Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Make More, Work Less, Michael Sutton

Marriott Student Review

Although the status quo in the business world is to work long hours and supposedly produce more each workweek, studies show that working less and taking appropriately regulated breaks actually lead to more productivity in individuals and businesses as a whole. Specifically companies would be wise to implement a limit of 50 work hours per week, encourage frequent breaks (about 15 minute every hour), and encourage patterns of sufficient sleep. By reducing mental fatigue in your employees, their productivity will increase.

Attitudes Of Democracy: The Correlation Between Corruption, Social Sexism, And Democracy, Michelle Clifford

Student Works

Previous studies have found a correlation between gender inequality and corruption, but much debate still exists about the cause of this correlation. A common theory is that any country with little corruption and low gender inequality is a democracy and that the relationship is a spurious one that comes from the nature of democracies. Others contest that this is a reflection of women having a higher moral standard. This study measures the correlation between sexist attitudes and corruption. Measuring the attitude toward gender inequality rather than institutions, laws, or the behavior of individuals helps us better understand the culture and …

Us Versus Them: A Study Of The Basis Of Varying Perceptions Of Immigrants In Border Towns, Michelle Clifford

Student Works

94% of the United States population within ten miles of the US/Mexico border identifies as Hispanic. Even among these Latino-Americans, opinions of immigrants vary from extremely supportive to extremely opposing. What is the basis of these varying perceptions among Americans? This paper analyzes interviews conducted among residents of border towns in south Texas for opinions on how these perceptions have changed under the Trump administration, for any "us versus them" feelings, and for any other factors that may contribute to the construction of perceptions of immigrants.

Full Issue Winter 2019

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

No abstract provided.

The Hidden Cost Of Free Dating Apps, Sarah W. Worthington

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Dating applications (“apps”) have changed how people meet, interact, and form relationships with others. Location-based Real-time Dating Applications (LBRTDAs) are immensely popular among the rising generations (March, Grieve, Marrington, & Jonason, 2017; Sevi, Aral, & Eskenazi, 2018; Smith, 2018). However, the popularity of LBRTDAs masks a more sinister side; their frequent use may negatively impact users (James, 2015; Shapiro et al., 2017). LBRTDAs have essentially designed a virtual world that allows users to “shop” for their next partner (James, 2015). With this mindset, users often prefer engaging in casual sex rather than long-term relationships (James, 2015; Naff, 2017). As users …

Efficacy Of Response To Intervention For Students Struggling With Reading, Emily J. Warburton

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Response to intervention (RTI) has increased in popularity in schools recently as a means of helping students according to their responsiveness to 3 different tiers of intervention: general classroom instruction, small group instruction, and individual instruction. Using a PsychInfo search, we examined articles to determine the how well the current RTI model fulfills its intended purpose in providing remedial reading instruction to struggling children, teacher perceptions of the system, and what changes could improve the model in coming years. For elementary aged students, we found that RTI has helped students achieve grade-level benchmarks. For secondary school students, there is much …

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, And Associated Sleep Disturbances, Aubretia D. Snyder

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

With an increasing number of veterans returning from combat with significant head injuries, research interests have begun to turn to the neuropsychological relationship between traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder. Research has found that these dysfunctions often occur together and that both disorders may cause an exacerbation of symptoms in one another. This relationship may be negatively affected further by the presence of sleep disturbances. The complexity of this relationship requires extra consideration in regards to treatment, and cognitive behavioral therapy may be effective in treating this comorbid condition. This paper discusses the functional relationship of posttraumatic stress disorder …

Literature Review: Analyzing The Reasons For Returning To Abusive Partners, Ailaina Herman

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

This paper reviews published literature on the myths associated with domestic violence, the internal and external reasons why women return to their abusers, and resources available to them. Social stigmas that exist claim women stay in abusive relationships because they enjoy the attention and that women deserve the punishment inflicted due to their lack of action (Policastro & Payne, 2013). The consequences of these stigmas involve feelings of unworthiness, less social support and discouragement from seeking assistance (Meyer, 2016). Internal factors include emotional attachment, forgiveness, and childhood sexual abuse while external factors are based in economic dependence; each of these …

Suicide Prevention In Schools, Peyton M. Petersen

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Studies have shown that a school environment is the most effective place to administer suicide prevention programs in order to reduce suicide rates among adolescents. This literature review evaluates different prevention programs and implementation strategies in order to determine the most effective suicide prevention method utilized at a high school level. Out of all of the prevention programs examined in this literature review, the Promoting CARE program appeared to yield the best results, as it saw a decline in suicidal ideation and behaviors in the participants over the course of 6 years following the program. This type of program along …

Keep Kids Out Of Prison: Community-Based Alternatives For Nonviolent Juvenile Offenders, Anessa L. Pennington

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Abstract

While juvenile crime has dropped over the past 20 years, tens of thousands of juvenile offenders are still incarcerated around the country, many of whom are nonviolent offenders. Researchers have found that detention centers, sometimes indistinguishable from adult prisons, do little to reduce recidivism and rehabilitate the offender. Rather, detention brings about more adverse effects than it does benefits. If incarceration isn’t working, how are the United States and other countries to deal with and deter juvenile crime? Community-based programs are a promising alternative to incarceration; instead of jumpsuits and cramped cells, community-based programs rely on community resources and …

The Spectral Nature Of Anxiety Disorders: Examining Similarities In Clinical And Subclinical Populations, Alexandra M. Muir

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the leading mental illnesses in the United States today (Alvarez et al., 2012). However, a large number of individuals have their lives disrupted by the symptoms of anxiety, but their symptoms are not severe enough to be diagnosed with GAD. These individuals, much like individuals with GAD, have high trait anxiety, differential brain structure and function, and hypervigilant performance monitoring. Further understanding the neural correlates related to subclinical generalized anxiety disorder and how the neural mechanisms involved relate to daily functioning is of utmost importance. Since there are individuals suffering from subclinical anxiety …

Drawing Out Trauma: Visual Art Therapy For Child Sexual Abuse Victims, Katelynn K. Mckinnon

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a global problem that can have lasting effects cognitively, physiologically, and emotionally for the victim. If the psychological damage from CSA goes untreated, it can lead to unstable conditions within one’s self, and in relationships. When children are affected by sexual abuse, it can be difficult for them to verbalize the traumatic incident. This inability to express can lead to problems in viewing and experiencing the self, and may lead to dissociation. Many aspects of trauma symptoms are difficult for individuals and especially children to express verbally. Visual arts therapy offers an alternative to verbal-based …

Humanizing The Model Minority: A Literature Review Of Current Research Concerning Counseling Asian American College Students, Austin M. Lynn

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

A detailed examination of the past 10 years of literature regarding the counseling of college-age Asian Americans is undertaken, with an emphasis on counselor and client perspective. The applicability of Western counseling to individuals steeped in Asian culture is examined, and suggestions aimed towards increasing counselor competency provided. Counselors’ self-perceived competency and Asian American client experience are reviewed. The effects of acculturation and enculturation are discussed; with a special focus on the impact of Asian cultural values and their potential negative relationships with help-seeking attitudes. The nature, implementation, and efficacy of multicultural counseling is explored. Data comparing college-age Asian Americans …

The Effects Of Cooperative Gameplay On Aggression And Prosocial Behavior, Ariqua M. Furse

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Over a quarter of the world’s population spends an average of 5.96 hours a week gaming. The top ten most played games are either exclusively multiplayer or have a multiplayer option, with 70% containing violent content. Despite the prevalence of multiplayer gaming, most video game research has been focused on single player modes. Video game aversion is based on this single player research. There is a general lack of awareness of the effects of cooperative video game play. The majority of the literature on the effects of cooperative game play on aggression and prosocial behavior shows that, when played cooperatively, …

The Joke’S On Me: The Relation Between Self-Defeating Humor, Gelotophilia, And Gelotophobia, Camille M. Cortello

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

The self-defeating humor style is humor at the expense of one’s self. It has a bad reputation, because it is negatively correlated with self-esteem, positive personality traits, and creativity. However, some forms of self-defeating humor do not have such negative correlates. Gelotophobia, or the fear of being laughed at, and gelotophilia, or the enjoyment of being laughed at, illustrate the discrepancy between positive and negative effects. Gelotophobia, like standard self-defeating humor, negatively correlates with self-esteem, well-being, creativity, and positive character traits. Conversely, gelotophilia positively correlates with creativity, positive character traits, self-esteem, self-compassion, and well-being. Possible areas of future research are …

A Curing Melody To Depression In College Students, Derek C. Bartlett

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Depression is a widely prevalent mental disorder, having a shockingly high prevalence among college students. Depression has an abundance of symptoms that can greatly decrease the quality of life in many individuals. Depression is one of the more treatable mental disorders; however, the stigma of pursuing psychotherapy may hinder many individuals from getting the help that they need. In light of the many problems surrounding depression, music therapy can be an alternative form of treatment that can address these issues. Researchers have found that music therapy can be more effective in treating depression in comparison to the current standard treatment …

Notes From The Editor

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

No abstract provided.

Assessing Old And New Individual Study Desks, Holt Zaugg, C. Jeffrey Belliston

Faculty Publications

Purpose – This paper examines student perceptions of new individual study desks (ISDs) and how they improved the students’ learning experience.

Design/methodology/approach – The study describes the process for developing new ISDs. When about half of the old ISDs were replaced with new ISDs, two parallel surveys were used to understand why students used the ISDs, what their experiences were and any suggested improvements.

Findings – Results indicate that the new ISDs were used by students for significantly longer periods of time. They enjoyed the ambiance and amenities of the new desks, including a whiteboard used by over 90% of …

Associations Of Mindfulness With Adolescent Outcomes And Sexuality, Chelom E. Leavitt, David B. Allsop, Dean M. Busby, Shayla M. Driggs, Heather M. Johnson, Matthew T. Saxey

Faculty Publications

Introduction: Using an online survey, we evaluated how adolescent trait and state mindfulness was associated with positive adolescent outcomes in non-sexually active and sexually active adolescents. Additionally, we evaluated a newly developed measure, the Sexual Mindfulness Measure (SMM), with adolescents.

Methods: We asked 2000 U.S. adolescents (half boys/girls; 1/3 low, medium, and high incomes) aged 13–18 (one group 13–15, another 16–18) about trait mindfulness, sexual state mindfulness, and adolescent outcomes. Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and structured equation modeling, we evaluated the reliability and validity of the SMM and its associations with adolescent outcomes.

Results: Using a trait mindfulness measure, we …

Inadequate Residential Care For Children In Cambodia, Madison Coleman

Ballard Brief

Residential care institutions, or orphanages, are becoming increasingly more common in Cambodia. These institutions are not closely monitored by the Cambodian government. causing many children to be raised in unsafe and inadequate environments. The vast majority of the children living in these orphanages have at least one living parent but are being sent to live in an institution because their parents cannot afford to provide for their material needs or their education. The donations of time and money from foreigners. as well as the relative ease of implementing institutions rather than alternative care. also contribute to the increasing number of …

Elevated School Dropout Rates In Rural China, Mollie Bradley

Ballard Brief

Children in the rural provinces of northern and western China face challenges in obtaining educational opportunities that could aid them in overcoming their poverty-ridden upbringing. These challenges come due to inherent inequalities between the rural and urban regions of China. which stem from a historical diversion of resources from the western to eastern provinces. The factors that specifically affect students and their families as they strive to attend school and gain a quality education are the lack of properly trained and motivated teachers. the high cost of schooling borne by families. the economic inequality of rural and urban provinces, the …

Chronic Poverty Among Youth In The United States, Kara Reed

Ballard Brief

In the United States, 15.5 million children are living in poverty. The more time children spend in poverty, the more likely they are to continue to experience poverty as an adult. The cycle of intergenerational and chronic poverty is perpetuated by various factors. such as unsatisfied basic needs. lack of access to quality education, and issues related to underemployment and unemployment. As a result. youth in poverty are more likely to perform poorly in school, be exposed to and affected by crime. and experience health problems. Some leading practices for poverty focus on strengthening the quality of early childhood education. …

Sexual Violence Against Female College Students In The United States, Lauren Wolters, Macy Smith

Ballard Brief

Sexual violence against female college students is a prevelant and deep-rooted issue across universities in the us. Despite an increase in attention from the federal government. it is predicted that 1 in 4 women will experience sexual violence as undergeradute students. A pattern of university negligence surrounding cases of sexual violence suggests that universities prioritize securing funding and protecting perpetrators over aiding victims and preventing sexual assault. Several other factors contribute to the occurence of sexual violence including dangerous fraternity traditions. extensive alcohol and drug use among college students, and vast normalization of sexual violence-but the only true cause of …

Protracted Refugee Situations In Kenyan Refugee Camps, Lorin Utsch

Ballard Brief

Kenya hosts over 491,000 refugees fleeing from persecution in some of the largest refugee camps in the world. Though intended as temporary, many refugees find themselves stuck in these camps for years, sometimes even generations, which then grants them the title of "protracted refugee." This perpetuation of a limbo state is brought on from continuing threats in their country of origin, existing xenophobia in public spheres, and an inability to establish themselves economically or socially outside of the camp. Protracted refugees feel a greater sense of social insecurity, increased mental health challenges, and increased vulnerability that can lead to exploitation. …

Gender-Based Violence Against Women In South Africa, Lacey George

Ballard Brief

Dubbed the "rape capital of the world" by Human Rights Watch, South Africa has some of the highest rates of gender-based violence worldwide, including rape, female homicide. and domestic abuse. The women in South Africa are faced with pronounced challenges. stemming from a historical background of apartheid-era oppression, when it comes to equality. Some of the most significant challenges that contribute to South Africa's gender-based violence problem include a lack of government action in legal implementation, pervasive patriarchal cultural attitudes. and widespread poverty. Gender-based violence affects everyone in society-the women themselves, their children, and the men who perpetrate the crimes. …

Linguistic Neglect Of Deaf Children In The United States, Mishonne Marks

Ballard Brief

Most deaf children in the United States are born to hearing parents who are not familiar with Deaf culture or American Sign Language (ASL). As a result. deaf children are in danger of experiencing linguistic neglect. meaning they do not receive sufficient language input. This linguistic neglect is typically unintentional and can be a result of deaf history, institutionalized oppression, current stigmas, and educational inequality. Linguistic neglect can result in deaf children experiencing decreased mental health, stunted cognitive development. poor academic performance. and employment difficulties. Several organizations are currently working to address and prevent linguistic neglect by spreading deaf awareness, …

Preventative Force And The Rules Of Proportionality, Jacob Price

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The thesis examines how a tiered system of proportional rules will provide a better understanding for how to use force outside of a declared conflict. The tiered system provides explicit standards and subprinciples to determine how and when a foreign state can use preventative force on specific targets. The thesis asserts that certain preventative action against immediate and existential threats can be justified, but any demonstration of force cannot continue beyond a threat incident. The thesis evaluates the current demonstrations of force in Mexico, West Africa and situations involving weapons of mass destruction. Through the tiered system, states can proportionally …

Public Healthcare Crisis In Venezuela, Valerie Bittleston

Ballard Brief

The public healthcare crisis in Venezuela has been compared to the emergency status primarily declared on countries at war. Lack of investment in their free public healthcare system has depleted the country of medical personnel, infrastructure, and supplies. Limited to no access to essential medicines and healthcare services have increased the spread of infectious diseases. Venezuelans often migrate in order to seek aid elsewhere, carrying previously eradicated diseases with them. Mother and infant health is of utmost concern as mortality rates are increasing at exorbitant rates with no end in site. The government implemented a public healthcare program in 2003 …

Water Scarcity In The Jordan River Valley, Hannah Klassen

Ballard Brief

The issue of water scarcity is prominent in the Jordan Valley and surrounding countries. and the issues surrounding it are part of a web that is difficult for aspiring solvers to untangle. Natural processes. such as desertification. certainly have their effect. but other issues. including the political crises of the region. rapid population growth, poor infrastructure. water pollution. and the misuse of water resources are also largely responsible for the water crisis. Just as the issue has largely been created by the environment and the people within it, it also greatly affects the environment and people. Many people throughout the …