Digital Commons Network^™

The Dark Triad, Creativity And Morality, Erin Beers

Honors Theses

The Dark Triad of personality is the combination of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. The associative theory of creativity involves the default mode network of the brain, which is responsible for memory tasks, imagination, and thoughts of self. Since the Dark Triad traits involve inhibitory control and imagination, there is a high likelihood that observed alterations in these processes may be used to predict dark creativity patterns. Malevolent creativity involves using new ideas to complete tasks that will harm others. With creativity not being limited to positive outcomes, aspects of morality are also part of the creative decision-making processes. Morality is …

Chatting With Online Agent, Guoxi Robert Zhang

Honors Theses

This study investigates trust in AI-generated language fluency. Participants engaged with both human and AI-generated content, varying in fluency. Findings were to favor trust in fluent human and AI interactions over disfluent ones. Understanding fluency's impact can inform AI design and encourage critical thinking when dealing with AI-generated content. By using qualitative analysis of think-aloud reports, we examined strategies that people use to assess texts labeled as human-generated and AI-generated content.

1st Person Ev With Electronic Differential, Tessa Biondo

Honors Theses

The First Person EV with Electronic Differential for Vehicle Dynamics Analysis project makes a significant leap forward in the exploration of electric vehicle (EV) stability and performance enhancement. Lead by a team of skilled electrical engineering students under the guidance of WMU’s associate Professor Dr. Sandun Kuruppu, this project aims to improve EV stability by optimizing power and torque distribution between wheels using an electronic differential system. The project encompasses the design and assembly of a 1/7^th scale custom electric vehicle, capable of remote control via a first-person view (FPV) camera and modified USB wheel and pedal assembly. The …

Fear Of The Other: Judaism And Its Role In The Horror Genre, Wesley Luka

Honors Theses

Horror films reflect the fears of their creators. Some of the first examples of the genre come out of Germany before the Second World War, a time where antisemitism was widespread. Many German filmmakers pre-Nazi Germany used the fear of the other to create movie monsters that are now classics in the horror genre, such as the Golem and Nosferatu. How Jewish representation in horror films has changed since the last century from antisemetic movie monsters to horror movies more respectfully based on Jewish folklore, is an important shift when it comes to the role Jewish representation plays in the …

5675 Wiredcats Scouting Hub, Sebastian Smiley

Honors Theses

The WiredCats Scouting Hub was created to provide FIRST team 5675 with an application that allows them to make more informed strategic decisions regarding their competitive play. The app synthesizes data from multiple sources, parsing multiple data formats into a single source of truth. It also presents data to users through graphs and charts and provides interactive tables. The application meets the requirements set forth by the leadership of team 5675, effectively providing the capabilities they seek.

Veterinarian Perception Of The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Mortality Of Pets, Jason Bainbridge

Honors Theses

The pandemic led to many changes in society, changes that may have affected pets either directly or indirectly from the new way people had to live life. The primary variable of investigation is if the changes were significant enough to affect pets enough to see a trend in mortality. This thesis used a survey, sent out to veterinarians for their perspective, to see the effects the pandemic had on the mortality of pets, as well as any secondary variables. This survey had 38 responses, with 34 being eligible to complete the survey. The survey did not obtain the information of …

The Role Internships Play In Political Science Education, Madaline Lankford

Honors Theses

This project will explore the critical role internships play in undergraduate education, with a particular focus on political science, by examining the history and impact of Western Michigan University’s Capital Internship Program. The study aims to shed light on the diverse experiences of past participants and conduct comprehensive research into the significance of internships in shaping the academic and professional trajectories of countless students. By delving into the stories and reflections of former interns, this research will provide testimonials that underscore the value of experiential learning. These personal accounts will highlight how internships bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge acquired …

A Comparative Study Of Monolingual And Multilingual Employees, Megan Baldry

Honors Theses

This study examined the relationship between linguistic status and work outcomes including organizational citizenship behaviors and affective commitment, as mediated by communication competence, leader-member exchange, and psychological safety. The study examines nine hypotheses about these relationships, attempting to find differences in relationships between the mediators and outcomes among linguistic groups (monolingual, bilingual, and multilingual).

The study does not find support for the hypotheses, finding no difference between linguistic groups in either of the workplace outcomes, nor does it find strong support that communication competence, leader-member exchange, or psychological safety mediate the relationship between linguistic status and either of the workplace …

Evaluation Of Seizure Recognition And First Aid Training Course And Improving Self-Efficacy Related To Medical Emergencies In Mississippi, Anna Katherine Herrington, Collin Earl Wayne Crawson, Daniel Robert Zuckerman

Honors Theses

Within recent years, there has been increased attention to the growing physician shortage across the United States. This shortage has placed substantial strain upon regions of lower healthcare access, particularly those of rural regions such as much of the state of Mississippi. As rural healthcare providers are placed under more strenuous conditions, they encounter issues of increased patient volume, lack of a trauma team, or adequate transportation to higher-level care facilities. These issues may exacerbate the present inequities in cost of living, access to adequate healthcare, and the distress caused by these concerns. Individuals with epilepsy are one cohort with …

Understanding The Mechanism Behind Hfip's Effect On Diastereomeric Separation Of Oligonucleotides, Ian Neidigh

Honors Theses

The goal of this research was to determine the mechanism behind 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol's (HFIP0 ability to suppress the separation of oligonucleotide diastereomers. This was accomplished by selecting different molecules that were like HFIP but differed in specific ways such as polarity, number and type of halogen(s), alcohol group location, carbon chain length, hydrophobicity, and chao/kosmotropicity. These molecules replaced HFIP in an IPRP chromatography method to determine if splitting of the diastereomers was observed and then they would becompared to HFIP's effect. Viscosity tests were to run to acquire quantitative data to determine chao/kosmotropicity. No decisive trend among a single factor was …

The Effects Of Therapy Dogs On Students, Chloe Romack

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the effects therapy dogs have on students. It begins with a literature review of 17 articles that involve animal-assisted interventions with students and children. The main topics covered include the definition of a therapy animal and how dogs can influence learning, socialization, emotional well-being, anxiety, and depression. It also discusses how dogs can be used in therapy and special education classrooms as well as the major concerns of dogs in schools. Drawing upon the previous research, a survey was sent to school staff in the Paw Paw Public School District. The participants of this study consisted of …

The Effects Of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation On Chronic Dysphagia Following Anterior Cervical Disc Fusion Surgery: A Case Report, Anna Munson

Honors Theses

Background: Current literature is lacking an understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying dysphagia (impairment in swallowing function) that manifests as the result of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). ACDF is a common cervical spinal procedure that, due to its anterior to posterior (front-to-back) approach, risks significant injury to the larynx, which is critical for swallowing food and liquid safely. Furthermore, the general therapeutic approaches available to individuals with dysphagia after ACDF lack specificity of what is being targeted (Ko, et al. 2022). This project is a single subject case report of an individual who underwent ACDF and received neuromuscular …

College Football Success And Its Impact On The Surrounding Community, Local Economy, And Institution Enrollment, Jacob Reynolds

Honors Theses

In the ever-changing field of college football, creating success has always been a top priority for institutions, and if not achieved, it can be detrimental to an athletic department. Success is important to those directly involved in college football, however, not often is it considered how others may be affected by the success or failure of a college football program. The purpose of this research is to determine what impact successful college football programs have on society and those not directly involved in athletics. In determining the purpose, it was important to find what components of society are impacted by …

Effects Of Peer Mentoring On Success And Satisfaction In Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Pilot Study, Rebecca Fraley

Honors Theses

Studying the impact of a mentorship program involving undergraduate nursing students can inform educators of methods to increase student success and decrease attrition in baccalaureate nursing programs. This study aimed to determine if a mentoring session every three weeks between a first semester Bronson School of Nursing (BSON) student and a senior year nursing student increased the confidence and satisfaction of the first semester BSON student. A Student Success Survey (see Appendix A) was filled out at the beginning, middle and conclusion of the mentee students fall semester. The Student Success Survey was also administered to a control group made …

Examining Confidence In Scientific Literacy Amongst General Biology And General Chemistry Students, Amy Sullivan

Honors Theses

Scientific literacy is a term used to describe a person’s ability to understand scientific concepts, read and write those concepts, and link those concepts to situations outside of the classroom in order to make informed decisions in their daily lives. This research paper details a study observing how scientific literacy confidence varies among general biology and chemistry students at the University of Mississippi. The goal of this research is to determine if students in general biology and chemistry classes will have similar self-reported confidence in their science literacy. This research took place at the University of Mississippi amongst Biology 160/161 …

The Sacred And The Supernatural: Christianity And Teutonic Folklore In The Grimms’ Briar Rose, Amelia Stefanescu

Honors Theses

During the nineteenth century, the Brothers Grimm undertook the task of preserving German folklore during a time of cultural upheaval and struggle for national identity. One such tale, Briar Rose, emerges as a site of ideological interplay between Christian themes and Teutonic traditions. By analyzing the Grimms’ 1812 (first) and 1857 (last) editions, this thesis investigates how the text reflects and synthesizes these distinct belief systems into a coherent narrative.

The research explores how Christian and pagan elements co-exist within Briar Rose and what these interactions reveal about the cultural and religious dynamics within the folktale. The study argues that …

A Petrological Characterization Of The Iutzi Member Of Lucas Formation, Michigan Basin, Moira Burns

Honors Theses

It is thought that most Phanerozoic dolomites form via the replacement of precursor calcium carbonate [CaCO₃] with dolomite [CaMg(CO₃)₂] through a dissolution-precipitation reaction with a Mg-bearing fluid. Although this may be widely accepted, the timing, conditions, settings, and mechanisms associated with the dolomitization process are still strongly debated, resulting in the proposal of various dolomitization models. The association between evaporite minerals and dolomite in the rock record is common and has led many to propose a model genetically associating evaporative fluids and dolomitization. The evaporative model posits as marine fluids evaporate and become more …

Impact Of Snap On Food Insecurity: A Michigan And Indiana Case Study, Cecelia Chapleau

Honors Theses

Food insecurity is one of the most pervasive and concerning problems in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 13 households within the United States was food insecure at some point during 2022 (Rabbitt et al., 2023) Food insecurity occurs when households have a limited ability to access nutritious foods, there is a limited supply of safe, healthy foods, or they are unable to obtain food in socially acceptable ways (Anderson, 1990). Low food security is associated with adverse health outcomes like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and poor mental health, which contributes to the severity of the problem (Thomas …

Development Under Erasure: Deconstruction In Development Discourse, Micah Gill

Honors Theses

Jacques Derrida’s theory of deconstruction has been historically underappreciated in development. Yet Derrida’s critical theory realizes development as an inherently deconstructive field, one which advocates for the Other when disciplines such as economics and international relations overlook them. By examining the history of development through a Derridean lens, we can see how deconstruction was working within some of the development discourse’s prominent shifts leading up to its “impasse” in the 1980s. Heightened critical attention around this time catalyzed a flurry of deconstructive processes in the following years which have reshaped the landscape of development scholarship and practice. The story of …

The Mitre And Crown: The Relationship Between The Church And Crown In Norman-Angevin England, 1066-1215, Isaac Copeland

Honors Theses

From the Norman invasion in 1066 to Magna Carta in 1215, the balance of power between the Mitre and the Crown in Norman- Angevin England shifted from being defined through personal relationships to being defined by charters. This shift occurred due to a cycle of conflict and cooperation between Church and Crown, and during the periods of peace, kings, archbishops, and popes created models that delineated boundaries of power between the Church and the Crown. Over a century and a half, four functioning models emerged: the Crown-led Personal model created by William the Conqueror and Archbishop Lanfranc from 1066-1089, the …

Princess Proportions & Perceptions: Disney’S Deterioration Of Young Girls’ Self-Esteem, Marah Krick

Honors Theses

Animated children’s media is becoming increasingly thinner, particularly as society demands continually smaller waists in the ideal female body size. The present study is focused on analyzing the origin and effects of abnormally small waist-to-hip ratios in animated Disney Princesses on a younger, primarily female audience. Exposure to these unrealistic body standards may result in internalization that leads to body dissatisfaction, as well as a drive for impossible thinness that results in disordered eating, mental health concerns, and suicide ideation. Adolescents and preadolescents are particularly at risk, due to daily entertainment screen time nearly tripling since 1999. While the risks …

Writing 'Boleyn Ballads': Exploring Constraints On Sexuality Within The Henrician Court Through A Historical Graphic Narrative, Kyle Smith

Honors Theses

This article outlines my creative process while writing and illustrating the graphic novel Boleyn Ballads for my undergraduate honors thesis. First, this research delves into the medium of graphic novels and its potential for teaching history to young adult readers. Then, this research shifts to focus on the history the graphic novel depicts, that being the fall of Tudor English Queen Anne Boleyn and her brother George. With Boleyn Ballads, the depiction of the fall of Anne Boleyn aligns itself with historian Greg Walker’s theory on her fall. This research then explains the creative decision behind making George Boleyn …

Resilience Building In Appalachian College Students: The Intersection Of Motivation And Identity, Ashton B. Burchfield

Honors Theses

Appalachian students are underrepresented in existing literature regarding higher education. Central Appalachia also has some of the lowest median household incomes and college attrition rates in the country. Appalachian culture is unique with its collectivistic culture which prioritizes familial bonds. This has previously been found to have an academic impact for Appalachian students. For this study, Appalachian college students at Eastern Kentucky University were recruited to investigate if social versus personal identity had an impact on academic achievement as measured by grade-point average. Resilience levels were also measured to investigate an effect from resilience of students on personal versus social …

In The Garden Of Skincare: Exploring The Benefits And Regulations Of Botanical Ingredients, Sara L. Cook

Honors Theses

With the rising consumer demand for more natural skincare products, botanical ingredients have become more prevalent in skincare products. Skincare products with botanical properties are being preferred over those with chemical properties due to their biological origins. However, there are debates as to why botanical products are being used widespread and if they are safe to use. The safety of ingredients within cosmetics is observed by multiple regulatory systems throughout the world. These regulatory systems oversee making sure that each ingredient is extracted and purified before being incorporated into a cosmetic or skincare product. One goal of this project was …

Living Between The Lines: The Multiracial Identity, How It Is Shaped, Perceived, And Embodied On College Campuses, Kiaira Tomlinson

Honors Theses

This research project aims to investigate the feelings of acceptance experienced by multiracial individuals on predominantly white institution (PWI) campuses. The study explores various factors that may influence these feelings, including participation in organizations, relationships with friends and family, and experiences of discrimination on campus. Surveys will be used to collect data on participants' progress toward graduation, gender, classification, racial/ethnic background, first-generation status, participation in student and racial/ethnic organizations, experiences of discrimination, and feelings of acceptance on campus due to positive peer relationships. The multiracial identity is increasingly relevant in the United States, yet the experiences of multiracial individuals at …

The Effects Of A Mindfulness Intervention On Ameliorating Premenstrual Hedonic Eating Patterns In College-Aged Females, Nicole R. Palmieri

Honors Theses

Background: Young women in college are susceptible to weight gain from a myriad of factors to include environmental and hormonal influences.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a mindfulness intervention on food craving behaviors in women in the luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle.

Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study using repeated samples one-way ANOVA and qualitative data to examine pre-intervention and post-intervention changes in cravings and mindfulness.

Results: 23 participants completed the intervention and study-related requirements pre-intervention and post-intervention. There was a trend of mean decrease in FCQ-T scores (124.83 ± …

Exploration Of Cytotoxicity Of _Rabidosa Rabida_ Venom On Invertebrate And Vertebrate Cell Cultures, Martina Gooden

Honors Theses

Venom has been observed in thousands of species across different taxa. It can be adapted for different purposes, including prey capture or predator defense. Venom is found almost universally in spiders, but there has been little exploration of spiders that are not medically significant. Rabidosa rabida, the rabid wolf spider, is a common species whose venom has not been adequately investigated. Previous studies indicate that they do not require venom to apprehend easy prey in a laboratory setting, raising a question as to what their venom is adapted to do. To evaluate its effect on mammalian cells, L929 murine fibroblasts …

Exploring Narrative Strengths In Animated Storytelling, Amelia Kretzer

Honors Theses

This thesis explores tactics for effective narrative development for animation through the analyses of key works of strong animated films synthesized with literature discussing narrative frameworks. This research resulted in a shortlist of animated storytelling best practices—six principles to reflect on in the creation of effective stories for animation. Additionally, an original 2D animated short film was created utilizing the principles on the shortlist in its development as an outpouring of this research.

The Diverse Musical Traditions Of Appalachian Folk Music, Brooks M. Kidd

Honors Theses

Appalachian folk music has a rich heritage, although society has the misconception that Appalachian music is uncultured and closed off. To the contrary, the folk music of Appalachia has been directly linked to the music traditions of Ireland, Scotland, England, Africa, Germany, Spain, and Italy. The migration of people from other countries to Appalachia has been attributed to significant historical events such as the signing of the Treaty of Paris and the African Slave Trade. These migrants brought with them their musical traditions, which influenced the music of people living in the Appalachian region. These musical influences come in different …

The Ultimate How-To Guide: Addressing Sustainability In Fashion, Corinne R. Campbell

Honors Theses

Every year, the pollution in our world increases but few people have addressed this issue. Between the culture of consumerism, little to no recycling, and lack of education, it can feel difficult as a regular person to make a difference. However, it is not impossible. As the consumer, the general public has the ability to enact change. While sustainability in the fashion industry may seem unattainable, making progressive changes in the manufacturing and buying process of clothing will make fashion more eco-friendly over time. With the proper education and guidance, anyone can make more sustainable fashion choices without going outside …