap in understanding how different cultures and belief systems might influence the language development of autistic children from bilingual Latino families. Furthermore, research on PoB among parents of autistic children has mainly been qualitative in nature. The purpose of this study was to (a) employ a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to develop a …

Humanity Is Evolving Its Consciousness: The Role Of Archetypal Energies As Guides During An Unfolding Weeding Out And Alignment Process, Carroy U. Ferguson

Psychology Faculty Publication Series

Humanity is evolving its consciousness at individual and collective levels.  Given these seemingly tumultuous times, as of this writing (January 2026), to make such a statement may sound like a strange thing to say.  However, I suggest that if you are alive today and if you are reading these words, these are the very times for which you were born—to assist Humanity as it evolves its consciousness with your unique gifts, whatever they may be.  That is, this period of our individual and collective human being-ness may be characterized as an unfolding period of weeding out and alignment with the …

Discouragement Of Men's Display Of Emotions In Western Culture, Kevin C. Modeszto

The Kean Review: Journal in Student Research

In Western culture, there are different expectations for handling emotions based on gender. Women are encouraged to show their emotions, while men are heavily discouraged from showing them. There is no difference between genders as babies in terms of showing emotion, but the difference is significant by as early as middle childhood. However, as demonstrated in a study with 68 responses dominated by people between the ages of 18-21, this trend is slowly dissipating.

Happiest People On Earth? A Look Into The Personality Traits Of Disney Adults, Brittannee Mahoney

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The present study examined the personality traits of individuals who identify themselves as “Disney adults” and explored patterns of Disney-related engagement through a newly developed Disney Engagement Scale (DES). Personality traits have a history of being used in many capacities to identify themes within a population. As the Disney adult population grows larger, the opportunity for research increases. In popular media, Disney adults have frequently been shamed for their engagement with the company. The premise of the Disney experience is based on nostalgia, play and cheer. Further, holistic health benefits of nostalgia, playfulness and cheerfulness in adults can be found …

Pilot Study: Role Of Social Support And Stress On Anxiety In First-Year College Students, Erin N. Smith, Deven L. Dancy, Lauren E. Nee, Kali Rebuck, Stephanie J. Shirk

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Research indicates worsening mental health, especially anxiety, in college populations; yet few studies have investigated anxiety and related factors in this population. This study examined the impacts and interrelations among anxiety, stress, and social support in first year, first semester college students. In a sample of 119 students, the following models of the impact of social support in the stress-anxiety relation were tested: 1) a direct impact of social support, 2) a moderating effect of social support, and 3) an indirect impact of social support. Results indicated that the indirect model of the influence of social support best fit the …

The Perception Of Fentanyl’S Harm, Rachel Antenucci

ETDs from 2020-2029

While drug overdose deaths have generally decreased in the past year, close to 60,000 overdoses involving opioids occurred in 2024. The opioid crisis has lasted over two decades and is now in the fourth wave. The fourth wave has been characterized by overdoses resulting from fentanyl adulteration in the drug supply and polysubstance overdoses involving fentanyl. The purpose of the current study is to compare the perceived harm of fentanyl to other drugs of abuse and identify differences in the perceived harm of fentanyl between groups of people who use substances. An online survey was conducted across 15 states in …

Investigating Sex Offenders’ Experience Of Being Registered As A Sex Offender, Stacey Mitchell-Swingle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In society, sex offenders are subject to unforeseen consequences of the sex offender registry. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate how the sex offender registry contributes to the mental distress of registered sex offenders and their concerns about recidivism. This study addressed a gap in understanding the sex offender registry experiences from the offender’s perspective. The research question addressed how adult male registrants describe their experiences of mental distress associated with registration and how they perceive registration as shaping their risk of reoffending. The theoretical framework was John Braithwaite’s reintegrative shaming theory, with a specific focus on …

Impact Of Burnout And Empathy On Correctional Officers’ Aggression, Sagan Ladd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Correctional officers experience persistent occupational stress that places them at elevated risk for burnout, which may negatively affect emotional functioning and increase aggression. Guided by general strain theory, this quantitative nonexperimental correlational study examined the relationships between burnout, empathy, and aggression among uniformed correctional officers working in U.S. jails and prisons. Participants (N = 58) completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire–Short Form through an anonymous online survey. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to answer three research questions. Results indicated that burnout significantly predicted aggression, F(1, 56) = 12.38, p < .001, R² = .18, such that higher burnout was associated with higher aggression scores. Empathy did not significantly predict aggression, F(1, 56) = 2.32, p = .133, R² = .04, though the relationship trended negatively. A multiple regression analysis revealed that burnout and empathy together significantly predicted aggression, F(2, 55) = 7.74, p = .001, R² = .19; however, burnout remained the only significant predictor when controlling for empathy. Additional analyses indicated that burnout significantly predicted all four facets of aggression: verbal aggression, physical aggression, anger, and hostility. These findings suggest that burnout plays a central role in aggression among correctional officers and highlight the importance of organizational and mental health interventions aimed at reducing burnout to promote staff well-being and institutional safety.

The Environmental Mental Health Services Needed For Youth Ages 18-25 Aging Out Of The Foster Care System, Keelin Leger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Youth transitioning out of foster care experience increased mental health challenges that affect their ability to age out successfully to independence. In this qualitative modified action study, the environmental mental health services needed for adolescents, aged 18 to 25, aging out of the foster care system in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana were explored. This study was guided by the Families Rising framework. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit 20 participants who provided insights to this study. Participants were reached by posting flyers on social media and the online platform forums, and they signed the consent form to participate. The data were …

Psychologists’ Attitudes On Capital Punishment And Interpretation Of The American Psychological Association’S Ethics Code, Darya Baugh-Ruschman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

When defendants are sentenced to death due to the nature of the crime, psychologists may be asked to participate in these cases, performing tasks such as conducting competency evaluations. Because the American Psychological Association (APA) Ethics Code states that psychologists cannot participate in activities that violate human rights, an ethical debate has emerged regarding whether they should participate in capital cases. The present study examined psychologists’ opinions on capital punishment and their interpretation of the APA Ethics Code, which does not specifically define what constitutes a violation of human rights. The theoretical framework for the study is the ethical decision-making …

Relationships Between The Dark Triad And Justification Of Morally Debatable Behaviors In College Students, Emma P. Paulson, Terry F. Pettijohn Ii

Psychology

The present study examined the relationship between Dark Triad personality traits and moral judgments in a sample of 68 undergraduate students recruited from psychology courses at a southeastern university. All participants volunteered through an online system and received course research credit for participation. Participants completed the Short Dark Triad Measure to assess levels of psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism, as well as the Revised Morally Debatable Behaviors Scale (MDBS-R), in a controlled laboratory setting. Individuals with strong psychopathic traits were predicted to report greater endorsement of morally debatable behaviors. Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to examine associations between Dark Triad traits …