Second Place Tie in Social Sciences and Business

Student: Mark Chudnovski
College or University: Penn State Abington
Advisors: Dr. Rachael Brown, Dr. Michael Bernstein

ABSTRACT
This project explored the educational concept of looping, having the same instructor more than once, at the college level by examining grades and GPAs of students who have looped and who have not looped math courses over at PSU Abington. Our goals were to explore whether looping was at all beneficial to students, and if so, how much of a difference does it make.

Student: Danielle Avellino
Advisor: Kalpani Dissanayake
College or University: Penn State Brandywine

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ABSTRACT

Supply chains today are experiencing enormous disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic since November 2019. This is a global issue which undoubtedly is impacting negatively on people, business organizations, as well as the entire global trade and the economy. Therefore, managing supply chain risks has become an important topic in recent literature. The purpose of this research is to conduct a bibliometric analysis on the literature that has been published on Supply Chain Risk and the COVID-19 pandemic during the period 2019-2021. The data on publications was collected using the Scopus database, and analyzed using the VOSViewer and Ms. Excel software programs. Results revealed the most discussed literature terms, countries, publications, authors, as well as data on co-citations, both in tabular form and visual maps. These results were then used to categorize the publications into several different themes. These findings can be of use to academia who are interested in conducting further research on related topics as it gives a good summary of literature highlighting its gaps. The industry practitioners may easily find articles that might be of help such as the ones which discusses about risk mitigation strategies.

Second Place Tie in Social Sciences and Business

Student: Bridger Standiford
College or University: Penn State Abington
Advisor: Kevin Hsu

ABSTRACT
Individuals on the autism spectrum, and those higher in autistic traits, have been shown to experience greater difficulty with interpreting the facial emotions of others than those considered neurotypical [1]. They have also demonstrated an increased affinity for anime, a style of Japanese animation [2]. We hypothesized that this preference for anime is accompanied by an increased ability to understand facial emotional expressions in anime characters. Thus, the study examined whether individuals higher in autistic traits can better and more quickly recognize emotional expressions in anime faces relative to real human faces. Additionally, the study examined whether those higher in autistic traits outperform those lower in autistic traits at recognizing emotions in anime faces. To test this, we designed an online self-report survey on Qualtrics. The survey included a validated, abbreviated measure of autistic traits, known as the AQ-10 [3]. Participants then completed a facial emotion recognition task, consisting of photos of human faces and images of anime faces showing a variety of facial expressions. Participants were asked to correctly identify the expressions within a time limit. While, in line with our hypothesis, subjects higher in autistic traits performed significantly worse on the human facial recognition section (r (127)= -.18, p= .04), subjects higher in autistic traits continued to perform worse at anime facial recognition, although not significantly so or to the same degree (r (127)= -.07, p= .44). As a result, our hypothesis was only partially supported. In agreement with the hypothesis, individuals who ranked higher in autistic traits performed worse at recognizing human facial expressions. Also, while individuals higher in autistic traits were not significantly better at recognizing the expressions of anime faces, the data still trended in that direction.

Keywords: Psychology, facial emotion recognition, autism, anime

References:
[1]: Keating, C.T., & Cook, J. (2020). Facial expression production and recognition in autism spectrum disorders: A shifting landscape. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of America, 29, 557-571. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2020.02.006

[2]: Kuo, M. H., Orsmond, G. I., Coster, W. J., & Cohn, E. S. (2014). Media use among adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 18, 914-923. doi:10.1177/1362361313497832

[3]: Allison, C., Auyeung, B., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2012). Toward brief “red flags” for autism screening: The short autism spectrum quotient and the short quantitative checklist in 1,000 cases and 3,000 controls. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 51, e7. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2011.11.003

Student: Eliska Nerudova
College or University: Penn State Brandywine
Advisor: Joshua Marquit, Ph.D.

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ABSTRACT
Previous research has found that job satisfaction is influenced one’s relationship with co-workers, quality of supervision, pay, opportunities for promotion, and the work environment (Chandrasekar, 2011). The purpose of this survey study was to further investigate the impact that these factors have on levels of job satisfaction and turnover intentions in individuals working in U.S. corporations during COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected from 148 participants from the /r/SampleSize community on Reddit. Results of the correlational analyses suggest that quality of relationships with their coworkers and supervisors and pay positively predicted job satisfaction. Interestingly, the relationship quality with coworkers reduced the likelihood that they would leave their currently place of employment over the next year. Finally, participants reported that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their job satisfaction negatively and increased their likelihood to find new employment. The current study supports previous research findings and suggests that a positive relationship with coworkers can increase levels of satisfaction and reduce turnover intentions, and that pandemic is having the opposite impact on both of these outcomes. Future research should study what aspects of employee relationships with their colleagues and the pandemic impact their job satisfaction.

Student: Luke Messatzzia
College or University: Penn State Brandywine
Advisor: Dr. Veronica Godshalk

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ABSTRACT
Digital badges are rapidly becoming a form of micro-credential used to evaluate competencies. This research contains two case studies, one on student perceptions and the other on employer interest in digital badges used in undergraduate business education. Both case studies presented students with a survey. The perceptions case study asked about student interest in badges used for employment, on social media, and with technology support, to find the relationship of these variables to motivation. The second case study examined perceptions of employer interest in digital badges, and students’ reported interest in collaboration, ethics and self-awareness, and innovation as it relates to critical thinking. Through hierarchical regression analyses, case #1 results indicate that student perceptions of earning digital badges were significantly and positively related to their interest in badges used for employment, with technology support, and motivation. Case #2 results showed that students’ interest in collaboration, and ethics and self-awareness, was significantly and positively related to critical thinking. Practical uses of digital badges in a post-COVID age are offered. Recommendations for future studies involving motivation, critical thinking, and improved academic performance are offered.

First Place in Social Sciences and Business

Student: Danielle Guth
College or University: Penn State Brandywine
Advisor: Dr. Daniela Martin

ABSTRACT
The primary goal of the present study is to examine whether Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), examined specifically among members of the deaf and hard of hearing population, have an impact on mental and physical health outcomes, and whether the rates of ACE’s are higher than in the general population. Additionally, the study aims to investigate whether potential buffers or supportive factors may increase levels of resilience and/or mitigate negative outcomes to some degree. Although more data is being collected, preliminary findings do in fact support these hypotheses.

The results demonstrated that the severity of the negative impacts of exposure to ACEs is a dose-dependent relationship and that the higher number of ACEs are closely associated with more negative impacts. Additionally, the prevalence of ACEs is associated with less-than-optimal health outcomes. Finally, the presence of potential buffers such as supportive relationships and resources was shown to mitigate the negative impacts of ACEs as well.

Keywords: hearing loss, trauma, ACE, Adverse Childhood Experiences, adversity, mental health, adverse events, deafness, hard of hearing.

References:
1. Felitti VJ, Anda RF, Nordenberg D, et al. (1998) Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. The adverse childhood experiences (ACE) study. Am J Prev Med, 14(4), 245–258

2. Ponce-Garcia, Elisabeth & Madewell, Amy & Kennison, Shelia. (2014). The development of the scale of protective factors (SPF): Resilience in a violent trauma sample. 31.1-29

3. Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (1996). The posttraumatic growth inventory: Measuring the positive legacy of trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 9(3), 455–472. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.2490090305″

Student: Caitlyn Ashelman
College or University: Penn State Hazleton
Advisor: Daniel Gutierrez

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ABSTRACT
The present study exams hate crimes during three years of the Obama administration (2014-2016) compared to three years of the Trump administration (2017-2019). Hate crimes against Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Muslims are the focus of the study. Two primary research questions are considered. First, under which administration did most hate crimes occur, and second, were there differences between Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Muslim hate crimes between the two administrations. Using three years as a comparison, data indicates that 1) there were 22.7% more hate crimes under Trump, and 2) there were more hate crimes under Trump against Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. Under Trump however, Muslims experienced less hate crimes once the Muslim ban was into place in 2017.

Student: Adi Yom-Tov
College or University: Penn State Brandywine
Advisor: Joshua Marquit, PhD

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ABSTRACT
Demand for made-to-order coffee has steadily increased over time. Research has found that consumer motivations such as ethical concerns and price influence coffee purchasing, while culture, self-control, and reflexive thought influence impulsive consumer behavior.
This survey study examined possible predictors of made-to-order coffee purchasing behaviors such as consumer motivations and impulsivity, and potential differences by coffee purchasing location. Three-hundred and thirty-seven participants from Reddit identified their favorite made-to-order coffee location, money spent per purchase, their motivations, and levels of impulsivity.
Results suggested that the primary motivation for purchasing coffee was the quality of the product at most coffee purchasing locations except for fast-food establishments where comfort was the highest motivation. Furthermore, results suggest individuals who purchased coffee at fast-food establishments were more impulsive than other market segments. Finally, data trends suggested that individuals purchasing fast-food coffee did so more often and spent more money annually on made-to-order coffee than other market segments.
The results of this study offer insight into the motives behind made-to-order coffee purchasing behaviors and offer insights into how impulsivity and motivations influence this behavior and have practical implications on how this product should be marketed to consumers. Future research should further explore these trends.

Student: Brianna Carroll
College or University: Penn State Abington
Advisor: Dr. Beth Montemurro

ABSTRACT
In this project, we study online creators who sell sexual content and services. The goal of the research is to understand how online sex workers create and run their businesses and how they navigate interactions with clients/customers. We find that this work provides autonomy and an option for support during uncertain economic times.

Student: Mahnoor Malik
College or University: Penn State Lehigh Valley
Advisor: Dr. Nicole C. Ryerson

ABSTRACT
COVID-19 is an evident public health crisis due to its cold-like symptoms and quick spread. Lockdown procedures and other policies have been implemented to reduce the spread of the infection resulting in a wide range of consequences. A study was conducted using a college student sample (N = 148) to analyze the relationship between stress and behaviors related to susceptibility to COVID-19 and other health risks. Students reporting greater levels of stress were more likely to report reduced in-person contact (r = -.236, p = .019) and were more likely to identify COVID-19 as a public health threat (r = .239, p = .008). Students reporting greater levels of stress were also more likely to report increased screen time (r = .289, p = .004) and increased caffeine consumption (r = .338, p = .002). However, these students were not more likely to report increased alcohol consumption (r = .016, p = .910) or increased nicotine use (r = .113, p = .423). Long-standing research shows a positive correlation between prolonged stress and susceptibility to infection. Greater levels of stress are leading to unhealthy behaviors. Future research should further investigate possible health risk effects resulting from this stress.