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U.S. Young Adults’ Experience Of Hope, Personal Control, And Well-Being In The Face Of Large-Scale Threats, Julia Conner

Psychology Honors Papers

Large-scale threats (e.g., climate change, political unrest, economic uncertainty) have many negative effects on young adults’ well-being. Given the widespread and existential nature of these threats, it can be difficult for individuals to maintain hope in the face of them. The present study examines the relationships among hope, locus of control, psychological well-being, concern over large-scale threats, and news use in a sample of 213 young adults from the United States aged 19-27 years. Participants completed several self-report scales and provided a hope narrative. The data show strong positive relationships between greater hope and internal locus of control and more …

Queer Experiences Of Double Disadvantage: The Moderating Effects Of Rejection On The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Attachment Style, Isabella Kinney

Psychology Honors Papers

This thesis examines how intersecting forms of disadvantage – particularly experiencing identity-based rejection and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) – can negatively impact a queer-identifying individual. Previous research highlights that both ACEs and rejection are linked to poor mental health and insecure attachment patterns within LGBTQ+ populations. This study aimed to determine whether rejection serves as a moderator for the relationship between ACEs and attachment. Data was collected through an anonymous online survey of 81 participants recruited from Connecticut College and Connecticut’s LGBTQ+ Justice and Opportunity Network, and included measuring ACEs, rejection experience, and attachment patterns. Using a regression and moderation …

The English You Speak Matters: Immigrants, Phonological Roots, And Psychological Perspectives On Accent Discrimination, Sophia Hauschildt

Psychology Honors Papers

Accent serves as a highly salient social cue that influences how speakers are perceived, particularly in multicultural contexts where linguistic diversity is increasing. The present study examined how English accent affects evaluations of speaker warmth and competence, and how individual differences in cultural intelligence and colour-blind racial attitudes shape these perceptions. Using a between-subjects experimental design, participants (N = 225) were randomly assigned to listen to a standardised speech passage presented in one of five accents: General American English (GAE; control), Spanish-accented English, Chinese-accented English, Hindi-accented English, or Filipino-accented English. Participants then completed measures of speaker evaluation based on …

Use Of Ai In Expert Testimony: Understanding The Attorney Perspective, Emma S. Puntin

Psychology Honors Papers

Artificial Intelligence is becoming increasingly incorporated into different aspects of society, including our legal system. AI has potential to enter into legal proceedings through the introduction of its evidence in case and expert witness testimony. Expert witnesses are called to offer knowledge on matters relevant to a case and can vary in specialization. This study aimed to explore how attorneys view experts who use AI and how they would approach this in a courtroom setting. Structured interviews were conducted with ten attorneys from various jurisdictions. During these interviews, attorneys were asked what they have encountered during their work in the …

The Influence Of Hair And Faces On Social Judgments Of Power And Warmth, Sarah E. Swanson, Meryl P. Gardner, Adam W. Stivers, D. M. Kuhlman

Psychology Faculty Scholarship

We explored how faces and hair influence social judgments of power and warmth by altering 40 photos to display only hair (“Hair-only”), only face (“Face-only”), or both (“Whole Picture”). Across conditions, participants’ (N = 195) Face-only judgments strongly correlated with Whole Picture judgments, even when controlling for hair judgments. Although Hair-only judgments did not significantly predict warmth, they were a strong predictor of Whole Picture judgments of power (r = .65, p <  .001), even when controlling for Face-Only judgments (β = .56, p <  .001). The impact of hair judgments on overall power judgments was greater for male than female targets and judges, suggesting that hair plays a prominent role in males’ perceptions of power and how males are judged with respect to power. In contrast, face rating predominately explained warmth judgments (R2 = 0.84, p <  .001), and adding hair ratings did not contribute to additional variance (ΔR2 <  0.01, p = .68). These findings align with theories of impression formation, which propose that warmth judgments rely on involuntary facial cues, while power judgments incorporate controllable appearance features such as hair.

Investigating The Viability Of Fully Online Asynchronous Physics Instruction In Formal Education, Clifton W. Massey-Noel

Physics Dissertations

In this dissertation we present results from two consecutive investigations into the fully online asynchronous modality in Physics Education. We first discuss the efficacy of a fully online asynchronous section of Modern Physics held in Fall 2024. The asynchronous section is compared with four prior partially-flipped sections of the same class, two of which were held in-person, and two of which were held synchronously online. Results suggest that all three modalities can be made to be about equally as effective. We also discuss the efficacy of a fully online asynchronous section of Calculus-Based Introductory Mechanics held in Fall 2025. The …

Conch Gone? Examining Cultural Preservation Through Bahamian Menu Analysis, Adiah J. Saunders

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Social identity theory and acculturation theory expose how cultural practices, such as cuisine, can adapt due to external pressures. In The Bahamas, external pressure from the tourism industry shapes many aspects of public life, by analyzing menus we can see how cultural identity resists or succumbs to change. This study examined how Bahamian cuisine is represented on restaurant menus in Nassau, New Providence amid a dominating tourism industry. Using a stratified random sample of 30 restaurants, 1,155 menu items were coded for cultural origin, cultural language use, promotional features, as well as pricing. The results show that international dishes appear …

Exploring Acculturation And Its Role In Substance Abuse Behaviors Among Refugee Populations In Bowling Green, Ky: An Interactive Learning Experience Through Provider’S Perspectives., Aishwarya Potluri

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Substance use among refugee populations is an emerging public health concern shaped/influenced by cultural, social, and structural factors associated with resettlement. This qualitative study explored providers’ perspectives on substance use behaviors among refugees in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Using Health Behavior Theory with acculturation as a contextual construct, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 providers working with refugee-serving organizations. Data collected through the interviews was analyzed using thematic analysis in NVivo. The findings indicate that substance use is being influenced by peer exposure, occupational stress, and the increased availability of substances in the United States. Providers identified cultural stigma surrounding mental …

Arts Cures: A Business Plan For Integrating Art As A Biometric Tool For Sensory Wellbeing In Commercial Ecosystems, Xinuo Zhang

MA Projects

In an era of heightened connectivity and data-driven metrics, modern society faces a crisis of sensory impoverishment and emotional disconnection. While technology quantifies human experience, it often fails to address the visceral need for authentic feeling. This business plan proposes "Arts Cures," a venture that repositions art from a passive commodity to an active, systemic solution for well-being. By leveraging insights from neuroscience, design theory, and existential philosophy, Arts Cures develops a suite of B2B and B2C services that integrate art as functional, biometric-responsive infrastructure. Our core offerings include AI-driven sensory pods for real-time emotional regulation, data-informed curatorial services for …

Personality Assessment Inventory Profiles In Adults Seeking Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment, Emily Kinsey

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The current study aimed to examine differences in interpersonal functioning and response validity among adults presenting for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessment compared to those seeking services for other clinical concerns. The study used archival data from 238 client files collected in an outpatient clinical setting. Interpersonal functioning was assessed using the Dominance (DOM), Warmth (WRM), and Nonsupport (NON) subscales of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991). Response validity was evaluated using the Negative Impression Management (NIM) and Positive Impression Management (PIM) scales. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed no significant group differences across DOM, WRM, and NON …

"It's Dangerous To Go Alone": Examining Npcs As Influential Social Agents In An Original Single-Player Rpg, Chloe Bella Whitfield

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Parasocial Interactions (PSI) and Parasocial Relationships (PSR) may have the capacity to act as an extension of and supplement for healthy social interaction (Elvery, 2021). In some instances, PSI and PSR may even be used as a means to improve unfulfilled social needs and decrease feelings of loneliness (Jarzyna, 2021). It has been noted that digital media such as video games may produce parasocial encounters that are particularly unique, as they often simulate realistic, back-and-forth social interactions between users and a virtual agent (Elvery, 2022; Hartmann, 2008). The present study observed PSR formation between players and a non-player character (NPC) …

Barriers To Mental Healthcare Among Men, Adrienne White

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Men are consistently less likely than women to seek professional mental health services despite experiencing significant rates of depression and psychological distress. Traditional masculine norms and depression-related stigma have been proposed as major contributors to this disparity. The present study examined the relationships among depression stigma, conformity to masculine norms, depression severity, perceived barriers to care, and attitudes toward seeking professional mental health treatment among adult men with current or past depression. Seventy participants completed measures of depression severity (PHQ-9), conformity to masculine norms (CMNI-30), depression stigma (DSS), attitudes toward help seeking (MHSAS), and perceived barriers to care (BMHS). Contrary …

Professional Standards For School-Based Behavior Analysts (2nd Edition), Selena J. Layden, Emily Muise, Karen L. Berlin, Samantha Gregory, Daniel Irwin, Kaylan Long, Daria K. Lorio-Barsten, Jennifer L. O’Berry, Hannah Riddle

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Public educational settings are unique and complex environments that require specific knowledge and skills for the professionals that work in these environments. School-based behavior analysts can be a great asset to public schools. However, these professionals must be able to firmly understand and perform the responsibilities of a behavior analyst in collaboration with educators and service providers in a public school setting. The presence of behavior analysts in public schools is still relatively new, when compared with other specialized services. Therefore, behavior analysts, teachers, administrators, and others should focus on collaboration to promote the success for all stakeholders with an …

The Relationship Between Physical Activity, Sleep, And Hallucinations In Adults With Charles Bonnet Syndrome, Jarrod Hollis, Rohit Narayan, Eldre W. Beukes, Rosie Lindsay, Aliyah Bharwani, Umair Mughal, Ikra Yaqoob, Justin A. Haegele, Scott Muriden, Peter M. Allen

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Physical activity levels, hallucination experiences, sleep quality, and perceived stress were assessed using a survey administered to 57 adults with a confirmed diagnosis of Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS). Physical activity demonstrated a significant negative correlation with hallucination severity (r = –0.335, p = 0.011, two-tailed). A significant negative correlation was also observed between physical activity and perceived stress (r = –0.497, p < 0.001, two-tailed). In contrast, no significant association was identified between hallucination frequency and sleep disruption or insomnia. These findings suggest that engaging in appropriate levels of physical activity may help reduce the severity of hallucinations and mitigate stress among individuals with CBS. The observation that higher levels of physical activity are associated with reduced hallucination burden may help the development of evidence-based management strategies for CBS. Additionally, the finding that physical activity was significantly related to hallucination severity, whereas sleep disruption was not, merits deeper exploration in future research.

Examining The Physiological Stress-Reducing Effects Of Virtual Nature Exposure And Slow Breathing, Jesse Benefiel

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

In a time of excess stress, it is essential to examine accessible stress-reduction methods. Research has demonstrated that virtual nature exposure and slow breathing can independently reduce stress, but the literature is lacking with regard to their combined effects. The present study aimed to replicate independent effects of breathing and nature on stress and to test for potential effects, including whether their combination would produce an interaction effect. Using a 2 Environment (Natural v. Control) by 2 Breathing (Slow v. Normal) between-subjects design, 63 participants completed a modified color-word Stroop task to induce stress and were then exposed to either …

The Effect Of Automated Self-Monitoring On The Behavior Of Individuals Diagnosed With Pre-Diabetes Or Type 2 Diabetes, Leti Phillips Armenta

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and prediabetes affect millions of individuals in the United States and require effective self-management strategies to reduce glucose variability and improve health outcomes. This study evaluated the effects of automated self-monitoring using the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on glucose management and health-related behaviors among adults diagnosed with prediabetes or at risk for T2D. A repeated-measures design was used to asses’ participants across two distinct 10-day periods. Data included CGM glucose readings, self-report questionnaires, and social validity measures. Results indicated that participants demonstrated reduced glucose variability, fewer prolonged glucose spikes, and increased engagement in health-related …

Subjective Glib Dynamics: Using An Alien Society To Investigate Reactions To Leader And Member Norm Deviance, Catie Burtch

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Social groups are built by members and leaders who form consensus on the defining attributes of their groups. Individual group members look to senior members and leaders to learn what it means to be a member of that group. Thus, norm maintenance is an important aspect of group health. The subjective group dynamics model details the specific group contexts under which people derogate ingroup members for transgressing norms. However, ingroup leaders are treated differently from regular group members and are given leniency for their transgressions. The current research extends these two bodies of work by directly comparing the consequences of …

Pretend Play Effects On Autistic Children's Theory Of Mind & Social Skills, Joelle Lok

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Autistic individuals often struggle with basic social skills due to deficits in Theory of Mind (ToM), perspective taking, reciprocity difficulties, etc. Early interventions that target these skills, specifically metarepresentation skills, could be essential to an individual’s social success and overall well-being. Further, pretend play shares an important relationship with ToM and social skills, due to their shared use of putting oneself in others’ shoes. Thus, a pretend play intervention could be beneficial in not only improving children’s overall play interactions, but also through a domino effect on their ToM and social skills. The directionality of the relationship between pretend play, …

Reward Deficits In Co-Occurring Social Anxiety And Depression: The Roles Of Anhedonia, Boredom, Loneliness, And Covid-19 Social Restriction, Nathan M. Hager, Alicia L. Milam, Hannah C. Hamrick, Benjamin Swanson, Matt R. Judah

Psychology Faculty Publications

Prior research points toward reward deficits as crucial to the link between social anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. However, studies have not explored specific types of reward deficits or how social-environmental factors may impact them. The current study examined whether the indirect effects of three reward deficits (anhedonia, boredom, and loneliness) accounted for the connection between social anxiety and depression. Questionnaires were collected in a sample of college students (N = 523) during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing examination of environmental stressors (i.e., remote learning and current friend network size) on reward deficits. Indirect effect models …

Responding To Suicide Loss: A Guide For Clinicians In Therapy With Suicidal, Grieving Adolescents, Brianna Jurosic

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Psychologists have spent years attempting to conceptualize what causes individuals to become suicidal and ultimately understand why individuals choose to die by suicide. Dr. Thomas Joiner (2005) developed the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide in an attempt to summarize and build upon previous models. The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide is built upon three factors: perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and the acquired ability to enact lethal self-injury. Joiner theorized that perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness together create the desire for suicide, and the ability to enact lethal self-injury adds the final piece that moves the desire toward action (i.e., a suicide attempt). …

Thrive Together: A Culturally Responsive Group Intervention To Support Emotional Regulation And Behavioral Health Among Underserved Middle School Youth, Cherish Harris

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Mental health concerns among children and adolescents continue to represent a significant public health concern, particularly among underserved and minority youth who experience disproportionate exposure to systemic inequities, chronic stressors, and barriers to mental health care. Schools frequently serve as primary points of contact for youth experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties; however, many settings lack accessible interventions that adequately address both internalizing and externalizing concerns. The purpose of this doctoral project was to develop Thrive Together, a culturally responsive group intervention designed to support middle school students experiencing emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal challenges. The intervention was developed in response …

The Emergence Of Violent Extremism: Threats To Social Identity And Psychological Motivations Underlying Identity-Defining Extreme Aggression, Austin Leigh Shockley

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Building on the framework of social identity (Tajfel & Turner, 1979, 1986) and uncertainty-identity (Hogg, 2007, 2012, 2021a, 2025) theories, the following research analyzed threats to social identity and psychological motivations underlying identity-defining extreme aggression. The two main motivations associated with social identification a) self-esteem via collective enhancement and b) epistemic knowledge via uncertainty-reduction are first reviewed and subsequently incorporated into the proposed empirical design. The role of identity-uncertainty (i.e. Study 1) and superordinate identity-uncertainty (i.e. Study 2) in social identity-defining processes toward extreme aggression were also examined (Hogg & Wagoner, 2016; Wagoner & Hogg, 2016; Hogg & Rast, 2022; …

Pathways To (Prevent) Radicalization: How Uncertainty And Identity Complexity Shape Vulnerability, Michelle Blaya Burgo

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Violent radicalization and politically motivated violence are pressing concerns that threaten global peace, security, and social cohesion. Violence is costly, in both lives and resources, and reactive measures have failed to decrease its occurrence. In a world marked by uncertainty where some degree of conflict is unavoidable, the focus should be on preventing violence. Previous research had demonstrated that various group- and individual-level factors can lead people to radicalize; this work extends that research by introducing social identity complexity (Roccas & Brewer, 2002) as a potential buffer against radical pathways. The current research proposed that complex identity structures – defined …

We Can Be Heroes: Sustaining Vitally Engaged Social Heroes In A Heroic Organization (Act Up/New York), Michael Condren

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Contextual factors are particularly important in understanding social heroism, which is characterized by heroic action in the service of existing and emerging community values, principles and ideals (Franco et al., 2011). Social heroism almost always entails serious risks for the hero and frequently requires committed action over long time periods to achieve positive social change. Unlike other types of heroism, social heroism frequently emerges from and is enacted through organizations. However, heroism research has focused largely on individual factors involved in different types of heroic actions, such as character, moral development and courage. The goal of this study was to …

Work Disengagement: Motivational Regulation Shaped By Psychological Need Frustration And Perceived Injustice, Stephanie R. Dailey

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Employee disengagement represents a persistent global challenge, yet remains theoretically underdeveloped and is frequently conflated with burnout, behavioral withdrawal, or deviance. Building on Kahn’s (1990) original conceptualization, this dissertation reconceptualizes disengagement as a distinct motivational state characterized by the withdrawal of cognitive, emotional, and physical energies from role performance. Drawing on Self Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000), Conservation of Resources theory (Hobfoll, 1989), and the Job Demands–Resources model (Bakker & Demerouti, 2007), I test a model where disengagement emerges as a motivational response to psychological need frustration, where organizational justice functions as an upstream contextual antecedent. Two complementary studies …

Momentary Psychological Well-Being Of Informal Caregivers Of Young Adult Cancer Patients: A Feasibility Study, Ximena Giesemann

CGU Theses & Dissertations

While caregivers of cancer patients across all ages experience fluctuations in psychological well-being, informal caregivers of young adult cancer patients (ICCYAs) may be especially vulnerable due to the distinctive developmental context of the young adult cancer patient and the unique challenges of facing cancer during this life stage. However, research that examines ICCYA psychological well-being is limited and utilizes methodologies that are insufficient in capturing both the dynamic nature of psychological well-being and the ICCYA role. As a result, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding how ICCYA psychological well-being unfolds, and the moment-to-moment factors associated with it. …

American Spirits: The Impact Of Social Setting On Voter Turnout, Annika Lindberg

Scripps Senior Theses

Low voter turnout has characterized American elections for the past century, raising ongoing concerns about democratic representation. Although scholars agree that low turnout is problematic, they differ on which factors most strongly influence participation. This thesis examined whether creating a celebratory, patriotic Election Day environment modeled after Fourth of July festivities increased voter engagement.

Using two complementary methods, the research evaluated the effects of celebratory Election Day settings on voting behavior. Study 1 used a partial field case study, comparing turnout after Election Day parties held for three student organizations at a small California liberal arts college with turnout from …

Beyond Ssris: Omega-3 Fatty Acids And The Neurobiology Of Impulsivity In Borderline Personality Disorder, Sujean Doo

Scripps Senior Theses

Impulsivity is a central and clinically significant dimension of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and is strongly associated with self-harm, aggression, and suicide risk. Despite its prognostic importance, pharmacologic management of impulsivity in BPD remains inconsistent. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are frequently prescribed; however, randomized controlled trials demonstrate limited efficacy for impulsive-aggression, and some patients experience a paradoxical behavioral activation. Meta-analytic and systematic reviews further suggest that mood stabilizers and second-generation antipsychotics may outperform antidepressants, yet no specific medication is indicated to target impulsive behavioral dyscontrol.

This thesis synthesizes findings from systematic reviews, randomized trials, and neuroimaging research to evaluate …

The Dunning-Kruger Effect In Sixth Grade Adolescents: Improving Metacognition For Self-Regulated Learning, Julie H. Chen

Scripps Senior Theses

The Dunning-Kruger (DK) effect is a cognitive bias where low-performing individuals overestimate their own abilities, and top-performing individuals underestimate their own abilities relative to their peers. The purpose of this proposed study is to investigate the DK effect in sixth grade adolescents and to use metacognition as an intervention to improve self-assessment calibrations. This study will investigate adolescents in Piaget’s formal operational stage, aiming to improve metacognition levels. The study will occur over 12 weeks, and participants will be given a preparation handbook with or without metacognition activities for the purpose of preparing for the California Assessment of Student Performance …

Resilience As A Pathway From Openness To Eustress In College Students, Karis H. Choi

Scripps Senior Theses

College students experience high levels of stress, yet not all stress leads to negative outcomes. This study examines how personality and coping resources contribute to eustress—a positive, motivating form of stress—by investigating whether resilience mediates the relationship between openness to experience and eustress. Undergraduate participants completed baseline measures of openness and resilience before engaging in either a high-demand mental arithmetic task or a low-demand control task. Following the task, participants reported their emotional and behavioral responses using the Measure of Emotional, Physical, and Behavioral Markers of Eustress and Distress (MEDS). Consistent with expectations, individuals higher in openness were predicted to …