Tag: Skaggs N

Elena Kazakevicius

Transforming FYS: an Analysis of Other Institutions FYS Courses  

As institutions are becoming increasingly aware of the individual concerns of incoming students, higher education intends to find a way to make the transition smoother Danitz, Suvak, Orsillo (2016). Through this, First-Year Seminar courses have been implemented within different institutions in varying ways. Analyzing the research on three institutions’ First-Year Seminar courses, one might draw on the benefits of these programs for integration in such existing courses. For example, it has been suggested by Danitz, Suvak, Orsillo (2016), that in order to create the smoothest transition possible, one must first focus on how to interact with one another appropriately and in a helpful way. In response to the literature on First-Year success courses, recommendations for future First-Year Seminar courses at Northwest Christian University will be addressed.   

FYS 101, First Year Seminar 

Falyn Edwards & Nani Skaggs 

L203, poster #1 

10 AM – Noon 

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Stephanie Steinhardt

Definitions of Calling: A Comparative Study of Qualitative Responses
The word “calling” is often used to describe the feeling or urge towards a profession or career; however, “calling” can also be broadly defined as an approach to life, especially for Christians. The present study was a content analysis on qualitative responses of 103 Northwest Christian University traditional and adult degree undergraduate students to open-ended questions on definitions of calling related to work and life. Several themes emerged from the responses. For definitions of calling as it relates to career, the themes identified were guiding factor (e.g., God’s plan), personal fit, and altruism. External forces, internal forces, and the greater good emerged as themes when considering one’s approach to career as a calling. Ninety-eight percent of the participants responded that calling applied to other areas of life; their explanations revealed that calling relates to everything, meaningful relationships, meaningful activities, and lifestyle. The findings of the present study support previous qualitative research that college students apply calling to their work and areas outside of paid work. A sense of calling has been linked with greater job and life satisfaction, so it is an important concept to study. Future research should investigate gender differences and the implications of calling to well-being.
PSY 499, Capstone
Nani Skaggs
SPS 101
11:30 AM – Noon
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Stephanie Steinhardt

Calling Outside of Work: A Comparative Study of Qualitative Responses

Calling often refers to the feeling or urge towards paid work or career; however, calling may also be an approach to one’s life roles. The present study was a content analysis on responses of 103 Northwest Christian University undergraduate students from a pre-existing data set (Skaggs & Lewis, 2016) to the open-ended question, “Does the word ‘‘calling” apply to areas of your life other than work? Please explain.” Several themes emerged from the responses. Of the 98% of participants who said that calling applied to areas of life other than work, the themes included all aspects of life, relationships, service, faith, and meaningful activities such as hobbies and education. Traditional (n = 68) and adult degree (n = 35) undergraduate students reported equally high frequencies in relationship with others, service to others, and faith. However, adult degree students reported higher in calling as it related to all aspects of life and much lower in the hobbies label. There were more differences between males (n = 29) and females (n= 74), as males reported generally lower frequencies in all labels except hobbies. The findings of the present study support previous research that people apply calling to areas outside of paid work. Future research should investigate gender differences and the implications of callings to areas outside of paid work on life or job satisfaction.

PSY 490, Research Practicum

Nani Skaggs

L203, Poster 8

10 AM – Noon

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Janieve Boyles

Changing Attitudes Towards LGBTQ in Christianity

In recent history, acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) individuals has increased in some cultures. Furthermore, some states in the U.S. and countries recognize same-sex marriage. While times are changing, there has been an undeniable divide between Evangelical Christians and the LGBTQ community. This gap has been created due to the firm belief based on scripture that homosexuality is wrong and sinful. Many Evangelical Protestants hold traditional, conservative views and beliefs. These traditional, conservative attitudes towards LGBTQ are harmful and destructive, but are changing due to biological explanations of same sex attraction, personal experience with LGBTQ people, and alternative Biblical interpretations. Contributing factors to an opposition of same-sex rights and prejudice toward LGBTQ in Christianity are right wing authoritarianism, a strong belief that the nature of homosexuality is a choice, and friendships with like-minded thinkers in religious contexts. Traditional, conservative attitudes towards LGBTQ are often filled with disgust, judgement, and lack of acceptance that are hurtful and painful for the LGBTQ community. There are many negative consequences of prejudiced attitudes, discrimination, and victimization of LGBTQ people including increases in substance abuse, homelessness, and suicide. Many Evangelical Christian attitudes are changing due to biological explanations, exposure to LGBTQ people, and acceptance by younger generations. These changes are leading to positive outcomes for LGBTQ people. Christian spaces are becoming more welcoming and appealing to LGBTQ individuals as the environments become safer and accepting. Prejudice, discrimination, and victimization have negative impacts on LGBTQ people, so ways to support the LGBTQ community need to be implemented.

PSY 499, Capstone

Nani Skaggs

P103

1:30 – 2 PM

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Canaan Threlfall

Parental Incarceration and its Effects on Children

Children whose parent is incarcerated struggle emotionally, behaviorally, and educationally.  Emotionally, children experience attachment issues, depression, and high levels of stress due to parental absence.  Behaviorally, children with incarcerated parents have a higher likelihood of being delinquents, and they struggle with behaviors such as aggression and conduct disorder.  Educationally, these children experience many difficulties in school. The difficulties include, trouble completing homework and the struggle to pay attention in class. These difficulties result in a lack of motivation that can lead to poor academic success and school dropout.  Research shows that providing emotional support can help children with incarcerated parents succeed emotionally, behaviorally, and educationally, thus leading to positive outcomes.

PSY 499, Capstone

Nani Skaggs

P103

1 – 1:30 PM

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Chelsea Stone

Substance Abuse and Intimate Relationships

Substance abuse disorder is a mental health issue, which has a significant impact on an individual and their intimate partner. If one or both intimate partners abuse substances, relationship quality and functioning are negatively affected. Further, studies reveal that couples in which one or both intimate partners are abusing drugs or alcohol are at a higher risk for intimate partner violence than couples who do not abuse drugs or alcohol. Effective treatment options for the individual with a substance abuse disorder need to equip the individual with effective tools and resources to increase relationship quality and functioning with their intimate partner.

PSY 499, Capstone

Nani Skaggs

P114

1 – 1:30 PM

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Janieve Boyles

Perceptions of Homeless Youth

Social psychology has shown that people are often quick to judge others simply on prejudices based on group membership. Appearance affects people’s first impressions of and attitudes towards others. The goal of present study was to investigate how people’s perception of a homeless youth varied based on information provided about the individual. Perceptions based on snap judgments to a photograph of a homeless teenager were compared with impressions of the homeless teenager when the photograph was accompanied with her background story. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group or control group. The experimental group read an autobiographical story about a homeless youth and were shown a photograph. The control group was only shown the photograph. Both groups answered questions about attitudes towards and willingness to help the homeless youth. It is expected that those who read her story will feel more empathy and be more willing to help her than those who only see a photograph. It is important to determine whether knowing the background story of someone affects impressions.

PSY 350 Research Methods

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room, Poster #1

1:00 – 3:00 PM

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Ruben Carmona & Emily Sutherland

The Affects of Gender on Following Directions

An individual’s ability to keep on task when doing a task is important for performance and learning. Many times  minds wander to something else while completing  a task.  In the present study  it was hypothesized that female participants would follow the instructions  as compared to male participants.. Each participant was given a worksheet with 10 questions.  They were instructed to read all of the questions before completing the worksheet. The last item on the worksheet instructed the students to complete questions number one, three, and seven. The number of questions each person answered was counted. The results indicated that there were no significant differences in males and females and the number of questions that were answered.

PSY 350 Research Methods

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room, Poster #11

10:00 AM – Noon

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Trevyn DuBois

The Effects of Dog Owner’s Personality on Dog Behavior

The bond between dogs and people is well documented. Many different factors can affect this important relationship, which could include a variety of different aspects of dog behavior as well as human behavior. In the current study, the link between owner personality traits, specifically extraversion and neuroticism, and dog behavior was measured. Twenty-three dog-owner dyads were recruited from a local area pet store. Participants completed a Big Five personality traits scale that measured extraversion, neuroticism, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Participants were asked to get their dogs to sit using only commands (no food or physical manipulation were allowed). The number of commands given and the latency to sit were recorded. There was no relationship between owner’s extraversion and number of commands needed for the dog to sit, but there was a statistically significant negative correlation between dog’s latency to sit and owner’s neuroticism. Those dogs that took less time to sit had owners who scored higher on the neuroticism trait. Particular owner personality traits do appear to play a role in dog behavior.

PSY 499 Capstone

Nani Skaggs

PFB 103

1:00 – 1:30 PM

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Sarah Hooker, Geoffrey Sloan, Chelsea Stone

Prune Juice or Plum Juice? A Study on the Effects of Word Framing

Researchers suggest that people, when faced with varying choices, are more likely to select more appealing choices over those that seem less desirable. The way in which a selection is presented, or framed, has an influence on the decision maker. The purpose of the present study was to explore the impact of word framing on decision making when choosing between identical juices labeled either “prune” or “plum.” It was hypothesized that the majority of participants would favor the juice labeled “plum” as the word “prune” may seem less appealing. Traditional undergraduate students at Northwest Christian University were asked to taste both juices and select the juice that they preferred. The results of this study allow for a greater understanding of the impact that framing has on the decision making process.

PSY 350 Research Methods

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room, Poster #12

10:00 AM – Noon

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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

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

Lindsey Hall

Dissociative Identity Disorder: What is it?

“If you smash anything hard enough enough times, it will smash into pieces. I guess that’s what happened to me…” Many people feel they have a grasp on what Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is while some have never heard of it. I invite you on a journey of delving deeper into the mystery, reason and conflict behind Dissociative Identity Disorder. At the end, we will come out clearer than when we first started and find our own personal answer to its credibility as a disorder.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203B

9:30 – 10 AM

Ruth Ralph

Helping Children Overcome the Effects of Trauma from Witnessing Domestic Violence: What Current Research Recommends and Further Implications

According to research, one in four families in the US will have firsthand experience of domestic violence in their home. DV appears to be a cycle that perpetuates itself from one generation to the next. Children who witness DV are at high risk for long-term developmental, social, and psychological dysfunctions. Focusing on treating the children with empirically supported intervention programs may help alleviate the effects. This research paper examines children’s intervention programs, and discussion of how these interventions can be implemented in the community will follow.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203B

10 – 10:30 AM

Veronica Ross

Likeness within a Christian Environment

This study investigates the correlation between groups and religious ideas. It is hypothesized that people who tend to have strong religious views associate with groups that believe the same thing and vice versa. Participants in this student will complete a survey asking questions regarding their religious beliefs and their preferences in groups. 

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203B

10:30 – 11 AM

Chelsie Elkins, Ken Latham, Melanie Lowery & David Vermilyea

The Effect of Initial Bias on the Suitability of Adoptive Parents

Research has shown that people demonstrate prejudice in selecting job applicants when presented with photographic images of people from different racial groups with resumes. The relationship between prejudice and photographic images of couples of different racial background and sexual orientation was examined. Participants were given packets containing an adoption application and a photograph of a couple who were Caucasian, bi-racial, Middle Eastern, or gay. The participants rated the suitability of the couple as adoptive parents. It is expected that the Caucasian couple will receive higher ratings of suitability than the other couples.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

9 – 11 AM

Quentin Guidry, Lindsey Hall, Joel Leinbach & Brittany McKinley

The Effects of Varied Types of Exposure on Subconscious Memory

Many studies have shown that information can be retained on a subconscious level. The relationship between different types of presentation of to-be-remembered objects and subconscious memory was studied. Undergraduate students from Northwest Christian University were asked to participate and were assigned to a “hands-on” group or “list” group. Participants in the hands-on group were asked to arrange nine physical objects in any manner. Participants in the list group viewed the word names of these same objects on a PowerPoint slide. After three minutes, all participants were asked to recall as many items as they could. It is expected that participants in the hands-on group will recall more items than those in the list group.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

9 – 11 AM

Kristi Munyan

Understanding Sex-Offender’s Cognitive and Hunting Patterns

Sex-offenders come in many guises. They can blend in with society and become an integral part of someone’s life. Different kinds of sex-offenders have different methods and criteria they use when hunting for victims, but commonalities exist. Cognitions and justifications can mirror their grasp on reality and the way they view their victims. There are misconceptions about who a perpetrator is. Added to that is the complexity of how victim-offender relationships affect violence used in the assault. After the assault, the survivor has the choice of reporting the assault. Treatment for convicted offenders depends on the individual.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

9 – 9:30 AM

L203A

Lori Renner

The Effects of Learning Style on Memory

Claims have been made that different modes of learning in students can be improved by matching one’s teaching with the preferred learning style of the student. The two modes that are used to describe learning styles are auditory and visual learning. Some teachers believe they should take a student’s different learning style into account and match the mode of instruction to the individual’s learning style. However, there is little empirical support to conclude that this type of teaching should be implemented in classrooms. The current study tests if participants recall more items through auditory-only, visual-only, or auditory-visual presentation of material. It is hypothesized that participants who receive the auditory-visual condition will perform better than participants receiving either the auditory or visual condition independently.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203A

9:30 – 10 AM

Beverly Hoberg

The Role of Music on Mood and Recovered Memories

This study investigated whether there was a correlation between music, mood, and memory. It was hypothesized that when thinking of a familiar tune from the childhood of the participant, that participant would recall a vivid and positive memory that they would not otherwise have remembered. While the results of this experiment did not support the hypothesis, the data did show that there is a relationship between thinking of a song from childhood and recall of a mood-congruent memory. Results are discussed as they relate to the possibilities of using music to recover and enhance forgotten childhood memories in adults during therapy sessions in clinical settings.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203B

1 – 1:30 PM

Mindi Wagner

Supporting Adult Learners in Higher Education

This capstone project is a literary review of adult learners in higher education. The thesis of this essay is although there have been a variety of recent works on the theory of adult learners and their unique needs in the classroom and required administrative services, much of the thoughts and premises are often too theoretical and therefore often do not address the particular skill sets necessary to meet the current needs of adult learners. The essay and presentation will explore the unique needs of the adult learner while summarizing findings and conclusions.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

L203B

2 – 2:30 PM

Alana Bratcher, Emily Gray, Beverly Hoberg & Lori Renner

The Effects of Gender on False Memory

Roediger and McDermot (1995) found that individuals who learned lists of words related in meaning to GIRL and MAN, but did not contain those words, falsely recalled GIRL and MAN. Bauste and Ferraro (2004) found no significant effect of gender on false memory using the DRM lists for GIRL and MAN. The present study used a modified MAN list to reflect more stereotypical gender words as compared to the GIRL list. It was expected that there would be an effect of participant gender on false memory using the modified list.

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

9 – 11 AM