Tag: PSY

Amber Osbourn

Cognitive Dissonance in the LGBT Christian

When faced with the tension that arises out of the conflict between the church & society on the issue of homosexuality, the homosexual Christian is faced with a proverbial dead-man’s land not only outwardly, but internally. This internal conflict between one’s sexuality & religious beliefs is operationally explored through the theory of cognitive dissonance which states that when at least two cognitions are seemingly counterintuitive, there is a drive to resolve the dissonance between them. Resolution strategies include leaving the church permanently, finding one that is accepting, or choosing to live with the dissonance. When faced with the tension that arises out of the conflict between the church & society on the issue of homosexuality, the homosexual Christian is faced with a proverbial dead-man’s land not only outwardly, but internally. This internal conflict between one’s sexuality & religious beliefs is operationally explored through the theory of cognitive dissonance which states that when at least two cognitions are seemingly counterintuitive, there is a drive to resolve the dissonance between them. Resolution strategies include leaving the church permanently, finding one that is accepting, or choosing to live with the dissonance.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

P114

1:30 – 2 PM

Emmelene Romer

Effective Therapeutic Treatments for Incarcerated Juveniles

Recidivism rates in juvenile offenders warrant a reevaluation by professionals of current rehabilitation. It was reported that there were approximately 61,000 incarcerated juveniles in the last census. Therapeutic measures are administered in correctional facilities to promote mental well-being among juveniles. To reduce recidivism, the population of juvenile offenders is addressed to evaluate three commonly used therapies: Family-Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, & Multi-systemic Therapy. Educational success & vocational training are two preventative measures that decrease the likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior. Current research shows that multi-systemic therapy is the most effective treatment for reducing recidivism. Recidivism rates in juvenile offenders warrant a reevaluation by professionals of current rehabilitation. It was reported that there were approximately 61,000 incarcerated juveniles in the last census. Therapeutic measures are administered in correctional facilities to promote mental well-being among juveniles. To reduce recidivism, the population of juvenile offenders is addressed to evaluate three commonly used therapies: Family-Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, & Multi-systemic Therapy. Educational success & vocational training are two preventative measures that decrease the likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior. Current research shows that multi-systemic therapy is the most effective treatment for reducing recidivism.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

P114

2 – 2:30 PM

Joshua Alvarado

Academic Dishonesty

Because cheating is viewed as dishonest and goes against biblical teaching, it was hypothesized that NCU students who attend church regularly would have lower rates of cheating compared to those who do not attend church. Participants were asked if they ever cheated in an academic setting including tests, assignments, or papers. In addition, participants were asked to report emotions experienced after cheating or choosing not to cheat. The results showed that most participants reported cheating at least once even if they reported attending church regularly. Results on emotional experiences and conclusions will be discussed.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Joshua Alvarado

Academic Dishonesty

This study examined academic dishonesty and the emotions that follow in college students. Students at NCU were used in this data collection. There are tremendous pressures to succeed in college and many will cheat over their time on a college campus. Also included in the survey was if the individual attended church regularly or not. Our emotions can drive us to act in many different ways. The results of this study indicated that college students will admit to cheating in school and show that being honest has no negatives attached to it.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203

9 – 9:30 AM

Sabrina Biggers

Analytical Thinking Promotes Religious Disbelief

The present study is a replication of Gervais and Norenzayan (2012). Participants will be recruited from a Christian school to see if analytical thinking promotes religious disbelief. Participants will view pictures then answer questions on belief in supernatural agents and

intrinsic religiosity. It is expected that this study will show analytical thinking will diminish religious belief.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Travis Brown

Stressed Upon Student Athletes

Stress is a state of mental or emotional tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. Stress has been shown to negatively affect physical health, mental processing, and emotional well-being. Research has shown a unique contribution of stressful events on collegiate athletes as compared to traditional undergraduate students. Collegiate athletes experience a wide range of stress because of the demands of their sport which affects academics, well-being, and athletic performance. College athletes have significantly less time to work on academics due to year-long training (in and out of season), tight scheduling, traveling, tough competition and lack of down time. Learning to cope with these additional stressors is important for the collegiate athlete’s well-being and performance.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203

9:30 – 10 AM

Amy Dummer & Wendie Green

The Influence of a Persuasive Message

Drawing from existing research that shows attitude change is associated with higher source credibility, it was expected that an expert would exert more influence in changing attitudes on learning styles than a non-expert. Undergraduates at NCU were recruited to participate in an experiment. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: expert and non-expert. Participants watched a video presentation, but told the source of the video was a student or an expert. The results showed that the message was effective in changing attitudes. However, there was no significant difference between the expert and non-expert groups.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Belinda Kinkade & Sharaya Moretti

The Effects of Color When Purchasing Chocolate

Colors are influential as each color is believed to evoke specific emotions and feelings. Research has shown that males and females like the color blue. This study measured the impact of color on decisions to purchase chocolate bars. It was expected that participants would select the blue wrapped chocolate bar more frequently. Students from NCU (n = 31) completed a questionnaire rating quality and attractiveness of chocolate bars in colored wrappers. The result showed that brown was the preferred color wrapper. Understanding the effect of color perception on decision making is important for marketing. 

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Jenny Maupin

My Mother’s Quilts: Quilting for Good Mental Health

Quilters, in general, appear to have good mental health primarily because they quilt. A two-part questionnaire was conducted with the Emerald Valley Quilters Guild. Part one included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and part two was more geared toward necessary demographic information, levels of happiness, satisfaction with life, and love of quilting. Any identifying references were removed from BDI and it was labeled “Well-Being Inventory Part I.” The goal was to achieve a negative correlation between depression (i.e., low depression scores) and life satisfaction and enjoyment of quilting (i.e., high scores).

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Amber Osbourn, Taylor Richardson & Emmelene Romer

The Effects of Self-Reflection on Happiness

Previous studies have shown that self-reflection can affect an individual’s happiness level. In this study two different modes of self-reflection were used: prayer and journaling. The hypothesis was that level of happiness would be different after self-reflection through prayer or journaling, and prayer would result in higher happiness levels. Participants were NCU students (n=29) who were randomly assigned to pray or journal for 5 minutes then answer a Daily Mood Form. The results showed a statistically significant difference between groups; participants had higher levels of happiness in the prayer group as compared to the journaling group.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Taylor Richardson

Do Self-Reflection Techniques Promote Happiness?

Self-reflection, such as prayer, meditation, or journaling has been found to have an effect on well-being. In the current study it was hypothesized that self-reflection would contribute to feelings of happiness. Two types of self-reflection techniques, prayer and journaling, were tested to see the impact on happiness. Participants completed the Fordyce Emotions Questionnaire before starting the self-reflection task. Participants spent 20 minutes each day for seven days in one of three tasks: prayer, journaling, or reading a textbook. It is expected that happiness scores will be higher in the prayer and journaling group than the textbook group. Spending time in self-reflection tasks may be beneficial by promoting feelings of happiness.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203

10 – 10:30 AM

Jolene Rogers

Correlation Between Study Habits and Test Anxiety

Anxiety is a sense of unease, feelings of dread, or feelings of worry. Symptoms of anxiety can have a large influence on productivity and happiness by affecting daily living. There are methods in which anxiety can be lessened. The current study addresses if and what correlation exists between study habits and test anxiety. It was hypothesized that better study habits would correlate to show lower levels of anxiety. This study resulted in no correlation between the two variables.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Jolene Rogers

Effects of Art Therapy on Symptoms of Depression

Symptoms of depression affect a large portion of the population. These symptoms affect people not only on a personal level but on a cognitive and social level. There are multiple forms of therapy which have been effective in helping lessen symptoms of depression. Research for this paper looked into the effectiveness of art therapy in helping with symptoms of depression.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203

10:30 – 11 AM

Rebekah Rossberg

Introversion and Loneliness

This study looked at loneliness as it relates to personality type. Data collection used the UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Myers Briggs Personality Test. Introversion versus extraversion was the primary portion of personality that was being looked into. Data analysis will include correlations between levels of introversion and loneliness, as well as class standing.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

David Wadsworth

Self-Disclosure or Self-Aggrandizement: How Personality is Related to Facebook, and Twitter Use

A survey of college students was conducted that measured the self-promoting social media behavior of posting “selfies” (pictures of self or self and others usually posed in a mirror and taken with a digital camera). It was hypothesized that there would be a correlation with this behavior and personality traits as measured by the NPI-16 personality inventory. The amount of time students spent online engaged with these social networking sites and their frequency of use were also measured. The grandiose exhibitionism subscale of the narcissistic personality

inventory was hypothesized to predict this self-promoting behavior.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Patricia Laynee Bevans

The Effects of the Color Red on Attractiveness

Color plays an important part in nature and everyday in human life. The color red is associated with love, danger, energy, and desire which attract people to one another. Research suggests that the color red attracts the human eye to pay attention more effectively than other colors. Findings have shown that there are clear implications of color perception on mate selection, fashion designs, product attractiveness, and marketing. The current study tests if the color red has an effect on male and female perception of attractiveness of a female model. It is hypothesized that male participants will rank the female model wearing red higher in attractiveness than female participants.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

A201

1 – 1:30 PM

K’hala Carpenter

Literature Review of the Enneagram

This interactive presentation covers the history and explanation of the Enneagram personality typing system. The presentation uses art and music along with research to present the Enneagram in a fun and engaging way. The nine personality types are defined and explained, followed by a spiritual look at how the Enneagram fits with Christian doctrine and theology. The presentation finishes with a survey of some of the research that has been performed about the Enneagram.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

P114

1 – 1:30 PM

Ruben Robertson

The Effects of Art on Religious Belief

The present study looks at how photos of art can affect the initial response to a question asking about the existence of God. It was designed after a study performed by William Gervais and Ara Norenzayan in the year 2012. The study consisted of Northwest Christian University (NCU) students. The participants were asked to look at the photo and report on Gods existence.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

A201

2 – 2:30 PM

Jacob Smyth

Premarital Cohabitation

This paper looks at the growing problem of premarital cohabitation and how it effects the subsequent marriages. A survey was performed concerning attitudes toward premarital cohabitation among the Northwest Christian University community. Results of this study will be discussed.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

A201

2:30 – 3 PM

Charlene Able

Reducing Recidivism

The post-prison recidivism rate averages about 67% in the United States. With the prison population increasing and the funds decreasing, it is important to find a way to lead our criminals towards a path in life to become a productive part of society. The aim of this literature review is to show that rehabilitating our prison population through education, faith-based programs, and job skill training will reduce re-entry into the prison systems.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

A201

9 – 9:30 AM

Travis Brown, Samuel Eymann & Allyssa Mittleider

Correlation Between Stress and Illness

Stress and illness are two social factors that affect everyone’s daily life. In our study we looked at how these two correlate with one another by constructing a questionnaire with specific questions relating to stress and illness. It is expected that the questionnaire will reveal information that each participant, who has been sick within a the month prior to taking the questionnaire, will have written about or marked events as “stressful” that they have experienced with the month prior as well. The answer will correspond with each other in such a way that it exemplifies the illness leading to stress.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Khala Carpenter

The Personality’s Eye on Emotion: How Personality Affects Emotion Recognition

This study is designed to explore the relationship between personality and one’s ability to recognize emotions based of facial expressions. Participants take a personality test and are then asked to judge people’s emotions. Then they are asked how they made their judgments: based on their thoughts, feelings, or emotions. 

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Karlie Griffith-Solinger

Does Analytical Thinking Promote Disbelief in Science?

Current research in the cognitive science of religion has implied that analytical thinking promotes disbelief in God. In a study conducted by Gervais and Norenzayan (2012), participants were primed to think analytically through a sentence construction task, and then they were asked to rate their belief in God. Drawing from Justin Barrett’s suggestions for future research, the present study primed participants to think analytically using the same sentence construction task, but then asked participants to rate their beliefs in science. It was predicted that those in the analytical condition would express a greater disbelief in science than the control condition. 

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

A201

9:30 – 10 AM

Danielle Nance

Sleep Patterns Among College Students

College students do not get enough sleep due to hectic schedules. This presentation will explore empirical findings of sleep patterns among college students as well as the consequences of lack of sleep and benefits of proper amounts of sleep. The relationship between sleep, GPA, health, and energy levels will be addressed. The importance of and the effects of sleep will be discussed to increase awareness for college students. Suggestions will be offered for good sleep hygiene and a healthy lifestyle for the college aged student.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

A201

10 – 10:30 AM

Rose Carrigan

The Negative Effects of Attractiveness on Job Applicants

My experiment is an exploration of the “beauty is beastly” effect based on Johnson, Podratz, Dipboye, & Gibson (2010). They found that there are negative consequences of being an attractive woman and applying for masculine dominated positions. It is expected that participants will choose the unattractive woman for positions that have been male sex-typed and that attractiveness is of less importance. For positions that are female sex-typed and have a high importance for attractiveness, it is expected that the attractive woman will be chosen. 

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203

9 – 9:30 AM

Joel Leinbach

Beyond the Call of Duty: A Review of Organizational Citizenship Behavior

Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) refers to actins that are beneficial to an organization, but lite outside the parameters of the required performance of a job description. These behaviors can be directed towards another individual (OCB-I) or they can be organization-oriented (OCB-O). This paper provides a broad overview of the development of this sub-section of organizational behavior from its early stages that sought to find its antecedents, to more current studies that focus on its outcomes. An understanding of OCB will aid in the development of a productive workforce.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203

9:30 – 10 AM

Brittany McKinley

Gratitude and Subjective Well-being in Daily Life

I am examining the literature that investigates gratitude and subjective well-being in daily lives. Specifically interested in the relationship between gratitude and forgiveness and well-being. This study will focus on the effect of expressing emotions of gratitude on psychological and physical well-being.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203

2 – 2:30 PM

Crystal Rutherford

The Societal and Behavioral Effects of Androgen on Women

With a focus on female athletes, this paper will attempt to illustrate the effects of and levels of androgen in females. Of particular interest is whether female athletes already have higher levels of testosterone and therefore became athletic, or if higher androgen levels was the results of workouts. Lastly, the current trend of androgen abuse in female athletes and the behavioral and societal costs will be addressed.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203

10 – 10:30 AM

David Vermilyea

The Plasticity of the Depressed Brain

It has long been thought that depression can be treated with the use of antidepressants mixed with various forms of psychotherapy, but what exactly does the brain need in order to function correctly? There are neurological differences that exist between the non-depressed person and the depressed person. How the depressed brain can change into a “happy” functional brain will be discussed.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203

10:30 – 11 AM

Brittney Yip

Investigating the Connection Between Chapel and Students Religious Experience

Traditional undergraduate NCU students will be recruited through an email to complete the survey.  They will be asked a series of questions about demographics, chapel, and Allport and Ross’ religious orientation scale.  The intrinsic score should be positively correlated with being more religious.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203

1 – 1:30 PM

Samantha Zysett

The Psychology of Worship in Lyrical Content: Framing the Worship Setting

Many pastors and worship leaders propose that any song,   whether originally purposed for Christ or not, when put into the context of a worship setting can be used to glorify God.  The present study will explore whether or not framing has any effect in the presentation of    secular, non-God centered, or ambiguous lyrical content when this same said lyrical content is presented in the context of a worship setting, where the goal is to elicit a response from the audience.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203

1:30 – 2 PM

Charlene Able, Karlie Griffith-Solinger & Charolene Somatis

The Effects of Communication Style on Writing Complexity and Length

This study is an investigation of the difference in description complexity while describing a photograph using handwriting and typing techniques. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one will use handwriting and the other will use a computer to type the description of a photograph during a defined time allowance. It is hypothesized that the participants that type a description will have more complex written communications.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

9 – 11 AM

Laynee Bevans, Rose Carrigan, Danielle Nance & Britney Yip

The Effects of Exercise on Stress

NCU athletes will be participating in a study to investigate the effects of exercise on stress. The researches hypothesize that exercise reduces stress. In addition, the researchers are interested in determining whether or not there is a gender difference in stress levels. Johansson, Hassmen, & Jouper (2008) did a study on the effects of Qigong exercise and found that participating in Qigong exercise helps reduce stress.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

9 – 11 AM

Teresa Harvey

Emotion Regulation: A Mental Health Investigation

This presentation is an exploration of recent literature on the subject of Emotional Regulation (ER). This study will focus on cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, and relational categories such as brooding and rumination. It will explain how emotion regulating skills are developed, what the biological effects are, and most specifically, the relationship between ER and depression vulnerability. It will also examine current cognitive methods utilizing ER skills to reduce the risks of depression as well as generate sound ideas for further research in this area.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

P114

9 – 9:30 AM

Kaye January-Pocza

Learned Helplessness: A Literature Review of its Symptoms and Effects on Various Stages of Life

This literature review is an exploration of learned helplessness, the feelings that one does not have the ability to affect life circumstances because of a perceived lack of sense of control. This paper will discuss symptoms, behaviors, and treatment of learned helplessness.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

P114

9:30 – 10 AM

Kenneth Latham

A Multicultural Approach to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD affects 12% of the U.S. civilian population and approximately 14-15% of military personnel returning from combat operations. Current mainstream theories of counseling and psychotherapy do not adequately address the cultural diversity or our civilian and military population. The purpose of this paper is to examine the need for a multicultural approach to cognitive behavioral theory for the treatment of PTSD to properly diagnose and treat our culturally diverse civilian and military populations.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Steve Caloudas

A201

10 – 11 AM

Crystal Rutherford & Jacob Smyth

Compassion or Sympathy: Do we Have a Negative Bias Against Middle Aged Homeless Male Adults

This study looks to explore if the general public view homeless people with either sympathy or compassion as defined as feeling sorry for a human being under unfortunate circumstances but doing nothing to change it, whereas compassion is feeling sorry for a human being under unfortunate circumstances and doing something to change it. We plan to use pictures of homeless males of varying ages to determine which of these emotions, if any, can be seen in a sample group.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

9 – 11 AM

Charolene Somatis

Resilience in Youth: How At-risk Children Bounce Back

One of the most intriguing and optimistic psychology concepts is that of resiliency, the ability to “bounce back” in the face of adversity. In the past, psychologists have been confounded by how, in a population of at-risk youth, some of them go on to succeed in life in spite of their rough childhood while most of their counterparts struggle. This presentation will describe the theory of resilience in detail, the current body of literature that exists on the subject, and how it specifically applies to at-risk children and adolescents.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

P114

8:30 – 9 AM

Samantha Zysett

Framing the Worship Setting: Lyrical Content Explored

Many pastors and worship leaders propose that any song, whether originally proposed for Christ or not, when put into the context of a    worship setting can be used to glorify God. The present study will explore whether or not framing has any effect in the presentation of secular, non-God centered, or ambiguous lyrical content when this same said lyrical content is presented in the context of a worship setting.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

9 – 11 AM

Alana Bratcher

The Effects of Sexual Assault Awareness Program on College Students’ Rape Myth Acceptances

Sexual assault is an issue that is not easily discussed but that affects many. It is believed 1 in 6 women in the United States have been victims of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault. Many beliefs about sexual assault are incorrect. These false beliefs are called rape myths. These rape myths contain false beliefs regarding rape, rape victims and rapists. These myths help to create a culture that allows, justifies, and perpetuates rape. This study looks at the effects of a sexual assault awareness program on college students rape myth acceptance scales.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203B

9 – 9:30 AM