The Effects Of Mental Health Advertising On Brand And Product Perception,
2026
University of San Diego
The Effects Of Mental Health Advertising On Brand And Product Perception, Faith L. Gideon
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Previous research has demonstrated that framing effects, influencer sponsorships, and brand campaigns significantly influence consumer behavior and, consequently, company profitability. Over the last few decades, many companies have aligned themselves with various social justice issues, including mental health advocacy. To date, little work has explored what effect such alignment might have on brand perception or consumer behavior. The aim of this study is to explore how mental health advertising influences these variables, taking brand familiarity into account. Participants rated brand authenticity, purchase intent, and willingness to pay premium prices for products after learning about campaigns from familiar or unfamiliar brands …
Improving Human Visual Search: Enhancing Lung Cancer Nodule Detection In Medical Images,
2026
Grand Valley State University
Improving Human Visual Search: Enhancing Lung Cancer Nodule Detection In Medical Images, Christopher Khajira
Masters Theses
Human visual search involves the identification of relevant signals within information-rich environments, which is a fundamental problem in visual perception. While detection accuracy and response time are commonly used to evaluate performance in visual search, these measures do not reveal the underlying cognitive and computational structure that produces observable behavior. A key challenge lies in distinguishing between competing processing architectures, particularly in complex visual domains where different models can produce similar behavioral outcomes. This study addresses this challenge by developing a computational experimental framework for analyzing visual search behavior using System Factorial Technology (SFT). The experimental framework integrates naturalistic medical …
From Stranger To Self: The Role Of Familiarity In Modulating The N170 And N250 Erp Components,
2026
University of Missouri-St. Louis
From Stranger To Self: The Role Of Familiarity In Modulating The N170 And N250 Erp Components, Tabish Gul
Dissertations
This study investigated how varying levels of face familiarity modulate the N170 and N250 event-related potential (ERP) components, two neural markers of face perception and recognition. While the N250 is widely considered familiarity-sensitive, the N170 has traditionally been linked to the structural encoding stage of face perception. However, recent research suggests that face familiarity may also influence N170 amplitude and latency. While most previous studies have compared up to three familiarity levels, the present study examined five levels of familiarity: own face, friend’s face, famous face, experimentally familiar face, and unfamiliar face. Twenty-six participants viewed face images while completing a …
Storytelling As A Pedagogical Tool For Improving Memory In Lectures,
2026
University of Mississippi Main Campus
Storytelling As A Pedagogical Tool For Improving Memory In Lectures, Sydney E. Rutter
Honors Theses
The purpose of the study was to examine if utilizing storytelling in lectures caused a positive effect on students' memory over a week-long period. Storytelling has been used as a mnemonic device to improve memory, however its benefits have not been experimented much in higher education. In this study, 53 undergraduate psychology students were placed into two groups: traditional lecture or storytelling lecture. Students then watched the lecture they were assigned, both lectures discussed the ASURE model. A week later, students returned and took a 17 question memory test. Results indicated that students who watched the storytelling lecture performed significantly …
Alone And Radicalized: The Hidden Link Between Isolationism And Political Violence,
2026
Chapman University
Alone And Radicalized: The Hidden Link Between Isolationism And Political Violence, Zaina Siddiqui
Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters
As some socially isolated individuals come to view political violence as legitimate, what exactly draws the line towards political extremism? My findings examine the relationship between loneliness, social marginalization, and support for political violence through psychological theories on radicalization. Using Chapman University’s American Fear Survey Wave 11, I examined the correlation between isolationism and a sense of belonging, with the latter leading to support for political violence and extremism. The project contributes to research on political extremism by focusing on loneliness as a loss of belonging and personal significance rather than on ideology or pathology alone. In my research, I …
The Impatience Of Winning: An Analysis Of Time Discounting, Predictive Modeling, And The Nba Draft,
2026
Ursinus College
The Impatience Of Winning: An Analysis Of Time Discounting, Predictive Modeling, And The Nba Draft, Alec R. Plante
Business and Economics Honors Papers
This paper examines whether NBA draft decisions can be better explained by incorporating non-geometric time discounting into a model of general manager decision making. Using a dataset of 285 NBA draft prospects over a 12-year period, the impact of college statistics on Value Over Replacement Player (VORP) is determined, and these impact values are then used to create a “predicted” VORP for the first 4 seasons of each player’s career: a projection of what a general manager might think of a prospect’s future value given their college statistics. Following this, geometric and hyperbolic time discounting models are applied to estimate …
Emotional Working Memory Across The Visualization Spectrum,
2026
University of Northern Colorado
Emotional Working Memory Across The Visualization Spectrum, Jae Fast
Undergraduate Honors Theses
In 2015, the term “aphantasia” was coined to describe a small group of individuals who lack the ability to voluntarily produce visual mental imagery. This caused a rising interest in aphantasia and its associated neural, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional features. Understanding the role of visual mental imagery in both emotional and cognitive processes, it is reasonable to question whether aphantasia may result in importantly unique experiences that may require improved therapeutic practices to account for these differences. Previous studies have found that aphantasics experience reduced emotional responses to recalled emotional events, reduced affective processing, poor autobiographical memory, and other cognitive …
Utilizing Brain Computer Interfaces That Interact With A Virtual Keyboard,
2026
Mississippi State University
Utilizing Brain Computer Interfaces That Interact With A Virtual Keyboard, Skye Lilienthal
Honors Theses
A brain-computer interface (BCI) can allow someone to utilize electrical signals in their brain to complete tasks using a computer. BCIs can help people take advantage of technology to type without the need for a traditional keyboard setup. This paper used the OpenBCI Mark IV to test the effectiveness of non-invasive BCIs with dry electrodes within the OpenViBE P300 Speller. This paper shows how to use the P300 speller through a setup pipeline. Results indicate that electrode placement affects P300 accuracy and that areas related to visual processing improve accuracy, suggesting that P300 signals can be detected within OpenBCI Mark …
Self-Determination, Campus Involvement, And Disability Awareness Of Young Adults With Intellectual Disability,
2026
University of South Alabama
Self-Determination, Campus Involvement, And Disability Awareness Of Young Adults With Intellectual Disability, Zoe Bloecher
Honors Theses
This quantitative and qualitative study examined self-esteem; self-efficacy; self-determination; and disability awareness at the beginning and end of the semester in a sample of young adults with intellectual disability enrolled in a post-secondary education program. Participants’ weekly campus engagement in extracurricular activities during the semester was also tracked. The first goal of this study was to observe changes in self-determination satisfaction and frustration, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and disability awareness after one semester of enrollment in the program. There were 16 participants in the study who varied in their length of participation in the program. Dependent t-tests revealed a statistically significant decrease …
Some Equivalence Statements Are Metaphors,
2026
CUNY Hunter College
Some Equivalence Statements Are Metaphors, Malik A. Terry
Theses and Dissertations
Metaphors work best when topic and vehicle come from different domains. Glucksberg (2011) observed that same-domain statements ( "Cats are dogs") lack metaphorical interpretations, and Experiments 1 and 2 confirmed this. Prasada (in press) proposed that minority framing ( "Some cats are dogs") enables such metaphors. Experiment 3 confirmed this.
When Mac Shouldn’T Smile Back: Anthropomorphic Logo And Effect On Consumer Perceptions Of Generative Artificial Intelligence,
2026
University of Connecticut - Storrs
When Mac Shouldn’T Smile Back: Anthropomorphic Logo And Effect On Consumer Perceptions Of Generative Artificial Intelligence, Ainsley E. Ballard
Honors Scholar Theses
Drawing on prior research suggesting that anthropomorphic design can increase trust, liking, and perceived competence, this research investigates whether these effects extend to generative artificial intelligence logos. A three-group between-subjects study was conducted to examine how varying levels of logo anthropomorphization influenced consumer perceptions of an artificial intelligence brand. In being assigned to one of three logo conditions, humanoid (high anthropomorphism), animalistic (moderate anthropomorphism), or nature/geometric (low anthropomorphism), participants evaluated the new logo across multiple dimensions, including liking, brand fit, trustworthiness, and willingness to buy. Contrary to the initial hypothesis, the low anthropomorphism condition consistently received the most positive ratings, …
Building Collaborative Capacity For Coexistence With The Montana Beaver Working Group,
2026
University of Montana, Missoula
Building Collaborative Capacity For Coexistence With The Montana Beaver Working Group, Shane Randle
Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects
Despite beavers’ recent surge in popularity, prevailing negative attitudes and the persistence of beaver removal practices remain obstacles for those advocating living with beavers. The Montana Beaver Working Group (BWG) advances beavers’ role in ecological and community resilience through members’ collaborative efforts, including beaver-related restoration and conflict resolution projects. Bringing together people with diverse values and perspectives, the BWG builds collective understanding, develops a holistic vision for beavers in Montana, and supports members in pursuing it. As the group’s impacts and membership have grown, so too has their need to adapt. For my Civic Engagement Project, I strengthened the BWG’s …
Face Representations In The Fusiform Face Area,
2026
California State University - San Bernardino
Face Representations In The Fusiform Face Area, Krisha Orgo
Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations
Faces are among the most socially significant stimuli humans encounter, requiring recognition not just at the category level but at the level of individual identity. While the fusiform face area has been established as a dedicated region for face processing, whether it encodes distinct representations for different individuals or simply detects the presence of a face remains an open question. Evidence for identity-specific coding in the brain has come primarily from invasive single-neuron recordings in epilepsy patients, leaving open whether the same principles govern face processing in healthy populations. The present study addressed this gap using scalp electroencephalography to examine …
Between Chronicle And Legend: A Two-Scene Environment And Visual Effects Examination Of Physical Accuracy And Emotional Exaggeration On The Honey Creek Bridge Collapse,
2026
Clemson University
Between Chronicle And Legend: A Two-Scene Environment And Visual Effects Examination Of Physical Accuracy And Emotional Exaggeration On The Honey Creek Bridge Collapse, Alison R. Gaddy
All Theses
This thesis explores how truth and dramatization intersect in digital storytelling by comparing realistic and stylized simulations of the Honey Creek bridge collapse within the context of the Kate Shelley animated short. At the core of storytelling lies a tension between factual accuracy and dramatic stylization. We investigate that tension by examining how narrative truth is conveyed, distorted, or enhanced through visual dramatization by focusing on the psychology of audience perception and the motivations behind creative embellishment. The practical contribution of this research is the development of two distinct digital scene setups depicting the same Honey Creek bridge collapse event. …
Scrolling For Connection: The Influence Of Loneliness, Self-Esteem, And Stress On Susceptibility To Conformity-Driven Online Purchasing And Gambling Behaviors In Generation Z,
2026
Abilene Christian University
Scrolling For Connection: The Influence Of Loneliness, Self-Esteem, And Stress On Susceptibility To Conformity-Driven Online Purchasing And Gambling Behaviors In Generation Z, Emily M. Bauknight
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This study aimed to examine the relationships among loneliness, self-esteem, conformity, and online purchasing and gambling behaviors in Generation Z college students. To do so, a cross-sectional design was implemented with a sample of 69 undergraduate and graduate students who completed self-report measures assessing self-esteem, loneliness, conformity, psychological distress, online shopping addiction, and online gambling severity. Data were analyzed using SPSS through multiple and simple linear regression analyses, moderated regression, and Pearson correlations. Results indicated that selfesteem and loneliness were not significant predictors of conformity, and conformity did not predict online shopping or gambling behaviors. Additionally, self-esteem, loneliness, and conformity …
What Makes Leaders In Human Services Effective? A Pilot Study Linking Systems Thinking, Perspective-Taking, And Leadership Success,
2026
Witterschein & Unger Behavioral Consulting, LLC
What Makes Leaders In Human Services Effective? A Pilot Study Linking Systems Thinking, Perspective-Taking, And Leadership Success, Ryan Witterschein
Journal of Nonprofit Innovation
Leadership effectiveness is a persistent challenge in human services nonprofits, where organizations serving individuals with disabilities and complex needs have grown dramatically but lack validated tools for assessing the cognitive competencies that distinguish effective leaders. This quantitative pilot study introduces the ABA Leadership Assessment Tool version 2.0 (ABLA 2.0), a 48-item instrument integrating transformational and transactional leadership frameworks with three constructs from Relational Frame Theory—perspective-taking, temporal reasoning, and systems thinking. Eight Board Certified Behavior Analysts in organizational leadership roles completed the assessment, yielding 100% completion and strong preliminary reliability across all subscales (α = .71–.94). Leaders who demonstrated stronger cognitive …
Exploring Lay Meanings Of Happiness In Contemporary India: A Qualitative Inquiry,
2026
GITAM University
Exploring Lay Meanings Of Happiness In Contemporary India: A Qualitative Inquiry, Kunmun Mishra, Kailash Bl Srivastava Professor
The Qualitative Report
Three decades of professional research suggest several explicit concepts of happiness; however, exploring the lay theories of happiness has largely been overlooked. Addressing this gap, our paper attempts to explore lay concepts of happiness in the contemporary Indian context. Given the inherently subjective nature of happiness, a qualitative study was conducted to explore the impact of beliefs and lived experiences on happiness. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, and transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Meanings, causes, and actions to maintain happiness evolved into seven significant themes: contentment, achievement and hope, collectivist orientation, autonomy, materialism, pragmatic orientation, and spirituality. …
Paws And Predictions: Interpreting Intraspecific Cat Social Interactions Through Facial Signals,
2026
Lyon College
Paws And Predictions: Interpreting Intraspecific Cat Social Interactions Through Facial Signals, Levi Neal, Lauren Scott, Gosia Zobel, Brittany Florkiewicz
People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice
There has been limited research on humans’ ability to perceive and predict social interactions among cats using facial signals. This area is crucial to explore since conflicts between cats often cause significant stress for their guardians. By evaluating individuals’ skills in understanding cat interactions, researchers can develop tools to help guardians predict affiliative and nonaffiliative behaviors, leading to effective intervention strategies for multicat households. We distributed a survey to individuals subscribed to the Companion Animals New Zealand newsletter to assess cat guardians’ effectiveness in perceiving and predicting various social interactions among cats. We hypothesized that guardians with one or more …
The Impact Of Smartphone Notifications And Locus Of Control On Reading Comprehension,
2026
Belmont University
The Impact Of Smartphone Notifications And Locus Of Control On Reading Comprehension, Katherine Visner, Sarah M. Fritts, Audrey Laskey, Chloe Giraud
SPARK Symposium Presentations
Locus of Control, defined as “...individuals' beliefs about the degree of control they have over events in their lives,” has long been associated with task performance, specifically in both compliant and initiative domains (Blau, 1993; Galvin et al., 2018). Existing literature on task performance suggests that, aside from Locus of Control, noise distractions play a significant role in individuals' ability to focus and concentrate (Jafari et al., 2019). In academic contexts, research indicates that noise disturbances and subsequent inability to concentrate impede an individual's task performance by reducing reading comprehension and textual processing (Foroughi et al., 2015). As such, the …
Effects Of Psychological Distance On Mental Abstraction: A Registered Report Of Four Tests Of Construal-Level Theory,
2026
University of Gothenburg
Effects Of Psychological Distance On Mental Abstraction: A Registered Report Of Four Tests Of Construal-Level Theory, Sofia Calderon, Erik Mac Giolla, Karl Ask, Susanne Jana Adler, Adam W. Stivers
Psychology Faculty Scholarship
Construal-level theory (CLT) proposes that psychological distance influences the level of abstraction at which something is mentally construed: Things perceived as less probable (likelihood) or further away from the here (spatial distance), now (temporal distance), or self (social distance) are thought about more abstractly. In this international multilab study, we tested four basic hypotheses derived from core assumptions of CLT and explore potential moderators and boundary conditions of the effects. Participants (N = 11,775) from 27 countries and regions were randomly assigned to one of four experimental protocols focused on different types of psychological distance (temporal, spatial, social, or likelihood), …
