Tiktok And The Brain: Neuropsychological Correlates Of Short-Form Video Consumption,
2026
University of New Mexico - Main Campus
Tiktok And The Brain: Neuropsychological Correlates Of Short-Form Video Consumption, Caty Enders
Psychology ETDs
Short-form video platforms like TikTok have quickly become the fastest growing segment of social media, thanks to powerful algorithms serving up personalized content driven by large quantities of user data. This study investigates the neuropsychological correlates of digital media use, with a particular focus on TikTok and smartphone screen time among young adults. Combining correlational analyses and an experimental design (n = 49; n = 44 included in final sample), we examined the relationship between digital media use and cognitive and emotional functioning across multiple domains. Objective measures of digital media consumption (daily average screen time and time on TikTok) …
Clarifying The Illusory Truth Effect: The Role Of Truth Status And Source Memory,
2026
University of New Mexico - Main Campus
Clarifying The Illusory Truth Effect: The Role Of Truth Status And Source Memory, Kamille Koger
Psychology ETDs
The present study investigated whether repetition increases perceived truth even for information explicitly known to be false and how repetition effects interact with source memory. Participants (N = 102) completed two sessions (exposure and test) one week apart. During exposure, they rated the truth of trivia statements presented three times each. Half were explicitly labeled as "true" or "false" (known condition) and half were unlabeled (ambiguous condition). In the test phase, participants judged the truth of all previously seen statements and an equal number of new statements, followed by source memory judgments. Results showed a classic illusory truth effect (ITE) …
Organizing The Life Story: The Structure, Retrieval, And Flexibility Of Autobiographical Memories,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Organizing The Life Story: The Structure, Retrieval, And Flexibility Of Autobiographical Memories, Erin Murphy
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
This dissertation focused on the characteristics and flexibility of autobiographical memories within the life story, based on Conway and Pleydell-Pearce’s (2000) self-memory system and McAdams’s (2001) narrative identity theory. In two experiments, the research examined how retrieval goals and hierarchical organization influence the recall of different autobiographical memories (i.e., specific events that occur within one day, and chapters that are longer) and the flexibility of the temporal boundaries and duration of these memories. In Experiment 1, task instructions about recalling life story memories were manipulated to examine whether subtle shifts in retrieval goals influenced the type of memories recalled. Experiment …
Is Forgetting Independent Of Learning? An Examination Of Initial Learning Across Alternative Forgetting Analyses,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Is Forgetting Independent Of Learning? An Examination Of Initial Learning Across Alternative Forgetting Analyses, Rhiannon Nicole Soriano Smith
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
A long-standing debate has reappeared regarding whether the rate of forgetting is independent or dependent upon the initial degree of learning. Interestingly, both conclusions have been supported. These diverging conclusions could be due to the analytical method and operational definition of forgetting employed: Researchers supporting independence typically measure forgetting as the number of items forgotten at a given retention interval, while those in favor of dependence typically measure forgetting as the number of items forgotten between test intervals. The current study tested whether the degree of learning affects the rate of forgetting for recognition accuracy (da) and other memory processes …
Exploring Non-Native English Learners’ Attitudes Towards Ai And Online Multimedia Persuasive Opinions And The Role Of Sentiment,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Exploring Non-Native English Learners’ Attitudes Towards Ai And Online Multimedia Persuasive Opinions And The Role Of Sentiment, Zvetomira N. Svetleff
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
This study and various other studies use quantitative models to identify which persuasive features predict persuasiveness. Most studies in the field do not explain why participants responded as they did nor do they focus on studying adult non-native English learners also referred to as second language (L2) English learners. Despite seemingly remarkable progress on research related to how to convey persuasive messages, there has been little work related to persuasive messaging targeted at second language learners or non-native speakers. In addition, despite the increasing reliance on AI technologies and tools in language learning within educational and work settings, there has …
Perception Of Emotions In Autism With Controlled Elicitation,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Perception Of Emotions In Autism With Controlled Elicitation, Rachel E. Dewald
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Research on emotion recognition in autism has traditionally relied on stimuli developed and validated exclusively with allistic populations. Whether these stimuli function equivalently for autistic individuals remains unclear, limiting the field’s ability to draw conclusions about cross-neurotype differences in emotional processing. Grounded in double empathy theory and cross-cultural research demonstrating in-group advantages in emotion recognition, this thesis investigated whether the Database of Emotional Videos from Ottawa (DEVO), a dynamic emotional elicitation database validated with allistic participants, elicits comparable emotional responses in autistic individuals. Participants (N = 116) viewed DEVO video clips and rated their emotional responses using the Multidimensional Visual …
Exploring Ai-Driven Scaffolding For Critical Questioning In Argument Evaluation,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Exploring Ai-Driven Scaffolding For Critical Questioning In Argument Evaluation, Ebenezer A. Belete
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
The fast-paced changes caused by generative AI (GenAI) innovations call for exploring the potential benefits of GenAI in empowering 21st-century pedagogical strategies. Previous studies in the field of argumentation have shown how students can benefit from using critical questions. However, scaffolding argument evaluation through custom GenAI using critical questions has not been systematically investigated. This study involved two components: (1) designing and determining the usability of a GPT-powered conversational assistant (CQMAA Conversational Assistant) and (2) testing its impact on participants' efficacy for argument evaluation and their acceptance of GenAI as a learning tool through a pretest–posttest experiment. A convergent mixed-methods …
How Does Age Affect Our Memory? Semantic Relatedness In Proper Name Recall,
2026
James Madison University
How Does Age Affect Our Memory? Semantic Relatedness In Proper Name Recall, Art Beqiraj
Masters Theses, 2020-current
Proper names belong to a distinct class of lexical items that pose challenges for encoding and retrieval across people of all ages. Unlike common nouns, and the exception of nicknames, proper names are arbitrary relative to their referent. Forgetting someone’s name is not only seen as a social faux pas but may be particularly concerning for older adults due to its interpretation as a cognitive decline indicator. Prior research has shown that when names are physically descriptive of their referent (e.g., a giraffe called ‘Lengthy’), they are better learned and recalled; however, the extent to which descriptiveness without a visual …
Understanding Behavioral And Representational Divergences Of Humans And Machines,
2026
Dartmouth College
Understanding Behavioral And Representational Divergences Of Humans And Machines, Thomas Lasman Botch
Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations
Human behavior and cognition are strikingly variable: people differ from one another in their preferences and abilities, and even from themselves across situations. Yet this diversity arises from common neural machinery shaped by the complex environments humans inhabit. A central objective of cognitive neuroscience is to understand how this varied experience emerges from interactions between brains, agents, and environments. In this dissertation, I argue that comparing behavior and neural computation across humans, artificial systems, and contexts is essential for understanding the flexibility of human cognition. Across three chapters, I use this comparative approach to examine how the rich, multimodal contexts …
Estimator And System Variables On Eyewitness Identification Procedure Outcomes,
2026
Syracuse University
Estimator And System Variables On Eyewitness Identification Procedure Outcomes, Gabriella Kathryn Larson
Dissertations - ALL
Eyewitness identification is fundamentally a recognition memory task, yet the field has historically been disconnected from broader memory research. The present dissertation bridges this gap by applying foundational recognition memory principles, including list length effects, encoding strength, output interference, and retention interval, to eyewitness lineup identification across three experiments. Using signal detection theory (SDT) as a theoretical framework, discriminability was assessed through both theoretical (d′) and empirical (AUC) measures, alongside positive predictive value (PPV) and confidence-accuracy calibration analyses. Experiment 1 employed a 4 × 3 × 3 factorial design (n = 181) to examine the effects of lineup size, encoding …
Measuring The Effect Of Mindfulness On Frustration And Creativity In Preschoolers,
2026
University of Mississippi
Measuring The Effect Of Mindfulness On Frustration And Creativity In Preschoolers, Jillian A. Badeaux
Honors Theses
Emotional regulation in early childhood is very important for later social development and overall psychological functioning, but research on the impact of mindfulness in this younger age group remains limited. This study examined whether a brief mindfulness intervention could improve emotion regulation (frustration) and creative problem solving in preschoolers. Fifty children ages 4 to 5 from preschools in the Mississippi Delta region were randomly assigned to a mindfulness or a control condition. Children in the mindfulness group received a brief intervention emphasizing deep breathing, present moment attention, and nonjudgemental awareness. All participants completed a Locked Box Task (Goldsmith, 1995) to …
Neurophysiological Signatures Of Perceived Control In The Human Brain: An Electroencephalography Study,
2026
University of Mississippi
Neurophysiological Signatures Of Perceived Control In The Human Brain: An Electroencephalography Study, Megan Staehling
Honors Theses
Perceived control is defined as the belief that one’s actions can influence the outcomes in the environment. It plays an important role in decision-making, motivation, and emotional regulation. Previous studies suggest that perceived control shapes how the brain processes both reward and punishment stimuli. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this process are still unclear. The present study examined the neurophysiological correlates of perceived control during a decision-making task. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to record the neural activity of twenty-nine undergraduate students while they completed the Choice Task. Participants associated visual cues with different levels of control over trials involving monetary …
Factors Relating To Memory,
2026
Coastal Carolina University
Factors Relating To Memory, Kyra Vanheirseele
Honors Theses
Cognitive and emotional processes are increasingly recognized as important factors influencing memory functioning. In the current study, the associations between depressive symptoms, selfcritical rumination, sleep quality, and cognitive confidence with self-referent memory recall were examined in a sample of undergraduate students (N = 60; 70.0% female, 21.7% male; M age = 19.36 years, SD = 1.21). The sample was predominantly White (73.2%), with additional representation from Black or African American (14.3%), American Indian or Alaska Native (1.8%), Asian (1.8%), and other racial groups (8.9%). Using established self-report measures, participants reported on depressive symptoms (Schmitt & Maes, 2000; Sauer et al., …
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 …
Story Processing Eliminates Collaborative Inhibition,
2026
University of Mississippi
Story Processing Eliminates Collaborative Inhibition, Brady Keller
Honors Theses
This present experiment investigated the encoding effect when creating or processing stories and pleasantness conditions for participants in both nominal and collaborative groups (dyads). A brief literature review explored the background on research done highlighting collaborative inhibition and story processing is included. Amongst nominal groups there was no significant difference between story processing and pleasantness conditions. However, participants in storytelling remembered more words than the participants in pleasantness conditions in collaborative groups. Furthermore, story processing dyads had no identifiable collaborative inhibition, rather supporting evidence to a robust collaborative facilitation. Potential reasons for this unique result are related to everyone’s expertise …
Behind The Self-Report: Cognitive Symptoms And Moderating Variables During Covid-19 Quarantine,
2026
Chapman University
Behind The Self-Report: Cognitive Symptoms And Moderating Variables During Covid-19 Quarantine, Ashley H. Jo
Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters
A lesser-known impact of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic is the impairment of cognitive functioning among seemingly unsusceptible, healthy, and young populations. Research suggests that the circumstances of extreme social isolation, incited by the pandemic, have had significantly negative effects across various social, cognitive, and psychological dimensions, with a specific focus on adolescents who are at a unique and more extreme risk than adults and children. By applying the cognitive load theory (CLT) to the COVID-19 quarantine landscape, this study measured the effects of the COVID-19 quarantine on cognitive functioning among those who were adolescents and young adults at the time …
Estimator And Reflector Variables In Eyewitness Recall,
2026
CUNY John Jay College
Estimator And Reflector Variables In Eyewitness Recall, Sakshi Mundra
Student Theses
Eyewitnesses are frequently asked to describe culprits following a crime, but how accurate and complete are such descriptions? This study examined eyewitness description completeness and accuracy by investigating estimator variables (Race and Gender), reflector variables (Confidence and Response Time), and elicitation methods (Free Recall and Prompted Recall). Participants viewed one mock-crime video featuring a culprit who varied in race (White or Black) and gender (Female or Male), then provided free recall descriptions followed by prompted descriptions of facial features. Prompted recall improved completeness beyond free recall, though with a minor reduction in accuracy. Descriptions were more complete for same-race and …
Ticking Time Bomb: The Economic Ramifications Of Mlb's Pitch Clock,
2026
Ursinus College
Ticking Time Bomb: The Economic Ramifications Of Mlb's Pitch Clock, Katie Ciuffreda
Business and Economics Honors Papers
In recent years, Major League Baseball has been challenged with declining engagement and attendance, particularly with younger audiences, with the long duration of games most commonly cited as the reason for disinterest. In response to this, MLB implemented a pitch clock that worked its way through the minor league system until it was introduced to the majors for the 2023 season. The goal for the clock was to reduce game times by increasing pace of play. While early evidence shows that the clock has been successful in that regard, its impact on player performance remains to be explored. This study …
What Learning Benefits Can Leadership Bring To Social Dilemma Situations?,
2026
University of Louisville
What Learning Benefits Can Leadership Bring To Social Dilemma Situations?, Kyisha M. Walter
College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses
Social dilemmas are ethical dilemmas that citizens, students and employees face every day. When faced with a social dilemma, an individual must work alone and along with others in a group. These situations create conflict between personal and group interests and can be easily mismanaged. Research has started to tackle the question of how we can teach people to best manage a social dilemma. The current exploratory study asks the same question with respect to leadership. Undergraduate students (N=20) played a social dilemma board game twice in groups of four, received a lesson on social dilemmas, and completed …
