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Dissolving Sand Into Fog - Portraying Long Term Temporal Illusions Through Music, Kyle Bergler

Honors Projects

Long-term temporal illusions permeate our day-to-day lives, but due to their highly subjective nature, few are familiar with them. To help introduce these topics in a way that lets a wider audience connect individually with them, I composed three works for percussion ensembles, each in a different style, and each portraying one or multiple long-term temporal illusions. All of these pieces were composed and rehearsed throughout the spring 2025 semester and premiered at my senior recital on April 19, 2025.

The Diegetic Purpose Of Humor In Superhero Media, Ella Ramsey

Honors Projects

Superheroes draw fans in with their fantastic powers, but also their humanizing personalities. Humor is one such trait often used to endear viewers of superhero media to the title characters. However, why do these characters maintain their witty personas and cheerful nature as they fight against evil? This question may seem to have a few simple answers, but there is a lack of research explaining the in-depth psychological reasoning for humor in the context of a superhero’s reality. This study investigates the multiple roles humor can play in a hero’s development as a human being. By studying the psychology of …

Introversion And Friendship Preferences, Iris Archibald

Research Symposium

How are friendships formed, and how do we decide which people will become our friends? This study examined if friendship preferences differ based on personality traits, such as introversion, and the consequences that these preferences may have for the formation and maintenance of our social networks.

To test this idea, participants were asked to choose if their friends consisted of people who were involved in a singular/few aspects of their lives or people who were involved in many aspects of their lives. Participants were also asked to indicate how important it would be for them to have many friends, how …

The Impact Of Cross-Racial Social Contact On Multiracial Perception, Gideon Reed

Research Symposium

Though Multiracial people are the fastest growing racial group in the United States, their historic lack of representation has made the perception of Mixed-Race individuals inconsistent among the general public. Past research has drawn conflicting conclusions on how Multiracial people are categorized in terms of racial background and presumed social attributes. Many of these studies have also relied on computer-generated images that combine two Monoracial faces instead of photos of existing Mixed-Race individuals, which subsequent research has shown to be an imperfect substitute. Furthermore, many of these studies have lacked racial diversity in both participant demographics and the Multiracial individuals …

Andrew N. Meltzoff: Social Cognition, Imitation, Cross-Modal Perception, Infant Development, Jeffrey H. Cornelius-White, Joan E. Test

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Andreas Demetriou was born August 15th, 1950 in Stongylo, Famagusta, Cyprus. Demetriou attended the University of Thessaloniki and obtained a Ph.D. in psychology in 1983. After completing his doctoral degree he was a professor of developmental and educational psychology at the University of Thessaloniki until 1996. Demetriou then became a professor at the University of Cyprus, serving in various leadership positions from 1996 to 2008, including chairing the Department of Educational Science and serving as dean for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and dean of the School of Social Sciences and Sciences of Education. He also became the …

James Mark Baldwin, Scott Harcourt

Essays in Developmental Psychology

James Baldwin was born on January 12, 1861 in Columbia, South Carolina. He attended secondary school in New Jersey. He initially planned on a life in the ministry, but in his first year at Princeton (then the College of New Jersey), he fell under the tutelage of the Scottish Realist James McCosh, and studied empirical psychology instead, graduating as valedictorian in 1894. He spent a fellowship year in Germany and France, studying with Wundt in Leipzig, before returning to Princeton for his Ph.D. He then taught at Lake Forest University for two years, during which time he married.

Mamie P. Clark, Jayla Hill, Simon Howard, Kalen Kennedy

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Mamie Phipps Clark (born July 14, 1914 Hot Springs, Arkansas – August 11, 1983, New York City, New York) was an American developmental psychologist best known for her work on the development of African American children’s sense of self, specifically through a series of experiments conducted with her husband Kenneth Clark known as the “Doll Studies.” These studies would be instrumental in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education court decision in which school segregation was declared unconstitutional.

Heinz Werner, Ethan Fleuchaus, Katie Cunningham, Heidi Kloos

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Heinz Werner (February 11, 1890 – May 14, 1964) was an Austrian psychologist who played an active role in defining the field of developmental psychology at the start of the 20th century. While initially seeking to become a composer and music historian, he changed his mind after listening to a lecture on Immanuel Kant at the University of Vienna. Werner became engrossed in topics of philosophy and psychology (which were combined at the time), and he wrote his dissertation on the psychology of aesthetic experiences. Subsequently he worked at the University of Hamburg, where he published the first edition of …

Anxiety And Depression Symptoms And Certainty In Negative Future Predictions: The Role Of Intolerance Of Uncertainty And Perseverative Thought, Isabella Glennon

Psychology Student Scholarship

Isabella Glennon ’25, Biology & Psychology major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology

Understanding the underlying mechanisms of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) — the tendency to experience discomfort when faced with an uncertain future — and perseverative thought (PT) — characterized by repetitive, negative thinking such as rumination — plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of anxiety and depression. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between anxiety and depression symptoms and the roles of IU and PT, particularly in relation to the development of certainty in negative future predictions.

Jealousy And Conflict: The Mediation Between Romantic Attachment Styles And Dating Aggression, Alexa Wing

Psychology Student Scholarship

Alexa Wing ’25, Psychology, Sociology, and Women’s & Gender Studies major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Charlene Collibee, Psychology

This study examined whether jealousy and conflict mediate the relationship between romantic attachment and dating aggression (DA). Data were collected over six months from 120 young adults (ages 18–25) with a history of DA in romantic relationships. Measures assessed attachment style, jealousy, conflict, and DA. Results showed that relational anxiety was associated with both jealousy and DA. Jealousy partially mediated the link between anxiety and DA, but conflict did not. No significant associations emerged between relational avoidance and DA. Discussion will address the …

Perceptions Of Aging & Sleep Health, Grace Lynch

Psychology Student Scholarship

Grace Lynch ’25, Psychology and Biology major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Caitlan Tighe, Psychology

Intolerance Of Uncertainty In Trauma And Ptsd, Juliette Bonchonsky, Zoe Rosnov, Jayden Peacock

Psychology Student Scholarship

Juliette Bonchonsky ’26, Psychology major

Zoe Rosnov ’25, Psychology major

Jayden Peacock ’25, Neuroscience major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is associated with PTSD severity (Raines et al., 2019), even among those with subthreshold symptoms (Clauss et al., 2023). The objective of the present study was to test if there is a specific association between IU and PTSD symptoms, or if trauma exposure is also associated with elevated IU.

Adults diagnosed by clinical interview with current PTSD (n=25), history of trauma without PTSD symptoms (n=28), and no trauma history (n=48) were given the Intolerance of …

Repetitive Negative Thought, Subjective Stress, And Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety, Haley Margulies, Juliette Bonchonsky, Isabella Glennon

Psychology Student Scholarship

Haley Margulies ’25, Biology and Psychology major

Juliette Bonchonsky ’26, Psychology major

Isabella Glennon ’25, Biology & Psychology major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology

Engagement in repetitive negative thought (RNT) in response to stress may be associated with risk for anxiety and depression. Individuals who engage in rumination following stressful life events are more likely to experience negative affect and symptoms of depression and anxiety (Ruscio et al., 2011). Similarly, worrying after a stressful life event is prospectively associated with increased stress symptoms (Roussis & Wells, 2008). The purpose of the present study is to test whether subjective stress …

Emdr Therapy Booth, Angela Reyes, Ana Ledezma, Kinsley Eiserloh, Coello Jimenez, Christian Rivera

Psychology Student Research - Archive

Our booth will provide an explanation of the lesser-known therapy known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is designed to alleviate psychological trauma. This therapy is particularly relevant for individuals affected by traumatic events that have caused distress in day-to-day life. We will offer a demonstration of the therapy session, inclusive of the equipment utilized during the process. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with a qualified professional in the field who possesses relevant experience, allowing for a Q&A session.

Reality Therapy Booth, Emily Herrera, Kay Cedano, Genevieve Martinez, Gisselle Landeros, Laura Aguirre

Psychology Student Research - Archive

Our booth focuses on Reality Therapy, which is centered around fulfilling five basic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun while encouraging individuals to make effective choices. To demonstrate these concepts, we created a role-playing game using the mobile app Episode. The game is based on the Twilight movie series and incorporates the five basic needs to show how players can apply Choice Theory to take responsibility for meeting their own needs.

In the game, players take on the role of “Trella” (a parody of Bella), and can choose between Schmacob (Jacob), Fredward (Edward), or themselves as a …

Anxiety- And Compulsivity-Linked Differences In Reinforcement Learning In A Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Game, Tessa Medeiros

Neuroscience Program Student Scholarship

Tessa Medeiros ’26, Biology & Psychology major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Andra Geana, Psychology and Neuroscience

Reinforcement learning (RL) mathematically describes how agents learn to maximize the reward of their environment by understanding and comparing their choice options. This project investigates how anxiety and compulsivity impact the selection of these options and to what extent a text-based, narrative (rather than a game-like environment) changes RL processes in humans.

Examining Repetitive Negative Thought Among Individuals With Eating Disorders, Laney Manware

Psychology Student Scholarship

Laney Manware ’25, Psychology major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology

Repetitive negative thought (RNT), encompassing both rumination and worry, has been increasingly recognized as a significant factor in eating disorders. While rumination has been both concurrently and prospectively linked to eating disorder symptoms, the relationship between worry and eating disorders remains less explored (Smith et al., 2018). This study examines worry in individuals with anorexia, binge eating disorder, and bulimia using data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Results show that those with binge eating disorder or bulimia report more worry than those without eating disorders, suggesting that worry …

The Role Of Intuition In Knowledge, Kenzi Mcspadden

Global Tides

In this paper, McSpadden challenges Climenhaga's use of intuitions as evidence by arguing that one does not have to cite memories, sensory experiences, and testimony in order to subconsciously use them to form her beliefs. McSpadden argues that there is a psychological definition of what intuitions could be, that intuitions do not always make philosophers more confident in their beliefs, and that intuitions can instead be explained by a cognitive reaction using past experiences.

Artificial Intelligence: In Your Phone And In Your Head, Gabrielle A. Johnson

ENGL 1102 Showcase

Artificial intelligence (AI) innovation has gained traction in recent years due to large investments towards improving the average person’s daily life. While operating the parent companies of common platforms such as Amazon, Instagram, and Microsoft, America’s richest citizens have spent billions on improving and researching the recent technology. AI offers ‘shortcuts’ to many daily inconveniences, fostering an over-reliance on the technology that has also led to human shortcomings. By using artificial intelligence, students can easily fill in homework answers with no calculations or critical thinking necessary. Beyond academics, relying on this technology compromises a broader necessity: human connection. With chatbots …

Applying Insights From The Enneagram Model Of Human Psychology To Enhance Neutrality And Success In Mediation, Inely Cassía Cesna

Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal

The ancient wisdom of the Enneagram illuminates the complexities of conflict, offering invaluable insights for mediators and individuals alike. Through various case studies and recommendations on practical applications, this Article illustrates how mediators can leverage Enneagram-based strategies to de-escalate conflict and facilitate constructive dialogues. By understanding the nine Enneagram Points, mediators can foster self-awareness, empathy, and communication among the disputing parties. Meanwhile, the Enneagram encourages mediators to self-reflect and address their own underlying emotions during the various mediation stages. Rather than a strict typological tool, the Enneagram’s inner lines, Wings, and Triadic Approaches allow mediators to easily recognize diverse responses …

Seasonal Affective Disorder In College-Level Students, Kaylee Kirkeby

Psychology Student Publications

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder that causes depression in seasonal patterns, with winter being the most common. College students are particularly vulnerable to SAD due to factors like relocation, young age, and high social demand. The symptoms of seasonal effective disorder can be detrimental to a student’s career, and without specific knowledge of the causes and treatments for SAD, it is difficult to control the disorder.

Identifying The Human Olfactory And Chemosignaling Neural Networks Using Event Related Fmri And Graph Theory, Saideh Ferdowsi, Tom Foulsham, Alireza Rahmani, Dimitri Ognibene, Luca Citi, Wen Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This study aims to characterize and compare the functional neural networks associated with different olfactory stimuli, including air, non-social odours, and human body odours. We introduce a novel processing pipeline based on event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and graph theory for network identification. To ensure the stability and small worldness of the characterized networks, we conduct statistical validations, network modularity assessments, and robustness measurement against local attacks. The key hypothesis is that human body odours (so-called social odours) and non-social odours engage distinct neural networks, particularly in regions responsible for social processing. We found that the posterior medial orbitofrontal …

Racial Trauma, Psychosis, And Double Consciousness, Brianna A. Baker

Publications and Research

Key Points

• Black distress is often misdiagnosed as psychosis instead of recognized as a response to racial trauma.
• Double consciousness may explain how racism causes cognitive and emotional strain in Black individuals.
• Racial discrimination is linked to paranoia, dissociation, and hallucinations in Black communities.

The Profound Role Of An Adult Survivor Program Adaptive Sports Retreat On Quality Of Life And Self Perception For Adult Burn Survivors, Roselle E. Crombie Md/Mph, Facs, Faba, Theresa E. Abrams Lcsw, Phd, Cindy Rutter Bsn, Lmft, Josh Mishell Ba, Philip E. Fidler Md

Posters

Mental health struggles amongst adult burn survivors has recently been documented as an ongoing need for therapy in peer reviewed journals.1 Although there are many robust programs, camps, reintegration programs and support systems through child life for children, the analogous programs for adults are lacking in comparison to the pediatric ones. Ten years ago, a subset of this author group ran an adult adaptive sports survivor program in conjunction with a national burn meeting. At that time, all the participants, mental health providers and participating surgeons were able to experience the profound impact a program like this can have on …

Go Big Or Go Home: An Analysis Of The 2019 Nfl Draft, Lucas W. Gee

Senior Theses

This thesis is a correlation analysis of the 2019 NFL Draft class, analyzing if there is a relationship between what position a player was selected and the amount of value returned in terms of Approximate Value by Open Source Football. The draft was broken down by position and by round to see trends within the data. Using knowledge of how scouting occurs in the NFL, biases were identified that affected its efficacy.

From Theory To Practice: A True-Crime Podcast, Lauren V. Peckham

Senior Honors Projects

The Criminal Element is an innovative, victim-centered podcast that bridges the gap between criminological theory and real-world criminal cases. The podcast is designed as an educational resource for undergraduate Criminology and Criminal Justice students, alongside general audience members interested in learning more about criminological theory. Through the lens of true crime, this podcast is an engaging exploration of foundational and advanced theories while avoiding sensationalism and exploitation, a prevalent problem among true crime media. Each episode connects criminological theoretical concepts – such as strain, social learning, and social disorganization – to contemporary and historical cases, providing listeners with accessible and …

Psychedelic Psychotherapy And The Mental Health Crisis: A Historical And Scientific Review, Dylan Kunkel, Neil Levens, Charles Schumpert

Senior Theses

The global mental health crisis continues to expose the limitations of traditional psychiatric treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As conventional antidepressants offer modest remission rates and delayed efficacy, interest has grown in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds. This thesis explores psychedelic psychotherapy through both a historical and scientific lens, tracing its roots from ancient ceremonial practices to modern clinical trials. It also provides context behind the neurobiological mechanisms by which psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, ketamine, MDMA, and DMT affect mood and cognition. These compounds appear to reduce default mode network (DMN) connectivity, increase …

Developing A Pandemic-Related Mental Health Micro-Collection For An Academic Library, Dee Anna Phares

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Academic library patrons dealing with the impact of trauma, depression, anxiety, or addiction spawned or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic require materials that address the unique conditions that have shaped mental health since late 2019. This paper demonstrates how one academic library endeavored to address patrons’ needs for mental health resources by developing a “Coping and COVID-19” micro-collection.

Subversion: The Strategic Weaponization Of Narratives. By Andreas Krieg. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2023., Chad M. Briggs Phd

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

Impacts On College-Aged Asian American Mental Health, Zahra Soherwardy

Senior Theses

This study explores the relationship between different forms of racial harassment and mental health issues in Asian American college students. Asian American mental health is a growing concern in the field of public health. Asian Americans have the lowest treatment rates and some of the highest stigma levels of any demographic. They are also impacted by the model minority myth and discrimination, further alienating them from getting help. The topics of subtle racism, blatant racism, and current racial discrimination were compared to depressive symptoms, anxiety, self-esteem, and four domains of aggression using survey data. Subtle racism was found to be …