Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Perfect Model: Exploring Gender Differences Within Commercial Graphic Design Preferences, Adeline Roberts

Undergraduate Theses

Personal preferences within graphic design are heavily shaped by social factors, including cultural practices. This project explores the effect of gendered-based experiences on visual design preferences, through investigating men’s and women’s preferences regarding graphic design elements, and the source of these opinions. The data was then used to create two educational images, which mimic contemporary magazine covers, visually illustrating the effects of gendered marketing and experiences on personal design preferences. These images were then attached to an interactive website, so that the findings and pieces from this project can be easily accessed by future audiences.

What's In A Name? Plant Naming As Cultural Artifact And Story In The Midwestern United States, Sophie Wesseler

Undergraduate Theses

This project sought to collect and contextualize the historical and contemporary names given to plants by inhabitants of the Midwestern United States, understanding plant names as cultural artifacts that can offer insight into the communities in which they were created and evolved. Formatted as a series of entries, this collection gathered these names and contextualized them within other artifacts of cultural significance, such as art or poetry, and alongside historical research on their origins and cultural environments. Examining plant names through the fields of linguistics, semiology, anthropology, cultural studies, taxonomy, and ethnobotany, this work traces the names of various plants …

Breathing Inequity: A Mixed Method Analysis Of Rubbertown's Air Quality Problem, Mikayla Pitmon

Undergraduate Theses

Louisville Metro Government has a multitude of quantitative data on demographics, health, and air quality in Rubbertown fenceline communities. This study explores how community-level research allows us to have a more robust understanding of the impact of environmental injustice. Spatial data was utilized to map various health variables, zoning, and community spaces relative to Rubbertown chemical facilities. A semi-structured interview was then conducted with a local environmental justice activist to gain a better understanding of their experience and the barriers to environmental justice for the residents of West Louisville. This study improves our understanding of community needs and adds a …

Why Do They Do It?: Exploring The Phenomena Of Familicide And Anomie Through A Case Study Of The Coleman Family Murders, Sydney Packard

Undergraduate Theses

In his book Suicide, Emile Durkheim posited that there were four types of suicide present in a society. In particular, anomic suicide was defined as a suicide committed during a time of social unrest and change, spurred on by anomie. Anomie is defined as the breakdown of social norms in a society. This project applies Durkheim’s theories of suicide and anomie onto the concept of familicide, or the killing of one’s spouse and one or more children. Through the lens of Durkheim’s concept of anomie, this paper defines the idea of anomic familicide, which looks at motives and reasoning …

Small Moments: Anthropological Poetry, Lee Davis

Undergraduate Theses

Have you ever perhaps overheard a conversation and thought it reminded you of your own life, or someone you knew? You most likely moved on, and you most likely completely forgot about who you overheard. This collection of poetry was written to urge thought on these secret moments of connection which most people experience every day. Every poem in the collection was written from something I overheard in public, as though I were reading prompts. The pieces are fictional in the sense that I really know so little of the full context, but real in the sense that when I …

Effects Of Postural Position, Eeg Asymmetry, And Temperamental Style On Cognitive Task Performance, Taylor Cops, Christy D. Wolfe

Undergraduate Theses

The literature shows hemispheric asymmetry in individuals corresponding with temperamental style. Those with greater right-frontal activation tend towards withdrawal/inhibition and those with greater left-frontal activation tend towards approach/activation (e.g., Davidson, 1992). Other literature suggests that greater right-parietotemporal activation is associated with increased arousal (Heller, 1993; Wolfe & Bell, 2014). Temperamental style has been linked with cognitive performance with approach-oriented temperaments being associated with both higher and lower performance depending on the task requirements (Khan et al., 2024; Wolfe & Bell, 2007). Literature further suggests that postural position (e.g., sitting, standing, lying down) may influence feelings of approach/withdrawal and cognitive processing. …

"And No Birds Sing": The Environmental Ethics Of Carson, Keats, Sagan, And Oliver, Savannah Bloom

Undergraduate Theses

This project aims to create resonances and synchronicities between the works of science writers Rachel Carson and Carl Sagan and poets John Keats and Mary Oliver. It puts their environmental ethics in conversation with one another with a focus on shared literary practices and ecocritical and ecocentric sensibilities. Is the work of poetry, particularly poetry participating in the Romantic tradition, compatible with science writing? The ultimate goal is to demonstrate the symbiosis between science and literature and the necessity of bridging scientific and poetic discourse in regard to addressing climate and the environment. Each chapter pairs a science writer with …

The Power Of The Virtual Platform: A Look Into Fandom Interactions Via Twitter (X), Samantha Hacker

Undergraduate Theses

Using social media to communicate has become increasingly popular since the medium was created. Twitter has been a popular breeding ground for fan communities to form social spaces. Parasocial relationship theory, as well as face negotiation theory, tie heavily into the discussion of fandoms and the creation of safe spaces on the platform. How people present themselves online is entirely dependent on the user and their level of comfort on the app. One fandom in particular that utilizes this app the most is the fan base for the seven-member South Korean boy band, BTS, who in reference to the band, …

How Does Social Media Consumption Relate To A College Student's Mental Health And Body Image, Madyson Lira

Undergraduate Theses

Mental Health and Body Image issues have become an epidemic, especially among teenagers and young adults. Obsession with social media is also growing among younger audiences. With the increase of users using social media, research has shown that there is a growth in body image issues which has been directly influenced by social media. Despite the research already performed, there hasn’t been a lot of traction surrounding this topic. College students are thrown into constant exposure to the ‘ideal’ college life through social media sharing apps. Between classes, extracurriculars, and meetings, college students are on their phones a lot. Most …

“It Takes A Village”: The Implications For Gender Roles On Appalachian Family Dynamics, Taryn Jayde Rollins

Undergraduate Theses

When we hear the word “Appalachian”, many will look towards the countless examples of negative stereotypes displayed in the media. From Hillbilly Elegy to hyperbolized stories of blue people in the mountains, Appalachians have been perpetuated as backward, dirty, incestual, and stupid. Through incessant dehumanization by the media, Appalachian communities have been ignored and even blamed for their disparities. However, there are historical and social implications factors that stemmed from the major shift in the economic makeup that has led to Appalachian poverty and in turn, shaped the culture and values of the region. In addition, due to geographic isolation, …

A Constant Presence Of Absence: The Construction Of (In)Visibility And Immigrant Deaths In The Borderlands, Haley Planicka

Undergraduate Theses

The same nation that champions itself as a cultural “melting pot” is the very same that allows thousands of migrant bodies to rot in the heat of the United States-Mexico borderlands. It is through the sociopolitical debasement of immigrants to “bare life bodies” that thousands are made invisible and erased through their deaths, with little recognition or accountability taken on behalf of government institutions. Hiding behind the conveniently harsh desert terrain to mask any sense of culpability, the United States government exercises a sort of invisible hand over immigrant lives that is reinforced through harmful policy, Border Patrol’s “bare life” …

Transcendence: Exploring The Connections Between Transgender/Gender Non-Conforming Identities And Experiences Of Nature Through Art, Mc Jackson

Undergraduate Theses

“Transcendence: Exploring the connections between transgender/gender non-conforming identities and experiences of nature through art” is the written portion of a creative thesis revolving around an immersive art installation and short film. Transcendence, the installation, was created to promote connection by exploring the overlap between transgender and gender non-conforming (GNC) experiences and experiences of nature. Part of this installation is a short film of interviews conducted with transgender and GNC individuals about nature, their gender experiences, and the transcendent nature of the two. The written thesis analyzes existing literature on nature as a restorative, therapeutic, spiritual setting, offers insight into …

The Impact Instagram Has On Women: Mentally, Physically, And Academically, Annie Gronotte

Undergraduate Theses

Instagram promotes poor body image, which can ultimately decrease academic performance. Attending a same-sex high school, versus a co-ed high school, may buffer women against this since they are not affected by the male gaze and other distractors that comes with having the opposite gender in a work environment. This study will use a 10-15 minute anonymous online survey to examine college women’s Instagram usage, body image, and academic performance, focusing on whether or not their high school environment shapes who they are today. I expect that women who attended a single-sex high school will have better body image and …

The Mental Health Epidemic In Veterinary Medicine: An Analysis Of Burnout In The Veterinary Field, Hannah Eckstein

Undergraduate Theses

The Mayo Clinic describes burnout as a specific type of stress that involves a state of physical or emotional exhaustion. This exhaustion can lead to a lowered sense of accomplishment and negative personal identity. Despite burnout not being an actual diagnosis, many researchers believe there are several mental health components that contribute to burnout, such as depression and anxiety. Several factors are known to contribute to specifically work-related burnout, including lack of control, work-life imbalance, lack of social support, and extremes of the activity. All of the above factors relate to the veterinary field. In one study, 6.8% of male …

A Remembrance Project: The Lynching Of Brack Kinley And Luther Durrett, Addison Rogers

Undergraduate Theses

From 1882 to 1968, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) estimates that 4,743 lynching’s occurred in the U.S. While other organizations report a slightly different number, the harsh reality of terror and violence remains the same. These violent acts of murder were used as a mechanism by white mobs to promote terror and enforce control upon the black community. Despite the presence of terror and violence in our current society, little is taught about such history and the people who were murdered. Instead of an emphasis on the actual history and the lives lost, the emphasis …

Cultural Concepts Of Distress And Clinical Intake Processes For Chinese And Chinese American Populations In The United States, Jasmina Harambasic

Undergraduate Theses

Research shows that Chinese Americans underutilize mental health services more than any other ethnic group in the U.S. This project aims to explore the mental health experiences of Chinese American and immigrant communities, with a specific focus on clinical intake processes, including interviews and screening assessments. Cultural concepts of distress refer to ways that cultural groups experience and communicate mental distress, and an exploration of these illness experiences within Chinese American populations can inform how to adapt or develop screening and interview tools to fully capture personal narrations of illness during intake processes in preparation for treatment. Challenges that may …

The Bellarmine Bee Bed: Organizing A Native Plant Garden Using Feedback From The Local Community, Kate Moran

Undergraduate Theses

Animal pollinators are the cornerstone of healthy ecosystems. Their survival is essential for the persistence of entire food chains: from the flowers they cross-pollinate directly, to the animals who depend on those plants for nutrition. The establishment of pollinator gardens—particularly ones that consist of native plants—is an effective way to enhance their biodiversity, abundance, and well-being.

The main goal of this thesis is to construct a pollinator garden that maximizes the benefits for animal pollinators using feedback from local gardeners. A survey was used to gather information about the popularity and preferences of 40 flowering plants, and after analyzing the …

Freestyle: A Guide To Making Swimming Nutrition Simple, Megan Wills

Undergraduate Theses

Nutrition plays a critical role in the performance of an athlete. Although academic research surrounding the topic has increased, there is a disproportionate increase in materials created for the athletes themselves. Regarding competitive swimming, the scope of athlete-friendly instructional materials is even more limited. Therefore, there is an inherent disconnect between the academic research on the topic of competitive swimming nutrition and the athletes who need the information. The purpose of this project is to bridge the gap between the research and the content accessible for athletes themselves. Using an interpretive and simplistic approach, the available academic research was used …

The Hurt And The Healing: An Artistic Investigation Into The Stigma Surrounding Substance Use Disorder, Kenny Kelley

Undergraduate Theses

This interdisciplinary, creative thesis aims to deconstruct the stigma directed towards individuals who struggle with substance use disorder (SUD) through the use of a solo art exhibit on Bellarmine University's campus. This exhibit features two large-scale installation sculptures and curated art pieces created by individuals at Crossroads Recovery Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to the gallery exhibition, this research-based written reflection is also included. One of the sculptures portrays the “hurt” that stigma causes for those who struggle with SUD. In contrast, the second sculpture represents the “healing” that can be achieved for people struggling with SUD when stigma …

Effective Community Development In Informal Settlements Through Analysis Of The Kibera Slum In Kenya, Chloe Powell

Undergraduate Theses

Many people have a heart for those living in poverty, but very few have a mind for how to fight poverty well, according to Harvard University Professor Michael Fairbanks. The Kibera slums in Kenya is no exception to the plethora of challenges informal settlements face concerning development, including a lack of security of tenure, corruption, an unhealthy business environment, and a lack of jobs. Kibera has been the subject of numerous studies and development efforts throughout the years and has faced a long history of failed government interventions. In 2020, Kenya received almost $4 billion from the U.S. in official …

Young Children’S Tv Show Preferences And Perceptions Of Women In Stem, Lauren Berck

Undergraduate Theses

Women are joining STEM fields at higher rates, yet the stereotype of math and science being for men is still reinforced to children by their parents, their teachers, and especially what they watch. Children tend to trust characters of their same gender and are more likely to retain the lessons from the characters they trust. Since most of the shows children watch tend to display gender stereotypes, especially the stereotype of men being good in STEM, children are likely to enforce these stereotypes. The increase of women in STEM has increased interest in STEM for girls, but boys still tend …

The Political Economy Of Border Wall Construction, Molly Rovinski

Undergraduate Theses

During the 2016 presidential election, the construction of a border wall along the United States – Mexico border came to the forefront of the political sphere in America. Since then, state governments along the border have continued the call for increased border security through increased fencing. However, the ideation of a border wall was not a new one for American border security, with most of the wall having been constructed following the Secure Fence Act of 2006. The purpose of this paper is to explore the political economy of wall construction along the border. The argument is made that the …

"We're Like Ghosts, But We Have To Be." Invisibility & Liminality Among Kentuckiana's Undocumented Population, Sophie Amaya

Undergraduate Theses

The controversial topic of illegal immigration has repeatedly and deeply divided the United States. There has been, in recent years, a spotlight on immigrants from Latin America, and impersonal claims are being spread in news articles everywhere. For this research, survey questionnaires and ethnographic interviews were used to facilitate a sample of undocumented immigrants from the Louisville, Kentucky, and Southern Indiana (An area known as “Kentuckiana”) to provide insight on their experiences. This thesis aims to examine the effects of this uncertain status on the well-being of Latin American immigrants in this region, where not much research is done on …

Using Sociolinguistics And Literary Studies To Understand Code-Switching Within Works By Louise Erdrich, Bruno Santic

Undergraduate Theses

There exists a multitude of definitions and concepts that describe the movement between and from one linguistic code to the next, commonly referred to as code-switching. Each definition given differs not only between fields of research but also within said fields of research, making it incredibly difficult to create one unified definition for code-switching. The two most popular fields of research that have extensively studied code-switching are sociolinguistics and literature/literary studies, with both fields having basic tenets of study that create different nuances in how code-switching is described by researchers in each respective field of study. One of the key …

Reading The Traumatic Moment: The Role Of Socioeconomic Systems In The Color Purple And The Bluest Eye, Andrea Doll

Undergraduate Theses

There are many points of sameness between Alice Walker's The Color Purple and Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. Both novels occur in the mid-20th century and focus on protagonists within the same race, gender, and relative class. Of all the similarities between the texts, the most influential is the trauma, sexual and otherwise, shared between Pecola Breedlove and Celie. Most notably, both characters experience incestuous rape resulting in pregnancy shortly after their first menstruation. Despite their numerous shared events and attributes, what occurs after their sexual trauma differs drastically for each character. At the end of The Color Purple …

Helping Others: Looking At Culture, Language, And Time, Nicholas Raupach

Undergraduate Theses

As a social phenomena, giving and receiving help is a complex behavior. This paper will highlight the specific language used in context of providing social support, and how this language has changed over time, as well as the impact of age on the act of helping another individual. Other social factors such as different identity constructs, power, and motivation will also be covered in relation to how they govern prosocial behavior. A particular focus on the notion of "filial piety" and helping others in South Korea will also be given to provide a cross-cultural comparative to the American context. (Faculty …

A Sanctuary World: Understanding The Past, Present, And Future Of Sanctuary Movements, Annaleigh Cummings

Undergraduate Theses

In the late 1970s through the 1980s, sanctuary movements emerged in the United States to support and provide sanctuary for immigrants and asylum seekers without a legal status of U.S. citizenship. This movement has its roots in the ancient church tradition of offering sanctuary to people accused of crimes. Religious leaders offered protection against the government in the name of their beliefs. It is a cycle that has often been repeated throughout history from the medieval European era to abolitionists helping runaway enslaved people in the United States to the contemporary movements existing today. This project explores and analyzes three …

Separation Beyond Walls: A Discussion Of The Practical And Theoretical Implications Of Prevention Through Deterrence, Kristina Lynch

Undergraduate Theses

This thesis investigates the alternative policing strategy known as Prevention Through Deterrence affecting undocumented migrants at the United States Southern Border. By forcing migrants into the Sonoran Desert, they are subject to countless dangers along their immigration attempt, and in many cases death, as a means to eliminate these “unwanted figures” from the public eye. The policies that comprise Prevention Through Deterrence have been in effect since the 1990’s, but the prevention of certain people from effectively immigrating to the United States has been occurring for just about the entire history of our country. The fact that it is still …

Why I Won’T “Go Back To Where I Came From”: An Economic Analysis Of Illegal Migration, Mary Daniels

Undergraduate Theses

The United States has witnessed a declining yet still significant number of illegal immigrants crossing the southern border over the past decade, while the European Union experienced a rapid increase in the number of illegal immigrants within its borders, hosting over two million illegal immigrants in 2015. This paper seeks to provide guidance to European and United States lawmakers on creating effective immigration policy by identifying significant push and pull factors that are driving illegal migration from West and North Africa to Europe and from Latin America to the United States. This empirical analysis indicates that, in both the United …

Introducing The Principles And Practice Of Restorative Justice: Reactions From A Generalist Audience, Grace Michels

Undergraduate Theses

Legislative activity and public opinion polling, among other indicators, suggests there is growing support for change in how our justice system functions. As the country begins to look for other tools and more knowledge of different practices, a key challenge will be bridging the gap between the public’s general support for a new path moving forward and a clear picture of what that path could look like. The goal of this project was to help propel this movement toward exploring justice alternatives forward by making this knowledge accessible and persuasive. As such, this project involved the creation of a material …