Psychology Commons^™

Swosu Department Of Psychology History, Janice L. Sperle

Department of Psychology

SWOSU DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY HISTORY
1948-2025

By Janice L. Sperle

[2025 Honorable Mention] Pedagogies In The Flesh And Recovery Of Historical Memory From The Perspective Of A Salvadoreña, Janelle I. Martinez

Ethnic Studies Research Paper Award

My submission is a praxis paper. First, I explore the concepts and theories I would like to put into praxis, which are pedagogies in the flesh and recovery of historical memory. I then explain how and why I put them into praxis.

Changing The Narrative: A Meta-Analysis Of Narrative Therapy And It's Changes Since Inception, Elijah J. Shriner

Honors Projects

This meta-analysis examines the effectiveness of narrative therapy across 43 studies involving diverse populations and mental health conditions. Studies included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, and case studies, with outcome measures primarily focused on depressive symptoms, interpersonal functioning, and psychological distress. Effect sizes were calculated using Hedges’ g to account for small sample bias. Overall, narrative therapy demonstrated moderate to large positive effects on symptom reduction and client well-being, though variability in study design and reporting limited the precision of some estimates. Findings support narrative therapy as a promising intervention across clinical contexts, while highlighting the need for more rigorous, …

Mourning And Melancholia In The Lord Of The Rings, Ali Mirzabayati

Journal of Tolkien Research

This paper analyzes how Denethor and Théoden respond differently to the deaths of their sons in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Initially consumed by grief, Théoden embraces hope with Gandalf's support, while Denethor descends into despair. Employing Freud's essay "Mourning and Melancholia" (1917), we examine how Théoden and Denethor illustrate differing reactions to mourning and melancholy in the face of loss. Recognizing developments in psychoanalytic theory, the paper moves beyond simple binaries to offer a nuanced exploration of grief and attachment in Tolkien's narrative.

Perceiving The Perceiver: “Viewing” Sauron Through The Gestalt Theory Of Perception, Cameron Bourquein

Journal of Tolkien Research

This paper uses Gestalt theory, the Gestalt laws of perception, and the reception theory of Wolfgang Iser to elucidate the character “Sauron” as he appears in The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power, and Tolkien’s wider legendarium. It argues firstly that Sauron’s high degree of indeterminacy and ambiguity suggests he can be read as a gestalt entity, one the reader creates by mentally constructing a whole from (seemingly) disparate parts. Building on the semiotics work of Nagy (2013), it argues that Sauron in The Lord of the Rings can be read as gestalt across the spatial, …

The Effects Of Crossfit And Pharmacology On Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms And Self-Efficacy Levels, Priscilla Kay Fleming

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nearly half of individuals diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) who are provided with an SSRI or SNRI medication do not experience a clinically meaningful reduction of symptoms or a full remission of symptoms. A gap in the literature existed for comparisons of treatment approaches and their outcomes for GAD symptoms and self-efficacy levels. Research questions for this study were: Is there a difference in GAD symptoms between the CrossFit participants and pharmacology participants at the point of three months treatment regimen?, and Is there a difference in self-efficacy levels between the CrossFit participants and pharmacology participants at the point …

The Art Of Dreaming: A Surrealist Approach To Dream Analysis, Shelby Wright

Honors Thesis

Over the past two years, I created a series of paintings to explore the meaning of my nightmares. This study analyzes the themes and symbols in these dreams through the psychological frameworks of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Freud’s causal approach focuses on repressed desires, while Jung’s method relies on mythological symbols and archetypes in the collective unconscious. Drawing on the ideas of André Breton and the Surrealist movement, I examine how art can bridge dreams and waking life. By painting my dreams, I aim to better understand my unconscious and invite viewers to question their perception of reality. This …

Fear Of Pain In Migraine: Psychological Factors In Perceptions Of Headache Triggers, Sarah Basha, Todd Smitherman

Honors Theses

Migraine is a debilitating neurological disorder affecting millions worldwide, with substantial societal and personal burdens. Psychological factors, particularly fear of pain, may influence migraine experience by impacting perceptions of headache triggers. This study investigates the relationship between fear of pain and perceived triggers in individuals with migraine. A sample of 2,959 young adults meeting diagnostic criteria for migraine completed a structured diagnostic interview and self-report measures of fear of pain, headache-related disability, and beliefs about headache triggers (which stimuli triggered headache, most important triggers, and likelihood of developing a headache upon exposure to the most important trigger [trigger potency]). Linear …

Effects Of Acute Exercise On Cognition: Consideration Of Potential Moderators, Mary G. Jackson, Lucy Wilson, Mara Liston, Elizabeth Gaines, Mckenzie Cotten, Reese Carwile

Honors Theses

The present thesis aims to determine the effects, if any, of six potential moderators on the effects of acute moderate-intensity exercise on cognitive functioning. The modes of exercise undertaken by the participants included treadmill (Experiment 1) and stationary bike (Experiment 2) exercise. Participants in each experiment either exercised or rested for twenty minutes and then participated in either a memory recall task or cognitive functioning (“Stroop”) task. The bouts of either exercise or rest on the stationary bike were followed by a rest period during which the participant would be exposed to either standard air oxygen levels (normoxia) or hypoxic …

Cultural Self-Harm Differences, Erin E. Simmons

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This study is based on the evident cultural differences in self-harm behaviors and what those behaviors look like specifically for individuals that identify as Black or African American. Previous literature suggests that cultural differences in self-harm exist but very little research centers Black experiences and their connection to self-harm. Self-harm is considered a broad term, and it encompasses a variety of behaviors, some more common than others, but these common behaviors are typically exclusively explored within only a few demographics with a low Black participant pool. This contributes to the assumed lack of self-harm among the Black community but through …

Dual Perspectives: Exploring Self-Identity Development In Twins, Sophia V. Lucas

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

While psychological research often uses twins to compare genetic and environmental influences on development, little attention has been given to the lived experience of twins themselves. This study aimed to target this issue by investigating the developmental implications of being a twin, with a particular focus on the formation of self-identity and individuality. Participants were asked to complete a survey that explored topics such as their self-concept, attachment style, and perceived level of experienced social comparison with their sibling. Results found a statistically significant difference between twins and non-twin siblings on a measure of self-concept, in that twins scored higher …

Leading And Following: Exploring The Impact Of Mentorship On Collegiate Dancers, Peyton Winsett

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Mentorship plays a pivotal role in student development across various disciplines, yet its specific impact on dancers within collegiate programs remains underexplored. This literature review and small pilot study investigates the hypothesis that mentorship in university dance programs positively influences students’ artistic identity, academic achievement, and career readiness. Drawing from six empirical studies, including research in arts education, peer mentorship, and emotional development, the paper analyzes how mentorship structures shape dancers’ holistic growth. While mentorship is generally associated with beneficial outcomes, findings also reveal critical nuances regarding mentorship quality, accessibility, and the risks of informal or biased systems. Through a …

Differences In Anxiety Presentation Amongst Collegiate Athletes, Alyssa Garabedian

Honors Projects in Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Anxiety affects millions of individuals, spanning from mild symptoms to life-halting disorders. The symptoms and experiences individuals face in terms of anxiety vary depending on their demographics, as well as living conditions. Athletes are affected by anxiety in different ways than typical non-athlete individuals. Athletes have an entirely different realm of life to consider when thinking about anxiety, and that is, their sporting, competitive life. This study analyzes the symptoms and characteristics of anxiety in college athletes differing by gender and sport type. The data collected through a survey of collegiate athletes at Bryant University will be used to determine …

The Impact Of Quality Of Life And Recovery Capital On Inhibitory Control In Patients On Medication For Opioid Use Disorder, Caroline K. Jeffries

All Theses

The opioid crisis persists as a global health challenge, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between psychological factors and neurocognitive responses among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). Two such psychological factors include recovery capital, an individual's internal and external resources to supporting recovery, and quality of life. Past work suggests that positive levels of recovery capital and quality of life may enhance individuals’ ability to regulate emotions and manage cravings. However, it is unclear how these variables are affected when buprenorphine is taken. This study investigates the influence of recovery capital and quality of life on inhibitory …

Usage Of Natural Language Processing And Deep-Learning Techniques On Thematic Apperception Tests To Predict Big Five Personality Traits, Blayten Jones

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The usage of personality as a method of behavioral prediction and outcomes of success has grown considerably over the last few decades. This project explores predicting user personality profiles via the Big Five personality index through the integration of advanced natural language processing techniques as well as neural networks. Using a dataset provided by Dr. James W. Pennebaker, participants analyze an image—formally referred to as a thematic apperception test—and write a thorough paragraph describing the details. This free-form text, along with their personality test results, is captured in a structured dataset. Many deep-learning and machine learning models have been used …

Does An Impaired Sense Of Smell Make It Harder To Think About Things Like Garlic?, Ishrat N. Khan

Honors Scholar Theses

According to sensorimotor-based (also called "embodied" or "grounded") theories of semantic memory, accessing conceptual knowledge about things involves reactivating—or “simulating”—the sensory and motor experiences that we have had with them. For instance, thinking about things for which olfactory experience is dominant (e.g., garlic or a rose) would involve simulating their smell. However, evidence for olfactory simulation when thinking about "smelly” things is sparse and mixed. We tested smell-impaired (“anosmic”) and control participants (N=130 in the anosmic group and N=190 in the control group) on three tasks (1) Picture-Word Verification, (2) Semantic Property Verification, and (3) Free Recall. We predicted that …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Exploration Of The Experience Menopausal African American Women Have With Their Health Care Providers And Accessing Treatment For Menopausal Symptoms, Michelle Way-Houser

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological qualitative case study delved into the underexplored area of menopausal research as it pertains to African American women. This study aimed to identify the existing gap in literature, through examining the factors contributing to the disparity, and proposed potential solutions. By conducting a thorough review of the available evidence, this study sheds light on the unique challenges faced by African American women during menopause and advocates for more inclusive and diverse research approaches in this field. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants and thematic analysis was used to identify key themes related to symptom management, healthcare access, …

Dissolving Sand Into Fog - Portraying Long Term Temporal Illusions Through Music, Kyle Bergler

Honors Projects

Long-term temporal illusions permeate our day-to-day lives, but due to their highly subjective nature, few are familiar with them. To help introduce these topics in a way that lets a wider audience connect individually with them, I composed three works for percussion ensembles, each in a different style, and each portraying one or multiple long-term temporal illusions. All of these pieces were composed and rehearsed throughout the spring 2025 semester and premiered at my senior recital on April 19, 2025.

Introversion And Friendship Preferences, Iris Archibald

Research Symposium

How are friendships formed, and how do we decide which people will become our friends? This study examined if friendship preferences differ based on personality traits, such as introversion, and the consequences that these preferences may have for the formation and maintenance of our social networks.

To test this idea, participants were asked to choose if their friends consisted of people who were involved in a singular/few aspects of their lives or people who were involved in many aspects of their lives. Participants were also asked to indicate how important it would be for them to have many friends, how …

The Impact Of Cross-Racial Social Contact On Multiracial Perception, Gideon Reed

Research Symposium

Though Multiracial people are the fastest growing racial group in the United States, their historic lack of representation has made the perception of Mixed-Race individuals inconsistent among the general public. Past research has drawn conflicting conclusions on how Multiracial people are categorized in terms of racial background and presumed social attributes. Many of these studies have also relied on computer-generated images that combine two Monoracial faces instead of photos of existing Mixed-Race individuals, which subsequent research has shown to be an imperfect substitute. Furthermore, many of these studies have lacked racial diversity in both participant demographics and the Multiracial individuals …

Andrew N. Meltzoff: Social Cognition, Imitation, Cross-Modal Perception, Infant Development, Jeffrey H. Cornelius-White, Joan E. Test

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Andreas Demetriou was born August 15th, 1950 in Stongylo, Famagusta, Cyprus. Demetriou attended the University of Thessaloniki and obtained a Ph.D. in psychology in 1983. After completing his doctoral degree he was a professor of developmental and educational psychology at the University of Thessaloniki until 1996. Demetriou then became a professor at the University of Cyprus, serving in various leadership positions from 1996 to 2008, including chairing the Department of Educational Science and serving as dean for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and dean of the School of Social Sciences and Sciences of Education. He also became the …

Heinz Werner, Ethan Fleuchaus, Katie Cunningham, Heidi Kloos

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Heinz Werner (February 11, 1890 – May 14, 1964) was an Austrian psychologist who played an active role in defining the field of developmental psychology at the start of the 20th century. While initially seeking to become a composer and music historian, he changed his mind after listening to a lecture on Immanuel Kant at the University of Vienna. Werner became engrossed in topics of philosophy and psychology (which were combined at the time), and he wrote his dissertation on the psychology of aesthetic experiences. Subsequently he worked at the University of Hamburg, where he published the first edition of …

Anxiety And Depression Symptoms And Certainty In Negative Future Predictions: The Role Of Intolerance Of Uncertainty And Perseverative Thought, Isabella Glennon

Psychology Student Scholarship

Isabella Glennon ’25, Biology & Psychology major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology

Understanding the underlying mechanisms of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) — the tendency to experience discomfort when faced with an uncertain future — and perseverative thought (PT) — characterized by repetitive, negative thinking such as rumination — plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of anxiety and depression. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between anxiety and depression symptoms and the roles of IU and PT, particularly in relation to the development of certainty in negative future predictions.

Jealousy And Conflict: The Mediation Between Romantic Attachment Styles And Dating Aggression, Alexa Wing

Psychology Student Scholarship

Alexa Wing ’25, Psychology, Sociology, and Women’s & Gender Studies major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Charlene Collibee, Psychology

This study examined whether jealousy and conflict mediate the relationship between romantic attachment and dating aggression (DA). Data were collected over six months from 120 young adults (ages 18–25) with a history of DA in romantic relationships. Measures assessed attachment style, jealousy, conflict, and DA. Results showed that relational anxiety was associated with both jealousy and DA. Jealousy partially mediated the link between anxiety and DA, but conflict did not. No significant associations emerged between relational avoidance and DA. Discussion will address the …

Perceptions Of Aging & Sleep Health, Grace Lynch

Psychology Student Scholarship

Grace Lynch ’25, Psychology and Biology major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Caitlan Tighe, Psychology

Intolerance Of Uncertainty In Trauma And Ptsd, Juliette Bonchonsky, Zoe Rosnov, Jayden Peacock

Psychology Student Scholarship

Juliette Bonchonsky ’26, Psychology major

Zoe Rosnov ’25, Psychology major

Jayden Peacock ’25, Neuroscience major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is associated with PTSD severity (Raines et al., 2019), even among those with subthreshold symptoms (Clauss et al., 2023). The objective of the present study was to test if there is a specific association between IU and PTSD symptoms, or if trauma exposure is also associated with elevated IU.

Adults diagnosed by clinical interview with current PTSD (n=25), history of trauma without PTSD symptoms (n=28), and no trauma history (n=48) were given the Intolerance of …

Repetitive Negative Thought, Subjective Stress, And Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety, Haley Margulies, Juliette Bonchonsky, Isabella Glennon

Psychology Student Scholarship

Haley Margulies ’25, Biology and Psychology major

Juliette Bonchonsky ’26, Psychology major

Isabella Glennon ’25, Biology & Psychology major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology

Engagement in repetitive negative thought (RNT) in response to stress may be associated with risk for anxiety and depression. Individuals who engage in rumination following stressful life events are more likely to experience negative affect and symptoms of depression and anxiety (Ruscio et al., 2011). Similarly, worrying after a stressful life event is prospectively associated with increased stress symptoms (Roussis & Wells, 2008). The purpose of the present study is to test whether subjective stress …

Emdr Therapy Booth, Angela Reyes, Ana Ledezma, Kinsley Eiserloh, Coello Jimenez, Christian Rivera

Psychology Student Research - Archive

Our booth will provide an explanation of the lesser-known therapy known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is designed to alleviate psychological trauma. This therapy is particularly relevant for individuals affected by traumatic events that have caused distress in day-to-day life. We will offer a demonstration of the therapy session, inclusive of the equipment utilized during the process. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with a qualified professional in the field who possesses relevant experience, allowing for a Q&A session.

Reality Therapy Booth, Emily Herrera, Kay Cedano, Genevieve Martinez, Gisselle Landeros, Laura Aguirre

Psychology Student Research - Archive

Our booth focuses on Reality Therapy, which is centered around fulfilling five basic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun while encouraging individuals to make effective choices. To demonstrate these concepts, we created a role-playing game using the mobile app Episode. The game is based on the Twilight movie series and incorporates the five basic needs to show how players can apply Choice Theory to take responsibility for meeting their own needs.

In the game, players take on the role of “Trella” (a parody of Bella), and can choose between Schmacob (Jacob), Fredward (Edward), or themselves as a …

Anxiety- And Compulsivity-Linked Differences In Reinforcement Learning In A Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Game, Tessa Medeiros

Neuroscience Program Student Scholarship

Tessa Medeiros ’26, Biology & Psychology major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Andra Geana, Psychology and Neuroscience

Reinforcement learning (RL) mathematically describes how agents learn to maximize the reward of their environment by understanding and comparing their choice options. This project investigates how anxiety and compulsivity impact the selection of these options and to what extent a text-based, narrative (rather than a game-like environment) changes RL processes in humans.