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Articles 1 - 30 of 107
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mentoring Environment Grant Final Report (2014-2015), Quinn Mecham
Mentoring Environment Grant Final Report (2014-2015), Quinn Mecham
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The academic objectives of this proposal were largely met, including the collection of a global database on Islamist political parties, which has informed scholarship published in the last two years and which will be published in the coming years. Extensive bibliographies of Islamist parties in more than 20 countries around the world were developed. Coded data collection on Islamist movement behavior, including protest and violence, was collected for 9 countries in the Arab world that were convulsed by political change during the Arab uprisings of 2011-‐12. Much of the material developed during this grant period will also be used in …
Landmark Vs. Manual Tracing: A Novel Method For Hippocampal Segmentation, Bryce Owen, Brock Kirwan
Landmark Vs. Manual Tracing: A Novel Method For Hippocampal Segmentation, Bryce Owen, Brock Kirwan
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Calculating hippocampal volume from MR images is an essential task in many studies of neurocognition in healthy and diseased populations. The “gold standard” method involves hand tracing, which is accurate but laborious, requiring expertly trained researchers and significant amounts of time. As such, segmenting large datasets with the standard method is impractical. Current automated pipelines are inaccurate at hippocampal demarcation and volumetry. We developed a semi-automated hippocampal segmentation pipeline based on the Advanced Normalization Tools (ANTs) suite of programs to segment the hippocampus. We applied the semi-automated segmentation pipeline to 172 scans (59 female) from groups that included participants diagnosed …
Constructing An Impact Assessment Of Teens Act, A Program Serving Low-¬Income, Minority Students At Risk For Dropping Out, Carol Ward
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The MEG evaluation project began with development of an approach appropriate for the assessment of short-‐term and long-‐term impacts of the program. Thus, the project included planning and development of process assessment activities and assessment of program outcomes and impact. Evaluation planning also included development of a sampling plan for construction of the treatment and control groups needed for this evaluation design.
Alcohol And Nicotine Co-Dependence Iii, Scott C. Steffensen, Jeffery G. Edwards, Sterling N. Sudweeks
Alcohol And Nicotine Co-Dependence Iii, Scott C. Steffensen, Jeffery G. Edwards, Sterling N. Sudweeks
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Alcoholism and nicotine (NIC) addiction are chronic relapsing disorders that have enormous impact on society. Alcohol and NIC are the most commonly abused drugs, and a large body of evidence indicates that there is a positive correlation between their consumption. Today, smoking NIC-containing tobacco products is recognized as one of the greatest risk factors in the development of alcoholism. A major goal of addiction research is to characterize the critical neural substrates that are most sensitive to these drugs, adapt in association with chronic consumption and drive subsequent drug-seeking behavior. The long-term objective of our research program is to advance …
An Examination Of Relationship Processes On Cancer Screening Decisions In Married Couples, Wendy Birmingham
An Examination Of Relationship Processes On Cancer Screening Decisions In Married Couples, Wendy Birmingham
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. A family history of CRC is one of the strongest risk factors for the disease; those with a first-degree relative (i.e., a parent, sibling or child) with CRC have a two- to four-fold increased risk of CRC compared to the general population. A large literature indicates CRC screening can significantly reduce risk of CRC, yet screening rates remain less than optimal in those at increased risk. Some literature suggests that social influence and greater family support for screening and lower …
Impact Of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback On Fmri Measures Of Cognitive Functioning In Depressed And Non-Depressed Individuals, Patrick Steffen
Impact Of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback On Fmri Measures Of Cognitive Functioning In Depressed And Non-Depressed Individuals, Patrick Steffen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Evaluation of how well the academic objectives of the proposal were met The primary objectives of this project was to examine neurological changes in depressed individuals who were randomized to either a psychotherapy plus Heart Rate Variability (HRV) biofeedback training or to a treatment as usual group. A control group with no history of depression was also studied. In the past two years, we were able to collect psychological, physiological, and imaging data from 30 participants (10 in an experimental group, 10 in a treatment as usual group, and the other 10 in a healthy control group) at baseline and …
Reconstructing Prehistoric Diets Of Desert People Through Dental Calculus, Michael T. Searcy
Reconstructing Prehistoric Diets Of Desert People Through Dental Calculus, Michael T. Searcy
Journal of Undergraduate Research
In 2014 I was awarded a Mentoring Environment Grant by ORCA to examine microfossils embedded in the dental calculus (tartar) of individuals who were found during excavations in and around the site of Paquimé, which dates to the thirteenth century A.D. This ancient city is located in the Chihuahuan desert in modern-day Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico. Over the last two years, I have been able to involve students in the extraction, processing, publishing, and presentation of the results of this analysis. While the research is ongoing, preliminary results have positively identified several fascinating foods that were consumed by the ancient …
Refining A Leaders Use Of The Therapeutic Relationship In Small Group Treatments: The Impact Of Group Questionnaire And Outcome Questionnaire Feedback, Gary Burlingame
Refining A Leaders Use Of The Therapeutic Relationship In Small Group Treatments: The Impact Of Group Questionnaire And Outcome Questionnaire Feedback, Gary Burlingame
Journal of Undergraduate Research
What follows is brief summary of how we used the MEG funding to support a 3-year multi-site randomized clinical trial involving students in group treatment at three Utah counseling centers—BYU, SUU & USU. We’ve organized the summary using the five report guidelines listed on the ORCA website.
Mapping Dissonance, Joshua Gulber
Mapping Dissonance, Joshua Gulber
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Previous research highlights the importance of generating empathy for marginalized outgroups as a precursor to changing negative attitudes and behaviors towards them. Politicians and social activists often seek to generate this empathy by “humanizing” marginalized groups through positive media or interpersonal contact. We have previously shown that such attempts at humanization often fail to change the attitudes of those the humanizing message is designed to influence: those with the most negative attitudes towards the outgroup. We hypothesized that this failure could be attributed to cognitive dissonance, positing that individuals who feel a deep sense of dissonance from the positive information …
Outcomes Of Children Reunified From Institutional Care In Ghana, Kevin Shafer
Outcomes Of Children Reunified From Institutional Care In Ghana, Kevin Shafer
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Both attachment theories and current research suggest that institutional care (more popularly thought of as orphanages) does not meet the attachment needs of children, which has strong negative consequences over the life-course. While preventing a child’s separation from a parent or parents is ideal, reunification may be the next best option when separation occurs. However, to date, no study has examined the well-being of children reunified with their families from residential care centers. Current policy in Ghana provided a prime opportunity to study this issue, since the government has recently instituted a policy facilitating the reunification of children. Currently, many …
Polynesian Parents’ School Attitudes And Choices About Young Children’S Schooling, Mikaela Dufur, Curtis Child, Kristie Phillips, Carol Ward
Polynesian Parents’ School Attitudes And Choices About Young Children’S Schooling, Mikaela Dufur, Curtis Child, Kristie Phillips, Carol Ward
Journal of Undergraduate Research
This research expands the literature on school choice to take into account the impact of minority status and culture on parental schooling decisions. The purpose of this exploratory study is to identify the range of beliefs, experiences and expectations that inform Polynesian parents’ choice of school for enrolling their elementary-aged children. This case study is unique in terms of providing insights into the experiences and attitudes toward schooling among a group of minority parents about whom little is known. This population is of interest because of a bifurcated distribution of educational attainment, with large portions of the community facing educational …
Multimodal Testing Of Neural Interhemispheric Transfer After Concussion: A Cutting-Edge Mentored Experience, Michael Larson
Multimodal Testing Of Neural Interhemispheric Transfer After Concussion: A Cutting-Edge Mentored Experience, Michael Larson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Mild traumatic brain injury, also known as concussion, is a public health concern that is receiving considerable attention in the media and scientific literature. Individuals who experience long-term deficits after concussion show cognitive and emotional dysfunction that can persist or worsen for several years post injury. These deficits can be associated with an increase of fifty percent in medical costs following injury and result in damage to family relationships, employment, and school performance. Currently, there are inadequate numbers of health professionals trained in the accurate diagnosis and identification of predictors of longterm problems following concussion. Furthermore, techniques to identify individuals …
Quantifying Aerosolized Saline Effects On Laryngeal Dryness, Kristine Tanner, Phd, Ray M. Merrill, Phd, Shawn Nissen, Phd, Scott Thomson, Phd
Quantifying Aerosolized Saline Effects On Laryngeal Dryness, Kristine Tanner, Phd, Ray M. Merrill, Phd, Shawn Nissen, Phd, Scott Thomson, Phd
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The purpose of this multidisciplinary Mentoring Environment Grant was to support students as they mastered novel objective methodologies for quantifying voice function. Speech pathology graduates who are skilled in novel technologies to document voice function are significantly more marketable for competitive medical speech-language pathology employment. The context for education in these novel measures included a series of studies involving the effects of voice dryness and new hydration treatments to improve voice function.
Pre-Service Interdisciplinary Training In Autism Spectrum Disorders, Terisa P. Gabrielsen, Phd
Pre-Service Interdisciplinary Training In Autism Spectrum Disorders, Terisa P. Gabrielsen, Phd
Journal of Undergraduate Research
This project was designed to give mentoring experience to students across disciplines who were seeking additional knowledge and training in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participation in the project was intended to benefit students by giving them more knowledge within their field and across disciplines, helping future patients and clients with ASD and to enhance applications to specialty and graduate programs in related fields. Students produced a large (attendance=150) interdisciplinary training workshop for the community and developed a website collection of autism resources for clinicians and families.
The Effects Of Family Structure Stability And Transitions On Young Children’S Sleep: Evidence From The Millennium Cohort Study, Shanea Foster, Mikaela Dufur
The Effects Of Family Structure Stability And Transitions On Young Children’S Sleep: Evidence From The Millennium Cohort Study, Shanea Foster, Mikaela Dufur
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Over the years, family structure has become a topic of great interest in the social science community, particularly as it pertains to family structure type (i.e. biological parents, cohabiting, stepparents, etc.) (Dufur et al., 2010). More recently, family stability has come under scrutiny. Family structure has the potential to change over time, whether it be experiencing a disruption (going from married parents to single) or reconstitution (going from single parent to married or having a partner). We find interest in family structure changes over time as it pertains to its potential effects on their children’s sleeping behavior (Wong, Brower & …
What Matters More In Shaping Individuals’ Opinions On Foreign Aids: Facts Or Attractiveness?, Daehyeon Kim, Darren Hawkins
What Matters More In Shaping Individuals’ Opinions On Foreign Aids: Facts Or Attractiveness?, Daehyeon Kim, Darren Hawkins
Journal of Undergraduate Research
According to Diven and Constantelos’s research, less than 50 percent of Americans support bilateral foreign aid (2012). This is striking, considering the fact that Europeans from countries which have comparable economic prosperity to the United States—such as Finland, Denmark, France, Netherlands, and Sweden—support bilateral foreign aid at an average of about 80 percent (Diven & Constantelos 2012). As a result, there has been abundant research into foreign aid, demonstrating how it benefits the interests of the United States, its effectiveness in achieving various aims, and the need for foreign aid in recipient countries. Without a doubt, such findings are persuasive …
Alcohol And Nicotine Co-Dependence, Taylor Woodward, Scott Steffensen
Alcohol And Nicotine Co-Dependence, Taylor Woodward, Scott Steffensen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Addiction is a diabolical neurochemical trap that robs people of their agency and catastrophically affects virtually every aspect of an addict’s life. Alcohol is one of the most statistically widespread and harmful addictive substances in our society (Nutt, King et al. 2010). Through physiological means, it destroys an addict’s dignity, disrupts the ability to maintain healthy relationships, and often results in premature death of the addict and those around him or her. M. Russell Ballard recently spoke about the spiritual implications of the pleasure center of the brain, stating that “when activated by certain drugs or behaviors, it overpowers the …
My Father’S Name: A Study Of Patronymic Naming In Mozambique, Preston Christensen, Cynthia Hallen
My Father’S Name: A Study Of Patronymic Naming In Mozambique, Preston Christensen, Cynthia Hallen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Patronymic naming is very common in parts of Mozambique but there has possibly been no formal documentation of this practice prior to this study. Patronymic naming involves the passing of the father’s name to the children and is not to be confused with patronymic surnames. The research was conducted in the City of Quelimane, Mozambique and consisted of two parts, quantitative and qualitative.
Positive Psychology Holistic Determinants, Testosterone Treatment, And Veteran Happiness, Jaemson Brau, Larry Nelson
Positive Psychology Holistic Determinants, Testosterone Treatment, And Veteran Happiness, Jaemson Brau, Larry Nelson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
In this study I design a survey instrument and construct a data panel from the responses of a sample of US veterans. As part of the survey, I estimate the level of happiness each veteran exhibits using the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. The Oxford scale consists of 29 questions and uses a Likert scale that ranges from a low of one to a high of six. The average is typically around 4.3 (Hills and Argyle, 2002). The average happiness score for my sample of 76 veterans is 3.73. After measuring the happiness level, I ask 30 additional questions driven by the …
The Efficacy Of Neurofeedback Training In Enhancing High-Order Processing In Addicts, Ian Armstrong, Scott C. Steffensen
The Efficacy Of Neurofeedback Training In Enhancing High-Order Processing In Addicts, Ian Armstrong, Scott C. Steffensen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Biofeedback is a process by which a person learns to control physiological functions of their body that they would otherwise not be conscously aware of. This is accomplished by relaying real-time information back to the user in the form of data or a game. The user then modifies their physiological activity in order to achieve set goals through a process of operant conditioning. Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback that utilizes EEG monitoring to collect a person’s electrical brainwave activity and display it back to them. In this experiment, the method in which that feedback is displayed to the subject …
Measuring Metamphetamine’S Effects On Dopamine Production During Exposure To Glutathione, Eli Schriever, Scott Steffensen
Measuring Metamphetamine’S Effects On Dopamine Production During Exposure To Glutathione, Eli Schriever, Scott Steffensen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
One of the primary focuses of much addiction research involves finding methods to alleviate methamphetamine (METH) addiction. METH is one of the most widely used illicit drugs in the United States. Estimates by the National Institute on Drug Abuse Statistics are that 5.5% of all adults ages 26 and above have at tried METH at least one time. Given its high addictive potential, the chance for entering damaging addiction cycles among these individuals is very high, and can have great societal and economic consequences in addition to physical and mental problems on the individual level. While the need for better …
Effect Of Methamphetamine On Basal And Phasic Dopamine Release In The Striatum, Krisana Finlay, Scott Steffensen
Effect Of Methamphetamine On Basal And Phasic Dopamine Release In The Striatum, Krisana Finlay, Scott Steffensen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the action mechanism of the psychostimulant methamphetamine (METH) on basal and phasic dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens. We investigated METH and its method of action. This was done to better understand the detailed mechanism behind METH and to provide better addiction-solving tools. Previous METH research provided a great starting point, showing a reduction in DA transmission and tyrosine hydroxylase, and increased DA axon and terminal damage, apoptosis (cell death) and axon degeneration.
Gene X Environment Interactions In Rhesus Macaques: A Test Of The Orchid-¬‐Dandelion Hypothesis, S. Andrew Aston, J. Dee Higley
Gene X Environment Interactions In Rhesus Macaques: A Test Of The Orchid-¬‐Dandelion Hypothesis, S. Andrew Aston, J. Dee Higley
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Aston, S. Andrew Gene x Environment Interactions in Rhesus Macaques: A test of the Orchid-‐Dandelion Hypothesis Faculty Mentor: J. Dee Higley, Department of Psychology Numerous studies have shown that certain gene variants produce distinct phenotypes based on the environment in which an individual develops. Many of these so called gene-‐by-‐environment (GxE) interactions lead to an increased risk of developing psychopathology. The Orchid-‐ Dandelion Hypothesis posits that risk alleles have been conserved to the present day, suggesting that although risk alleles may prove deleterious in many environments, under the right conditions, such variants may bestow an evolutionary advantage. For my ORCA …
Identification Of Location And Timing Of Ros Production In Response To Meth Exposure, Andrew Lamprecht, Scott Steffensen
Identification Of Location And Timing Of Ros Production In Response To Meth Exposure, Andrew Lamprecht, Scott Steffensen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive drug that acts on the pleasure center of the brain. It causes an increase in the release of dopamine (DA) into the synaptic cleft. This rapid release of DA causes the “rush” felt by drug users. It also causes severe malfunctions in the brain such as anxiety, mood disorders, increased violence, reduced motor skills, impaired verbal learning, and psychosis. Among other things, the cause for these harmful effects could be related to Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and their resulting oxidative damage. Oxidative damage has been suggested to constitute early signaling events in programmed cell death, …
Role Of Reactive Oxygen Species On Chronic Methamphetamine- Induced Dopamine Transmission In The Nucleus Accumbens, Devin Bradshaw, Scott Steffensen
Role Of Reactive Oxygen Species On Chronic Methamphetamine- Induced Dopamine Transmission In The Nucleus Accumbens, Devin Bradshaw, Scott Steffensen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive substance with many negative effects on the user. These effects include detriments to physical health such as “…extreme weight loss, severe dental problems (“meth mouth”), and skin sores caused by scratching. Methamphetamine use also raises the risk of contracting infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis B and C.” (“DrugFacts: Methamphetamine”, 2014). Negative health effects like this come from long term abuse of methamphetamine due to addiction to the substance. Reducing the cause of the addictive behavior (dopamine (DA) overstimulation causing neuronal damage) can help to prevent these negative effects of METH abuse. As the effects …
Flexible Censored Interval Regression With Experimental Applications, Daniel Walton, James Mcdonald
Flexible Censored Interval Regression With Experimental Applications, Daniel Walton, James Mcdonald
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Interval censored data, or grouped data, appears in well-established measurement techniques employed in many economic situations, including experimental economics. Estimation of parameters of models using these data de- pends critically on the model specification and method of estimation. Some methods can yield inconsistent and biased estimators when the distributional assumption of the model is misspecified. Our approach using partially adaptive estimation methods with flexible probability distributions mitigates such issues, including in the presence of heteroskedasticity (nonconstant variance in the explanatory variables) and skewness. In addition, we show that partially adaptive estimation applied in such settings increase the accuracy of estimates …
A Macroeconomic Model For Dynamic Tax Scoring Analyzing Income Tax Cuts, Evan Magnusson, Richard Evans
A Macroeconomic Model For Dynamic Tax Scoring Analyzing Income Tax Cuts, Evan Magnusson, Richard Evans
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The goal of this project was to analyze the consequences of income tax cuts on government revenues. We did so using a large overlapping generations (OLG) model. This model was calibrated to closely match the distribution of labor, income, and wealth in the U.S. economy across both heterogeneous age and ability groups. By using a dynamic model, we were able to take into account the macroeconomic feedback effects that are absent from some analyses of tax proposals. We found that while our income tax cut was not completely self-financing, about forty three percent of a ten percent decrease in the …
Pregnancy, Media, And Body Image, Madison Memmott, Sarah Coyne
Pregnancy, Media, And Body Image, Madison Memmott, Sarah Coyne
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Research shows that exposure to certain portrayals of women in media can influence women’s body image (Grabe, et al., 2008), self-esteem (Groesz, et al., 2002), eating behaviors and beliefs, as well as the tendency to have an eating disorder (Holmstrom, 2004). Accordingly, research shows that the effects of body disturbances are particularly salient in regards to women who have been exposed to various portrayals of celebrities (Krisjanous, et al., 2014; Hopper & Aubrey, 2013; Sumner, et al., 1993); this link is consistent across culture (Chae, 2014). Though these studies exist, almost no research focuses on media’s effects on the pregnant …
Marital Satisfaction, Error-Observation, And The Brain: Harmful Or Beneficial Effects Of Spouse Observation?, Chelsea Romney, Michael Larson
Marital Satisfaction, Error-Observation, And The Brain: Harmful Or Beneficial Effects Of Spouse Observation?, Chelsea Romney, Michael Larson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Romney, Chelsea Marital Satisfaction, Error-observation, and the Brain: Harmful or Beneficial Effects of Spouse Observation? Faculty Mentor: Larson, Michael, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Introduction Rewarding marital relationships are associated with many positive outcomes in one’s physical and mental health (Robles, & Kiecolt-Glaser, 2003). These benefits include improved cardiovascular functioning (Kiecolt-Glaser, & Newton, 2001), decreased depression risk (Robins & Reiger, 1991), higher self-reported levels of happiness (Proulx & Snyder-Rivas, 2013), and overall lower rates of mortality (Manzoli, Villari, Pirone & Boccia, 2007). Furthermore, positive health outcomes are not only due to marital status, but also to the quality of one’s …
Receiving Reward’S Effect On Ego-Depletion, Travis Johnson, Michael J. Larson, Phd
Receiving Reward’S Effect On Ego-Depletion, Travis Johnson, Michael J. Larson, Phd
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Recent research suggests that willpower–the capacity to exert self-control–is a limited resource that is depleted after exertion (Job, Dweck & Walton, 2010). We aimed to explore the influence of ego-depletion on how we process rewards and punishment. Ego depletion specifically refers to the idea that self-control or willpower draws upon a limited pool of mental resources that can be used up (i.e., depleted) after cognitive exertion. For example, an experiment performed by Kathleen Vohs and Todd Heatherton (2000) demonstrated how ego depletion was relevant in how it affected chronic dieters compared to non-dieters. Their results showed that dieters, in responding …