Psychology Commons^™

Attachment To Therapist And Treatment Outcome Among Foster Youth, Tzipporah Dang, Rosana M. Aguilar, Saralyn C. Ruff, June Madsen Clausen

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

Compared to non-foster youth, children in foster care are at increased risk for emotional and behavioral problems due to their experienced maltreatment, separation and loss, and foster care system instability. Research with adults has shown that relationship elements, such as alliance in therapy and empathy, are positively associated with patient progress and secure attachment to the therapist. The current study evaluates the impact of Relationship Based Therapy provided to current or former foster youth. Analysis of semi-structured telephone interviews with therapists indicated a significant change in depression, anxiety, aggression or violence as the perpetrator, and problems in relationship with people …

Gender Differences In Foster Youth Who Receive Relationship-Based Therapy, Audrey Rhodes, Rosana Aguilar, Saralyn Ruff, June Madsen Clausen

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

Children placed into the foster care system are at increased risk for behavioral, cognitive, and emotional difficulties as a result of their experienced maltreatment. The current study evaluates the impact of open-ended, relationship-based psychotherapy for a small group of adults who were formerly foster children. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with therapists at the start and end of treatment. Age of patients ranged from 18.14 - 25.09 years (M = 21.11 years; SD = 2.52 years). Results indicate significant decreases in several mental health symptoms by the conclusion of treatment. Obstacles to treatment included transportation issues and resistance from patient.

The Influence Of Moral Concerns On Memory For Individuals And Their Actions, Amy Pekkala, Brittney Aresta, Emmanuel Te, Sarah Levinson, Alec Starzinski, Marisa Knight

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

We explore how learning about individual behaviors that violate or uphold moral norms impacts our ability to recognize individuals who engage in them. We also explore how behaviors representing five moral foundations influence facial recognition differently according to whether the behavior relates to moral foundations that are typically emphasized by liberals (harm/fairness) or by conservatives (loyalty/authority/purity). We observed higher associative memory for individuals linked with behaviors that violated liberal principles than for individuals linked with behaviors that violated conservative principles. In addition, we examined the contribution of implicit processes in shaping early impressions and judgments of individuals.

What It Means To Be A Man: How Emerging Adult Black Gay And Bisexual Men Navigate Gender Norms, Justine A. Stallings, Caleb J. Banks, Sienna L. Willams, Erika J. Janke, Ja'nina J. Walker Ph.D.

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

Young Black men learn what it means to be a man from different sources, including family, church, school, and the media. Traditional views on masculinity can be difficult for men to adhere to if they do not identify with current gendered social constructions. The current study examined how Black gay and bisexual men navigate masculine ideologies instilled in them and interpret these expectations as emerging adults. Participants, 20 Black gay and bisexual men (M_age = 22.8, SD = 1.7) took part in a semi-structured qualitative interview examining their experiences with religion, sexuality, gender expectations, and HIV. Using grounded …

External Vs. Innate: Sources Of Resiliency Among Emerging Adults, Black Gay And Bisexual Men, Caleb J. Banks Mr., Sienna L. Willams, Erika J. Janke, Justine A. Stallings, Ja'nina J. Walker Ph.D.

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

The purpose of this research was to examine the main sources and origins of resiliency that are present among Black gay and bisexual men. Resiliency refers to one’s response to adversity and ability to positively adapt to difficult situations. Twenty participants ranging in age between 18-25 years old (M = 22.8 years, SD = 1.7 years) participated in a semi-structured interview. Participants indicated varying sources of resiliency, which they utilize to encounter hardships. Innate sources (i.e., I was born this way) and external sources (i.e., music, my grandmother’s spirit) were conveyed by participants as mechanisms to overcome adversity. The …

Religious Vs. Secular Communities: Sources Of Social Support For Emerging Adult Black Gay And Bisexual Men, Sienna L. Williams, Caleb J. Banks, Erika J. Janke, Justine A. Stallings, Ja'nina Walker Ph.D.

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

This research investigates factors that contribute to emerging adult black gay and bisexual men’s sources of social support. Participants were 20 Black, gay/bisexual men between 18-25 years old (M_age = 22.8, SD = 1.7). Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews and utilized grounded theory to determine intersectionality between participants’ religious upbringing as well as their racial, spiritual, sexual, and HIV identities. Participants who self-identified as bisexual continued to seek social support within churches despite having endured repeated exposure to negative religious rhetoric pertaining to same-sex behavior in religious settings. Participants who self-identified as queer did not seek social support within …

Ethnic Differences In Therapy Outcome For Foster Youth, Breniel Q. Lemley, Rosana M. Aguilar, Saralyn C. Ruff, June Madsen Clausen

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

This study evaluates the impact of relationship-based therapy on a random sample of White and Black foster youth, as reported by semi-structured telephone interviews with their therapists at the start and end of treatment.

Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant difference in reported school problems between Black and White foster youth over the course of treatment, F(1,37) = 7.336, p=0.010. Black foster youth had significantly greater school problems (M=3.21, SD=1.35) compared to White foster youth (M=2.05, SD=1.39) at the start of treatment. Although school problems significantly improved throughout treatment (F(1,37) = 9.531, p=0.004), Black foster …

Measurement Of Sleep Patterns In Infants With Positional Plagiocephaly, Anna Packard, Jotham Manwaring

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A significant increase in misshapen or flattened heads (positional plagiocephaly) in infants has been recognized since pediatricians began advising parents to position their infants supine for sleep in 1992 in order to diminish the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Back-to-Sleep Program, American Academy of Pediatrics, 1992). Prior to 1992, the incidence of positional plagiocephaly was quite rare (< 1/300) [Capri, 1999] and was usually observed in children who were neglected, institutionalized, or developmentally delayed (Figure 1). Recent research has found an association between supine positioning for sleep as a result of the Back-to-Sleep program and plagiocephaly (Turk, 1996). The incidence of plagiocephaly is now greater than 1/50 newborns (Kane, Mitchell, and Craven, 1996), resulting in upwards of 20 new referrals for cranial asymmetry per week in one of the authors’ clinical practice (KHM). Other unintended consequences of the Back to Sleep Program include a change in the roundedness of the head in the new generation of children. Prior to 1992 the normal Caucasian cephalic index or ratio of width-to-length was mean of 0.76; now it is 0.85 to 0.90 and this appears to be permanent. In addition, the infants with plagiocephaly have been shown to have delayed acquisition of gross motor skills, such as of rolling over and sitting, by approximately 2 months. Additionally, evidence of diminished motor coordination at 6 years has been showed compared to normocephalics peers.

The Promise Of Healthcare Reform In Transforming Services For Jail Detainees, Maureen Mcdonnell, Laura Brookes, Arthur J. Lurigio

Psychology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Chronic behavioral health conditions, such as psychiatric and substance use disorders, affect at least half of all arrestees, with two-thirds suffering from at least one chronic medical disorder. These conditions contribute to their criminal behaviors and propensities to recycle through the criminal justice system (Binswanger et al. Journal of Urban Health 89:183-190, 2012). Despite their limited resources, jails have nonetheless become de facto settings for the delivery of healthcare services. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, jail releasees will become eligible for government-subsidized healthcare coverage in 2014. The widespread availability of integrated healthcare services for …

Dissociable Antidepressant-Like And Abuse-Related Effects Of The Noncompetitive Nmda Receptor Antagonists Ketamine And Mk-801 In Rats., Todd Hillhouse

Theses and Dissertations

The noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine produces rapid and sustained antidepressant effects in patients suffering from major depressive disorder. However, abuse liability is a concern. To further evaluate the relationship between antidepressant-like and abuse-related effects of NMDA receptor antagonists, this study evaluated the effects of ketamine, MK-801, and phencyclidine in male Sprague-Dawley rats responding under two procedures that have been used to assess antidepressant-like effects [differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate (DRL) 72 s schedule of food reinforcement] and abuse-related drug effects [intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS)]. Under DRL 72 s, ketamine produced an antidepressant-like effect by increasing reinforcers, decreasing responses, and producing a rightward shift in …

Mindfulness And The College Transition: The Efficacy Of A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention In Fostering Adjustment Among First-Year Students, Taylor R. Ramler

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

Within recent years, there has been a marked proliferation in the interest in and relevant literature pertaining to the practice of mindfulness. This study sought to augment this knowledge base through an examination of the efficacy of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention in fostering adjustment among first-year college students. Fifty-six (N=56) first-year participants from two Midwestern liberal arts institutions partook in the study. Experimental participants (n=29) completed an eight-week MBSR intervention conducted by a qualified instructor. Control participants (n=27) did not receive mindfulness instruction. Adjustment indices were gathered using the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ), providing individual scores …

Effects Of Practice Type And Task Difficulty On Visuospatial Performance, Soniya Assudani

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The importance of visuospatial skills for every day survival is highly evident. Practice is a mechanism by which visuospatial skills can be enhanced. The current study examined how general practice, different types of practice, and levels of task difficulty affect visuospatial performance. Seventy-eight undergraduate students participated in the Block Design Task (extracted from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) in which they had to construct a design with the blocks based on a printed image. Prior to completing 40 test trials, participants received opportunities for motor (physical), mental (visualization), or modeling (observational) practice. Half of the trials contained easy designs, and …

Risky Business: Rhesus Monkeys Exhibit Persistent Preferences For Risky Options, Eric R. Xu, Jerald D. Kralik

Dartmouth Scholarship

Rhesus monkeys have been shown to prefer risky over safe options in experiential decision-making tasks. These findings might be due, however, to specific contextual factors, such as small amounts of fluid reward and minimal costs for risk-taking. To better understand the factors affecting decision-making under risk in rhesus monkeys, we tested multiple factors designed to increase the stakes including larger reward amounts, distinct food items rather than fluid reward, a smaller number of trials per session, and risky options with greater variation that also included non-rewarded outcomes. We found a consistent preference for risky options, except when the expected value …

Iwu Researchers Hope Apps Teach Dogs New Tricks, Kim Hill

News and Events (Discontinued Series)

No abstract provided.

Swope, Lewis Named As 2014 Weir Fellows, Tia Patsavas

News and Events (Discontinued Series)

No abstract provided.

Feedforward And Feedback Projections Of Caudal Belt And Parabelt Areas Of Auditory Cortex: Refining The Hierarchical Model, Troy A. Hackett, Lisa A. De La Mothe, Corrie R. Camalier, Arnaud Falchier, Peter Lakatos, Yoshinao Kajikawa, Charles E. Schroeder

Psychological Sciences and Counseling Faculty Research

Our working model of the primate auditory cortex recognizes three major regions (core, belt, parabelt), subdivided into thirteen areas. The connections between areas are topographically ordered in a manner consistent with information flow along two major anatomical axes: core-belt-parabelt and caudal-rostral. Remarkably, most of the connections supporting this model were revealed using retrograde tracing techniques. Little is known about laminar circuitry, as anterograde tracing of axon terminations has rarely been used. The purpose of the present study was to examine the laminar projections of three areas of auditory cortex, pursuant to analysis of all areas. The selected areas were: middle …

Breaking The Prejudice Habit: Automaticity And Control In The Context Of A Long-Term Goal, Patrick S. Forscher, Patricia G. Devine

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

In what follows, we will describe the problem that motivated the development of the prejudice habit model, namely, that even people who report beliefs and attitudes that are opposed to prejudice can act in discriminatory ways. We will then review the prejudice habit model and how the model uses the distinction between controlled and automatic processes to understand lingering group disparities. We will end our discussion with a review of topics for further research and the implications of the prejudice habit model for other dual process theories.

Sexual Motivations And Ideals Distinguish Sexual Identities Within The Self-Concept: A Multidimensional Scaling Analysis, Celeste Sangiorgio, Warren A. Reich, Andrea C. Vial, Mirko Savone

Publications and Research

Many studies explore when and how young people make sexual choices but few empirical investigations link their sexual motivations with their inner conceptions about their sexual identities. We used multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis to connect young adult participants’ (N = 128) self-descriptions of twelve identities to their sexual motivations and ideals. Identities clustered along two semantically distinct dimensions: Dimension 1 was anchored by family identities on one side and non-family identities on the other; Dimension 2 was anchored on one side by friend/romantic relationships and achievement-based social identities on the other. Those who cited intimacy (e.g., sex as an expression …

The Effects Of Child Birth Order And Number Of Children On Mother’S Supervision Beliefs And Practices, Alyssa Schramm

Honors Theses

Objective: This study aimed to examine (1) whether mothers’ attitudes about supervision differ based on (a) the number of children in the home and (b) the birth order of the child; (2) whether mothers’ reported supervision levels differ based on: (a) the number of children in the home and (b) the birth order of the child; (3) whether children in families with more than one child sustain more injuries than children in families with fewer children. I expected to find that mothers had more lax attitudes for their younger children versus old, and were more lax for homes with more …

Physical Activity Reduces Hippocampal Atrophy In Elders At Genetic Risk For Alzheimer's Disease, J. Carson Smith, Kristy A. Nielson, John L. Woodard, Michael Seidenberg, Sally Durgerian, Kathleen Hazlett, Christina Marie Figueroa, Cassandra Kandah, Christina D. Kay, Monica Matthews, Stephen M. Rao

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

We examined the impact of physical activity (PA) on longitudinal change in hippocampal volume in cognitively intact older adults at varying genetic risk for the sporadic form of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Hippocampal volume was measured from structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans administered at baseline and at an 18-month follow-up in 97 healthy, cognitively intact older adults. Participants were classified as High or Low PA based on a self-report questionnaire of frequency and intensity of exercise. Risk status was defined by the presence or absence of the apolipoprotein E-epsilon 4 (APOE-ε4) allele. Four subgroups were studied: Low Risk/High PA ( …

High School Students Tell All: Analyzing Facebook Confession Sites, Chelsea Conrad

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Social media sites are gaining popularity, giving teenagers a venue to anonymously post secrets, rants, and insults. Recently, anonymous high school related Facebook confession sites have emerged. These sites, while not endorsed by the school, often contain the school’s name, mascot and location creating a forum for anonymous social interactions among high school students. Facebook confession sites have gained attention over concerns about cyber bullying and the potential negative influence on the reputation of schools. The purpose of this study is to analyze the language of Facebook confession sites to determine the degree of positive and negative emotionality as well …

Pre-Service Teacher Preparation Related To Classroom Management Techniques, Karley Weir

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Teachers are likely to encounter children with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) at least once throughout their career. These students demonstrate internalizing or externalizing behaviors that have a negative effect on their education. Pre-service teachers reported that almost a fourth of their students portrayed some forms of challenging behavior (Westling, 2010). These behaviors were described as defiance, noncompliance, disruption, and socially inappropriate behavior. Westling (2010) reported that dealing with these challenging behaviors take up a significant amount of teacher’s time, reduces their effectiveness as teachers, and inhibits the ability of the other children’s learning. Despite most teachers feeling inadequately prepared …

Sexual Education And Attitudes Towards Masturbation, Jannine Ray

Undergraduate Research Symposium

The long-standing social stigma surrounding masturbation has led to its prohibition from being included in public school curriculum as a healthy sexual practice. Furthermore, not only is masturbation a healthy sexual practice for the individual, research has demonstrated masturbation to be helpful in treating sexual dysfunctions for couples. Therefore, if the topic of masturbation is included in comprehensive sexual education as a healthy sexual practice, it may promote sexual health among individuals both intra- and interpersonally. The present study recruited from a convenient sample from a medium sized state university in the upper Midwest. Participants completed two surveys, administered through …

A Is For App: Surveying Teachers About The Use Of Ipads/Tablets In The Classroom, Christine Scheper

Undergraduate Research Symposium

iPads and tablets are now in classrooms for the children to use ranging from educational activities to leisure activities. Current research findings are mixed as to whether they are helping or hindering children’s learning. For the purpose of this study, a 14-item survey was administered to elementary school teachers working in Southern Minnesota area school districts. The focus of this survey was to gain a better understanding of how teachers are using iPads and tablets in the classroom and which apps are most commonly used. Information on which apps are most common in different classroom subjects as well as the …

The Benefits Of Exposure To Animals For Persons With Dementia: A Literature Review, Stephanie Bennett

Undergraduate Research Symposium

This literature review was performed to assess the current standing of the use of animals as a therapeutic agent for individuals suffering from dementia. This area of study is currently broad; therefore the intent of reviewing the current literature was to establish what has been studied at this point in time and to recommend future research directions in the field. The literature search was performed on three academic search sites (PsycINFO, PubMed, and AgeLine) using four search terms (“Pet therapy Alzheimer’s,” “Pet therapy dementia,” “Animal therapy Alzheimer’s,” “Animal therapy dementia”); search results were verified by having a second researcher independently …

The Role Of Self Concept In Consumer Behavior, Marisa Toth

Graduate Research Symposium (2010 - 2017)

Understanding the processes that underlie consumer behavior has become an increasingly important area of research, especially for businesses and marketers. One of the most commonly studied variables believed to impact consumer behavior is self-concept.

The purpose of the current study is to examine the influence of self-concept in consumer behavior and identify factors that influence the relationship. Specifically, what is the relationship between different aspects of the self-concept and the consumption of publicly and privately consumed luxuries and necessities? Furthermore, how will this relationship be affected by the level of self-monitoring an individual displays?

Parental Involvement: Perceptions Of Stay-At-Home Fathers, Lauren Moore

College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs Presentations

The purpose of this study was to explore how men and women differ in essentialist perceptions of gender roles and gender ideologies as they relate to attitudes about father involvement and stay-at-home fathers. There were a total of 442 undergraduate students who completed an online survey. Results indicated that there was a significant gender difference regarding perceptions of stay-at-home fathers’ masculinity, t (433) = 5.68, p = .000, with men perceiving stay-at-home fathers as more feminine (M = 3.12) than women (M=2.51). Also a significant difference was found between men and women concerning gender ideologies, t (435) = 5.53, p …

Defining Honesty: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Trait Honesty, Sara Couture, Kim Hayes, Kyle Brasil, Drew Lindgren, Lauren Stephens Stephens, Jared Talley

College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs Presentations

A popular theoretical model in personality psychology is the Five Factor Model, or the Big Five. This model is structured to have five superordinate factors; Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientious, Neuroticism, and Openness (McCrae & Costa, 2003). Each of these factors includes numerous facets that contribute to each of the superordinate traits. However, there is some controversy over what these facets incorporate. For example, Agreeableness, according consists of straightforwardness, altruism, compliance, modesty, and tender-mindedness (Costa & McCrae, 1995). However, the factor of Agreeableness, as defined by the Big Five Model, lacks an important personality variable: honesty. Honesty can be conceptualized as acting …

Family Relationships Effect On Transition To Kindergarten, Catherine Mcarthur

College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs Presentations

The relation between positive family relationships and children’s transition into kindergarten was investigated in this study. Data were collected from 1,364 children and their families in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD). Analysis of these data found that lower rates of internalizing behaviors in kindergarten correlated to higher rates of maternal stimulation (r = -.128, p < .01) and maternal sensitivity (r = -.100, p < .01). Lower rates of externalizing behaviors in kindergarten were correlated to higher rates of maternal and paternal stimulation (r = -.151, p < .01; r = -.104, p < .01), sensitivity (r = -.213, p < .01; r = -.155, p < .01), and total positive relationship with both parents (r = -.158, p < .01; r = -.155, p < .01). The strongest correlation was found between maternal sensitivity and externalizing behaviors in kindergarten (r = -.213, p < .01).

Relationship Conflict In College Students At Utah Universities: Dating Violence And Help-Seeking Behavior, Kevin Rushton, Dr. Niwako Yamawaki

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This study was a secondary analysis of the data collected in Dr. Ridge’s study, “Relationship Conflict in College Students at Utah Universities: Dating Violence Assessment.” That project was a large-scale assessment of dating violence victimization and perpetration in incoming college freshmen and upperclassmen at all ten colleges and universities in Utah, including Brigham Young University. The brief online survey assessed factors associated with dating violence victimization and perpetration, including background and personal factors, self and personality factors (i.e., self-esteem, entitlement), and relationship attitudes and other factors (i.e., attachment).