Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Fighting For The Story: How Identity Shapes The Israel–Hamas War, Ana Lilia Zavala

The Penguin Review

The war between the state of Israel and the militant group Hamas is often portrayed in strictly strategic or material terms, from rockets and tunnels to ground offensives and massive casualties. Yet what truly lies at the core of the conflict in the Gaza Strip is not merely a struggle over territory or security, but a struggle of identities, narratives, and legacies of harm. From my constructivist standpoint, I believe that actors act not just because of “national interests,” but because of how they understand their own identity, how they interpret the other, and how normative structures shape their choices. …

Present Day North Korea, Milo Fisher-Golton

The Penguin Review

The government of North Korea poses an extreme threat to the world while suppressing its citizens’ freedom, so why doesn't this topic get the attention it warrants in the United States? North Korea has been the cause of two major inhumane issues for some time now: as a nuclear threat to all other countries, and as a human rights suppressor to its own population under its communist dictator, Kim Jong Un. North Korea is at odds with its geographical neighbors, the United States, and other global powers. Their access to nuclear weapons– along with their alliances with Russia and China– …

Has Politics Always Been Like This?, Tyler Bernius

The Penguin Review

There are some things that I, even as someone relatively new to politics, know are not normal–the blatant disregard of the Constitution, the seemingly rapid collapse of checks and balances, and the twisting and extending of presidential powers, to name a few. What is not clear to me, however, is whether people's reactions, attitudes, and interactions towards politics have always been this way. Growing up, I imagined politicians were respectable people who worked in the best interests of our country and who, even when disagreements did arise, settled problems with structured deliberation. I assumed voters looked at politics with logic …

Faculty Mentor's Note | Editor's Note, Aaron Richardson, Sophia Shapiro

The Penguin Review

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Levels Of Bmi, Stress, And Depression Of Women During The Prenatal Period Relative To Their Activity Levels, Kalayna King

Create@State

This study aimed to analyze the relationships between activity levels, Body Mass Index (BMI), stress levels, and depression symptoms in obese pregnant women in Arkansas. Two separate exercise intervention studies were combined in this analysis to ultimately give a sample size of 293 pregnant women who were randomized into standard of care group (control) and an exercise group (experimental) (n = 115 and n = 178, respectively). Women in the control groups were instructed to independently continue to follow the physical activity guidelines recommended by their gynecologist, whereas the experimental groups participated in a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise …

Purr-Spectives: Connections Between Feline Coat Color And Human Preferences And Perceptions In Northeast Arkansas, Tiffany L. Batchelor

Create@State

Felines have played an important role in the lives of humans for thousands of years. This study investigated perceptions of felines and feline demographics in Northeast Arkansas (NEA). For Study 1, data on phenotype and health conditions was collected from 2,305 patient files from three NEA veterinary clinics. For Study 2, an anonymous survey generated using Qualtrics was published through College of Agriculture social media accounts to gather opinions from cat owners on feline coat color and ownership trends. Study 1 identified up to 6 pattern-based and up to 18 color-based phenotypes per clinic and a total of 129 unique …

Student Perspectives On The Selection And Suitability Of Emotional Support Animals, Ella G. Speer

Create@State

Emotional support animals (ESA) are classified as any species of animal that provides cognitive and emotional benefits for individuals struggling with mental health impairments (Ferrell, Crowley 2021, p. 561). Emotional support animals differ from service and therapy animals because there are no restrictions regarding the specie selection if the owner perceives their benefits (Ferrell, Crowley 2021, p. 561). Relaxed regulations on the specie of emotional support animals allow individuals the opportunity to choose any animal based on their perceived benefits (Pettable Staff, Fleming 2024). Recently, universities have implemented an emotional support animal policy to protect students who live on campus …

Who Will Grow Our Food In The Future? Factors Influencing A-State Agricultural Student’S Intentions To Enter Production Agriculture, Kamana Kafle

Create@State

The future of agriculture depends on what motivates today’s student to pursue careers in production agriculture. This study identifies key drivers of career intention among College of Agricultural students at A-State using an extended Theory of Planned Behavior framework. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The model explained a substantial 74.2% of the variance in agricultural career intention. Results revealed that Career Planning was the strongest positive predictor, followed by Attitude Towards Agriculture and Perceived Value. Interestingly, factors such as Perceived Behavioral Control, Subjective Norms, and access to Facilities …

Increasing On-Task Behavior Using Reward Systems, Sarah Becker, Danielle M. Kovach

Psychology Research Conference

This study intended to examine the effectiveness of a reward system on on-task writing behavior. This single-subject study utilized momentary time sampling to gather data, and data was displayed using an ABAB design that alternated between baseline and intervention periods. The intervention used was the visitation the co-investigator's cat. Overall, there was an increase in on-task writing behavior during the intervention periods.

Evaluating A Virtual Reality-Based Physical Activity Intervention For Nicotine Vaping Cessation: Pilot Study Findings, Ryan X. Gallagher, Lucas S. Wittenburg, Sweta Banjara, Sampada Tuladhar, Matthew Mitnick, Bethany Raiff

Psychology Research Conference

Nicotine use remains a globally significant contributor to preventable illness and premature death. the prevalence of vaping has witnessed a significant increase in recent years, especially among youth in the United States, with a considerable rise from individuals who previously did not smoke. Although vaping is a relatively new method for tobacco use, research is starting to accumulate on its negative health effects, including obstructing airways, increasing heart rate, increasing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, exacerbating symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and decreasing lung function. Vaping cessation continues to be a primary public health initiative, and to date, little …

Supersuit Up Or Get Left Behind: Why A Personal Agentic Os Is Required For Commercial Viability In The New Economy, Gary Sheng, Ron Roberts

Digital Laboratory: Publisher of Internet Journal

In my first article, The Writing on the Wall, we laid out the case: self-improving AI has arrived, the economy is splitting, and every organization faces an existential choice. This paper answers the question we heard most after that piece: “Okay, I believe you. What do I do on Monday morning?” The answer is your Personal Agentic OS. It is the minimum viable infrastructure that turns you from a passive consumer of AI into a sovereign operator of it. And in April 2026, three events converged to make this the most urgent professional skill in the world: Andrej Karpathy’s LLM …

Swosu Research And Scholarly Activity Fair 2026, Swosu Office Of Sponsored Programs

SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair Programs

On behalf of the University Research and Scholarly Activity Committee (URSAC) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, we are pleased to welcome you to the Thirty-Fourth SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair.

Worlds Within A City: How Duke University’S Setting Constructs Institutional Identity, Comeh Emuobor

Comm-entary

Comeh is a junior communication major from Durham, North Carolina. He is also a guard on the UNH Basketball team.

his piece explores how Duke university’s campus setting shapes its public image and institutional identity. It explains how the university’s landscaping, architecture, Chapel, interior and exterior spaces, and controlled access create an atmosphere of prestige, tradition, exclusivity, and academic authority. Furthermore, this essay shows how Duke’s physical environment separates it from the surrounding city and functions as a powerful public relations tool.

A Brief Analysis Of Setting, Rebecca Colby

Comm-entary

Rebecca Colby is a sophomore Communication student. She is originally from Littleton, NH, a small town nestled above the White Mountains. Rebecca is a staff writer and editor for The New Hampshire student newspaper. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and birding.

This piece examines how the setting of North Country climbing center reflects the organizations casual, welcoming, and community focused identity. It describes the Jim’s hidden location, flexible layout, movable seating, climbing spaces, and relaxed atmosphere as parts of the space they encourage visitors to stay, connect, and climb with one another. This essay shows …

Cv: Carlene Sipma (Sociology), Carlene Sipma

Sociology Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Expanding The Convergence Canon: Indigenous Knowledge Systems And Place-Based Convergence Research In Lake Superior’S Keweenaw Bay, Usa, Melissa Baird, Valoree Gagnon, Judith Perlinger, Noel Urban, Larissa A. Juip, Kelly Kamm, Evelyn Ravindran, Caren Ackley, Cassandra M. Reed-Vandam

Michigan Tech Publications

This study presents results from an NSF-funded convergence research project conducted in partnership with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, USA. While convergence research frameworks often emphasize deep integration, we argue that participatory, place-based, and community-led convergence requires maintaining an integrity of difference. Through a systematic literature review, surveys and semi-structured interviews, we examined how team members operationalized convergence research and the Tribal Landscape System (TLS) framework. Across these data sources, convergence emerged as a negotiated practice shaped by distinct roles, institutional responsibilities, and long-term partnership commitments. Our findings demonstrate that ethical engagement, adaptive collaboration, and …

Exploring The Importance Of Mental Health Education In 5th Grade & Its Impact On Emotional Well-Being, Claudia K. De Jong

Masters Projects

Exploring The Importance of Mental Health Education in 5th Grade & Its Impact on Emotional Well-being

Abstract

Mental health challenges among youth continue to rise, with many mental health disorders emerging before adolescence, highlighting a critical gap in early prevention efforts. This study explores the importance of implementing structured mental health education in 5th grade as a proactive approach to supporting emotional development and reducing long-term behavioral risks. Grounded in research on developmental psychology and social-emotional learning (SEL), this project examines how early intervention can improve emotional regulation, help-seeking behaviors, and overall student well-being during a key transitional period. Using …

Sustainability, Culture, And Higher Education: An Autoethnographic Sustainability Comparison Of The Sustainability Initiatives At The University Of Salzburg And Bowling Green State University, Madison Alt

Honors Projects

Human activity is already triggering damaging environmental tipping points (Lenton, 2020), emphasizing the need for sustainability in all aspects of development. Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs) have the power and responsibility to contribute to a more sustainable world (Parr et al., 2022). Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Ohio, United States, and the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (PLUS) in Salzburg, Austria are two IHEs with multifaceted sustainability programs. While living and studying at BGSU and PLUS, I used autoethnography, a personal narrative approach, combined with public sustainability information to compare the sustainability initiatives at each university, and determine what …

Maurice Q. Robinson ’09 Honored At 16th Annual Ballsa Celebration, Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law

Cardozo Law News Archive

Cardozo School of Law honored alumnus Maurice Q. Robinson ('09) at the 16th Annual BALLSA Celebration for his leadership, service, and commitment to mentoring students and strengthening the law school's alumni community. The event also recognized recipients of the BALLSA Scholarship and celebrated the contributions of Cardozo's affinity groups.

Occupational Therapy In Adaptive Sports And Recreational Activities: Addressing Social Skills Deficits In Individuals With Disabilities, Deanna P. Pelfrey

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Adaptive recreation programs promote physical participation, confidence, and overall positive well-being; however, research indicates that social and communication challenges often persist when social skills are not intentionally taught (Crespo‑Eguílaz et al., 2024). Additionally, many community recreation settings lack consistent social skills programming to support meaningful social inclusion (Ristevski et al., 2024). This project aimed to address these gaps by integrating social skills instruction into adaptive recreation programming at a community-based recreational facility serving individuals with disabilities. The primary purpose of the project was to strengthen and enhance athletes’ social participation and success by embedding clear social skills modules into existing …

Nature-Based Occupational Therapy For Enhancing Education Participation, Malia M. Mendiola, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

The project developed nature-based interventions (NBI) resources to support the education participation of neurodivergent high school students. The objective was to increase students’ school participation through nature-based OT for improving emotional regulation, lowering physiological stress, and attention restoration.  Nature immersion was explored through the school's OT program, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration with teachers, other services providers, and community partners. The resource guide focused on benefits, impacts, and practical implementation of NBI for the Winston School and for the broader school-based occupational therapy community.

Russian And Chinese Propaganda In The Modern Era: Two Case Studies Of Corrupt Nations, Matthew P. Clark

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

This work is the culmination of my research for an Honors Thesis in Political Science. In the context of my unique definition of propaganda, I compare propaganda in both Russia and China. During the course of this work, I focus on cultural erasure and transformation, economic propaganda, the prevalence of Russian and Chinese state-controlled media to espouse propaganda, and specific quotations by both presidents Putin and Xi. My central contribution to the field of political science is a unique definition of propaganda and an analysis of two different works. The analysis entails a discussion of to what degree each leader …

The Effects Of Visual Supports On The Acquisition Of Guitar Chords, Cole S. Jahna

Thesis Projects

There is a current literature gap in applied behavior analysis (ABA) and music-based leisure activities. This study utilized a multiple-probe design to evaluate the effects of visual supports on the guitar fretboard combined with behavioral skills training (BST) to teach correct strumming and finger placement of three guitar chords (i.e., E, C, and G) to a neurodivergent adult. By using a task analysis, the strum and each individual finger placement were scored as correct or incorrect during each chord trial. Three chords that were under 50% accuracy in baseline were selected for the intervention. The intervention was introduced sequentially to …

Exploring The Black Church’S Role In The Black Man’S Experience With Depression: A Qualitative Inquiry, Terry Edwards Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black men experience disproportionate mental health disparities, particularly in relation to depression, yet remain less likely to engage in formal mental health treatment due to cultural stigma and barriers to care. The Black church, a historically trusted institution within the Black community, may influence how depression is understood and managed. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore how Black men in Inkster, Michigan perceive the role of the Black church in influencing their understanding and management of depression. The Health, Illness, Men, and Masculinities (HIMM) framework guided this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 …

Shame On You! The Socialization Of Self-Conscious Emotions In Early Childhood, Ashton K. Allen

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how parents and children discuss self-conscious emotions across early childhood. Self-conscious emotions such as shame, guilt, embarrassment, awe, and pride play a critical role in children's social and emotional development. Although prior research has demonstrated links between parent and child emotion talk about basic emotions such as happiness, anger, disgust, fear, sadness, less is known about how parents and children talk about self-conscious emotions. Participants for the current study were 247 parent-child dyads. The dyads completed a wordless storybook task designed to elicit discussion of five self-conscious emotions (shame, guilt, embarrassment, awe, and pride) annually across three …

Competition And Community In Marx’S Alienation Theory: Addressing 21st Century Social Isolation Through A Laclauian Lens, Brett J. Zimmerman

Theses

Capitalism reorients human priorities by necessitating socio-economic competition and tying the preeminent priority of survival to the rate at which one accumulates material resources. The orientation of wage as the only means to survival has replaced the need for the working class to form tribes, build inter-group solidarity, and engage in their communities, resulting in a less fulfilling society. Marx is traditionally conceptualized as a political or economic thinker, and while much of his political and economic thought will be useful supplementary material, in Section I, I will be viewing Marx through a more interpersonal lens. The section will take …

An Etruscan Life And Death: 2025 Findings From The Valle Gianni Archaeological Site, Skye Mccord

Exceptional Scholarship & Artistry

The site of Valle Gianni, part of The Northwest Bolsena Archaeological Project, is located on the northwest lakefront of Lake Bolsena, and harbors many Roman and Etruscan archaeological findings dating back to the late Iron Age. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the cultural traditions of the Etruscans, their place in the wider Mediterranean during the late Iron Age into Classical antiquity, and the changes to both physical landscapes and cultural landscapes after their conquest by the Romans. The site of Valle Gianni acts as a case study in the dynamics of colonization and the repurposing of sacred …

Generative And Large Language Models For Library Knowledge Graphs, Partha Sarathi Mandal, Sukumar Mandal Dr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Structured Abstract

Purpose - Knowledge graphs play a key role in modern library and information services for information discovery, advanced search, and explainable recommendation systems. Recent progress in generative and large language models (LLMs) is changing. The present paper presents a clear and concise overview of how these models support knowledge graph construction in library and information science.

Design/methodology/approach –This study shows a conceptual and analytical approach. It considers the latest trends in generative models and LLMs as applied to the construction of knowledge graphs. Their application in entity extraction, relation identification, schema mapping, and triple generation on unstructured text …

The Impact Of State And Federal Policies On Academic Researchers: Findings From A National Survey, Dylan Ruediger, Chelsea Mccracken, Jonathan Barefield

Copyright, Fair Use, Scholarly Communication, etc.

Key findings

● State and federal policies targeting divisive concepts or DEI are shaping research agendas at scale and across disciplines. Twenty percent of all respondents, and 29 percent of researchers working in states with divisive concepts or similar laws, reported having avoided certain research topics because of state laws and policies.

● Eight percent of respondents representing a wide range of disciplines reported having had a federal grant cancelled in 2025.

● Eleven percent of respondents reported that federal and state policies restricting research activities are compelling them to seek employment out of state, to leave the academy, or …

“I Hope This Letter Finds You Well,”: The Good Life Through Letters 1940s-1980s, Taylor Koet

Comm-entary

Taylor is majoring in History and Law 3+3 major with a double major in Philosophy, from Long Beach, CA. She loves to bake and try new coffee and boba spots.

This piece explores the importance of stationery and letter writing in maintaining family connection across distance and time. This essay uses the Sinclair family papers which show how letters from Clayton Sinclair junior and Clayton the third preserved relationships, personal growth, and created a tangible record of their family history. Ultimately this piece argues that even as technology has changed, handwritten letters represent effort, emotion, and a main connection as …