Schedule of Events
Social and Behavioral Sciences Showcase: Poster Session
Soiland Recreation Center
Psychology, Communication, Criminal Justice, and Sociology students will present and discuss their original research in an interactive poster session. The featured research comes from honors theses, psychology master's and doctoral research projects, studies conducted for class assignments, and student-faculty collaborations.
Student Abstracts
The Effects of Gender on Perceptions of Job Applicants
In this research, we will examine how gender affects overall perceptions of a job applicant. Participants will be asked to evaluate a hypothetical applicant for a male-dominated field based on a summary of their credentials and skills. Half of the participants will be told the applicant is male, while the other half will be told the applicant is female. Other than that manipulation, the information provided will be identical. Following, participants will rate the applicant’s qualifications, competence, and likeability. We hypothesize that male and female applicants for male-dominated fields will be perceived as equally qualified and competent. However, we hypothesize that female applicants will be viewed as less likable overall compared to male applicants. Data will be collected and a series of t-tests will be conducted to test our hypotheses
Student(s):
Oscar Alvarado, McKenna Johnsen, Brittney Martinez
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ariana Young
Effects of Perceived Academic Control on Stress Levels and Social Media in College
Recent studies have demonstrated a relationship between Perceived Academic Control (PAC) and procrastination. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: low or high PAC. Both conditions involved solving a decoding task. Participants in the high PAC condition were informed that they scored in the 95th percentile on their decoding task, whereas participants in the low PAC condition were informed that their scores were average as compared to other Cal Lutheran students. I hypothesized that participants in the high PAC condition would score significantly lower on stress than participants in the low PAC condition. I also hypothesized that participants in the high PAC condition would be significantly less likely to spend time on social media during the task than participants in the low PAC condition.
Student(s):
Savannah Aviles
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Desirability Levels of Women
The purpose of this study is to explore the perceived romantic desirability of women who have careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. Previous research suggests women in male-dominated careers such as STEM may experience a social backlash. Thus, we hypothesize that women within STEM careers will be seen as less attractive and romantically desirable compared to those in non-STEM careers. Participants (both men and women) will be asked to view a profile of a woman who is either pursuing a career in STEM or English and then rate her attractiveness and romantic desirability. After data collection, we will conduct a series of t-tests to examine our hypothesis. In conducting this study, we hope to find that women in STEM and non-STEM careers are perceived as equal in their attractiveness and romantic desirability.
Student(s):
Hannah Blitstein, Brittany Salinas, Victoria Slusser
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ariana Young
Increasing On-Task Work in a Child with Undiagnosed ADHD
As a part of the Clinical Practicum class, a behavior intervention was used to increase the frequency of on-task work in a child who shows symptoms of ADHD- Combined Presentation. ADHD-Combined Presentation is categorized as ADHD in which the person shows symptoms of both hyperactive or impulsive behaviors and inattention behaviors. Some of these symptoms include having trouble staying seated, talking out of turn, being easily distracted, and having trouble getting started on a task. A DRI (Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behaviors) paired with a token economy was introduced to encourage on-task behaviors, such as completing class-work and paying attention during lessons. The on-task behavior was reinforced by a checkmark on a behavior chart; if the goal amount was reached the child received a prize such as an eraser or a bookmark from the teacher. The child’s progress was measured by setting a goal amount and then counting how many on-task behaviors were exhibited during a specific time period in hopes that the goal amount would be reached. Both the adaptive and maladaptive behaviors were recorded during each day of the intervention.
Student(s):
Kaylee Bosey
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
Increasing Attention and Completion of Homework in Child with ADHD
As part of a Clinical Practicum course, a behavioral intervention was used to increase attention and completion of homework in a child who presents symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is characterized as a “persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development, has symptoms presenting in two or more settings prior to age 12, and negatively impacts directly on social and academic/occupational activities” (APA, 2013). Symptoms include: failing to pay close attention to details, not listening when spoken to directly, fidgeting with hands and feet, frequently leaving chair when seating is expected, etc. A token economy system was introduced to encourage on-task behaviors (e.g. focusing on homework and ignoring external-stimuli) and directions seeking behaviors (e.g. asking for help on homework when necessary). Either receiving a sticker or receiving extra time to play with Legos reinforced the on-task and directions seeking behaviors. Progress was measured by counting how many on-task and directions seeking behaviors were exhibited during the duration of “homework time.”
Student(s):
Itzel Carranza
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
The Effect of Cell Phones on Academic Performance
The use and presence of powered on cell phones, while studying, tends to be detrimental for students, as they take longer to study, take longer to achieve learning, and tend to make mistakes while processing information. Cell phone overuse may be associated with a form of psychological dependency, in which student’s anxiety levels increase when their cell phone is absent due to fear of being out of touch with technology. Attentional Control Theory assumes that anxiety increases attention to threat-related stimuli, whether internal or external, resulting in a reduction of attentional focus on a current task. In the context of Attentional Control Theory, we hypothesize that anxiety caused by having no cell phone access will increase attention to internal threat-related stimuli (e.g. fear of no access to technology) and reduce attention to the related task by either 1) inhibiting attentional control, or 2) shifting attention to the threat-related stimuli; thus, a powered off cell phone can have detrimental effects on attention, and therefore academic performance, similar to a powered on cell phone. To test our hypothesis, CLU students were randomly placed in one of four conditions: 1) cell phone present and powered on, 2) cell phone present and powered off, 3) cell phone absent and powered on, and 4) cell phone absent and powered off. In each condition, students task performance was measured through an article read and through a reading comprehension test.
Student(s):
Itzel Carranza
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
Relative Benefits of Experiencing Awe and Mindfulness Meditation
Recent research has demonstrated the benefits of experiencing awe for positive affect, feelings of connection to others, and prosocial behavior. We developed brief interventions to explore and compare the mechanisms that underlie the benefits of experiences of awe and mindfulness meditation. We hypothesized that both interventions would increase well-being, relative to a placebo control, but that experiencing awe would be most effective for facilitating prosocial behavior. Seventy-seven undergraduates participated. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: Awe, Meditation, or Placebo. All conditions involved viewing a 3½-minute video involving nature (majestic national park scenes, a directed meditation while focusing on a tree, or an instructional video on pruning a tree). Posttest instruments assessed well-being (life satisfaction, resilience, positive affect), prosocial behavior, perceived social connection, spirituality, and sense of smallness of personal concerns, vastness, and timelessness. Ratings of experiencing awe were significantly higher for the Awe condition than for either Meditation or the Placebo, as was interest in the video. Contrary to predictions, well-being, altruism, perceived social connection, and spirituality did not differ by condition. Exploratory analyses revealed that mood was perceived to have been more positively impacted by the Awe video than by either Meditation or the Placebo; time was perceived as more boundless for Meditation than for Awe; and one’s personal concerns were rated as mattering less for Meditation than for Awe. Finally, linear regressions found that the strongest predictor of life satisfaction across participants was perceived social support, followed by ratings of feeling part of something vast.
Student(s):
Itzel Carranza, Kassandra Hernandez and Brianna Gomez
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Does Personality Correlate with Fear of Missing Out and Social Media Use?
Research has shown that social media (SM) and social networking sites (SNS) have become a major part of how people stay connected to each other. An abundance of research has shown how these sites can affect individuals in many ways, both good and bad. Recently, a new phenomenon has been discovered that may represent an underlying factor of the negative effects that SM and SNS use has on individuals. This new phenomenon is referred to as Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) and can be described as the anxiety that one feels about others having rewarding experiences from which one is absent. Little, if any research thus far has been conducted to examine if there is a relationship between certain personality types and levels of FOMO. This study aims to determine if certain personality types correlate with FOMO and social media use. My hypothesis is that high levels of neuroticism will correlate positively and significantly with high levels of FOMO, and with high amounts of social media use.
Student(s):
Michaela Clouse
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Decreasing Excessive Verbal Commentary for a Child on the Autism Spectrum
As part of Clinical Practicum, a behavior intervention was used to treat a child who fell on the Austim Spectrum. Those who fall under the Austim Spectrum tend to have difficulty understanding social cues, such as understanding what not to do in a specific situation. Other symptoms can also include showing signs of compulsive behavior that affects their every day lives. A DRL (Differential Reinforcement of Limited Responding Behavior) was used to decrease verbal commentary and other “unexpected” behaviors during class activities. This reinforcement can help the child to understand what is the best behavior in a particular enviroment. Progress was measured for by using tallies that can be traded up for a reward.
Student(s):
Lauren Coscolluela
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
Why are People Afraid of Being Single? The Role of Basic Need Satisfaction
Why are some people afraid of being single? Although prior research has established that fear of being single has negative consequences for a variety of important behaviors, research has yet to examine the factors that contribute to individual differences in the experience of this variable. To understand why some people experience greater fear of being single than others, we drew on Self-Determination Theory. According to Self-Determination Theory, people tend experience pressure, fear, and control when they are in situations that thwart their basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. As such, we hypothesized that basic need satisfaction would predict fear of being single both at the between- and within-person levels. To test these ideas, we conducted two correlational studies (n’s = 93 and 142) and one daily diary study (projected n = 79). Results consistently supported our hypotheses: at the correlational level, individuals with have greater basic need satisfaction also tended to report lower fear of being single, and the size of this effect was moderate. Similarly, results from our daily diary study demonstrated that participants tended to report lower fear of being single on days in which they experienced greater basic need satisfaction. These results help to elucidate the motivational roots underlying the fear of being single, and suggest that individuals who are afraid of being alone should strive to find ways to enhance their basic need satisfaction.
Student(s):
Brian Don, Shelly Badal, Felicity Frost, Kelly Fujimoto, Amanda Juan, Gabriella Sainz, Jahleel Xhamilton
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Brian Don
The Sorry State of Social Media: Analyzing Public Apologies
In the current media environment, public figures are frequently advised to use social media platforms to apologize to audiences, particularly when the offense originated on social media (Baer & Naslund, 2011). However, researchers have yet to examine how audiences respond to these social media apologies. This study uses sentiment analysis to examine public comments posted on YouTube in response to uploaded apology videos from public figures. From a sample of 28 YouTube apology videos, a total of 1,971 posted public comments were coded and analyzed. Content analysis of the YouTube comments identified 3,542 total conceptual units grouped into 5 main categories. The categories included comments about: a) the nonverbal content of the apology, b) verbal content of the apology, c) public figure’s persona/character, d)perceptions of apology sincerity/insincerity, and e) decisions about forgiveness/no forgiveness.In addition, comments were coded according to whether the intended audience for the comment was the public figure who apologized (21.2%) or if it was directed to other commenters on the site (general public; 66.8%).
Student(s):
Lauren Du Casse, Dr. Monica Gracyalny, Aliyah Navarro
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Jean Sandlin
Insight into Resiliencies of Interracial/Interethnic Families Using Ethnographic Study with Cultural Genograms
Although there have been some studies that have identified strengths and resiliencies within interracial/interethnic couples, there is a lack of research that focuses on strengths and resiliencies within interracial/interethnic families. Research that has been conducted on interracial/interethnic couples and families often focuses on the negative consequences that can arise from the joining of families of two or more races/ethnicities through couple relationships or having children. Using a systemic outlook, it is necessary to look beyond the couple into the whole family to identify the employment of strengths in successful interracial/interethnic families. By doing so, clinicians can be informed of the lucrative strategies that interracial/interethnic families adopt to cope with familial conflict, or it can exemplify how interracial/interethnic families without conflict successfully navigate the intersection of different cultures. The purpose of this poster presentation is to reveal the lack of strength-based research, to provide a literature review of research that has been completed surrounding this topic, and to propose an ethnographic qualitative study in conjunction with a cultural genogram to better understand the strengths, strategies, and resiliencies of these families.
Student(s):
Alexa Dyrness
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Bethany Simmons
ROCKING BRAND ANTHROPOMORPHISM: APPLYING MULTIMEDIA TECHNIQUES TO BUILD BRAND CONCEPTS
Technology in the classroom as a learning tool is a necessity. Brand development on all platforms of social media continues to gain acceptance as necessary marketing tools for the business. Our classroom project explores the disruptive learning process found with transformative learning to brand anthropomorphism. Developed from the bases of the pet rock, students are asked to apply consumer behavior concepts (i.e. personality, life styles, self concepts) into a brand that will create value for the consumers. Across three years of consumer behavior research courses the authors have explored the application of taking an ordinary rock and developing a digital marketing campaign. This portion of the project includes the development of a brand personality, YouTube Video and Hashtag Campaign. In this manuscript we will discuss the pedagogical concepts derived from transformative learning and apply these strategies to brand anthropomorphism.
Student(s):
Sarah Fischbach, Jenna Finnerty, and Katrina Rocha
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Sarah Fischbach
Increasing Attention to Homework in Child with Low Working Memory and ADHD
As a part of the Clinical Practicum class, a behavior intervention was used to increase attention to class assignments in a child who shows ADHD symptoms and has low working memory. ADHD manifests itself with symptoms of either or both inattention and hyperactive or impulsive behaviors. Symptoms include being easily distracted, struggling to stay seated, and talking out of turn. A token economy was introduced coupled with a visual aid to help the child remain focused during class instruction. The on-task behaviors were reinforced by stickers on a chart in the corner of his desk and computer time. Progress was measured by counting how many off-task behaviors were exhibited in a specific time period and how many prompts were needed to keep the child on track.
Student(s):
Felicity Frost
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
Career Decisions and Gender Role
Choosing a career is an important decision in an individual’s life, for this has an influence on happiness as well as health. Many factors go into choosing a certain career, one of which is a person’s masculinity or femininity. The current study will investigate gender roles and their influence on career decision in young adulthood. Gender role theory states that the sexual division of labor and expectations based on stereotypes produce gender roles. These gender roles influence the way the population observes and judges an individual’s behavior, especially if said behavior goes against the individual’s gender role.
Student(s):
Felicity Frost
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Brian Don
Physiology and Eye Gaze in Response to Faces
Animal-assisted therapies have aided in emotional and behavioral improvements across varying conditions and disorders in both children and adults for years. In addition to these improvements, there is also an underlying physiological component that is altered when humans are exposed to animals. Friedman and Son (2009) reviewed current research of the health benefits associated with pet ownership and animal-assisted therapies. They examined individuals who reported a reduction in stress and anxiety, a decrease in loneliness and depression, and an increase in social interaction and motivation to exercise, all indicating an overall improved state of health. Cortisol, a significant stress hormone, has also been shown to decrease in response to services dogs (Viau et al., 2010). The current study is examining the relationship between physiology and eye gaze in response to a series of animal and/or human faces as related to personality characteristics reported by participants. While participants view a series of images on a computer screen, their heart rate and skin conductance are measured via BioPac, and eye gaze patterns are recorded using the GazePoint eye tracking system. The intent of this study is to further understand and support the impact of animal-assisted interventions, how they may be fully utilized in the treatment of individuals with various conditions, and how the use of animals may strengthen subsequent human relationships. This study is currently in the preliminary data collection phase.
Student(s):
Joelle Georgeff
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Michael Gerson
Women in Comedy: How Comediennes Have Been Molded by Patriarchy
In the last several years, comedies with leading ladies have made their mark at the box office as some of the highest-grossing movies of the year. Nevertheless, a leading lady who does not have some sort of romantic relationship embedded into her story is oftentimes noticeably missing from the box office, suggesting that these films are perpetuating the patriarchal ideology that a woman’s worth is ultimately rooted in her relationship with men. Films like Pitch Perfect (Moore, 2012), Easy A (Gluck, 2010), and Bridesmaids (Feig, 2011) all had intelligent, witty leading ladies at the helm. Still, each of these films share an eerily familiar final image; one in which our leading lady, who has recently overcome adversity in pursuit of her goal, is linked to a leading man, who makes it seem as though she is finally complete now that her romantic fate has been sealed. Meanwhile, top-grossing male-driven comedies rarely mark the hero’s triumph with a leading lady’s approval. This poster presentation will explain the disparities between male and female comedies, looking at the different ways that patriarchy shapes each of these gender roles.
Student(s):
Mariam Girgis
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Druann Pagliassotti
Increasing Verbal Engagement in Young Adult Challenged with Down’s Syndrome
As part of the Clinical Practicum, a behavior strategy was used to enhance verbal skills for a young male with Down’s syndrome. The prominent behavioral deficits include speech delay and developmental delay associated with Down's syndrome. Challenges include personal space acknowledgment and verbal communication skills. Techniques were implemented to increase his use of words in verbal conversation while decreasing his use of cell phone communication and other electronic forms. Supplementation was given by increasing the number of sentences spoken prompted by hand gestures to the client. Prompts included holding up one, two, and three fingers asking client to verbally communicate at least one to three sentences regarding his day. Reinforcement was given as client increased the quantity of sentences and gradually began to communicate more than what was prompted. Progress was measured by documenting the number of sentences used by the client and number of times hand prompts were given, gradually increasing the quantity of sentences used and decreasing number of prompts given.
Student(s):
Mary Gray
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
Memory Errors In Perilous Situations: The Relationship between Weapons Focus Errors and Beliefs in a Dangerous World
This study assessed the relationship between memory for details in a dangerous situation and general beliefs about the level of danger in the world. Past research has shown that people who witness a crime committed with a weapon have poorer memory for peripheral details than people who witness a crime event without a weapon (For a review, see Steblay, 1992). Additionally, underlying beliefs about danger can activate negative stereotypes and fear in dangerous situations (Schaller, Park & Mueller, 2003). People who experience anxiety (either internally or externally driven) have trouble focusing attention on a particular item, and may distribute attention across many potentially dangerous items (Eysenck, Santos, Derakshan, Calvo, 2007). Therefore, we hypothesized that people who have stronger beliefs about the world being dangerous, will consider peripheral environmental information as threat related in addition to a weapon, and may show less weapons focus-error. To test this, we evaluated participant’s beliefs about danger in the world. They then watched a video in which a thief threatens the subject with a gun while a robbery is conducted. After the video, participants completed a memory test about the situation. We expect that participants who score high on belief in a dangerous world will be able to recall more details, relative to those who are low in belief in a dangerous world. These results have important implications on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony, and form society about how their underlying beliefs can create possible memory errors in different situations.
Student(s):
Katherine Gregg, Tianna Pasko, Gabriella Steffon, Lorena Rosales, Savannah Aviles, Anthony Albert, Shawna Jackson
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andre Sell
Adaptive Health Behaviors: The Relationship between the Behavioral Immune System and Memory
The present study examines the behavioral immune system and how certain health behaviors may affect one’s memory of environmental details. Participating students at California Lutheran University were randomly assigned to an experimental group or control group. The experimental group read a short scenario about imagining they were in a work environment with a sick coworker while the control group read a scenario with a coworker displaying tired behavior. After a short filler task, participants were asked to recall and describe as much of the story as possible. They were then given two likert scales and asked to rate their level of disgust as well as whether or not they would use the same items that the individual in the story touched. They were also given a series of scales and questions about their health concerns and previous flu symptoms. Results will be discussed in the context of theories on the behavioral immune system. We expect that participants who read the story about the sick individual will recall the exact items that the person touched, have a higher level of disgust, and will report that they would be less likely to use the same office items compared to those who were in the 'tired' condition. These results will show that memory is an important component of the behavioral immune system, helping us to avoid coming into contact with pathogens.
Student(s):
Celeste Gregorio, Gabriella Steffon
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Sell
The Effect of Music Preference on Memory Recollection
Does music influence memory retrieval? The purpose of this experiment is to determine if a person’s music preferences enhances memory recall. We hypothesized that listening to preferred music will strengthen memory retrieval as compared to listening to disliked or no music at all. The study was conducted with 30 participants from California Lutheran University. Students completed a background questionnaire which included questions about their favorite type of music. They then were asked to memorize a word list for 30-seconds while listening to music in one of the three conditions: preferred, disliked, or neutral/no music. Afterwards participants were asked to recall as many words as they could from the word list in 60 seconds. Results showed that participants in no music conditions scored significantly higher than both other conditions; preferred and disliked. These findings imply that music could be a distraction when processing short-term memory cues. The data does not support the hypothesis or research question but it provides insight that working memory performs better in no music settings.
Student(s):
Tye Herod, Brianna Gomez
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Sell
Increasing Appropriate Behaviors in a Child with ADHD
In the Clinical Practicum, behavior modification methods were used to increase the number of appropriate behaviors of an individual with ADHD. Though the child is only five, therefore is expected to have large amounts of energy, this child in particular has an especially hard time focusing in the classroom setting, causing behavior, social and emotional problems. To help with this behavioral deficit regarding the child’s ability to focus, Skinner’s triadic model was used in order to shape the child’s environment, behaviors and personal factors such as self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation. A token economy system was used to encourage appropriate behaviors in the classroom. Praise was given frequently to increase motivation. Progress was measured by recording the number of minutes that the child could focus for the 5 main activities that took place each day.
Student(s):
McKenna Johnsen
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
The Effects of Color in Commercials on Consumer Behaviour
Research has demonstrated that color affects the way humans perceive things in the world. This research is especially useful for marketing and consumer behavior. I hypothesized that whether an item is promoted as exciting or reliable will interact significantly with the color of the promoter’s clothing such that an exciting item promoted by someone in red will be favored over the same item promoted by someone in blue, whereas a reliable item promoted by someone in blue will be favored over the same item promoted by someone in red. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions (Red Exciting, Red Reliable, Blue Exciting, and Blue Reliable) and watched a short, made-up commercial about a fictional product called “The Rock”. Each commercial was the same except for the color (red and blue) and descriptions of “The Rock” (exciting and reliable). Among other questions, participants were then asked how much they would pay for “The Rock” and how likely there were to purchase “The Rock”.
Student(s):
Cody Jones
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Defeating the Drought, Surf, Turf and So. Cal Water Conservation
In 2014, Governor Jerry Brown ordered California cities to cut back their water usage by 25%. This documentary captures how the City of Thousand Oaks and California Lutheran University achieved this goal. It examines politics of water rights, as well as Turf Removal programs and the process of replacing lawns with drought-tolerant plants. Clips from the film include interviews with scientists, the farm board, and city and school managers. Karie Portillo and Kristiann Jones traveled with Professor Grannis through Los Angeles, Fresno, and the central valley to document the different opinions about water issues, they will be presenting their research to tell a visual story that will educate others on what they have come to learn throughout the time spent on this project.
Student(s):
Kristiann Jones, Karie Portillo Guerra
Faculty Mentor:
Prof. David Grannis
The Impact of Mental Energy Depletion on Ethical Decision-Making
Past research has demonstrated a negative relationship between unethical decision-making and levels of self-control, which has been shown to depend on a limited resource similar to energy. The present research was designed to assess the relationship between mental energy depletion and poor ethical decision-making. Approximately 80 undergraduates participated. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control condition. Participants in the experimental (mental energy depletion) condition were given the task of copying 100 random 7-digit codes, while participants in the control condition participated in a 20-minute open free write about their day. Test instruments assessed participants’ mental energy levels (positive and negative affect), average hours of sleep the night before, moral disengagement, and social desirability. I hypothesized that mental energy levels would correlate positively and significantly with positive ethical decision-making the next day. I also hypothesized that participants in a mental energy depletion condition would score significantly lower in ethical decision-making than participants in a neutral condition.
Student(s):
Ashlee Klap
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Effect of Daytime Napping and Spacing Between Learning Sessions on Memory
College students are highly dependent on gaining and retaining declarative memory (such as facts, new words, etc.). A pool of research suggests that the spacing effect (spacing out learning sessions) and sleep are components that have an effect on the consolidation of memory. The interaction between the spacing effect and daytime napping has not yet been investigated. This study randomly assigned college students either to nap or to engage in relaxing activities for 60 minutes between two study sessions (spaced 11 hours apart). The study sessions involved learning 20 new words. I hypothesized that those who napped would need less time to re-learn the material in the second learning session and would have better results on a final test 24 hours later, compared to those who stayed awake the same amount of time.
Student(s):
Sandra Klonteig
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Impact of Emoticons in Understanding Text-Messages
Emoticons may serve the same functions in text-messaging as body language or gestures serve in face-to-face communication. Emoticons are utilized increasingly in Short Message Services (SMS) to allow the recipient to understand the context of a message. I developed a brief SMS with an ambiguous message that either did or did not contain an emoticon. Participants were randomly assigned to condition (emoticon or no emoticon). I hypothesized that participants in the emoticon condition would score significantly higher in confidence regarding their understanding of the message than participants in the no emoticon condition.
Student(s):
Marissa Lemus
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Relationship Between Technology Use and Demonstrations of Affection and Self-Esteem
Recent research has demonstrated the benefits of cellphone use in everyday life. One's cellphone today serves as a calendar, social media outlet, radio, calorie counter, camera, video recorder, and voice recorder, among its basic uses. As a result, individuals utilize cellphones above all other technology devices in their everyday lives. This study explored the relationship between technology use in general, as well as for escape, demonstrations of affection, and self-esteem. Participants consisted of 86 California Lutheran University students, ages 18 to 27. They completed surveys that measured self-esteem, technology use, and reasons for engaging in technology use. As predicted, technology use correlated positively and significantly with affection, one-tailed r(86) = .20, p = 0.03, a small-medium correlation. Contrary to predictions, technology use correlated negatively and significantly with escape, one-tailed r(86) = -0.20, p = 0.03, a small correlation, as well as self-esteem, one-tailed r(86) = -0.20, p = 0.04, a small correlation. Findings from the study could be relevant to cellphone use.
Student(s):
Marissa Lemus
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Increasing On-Task Behaviors in a Person with Inattentive Type ADHD
As part of the Clinical Practicum, a behavior intervention was used to treat a child who presents symptoms of ADHD – Inattentive Type. This behavioral impairment is usually diagnosed in children around the age of 7, and symptoms range from having difficulty sustaining attention in tasks, does not listen when spoken to, and often avoids tasks that require sustained mental effort. This child also shows signs of emotional instability and a lack of motivation in the classroom. Techniques were implemented to decrease the amount of time the child took to begin classroom assignments and create a sense of autonomy in the child in how he chooses to spend his free time. Reinforcement was made contingent on the child being productive in the classroom and staying on task. Adjustments in his rewards were made on a weekly basis, as the child lost interest if he grew accustomed to the rewards. Progress was measured by documenting the amount of time the child took to begin his assignments.
Student(s):
Rebecca Marder
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
Increasing Social Engagement in a Person with ADHD and Trauma symptoms
As part of the Clinical Practicum, behavior modification procedures were used to treat an young boy (AJ) with ADHD and trauma disorders. This mental disorder is highly prevalent in children who have been victims of domestic violence and or have experienced direct trauma. Developmental delays along with ADHD are alas prevalent among children of AJ’s age. One behavior excess, the out bursts and aggression was an attempt to gain attention. Shaping techniques were implemented to decrease the frequency and duration of this behavior. Reinforcement was made contingent on approximations to the goal of reengaging the individual in therapy and the task at hand at SFVCMHC and at home. Progress was measured by documenting the frequency and duration of successful graduated approximations to the desired goal.
Student(s):
Brittney Martinez
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
Impact of Attractiveness on Others’ Memory of One’s Characteristics
This study explored the impact of a character’s attractiveness on others’ memory for details described about her life. Ninety male and female undergraduates (ages 18 to 25) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: high, medium, or low attractiveness. Participants viewed a photograph (high, medium, or low attractiveness) and read a detailed vignette about the character. They rated the character’s attractiveness and completed a multiple choice test to assess the details recalled from the vignette. I hypothesized that participants in the high attractiveness condition would remember significantly more details than those in the medium or low attractiveness conditions. The hypothesis was not confirmed.
Student(s):
Taylor Mayeda
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Increasing Task Engagement in a Person with Autism
As part of the Clinical Practicum, a behavior intervention was used to treat a child with high-functioning Autism. This mental and social impairment is diagnosed in younger children, often between the ages of four and five. The main behavior deficits of this disorder include repetitive behaviors, reduced sharing of interests, excessive adherence to routines and excessive resistance to change. Reinforcement was made contingent on the child being on task and finishing his work. Progress was measured by documenting the number of times the child was on task versus the number of times the child was not on task. As time went on, decreasing of “not on task” behaviors was observed.
Student(s):
Claudia Mendoza
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel
Does Music have an Effect on the Motivation Levels
This present experiment was designed to test if music had a correlation in the levels of motivation when performing an aerobic exercise. Motivation is look as a dynamic process of subject sense to subject configuration (González Rey, F. L. 2015). Previous studies have measured the exercise intensity and music intensity, which just reported that increasing the volume of music, can enhance its arousing of motivational during a performance (Hutchinson, J. C., & Karageorghis, C. I. 2013). Thus, the current study tested the effect on two different genres of music and a control group with no music. Participants were asked to perform an exercise and then rate their motivation levels. Results indicated that music did have a significant effect while performing the exercise. Thus, there was evidence that music affects the motivation levels when performing the exercise.
Student(s):
Edgar Miguel-Martinez, Rex Owens Mascheroni
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Sell
Is Boredom Stressing You Out? Boredom Explored Through Social Perception
Previous research demonstrates that the condition of boredom plays a role in the cause for a variety of negative behaviors, such as infidelity, lower grades in school, and lower efficiency of employees. However, research has yet to examine the effects boredom may have on social perceptions. This pilot study aimed to examine the effects of boredom on individuals’ perception of various activities. Participants were either primed with boredom or not primed with boredom in a room alone for 10 minutes. Next, they were shown pictures of studying, working, and watching TV/movies alone and with others. They rated each picture in terms of positivity, pleasantness, engagement, desire to experience, negativity, painfulness, dullness, and desire to avoid using a 0 (definitely) to 10 (definitely not) scale. Results revealed a significant difference between how all participants perceived the activities in an individual setting and in a social setting, suggesting participants preferred those activities in the social setting rather than in the individual setting. Additionally, there was a slight trend in the qualitative interview data in that participants primed with boredom made more references to being alone, stressed, and boredom, whereas those not primed with boredom made more references to school and work. Results discovered in this pilot study are an important first step in exploring the effects of boredom on social perception.
Student(s):
Madeline Nelson
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Rainer Diriwächter
Examining the Relationship between Binge-Watching and Psychological Well-Being
Binge-watching (i.e., watching 3 or more episodes of a show in one sitting) is a popular pastime in our society. For example, 70% of Americans report that they binge-watch shows, with an average of 5 episodes per sitting (Deloitte Digital Democracy Survey, 2016). However, very little is actually known about the psychological effects of binge-watching. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between binge-watching and psychological well-being. Consistent with previous research on social surrogates (Gabriel, Valenti, & Young, 2016), we argue that binge-watching favored shows may have an important psychological function and fulfill individuals’ needs for social connection. We recently conducted an initial correlational study (n = 148) to examine the relationship between binge-watching and psychological well-being. Specifically, participants completed an online survey assessing their binge-watching preferences and behaviors (e.g., frequency, enjoyment, reasons for binge-watching) and various psychological well-being measures including: self-esteem, mood, happiness, life satisfaction, loneliness, social connection, depressive symptoms, meaning in life, general well-being, and basic psychological need fulfillment. We are currently conducting a series of correlational analyses (i.e., Pearson’s coefficient r). Overall, we predict that binge-watching will be associated with greater psychological well-being (e.g., greater feelings of social connection, more positive mood, lower loneliness, etc.). Results, limitations, and implications will be discussed. We view this study as an important first step in better understanding the impact of binge-watching shows on psychological well-being.
Student(s):
Madeline Nelson, Dr. Ariana Young
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ariana Young
The Effects of Video Game Genre on Mathematic Performance
Recent research has demonstrated the positive effects of video game play on simple cognitive functions, with specific genres of video game providing players with different game mechanics and cognitive functions to practice. With research only focusing on a very vague genre, "action video games", I have decided to look further into more specific genres and their positive effects on mathematic performance within a short period of time. I hypothesize that participants who play a platformer game will show significantly greater improvement on a math post-test over their pre-test scores. Approximately 90 students attended the study, and each was randomly assigned to either a platformer game group, a roleplaying game (RPG) group, or a control group. Participants took a short, mixed-operations math test, and performed the activity according to the group they were placed in; that is, playing a platformer game, playing an RPG, or for the control group, watching a cartoon, each for 20 minutes. After this break, participants took another mixed-operations math test, and completed a brief demographics survey before being dismissed.
Student(s):
Kirsten Nestor
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Marylie Gerson
Self-Expansion Model: The Effect of Romantic Relationships on Academic Performance
Emerging adulthood is characterized as an unstable developmental stage and romantic relationships can be a source of positive influence and support during this exploratory time period. The current study investigates how romantic relationships influence academic performance in emerging adulthood. Using the self-expansion theory, which states that humans are motivated to better themselves, we hypothesize that individuals who have a partner with a high GPA will tend to include their partner’s characteristics in themselves, increasing relationship closeness, which should then contribute to better the individual’s GPA. To test our hypothesis, we asked university students, between 18-25 years, in committed romantic relationships (n=139) to complete an online survey through Qualtrics.com. All participants were asked to report their GPA and their partner’s GPA and we assessed their relationship closeness. In addition, to be thorough in our analysis, we assessed relationship satisfaction, the participant’s academic self-efficacy and how the participant perceives their partner’s academic self-efficacy for exploratory purposes. Initial results suggest that feeling close to a partner with a high GPA has no significant effect on the individual's GPA. Although additional research is needed to reevaluate and further explore our initial hypothesis, the current study aims to identify significant sources of support and positive influence for adults in this transitional developmental period.
Student(s):
Charisse Regina Palaad
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Sell
Defeating the Drought, Surf, Turf and So. Cal Water Conservation
In 2014, Governor Jerry Brown ordered California cities to cut back their water usage by 25%. This documentary captures how the City of Thousand Oaks and California Lutheran University achieved this goal. It examines politics of water rights, as well as Turf Removal programs and the process of replacing lawns with drought-tolerant plants. Clips from the film include interviews with scientists, the farm board, and city and school managers. Karie Portillo and Kristiann Jones traveled with Professor Grannis through Los Angeles, Fresno, and the Central Valley to document the different opinions about water issues, they will be presenting their research to tell a visual story that will educate others on what they have come to learn throughout the time spent on this project.
Student(s):
Karie Portillo, Kristiann Jones
Faculty Mentor:
Prof. David Grannis
MBA Education and Negotiation Competence: Examining the Impact of Experiential Learning
Negotiation skills in the workplace play an essential role in the facilitation of the sales process, the resolution of conflict, and ensuring career success. This expertise is largely based on an individual’s ability to effectively utilize their communication skills to create and claim value (Lewicki, Barry, and Saunders 2011). Negotiation efficacy, as a competency is a critical proficiency for prospective leaders. An investment in a MBA degree has been thought to be an important objective for aspiring executives seeking future promotions (Holtom 2007). An increasing number of MBA Programs have added courses in negotiation and/or conflict resolution as part of their curriculum. This trend supports the significance of negotiation as a critical skill to managerial success. Self-efficacy has surfaced as a proven concept to evaluate learning (Bandura 2012). Additionally, self-efficacy is based on Social Learning Theory and can be explained as an individual’s confidence for the perseverance of explicit tasks in order to achieve targeted goals (Bandura 1999). This study addresses different experiential learning activities in the classroom that best support negotiation self-efficacy (Stevens and Gist 1997, Miles and Maurer 2012). Further, the authors have analyzed the impact of a Negotiation and Conflict Management class on negotiation self-efficacy among MBA students. This paper explores how MBA students can develop increased levels of negotiation self-efficacy to avoid leaving unclaimed value on the bargaining table.
Student(s):
Judith Richards, Talia Vanwingerden, Samantha Dimaggio, Trevor Moorehead, Veronica Guerrero
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Judith Richards
The Perception of Race in Cosplay
Cosplay, or costume play, is a visual and performative form of fan worship with a diverse community. This diverse community is regarded as one of acceptance with no official rules governing who may participate. However, cosplayers of color who cosplay traditionally light-skinned characters often face criticism for cosplaying outside of their race in online forums and even at conventions. Despite an increase in fan studies research, cosplay itself is, “a relatively new field of study” (Pierson-Smith, 2013), and race is a topic in cosplay that has not yet been explored. As such, this study seeks to investigate acceptance within the cosplay community by addressing the unexplored topic of race as it relates to cosplay. Using Qualtrics software, a survey will be distributed to cosplayers online with the goal of painting a more accurate picture of the perception of race in cosplay according to its diverse community. This study anticipates that members of the cosplay community will believe that any cosplayer can cosplay any character without prejudice, regardless of race.
Student(s):
Madison Schmader
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Kirstie Hettinga
Examining the Effects of Celebrity Crushes on Romantic Related Outcomes
Celebrities play an important role in our society and have the potential to shape individuals’ attitudes and ideals. Through repeated exposure to celebrities, people may form parasocial relationships (PSRs: one-sided relationships with media figures; Horton & Wohl, 1956). While the overwhelming majority of research has focused on the effects of same-sex PSRs, very little research has examined opposite-sex PSRs (i.e., celebrity crushes). The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of PSR crushes on romantic relationship-related outcomes, such as endorsement of idealized romantic beliefs and satisfaction, closeness, and commitment in one’s own relationship. We will conduct an experiment in which participants are exposed to their opposite-sex PSR vs. their same-sex PSR vs. a control condition prior to completing measures assessing their idealized romantic beliefs, partner ratings, perceived quality of alternative partners, and relationship satisfaction, closeness, and commitment. Given the novelty of this research, we do not have strong predictions for the results of the study. However, regarding the effects on one’s own romantic relationship outcomes, one possibility is that PSR crushes make people feel worse about their relationship. Another possibility is that PSR crushes make people feel better about their relationship. We will conduct a series of one-way ANOVAs with post hoc tests to analyze our data. Overall, we hope to gain a better understanding of the overall impact that celebrity crushes have on individuals’ romantic attitudes and ideals.
Student(s):
Kirby Sigler, Justin Freeman, Bailey Mena, Madeline Nelson, Roman Ramirez
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ariana Young
The White Man Becoming the Monster "Other" in District 9 and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
A qualitative comparison of Neill Blomkamp’s District 9 and Rouben Mamoulian’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is important in the terms of postcolonial criticism because they both portray the idea of the “Other” as a monster, and address how white men deal with becoming the “Other.” This topic interests me because I find it fascinating to see how people adapt to changes, and these two films express this idea very well.. In these films, Dr. Jekyll and Wikus van der Merwe separate themselves from those who are of a lower sociopolitical class: when they both transform into members of this lower class over the course of their respective films, they are forced to come to terms with their prejudiced views of the “Other” and their actions towards those peoples. The results of their Othering vary greatly, however: Dr. Jekyll is killed as a consequence of his Other self’s actions, while Wikus is left waiting by the Othered aliens that he has helped to save, in the hope that they’ll turn him back into a human when they return to Earth. In the years between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and District 9, the idea of becoming the “Other” has gone from being fatal, as it was in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, to offering a potential state of balance and empathy; but it is still depicted as unwanted and undesirable. This poster presentation highlights the similarities and differences between these two films’ depictions of white men who become the “Other.”
Student(s):
Henry Studebaker
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Druann Pagliassotti