This is a TENTATIVE schedule. The final schedule will be posted shortly.

Predicting Loneliness by Regression Models that Compare Gender and Student Type
Nguyen, Victoria (Sponsored by: Calvin Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

Population comparisons were used to compare gender and student type with loneliness using family, friend, and significant other, state and trait anxiety, and depression as predictors. Data was collected from 405 students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and used to see the relationship between gender and student type to loneliness. Family, friend, and significant other social support subscales of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support consisting of 12 items were used to measure perceived support. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory consisting of 40 items was also used as well as the Beck Depression Inventory using 21 items to measure intensity of depressive symptoms. Trait anxiety, depression, and friend social support significantly contributed to predicting loneliness for both males and females while family social support only contributed to the females and significant other social support only contributed to the males. Trait anxiety and friend social support contributed to both traditional and non-traditional students while depression only contributed to traditional students and family and significant other only contributed to the non-traditional students.

LGBTQ Psychology: Parental Relationships, Individual Self Construals, and Self-Esteem
Wilson, Gregory A (Sponsored by: Dr. Qing Zeng)
Arkansas Tech University

In the LGBT(Q) community particularly , self esteem is often interconnected to each member�s identity development and parental relationships. In this study, over 600 participants evaluate their parental relationships and self-esteem, helping to draw correlations between these factors and LGBT(Q) identity development.

Power & Participation: How Locus of Control Moderates Leader Satisfaction
Rollins, Kerri L (Sponsored by: Dr. Kelly Henry)
Missouri Western State University

Locus of control is the force an individual feels is responsible for the rewards and punishments they receive. Those with an internal locus of control feel that they are personally responsible for their achievements and failures whereas those with an external locus of control tend to attribute their achievements and failures to external forces: circumstance, happenstance, or a higher power. Those with an internal locus of control tend to exert higher assertiveness and lower conformity tendencies (William & Warchal, 1981), along with a higher sense of moral responsibility (Connolly & McCarrey, 1978). Those with an external locus of control inversely exert lower assertiveness, higher conformity tendencies, and a lower sense of moral responsibility. My research specifically focuses on locus of control and leadership. I hypothesize that those holding leadership positions in clubs and organizations on college campuses will predominantly have a stronger internal locus of control.

Investigating the Impact of Freshman Year on Personality
Flanigan, Abraham E (Sponsored by: Dr. Carla Edwards)
Northwest Missouri State University

The purpose of this research project is to examine changes in the personality factors of freshman students from the beginning of the school year until the end. The personality factors of interest include anxiety, depression, gegariousness, values, altruism, and self-discipline.

Social Anxiety and Rumination: Effect on Anticipatory Anxiety, Memory Bias, and Beliefs
Einsel, Kurt W (Sponsored by: Cynthia L. Turk, Phd)
Washburn University

Research suggests that, after a social situation, the socially anxious person ruminates about the event. The socially anxious individual focuses on negative details of the recent interaction such that it is evaluated more negatively than it really was. The current study assessed level of social anxiety. Participants completed a speech task. Participants were randomly assigned to a rumination or distraction condition. Participants returned to the lab a week later to give another speech. At that time, memory bias for quality of the first speech was assessed, anticipatory anxiety for the second speech was assessed, and changes in beliefs about the self were assessed. Approximately 50 undergraduates will participate. Preliminary analyses have examined the results from 19 individuals. Initial results suggest that the rumination and distraction task appear to be working as expected. As predicted, socially anxious individuals appear to have a biased perception of the quality of their first performance. This bias seems to become worse over time when followed by instructions to ruminate. Additionally, socially anxious participants who ruminate immediately after a performance endorse more negative beliefs about themselves, but these beliefs do not appear to persist over time. Lastly, contrary to predictions, rumination did not lead to greater anticipatory anxiety for a second performance.

The Relationship Between Family Mealtimes and Students' Self-Efficacy
Schmidt, Brittany M (Sponsored by: Dr. Krista K. Fritson)
University of Nebraska Kearney

The present study examined the relationship between family mealtimes and students� self-efficacy. Students completed a demographic sheet and questionnaires regarding their general and academic self-efficacy, and family mealtimes to explore the quality and frequency of family mealtimes at home. It was hypothesized that students reporting high quality mealtimes would have higher academic and general self-efficacy scores when compared to peers who reported low quality family mealtimes and that higher frequency of family mealtimes would result in higher academic and general self-efficacy scores. Results indicated that students reporting high quality and frequency of family mealtimes had significantly higher academic self-efficacy compared to students reporting lower quality mealtimes. A significant relationship was also found between the quality of family mealtimes and general self-efficacy. Other familial factors were also examined.

I'm Not That Aggressive: Self-Reported Aggression as a Predictor of Vidoegame Behavior
Gerodias, Andrew H, Chapin, Meghan K (Sponsored by: Dr. Susan Burns)
Morningside College

This study was designed to examine the connectionsbetween self-reported aggression and aggressive behavior within avideo game. Participants first completed a questionnaire to determineaggressive tendencies, were asked to play the game Grand Theft Auto forforty minutes, and finally complete a post-survey survey. Results andimplications are discussed.

Birth Order and Introversion or Extraversion
Reek, Rebecca J (Sponsored by: Dr. Nancy Elwell)
Concordia University-Nebraska

The purpose of this research study was to determine if there was a relationship between a person�s position in birth order and their level of extraversion or introversion, and if gender made a difference in that relationship. For the purpose of this study, introversion and extraversion were defined by Carl Jung�s definition, and the measurements were taken from a Myers Briggs sample evaluation for extraversion and introversion. The study consisted of 91 Concordia University undergraduate students, and they completed a survey asking questions about: gender, number of siblings older and younger than the participant growing up, and questions regarding introversion and extraversion. The results did not indicate a significant relationship between a position in birth order and their level of extraversion or introversion as defined by Myers Briggs, and gender did not affect that relationship.

Science on Sesame Street: A Road to the Museum
Smetter, Joseph; Hankey, Maren; Brown, Samantha (Sponsored by: Dr. Isabelle Cherney)
Creighton University

Researchers have attempted to investigate the underrepresentation of women in the quantitative sciences, and it has been shown that female high-school students who intend to pursue science-related fields report visiting museums more frequently as children. The present study investigated the interactions between 36 pairs of parents and children in a museum setting. It was hypothesized that interactions would be less gender stereotyped in the selected health science exhibit than those found in typical science museums. The results showed that museum visits were correlated with how often the parents and children talk about science, as well as the children�s self reported interest and ability in science. It was also found that parents used different types of statements when talking to their sons or daughters, but no overall gender differences in the number of explanations were observed.

The Use of Alcohol as a Predictor of Sexual Coersion Among College Students
Folz, Shannon L (Sponsored by: Roxanne Sullivan)
Bellevue University

This study was done to see if alcohol use would be a factor in relation to sexual coercion. Alcohol was cited in most instances of sexual coercion. Alcohol was also used by almost half of the participants to knowingly impair a partner�s judgment in hopes of sexual activity resulting. The findings suggest that both men and women are victims of sexual coercion in similar numbers.

Goal-Setting Predictors of Academic Performance and Implications for Post-College Achievement
Mills, Melissa (Sponsored by: Gary Homann)
Lincoln University

The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between lifetime goals and achievement. Research into goal setting theory indicates a causal relationship between goal content and task performance. Although most of the research examines relatively proximal goals, it stands to reason that this relationship may apply to an individual�s broader objectives for their life as a whole. Although examining this would require an extreme longitudinal design, it is hypothesized in the current research that characteristics of life objectives will also predict more proximal measures of achievement, specifically in the form of academic performance. In the current study, introductory psychology students (N = 170) created a �life checklist,� a list of 20 things they would like to see, do, experience or accomplish in their lives. Responses were categorized on the dimensions of goal difficulty, specificity, valence, expansiveness, proximality, seriousness, and goal orientation. Results indicate that the ways students set life goals predicts proximal achievement. Implications for lifelong achievement will be discussed.

Predicting Group Membership of Post-Undergraduate Plans
Maguire, Jessica L (Sponsored by: Dr. Calvin Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

Higher education researchers have long been concerned with the development and application of methods to adequately assess the impact of college on students. This study used data from a survey of 391 undergraduate students to consider the relative and independent influences of several predictors to discriminate between attending graduate school, professional school, or entering the workforce. Variables from the Full model were divided between two reduced models, an Academic and an Individual Differences Model. Linear discriminant analyses suggest the reduced models are not statistically different from the Full model, which best differentiates between plans after college. Similarities and discrepancies with previous findings establish an understanding of influential variables predicting group membership.

Effectiveness of Peer Relationship Programs in Special Education
Brown, Autumn R, Van Voorhis, Tanya (Sponsored by: Valerie Wall)
Friends University

The need for mentally challenged adolescents to be accepted by others reinforces the value of activities that encourage cross-peer interaction. This poster will focus on the Circle of Friends, a peer-to-peer mentoring program for high school special education students. Benefits, such as self-esteem, social skills, self-worth, and relationship building were researched. Survey Results will be discussed with limitations and application.

Effect of Art Therapy Techniques on Anxiety and Inner-Connectedness
Stevenson, Shawna M (Sponsored by: Dr. Jon Smith)
University of Central Missouri

The purpose was to determine if art therapy had an effect on anxiety and inner-connectedness. The dependent variables were scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Spiritual Transcendence Scale. The independent variable was the use of art therapy techniques. The results showed a significant decrease in state-anxiety scores.

Media and its Negative Effects on Anxiety
Stamoulis, Stephanie K, Ashley Yeo, Katie Percell, Stevie Phillips, Kara Piveral (Sponsored by: Carla Edwards )
Northwest Missouri State University

The purpose of this experiment was to examine how negative media affects anxiety levels in college aged students. Undergraduate students enrolled in general psychology courses were given a pre-test and post-test survey to determine levels of anxiety. The post-test scores on the measure of anxiety were significantly higher than that of the pre-test. Negative media exposure was found to effect anxiety levels significantly in our sample.

Relationship Between Household Pets and Depression
Mealy, Bethany R (Sponsored by: Dr. David Kreiner)
University of Central Missouri

This study measured the relationship between household pets and depression. Research has shown that there are beneficial effects of pet ownership and pet interaction. In previous research we used a correlational design to test the hypothesis that individuals with greater attachment to their pets would show lower depression levels. College students (N =44) responded to both the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. The correlation between these two measures was not significant, r (42) = .198, p = .197. In the second stage of this research, we are continuing to increase our sample size and will also be testing the hypothesis that pet owners who currently live with their pets will show lower depression levels compared to those that own pets but do not currently live with them. Depression levels of participants and their various types of pets and the length of their pet ownership will also be compared.

Behavioral Intervention for Obesity
Lewis, Lucinda L (Sponsored by: Dr. Duane a Lundervold)
University of Central Missouri

A behavioral self-management intervention was used to decrease weight in an individual with obesity. An A-B single-subject treatment evaluation design was used to examine the effect of the independent variables on body weight. The independent variables in this study were exercise in minutes and daily food intake measured in calories. The dependent variable in this study is body weight in pounds. Adherence to exercise and daily caloric intake requirements was positively reinforced with self-delivered reinforcers including time spent watching a favorite television program or playing a computer game. The subject used self-recording to document time spent exercising and food intake each day. A comparison of the baseline to treatment phase yielded an overall decrease in body weight, indicating that the treatment was effective. Future research would benefit from using immediate reinforcers as well as documented stimulus control. A follow-up assessment performed at one year post-treatment found no significant weight gain.

Marital Status: Social Support and Anxiety-Depression Models
Dinius, Jennifer (Sponsored by: Calvin Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

This study developed a model to compare how well social support and anxiety-depression affect marital status (single, married, or divorced). Survey data was gathered from 405 traditional and non-traditional undergraduates. Social support variables included total social support, family social support, friend social support, and significant other social support. Anxiety-depression measures were state and trait anxiety, and depression. The social support model categorized marital status better than the anxiety-depression model, but combining both resulted in the best categorization of marital status.

Depression Among College Students: A Comparison of Predictive Models
Lassek, Susan M (Sponsored by: Calvin Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

The construction of accurate predictive models for depression can provide valuable insights for the development of effective preventive strategies. In a series of correlation and regression analyses, various potential predictors of depression were examined in a college student sample (N=405), which included both younger traditional students and older non-traditional students. Several predictive models were compared. Results showed that a full model using all predictors performed better than reduced models focusing on either internally generated variables or demographic/social variables. Additionally, comparison of the fit and structure of models derived separately from male and female samples showed that these models performed equally well within those groups, but differed significantly in structure, indicating depression may be generated differentially for males and females.

Predicting Depression: A Nested and Non-Nested Model Comparison
Hoover, Elizabeth G (Sponsored by: )
University of Nebraska Lincoln

The purpose of this study was to determine what types of models work best at predicting depression among college students. Nested and non-nested model comparisons were conducted to determine whether two reduced models worked as well as a full model at predicting depression. These comparisons were made using a social support model (total social support, marital status and loneliness), a state model (state anxiety, stress and self-esteem) and a full model containing all of these variables. It was found that the full model worked better than either of the reduced models at predicting depression and that the state model worked better than the social support model. Similarities to previous research and suggestions for future inquiry are discussed.

The Role of Social Support in Depression Outcomes for Child Sexual Abuse Victims: A Comparison of Children and Adolescents
Liebsack, Brittany K (Sponsored by: Calvin Peter Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

Children�s emotional adjustment following child sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with parental support (Elliot & Carnes, 2001). Tremblay, Hebert, & Piche even found that parental support may be a better predictor of adjustment than abuse-related factors (1999). Several factors impact how much social support a child receives after reporting CSA, including trustworthiness that they are telling the truth (Miller and Burgoon, 1982). Bottoms and Goodman (1994) found that young children were seen as more credible witnesses than older children. The purpose of this study was to examine whether social support predicted post-treatment depression scores equally for adolescent and child CSA victims. Participants consisted of 169 sexually abused youth who participated in Project SAFE, a 12-week cognitive behavioral group treatment. Results of the multiple regression analyses indicate that the child model significantly accounted for 34% of the variance, with loneliness contributing significantly, and the adolescent model accounted for 41% of the variance, with parental and peer social support contributing. The child and adolescent models worked equally well, respectively.

Behavioral Self-Management for Luxury Spending Behavior
Stern, Emily, R. (Sponsored by: Duane A. Lundervold)
University of Central Missouri

Effects of a behavioral self-management program, designed and implemented in partial fulfillment of course requirements for Psy 4730: Cognitive behavioral intervention, was evaluated. Dependent variables were percentage of monetary savings and percentage of luxury item spending. A treatment package comprised of self-recording of purchases, visual prompts, and self-delivered reinforcers was used. A single-subject A-B design was used to evaluate the effect of independent variable on spending behavior. When comparing baseline to end of treatment, percentage of luxury spending decreased while percentage of monetary savings remained stable. This behavioral self-management program was effective in decreasing spending behavior. Little applied research is available regarding effective interventions for this target behavior, despite its importance in a declining economy. Further more controlled research is needed.

Fear Conditioning in NR-2D Knock-out Mice
Kuek, Nia (Sponsored by: Roxanne Sullivan, Dan Monoghan)
Bellevue University

The purpose of this study was to see if a difference in fear conditioning existed between wild-type mice and NR-2D knock-out (KO) mice using a shock stimulus. KO mice habituated slower than the wild-type mice to the shock stimulus and recovered slower during the reversal training. Implications will be discussed.

A Comparative Review of Cognitive Ability in Animals and Humans
Manis, Ashley E (Sponsored by: Joanne Altman)
Washburn University

Comparing cognitive abilities among humans and other species has become of great interest to comparative psychologists. Abilities range from simple cognitive tasks, which most mammals and birds can master, to complex cognitive tasks which are unique to humans and a few other mammals with large brains, especially other hominids (great apes). Researchers have been particularly interested in determining those cognitive abilities that may be uniquely human. Language, self recognition, and theory of mind were all once considered to be uniquely human. However, these are evident in higher-order (taxonomically) mammals like the great apes. The bar for what is uniquely human continues to be raised. A new focus is on executive functions of the prefrontal cortex, which is slow to develop even in humans. This presentation will review the evidence, to date, for comparative abilities between human vs. non-human primates.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High: An Analysis of Teacher Feedback and Student Motivation
Sualy, Kunal and Dorweiler, Matthew (Sponsored by: Dr. Isabelle Cherney)
Creighton University

Our study looked into the techniques and strategies used by teachers in order to motivate their students. We examined both extrinsic and intrinsic motivational teaching methods, as well as the pressure faced by teachers as a result of parents and school administrators. Finally, we examined the relationship between student grades, motivation, and various teaching strategies.

Biological and Social Correlates of Aggression As Seen in Sports, Sexual Behavior, and Film Media
Ince, Jerri A & Avery, Lauren M. (Sponsored by: Graham Higgs)
Columbia College

Biological and social relationships to human aggression are examined in the contexts of sports, sexual behavior, and film media. Archival research was conducted. It is found that aggression is a social display phenomenon with biological origins. Biology provides the physiological platform for the expression of emotion and contributes the means for regulating intensity of an individual�s aggression, but the social realm encourages, facilitates and manages aggression through a variety of media. Sports, sexual behavior, and film media, are just three socially mediated contexts in which aggression is presented and welcomed. Aggression may be examined in other contexts as well.Keywords: human aggression, film media, sex and aggression, social context of aggression, sports and aggression, archival research.

Attachment in Stepfamilies and Its Affects on the Success of a College Transition
Hollister, Brandon A (Sponsored by: Dr. Marilyn Petro)
Nebraska Wesleyan University

Children from stepfamilies possess more insecure attachment styles, which result in poorer adults relationships and adjustments (Love & Murdock, 2004). However, the circumstances of the divorce and remarriage, and the subsequent family interactions of the stepfamily,have been shown to affect the child's development, while family structure alone has not (Cowan, Cowan, & Mehta, 2009; Planitz, Feeney, & Peterson, 2009). Some research noticed positive responses to divorce in some children, as they overcame challenges and developed beneficial coping strategies (Gately & Schwebel, 1991). These individuals probably possessed a secure attachment style, and will handle other life transitions (such as college) better. This experiment analyzes adult attachment in individuals from stepfamilies and nuclear families and investigates how each group (secure-stepfamily, insecure-stepfamily, secure-biological, insecure-biological) responds to the college transition. It is thought that the secure-stepfamily group will show the best collegetransition, while the insecure-stepfamily group will show the worse.

School Uniforms or Not?
Beckenhauer, Sara M (Sponsored by: Dr. Julie Allison)
Pittsburg State University

This paper presents a literature review on the implementation and consequences of requiring students to wear school uniforms in both private and public educational institutions. Advantages and disadvantages of this requirement (or not) for both individual students and the concomitant institutions will be discussed.

Objectification theory and self-objectification: A literature review
White, Andrew S (Sponsored by: Dr. Sarah Gervais)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

Objectification theory states that the female experiences with sexual objectification can lead to the internalization of the objectifier�s views as well as mental health issues (Fredrickson and Roberts, 1997). This literature review looks at the work done regarding objectification theory, focusing on self-objectification as a consequence of sexual objectification. Additional questions are posed, especially regarding population differences and how self-objectification changes over the lifespan.

Effect of Priming Politics Versus Religion on Death Penalty Attitudes
Mouser, Stephanie M (Sponsored by: Dr. Amy Posey )
Benedictine College

Although previous research has shown that religious and political affiliation are predictive of death penalty attitudes, such demographic data are generally collected together, either prior to or following completion of the death-penalty attitude measure. We are interested in determining whether priming ideological affiliations influences death penalty attitudes. Participants were recruited from Atchison and the surrounding area as well as from General Psychology classes at Benedictine College. Participants were randomly assigned to be primed either for political or religious affiliation prior to completing a validated death-penalty attitude measure (O�Neil, Patry, & Penrod, 2004). For some participants, especially those who identify themselves as both orthodox Catholics (who are generally opposed to the death penalty) and conservative Republicans (who are generally in favor of the death penalty), the prime was expected to make one aspect of their identity more salient than the other, thereby influencing their self-reported death penalty attitudes.

Relationship between spirituality variables and attitudes towards homosexuality.
Fear, Jessica (Sponsored by: Dr. Steven Schuetz)
University of Central Missouri

This research examines how attitudes towards homosexuality are related to spirituality variables. Specifically, we are looking at how connection to self, connection to others and connection to a higher sacred force are correlated with attitudes towards homosexuality.

Will Salary Affect College Students' Satisfaction and Willingness to Accept a Job?
Browning, Jared R (Sponsored by: Dr. Cathy Grover)
Emporia State University

I am interested in knowing what students value more, salary or job satisfaction. This study consisted of 73 undergraduate Psychology students. There were four groups that received either a job description of a finance manager or teaching position, which had either a high or low salary. After reviewing the description participants completed a survey to determine their willingness to accept the job and their predicted level of satisfaction. Findings indicated that participants who reviewed the teaching positions were more willing to accept the job and also rated their predicted level of satisfaction higher than participants who reviewed finance manager positions.Keywords: job satisfaction, high salary, low salary, willingness

Influences on attitude towards homosexuality
Haugen, Kimberly A (Sponsored by: Roxanne Sullivan)
Bellevue University

This study investigated how certain characteristics impact a person's view towards homosexuality. Sixty-seven participants completed a survey about their views regarding homosexuality. It was hypothesized that certain characteristics, such as age, religion, minority status, and sexual orientation would have an influence on a person's attitude about homosexuality. There were no significant differences in attitude for age, gender, race, or sexual preference. Significant results were found for religion.

Effect of Visual vs. Written Information on College Students� Impressions of Accuracy
Rodriguez, Hilda R (Sponsored by: Dr. Cathy Grover)
Emporia State University

Can visual information be more effective then written information on college students� impressions of accuracy? Participants were 37 men and 39 women enrolled in undergraduate psychology courses. I randomly assigned participants to groups that watched a video or read a transcript of an inaccurate documentary about psychiatry; afterwards the participants completed a survey about how accurate they believed the information in the documentary to be. I predicted that women�s impressions of accuracy would be higher than men�s impressions when presented with the visual excerpt. Additionally, men would have a higher impression of accuracy when presented with the written excerpt then women would. My findings did not support my hypotheses. Impressions of accuracy were similar for both visual and written presentations. Additionally, there were no significant differences between men and women�s impressions of accuracy when presented with the visual or written excerpt. Knowing how to affect people�s impressions of accuracy can be beneficial not only for media but for education purposes as well.

Distraction of Time
Stava, Daniel J, McKown, Kelly, Barnholdt, Ashley (Sponsored by: Ryan Wessell)
Northwest Missouri State University

The purpose of our research was to study how distraction influences the perception of time passage. Participants in the experimental group were asked to complete a word search puzzle and report when they thought five minutes had passed. Control participants were asked to sit quickly and report when they had thought five minutes had passed. The hypothesis was that students engaged in a cognitive task would perceive time as passing more rapidly compared to the control group. The results indicated that the experimental group perceived time as passing slower compared to control group, contradicting our hypothesis. The results suggest that type of distraction (pleasurable/boring) may have had an impact on the participant�s perception of time.

Driving, Texting, and Talking: The Mental Costs of Cellular Phones and Relearning to Drive
Koll, Andrea R. & Wright, Aaron M. (Sponsored by: Dr. Christopher Gade)
Dana College

The purpose of this study was to examine the cognitive costs incurred upon drivers who talk or text while driving and to determine whether performance can be improved with practice. Simulated driving conditions were created and participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control group, cell phone conversation group, or cell phone text messaging group. Reaction times and prevalence of errors were examined between the groups. To determine whether practice can reduce or eliminate the anticipated deficiencies, participants performed the task several times over a span of five days and improvements were noted. Increased performance or stable improvement would conclude that better driving while using a cell phone may be teachable. The implications of these findings would be widespread, with concerns about training drivers, reconsidering new phone laws, replicating the results, and reexamining past findings all being critical considerations.

Visual Saliency and Website Design
Wellman, Danielle; Vey, Michelle; Still, Dr. Jeremiah (Sponsored by: Dr. Jeremiah Still)
Missouri Western State University

Web site interfaces are visually complex. This complexity makes it difficult for designers to predict which locations within web sites users will attend first. According to Still and Masciocchi (2010), visual saliency predicts where users will look within web sites when not oriented to a specific target. Our study investigates whether users are visually drawn to locations previous indicated as generally interesting, or locations containing a search target. Users were given a search task in which a target was co-located with a region containing either high interest or low interest. We hope to further the successful development of web interfaces by understanding how attention is guided by an interaction between general visual interest and task goals.

Effects of a Critical Thinking Intervention on College Students' Misconceptions about Psychology
Pierce, Noah D (Sponsored by: Meredith Mckee)
Washburn University

The research literature has consistently indicated that misconceptions about psychological concepts are on the rise among college students, and are difficult to decrease in the classroom. Furthermore, it has been suggested that teaching college students critical thinking skills will help to diminish many of the common misconceptions and faulty beliefs students hold about scientific psychology, and in turn increase skepticism about nonscientific claims. The present study utilized an experimental-control group design to examine the effectiveness of an instructional intervention designed to increase students� critical thinking abilities, to undo misconceptions, and change beliefs. Students (N = 49) enrolled in an introductory psychology course participated in the study. The results indicated that the intervention was effective in increasing students� critical thinking abilities. However, there was not a significant decrease in students� misconceptions, thus further reinforcing previous research claims that strongly held misconceptions and nonscientific beliefs are difficult to dispel. Implications for future research will also be discussed.

Predictors of Child Receptive Vocabulary: Looking Elements of Socioeconomic Status and Child Vocabulary Tests
Volf, Nick T (Sponsored by: Dr. Cal Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

A model predicting receptive vocabulary, measured using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test � Third Edition, of preschool children was created using scores on the Preschool Language Scale � 4 Auditory Comprehension and Expressive Communication subscales (PLS-AC and PLS-EC), Bracken Basic Concept Scale � Revised (BBCS-R), the language spoken in the home, if the child is bilingual, the education level of the primary caregiver, and gender. A full model using all predictors found scores on the BBCS-R, PLS-AC, and education level of the primary caregiver uniquely contributed scores on the PPVT-III.

The Effects of Practice Answering Behavioral Based Questions on Mock Interview Performance
Dotson, Carmen A (Sponsored by: Dr. Patricia A. Marsh)
University of Central Missouri

This research compared results on the University�s Career Services� mock interview assessment under two conditions: a) students who prepared for the mock interview by providing written answers to possible interview questions (intervention) and b) those who did not (control). Participants also completed pre and post interview surveys.

IDK how to feel about this TXT MSG: Absence of emotion when processing acronyms
Solomon, Sara (Sponsored by: Dr. Mary Still)
Missouri Western State University

Text messaging has increased substantially and with it the use of acronyms. Even so, little is known about the way acronyms and their emotional contents are processed. We used a variant of the Stroop task in which participants named the colors of words and acronyms that had either emotional or neutral content. Response times and error rates were higher for emotional words than for neutral words, but no differences were found between emotional and neutral acronyms. These data suggest that the emotions attached to words are not conveyed through acronyms even though the literal meanings of the acronyms are known.

The Perception of Attributes based on Dress
Becker, Mackenzie, Walters, Eryn, Goebel, Audrey and Minnis, Jennifer (Sponsored by: Dr. Carla Edwards)
Northwest Missouri State University

The purpose of our study was to see if there was a relationship between the ways female professors dress: professionally, business casual or casual, and how college students perceive the credibility, approachableness, organizational skills, enthusiasm, and effectiveness of each professor. Our sample consisted of general psychology students, both male and female, at a Midwestern University. They were shown three pictures of female professors: one in professional dress, one in business casual, and one in casual. One area, credibility was statistically different for the professionally dressed female professor. Statistical analysis, One-Way ANOVA, indicated no significant differences between groups on the attributes of approachableness, organizational skills, enthusiasm, and effectiveness.

Children's Appearance Affects College Students' Views of the Children's Home Life
Barnhill, Allison E (Sponsored by: Dr. Cathy Grover)
Emporia State University

Have you ever wondered how perception is affected by changes in appearance? I designed this study to show the difference in how participants perceive children's home lives based on their appearance. There were 34 college students enrolled in undergraduate psychology courses at Emporia State University who participated in this study. One group viewed two photos of children dressed up and the other group viewed the same children dirty. Participants then rated their perception of the children's home life. I found that when the participants viewed the children in the dirty clothing their perception of that child was that the child had a more unfortunate home life. This finding suggests that additional research should study how a student's appearance affects teacher's perceptions.

Judgments of Professionalism and Dress
Hearn, Kelli M (Sponsored by: Dr. Cathy Grover)
Emporia State University

Often professors do not have to adhere to dress codes. Participants in this study were 62 college students enrolled in undergraduate psychology courses in the fall of 2009. While either wearing formal, informal, or casual attire, I showed students slides of a female model dressed formally, informally and casually. Participants completed a survey rating the model and me using a Likert-scale. I expected that the students would rate the formal model as more intelligent and professional than the other models. Additionally, I thought they would rate me as more intelligent and professional in formal attire. Results indicated the participants rated the formal model as more intelligent and professional. However, ratings of me were not significantly different regardless of my formal, casual and informal wear. This information can be useful to college professors because their choice of dress might affect how students perceive them.

Barbie: A Common Children's Toy or the Source of Body Dissatisfaction?
Schmidt, Nicole (Sponsored by: Dr. Isabelle Cherney)
Creighton University

This study aimed to investigate children�s perceptions of body image. Children responded to vignettes by selecting padded Barbie and Ken dolls, as well as selecting their favorite and least favorite pictures from sets of images differing in weight. At young ages, children are expected to prefer thin female body types.

The Impact of Body Image on Life Satisfaction
Engdahl, Ashley A (Sponsored by: Roxanne Sullivan)
Bellevue University

This study examined the relationships between body image and life satisfaction. Thirty-eight men and women completed the Student's Life Satisfaction Scale and Assessing Your Body Image Scale. The results partially supported the hypothesis that those having a more positive body image were more satisfied with life than those who do not have a positive body image.

Attitudes Toward Derogatory Language
May, Ryan, Sharbutt, Rochelle, & Allison, Julie (Sponsored by: Julie Allison)
Pittsburg State University

This paper will present results from a replication study assessing attitudes toward and use of derogatory language (primarily "cuss" words) used in various contexts. It is expected that participants will report generally low levels of discomfort about such language and language use. Trends from data collected three years previously will also be discussed.

Discriminant Analysis of Lifestyle Variables Predicting Body Image
Cornett, Dillon J (Sponsored by: Calvin P. Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

Lifestyle habits such as exercising or using diet pills may categorize body image description not considering actual weight. This study examines the difference between the ability of good and poor habits to reclassify how a person feels about their weight using linear discriminant functions. The data set used in the analyses consists of students from 136 colleges and universities across the nation who completed the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey. Data from 2606 participants were used in the analyses. The analysis of the models revealed that, with fewer predictors, the good habits model correctly reclassified individuals statistically better than the full model. The good habits model also better reclassified participants than the poor habits model. The full model including all the variables in the analyses correctly reclassified participants statistically better than the poor habits model.

Mortality Salience and Self-Construal
Ross, Alexandra S (Sponsored by: Dr. Christie Cathey)
Missouri Southern State University

According to terror management theory, when people write about their own death their mortality becomes salient, resulting in death anxiety. In order to ease this anxiety they engage in worldview defense. The purpose of this experiment was to examine the hypothesis that writing about a significant other�s death would lead to higher levels of worldview defense for participants with more interdependent self-construals. Participants were asked to write about their own death, the death of a significant other or dental pain (the control condition), complete a self-construal measure, and then rate the severity of twelve moral transgressions and suggest monetary fines for those same transgressions. Results showed that, regardless of experimental condition, participants� levels of independence were positively correlated with their severity ratings of the moral transgressions and that participants� levels of interdependence were positively correlated with the amount of monetary fines they assigned to those transgressions. Contrary to predictions, there were no interactions between experimental condition and self-construal levels on these two measures of worldview defense.

WAIS-IV Scatter: Comparison of Brain-Damged Patients and Normal Controls
Seeley, Jennifer S (Sponsored by: Dr. Joseph J. Ryan)
University of Central Missouri

This study assessed the validity of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) inter-subtest scatter, reflected by the scaled score range, as an indicator of cognitive impairment secondary to brain injury. Contrary to clinical lore (Gregory, 1987), scatter ranges did not differ between the brain-damaged patients and normal controls.

A Comparison of Secular and Prayer-Based Meditations on Depressive Symptoms Among University Students
Babitzke, Jennifer M (Sponsored by: Dr. Donna Stuber)
Friends University

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a form of treatment used to reduce depressive symptoms. Meditation, which inherently includes aspects of relaxation and spirituality, is a key component of MBCT. This study compared the effectiveness of prayer-based (spiritual) and secular meditations on depressive symptoms among university students. Results will be discussed.

The Impact of Multiple Sclerosis on Quality of Life
Sabutis , Timothy J (Sponsored by: Dr. Roxanne Sullivan )
Bellevue University

The impact of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) on quality of life was examined. The instrument used measured quality of life for physical, energy, and pain areas. The data supported the hypothesis that participants diagnosed with MS for a longer amount of time had a significant difference in physical quality of life.

Vicarious Traumatization Related to Television News and the Relationship to Leadership Variables
Stamoulis, Stephanie K, Dent, Justin (Sponsored by: Carla Edwards )
Northwest Missouri State University

There is much research supporting the idea that violent media, such as television news stories, can affect viewers negatively. Review of data from a previous study was extended for the current research. The behavior explored in the current study focused on the effects of news media on anxiety and specifically explored the behavior of leadership. A look at how much time was spent viewing televised broadcasts, how much vicarious tramatization (VT) came from this broadcast, and a the relationship between leadership and this viewing was focused on. Select leadership qualities were chosen from the previous study and specifically explored in this current study. Superiority, production, and structure were three leadership aspects that were focused on in this look at leadership and how it is related by negative television media. When participants reported higher VT related to longer viewing of negative television, the need for structure, more production in the workplace, and superiority rose significantly. 

Assessing the differential effectiveness of prayer and relaxation techniques in reducing physiological reactions to current stressors
Hyland, John; Hill, Melissa; Ruedi, Harry; Taylor, Nate (Sponsored by: Buhman-wiggs, Adam)
Benedictine College

Little literature exists addressing the effectiveness of prayer as a stress-reduction intervention. What literature is available suggests that prayer essentially functions at the level of placebo, with its efficacy contingent on the beliefs of the individual. We hypothesized that when statistically controlling for an individual's level of faithfulness (belief), prayer would be equally effective relative to secular stress management interventions (deep breathing and guided imagery) in reducing physiological responses to stress, supporting an effect beyond mere placebo. We also predicted the efficacy of prayer would hold across differing styles of prayer (Ritualistic, Supplicatory, and Contemplative), a question untested in the current literature. Participants were identified through screening questionnaire packets provided in various psychology courses, and assigned to one of five groups (guided imagery, deep breathing, ritualistic prayer, supplicatory prayer, and contemplative prayer). Sensors monitoring heart rate, body temperature, skin conductance, and respiration were placed on each participant. Participants were then lead through a stress-induction process to create modest levels of distress, followed by a stress-reduction intervention based on their group assignment. Physiological variables were recorded throughout the process and results analyzed to determine group differences in stress response with faithfulness as a covariate. Patterns of response within individuals were also explored. Implications and limitations of the findings will be discussed in terms of the prayer placebo argument, the role of faithfulness in response to prayer, reported v. actual prayer styles, and the unique value of prayer as a stress intervention.

Role of anxiety on the recognition of fear on women and men faces
Cozad, Ivonne N (Sponsored by: Dr. Joanne Altman)
Washburn University

This study investigated the effect of anxiety on one�s ability to recognize different degrees of fear in another person. College students completed the PANAS mood test and the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire 26-Item version, (Mini-MASQ) to determine current and general states of anxiety, respectively. Anxiety was produced in half of the participants by having them read the instructions aloud in front of a video-camera. Then participants ranked 8 photographs on how much fear they showed. The photographs varied in sex and whether there was no fear, fear in the bottom part of the face, fear in the top part of the face, or full fear. The hypotheses, that people would rank even the more subtle expressions of fear as fearful after being primed to feel anxious, was not supported. However women recognized the more subtle fear expression (only expressed by the bottom half) in the men�s photograph while man only recognized partial fear when it was found in the top half of the face.

An Analysis of Death-Qualified Juries: Personality Traits as Factors in Jurors� Decisions Regarding the Death Penalty
Whisler, Brie L (Sponsored by: Dr. Jonathan Smith)
University of Central Missouri

Jury members in capital cases are currently selected through the use of a voir dire, which ensures death-qualification. However, little research has been done on outside factors that may contribute. This review of literature looks at individual�s personality traits, as well as death-qualified jury�s views towards the death penalty.

Influence of Prejudicial Factors on Immigrants and the U.S. Naturalization Test
DeVaul, Amanda N (Sponsored by: Dr. Patricia Marsh)
University of Central Missouri

This literature review examines past instances of U.S. prejudice towards immigrants/immigration, as well as how a country�s economy and individuals perceptions of realistic and symbolic threats affect attitudes towards immigration. Implications of how this affects the current U.S. Naturalization Test are discussed.

College Students with Head Injuries
Elliott, Dustin M (Sponsored by: Dr. Cooper B. Holmes)
Emporia State University

This presentation will review the literature on head injured college students. The literature is not extensive or current, emphasizing the necessity of more research regarding this topic. I will discuss the literature that is available, and propose future investigations.

Landau Kleffner Syndrome - A review
Sankar, Sudha (Sponsored by: )
Pittsburg State University

Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS) is a form of acquired aphasia that is the direct result of underlying epileptic activity in the brain. It is the prototype of disorders with epileptiform regression. This paper reviews symptoms, risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment strategies for LKS. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

I'm Watching You: Effect of Observer Presence on Violent Videogame Behavior
Gerodias, Andrew H, Chapin, Meghan K (Sponsored by: Dr. Susan Burns)
Morningside College

This research was designed to examine the effect of observer'spresence on video game behavior in a violent video game. Participants playedthe game Grand Theft Auto for 20 min with a research assistant in the roomand 20 min alone (order randomly assigned) to see if game behavior changedwith an observer present. Game-play behavior was recorded throughout.Results and implications are discussed.

Effect of Religion on Guilt and Punishment
Mead, Sheila D (Sponsored by: Dr. Eric Stocks)
University of Texas Tyler

Running head: EFFECT OF PERCEIVED RELIGION ON GUILT AND PUNISHMENTEffect of Perceived Religion on Punishment and GuiltS. Dianne Mead University of Texas at TylerEric L. Stocks Department of Psychology, University of Texas at TylerABSTRACTThe present research examined the influence of religious dissimilarity on perceptions of a person suspected of criminal activity. Forty-two undergraduate students were randomly assigned to read a police case file involving a person who was described as having either a similar, or dissimilar, religious background compared to the participant (e.g., if the participant was Christian, the defendant was described as an Atheist). Participants then made recommendations regarding the defendant�s guilt and the severity of punishment he deserved. The results suggest that the perception of guilt and recommended severity of punishment were not influenced by religious dissimilarity. However, a subtle form of prejudice against the dissimilar defendant was evidenced by participants� preference that he be defended by an incompetent, rather than competent, lawyer when the case goes to trial. Implications of these results for research on prejudice and jury decision making are discussed.

The Sights and Sounds of Movies: Emotions Evoked by Film Through Music and Image
Evans, Claire L (Sponsored by: Dr. Mike Russell)
Washburn University

A number of studies have examined the impact that music has on people�s perception of a film scene. One particular limitation to previous studies is that they typically only used one scene or a small number of scenes that are all part of a particular movie. One of the purposes of the current study is to determine whether the impact of sound and image is equivalent across various movies from four genres (horror, action, drama, and romance). This study also seeks to determine whether the background music of a movie evokes an emotional response in the audience that the visual aspects alone cannot. Ultimately, the interest is whether the full image (sound plus image) is equal to judgments based solely on sound and those based solely on visual images. The elicited mood states of participants will be discussed with respect to the form and avenue of stimulation.

Effects of Mortality Salience on Disgust and Religiosity
Duncan, Jordyn L (Sponsored by: Dr. William Wozniak)
University of Nebraska Kearney

One common context effect used to manipulate self evaluation is mortality salience. Our hypothesis was that mortality salience and questionnaire order would affect disgust and religiosity scores. We measured the effects of mortality salience on disgust and religiosity. We also measured ordering effects by manipulating the order of the religiosity and disgust questionnaires. We primed the participants by administering either a death or dental pain questionnaire. After a brief demographic questionnaire, participants were given a disgust or religiosity questionnaire. Next, the participants were given the questionnaire that they had not previously taken. We did not find any significant effects for mortality salience or questionnaire order.

Determining Accuracy
Olson, Abbie K (Sponsored by: Dr. Theresa Wadkins)
University of Nebraska Kearney

There is question to how well people have the ability to detect lies. In previous research, Porter, Doucette, Woodworth, Earle, and MacNeil (2008) videotaped stories of five students� personal accounts of truthful and deceptive stories. They found that deceptive stories had similar behaviors compared to the truthful stories. The study also indicates that increased physical movements can cause the observer to identify a story as truthful or deceptive. The purpose of this study is to view videotapes, of stories recorded, and determine how accurately lies can be identified. Stories were recorded for one male and one female�s account of an accomplishment, and of an embarrassing moment. For each account an honest and a deceptive story was told, for a total of eight stories. Deceptive stories were more accurately identified, compared to truthful stories.

Millennial Generation: Psychological Characteristics and Motivations
Armilio, Michelle, Arnold, Dane, Bolten, Jamie, Kempf, Jennifer, McGuire, Vanessa, and Peters, Jillian (Sponsored by: Dr. Phil Wann)
Missouri Western State University

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychological characteristics and motivations of Missouri Western students in the millennial generation. The 85 undergraduate students (45 females, 40 males between the ages of 17 and 22) completed a survey assessing their own behavior and perception of others in the millennial generation. It was hypothesized that millennial generation students would have a sense of entitlement, be more politically involved, rely heavily on technology for social and information gathering, and have different motivations for attending college than previous generations of students.

Predicted Relationship Length and Relationship Seriousness in Undergraduates Model
Reilly, Erin (Sponsored by: Cal Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

The present study focuses on a variety of variables that are used to predict the outcome of relationship length and seriousness of relationships in undergraduate students at a large Midwestern university. The variables were relationship type (heterosexual, homosexual, or none), gender, GPA, age, family type, and scores from the Interpersonal Trust Scale. The participants were asked to answer questions on a questionnaire that pertained to individual information about interpersonal behavior. There were significant results found in both of the two criterion variables that pertained to age, relationship type, gender, and on the trust scale used. Namely, a trend was found indicating a positive relationship between age and both criterion variables. Also, relationship type and gender were found to have significant relationships with the variables, indicating that there is a different between males and females and also between heterosexuals and homosexuals in regards to relationships of college students. Further research recommendations are discussed.

The Explanations Behind the Door-In-The-Face Technique
Wagner, Collette E., Hillie, Sarah., & Peper, Lisa. (Sponsored by: Dr. Richard Miller)
University of Nebraska Kearney

The current study examines the explanations behind the door-in-the-face technique. It was hypothesized that reciprocal concessions, rather than the feeling of guilt, worthy person, or cost comparison, would be responsible for the door-in-the-face technique. Half the participants received the large to small request (door-in-the-face technique) and the other half of participants received single requests only. If first rejecting the large request and accepting the smaller request participants were asked to fill out a brief questionnaire. The questionnaire asked the participants to what extent did the four explanations for the door-in-the-face technique have an effect on their decision to comply with the second smaller request. The results found that the hypothesis was partially supported. Reciprocal concessions was partially responsible for the explanations behind the door-in-the-face technique, however cost of comparison was equally influential on the participants decision.

Will You Watch My Seat? College Students' Helping Behavior in the Library
Smith, Alicia & Deweese, Katherine (Sponsored by: Dr. Cathy Grover)
Emporia State University

Exploring the helping behavior of strangers, we asked 20 of 40 participants to help, and observed their actions in the library as one experimenter stole the other experimenter's seat. We found that participants were more likely to help when asked and that women were more likely to help than men.

The Effects of Gender, Age and Town Size on Helping Behavior
Steinhoff, Camie R, Cunningham, Sean B, Schmitt, Ashley N, Ewing, Danielle R (Sponsored by: Ryan Wessell)
Northwest Missouri State University

The purpose of the project was to investigate if gender, age and town size had an impact on individuals willingness to help a stranger. One confederate would drop an envelope, and the second confederate would record the reaction of the participant. Our results indicated there is not significant differences between gender, age or town size. Although the results were not significant, they were positive because most people helped.

Do people choose their romantic partners based on similar racial and/or religious background?
Bhattarai, Jackie (Sponsored by: Dr. David Kreiner)
University of Central Missouri

The purpose of this research project was to develop an instrument to determine whether people choose their romantic partners based on similar racial and/or religious background. There were 201 participants who took the instrument twice. We used test-retest and internal consistency reliability tests to analyze the quality of the instrument.

Level of Religiosity/Spirituality and Attitudes toward Homosexuality
Gove, Emily M; Compton, Heather; Fletcher, Courtney; Humphrey, Kevin (Sponsored by: Karen Kostan)
Missouri Southern State University

The present study was used to explore levels of religiosity and spirituality compared to attitudes toward homosexuality. To examine this, 166 undergraduate students at a university in southwest Missouri were given a two-part survey and were asked questions about their religious involvement/spirituality level and personal attitudes toward homosexuality. Findings show there was a significant negative correlation between the two variables. These suggest that the higher the level of a person�s religiosity and spirituality, the less tolerant that person will be toward gay men and lesbians. We also found a significant correlation between gender and attitudes toward homosexuality. These findings show that females have a more positive attitude toward gay men and lesbians than males.

Psychological Mindedness, Type-D Personality, and Blood Pressure
Landrum, Brad (Sponsored by: Phillip Wann)
Missouri Western State University

Type-D personality is a risk factor for cardiovascular health and cardiac patient outcomes. Research also suggests that heart patients with a defensive coping style may be at increased risk, as these patients may fail to self-report certain risk indicators. A criticism of this line of research is that personality factors are relatively stable, and clinical advantages to identifying personality trait risk factors are undermined by the difficulty of modifying behavior. However, the more malleable construct of psychological mindedness has been the subject of recent research. Increased psychological mindedness is a predictor of outcomes for psychotherapy patients, but there has been no research on psychological mindedness and physical health. The recent development of the Biological Index of Psychological Mindedness may prove useful in studying the potential relationship between psychological mindedness and cardiovascular health.

The Effects of Health Education on Health Risk Perception
Cunningham, Sean B; Shepherd, Karna; Kelly, Danielle (Sponsored by: Carla Edwards)
Northwest Missouri State University

This study explored the effects of health education on health risk perception. It was hypothesized that receiving an education health lecture would increase a persons’ perception of their own health risk. College undergraduates from a Midwestern university were administered a health information lecture and/or a survey. The subsequent results of the experiment did not support the proposed hypothesis. It is possible that the lecture method used in the experimental condition was not as effective in producing the expected emotional response.

The Effect of Weight Loss on Work Attitudes and Job Satisfaction
Elhoffer, Jillian & George, Megan (Sponsored by: Dr. Catherine Daus)
Southern Illinois University System

This study examined the effects of weight loss on stress and work attitudes such as job satisfaction and productivity. Based on the affective events theory of job satisfaction and outcomes, we hypothesized that by positively changing the workers� personal environment through weight loss, other positive events will follow. The weight loss will lead to more positive work and personal events as well as positive outcomes such as increased mood, decreased withdrawal behaviors, more job satisfaction and general psychological well being. We found that the 18 employees lost a combined total of 354.1 lbs, an average of 19.7 per employee. The weight loss was accompanied by corresponding pre/ post program changes in subjective well being and decreases in daily hassles.

Comparison of Male and Female College Student Drinking and Drinking Perceptions
Knox, Deanna I (Sponsored by: Dr. Wann)
Missouri Western State University

The study attempted to replicate the findings in the Labrie, J.W., Cail,J., Hummer, J.F., Lac, A. % Neighbors, C.(2009)college drinking study. A questionnaire about drinking habits and perception of drinking was given to 176 college students at a small Midwestern college. In contrast to what Labrie etal. reported, women perceived the number of drinks men wanted them to drink to be almost identical to the amount men actually reported wanting them to drink. Also, students reported perceiving themselves and other students as drinking twice as many drinks as they actually drank. Interestingly, students believe that everyone around them is drinking more than than they actually are. We also found found that some students reported binge drinking episodes with risky behaviors. If students are wffected by their peers perceptions, this may create a trend towards drinking more and more.

MOTIVATION/READINESS MEASURES AND THE PREDICTION OF SMOKING INTERVENTION OUTCOMES
Schoor, Rachel A; Catley, Delwyn, Ph.D; Krigel, Susan, M.A; Harris, Kari, Jo, Ph.D., MPH; Goggin, Kathy, J. Ph.D. (Sponsored by: Dr. Delwyn Catley )
University of Missouri Kansas City, The University of Montana

Although various motivational/readiness measures for smoking cessation are used, there is little consensus on the underlying constructs they measure (e.g., desire to quit, readiness to quit) and which are the best predictors of outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the interrelationships of different motivational/readiness measures and their associations with smoking outcomes. Following a brief smoking cessation intervention, college student smokers (N=61, 46% Female, Mean Age = 26.5) completed measures of motivation/readiness to quit using a 10-point single item �Motivation Ruler�, a similar single item �Importance Ruler�, the Contemplation Ladder, the Decisional Balance scale and a novel 4-item measure of Desire to Quit. At one week participants completed a survey assessing quit attempts, reduction attempts, and if they had quit smoking. Bivariate correlations between all scales revealed that the highest correlations were between the Desire to Quit scale and Motivation Ruler and the Importance Ruler (r�s ranged from .68 to .84, all p�s <.01). The Decisional Balance scale had the lowest correlations with the other scales. Stepwise regression was used to identify the best predictor(s) of smoking outcomes. Results revealed that the Decisional Balance scale was the best and sole predictor of quit attempts and reduction attempts. Findings suggest that most motivation/readiness measures tap strength of desire to quit. The Decisional Balance scale appears to measure a distinct aspect of motivation/readiness which was more predictive of behavior change efforts. Understanding distinctions between motivation/readiness measures and their relative predictive power could improve prediction of behavior change. Funded in part by the UMKC Women�s Council Graduate Assistance Fund

Predicting College Students� Weight from Health and Demographic Models
Pohl, Jessica L (Sponsored by: Dr. Calvin Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

Body weight is an important factor in assessing length of life because of its influence on health problems and diseases. Certain demographic and health data may contribute to body weight. This study used data from a survey of 4,609 undergraduate students from 136 different college institutions to investigate several predictors of body weight. A nested/non-nested model comparison was used to analyze the correlation and regression weights of the predictors for the Full, Health, and Demographics model. The study found that the Full model accounts for more variance than both the Health model and the Demographics model. In addition, there is a significant difference between the Health and Demographics models; the Demographics model accounts for more variance. Similarities to previous findings are discussed.

Are the current standards for evidence-based treatment enough?
McDaniel, Eric A (Sponsored by: Dr. Robyn Long)
Emporia State University

I will be presenting on an overview of the findings and the criteria for evidence-based practice from the Task Force 12 reports of 1993 and 2005, and briefly discuss a few of claims made by Bruce Wampold in his book, �The Great Psychotherapy Debate�. The point I will make is that there is a great degree of disagreement about what constitutes an evidence-based treatment currently. Next, I will present brief descriptions of two therapies that are gaining momentum as evidence based treatments, the first being Dr. John Gottman�s marital therapy and Dr. Stephen Ilardi�s Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, treatment for depression. I will briefly discuss the rigor and efforts made by the creators to ground their therapies in sound science (e.g. evolutionary biology, neurology, etc.). After which I will discuss my research goals in working to demonstrate that those therapies that are consistent with other fields of science are the most effective. Additionally, I will make the point that those therapies inconsistent with science are not �unusable�, but instead offer solutions to validate techniques helpful in traditional practices.

Exploring The Von Restorff Effect, Using EyeTracking
Hanson, Micah (Sponsored by: Dr. Carter)
University of Central Missouri

The ongoing research seeks to illuminate on how information is encoded for later retrieval. A particular phenomenon in memory research, called the isolation effect, has been well-documented for years. The isolation effect (or Von Restorff effect) occurs when one attempts to retrieve stored information, involving a group of similar items and a single distinct item. Individuals tend to successfully recall the distinct item (or isolated item) while they might fail to retrieve some of the similar items. However, studies have yet to clarify the underlying mechanism. A research paradigm using eyetracking will be presented that seeks to unambiguously determine if the isolation effect is due to encoding processes or retrieval processes.

Empowerment: A qualitative analysis of definitional factors
Burton, Sarah (Sponsored by: Dr. Steve Schuetz)
University of Central Missouri

This on going study examines how individuals define empowerment through qualitative research. Qualitative thematic research involves "identifying, analyzing, and reporting pattern (themes) within data"(Braun & Clarke, 2006 p.79). It is believed that empowerment differs for everyone, and that everyone is capable of empowerment. Participants were asked to write as many words they believe pertain to the term empowerment. The first portion of the study was conducted as a group to aid participants in brainstorming. In the second session of the study, participants were asked to define, in their own words, the terms generated during the first session.

Cognitive Dissonance and the Brain
Elliott, Dustin M (Sponsored by: Dr. Cathy A. Grover)
Emporia State University

The term cognitive dissonance is referred to as an emotional state occurring in an individual who possesses two philosophies that conflict with one another. It is a phenomenon prevalent throughout many social psychology texts; however, this presentation will describe what is occurring in such individuals, from a neurological perspective.

The Effect of feedback about texting while driving on Attitudes towards texting
Wells, Megan L (Sponsored by: Dr. Joanne Altman)
Washburn University

AbstractResearch shows that many people text message while driving. This study investigated whether showing people the mistakes they make while texting and driving will change their attitude towards texting while driving. College students played a driving video game (the Mario Cart for Wii) while texting and without texting. They evaluated how they performed with and without text messaging and repeated a survey to evaluate their willingness to text while driving. The results will address whether evidence of poor performance while texting is enough to dissuade students from texting while driving.

Political Orientation, Morality, and Emotion: How Conservatives and Liberals Respond to Disgust
Bryan, Whitney M; Wellman, Danielle E (Sponsored by: Dr. Phillip Wann)
Missouri Western State University

The objective of this research was to study differences in response to disgust and fear in political liberals and political conservatives. According to Haidt (2007), there are five foundations of morality; fairness, harm, loyalty, authority and purity. Conservatives tend to hold attitudes that protect the social order by focusing on all five foundations, whereas liberals tend to focus only on the fairness and harm foundations. If this is true, conservatives will be more influenced by emotions such as disgust and fear. The purpose of the study focused on the effect of disgust on moral decisions. Participants with high scores on the social conservatism survey were affected by disgust with greater intensity.

Effects of Similarity and Physical Appearance on Interpersonal Attraction
Busch, Deborah A., Edmondson, Whitney S (Sponsored by: Dr. Ryan Newell)
Oklahoma Christian University of Science & Arts

This study was conducted on all male participants to test the effects of similarity and physical appearance on their interpersonal attraction to women. Two female confederates were selected based on their physical appearance, one being highly attractive and the other being less attractive. Males were randomly assigned to one of the two confederates as well as if they were made to believe they were similar or dissimilar to the confederate based on answers to a general attitude survey. After initial interaction with the confederate, participants were asked to complete a survey assessing their interpersonal attraction to the confederate. Data pending.

The Effects of Ostracism on Prosocial Behavior.
England, Brittney L, Hogan, Kelly (Sponsored by: Dr. Jeri Thompson)
Hastings College

Previous researchers have examined the effects of ostracism on individuals� feelings of belongingness, sense of having a meaningful existence, self-esteem, feelings of being in control, and mood. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of ostracism on individuals� willingness to act in a prosocial manner. Participants were undergraduate students enrolled in psychology courses. Participants believed that the purpose of the study was to help them practice mental visualization skills. They played a computerized ball-tossing game with two others who they believed were real people in a remote location. They were asked to mentally visualize what the others looked like, where they were playing, what the weather was like, etc. Ostracism was simulated using cyberball and participants filled out a questionnaire that served as a manipulation check for the cyberball game. An �accidental� situation was set up to determine the participant�s willingness to help a research confederate who dropped some books. We predicted that excluded participants would be less likely to help the confederate pick up their books.

The Effects of Ambient Temperature Change on Recall Tasks
Obermier, Jessica K (Sponsored by: Dr. Richard Miller)
University of Nebraska Kearney

The ambient temperature of a room and its effects on human concentration and memory is an important area of study. Previous research has indicated an ideal temperature for concentration (Mackworth, 1950) and even how complex tasks can be accomplished in extreme temperatures (Carlson, 1961). This research strives to understand more about how a change in temperature can affect an individual�s recall on a memory task. Participants were given a set of words or pictures to remember in one extreme temperature room (hot or cold) and asked to recall that information in the opposite temperature room. Females overall performed better on the word recall task regardless of what condition they were placed in. Females moving from a cold to warm environment recalled word lists most effectively.

Presenter Effects on Test Taking and Stress Levels
Peacock, Susan E; Rosenbalm, Lacy (Sponsored by: Dr. Ryan Newell)
Oklahoma Christian University of Science & Arts

Previous experimental research reveals that students may fulfill an authority�s expectations if they are not expected to do well. Students may feel that expectations placed on them by authority figures influences how well they do on a task. This study examined the effects of giving �hard� or �easy� instructions to see how well students would perform on a standardized test. In addition, the aim was to see if higher stress levels were elicited when the instructions were given by a professor. Male and female college students (N=65) completed the task and researchers ran a two-way analysis of variance with an interaction effect. There were no significant results and our hypotheses were not supported.

What�s mood got to do with it?: A test of the mere exposure effect
Davison, Leah (Sponsored by: Newell, Ryan)
Oklahoma Christian University of Science & Arts

While mood has previously been perceived as a result of exposure, recent research suggests that an individual�s mood will also have an effect on feelings of familiarity. We manipulated the mood of participants by exposing them to either a positive video, negative video, or a neutral task. Participants were then presented with pictures of faces or a bogus subliminal presentation. All participants then watched a slide show that consisted of faces they had been exposed to and new faces they had not seen. Participants were asked to rate the faces as either �old� or �new.� We hypothesized that participants who were in a positive mood would have a greater amount of false positives, and participants in a neutral mood will have more correct responses.

If you're happy and you know it: The effects of mood and gum on the recall of words
Holley, Jillian and Marquez, Anastasia (Sponsored by: Dr. Ryan Newell)
Oklahoma Christian University of Science & Arts

This study was conducted to research the effects of gum and mood on recall. Previous experimental research has indicated that those in a positive mood recall more words than those in a negative mood. Research also suggests that mint-flavored gum helps context-dependent memory, which also helps in recall. Seventy-three undergraduate psychology students were randomly assigned to four different groups (positive mood and gum, positive mood and no gum, negative mood and gum, negative mood and no gum). Two groups were shown a positive video while the other two were shown a negative video. A positive and a negative group were then given gum to chew for the remainder of the study. All groups were then shown a PowerPoint of 45 words (positive, neutral, and negative). A distracter test was given and then the participants performed a forced recall test. Results indicated that negative mood induced negative word recall. Gum had no effect on recall.

The Effect of Priming on Implicit Racial Bias Level Toward African Americans
Hestermann, Benjamin J (Sponsored by: Dr. Jerry Bockoven)
Nebraska Wesleyan University

This Presentation will review current research done in the relatively new are of implicit racial bias and the use of the implicit association test. This presentation will go on to outline an experiment regarding implicit bias, as well as minimum stimulus level. This study is currently being conducted by the researcher.

Spiritual Landscapes of Authenticity: A Qualitative Analysis of Finding Meaning in One's Connection wiit
Fort, Tauni W (Sponsored by: Dr. Steven Schuetz)
University of Central Missouri

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships and development of spirituality and how a person comes to that meaning and the connection with a higher power.

Where's the Influence? An Analysis of Sexual Activity and Contraceptive Use Among College Students
Johnson, Soren (Sponsored by: Dr. Abigail Mitchell)
Nebraska Wesleyan University

Research in the area of sexual activity has identified numerous antecedents and risk factors, but the majority of studies have primarily focused on sexual activity among adolescents. However, research regarding the sexual activity of college students is less prevalent. The following literature review identifies four basic factors that influence sexual activity: academic involvement/future aspirations, peer influence, religion, and body esteem. In the current study, these four factors will be correlated to participants� reported sexual attitudes, as well as their behavior regarding sexual activity and contraceptive use through the method of multiple linear regression, which is used to determine the relative strength of the correlations.

Connecting the dots: analysis of the relationship between factors that form the construct of resilience
Smith, Katie (Sponsored by: Dr. Abigail Mitchell)
Nebraska Wesleyan University

The purpose of this research study is to examine the relationship between happiness, optimism, life satisfaction, parental closeness, perseverance, and self-esteem to see how each of these contributes to the construct of resilience. Each of these variables will be cross-validated with an established measure of resilience, the Baruth Protective Factors Inventory (BPFI). The assumptions for this study are: the higher the scores for each of the variables, the more resilient the individual and that each of the variables will correlate with the BPFI. This study will add to the knowledge of resilience, provide further validation for the BPFI, and identify which of the factors were significant in contributing to resilience.

The Value of a Father-Daughter Relationship
Nachazel, Molly S (Sponsored by: Dr. Nancy Elwell)
Concordia University-Nebraska

It only seems logical that the father-daughter relationship would affect the daughter�s significant other choices. The purpose of this study is to determine how the Father Type of a young adult female influences her choice of a Significant Other. Gough (1952) discovered six father types based on the father-daughter relationship. The six types are: Doting, Demanding/Supportive, Seductive, Distant, Domineering, and Absent. This study was conducted using systematic random selection of eight female residents, with Significant Others, on Concordia University campus. Particpants were given a survey with two adjective checklist questions, formatted using Gough�s original adjective checklist questionarre. Father type and Significant other type were determined based on the adjectives selected for each. Results suggested that the Father Type has an impact on the Significant Other choice of the daughter.

Family and Friends: Their Effect on Emotional Intelligence in Preadolescence
Cox, Tara B, Spitzer, Brett A. (Sponsored by: Dr Teddi Deka)
Missouri Western State University

Middle School children (n=102) from two schools were given questionnaires to examine whether age, sociability/loneliness and family cohesion predicted trait emotional intelligence. A regression demonstrated that sociability level of the child and family cohesion, but not age, predicted trait emotional intelligence.

Investigating relationships between parenting styles and helicopter parenting
Stern, Emily R (Sponsored by: Dr. Kenneth L. Carter)
University of Central Missouri

Although many people are familiar with the phrase �helicopter parent,� there is very little empirical research on the topic. The presented research sought to empirically examine different descriptive categories of helicopter parents and explore potential correlations between helicopter parents and the parenting styles described by Diana Baumrind (1967). Results also clarify the five proposed categories of helicopter parents.

Baby Einstein: How Childhood Activities Influence Spatial Skills
Grawe, Hannah; Schmidt, Nicole; Culhane, Christopher; Kostal, Jack (Sponsored by: Dr. Isabelle Cherney)
Creighton University

This study tried to validate an activities questionnaire that consists of masculine spatial and feminine non-spatial childhood activities designed to predict spatial and verbal performance in college students. Women who engaged more frequently in spatial childhood activities were expected to outperform women who spent less time in spatial activities.

Gender and Age Differences in Pay Expectations in Relation to Adolescents
Aslam, Madiha (Sponsored by: Dr. Jennifer Oliver)
Rockhurst University

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in pay expectations of adolescents in relation to gender and race. The participants were given a survey asking for pay expectations on 12 jobs divided by orientation (male, female, or neutral). Females were found to have higher pay expectations than males for some jobs, suggesting a new trend differing from that of older populations found in previous studies on this topic. Ideas are proposed for research to further study the concept of the gender wage gap from a younger population, and to replicate and enhance the results found in this study.

The Use of Abuse Characteristics in Predicting Empowerment after Child Sexual Abuse
Davenport, Sarah (Sponsored by: Dr. Calvin Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

Empirical research has linked child sexual abuse with a variety of adverse consequences (e.g., Kendall-Tackett et al., 1993). Further, a number of sexually abused youth have been found to meet the criteria for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which includes feelings of ineffectiveness or hopelessness (Wolfe, Sas, & Wekerle, 1993).Consequently, it is imperative to examine protective factors including how much empowerment the child feels following abuse. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between severity of abuse (e.g., duration, force, and relationship to perpetrator) and empowerment for pre-treatment and post-treatment. Participants consisted of 120 sexually abused children participating in Project SAFE, a 12-week, cognitive behavioral group treatment. Empowerment was measured using the Children�s Impact of Traumatic Events Scale-Revised (Wolfe et al., 1991). Results of the multiple regression analyses indicate that the model of abuse characteristics significantly account for 8% of the variance in pre-treatment empowerment outcomes. However, the model did not predict post-treatment empowerment.

Exploring Predictors of Working Memory Abilities in Preschool Aged Children
Schwab, Jessica L (Sponsored by: Dr. Calvin Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

Working memory has correlates in adult performance in everyday tasks. However, its role is not completely understood in young children, some theorize this is due to executive functioning not being as differentiated or developed as it is later in development. It is expected that there would be a relationship between working memory and both neuropsychological functions and other environmental factors. This study used data from 288 children who were all tested at age 4 years and 6 months. The study found that boys and girls did not have significantly different models to account for variance of real world working memory skill. Unique contributors to the full population model were maternal BIA, depression, and ADHD as well as the child�s performance on a lab administered working memory task. Results indicate that real world working memory skill is not restricted to a strict set of skills but influenced greatly by environmental factors.

The Work of G. Stanley Hall and the Influence of Darwin
Warnke, Tessa (Sponsored by: )
Missouri Western State University

Stanley Hall is an influential figure in the history of psychology. Although he is known for many different accomplishments, he is best known for his work and theories in child development, which earned him the title of the “Father of Adolescence.” Hall’s work ultimately gained its roots from Charles Darwin’s theory of the origin of species. This poster looks into the brief history of Hall’s life, his work, and how he has been influenced by Charles Darwin.

Darwin to Galton: Evolutionary Theory�s Impact on Francis Galton
Solomon, Sara (Sponsored by: Dr. Wann)
Missouri Western State University

Charles Darwin�s evolutionary theory greatly influenced Francis Galton in the 19th century because of it�s focus on human variation. Galton took the main ideas of Darwin�s theory and applied them to them to the human mind. Galton wrote exclusively about the heredity of intelligence and developed a theory of eugenics. Galton contributed important statistical concepts and ideas to psychology that later stimulated advancement in intelligence testing by his successors, James McKeen Cattell and Alfred Binet. This poster will discuss evolutionary theory�s influence on Galton, and the consequent implications of Galton�s work on intelligence testing.

Darwin, Dewey and School Psychology
Knox, Deanna I (Sponsored by: Dr. Wann)
Missouri Western State University

This historical paper focuses on the influence of Darwin�s Theory of Evolution on the ideas and writings of John Dewey. John Dewey had a strong belief in the necessity of education, flexibility, and an ethical outlook on the individuals within our society that may not appear as �fit� as the rest. His views were that our ultimate evolution is part of the environment that we ourselves create and that the two must go hand in hand or we aren�t really evolving. These theories were a large part of John Dewey�s concepts on the educating of our children in our society in such a way that they would be equipped to strengthen our future society.

An Analysis of the Rising Legitimacy of Computer-mediated Communication
Smith, Samantha M, Chappell, Kaylyn F. (Sponsored by: Johnson, Andrew. )
Park University

Traditionally speaking, computer-mediated communication (CMC) has always carried a distinctly negative stigma of desperation and last resort. However, the number of single Americans participating in online dating is steadily rising, contributing to the multi-billion dollar industry of electronically based relationship mediums such as dating websites. The purpose of this poster is to provide an overview of CMC and describe its pervasiveness in online dating. More specifically, this poster will present demographic and source information for CMC as well as present a sampling of relevant research.

Measuring Emotional Attachment to Virtual Avatars
Mitchell, Shayne C (Sponsored by: Dr. Patricia Marsh)
University of Central Missouri

This poster proposes a method to accurately assess the emotional stress caused by the loss of a virtual avatar similar to the user. In the last decade there has been phenomenal amounts of research dealing with emotional and physiological responses regarding virtual presence. It has also been dmonstrated that individuals consistently under-report the stress they feel during virtual activities when compared to their physiological measurements. A method utilizing deception is proposed to assess the stress felt by subjects at the loss of avatars to assess the increase in this stress as the avatar resembles the user to an increasing degree.

Family Views in Present Day Panama: Contrasts and Comparisons with American Family Values
Stewart, Kristin (Sponsored by: Dr. Edwards )
Northwest Missouri State University

This study was designed to examine cultural differences regarding family perspectives in the United States and Panama City, Panama.

Gender Differences in Ways of Seeking Social Support after Breakup and Failure
Weyer, Jamie and Stokebrand, Tera (Sponsored by: Richard Miller)
University of Nebraska Kearney

This study used 45 participants ranging from 18-23 years of age to determine if gender had an effect on how individuals seek social support after breakup or failure. Participants were given two surveys, one for situations after a breakup and one for after failing a test. It was hypothesized that gender would have a difference on the type of social support that the participant would seek. We expected that men would seek indirect social support whereas women would seek direct social support. We found that after a breakup, women were more likely to seek direct social support than were men. However, after failure, there were no significant gender differences on the types of social support seeking behavior. Future research needs to be done to look into how age impacts gender differences on social support seeking behavior.

Shim: Looking at Personality Perceptions of Gender Incongruent Persons
Barcus, Matthew J (Sponsored by: Todd Knealing)
Briar Cliff University

The effect of gender and appearance's effect on the appraisal of personality characteristics of stimulus individuals has been shown. The effect of gender incongruent appearance has not been investigated. This study looks at the effect gender incongruent appearance has on the way in which individuals personality characteristics are rated by comparing ratings of gender congruent vs. gender incongruent males and females as rated in the context of employment.

Sal the Science Gal: Factors Leading Women into STEM Fields
Culhane, Christopher, Kostal, Jack, and Nelson, Sabrina (Sponsored by: Isabelle Cherney)
Creighton University

This study examined the possible reasons for the underrepresentation of women in the physical sciences. Particular attention is paid to the influence of participation in stereotypically masculine activities, encouragement from role models, and the amount of exposure to the sciences.

Gender Differences in Predicting Dieting, and Differential Prediction of Exercising and Dieting
Dinneen, Kristen N (Sponsored by: Cal Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

Multiple predictors, (where a person lives, Greek membership, sports membership, considering suicide, diet pill use, condom use, and street drug use) were examined to determine differences in their ability to predict dieting to lose weight among males and females as well as classification accuracy of dieting to lose weight and exercising to lose weight. It was hypothesized the predictors would better classify females then males and have greater accuracy in predicting dieting to lose weight compared to exercising to lose weight. Analyses from questionnaires completed by 4,838 two and four-year college and university students revealed that the seven predictors more accurately predict dieting behaviors for females than males and are more useful in classifying dieters compared to exercisers.

Behaviors that are Associated with Sociometric Popularity Differences Among Male and Female Junior High School Students
Crane, Samantha L (Sponsored by: Calvin Garbin )
University of Nebraska Lincoln

The purpose of this study was to look at gender differences in sociometric popularity among junior high students. Students rated behavior associated with sociometric popularity and were also asked to rate social status. It was found that both positive and negative behaviors contributed to males being rated most liked, but only positive behaviors contributed to females being rated most liked. It was also found that only negative behaviors contributed to males being rated least liked, whereas both positive and negative behaviors were rated as least liked.

Eyewitness Memory: The Effects of Social Influences on the Creation of False Memory
Bradley, Kayla A (Sponsored by: )
Wayne State College

Eyewitness identifications have long been considered the most conclusive evidence in a case. However, current psychological research has shown this to be not necessarily be the case. In a review of this literature, the social influences of lineup instruction and post identification feedback were found to have a strong effect on the accuracy of eyewitnesses. A study is proposed to investigate the effects of social influence on eyewitness testimony in conjunction with the creation of false memory. The hypothesis being that post identification feedback will activate the creation of false memories after incorrect identifications under both biased and unbiased instruction conditions.

Semantic Dementia: A Loss for Words
Nippoldt, Eric, and Miller,Mikaela (Sponsored by: Dr. Maya Khanna)
Creighton University

Semantic dementia (SD) is a recently recognized subtype of frontotemporal dementia, characterized by anomia, impaired semantic knowledge and relatively preserved phonology, syntax, visuospatial skills and problem-solving skills. Research about the pathology in SD shows that patients exhibit extensive left temporal lobe atrophy and the presence of ubiquitin positive inclusions. Although often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer�s disease, patients with SD exhibit severe degradation of semantic memory, whereas Alzheimer�s patients display episodic memory impairment. Semantic memory impairment has major implications for a SD patient�s ability to use objects in their daily life.

Conditioned Fear to Elements of Facial Geometry
Mitchell, Shayne C (Sponsored by: Dr. Ken Carter)
University of Central Missouri

The special nature of how faces and facial expressions are recognized and processed by the brain has been examined extensively in past literature. Researchers have used a variety of stimuli ranging from real faces to caricature faces to simple angles to explore facial processing. Because of the differences in stimuli two competing hypothesis have emerged to explain what has been called the "face in the crowd" effect. We propose a methodology to explore the competing hypotheses and examine exactly which visual features of an angry face are necessary to activate specialized phylogenetic pathways. Different groups of subjects will be led through the acquisition and habituation of a conditioned fear response established with an electric shock. By varying stimuli from condition to condition the results should dissociate the competing hypotheses as well as clarify the key elements that define human facial expressions.

Who Wants Cookies? Behavioral Consequences of an Implanted Memory and Food Aversion
Genrich, Stephanie A (Sponsored by: Dr. Mary Beth Ahlum)
Nebraska Wesleyan University

A literature review of past research conducted by Elizabeth Loftus, as well as others, involving implanted memories in connection with specific events as well as food aversion. A discussion of the student's research design dealing with implanting a food aversion to chocolate chip cookies and testing the behavioral consequences of it will also be presented.

The effects of psychological reactance on hypocrisy induction
Clancy, Benjamin and Milam, Hayley (Sponsored by: Dr. Miller)
University of Nebraska Kearney

This study examined the effects of hypocrisy induction and psychological reactance on attitude change. Participants were confronted with the inconsistency of holding paranormal beliefs and academic enlightenment. Those scoring low on psychological reactance reduced their paranormal beliefs while those scoring high in psychological reactance showed an increase in paranormal beliefs.

Religiosity and Adjustment among Traditional Age Students
Fleet, Kelsey E (Sponsored by: Bill Allan)
Friends University

Evidence shows that active church involvement is positively related to adjustment and well-being. Although religiosity and adjustment are both viewed as positive attributes, religiosity may also negatively impact one's flexibility and level of adjustment. Traditional-aged university students were administered religiosity and adjustment scales. Results and implications will be discussed.

Religiosity as a Factor in Overcoming the Negative Effects of Growing Up in a Low Socioeconomic Status
Cooper, Adrianne M (Sponsored by: Joanne Altman)
Washburn University

The purpose of this study was to investigate religiosity as a factor in overcoming the negative effects that are associated with a low socioeconomic status. Participants completed surveys to determine their socioeconomic status as a child and level of intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity. They also completed measures on career confidence, risky behavior, and general mood. Results showed no differences in risky behavior, mood, or confidence in finding a career as a function of socioeconomic background or it�s interaction with religiosity. Failure to find differences between socioeconomic groups may be due to relative homogeneity in the college sample. One interesting effect we did find was that extrinsically religious participants were more likely to use tobacco products and consume alcohol.

Personality and Perceptions of Cell Phone Usage
Stuthman, Janeen F (Sponsored by: Dr. Krista K. Fritson)
University of Nebraska Kearney

The relationship between personality and cell phone usage was investigated. Participants completed surveys of the personality, locus of control, and cell phone use. A significant correlation was found between perception of cell phone minutes and extroversion. No other significant correlations were found between personality and cell phone usage.

Development through an Undergraduate Degree: A Correlational Study of Self-Efficacy and Connectedness to Nature
Swopes, Nicole R (Sponsored by: Dr. Steven Schuetz)
University of Central Missouri

This study investigated the correlation between self-efficacy and connectedness to nature. In addition, progress through an undergraduate degree program was also a factor. The literature review revealed that closeness to nature can relieve stress (Ulrich, 2003) and while students in the first couple years of an undergraduate degree program can fall victim to many pitfalls, those students who have high feelings of self-efficacy tend to do better because of their confidence in their abilities to overcome obstacles (Wintre & Bowers, 2007). Instrumentation included a demographics questionnaire, the Problem Solving Inventory (Heppner & Peterson, 1982) used to measure self-efficacy, and the Connectedness to Nature Scale ( Mayer & Frantz). It was found that there was a significant correlation between self-efficacy and connectedness to nature (r = -.251, p < .05).

The Narcissistic Nature of Self-Actualization
Kitchen, Sean C (Sponsored by: Dr. Charles Merrifield)
Newman University

The relationship between narcissism and self-actualization is examined. Similarities between the DSM-IV category Narcissistic Personality and Maslow�s conception of the Self-Actualized Personality are discussed. Results of a correlational study involving the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and the Core Self-Actualization factor of the Personal Attitude Survey will be presented.

Effects of Gender and Attire on Perceived Levels of Expertness and Recall
Rosenbalm, Jennifer E (Sponsored by: Dr. Ryan Newell)
Oklahoma Christian University of Science & Arts

Will a presenter�s attire and gender negatively or positively affect participant�s recall levels and perceived levels of expertness? We tested this question with 54 general psychology students who witnessed a ten-minute video about poverty presented by either a male or female who was dressed either formally or casually. Students were given a test to measure learning and perceived levels of expertness of the presenter. We ran multiple ANOVA tests and found that gender has an effect on perceived levels of expertness with males being perceived as more expert. We also found that there were differences between the female in formal attire and the female in casual attire on recall with a female dressed more formally resulting in higher scores on the recall test.

The Pausing Principle and the Effects on Learning
Rose, Michela; Rogers, Curtis; Lackey, Michelle; Stamoulis, Stephanie (Sponsored by: Dr. Carla Edwards)
Northwest Missouri State University

In a collegiate setting, it is important to understand human processes in learning. The research presented focuses on the pausing principle which suggests that breaks in learning offer time for consolidation and memory, thus leading to better performances in testing. In the current study, two group sections (group A and B) are watching two short films entitled Civil War Gold (Rosenfeld, Bredar, & McDowell, 2004) and Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West (Rosenfeld, Sondreal, Goodman, & Simon, 2002). One group will have no pause in between videos and then take a short multiple choice quiz over the material. The next group will then watch the exact same videos and take the same quiz, but they will have a short 15 minute break before watching the second video. It is hypothesized that students who have a pause between educational videos will perform better on a quiz over the videos than students who do not have a pause. Researchers are currently in the process of collecting data.

Learning Styles
Lynch, Jack I (Sponsored by: Dr. Ken Carter)
University of Central Missouri

Those who study the process of education have become aware of learning styles. Learning styles are viewed quite differently by researchers, but there does seem to be some overlap. This study will seek to examine the learning style preferences of students at the University of Central Missouri (UCM). Students will be tested via the Learning Styles Index devised by Richard Felder, as well as given a handful of additional questions to consider their stated preferences. Questions which might be of benefit to instructors are asked. The goal is to provide information to instructors regarding the learning styles and preferences of students at UCM. Specific emphasis is given to discovering if students find lecture to be a valuable aspect of their learning experience. The hypothesis that students would like less lecture and more hands on activities has been confirmed. Further research might involve testing students performance after their having been exposed to teaching styles considerate of specific learning styles.

The Effect of 24 Hour Sleep Deprivation on Decision Making, Mood and Memory in College Students.
Martenson Goetz, Kevin P (Sponsored by: Dr. Joanne Altman)
Washburn University

Research has demonstrated that sleep deprivation can lead to decreases in analytic reasoning skills, mood, and memory. However, sleep deprivation may also interfere with a cognitive task which students don't yet have fully developed under the best of conditions, and that is decision making. College students don't necessarily realize the very high risk of making poor decisions as a function of sleep deprivation. There is, as yet, no research to demonstrate the potential effect of sleep deprivation on decision making, which can have more dire consequences than just interrupted memory. Therefore this study investigated the effects of just 24 hour sleep deprivation on decision making skills, as well as mood and memory, in sleep deprived and non-sleep deprived college students. Participants completed a memory task, mood test, and executive function task at 7:30pm, 11:30pm and 8:00am. Half the participants stayed awake all night and half returned to their dorms to sleep. The results will be discussed in terms of performance over time with and without sleep.

The Effects of Story Structure and Order on Recognition Memory for a Picture Story
Wallace, Christopher J; Goddard, Suzanne (Sponsored by: Dr. Lester Loschky)
Kansas State University

The Effects of Story Structure and Order on Recognition Memory for a Picture StoryChris Wallace and Susie GoddardA simple story can be decomposed into separable story structures, which in turn can be broken down into individual phrases or images in a picture story. Specifically, the exposition introduces the characters and setting, followed by the complication that presents a goal, and then the resolution shows the achievement of that goal. Previous studies have shown that if a story is scrambled, memory for the story is worse, but such studies have not scrambled only at the level of exposition, complication, and resolution. We presented images from a picture story, either in the normal order or with the order of the story structures scrambled, but leaving the image order within each structure intact. We then measured picture recognition memory for the story images and observed no effect of scrambling on memory. Interestingly, memory was better for pictures from the exposition and complication than the resolution, even in the scrambled condition. Thus, the information contained in the structures was more important than the order in which they appeared. This suggests that the information in the story structures themselves drive memory for the story and not their sequential order.(129 words)

TitleDoes Assurance of Confidentiality Affect College Students�Responses about Alcohol Use?
Schumacher, Serena A (Sponsored by: Cathy Grover)
Emporia State University

This research explored whether assurance of confidentiality affected the participants response to a survey regarding alcohol use. The participants were 40 college students enrolled in undergraduate psychology classes. One group took a survey regarding alcohol and were reminded that the survey was confidential; the other group also took the survey and I did not say anything to them. I found that the participants in the group that I assured confidentiality too agreed more strongly with the statement "�I have taken alcohol from my parents" than the group that I did not assure confidentiality too. This experiment may be helpful in finding out whether confidentiality is required in order to get the truth.Keywords: confidentiality, alcohol, adolescents, survey.

Judges� and Presenters� Ratings of Presentations at the Missouri Undergraduate Psychology Conference
Lazenby, Kira (Sponsored by: Rebecca Hendrix)
Northwest Missouri State University

Instructors frequently encourage students to engage in independent research to bolster related skills. The current project compared ratings of presentations at a regional student conference to investigate perceptions of the degree to which those skills were demonstrated. Presenter ratings were different than peer and professor ratings.

Don't keep me in the dark: Effects of lighting on physiological responses to gaming
Chapin, Meghan (Sponsored by: Dr. Susan Burns)
Morningside College

This study investigated the effects of environmental factors (lights on or off) on participants' physiological (Galvanic Skin Response, heart rate, and respiration) state while playing a video game. Results indicate mixed physiological responses to environmental manipulation (i.e., only GSR was affected). Limitations and implications are discussed.

Mind Wandering
Sobczyk, Emily K (Sponsored by: Dr William Sturgill)
Rockhurst University

People claim to spend much of their time while awake mind wandering. But what do they mind wander about? Sixteen students from statistics class were randomly alerted three times per day for 7 days via cell phone and asked to indicate on a response sheet whether or not they were caught mind wandering, and if so if it was about something in the past, present or future. Participants also indicated their level of anxiety at each data collection as well as their mood, sad to happy, and they indicated something about the content of their mind wanderings. Initial results suggest mind wandering on only about half of the collection times, content mood and not anxious by focused. Implications are being considered.

Do You Speak Love?
Cheers, Lacy; Haring, Andrew; Rippe, Maura; Bruce, Jessica; McPherson, Paige (Sponsored by: Rebecca Hendrix)
Northwest Missouri State University

Undergraduate students accessed an online survey site to take two different love assessments. Results indicate that the two assessments are measuring different facets of love.

Exploring Implicit Mood Effect in Emotional Stroop
Spiva, Ashlyn M (Sponsored by: Dr. William Sturgill)
Rockhurst University

The emotional Stroop effect occurs when participants take longer to name the color of ink of negative emotion words than positive or neutral words. Emotional Stroop stimuli; words matched on frequency and controlled by emotional valence (positive, negative, neutral), were presented on the computer screen in one of four ink colors. Manipulated also was the emotional content (happy, sad) of a context picture placed beside the response box. Response time (RT) to name the color of ink in which the word appeared was measured. Expected results were that an emotional Stroop effect�relatively slower RTs for negative emotion words�would be found but only in the sad picture context. Analyses await completion.

Environmental and Gender Effects on Social Desirability Response Bias
Enlow, Shawna R (Sponsored by: Dr. Melissa Fallone)
Missouri State University

The present study explored the effects of social environment and gender on social desirability bias of college students in response to a personal hygeiene survey. Social environment was measured in three conditions; solitary, same-sex dyad, and opposite-sex dyad. Each participant filled out a survey pertaining to personal hygeine to determing a personal hygeiene score. A latency to complete score was also determined for each participant. A 2*3 MANOVA was performed and showed that females in the same-sex dyad were most likely to respond to the survey in a socially desirable way.

Racial Biases in Assuming Guilt with Case Scenarios
Stewart, Kristin, Flanigan Abe, Henning, Alexandera, Andrew Reed, Dylan Scobee (Sponsored by: Dr. Hendrix )
Northwest Missouri State University

The project will be investigating who participants view as responsible for a crime based on the race of the potential suspect. The researchers plan on testing several hypotheses. These hypotheses will be based on matching a particular crime with a particular male of a certain race (Caucasian, African-American, Asian, and Hispanic).

Predictions of Culpability Across Low and High Status Crime
Miller, Nicholas R (Sponsored by: Calvin P. Garbon)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

Two separate regression analyses were run using multiple predictor variables in order to determine peoples score of how responsible the defendant was. One analyses looked at two reduced nested models while the other looked at a comparison across two different populations. The questionnaires were completed by 410 undergraduate students from both the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Texas-El Paso. Results showed that the full model accounted for about 83% of the variance with significant predictor variables. When we compared the two nested models we found a significant difference between the R2 values indicating a need for further investigation. When comparing the full model across two different populations we found no difference between the two models but when comparing the structure of the two models we found a significant difference indicating that the apparent differential

A Discriminate Analysis of Different Models Predicting Sexual Crimes Relapse
Rawson, Adam J (Sponsored by: Calvin P Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

This research analysis is intended to help in the reclassification of child molesters into two groups: those who relapse after treatement and those who do not. Data was collected on 226 offenders from a Midwestern state. Data was collected using criminal background checks from local levels and interstate records. Relapse was considered as a sexually based crime committed after the offender was released from an institution into a situation where he was not under constant direct legal supervision. We found that different types of relapse (property, nonsexual violent, and other) all significantly contributed to the successful reclassification of offenders. Maximum sentence helps to a degree, but needs to be more broken down into simple variables to see what parts of maximum sentence are helping in the prediction. We also found that SES does not help in the reclassification model. This research may help in stopping offenders from reoffending after be released from incarceration, and before they relapse.

The Influence of Generic Prejudice on Defendant Guilt in Sexual Assault Cases
Chen, Carrie X (Sponsored by: Dr. Calvin Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

Generic prejudice is the use of exogenous legal information, i.e., information that does not pertain to the facts of the case, in determining a defendant�s verdict or sentence. This study examined the effects of generic prejudice on presumption of defendant guilt, and compared exogenous variables to evidentiary predictors using undergraduate research participants as mock jurors. Heinousness of the charge is a significant predictor for likelihood of defendant guilt, in relation to other exogenous variables (e.g., victim responsibility and extent to which the victim and defendant knew each other before the alleged crime). However, generic prejudice is not a significant predictor when evidentiary variables are considered in the regression model. Implications of generic prejudice research for jury selection are further discussed.

Sexual Recidivism: Models and Predictors
Ahrens, Dustan C (Sponsored by: Dr. Calvin Garbin)
University of Nebraska Lincoln

Predictors of recidivism among sex offenders, such as age, marital status, substance abuse, victim's age, whether or not the offender was sexually abused, as well as multiple diagnoses, were analyzed across three discriminant models. Sex offenders (n = 122 non-recidivists, n = 41 recidivists) chose to enter treatment or go to a correctional facility after committing a sexual offense, where data was then collected from police reports, mental health evaluations, and other sources. It is shown that the full model and the diagnosis and crime model generally perform better than the personal information model.

Effects of Auditory versus Visual presentation on College Students Recall
Senn, Danielle N (Sponsored by: Dr. Cathy Grover)
Emporia State University

Have you ever wondered how much your visual and hearing senses affect your recall? I investigated whether students recalled more with or without a visual aid, while listening to a verbal presentation. The participants were 34 Emporia State University students enrolled in undergraduate psychology courses. All participants heard a verbal presentation by the experimenter with half of the participants also viewing a visual aid. I found that participants who only heard the verbal presentation (did not view the visual aid) had greater recall.

Gender-related differences on a measure of semantic memory in Alzheimer's disease.
Seeley, Jennifer S (Sponsored by: Dr. Joseph J. Ryan)
University of Central Missouri

It has been suggested that women with AD evidence greater impairment than men with AD on measures of semantic memory. To test this hypothesis, we compared the scores of women and men with AD and comparable levels of cognitive impairment on the WAIS-R Information subtest. The hypothesis was supported.

The effect of irrelevant speech on memory retrieval
Russell, Peter D (Sponsored by: Dr. Anthony Adamopoulos)
Missouri Southern State University

Distractors are present in everyday classroom environments, which causes teachers and students to ignore the stimuli in order to successfully learn course material. Memory performance was measured using a quiz after the participants read an essay. The present study used 69 (M = 23.09, SD = 6.18) undergraduate students who attend the Missouri Southern State University psychology course. The participants heard a non-meaningful sound in either the intermitting or continuous sound condition during the study or test phase of the experiment. The experiment found no significant statistical difference in mean scores across both independent variables and interactions. The present study found that interest levels may have played a key role in the variability within the group means. Future studies should be focused on comparing like interest levels versus the different distractor groups. Keywords: auditory distractors, non-meaningful sounds, memory performance

State dependent learning: The cognitive effects of eating while you learn
Chapin, Meghan, & Franken, Kaela, & Hoch, Brett (Sponsored by: Dr. Susan Burns)
Morningside College

This study investigated the effects of food on state dependent learning. Participants were given food or no food while learning and then similar (or different)states while testing. Although results showed no support for state dependent learning, limitations to the study are the likely source of these results.

Young Adults Memory of Products in Movies
Babcock, Elizabeth (Sponsored by: Kim Christopherson)
Morningside College

This research explored the potential effectiveness of product placement in movies. This was done by showing subjects a movie clip and their memory was then tested by either recognition or free recall immediately following viewing the clip. An independent samples t-test found that participants remembered more details with a recognition test. This could be because products are part of everyday life, and those with strong branding become well known. These results could be slightly skewed because there was no time or distraction between the media source and the recall task, unlike real life.

Effects of Music on State-Dependent Memory During Encoding and/or Recall Phases
Fields, Jayne C, Caldwell, Brian T (Sponsored by: Dr. Patricia Marsh)
University of Central Missouri

Many students use background music as a study aid, and our study aims to determine how this affects recall accuracy. We predicted that participants who listened to music during both encoding and recall would correctly recall the most target words, and that familiar music would produce higher scores than novel.

The Effects of Television Distraction on Memory Recall
Rizzo, Marc C and Adams, Emily (Sponsored by: Dr. Jill Brown)
Creighton University

This experiment examined the effects of television distraction on the serial-position effect among college students. In our study we recruited 63 college age psychology students from a private Midwestern university. All participants were asked to complete a memory task which involved studying a list of thirty words for five minutes and then recalling as many words as they can for five minutes. Each person was randomly assigned to an order of conditions. One condition involved a television distraction while the other condition had no distraction during study and recall sessions. The data shows that serial-position effect occurs, retention decreases with distraction, and serial-position still occurs with distraction. From these results, we can infer that television distraction impairs overall memory recall.

Envy in Children Competing Against a Friend or an Enemy
Harris, Abigail L and Schmidt, Brittany M (Sponsored by: Richard Miller)
University of Nebraska Kearney

The present study examined the effects of competition with a friend or an enemy on envy in children. Children participated in a competitive task and lost to either a friend or an enemy, according to self-reports. Children were then asked to assign materials to their opponent which would help or hinder them in the second round of competition. Results indicate that children are more likely to undercut their enemies than their friends.

Parental Awareness of Different Discipline Strategies While Under Stress
Thomas, Brenda M (Sponsored by: Melissa Fallone)
Missouri State University

Inconsistent discipline strategies, which may lead to increasingly more coercive, severe, or abusive parenting (Patterson), may result from stress. Examining the influence of stress on parental discipline strategies may lead to increased understanding of maladaptive patterns of parents and children and effective interventions. The present study examined parental awareness of the effects of stress on discipline strategies. Forty parents (9 fathers, 28 mothers, and 3 unidentified) of preschool aged children (25-66 months) filled out a revised version of the Parenting Scale. The Revised Parenting Scale enabled parents to answer the discipline questionnaire under two conditions: normal parenting practices and parenting practices under stress. Analyses revealed: a) stress had a significant negative influence on discipline; b) the influence on the subscales of overreactivity, verbosity, and non-loading items were significant; and c) stress negatively influenced parents� abilities to maintain consistency across the non-loading items of the parenting subscale. Of particular interest, separate analysis of fathers� data yielded similar results as mothers in reporting how stress influences their discipline strategies on the subscales.

The Effect of Parent Divorce and Pet Ownership during Childhood on Current Psychological Well-being and Family Harmony
Moulden, Alicia N (Sponsored by: Joanne Altman)
Washburn University

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether having a pet as a child would mitigate the negative effects of divorce in children. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire to collect information on pet ownership during childhood. They completed the Companion Animal Bond Scale to confirm attachment to childhood pets. Participants were measured on the Psychological Well-being Scale and the Intact/Stepfamily Harmony Scale which had 3 subscales. The study found that children raised in stepfamilies with pets felt more like one family or two smaller families together than did children raised in stepfamilies without pets. Interestingly, participants who grew up with pets (independent of family structure) had lower feelings of negative well-being, but lower levels of positive well-being, as well.

The Quarterlife Crisis: Seeking Identity for the Forgotten Half in Emerging Adulthood
Welsh, Jennifer J (Sponsored by: Jonathan Smith)
University of Central Missouri

Emerging adulthood is a time of further identity exploration and life experience beyond adolescence leading to identity commitment in young adulthood. According to Jeffery Arnett, emerging adults focus their attention on self-growth and development. This research examines the experiential differences between non-college-educated and college-educated emerging adults. A battery of assessments, including the Life Satisfaction Index, Job Climate and Stress Evaluation, Life Reflections, and general demographic information, was administered to a nationwide subject pool through a Survey Monkey-hosted survey (www.surveymonkey.com) link placed on craigslist.org volunteer posting boards across the county. A total of 421 completed responses were collected and divided into two categories, non-college-educated and college-educated, then further divided by age (A1= 18-23, A3= 24-29, A3= 30-35). It was expected that early identity foreclosure inspires non-college-educated emerging adults to secure their needs through educational attainment, career changes and financial stability before they can focus on concerns of self-growth through pursuit of emotional adjustment, personal achievements and connectedness as their college-educated counterparts do to a higher extent. The research studied the qualitative life experiences of each respondent and found that educational attainment, career satisfaction, and financial stability do indeed significantly predict levels of life satisfaction and hinder pursuit of self-growth. It was found that non-college-educated respondents in the 18-23-year old age group, as opposed to their college-educated counterparts, were more focused on educational attainment, career satisfaction, and financial stability than on self-growth and connectedness. This was a trend that carried through the older age groups, as well.

Gender and Status Bias in the Evaluation of Contemporary Poetry
Grotewiel, Morgan M (Sponsored by: Melissa Fallone)
Missouri State University

The present study examined the role of perceived gender and status of a poet and the role of the gender of undergraduate judges on the ratings of a poem. Specifically, it explored whether or not undergraduate students demonstrate a gender bias against poets mediated by their own gender or by the poet�s status. One-hundred forty-eight undergraduates read a poem attributed to John McKay, Joan McKay, or Jamie McKay. The poet was noted as either aspiring or established. Each undergraduate rated the poem on 5 Likert scales (overall merit, creativity, emotional impact, clarity, and how interested the student was in reading more of the poet�s work). A 2 x 2 x 3 x 5 between-subjects MANOVA was used to determine main and interaction effects, and univariate tests of variance were performed for each of the 5 measurements of quality. The results indicated that an author�s gender and status do influence undergraduates� ratings of emotionality, but not their other ratings. This research suggests that gender and status bias may manifest itself differently in evaluations of written art compared to visual art.

In the Blink of an Eye: Effects of Stress, Gender, and Distractibility on Memory
Bersted, Kyle A & Fennessy, Matt E (Sponsored by: Dr. Isabelle Cherney)
Creighton University

This study examined the influence of stress, gender, and distractibility on incidental memory. 89 participants were exposed to 30 objects while playing a computer game. Results showed that females accurately recalled more objects, less distractible participants displayed higher working memory capacity, and high-stress situations produced higher recall than low-stress.

Cognitive Pairings in at Risk Youth: A Cross-Cultural Study
Webster, Michael S (Sponsored by: Dr. Jerrold Barnett)
Northwest Missouri State University

This experiment involves 99 individuals selected at convenience from two at-risk schools, one in Panama City, Panama, and the other in St. Joseph, Missouri. Their genders are unidentified, 49 of the participants were selected in St. Joseph, and 50 were selected in Panama. They were asked to participate in a survey which measured whether the school-aged children made taxonomic cognitive pairings or relationship-based cognitive pairings. The purpose of the survey was to measure the difference in cognitive pairings across cultures. The survey had each participant take a 10 item quiz where they had to pick the item that did not belong. The survey was procured from Dr. Nisbett�s book. The research results showed that some of the items had culturally significant, but most items were culturally insignificant. The discussion highlights ways to improve the study, including more specific instructions and isolation in order to prevent tainted data by conformity.

The Effect of Progesterone levels on Wisconsin Card Sorting Task Performance
Thielenhaus, Sara E (Sponsored by: Dr. Joanne Altman, Ph.d)
Washburn University

Sex hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, which fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, seem to play a significant role in cognitive performance. Research shows that the most memory errors occurred and participants were slower to respond during the follicular stage when estrogen levels spike (Gasbarri, 2008). Similarly, rat studies have shown that low concentrations of estrogen improve memory while high concentrations of estrogen impair memory, suggesting that the effect is concentration dependent (Holmes, 2002). However, while estrogen has been highly studied and connected to cognitive function, the average concentration fluctuation of progesterone is double that of estrogen during the menstrual cycle (Maki, 2002) and progesterone has been less well studied. Research involving decision making shows that performance is best during the luteal phase when progesterone levels are highest and estrogen levels are moderate (Solis-Ortiz, 2004). The question arises whether progesterone improves memory or estrogen disrupts memory and how women perform relative to men who are relatively estrogen and progesterone free. On an executive functioning task men performed better at making decisions than women (Overman, 2004). The purpose of the present study was to determine whether women during the luteal phase, when progesterone levels are high, perform closer to the level of men, compared to women in menses and follicular stages. Another objective was to see if women on oral contraceptives (who do not experience changes in hormones across the menstrual cycle) perform similarly to women in a normal luteal phase on an executive function task, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, which measures decision making skills.

Creative Dramatics Exercises for Therapy and the Teaching of Psychology
Di Stasio-Clark, Eileen (Sponsored by: Dr. Andrew Johnson)
Park University

Educators use creative dramatics activities and exercises extensively to teach literacy and academics on every level. They are used to as the primary mode of instruction, and as supplemental activities intended to reinforce learning. There usefulness is not restricted, however, to the elementary or secondary education levels. They are excellent tools for university level instruction in all disciplines. They are also valuable in application. This presentation illustrates the usefulness of creative dramatic exercises in the teaching of Psychology on the high school, undergraduate, and graduate level. Additionally, it illustrates their application to therapy. Psychodrama is but one therapeutic technique, included in this presentation is a small collection of other examples of therapeutic dramatic exercises.

A Comparison of Enrichment Effects on Spatial Memory in C57BL6/J Mice
Houck, Kayla J (Sponsored by: Dr. Marilyn Petro)
Nebraska Wesleyan University

This experiment seeks to explore the effect toys (objects which may be manipulated) and social interactions have on spatial learning and memory in adolescent C57BL6/J female mice. Spatial memory is measured as latency to find the correct hole on the Barnes Maze. A large tabletop maze with no proximal cues , the Barnes Maze measures spatial memory by requiring the mouse to use distant cues to locate the escape hole. To assure that Spatial memory is being used and not just trial and error, the escape box is removed and the amount of time spent in the correct quadrant is measuered. Four groups of 6 mice are being used. One single enrichment group has toys in the cage, allowing for manipulation, and the other has multiple mice in the cage, allowing for social interaction. The complex group has both the social and toy conditions, and the control group has neither of these. After six weeks of enrichment exposure, the mice will be trained and tested on the Barnes Maze. The two single enrichment groups are expected to show a decrease in the time needed to find the escape box in comparison to the control group; however, the complex group is expected to show the greatest decrease in latency on the Barnes Maze. This experiment will help in our understanding of the relative effects of social interaction and manipulation of objects (toys) on learning and remembering where places are located.

�But I worked so hard�
Ryszewski, Beth A (Sponsored by: Joanne Altman)
Washburn University

The literature shows that there is a disparity between teacher and student perceptions in the amount of effort that accounts for grades. This review examines the relationship between student output and grades, and the potential source of this relationship. This presentation will also predict whether this relationship between perceived effort and performance will extend beyond education to the work force.

An Exploration of the Motivation for Paranormal Beliefs
Clements, Mara & Gorup, Natalie (Sponsored by: Dr. Lee Budesheim)
Creighton University

We review literature on what a paranormal belief is and why an understanding of this type of belief is important. We discuss in particular what motivations may lead people to adopt paranormal beliefs, and describe a proposed study for examining one of these potential motivations.

Applied Learning in the Counseling and Testing Center
Shorter, Aaron (Sponsored by: James Bargar)
Missouri Western State University

Psychology principles are applied at the Counseling and Testing center at Missouri Western State University. Through this process the staff are able to accomplish their goals and objectives of helping students, faculty, and staff of any assistance they may need.

A Psychological Approach to Juvenile Corrections: Observations from a Practicum Experience at Riverbend Treatment Center
Landrum, Brad (Sponsored by: Jim Bargar)
Missouri Western State University

Guided by a psychologically-based list of beliefs and philosophies, the Missouri Division of Youth Services is unique among other states in the treatment of juvenile offenders. The nationally acclaimed "Missouri Model" of juvenile corrections is implemented throughout Missouri in the state�s 32 residential care facilities. Riverbend Treatment Center (RTC) is a 33-bed, secure-care facility located in St. Joseph, Missouri. The author presents observations made during a practicum experience at RTC, discussing the efficacy of the state�s program, and noting specific treatments and the overall process employed by the program.

Practicum at Circle of H.O.P.E.
Solomon, Sara (Sponsored by: Dr. Bargar)
Missouri Western State University

This presentation pertains to a practicum experience completed at Circle of H.O.P.E. This demonstration project is unique because it uses a unified system of care to help families with children with emotional and/or mental health issues. Details of the program and the learning experience will be discussed.

The Relationship Between Locus of Control and Depression in a College Population
Peters, Jill K., Koranda, Megan C. (Sponsored by: Dr. Pam Macdonald)
Emporia State University

Depression is one of the most common issues college students are faced with during the first few years of college. Locus of control is seen as one factor that could influence levels of depression. We are examining the correlation between locus of control and the Beck Depression Inventory. Our hypothesis is that students with an external locus of control will have lower scores on the Beck Depression Inventory.

The Relationship between Study Abroad Experience and Identity Development: A Pilot Study
Hoshino, Satoko (Sponsored by: Dr. Pamelyn Macdonald)
Emporia State University

The purpose of this research was to assess the relationship between study abroad experiences and college students�f identity development. I hypothesized that students who participated in a study abroad experience would exhibit a higher level of identity development than students who had never left the United States. A group of college students (N = 6) who went to Scotland for a summer study abroad experience completed the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status II (EOMEIS-II). Undergraduate students enrolled in introductory psychology classes also completed the EOMEIS-II, and served as a matched control group of students who have never studied abroad. Contrary to the hypothesis, there was no significant difference in identity levels between the study abroad group and the control group.

Attitudes about the Environment in the United States
Adams, Tracy L (Sponsored by: Dr. David Wissmann)
Avila University

The purpose of this study was to determine the demographic variables of those who believe we need to protect our environment. This study utilized data collected from the Pew Research Center for the People of the Press Values Study. Statistical analyses were performed to determine if there is a relationship between the environmental scale and the eight demographic variables. The results show a significant relationship between environmental concern and seven out of eight demographic variables. These results are important because it tells us who needs more environmental education in order to protect our environment. It also tells those who write advertisements who they should focus their ads on and to whom they will be most effective.

A Empirical Study of the Effectiveness of PowerPoint in the College Classroom
Halford, Tyler C; Rea, Christopher (Sponsored by: Dr. Cooper Holmes)
Emporia State University

We conducted a study that sought to show the differences in learning when material was presented via lecture in two ways: with and without the use of PowerPoint. 110 participants, split in half, all heard the same lecture verbatim; one group was exposed to traditional lecture with no use of any technology or aid (e.g. PowerPoint, whiteboard etc.) and the other group received the lecture with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation outlining key aspects of the lecture. All participants were given a post-quiz on the material to measure learning from the lecture. Comparisons between the two groups were analyzed.

A Review of Aspartame Literature as it Pertains to Memory and General Health
Keghtley, Douglas M (Sponsored by: Dr. Cathy Grover)
Emporia State University

Aspartame is a prevalent food additive in our diets. Psychologist and biologist are still determining the effects this sugar substitute has on behavior and biological chemistry. I review the experimental research investigating aspartame's affects on rodents spatial memory and health.

Suicide in LGBT Youth
Neuhaus, Cassandra M; McQuiddy, Erica (Sponsored by: )
Forest Institute of Professional Psychology

It is estimated that in the U.S., a teen takes their own life every 5 hours because they are gay, bisexual, transgender, or lesbian, and cannot deal with the added stresses that society puts upon them. Risk factors specific to LGBT youth and suicide will be presented, and recommendations to reduce risk will also be explored.

Comparison of Two Accelerated Usability Test Data Analysis Techniques
Wynn, Jody S (Sponsored by: Dr. Jeremiah Still)
Missouri Western State University

Testing the usability of a product has become a ubiquitous part of development. However, it is often reported that analyzing the data from such testing consumes too many resources. We attempted to reduce this cost by proposing a new technique, Discount Video Data Analysis (DVDA). To provide empirical evidence for our claims, we compared it with the currently used analysis technique, Instant Data Analysis (IDA). These techniques will be employed during a usability test of a media web site. IDA instructs evaluators to analyze data after a series of usability tests, whereas DVDA instructs evaluators to analyze the data after every test in the series. This more immediate analysis has the advantage of the data being fresher in evaluators� memories. We expect to find that DVDA identifies more usability issues in the same amount of time as IDA while producing supportive videos not possible using IDA.

Early Design of Software with Children
Rodgers, Victoria A (Sponsored by: Jeremiah Still)
Missouri Western State University

Including children within the early development of a product meant for use by children has produced better products. A number of different methods are proposed in the literature to facilitate this adult and child collaborative design process. We empirically contrast two of these popular methods. Experience prototyping has children test out a similar application to the one being created. In comparison, the mixing ideas has children observe others using a prototype and discuss ideas with peers. Sixteen elementary school children were our design partners. Our goal was to determine which collaboration method led to the highest satisfaction rating amongst their peers and the discovery of the most ideas. This study is the first to provide empirical evidence for or against these new adult and child collaborative processes.

Effect of Opacity of Stimulus in Deployment of Interest in an Interface
Chowdhury, Sujoy Kumar; Still, Dr. Jeremiah (Sponsored by: Dr. Jeremiah Still)
Missouri Western State University

Websites are interfaces with rich visual information. Because of inherent limitation of our visual system, only certain regions in an interface get selected and attended for further cognitive processing. If a region fails to attract attention, it is quickly forgotten. Attention is guided both by bottom-up saliency (visual uniqueness) and top-down interest (semantics) within an interface. Masciocchi, Mihalas, Parkhurst and Niebur (2009), demonstrated that interest within natural and artificial scenes are associated with fixations. In this study we manipulate the availability of top-down information. This is achieved by showing either normal webpage screenshots or by blurring them until text semantics cannot be extracted. We are exploring whether the removal of high frequency visual information affects the deployment of interest by participants within a webpage. This study attempts to reveal whether locations of interest within webpage screenshots are being driven mostly by visual uniqueness or text semantics.

Augmenting Visual Graphs with Audio
Pellersels, Jennifer L (Sponsored by: Jeremiah Still)
Missouri Western State University

The purpose of information visualization is to enhance our cognitive ability to recognize trends or outliers in complex data both rapidly and accurately. However, the literature has focused on visual representations of data and ignored the possibility of auditory representations. Managers depend on business intelligence reports to determine trends and outliers within their data. Currently, these reports are visualized in graph form and do support these business tasks adequately. In this study, we are exploring whether the use of visual graphs augmented with audio helps or harms task performance. Including audio forms a richer representation, but will this richness produce greater accuracy and quicker response times or actually harm task performance.

Designing Human-Centered Notifications
Grgic, Joseph E., Chris Masciocchi, Jeremiah Still (Sponsored by: Jeremiah Still)
Missouri Western State University

Technology is often designed assuming users will adapt to what is provided (Oviatt, 2006). For example, notifications are often associated with transient signals that demand the user�s attention. Further, notifications occur regardless of relevance to the task being performed. This often interrupts the user from their task creating frustration and ultimately lowering the usability of the interface. Previous research has explored when notifications should appear (Bailey & Iqbal, 2008), but not how notifications are displayed. We examine how notifications can be designed to notify users of new information without demanding attention. Participants were instructed to divide their attention between a primary and secondary task. The secondary task�s information was either presented with or without transient signals and may be related or unrelated to the primary task�s information. We hope by manipulating presentation displays and task relatedness to have a more complex understanding of how to design more successful notifications.

A Comparative Study of Sexual Satisfaction Levels Between Men and Women
Swanson, Alison A (Sponsored by: Roxanne Sullivan)
Bellevue University

Forty eight college students from various psychology classes were asked to participate in a study to determine whether men were more sexually satisfied than women. The survey consisted of questions about individual satisfaction as well as relationship satisfaction. The results did not support the original hypothesis. Women were actually more sexually satisfied than men.

It's So Gay ! A survey on Homophobia and Correlate Factors Associated with Anti-Homosexual Prejudice
Barcus, Matthew J (Sponsored by: Todd Knealing)
Briar Cliff University

An examination of feelings toward homosexuals on a private Midwestern catholic college, this study looks at the overall feeling toward homosexuals by a random survey of 115 students as measured by the Homosexuality Attitude Scale (Kite& Deaux, 1986). The survey looked at various components that may affect homophobia such as the personality variable openness as measured on a unipolar scale developed by Goldberg(1992), contact with homosexuals (Barron et al. 2008) and various demographic variables including religious attendance, gender, etc.

Influence of Parental Divorce on Adult Children�s Romantic Relationships
Biesenthal, Lora S (Sponsored by: Dr. Michael Russell)
Washburn University

Undoubtedly parental divorce has an impact on children's lives. However the question continues to exist if parental relationships impact the confidence and investment levels the children have in their own romantic relationships. The participants in the current study were students from a small mid-western university. Participants completed four scales and a demographic survey. The Components of Commitment (Johnson et al., 1999), Lund Commitment Scale (Lund, 1985), Hendrick Investment Scale (Hendrick, Hendrick, & Adler, 1988) and the Investment Model Scale (Rusbult et al., 1998) were used to measure commitment and investment levels of the participants in their current or past romantic relationships. Participants were analyzed based on their parent's relationship status (married or divorced) and the participant�s gender. Discussion centers on the degree of connection between parental relationship status and the relationship status of their children.

Little Miss Scientist: The Influence of Role Models on Achievement and Career Aspirations in High School Females
Campbell, Kaitlin & Grawe, Hannah (Sponsored by: Dr. Isabelle Cherney)
Creighton University

Previous research suggests that the gender of teachers in math and science fields influences female students� attitudes toward those subjects. This study examined the relationship of role models and their gender with academic achievement and future career goals in females attending single-sex and coeducational high schools.

Reaction Times to Schematic Stimuli: Phylogenetic Response or Preattentive Feature Processing?
Tyler, Katherine E (Sponsored by: Dr. Kenneth Carter)
University of Central Missouri

The challenge facing researchers of the face in the crowd effect is the possibility that the difference in the geometric relationships between the internal and external features of a happy face versus an angry face could be responsible for processing asymmetries. Results indicate reaction times are directly related to the relationship of the internal features and the external curvature even when schematic stimuli do not directly resemble human faces. Consequently, processing of caricature faces may be driven by preattentive processes instead of a social phylogenetic module.

The effects of winning and losing feedback on cognitive performance
Wills, Timothy L (Sponsored by: Ryan Newell)
Oklahoma Christian University of Science & Arts

This study is focused on the effects winning and losing has on subjects� cognitive performance, the difference between current athletes and inactive athletes, and the difference between older and younger siblings. It has been suggested that the effects of winning and losing relate to dominance and submissiveness in fish. The same effect has been related to a similar effect on academic performance. The study utilized 100 students of psychology. Each participant was joined with a partner and competed in timed mazes against each other. Subjects were then split into random winning and losing groups. Each participant was then assigned 50 math and 10 word stem problems to work on for 20 minutes. There were no significant differences between the groups, when compared across the time variable. Investigation into a more efficacious dependent variable better suited to the academic field should be researched in the future.

Attention modulates gist performance between central and peripheral vision
McQuade, Margarita M; Badke, Caitlyn C.; Hughes, Gabe (Sponsored by: Dr. Lester Loschky and Adam Larson)
Kansas State University

People can accurately recognize the gist of a scene within the first eye fixation. Furthermore, our previous research has shown that at early processing times, central vision is better than peripheral vision for recognizing scene gist. This suggests that attention starts centrally and expands peripherally over time. However, in that study, when presenting peripheral information, an occluder removed central visual information, which may have captured attention. This may explain why central information outperformed peripheral information at early processing times. If so, it should not matter where attention is initially directed, the central occluder should still capture attention, so there should still be a central advantage. However, if the central advantage disappears when attention is directed peripherally, then the central occluder does not capture attention. Our data show that when expecting visual information peripherally, there is no difference at early processing times between central and peripheral scene information. However, if expecting visual information centrally, at early processing times central information is significantly better than peripheral visual information.

The Effects of Image Rotation in Scene Gist Recognition in Ground-based vs. Aerial Views
Ringer, Ryan V & Davis, Joshua (Sponsored by: Dr. Lester Loschky)
Kansas State University

Scene gist recognition is the ability to categorize scenes and occurs rapidly in the human visual system. Though literature on scene gist from a ground-based perspective has been extensive, little attention has been given to aerial views (e.g. satellite images). Previous research has indicated that people are less accurate at identifying aerial scenes compared to ground-based scenes. The current study examined the usefulness of upright orientation in both scene types. A between-subjects experiment showed either aerial or ground-based scenes of 10 basic-level categories (e.g. coast, stadium, forest). Images were rotated at either 0, 90, 180 degrees and processing time was limited by both short (24 ms) and long (330 ms) durations. Participants responded by selecting the corresponding category from a grid containing all 10 categories. The effects of rotation were found only in the ground-based views, with the upright ground scenes having the best accuracy, while accuracy for rotated ground-based images and all aerial-view images was virtually equivalent. Thus, the importance of upright orientation is unique to ground-based views while other scene properties (e.g. texture perception) may be more universal.

Perceived Effectiveness of Anti-Meth Ads by Adolescent At-Risk Males
Armstrong, Alicia B (Sponsored by: Dr. Melissa Fallone)
Missouri State University

The use of public service announcements (PSAs) is evident in the attempt to reduce a variety of pressing societal issues and to impact the awareness of the prevalence of issues, such as drug use. Targeting specific populations using the most effective methods is necessary in curbing harmful behaviors. Adolescent methamphetamine use is one such prevalent behavior that demands attention, particularly in rural areas. The present study seeks to examine the perceived effectiveness of anti-meth PSAs among adolescent at-risk males. The participants in the study were 8 residents of a group home under the Division of Youth Services whose ages range from 14-17 years. Participants viewed family oriented and individually oriented PSAs and answered Likert-type scaled questions regarding the effectiveness of each PSA. It was found that 75% of the participants preferred the individually oriented PSA over the 25% who preferred the family oriented PSA, regardless of order of viewing the PSAs. The findings of this study contribute to the current information in the field regarding the use of PSAs in reduction of harmful behaviors. These results, due to small sample size, do not demonstrate large significance, but give insight into the most effective types of messages for targeting the specific population of adolescent at-risk rural males.

Heterosexism and Substance Use: The Risk to GLBT Members
Florian, Anthony D (Sponsored by: Dr. Roxanne Sullivan)
Bellevue University

This study assessed the relationship between heterosexism and substance use among self-identifying non-heterosexuals within the Midwestern United States. No difference in substance use between the heterosexual and non-heterosexual groups was found. However, weak correlations between discrimination and comfort level, and subsequent substance use within the homosexual group existed.

Am I Drunk Because I�m Crazy or Crazy Because I�m Drunk? A Comparison of the Degree of Selfishness Between Alcoholics With and Without Co-morbid Disorders
DuBois, Andrea L (Sponsored by: Dr. Donna Stuber)
Friends University

Rather than including affective attributes in its description, the DSM-IV-TR describes only the prevalence, physical symptomology, and consumption rate of alcoholism. This study compared the degree of selfishness between alcoholics with and without a co-occurring disorder. Results and implications may surprise you.

The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Suggestibility in College Students
Colaizzi, Janna M (Sponsored by: Dr. Dorothy Stasser; Professor Stephanie Grant)
Southern Nazarene University

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between emotional intelligence (EI) and suggestibility (with an emphasis on religious suggestibility) in college students. The participants consist of students currently enrolled in general education courses at a private, religiously affiliated, liberal arts university. The Ability Emotional Intelligence Measure (AEIM) (Warwick, Nettelbeck & Ward, 2009) will be used along with a demographic form and a revised version of the Multidimensional Iowa Suggestibility Scale (MISS) (Kotov, Bellman, & Watson, 2004). It is hypothesized that high levels of ability emotional intelligence will be positively correlated with low levels of religious suggestibility. This hypothesis is based on the review of previous literature stating that high trait EI is positively correlated with intrinsic religious orientation (Paek, 2006). It is believed that low levels of suggestibility will correlate positively with high ability EI, as found in previous literature stating that poor critical thinking skills, thus a low level of EI, are correlated with extrinsic religious orientation (Kirby, 2009). Suggestibility can impact many aspects of life such as consumerism, peer relationships, a need to belong, and religious orientation. However, little is known about the role of suggestibility in such areas; therefore, it is important to examine the possible factors involved in the development of suggestibility including an individual�s level of emotional intelligence.

The Effects of Sensation Seeking and Mortality Salience on Preferences for Scary Movies
Albrecht, Karen; Kraft, Brad; Moss, Pat (Sponsored by: Dr. Miller)
University of Nebraska Kearney

This study looked at the effects of mortality salience (MS) and sensation seeking on preferences for scary movies. High sensation seekers liked scary movies more than low sensation seekers. When exposed to MS, low sensation seekers disliked scary movies even more, however, high sensation seekers exposed to MS did not like scary movies more.

Locus of Control and Video Game Preference
Rycek, Jenna M and Rose, Brandy N. (Sponsored by: Dr. Richard Miller)
University of Nebraska Kearney

This study examined Locus of Control as a predictor of game preferences. Participants completed Internality, Powerful Others, and Chance scales followed by 15 minutes of playtime and post-assessment of games of chance and skill. Results indicated that Internals did not differ from Externals in their preferences for structured/unstructured games or skill/chance games.

The Effect of Sleep Habits on Dreaming
Replogle , Julie K (Sponsored by: Roxanne Sullivan)
Bellevue University

The purpose of my study was to see if a person�s sleep habits had an effect on the type of dreams that they had. The instrument used was a combination of three separate teaching sources combined into a 35 question instrument with yes/no/sometimes responses. The questions on the instrument related to a person�s sleep habits and what kind of dreams they had had. After conducting my study and calculating the results, I did support my hypothesis of sleep habits having an effect on the type of dreams a person has.