Category: Proposal

Student: Rhiannon Depew

Advisor: Dr. Bella Provenzano

The opinions we have of others at first glance are not always correct, but it has been shown to have a powerful influence on behavior. In some cases, these views of trust have impacted people in more severe ways, with facial trustworthiness affecting decisions on guilt for criminals in court. Even when there is an insufficient amount of evidence shown in hypothetical scenarios, those whose faces were judged as untrustworthy were more likely to be found to be guilty. While there may be cases in which an individual who looks less trustworthy is the one who committed a crime, having someone’s fate be determined based on their appearance is a bias that needs to be addressed and leads to a search for what is the cause. In this study, we will determine if individuals who have committed violent or nonviolent crimes are ranked differently based on their perceived attractiveness, trustworthiness, and violence. The focus is on a singular race and multiple different criminal histories to find if there is something pertaining to faces in general that makes people perceive them to be more violent, attractive, and untrustworthy without potential racial biases.

Second Place Proposal Category

Student: Adia Douglas

Advisor: Dr. Renae McNair

Conformity bias can be the result of the cognitive process regarding how people behave or change their thought patterns due to group dynamics in social settings. The different levels of the high school system provide a testing ground for studying conformity bias, as the various age demographics and genders represented in this setting allow for the exploration of the factors that contribute to this phenomenon. This study explores the relationship between conformity bias in groups in a high school setting and will determine if this setting leads to an increase or decrease in conformity bias. The correlation between group dynamics and social influence will be tested using surveys and student observation. The expected finding would be that conformity bias has the same impact in a school setting, regardless of age. Future research could focus not only on the extent of conformity bias by levels of the high school system but also on factors that shape students’ conformity bias.

Keywords: conformity bias, groups, school setting, social influence

 

 

Student: Maricon Saba

Advisor: Dr. Renae McNair

Adolescence is a time of development in which tolerance to addictive substances is lower and the risk of dependency increases. Experimenting with substances during adolescence can be the result of peer pressure. This study’s purpose is to determine the effect of peer influence on adolescent use of marijuana and alcohol. The participants of this study are adolescents ages (n=16-20) who will complete a survey questionnaire regarding substance use. In this research, Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, the health theory of coping, and the ecological theory explain the correlation between peer pressure and substance use. The goal of this study is to gather informative data regarding the risks of addiction to substances and consequences.

Keywords: Peer pressure, Adolescent, Marijuana, Substance Use, Alcohol

Student: Paige Liptai

Advisor: Dr. Renae McNair

This study seeks to explore the relationship between emotional parental child abuse within the home environment and its impact on interpersonal relationships in children aged 7 to 12. Emotional child abuse inflicted on children by parents can include things such as insults, belittling words or actions, and neglect (withholding physical affection). We will gather participants and they will undergo assessment via social-behavioral skills and interpersonal relationship questionnaire, designed to measure the quality of interpersonal relationships with peers. We expect to find that the emotional abuse inflicted by parents on children will negatively impact children’s interpersonal relationships with peers. Anticipated outcomes suggest that emotional child abuse has a significantly high correlation with negative interpersonal relationships.

Keywords: development, social development, child abuse, child neglect, young adults, social development, interpersonal relationships, relationships

First Place Proposal Category

Student: Ally Clarke

Advisor: Dr. Renae McNair

This study explores the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in reducing performance anxiety among elite athletes qualifying for Olympic trials. A sample of 250 athletes, aged 18 to 26, representing various genders and ethnic backgrounds, participated in the study. The Three-Dimensional Performance Anxiety Inventory (3DPAI) will measure performance anxiety. Researchers would utilize random assignments to assign participants into either an experimental group receiving Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or a control group. The CBT intervention comprised twelve sessions over three months, focusing on cognitive restructuring and positive self-statements. Results indicate a significant reduction in performance anxiety among athletes who received CBT compared to the control group, suggesting the effectiveness of CBT in enhancing athletic performance. These findings suggest that CBT works as an effective intervention for enhancing athletic performance by addressing performance-related anxiety. In the future, coaches and athletes can utilize CBT practices in training for the Olympics or significant sports competitions.

Keywords: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Performance Anxiety, Olympic athletes

Student: Ryan Weitz

Advisor: Dr. Renae McNair

The study evaluates the relationship between ACE scores and sexual assault. ACE surveys were passed out to incarnated sexual assault offenders to investigate a possible correlation between ACE scores and sexual assault. Based on previous research, a correlation can be found between Ace scores and a sexual assault conviction. Thus, the results of this proposed study would likely show a possible correlation between ACE scores and sexual assault. The ACE scores show some prevalence to someone to commit a sexual assault offense based on the adverse childhood experienced when they were young. Future research could focus an intervention for children and adults who have experienced adverse childhood experiences to help them not to commit crimes.

Student: Jessica Hook

Advisor: Dr. Renae McNair

This study determines the influence that social media has on mental health as well as mental health stigmatization and stereotyping. To determine how mental health is perceived throughout media and how people react to mental health stereotypes shown on social media, we gave out surveys as well as observing screen time from individuals aged 13 to 25. We expected to see that social media has a substantial influence on how mental health is perceived along with the negative stereotypes and stigmatization. We also expected to see depression and anxiety rise with the frequent social media use.

Keywords: Mental health, Social media, Mental health stereotypes, Mental Health stigmatization

University Libraries’ Excellence in Information Literacy Awardee

Student:  Zyeir Olasewere

Advisor: Dr. Renae McNair

This study aims to investigate the role of cultural influences on mental health stigma within the African American community and its implications for developing culturally sensitive interventions to reduce stigma. Drawing upon theories from cultural psychology and social psychology, the research explores how cultural norms and societal attitudes shape individuals’ perceptions of mental health issues and affect their willingness to seek help for mental health counseling. Using a correlational design, data will be collected through surveys administered to African American individuals aged 18 and older. The study hypothesizes that cultural perceptions significantly impact the willingness to seek help for mental health counseling. Findings from this research will contribute to a better understanding of the cultural dynamics of mental health stigma and inform the development of targeted interventions to address stigma within African American communities.

Keywords – Mental health stigma, Mental health awareness, Cultural stereotype, Interventions mental health, African American Mental health

Student: Abigail LaBadie

Advisor: Dr. Renae McNair

This study aims to explore the impact of art therapy on depressive symptoms among young adults diagnosed with depression over a six-month period. A sample of 200 individuals aged 18-24 will be recruited from local mental health facilities. Participants will complete a depression inventory, receive weekly one-hour art therapy sessions over six months, and retake the depression inventory. It is hypothesized that participants will show a reduction in depressive symptoms over a six-month period. Findings from this study could provide insight into the long-term effects of art therapy on depression and could inform future treatment approaches.

Keywords: Art therapy, depression, Beck’s Depression Inventory, depressive symptoms, longitudinal study, treatment efficacy, mental health intervention, psychotherapy

Student: Corina White

Advisor: Dr. Renae McNair

This study aims to investigate the most impactful treatments, including dietary interventions, probiotics, and lifestyle changes, that effectively improve the gut-brain axis. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify relevant studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Data collection involved extracting information on study design, participants, intervention methods, and outcome measures. Several key findings, including the positive impact of a high-fiber, Mediterranean diet, regular exercise, stress management, and proper sleep, can effectively improve the link between gut health and mental well-being among adults. The integration of dietary modifications, probiotics, and lifestyle adjustments such as exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep offers promising avenues for enhancing the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain, thereby promoting mental well-being in adults.