Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Self-Stigmatization And Shame Surrounding Ocd Health Outcomes, Emily A. Veasey

Psychology Presentations

Obsession Compulsion Disorder (OCD) is characterized as a disorder with persistent unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors that sooth these unwanted thoughts. Research has found that OCD, as a mental illness, is considered a concealable stigmatized identity (CSI), an identity that is hidden from others but still carries the burden of stigma. The goal of this review is to explore the negative consequences of stigmatization and its effect on health outcomes for people with OCD. A literature review was conducted using key words, “OCD”, “Stigmatization”, “Shame”, and “Treatment”. Health outcomes include both mental and physical. Our review found that OCD and …

Social Identity And Belongingness: College Students’ Happiness, Life Satisfaction, And Personal Growth, Julia Gallo

Psychology Presentations

This study examines how a mixture of psychological, social, and developmental factors influences processes by which individuals develop their identities throughout college. It was hypothesized that these processes would be different for first-generation college students compared to non-first-generation college students, for transfer students compared to non-transfer students, and for commuter students compared to non-commuter, residential students. To measure this, a survey was constructed using established measures of happiness, life satisfaction, personal growth, affective forecasting as well as other psychological, social and developmental measures (e.g. psychological- contingencies of self-worth, e.g. social- university belongingness, e.g. developmental- emerging adulthood). Data was collected from …

Economic Effects Of The Separation Of Serbia And Montenegro, Marko Balic

Business and Economics Presentations

The desire of sovereignty is deeply rooted in the history of the Balkans. From the battle of Kosovo in 1389 to the Bosnian War in the 90s there have been numerous instances of redrawing lines on a map and reclaiming land. This paper revisits one of the most recent separations, the one between Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, and explores implications the split had on each economy. More specifically, using a Bayesian Structural Time Series Model, we constructed a counterfactual series to investigate how Serbia and Montenegro would have developed economically had they remained a unified state after 2006. Using …

Doing More Good For Less: Salvaging Development Aid, Trey Dykeman

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

In stark contrast to its peak in the Marshall Plan era, professional sentiment towards international development aid has become increasingly pessimistic as its shortcomings have become apparent. Inter alia, leading thinkers charge development aid with enabling and sustaining economic dependency, governmental corruption, political power imbalances, and paternalism. Even so, there may be diamondlike programs in the development aid rough. Cash and voucher assistance (CVA) programs—a subset of development aid—have seen moderate success. In particular, as compared to other forms of aid, unconditional cash transfer programs (UCTs)—a specific type of CVA—appear economical and effective and avoid many of the above …

The Influence Of Institutional Barriers And Personality On Gendered Occupational Choice, Mia Sideris

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

Men hold a disproportionate share of high-paying jobs, leading to an uneven distribution within the workforce. Possible rationalizations behind the formation of the occupational gap can be narrowed down to two factors: institutional barriers and personality differences. Accounts of prestigious organizations intentionally underrepresenting women in academic spheres, in addition to the persistence of societal norms can explain the observed distribution. Other perspectives insist that sex determines one’s behavior in selecting a life-long occupation, where a woman’s instinct to nurture and develop interpersonal connections leads them to choose fields that necessitate these characteristics. Compiling data from mainstream companies like Apple who …

The New Antebellum: A Sociological Interpretation Of Christian Nationalism And Its Danger To Both Christianity And American Democracy, Paige R. Dickerman

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

Hate and fear have become the new American identity, plaguing social media platforms and legislation as it drips from the mouths of the citizenry. The nation has been torn apart by polarization in a continuation of the division and extremist ideology that has tormented generations of Americans since its founding. Today, Christian nationalism is at the forefront of division and extremism in its idea of a new America, defined by traditionalism, biblical law, and an end to our taken-for-granted democratic processes. Its proponents insist that America’s survival depends on Christian laws and national observance, a claim that hides the truth …

Causes Of Voter Wait Times During The 2022 U.S. Midterm Elections, Christopher Kiss

Politics Honors Papers

Voter wait times have been an enduring issue in American Elections, with significant variation across individuals, voting precincts, and states. Past research has found that waiting in lines at the polls negatively impacts future voter turnout and public confidence in voting institutions. Additionally, a racial gap in voter wait times and resource allocation has been found in numerous studies that implies serious issues with the equality of our elections. The exact causes of the racial gap and voter wait times in general are still somewhat unclear, but prior work has considered as causes the allocation of voting resources, the procedural …

Distributing The Ursinus Food Forest Harvest: Considering The Lenape And Questions Of Equity, Elwood Harney

Environment and Sustainability Summer Fellows

Food forests are regenerative agricultural systems designed to support people and wildlife, with Indigenous knowledge and practices often guiding their stewardship. The Ursinus College Food Forest (UCFF) at the Whittaker Environmental Research Station is one such system. As a relatively young “living-learning laboratory”, the UCFF serves to connect student stewards, other students from the College, community visitors, and the Lenape people to many food and material-producing plants. The UCFF also functions to strengthen the College’s reconciliation with the Lenape people, upon whose unceded ancestral land our campus and the site are situated. Honoring Ursinus’s commitment to the Welcome Home Project, …

Evaluating The Effects Of Concussions And Tdcs On Executive Functioning In College Students, Macey Hoffman, Erin Dychdala

Neuroscience Summer Fellows

This PowerPoint presentation evaluates the effects of concussions and tDCS treatment on executive functioning in students at Ursinus College.

Identity As A College Student Predicts Life Satisfaction And Personal Growth, Julia Gallo

Psychology Summer Fellows

This research study explores identity development among emerging adults at Ursinus College. Emerging adulthood is a critical time period that involves substantial identity development and identity exploration. This study examines the role college plays on identity development for college students. An online survey was sent out to students attending Ursinus College in the summer. Results show that first generation college students think differently about college than non-first-generation college students, both in the college decision-making process and during college. Additionally, results show that a combination of personal, group, and developmental factors have positive influences on personal growth & satisfaction. Finally, results …

One Island, Two Worlds: An Investigation Of The Diverging Economies Of The Dominican Republic And Haiti, Daniel Espinal

Business and Economics Summer Fellows

An investigative study into the diverging economies of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. A greater focus is placed on the divergence point of the 1960s where two authoritarian leaders both ruled the country.

Cover Cropping: How Sustainability And Economics Can Work Hand In Hand, Emma Reyes

Business and Economics Summer Fellows

Research finds that over half of the agricultural lands worldwide have been moderately or severely affected by soil degradation (Kopittke et al., 2019). This problem is further heightened by the fact that many farmers are concerned about the profitability of sustainable practices. As a result, this may lead to an increase in the practice of more harmful conventional agricultural techniques if they continue to be considered more economically beneficial in comparison. This paper aims to see if the use of a specific sustainable practice known as cover cropping can help to increase the level of economic benefits farmers receive. Cover …

Connection To Places: Exploring Impacts Of Development And Individual Characteristics, Seamus Mcgrath

Psychology Honors Papers

Research revolving around Sense of Place or connections to Place is a uniquely chaotic area of study. It is understood that these connections to places have many concrete outcomes like environmental stewardship or relative comfort in a location. However, little is known about what individual characteristics predict strong connections to places. In this study, Object Attachment (via the OASM), sentimentality (Kama Muta Frequency Scale), Belongingness (via SOBI), Animistic Thinking and Development (IDEA) are posited to have connections to sense of place, measured using the Five Dimensions of Place Attachment. The analysis primarily consisted of regression models, which supported previous research …

Jargon To Jackpot: The Financial Impact Of Infusing Pop Culture References In Social Media, Madelynn Solow

Business and Economics Honors Papers

This research explores the impact of incorporating pop culture references in a company's Twitter feed on the company's stock price. Pop culture is integral to people's everyday lives, providing a sense of familiarity and fun between individuals. Many companies have started leveraging pop culture references on social media platforms like Twitter to establish a relatable and engaging connection with diverse consumer demographics. The primary purpose of this research is to investigate whether this strategy is beneficial within the stock market. It is hypothesized that incorporating pop culture references on Twitter can lead to increased sales and higher stock prices, as …

Is Seeing Believing? How Television Advertisements Influence Investment Decisions, Lucas Selb

Business and Economics Honors Papers

Stock returns are influenced by many factors. Finance scholars have attempted to examine the potential causes of stock price changes by comparing the observed returns of stocks after an event with the predicted returns they should have experienced had the event not occurred. The current “Super Bowl-Stock Returns” studies tend to find conflicting results regarding whether the returns of Super Bowl advertisers’ stocks deviate from their predicted values during the trading days following the Super Bowl, as well as the direction in which these returns deviate and why they deviate. This study uses a more precise model for estimating predicted …

Powerhouse Problem: The Examination Of The Nfl Draft And Possible Biases, Nicholas Troha

Business and Economics Honors Papers

This research explores the NFL draft's dynamics, investigating potential biases in player selection. Despite stars like Tyreek Hill and Antonio Brown emerging from small D1 institutions in the later draft rounds, a bias towards Power 5 conference players persists, particularly with wide receivers. Drawing from NFL draft data (2016-2020), this research finds that not only does there seem to be a premium placed on Power 5 receivers, but Southeastern Conference (SEC) linebackers as well. Quarterbacks were also evaluated in this research but revealed little information about what factors influence their draft position. The discrepancy of what influences a player’s draft …

The Alchemy Of Diversification: A Deep Dive Into The Stock-Bond Correlation, Evan Coffey

Business and Economics Honors Papers

This research delves into the intricate dynamics of the stock-bond correlation, seeking to reveal the underlying factors that drive its fluctuations. Through a comprehensive analysis of empirical data, it investigates the diverse array of influences that contribute to the variability in the relationship between stock and bond returns. Factors such as inflation, unemployment, market volatility, FED policy, and market growth are scrutinized for their impact on altering the correlation pattern. Additionally, the research explores the implications of the stock-bond correlation on portfolio diversification. By explaining the multifaceted nature of the correlation, this study provides valuable insights for investors, policymakers, and …

Who Wins Post-Conflict? Political Party Transformation In Northern Ireland During The Brexit Era, Shannon Henes

Politics Honors Papers

This paper delves into the dynamics of political parties in post-conflict societies, with a focus on Northern Ireland. It challenges the idea that electoral outcomes are solely determined by ethnonational identity, highlighting the emergence of alternative socio-political positions and shifting priorities among voters. Drawing on empirical research and mixed-methods analysis, the paper investigates the performance of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin (SF), arguing that parties failing to adapt to changing circumstances and emphasizing historical conflicts may fare poorly electorally. Through a comprehensive research design, including survey data and qualitative examination of party manifestos, the paper aims to …

The Intersection Of Grief And Religion: How Religious Beliefs Impact The Experience Of Complicated Grief In College Students, Brenna Snively

Psychology Honors Papers

This study evaluates how religious beliefs affect the experience of complicated grief. Students at Ursinus College were asked to complete a survey with questions relating to religious beliefs as well as symptoms of complicated grief and questions regarding the loss of a loved one. This information was utilized to evaluate the relationship between strength of religious beliefs and complicated grief. The research was unable to support the hypothesis that religion affected complicated grief however there was evidence that aspects of religion, such as believing in the afterlife, may affect experiences of complicated grief.

Accommodation And Treatment Seeking For Those With A Concealable Stigmatized Identity Disability In The Undergraduate And Workforce Environments, Sophie K. Louis

Psychology Honors Papers

The goal of the present study was to examine the influence of stigma, disclosure, and affect on treatment and accommodation seeking (uptake and confidence) in both an undergraduate and workforce population for those with an invisible disability. Invisible disability, a form of concealable stigmatized identity, lacks research in terms of the barriers and motivators for seeking help, especially within a stigma framework. To fill in this gap in the literature, two studies were conducted via questionnaires for each setting respectively, in order to understand how to navigate disability concerns across multiple contexts. Binomial logistic regressions and linear regressions revealed that …

How Generation Z Canceled The United States Government: An Analysis Of Trust, Corrine Hofmann

Politics Honors Papers

Gen Z, the generation of Americans born between 1997-2012, is notable for its lack of trust in political institutions. While older generations have dismissed members of Gen Z as “cynical,” “lazy,” and “argumentative,” it is important to understand the sources behind Gen Z’s lack of trust in government. Using data from the American National Election Survey, this thesis presents an empirical analysis of nine macro- and micro-level concepts that could account for this lack of trust: 1) Gender 2) Race 3) Education 4) Income 5) Religiosity 6) Congressional Approval 7) Media Consumption 8) Economy 9) and Party Identification. Only party …

Nfl Rule Changes Favor Offenses; But Don't Defenses Win Championships?, Kipp Satterlee Ransome

Business and Economics Honors Papers

The NFL's emphasis on favoring the offense through implementing new game rules is likely a significant factor in increasing a team's average points per game. Additionally, an increasing average points per game metric is likely a contributing factor to increasing real team revenue, as prior research indicates that higher-scoring games lead to higher fan satisfaction. Using game, team revenue, and rule implementation data from the 2002-2022 seasons, this author tests two new hypotheses that test whether specific rule changes targeting defenses or special teams increase a team’s average points per game and whether an increased points per game metric positively …

Charismatic Leadership And Vulnerability: A Comprehensive Study Of Cult Dynamics, Danielle Santana Denrich

Psychology Presentations

The term "cult" has various definitions in academic discourse, including religious or quasi-religious groups and small, ideologically aligned communities. This paper explores the complexity of the term, its alternative labels, and the influence of media portrayal on public perception. It examines cult leaders' attributes, focusing on the "dark triad" personality traits—narcissism, machiavellianism, and psychopathy—and their manifestation in charismatic leaders. The functionality of cults is scrutinized, highlighting their appeal as a familial structure and promises of intellectual, spiritual, and political power. However, the darker side of cult functionality involves manipulative recruitment tactics and thought-stopping techniques. Additionally, the paper examines susceptibility to …

Beyond Birth: Nurturing Careers, Elevating Women In Southern Europe, Avery Samer

International Relations Honors Papers

The expansion of female labor force participation has a strong, positive effect on economic growth. Maternity leave policies aim to support women’s employment continuity through a reduction of labor tradeoffs. Variation in maternity leave policies between countries spotlights the effect of maternity leave on female labor force participation, as shown in a comparison of countries in Southern Europe. This thesis provides an empirical analysis of maternity leave policy and female labor force participation rates in Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Greece. After the empirical study, the thesis analyzes changes in gender equality policies and women’s labor force participation in Spain, beginning …

The Actions Of A Lonely Woman And The Effects Of Online Incel Communities On Society, Antara Dabral

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

In recent years, the resistance to women’s rights movements has started to shift from only being based on gender roles and has started to take root in insecurity and anxiety surrounding a dating life. This phenomenon has been further exacerbated with the advent and growth of the internet, where ideas are allowed to spread across the world rapidly which has created online forums where people known as incels gather.

In this paper, I ascertain that these online forums have a broad incel culture and community founded on victimhood and frustration and how they were formed as a consequence of a …

Refugees And The Eu: A Study Of The Preferential Treatment Of Ukrainian Refugees, Madelyn Cooper

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

The war in Ukraine created one of the largest refugee crises in the world today, and the European Union has played a significant role in accepting these individuals into various Member States. The protection of Ukrainian refugees, or any refugee for the record, is important. However, the European Union has been more accepting and welcoming to Ukrainian refugees compared to refugees coming from other places, indicating potential biases of European Union policies and the othering of non-Ukrainian refugees. To study this, this paper will utilize a comparative case study of Ukrainian and Syrian refugees. The paper will compare these two …

Division Of Inclusion And Community Engagement Newsletter, Vol. 2 No. 2, November 2023, Dice Staff

Division of Inclusion and Community Engagement Newsletters

Up to date: Cafe Nia; Latin Night; Dia de Los Muertos; Kwanzaa Celebration • On the Same Page (OSP) Book Club • A Long Talk About the Uncomfortable Truth • Welcome Home Project • Gratitude, peace and holiday joy • MLK Week 2024 • Spring things

Division Of Inclusion And Community Engagement Newsletter, Vol. 2 No. 1, October 2023, Dice Staff

Division of Inclusion and Community Engagement Newsletters

Religious and Spiritual Life blooms this Fall • 35th cohort of Crigler Scholars • Welcome Home Symposium • DICE retreat • Welcome new and returning DICE students • Focus on access • DICE team updates • DICE will be hiring a student fellow!

Ucimco Endowment Semi-Annual Presentation, Fall 2023, Will Alain, Billy Cardino, Tyler Causa, Patrick Collins, Bill Cook, Cole Grubbs, Kieran Hollander, Dylan Hollick, Jared Minnichbach, Alexandra Nenish, Jordan Pick, Kipp Ransome, Kirk Ransome, Kyle Rosenfeld, Tyler Sargent, Michael Scheller, Max Shilstone, Mckade Trauger, Nick Troha

Business and Economics Presentations

The Ursinus College Investment Management Company (UCIMCO) consists of groups of student analysts who manage endowment-style and stock selection funds on behalf of the college endowment. This presentation, by the endowment team, examines performance and investment philosophy while discussing selections in the portfolio including: fixed income, U.S. and international equities, real estate and commodities.

Ursinus College Women's Investment Fund, Fall 2023, Sarah Dilello, Emily Carkhuff, Katie Ciuffreda, Laura Bradley, Samantha Mallen, Carly Troilo, Camila Knipe, Isabella Scarpetti, Mayleigh Rickey, Carlie Shiller

Business and Economics Presentations

The Ursinus College Investment Management Company (UCIMCO) consists of groups of student analysts who manage endowment-style and stock selection funds on behalf of the college endowment. In 2020, a group of women students began to manage their own fund. This presentation reviews activities of the Fall 2023 semester and analyzes the stock performance of various companies including: Salesforce, InterDigital Inc., SPX Technologies, NextEra Energy and RenaissanceRe Holdings.