2014 ARKANSAS SYMPOSIUM FOR PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, REMEMBERING THE PAST ONLINE PROGRAM

Letter From The director

Greetings Presenters and Attendees: For 30 years, ASPS has focused on providing undergraduates an opportunity to present their research to peers from around the region. We have grown to include universities from 7 different states and more than 20 different schools. This accomplishment is one the entire leadership team is so very proud of. For the first time, we are actively attempting to include graduate students research as part of the program. In addition, we are hosting breakout sessions with professionals from the community who can provide information for students getting ready to take that step. As Director of ASPS for the last three years, I have learned so much about the world of psychology and the importance of dissemination of research. During my term as director, more than four dozen volunteers have worked diligently to develop, organize, and execute the programs for each years conference. We have hosted special guest speakers such as Bob Bailey and Dr. Barbara Kirwin, and included expos for graduate programs. As a team, we have learned to think proactively and respond intelligently to planning barriers. I can honestly say the process of planning ASPS has improved the level of professional and experience for our undergraduate psychology students. This year, we are mentoring more freshmen than ever before as volunteers for the event. For me, ASPS represents the growth of Arkansas psychology students from student to professional. And the growth of ASPS for the last 30 years reflects that perfectly. Paula Simons Director 2012-2014

HISTORY
Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students
History of ASPS One Night on Bourbon Street One sultry April night in 1983, after a day of professional meetings, I was strolling through the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans with my psychology buddy Randy Smith. MusicCajun, country, rock, and especially jazz, converged from the openair bars and clubs as we slowly made the requisite tour of Bourbon Street, from Canal Street down to somewhere near St. Peters and back again. The smell of seafood, poboys, and Dixie beer wafted on the warm midnight breeze off the Mississippi; barkers swung doors open, affording brief glimpses of sad young strippers, and street people danced, sang, and performed magic in the street, or played instruments in dark storefronts, instrument cases open in front of them to receive their donations. Wed earned this break, Randy and I, having meetings since 8 a.m. or so: still, we were talking psychology, rather than Dixieland jazz or fine food. It was student research that had us going. I was on my soapbox, arguing about the superb research that students were conducting, studies that went unrecognized beyond the Hendrix campus, studies that had an Andy Warholish 15 minutes of fame and were never heard from again. Randy had similar frustrations to spill; maybe it was the French Quarter atmosphere, or maybe we felt thwarted because we had poured so much of ourselves into undergraduate experimentation, only to see it treated with indifference or snobbish disregard. We made a commitment to each other on that evening that during the next school year we would jointly put together a meeting for our undergraduate researchers. We would invite undergraduates and their faculty from all over the state, but dammit!- even if no one else came, Ouachita and Hendrix would be there for the first undergraduate research symposium ever held in the state of Arkansas. That commitment made more than a decade ago profoundly influenced the direction of undergraduate education in psychology in our state good undergraduate research deserves an audience beyond the walls of a college classroom. Ralph J. Mckenna, PhD From The Undergraduates Research Handbook; Creative Experimentation in Social Psychology

2014 Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students

Talk Presentations

Session 1 8:50-9:35 CLASSROOM 200 1.) Influences of Religion on Behavior Haylie Hoffman, Savannah Scott, & Russell Baxter - Dr. Jennifer Brinegar University of Central Arkansas
On the University of Central Arkansas' campus, there are several religious student organizations, including Chi Alpha, Elevation, Baptist Campus Ministries, and even Christian sororities and fraternities. Most people involved in religious activities portray themselves as less likely to engage in risky behaviors (Poulson, Eppler, Satterwhite, Wuensch, & Bass, 1998). Our hypothesis was that, if an individual is more religious, then they will be less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors. By giving a survey to determine religiosity and a survey to analyze sexual decision-making, we were able to find a significant negative correlation between religiosity and risky sexual behaviors. In addition, by giving the sex survey separately as a control, we found that there was no significant priming effect as a result of giving the religion survey before the sex survey.

2.) " Exam Behaviors Between College Students Jasmyn Wilkins, Bryanna Hill, & Casey Mutters- Dr. Jennifer Brinegar University of Central Arkansas
The focus of this study was to observe cheating behaviors between college students taking an exam in a classroom. The participants consisted of a mixture of boys and girls of all classifications. Some participants were presented with the answers to the exam on the board that they could use if they chose to. A survey on their thoughts of cheating and whether they actually cheated on the exam followed the exam distributed. The data collected from this study was used to determine which classification was more likely to cheat and whether their thoughts on cheating aligned with their actual scores.

3.) Down to Business: An Examination of Stigma Levels in Business Majors Christy Mancil, Marie Mueller, & Becca Stallmann- Dr. Bill Lammers University of Central Arkansas
This study focuses on how personality may be linked to mental illness stigma levels. Past research suggests business students have a particular personality with lower levels of openness and agreeableness. These personality traits have been associated with higher levels of mental illness stigma. We conducted an online survey with students at the University of Central Arkansas. It compared business students and non-business students on the Big 5 personality criteria and mental illness stigma levels. Our results showed that business students had lower levels of agreeableness and higher levels of mental illness stigma. From this research we will be able to better target anti-stigma efforts. CLASSROOM 201

1.) Evolutionary Gender Differences in Bullying Taylor Black- Dr. Paul Nail & Dr. Elson Bihm University of Central Arkansas
The present research compares peer and teacher ratings of bullying behavior, focusing on gender differences. Students assessed classmates bullying behaviors; while teachers assessed students physical and social aggression. Boys rated significantly higher by peers in bullying than girls. Also, boys rated significantly higher by teachers in physical aggression than girls. Girls scored higher in social aggression than physical aggression. Boys rated higher by teachers in social aggression than in physical aggression. Further, boys and girls did not differ in teacher-rated

social aggression. Gender differences in bullying and aggression may reflect characteristic but different ways of behaving for each gender that evolved and survived because of their adaptive value.

2.) Social Networking and Depression Jasmine Edwards, Rene Rains, & Norman Tindoll- Dr. Bill Lammers University of Central Arkansas
College students were surveyed to ascertain if there was a correlation between students levels of depression and the time they spend on social networking sites. The first part of the survey asked if the students used any of the six common social networking sites and asked them to rate their feelings while using these sites on a scale of one to seven with one being positive and seven being negative. The remainder of the survey consisted of the 21-question Becks Depression Survey where the students were given groups of four statements and they had to choose which statement best fit them. Analysis of the data revealed there was no correlation between social network site usage and depression.

3.) Sexual Activity and Behaviors Ashley Julian, Whitney Stoecker, & Laura Marsolan- Dr. Bill Lammers University of Arkansas
The focus of this study is the relationship bet ween participants sexual behaviors and their perceptions of others sexual behaviors. Previous research had been done showing people tend to overestimate the commonality of their own activities, especially when those activities are undesirable (false consensus effect). While this research has been well documented, there has been no research linking the false consensus effect with sexual activities and perceptions. Participants took a survey in which they reported how often they participated in various sexual activities and also estimated how often they believe others are participating in the same activities. We found there is a positive correlation between participants sexual behaviors and their perceptions of others behaviors, thus supporting the false consensus effect using sexuality.

CLASSROOM 239 1.) The Effects of Scenario Gender and Divorce on Perceptions of Relational Success Mason Van Valkenburg- Dr. Kenneth Hobby Harding University
This study investigated the perceptions of males and females on how divorce affects future relationships. Participants were given different scenarios, which featured Likert scale questions that measured their responses. At the end of each survey, participants were asked to fill out a demographic portion that measured respondents gender, age, ethnicity, and other areas. There have been several studies in the past that have tried to discover the link between divorce and perceptions on the relational success following divorce. This study was created to determine if one viewed relational success after divorce differently on the basis of scenario gender. The hypothesis was that different genders would perceive relational success differently after divorce. There was a significance found in many of the questions, which showed that people do share a belief that divorce does has a strong influence future relational success.

2.) The Effect of Caffeine Consumption and Sleep Deprivation on Perceived Stress Levels and Success Kayla Rosu- Dr. Kenneth Hobby Harding University
This study investigates whether caffeine consumption or sleep deprivation affects peoples perception on ones stress levels and success. Four scenarios, created by forming ten questions regarding caffeine consumption and amount of sleep, disrupted to 150 Harding students. Following the scenario a questionnaire measured on the Likert scale to measure perceived stress and success. A two-way analysis of variance determined significance in amount of sleep but not caffeine consumption; there was neither an interaction effect.

3.) Effects of Respondent Familial Divorce and Scenario Age at Divorce on Perceived Self Esteem Daniel Neely- Dr. Kenneth Hobby Harding University
This study examined the relationship of scenario age of divorce and respondents expe rience of parental divorce with perception of scenario self-esteem, measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Research has been done on home environments effect on the mental health of children. This study looks to narrower the focus onto self esteem, divorce, and age. Participants were given one of three surveys, each with a different scenario age at the time of divorce, and asked to respond regarding self-esteem and other factors using Likert scale variables. Data was analyzed using a two way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study found that no significant relationship existed between the respondent parental divorce and scenario Rosenberg scores or between scenario age of divorce and scenario Rosenberg Scores. However, other significant relationships were found amongst the data predictive of scenario Rosenberg scores.

CLASSROOM 237 1.) The Impact of Positive Versus Negative Descriptions on the Halo Effect Olivia Davidson, Sarah Davis, & Kellie Hogue- Dr. Bill Lammers University of Central Arkansas
The halo effect appears in many aspects of individual rating. This study investigates how a positive, negative, or no written description affects the ratings given by men of an attractive woman. Participants were assigned to take one of three questionnaires with the same questions about the womans qualities and same picture, the only difference being the description condition. There was no significant difference between the positive and no description conditions, suggesting that the positive description did not greatly affect halo. However, there was a significant difference between the negative and no description, and negative and positive conditions. Our results suggested that a negative description reduces the effect of halo in males when rating the qualities of an attractive woman.

2.) Increasing Deception Detection through Training: Usefulness for Non-Law Enforcement Personnel Madeleine Arey- Dr. Femina Varghese University of Central Arkansas
Training non-law enforcement professionals to detect emotional deception in everyday interactions is the purpose of this study. The experimental group will be trained with the Paul Ekman Groups eMETT 3.0, which trains users on microexpressions. A semi-control group, which will receive part of the training, and the control group, which will receive none of the training, will be used to compare data with the experimental group to determine the training validity of the eMETT 3.0. It is expected that a difference of deception detection ability will be found between the groups with the experimental group having the highest accuracy, which will suggest and support the usefulness of the eMETT 3.0 in training non-law enforcement professionals to detect deception.

3.) Hey, that's not fair: Perceived fairness with unequal contributions Kelli Wierzbicki- Dr. Shawn Charlton University of Central Arkansas
The current study presents a recent extension of the Ultimatum Game where participants earn the amount in the shared pot to explore the relation between the amount of work on a project and what people feel they deserve. The main hypothesis is that there will be a strong positive contribution between the proportion of work the participant contributes and the proportion of the pot they feel they deserve. The main hypothesis in this study was confirmed with a significant positive correlation (Pearson r = .85, p < .001) between the amount of work contributed (independent variable) and the proportion taken (dependent variable). However, an asymmetry arises when the amount of contribution is unequal.

Session 2 11:20-12:05 CLASSROOM 200 1.) The Effect of Scenario and Respondent Parenting Style During Childhood on Perception of Scenario Self-Regulatory Ability in College Students Delaney Bivens- Dr. Kenneth Hobby Harding University
Participants (N = 621) received 1 of 3 parenting style scenarios (lax, firm, or controlling) in a survey, rated the selfregulatory ability of the scenario individual and themselves, and specified their own parenting style. The hypothesized results were: (a) firm parenting would be rated highest for self-regulatory ability, lax second, and controlling third; and (b) self-regulation scores for pairs of matching parenting style (e.g., scenario lax-respondent lax) would correspond the most closely. Hypothesis A was tested using a two-way between-subjects ANOVA and received partial support. Each level of scenario parenting had significantly different ratings, F(2, 604) = 45.16, p = .00, with the firm group highest, controlling second, and lax third. The interaction effect between scenario and respondent parenting style was significant, F(4, 604) = 4.57, p = .001. Hypothesis B received full support: the matched group had significantly lower overall difference scores than the non-matched group, t(476.01) = -8.39, p = .00, d = -0.72.

2.) The Effect of Scenario Gender and Scenario Marital Status on Respondent Perceptions of Success Arielle Saunders- Dr. Kenneth Hobby Harding University
This study examines the effect of scenario gender and scenario marital status on respondent perceptions of success. The three types of marital status situations examined in this study are married parents, divorced single mother, and divorced single father. The study hypothesized that the type of marital status in the home the child was raised in would have an effect on how successful the respondents perceived them to be. The participants were given surveys that consisted of a marital status scenario, questions about the given scenario, and demographic questions. The marital status scenario that the respondent received was randomized. To examine the respondent perceptions of success, fourteen Likert scale questions were given. The questions were added together to gain an overall score to measure success. The results were evaluated using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Keywords: Gender, marital status, perceptions, success

3.) THE EFFECT OF SCENARIO PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL CONTENT ON PERCEPTION OF SOCAIL HEALTH. Eli Van Kuren- Dr. Kenneth Hobby Harding University
The presented investigated the perception of social health, when looking at personality. In this study participants were given a survey at random which had one of four scenarios. The scenarios either used an introvert or an extrovert that was either satisfied or dissatisfied with their social group. Using a Likert scale participants were asked to answer questions based off their perceptions of the scenario. This study wanted to see how respondents perceived different social situations.

CLASSROOM 201 1.) Activating our youth: An application of the Theory of Planned Behavior Hailey Simmons- Dr. Nikki Yonts Lyon College
By using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in a novel setting, this study furthers research on community service in rural areas. The online survey was administered to 119 college students in rural Arkansas. The survey consisted of demographics, TPB measures, and trait measures. An ANOVA was run to determine if there was a reliable difference in one of the components of the TPB, and a regression model was run to determine which TPB components, demographics and trait measures were reliable predictors of participating in community service. The ANOVA showed reliable differences between two of the constructs for the TPB- attitude toward behavior and subjective norm. The TPB accounted for 58% of the variation in behavior according to the regression.

2.) ROLE OF ETHNICITY AND GENDER IN THE PREVALENCE OF VARIOUS MEASURES OF ALTRUISM. Vasuda Bangalore- Dr. Jack Palmer University of Louisiana at Monroe
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. Our study attempts to investigate the cost-benefit factor of using early intervention to treat ASD. In order to analyze the cost-belief scale, various factors that dictate the occurrence of the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders are studied. Such factors are influenced by the region where the individual resides. Factors investigated in the study consist of the socioeconomic status, health care options provided by the government, and autism resources available. This study used two countries (United States and United Kingdom) to compare and contrast the impact of region on the prevalence of the variables. The experimental design consisted of gathering data available on open archival sources. The data showed that there was a higher diagnosis of ASD in the United States (1.14:100) than in the United Kingdom (1.1: 100). Moreover, the cost for autism diagnosis and treatment is approximately five times higher in the United States (approximately $137 billion) than in the United Kingdom (approximately $34 billion). However, the average family income in the United States (approximately $51,017 per year) is almost twice as high when compared to United Kingdom (approximately $29,207). Lastly, it can be noted that the United States spends approximately $10,709 per child on healthcare services like Medicaid. This is twice the amount that the government of the United Kingdom spends on disability living allowance (approximately $5967 per child) which is a service comparable to Medicaid. However, it can be seen that the United Kingdom spends ten times more on awareness, training, and early intervention (approximately $78 billion) than the United States (approximately $6.7 billion). Therefore, when compared, it costs more to treat children who do not receive early intervention treatments than to promote awareness and early intervention of ASD in the community.

3.) The effect of attractive physical traits, and attractive personality traits on marital partner selection. Paden Timms- Dr. Kenneth Hobby Harding University
This study examines attraction as a means of marital partner selection. The goal is to assess whether attractive physical traits or attractive personality traits have more influence on partner selection, and to evaluate if men and women have different ideas of attraction based on these two qualities. The participants were randomly selected from a number of different undergraduate classes on Harding Universities campus. The study was conducted through survey which asked participants very specific questions about their perception of attraction.

CLASSROOM 239 1.) Grading Subjectivity and Anxiety Due to Ink Color Russell Bellamy, Elana Smith, & Alex Lee University of Central Arkansas
Our study compares the effect of ink color (in both degree of grading and anxiety) in undergraduate students. We hypothesize the use of red ink as opposed to black ink will increase the level anxiety felt by the teacher as well as the student in an academic setting. We believe this will influence their emotional state, and therefore will increase the harshness of grading processes and lower the esteem of the student. Our findings show a statistically significant difference between red ink and black ink on both the West Side Test Anxiety Scale and in two essays. The anxiety test showed higher levels with red ink than with black ink and both essays were graded more harshly as well.

2.) Perceptions of Performance Enhancement Drug Usage among Collegiate Athletes and Non-athletes Cory Cobb, Brittaney Williams, & Bentley Simmons- Dr. Bill Lammers University of Central Arkansas
This study examined possible differences in attitude regarding performance enhancement drug (PEDs) usage among collegiate athletes and non-athletes. Much research focuses on attitudes of PED usage among athletes but very little focuses on attitudes of athletes as they compare to non-athletes. Participants consisted of undergraduate student athletes and non-athletes from the University of Central Arkansas. To examine differences in attitudes toward PED usage the researchers performed an independent samples t-test. Results were non-significant thus indicating no major differences between the two groups. Also, correlational analysis examined possible relationships between demographic variables and attitudes of PED usage. No significant correlations were found. Therefore both athletes and non-athletes possess similar attitudes toward PED usage.

3.) Does Empathy Help You Recognize Emotional Infidelity? Presley Darby, Awni Filat, & Estus Stacy- Dr. Bill Lammers University of Central Arkansas
The focus of this study is to find if there is a correlation between empathy and emotional infidelity. This study included two surveys (Interpersonal Reactivity Index and Emotional Infidelity Survey). Both surveys were scored on a Likert scale (1-5). The results of the current study indicate that there is a significant correlation between empathy and emotional infidelity. This supports our hypothesis that empathy does help individuals recognize emotional infidelity.

CLASSROOM 237 1.) How Time Constraints Affect Different Types of Decisions Amy Hufstedler, Mindy McGehee, & Elizabeth Roberson- Dr. Bill Lammers University of Central Arkansas
Time pressure has been shown to alter decision-making. This study explored whether time pressure would affect multiple categories of decisions differently. We examined decisions regarding helping the self vs. helping others, saving money vs. spending money, and novel vs. established decisions. It was predicted that time pressure would result in more instances of helping the self, spending money, and familiar decisions. Seventy-four college students completed a survey consisting of three decision-making scenarios, each followed by a question asking them to make a decision about each category. We found participants made similar decisions regardless of the time pressure variable, choosing more often to help others, save money, and make decisions based on familiarity. Implications for results and further research are discussed.

2.) Birth Order, Personality, and Academic Success Kenna Lowman, Amber Compton, & Margaret Standridge- Dr. Jennifer Brinegar University of Central Arkansas
This study examines the interaction of birth order, personality, and academic success. The Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II (KTS-II) provided a measure of extroverted and introverted tendencies, and a new measure of academic success and reported grade point averages (GPAs) were used to categorize participants in terms of their academic standing. We found that UCA psychology students who have more introverted tendencies tend to have higher grade point averages than psychology students with extroverted tendencies. This may change how classes are structured and the ways professors interact with students. We also found a correlation between the academic measure and reported GPAs. This provides researchers with insight into what factors make college students successful and it can be a useful tool in future research on academic success.

3.) Visually Stimulated Word Completion Task Allison Taylor, Scott Luffman, & Chelsea Conrade- Dr. Jennifer Brinegar University of Central Arkansas
Some of the most popular sporting events are aggressive, contact sports. Although numerous studies have been conducted regarding the influential effects that different forms of violent media may have on an individual, very little research has focused specifically on the effects viewing contact sports has on levels of aggression. The focus of this study centers on levels of aggression displayed after being exposed to a video of contact sports versus one of a non-contact sport. It stands to reason that the more violence one is exposed to, the more indifferent one may become to acts of violence. Because viewing contact sports is an integral part of society, research evaluating aggressive tendencies as a result of watching these sports is imperative.

Session 3- 2:30-3:30 CLASSROOM 200 1.) What I Like About You: The Attractiveness of a Name Logan Clayton & Talonna Patillo- Dr. Bill Lammers University of Central Arkansas
Many studies have been done to see how a persons looks contribute to first impressions, and the Halo Effect, however research is lacking comparing a persons' name and their perceived attractiveness. This was the driving factor in our study. We had participants rate similar pictures with common names, uncommon names, and no names. We hypothesized that those with common names would be rated as more attractive based on outside research, however we found the opposite to be true. While the ratings of common and no-named pictures showed no significant difference, the ratings of pictures associated with uncommon names showed a significant difference, in that uncommon names were rated as being more attractive than no-name pictures, but not from those with a common name.

2.) The Relationship Between Names, Occupations, and Memory Brooke Campbell, Jazmien Boyce, & Kenya Ray University of Central Arkansas
The relationship between gender and stereotypical versus non-stereotypical occupations was examined in this study. Participants were asked to review a list of name-occupation parings for a certain amount of time, then shown just a list of those occupations and asked to recall as many names, and finally asked to indicate their gender. There were two different lists on name-occupation pairings presented to each participant, which included stereotypical and nonstereotypical pairings, based on gender. Contrary to our hypothesis, which predicted stereotypical names being recalled more than non-stereotypical names, there was no significant difference in the number of names recalled between the two conditions. Based on this study we concluded that stereotyped gender names did not directly affect peoples ability to recall names.

3.) Gender Differences In Advice Giving Styles Elizabeth Davis- Leslie Templeton Hendrix University
Gender differences in communication are the underpinnings of many of the humorous misunderstandings in popular movies and TV shows. Stereotypes about gender differences in communication, and more specifically, advice giving, are wide-spread. I examined differences in mens and womens advice -giving behavior. Participants read vignettes about a person with a problem, then answered questions that assessed their likelihood to engage in different types of advice giving behavior. Women reported a higher likelihood to give direct advice and ask questions than men. Women also reported a higher likelihood than men to work with a friend on their problem. Finally, both men and women reported a higher likelihood of working with female friends than male friends with a problem.

CLASSROOM 201 1.) How personality characteristics relate to goal orientation Felicity Burton, Ronald Covington, & Elizabeth Minor University of Central Arkansas
Our research compared the big five personality characteristics and goal orientation. We hypothesized that an individuals personality could lead to having a certain goal orientation; mastery, performance, or avoidance. Using an online survey, we had 45 students from the University of Central Arkansas volunteer to participate. We used a personality inventory to observe participants individual personality characteristics and a goal orientation survey to assign a participant with a certain goal orientation. We found a negative correlation between openness and performance. We found a positive correlation between emotional stability and mastery, as well as, conscientiousness in both performance and mastery. Students and teachers may find this research useful in understanding the motives behind achievement and gaining a higher quality learning experience.

1.) The Effect of Scenario Parent-Child Relationships, Scenario Gender, and Respondent Gender on Perceptions of Academic Success Paul Heddin- Dr. Kenneth Hobby Harding University
This study examined the perceptions of male and female students concerning scenario gender and scenario parentchild relations as predictors of child academic success. My hypothesis was that a positive parental relationship would coincide with a greater perception of academic success than a neutral or negative parental relationship. Participants received one scenario (male/female positive parental relationship, male/female neutral parental relationship, or male/female negative parental relationship). The scenario was followed by twelve questions (using a Likert scale) that measured the previously mentioned factors. These scores were analyzed using a three-way Anova for the scenario relationship with the parent, the scenario gender, and the respondent gender to determine how these affected the perception of scenario academic success. This study concluded that the scenario parent-child relationship indicated a positive effect on predicted academic success fulfilling the hypothesis. Scenario played a significant role in Question 3 [F(2,253)=23.239, p<.05], Question 7 [F(2,253)=36.483, p<.05], Question 8 [F(2,252)=32.505, p<.05], and Question 9 [F(2,252)=31.545, p<.05]. There was significance shown in Question 8 concerning scenario gender [F(1,252)=4.049, p<.05].

2.) The Effect of Respondent Gender, Scenario Age of Onset, and Scenario Self - Care on Perceptions of Alzheimer's Disease Caitlin Forcier- Dr. Kenneth Hobby Harding University
This research study examines the effects of respondent gender, scenario age of onset, and scenario self-care on perceptions of Alzheimers disease patients. My hypothesis was that females would respond with more negative perceptions of Alzheimers disease than males, that both genders would respond with more negative perceptions of a patient with poor self-care, and that both genders would respond with more negative perceptions of early onset patients (age 55) than normal (age 70) or late onset (age 85) patients. Seven Likert Scale questions were combined

to form a mean negative choices score. One 2 (respondent gender) X 2 (scenario self-care) X 3 (scenario age of onset) analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the seven questions for significant differences. Significance was found for scenario self- care [F(1,177)=44.566, p< .05], which supported the hypothesis. The analysis yielded no significant main effects for respondent gender [F(1,177)=1.579, p> .05] and scenario age of onset [F(1,177)=.703, p> .05]. These results refuted the hypothesis. Furthermore, no significant interaction effect was found for respondent gender and scenario age of onset [F(2,177)=1.054, p> .05], respondent gender and scenario self- care [F(1,177)=.703, p> .05], scenario age and scenario self- care [F(2,177)=.215, p> .05], and respondent gender, scenario age, and scenario self- care [F(2,177)=1.118, p> .05].

CLASSROOM 239 1.) THE EFFECT OF SCENARIO GENDER AND LENGTH OF EXPOSURE TO ADDICTION WITHIN A FAMILY ON PERCIEVED RESILIENCE Rachel Domeyer- Dr. Kenneth Hobby Harding University
The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which a specific stressor would affect the perception of an individuals resilience. Scenarios were implemented to experimentally test participants perceptions of an individuals resilience. Respondents answered questions based on two independent variables (gender and length of time individual was exposed to addiction) and results were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance. The results supported the main hypothesis that the longer the stressor lasted, the less resilient the individuals would be perceived by participants.

2.) Effects of Peer Instruction on Student Performance in College General Psychology Classrooms Paula Simons, Allayne McGee, Jacob Plunk, & Marissa Wells- Dr. Brian Bolter University of Central Arkansas
As one of the most popular courses on college campuses and one frequently included as a general education requirement, General (Introductory) Psychology is a common course for first-semester freshman. A program known as Supplemental Instruction (SI) offers a compatible and cohesive solution that permits educators to teach but also provides mentoring and large-group peer tutoring from an undergraduate junior/senior Psychology major. The two sections of General Psychology courses at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) were chosen to participate in the experiment. The mean score for SI attendees was 92.42 while the mean score for participants in the control group was 71.3. Further analysis will be needed to show correlations between sessions attended prior to exams and individual exam scores.

3.) The Sinistrality of Intelligence Mary Medlin- Dr. Kilian J. Garvey University of Louisiana at Monroe
The focus of the present study is on handedness, familial sinistrality, and IQ. IQ scores were assessed using the Wonderlic Personnel Test (WPT) and handedness was measured using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI). Familial sinistrality was also assessed. / We found that familial sinistrality and handedness were related to higher IQ scores as measured by the WPT. Specifically, left-handers who were FS+, FS+ meaning that they had a left-handed relative, were found to have higher IQ scores compared to right-handed FS+, right-handed FS-, and left-handed FSindividuals. Mean intelligence scores were 110, 103, 101, and 102 respectively. These mean differences were found to be significant (f = 2.922). Other studies have also found lateralization to have an effect on intelligence scores (Nettle, 2003; Alibeik, 2011; Niebauer & Garvey, 2004).

CLASSROOM 237 1.) THE EFFECT OF RESPONDENT EXTRAVERSION AND SCENARIO EXTRAVERSION ON PERCEPTION OF MENTAL STABILITY. Orion Johnson- Dr. Kenneth Hobby Harding University
This study examined the effects of respondent extraversion and scenario extraversion on perceptions of mental stability in others. I hypothesized that (a) individuals will perceive like individuals on the trait of extraversion more positively, and (b) extraverts will perceive both introverts and extraverts more positively than will introverts. This study used college students in psychology classes from Harding University. Participants (N= 58) were given one of two scenarios, a questionnaire, and a demographic information sheet. The results were examined with a two-way ANOVA. A composite of four questions was used to obtain a perception of mental stability score. Scenario extraversion produced a significant main effect [F(1,54)= 22.47, p<0.05]. Respondent extraversion did not produce a significant main effect [F(1,54)= 0.50, p>0.05], nor was there a significant interaction effect [F(1,54)= 0.06, p>0.05]. Thus, respondent's own extraversion was not a significant predictor of perceptions of mental stability, but the scenario, i.e. another's, extraversion was a significant predictor of perceptions.

2.) The Effect of Scenario Parental Conflict, Scenario Gender, and Respondent Gender on Perceived Self-Esteem Summer Reitter- Dr. Kenneth Hobby Harding University
This study examined perceptions of male and female students concerning scenario parental conflict and scenario gender as determinants of a childs development of self-esteem into early adulthood. Participants (N = 142) received a scenario followed by Likert Scale questions in order to measure perceived self-esteem. Nine questions that dealt specifically with an individuals self-esteem were used to create a Perceived Self-Esteem Score, based off the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Scores were analyzed using a three-way analysis of variance for the scenario existence of parental conflict, the scenario child gender, and the respondent gender. Results indicate that scenario parental conflict significantly affected perceived self-esteem [F(1, 134) = 85.093, p = .000].

3.) The Perceived Effect of Scenario Involvement of Bullying, Scenario Gender, and Respondent Gender on the Perceived Scenario Level of Aggression Kyle Hopkins- Dr. Kenneth Hobby Harding University
This study explored the relationship between scenario gendered involvement of bullying and respondent gender in order to examine the perceived level of aggression each respondent believes to exist. On a Likert Scale, having six degrees of likelihood, each participant rated certain qualities of behavior they perceived the student in the given scenario was to potentially display. Based off the cumulated scores of certain questions (see appendix C), the totals were interpreted to indication of a level of aggression. The scored means were measured on a cumulative score ranging from perceived low level of aggression to perceived high level of aggression (9 M 24 [low], 25 M 39[mid], 40 M 54[high]).

4.) The Effect of the Divorced Scenario Familys Religious Background and Respondent Gender on Perceptions of Future Success Nathan Hunzicker- Dr. Kenneth Hobby Harding University
This study examines the perceptions of male and female students concerning divorce and scenario family religious background as predictors for future success. Each participant received one scenario and answered questions about the scenario using the Likert scale in order to measure the previously mentioned variables. Many studies show the effect that being a Christian has on divorce, but there are very few showing the effects of not being Christian on divorce. This study tested the differences between men and women and how they perceived the effects of divorce on future success. The data collected was scored using a two-way analysis of variance for the divorced scenario familys religious background and respondent gender. Significant results were only found for the main effect of the

scenarios religious background [F(1,110)=33.499, p = .000]. There were no significant results found in the main effect of respondent gender. There were no significant interaction effects found in this study.

2014 Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students

Poster Presentations
LOCATION: Mashburn Hall TIME: 10:30-11:15

1.) Political Orientation and Sexuality Biases Shannon Caldwell, Sarah Maxim, Lucas Liddel, Susan Rada, & Sean Ransonette- Dr. Paul Nail University of Central Arkansas
Although most Americans deny that they are prejudiced, bias can be routinely demonstrated by an experimental design; that is, by manipulating factors such as race, gender, or age between different experimental groups, holding all other variables constant, and then asking participants to make some type of judgment (Nail, 2014). Most previous research examining prejudice as a function of political orientation has focused on race (e.g., Nail, Harton, & Decker, 2003). The present research will focus on possible bias as a function political orientation and homosexuality. Consistent with past research (Conservative vs. liberal beliefs, 2010), we anticipate that liberals will show bias in favor of a person identified as homosexual, whereas conservatives will show bias in favor of a one identified as heterosexual.

2.) Students Views on Greater Equality in Grading As a Function of Political Orientation and Anticipated Grade Brooklin J. Jackson, Casey A. Murray, Kaitlin L. Van Gorder, & Jasamine Omaware- Dr. Paul Nail University of Central Arkansas
With America leaning away from merit-based outcomes to outcomes based on greater social justice/equalilty (Whelton, 2006), shouldnt universities prepare students for such shift? What if students are told their grades will be based in part on equality instead of individual merit alone? We hypothesize that students will be in favor of equalityinfluenced grades to the degree that they are liberal and their grade goes up in contrast to being conservative and their grade going down. Conservative participants were less satisfied with equality-based grades than were moderates and liberals, who did not differ from one another. Also, as the gap between ones equality-based grade and their anticipated grade ranged from -2 to +2 grades, satisfaction with grades also increased.

3.) Political Orientation and Preference for Consistency: Can Cognitive Dissonance be Predicted by Being Left or Right? Regina E. Powell, Yerik Akhmetov, Daryl Babb, Clarissa Johnson, & Karissa Ploense- Dr. Paul Nail University of Central Arkansas
Cognitive dissonance is an imbalance between two or more beliefs causing discomfort to an individual (Festinger, 1957). Nail et al. (2001) and others have demonstrated that individuals with a high preference for consistency (PFC) experience dissonance more intensely than do individuals with low PFC. Because of similarities between high PFC and other personality measures linked with political conservatism (e.g., high need for structure; Jost et al., 2003), we expected that conservatives might also experience dissonance more intensely than liberals. This study gives insight regarding why liberals and conservatives often do not agree they have different personalities, which causes them

to see the world differently. These differences often have different implications for how Americans should relate to one other, whether (a) reacting to being stood up or (b) deciding, for example, whether Affordable Care Act deadlines should be extended yet again.

4.) Consumer Decisions Contingent upon User Reviews J.Renee Baker- Dr. Darshon Anderson University of Central Arkansas
Technology today has had a global impact upon online shopping. Due to the increase in internet usage, many people can shop at a variety of places from the comfort of home or anywhere. Online review sites have made it more convenient for potential customers to compare and review various products and services.

5.) Straight Out of the Closet: Effects of Media on Mens Body Image of Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Males Christina Rowen, Shea Hale, & Casey Cragle University of Central Arkansas
Although there is extensive research of how media influences womens body self-image, there is much less research comparing sexual orientation and media influence to mens body self -image. We conducted an experiment in which heterosexual vs. openly sexual minority college males at a south central public university in the USA viewed either neutral images or images of socially attractive men. Afterward, each participant completed the Body Esteem Scale (BES). Because openly sexual minority men have had the personal strength to publicly embrace their minority sexual-orientation status, we expected that only the BES scores of heterosexual males would be negatively impacted by viewing the very socially attractive men. However, vieweing the neutral vs. socially attractive male images had no significant effect on BES scores. Further, heterosexual men reported significantly higher levels of body satisfaction overall than did sexual minority men. Would these results hold in regions where sexual minority status is more generally accepted than in the south central USA?

6.) Reasons to Believe: The Connections Between Stress, Coping, and Religiosity Kayla Jordan & Jacqueline Byrket - Adena Young-Jones Missouri State University
Research has identified religiosity as a buffer against perceived stress. If similar positive correlations are established in a non-religious environment, students may be able to decrease stress simply through awareness and participation in spiritually supportive experiences on campus. The decrease in stress was hypothesized to stem from an increased ability to cope with life stressors. Participants were recruited from a secular university and a religious university. Students at the religious university scored higher than religious participants at the secular university on the Positive COPE and three RCOPE subscales. Additionally, they scored higher on the Intrinsic Religious Motivation Scale than those at the secular university. Results indicate a religiously supportive environment may be key to religiosity enhancing student stress management.

7.) Gender Differences: Social Support Systems and Academic Motivation of Minority Students Jacqueline Byrket & Becky Maier- Adena Young-Jones Missouri State University
Gender differences have been widely examined in academic motivation literature, yet minimal research is available addressing this in minority populations. Previous evaluations of minority students found that perceived lack of social support was detrimental to academic success. In this study we found a main effect of gender on Perceived Social Support (PSS) and motivation. Specifically, White males scored significantly lower than White females on both PSS and motivation. However, Non-White males scored significantly lower than Non-White females on motivation but were not different on the PSS. Interestingly, there were no interaction effects for gender and ethnicity.

8.) Arkansas: A Homeless Pregnant Teen Project Sondra Wordlaw,D. Finkelhor, & A. Sedlak Philander Smith
Participants (N = 621) received 1 of 3 parenting style scenarios (lax, firm, or controlling) in a survey, rated the selfregulatory ability of the scenario individual and themselves, and specified their own parenting style. The hypothesized results were: (a) firm parenting would be rated highest for self-regulatory ability, lax second, and controlling third; and (b) self-regulation scores for pairs of matching parenting style (e.g., scenario lax-respondent lax) would correspond the most closely. Hypothesis A was tested using a two-way between-subjects ANOVA and received partial support. Each level of scenario parenting had significantly different ratings, F(2, 604) = 45.16, p = .00, with the firm group highest, controlling second, and lax third. The interaction effect between scenario and respondent parenting style was significant, F(4, 604) = 4.57, p = .001. Hypothesis B received full support: the matched group had significantly lower overall difference scores than the non-matched group, t(476.01) = -8.39, p = .00, d = -0.72.

9.) ROLE OF ETHNICITY AND GENDER IN THE PREVALENCE OF VARIOUS MEASURES OF ALTRUISM. Vasuda Bangalore & Logan Hale- Dr. Jack Palmer
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Our study investigates the relationship between demographics (ethnicity and gender) and various altruism measures. The measures used in the experimental methods include Costly Beliefs Scale, Altruistic Personality Scale, and a dictator game. Participants used in the study were recruited from undergraduate Introduction to Psychology courses. All 397 participants were shown powerpoint slides that consisted of questions and were asked to respond using Likert scales on a sheet of paper. SPSS was used to analyze the data acquired through surveys. When males from major ethnic groups were correlated with a variety of demographic variables, the result of the experiment demonstrated a significant relationship of p =0.005 for Costly Beliefs Scale. The data also showed dominant relationship for reciprocal altruism (p=0.000). Lastly, the data yielded a slightly significant relationship for group altruism with p =0.049. Moreover, when females from major ethnic groups were correlated with a variety of demographic variable, the only significant relationship appeared to be for Altruistic Personality Scale. Additionally, when data was further analyzed using one-way ANOVA, there was no significant difference between the two genders. However, using one-way ANOVA it was noted that African-American group scored higher on the reciprocal altruism.

10.) TMI? Comfort and Disclosure in Online Female Relationships Sylene Cortez- Dr. Darshon Anderson University of Central Arkansas
The purpose of this study is to investigate certain aspects of female behavior online. More specifically, how female relationships vary in how comfortable they are with other people online, and how likely they are to engage another person or disclose information to them in certain scenarios. Gender and familiarity were the independent variables. For the purposes of this study, online relationships is defined as an online friendship with another person that does not include sexual, committed relationships. A repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted, followed up by a t-test. The results supported a significant difference across the female scenarios by looking at the sphericity assumed: F(7) = .25, p < .03. Particularly, female friend scenarios were rated differently t(7) = 3.86, p < .006 with how comfortable they were (M = 1.750, SD = 1.282) as compared to how likely they are to disclose/engage in the other person t(7) = 1.53, p < .170 (M = .5, SD = .926). The male scenarios showed no significance by any measure. The participants responses were coded and then averaged.

11.) The Laterality of Disgust Mary Medlin- Dr. Kilian J. Garvey University of Louisiana at Monroe
In this study we examined the relationship between handedness and disgust sensitivity. Handedness was measured using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI) and disgust was measured using the revised Disgust Scale (DS-R). It was predicted that right-handers would be more likely to score higher on the DS-R because a lower level of interhemispheric interaction, displayed more often by right-handers, might lead to distrusting ambiguous stimuli. It

has been shown that beliefs are affected by lateralization, specifically, levels of interhemispheric interaction (Ramachandran, 1995; Niebauer & Garvey, 2004). It has been found that left-handers show greater interhemispheric interaction than right-handers and this fact may have an effect on disgust beliefs. The results of our study confirm our hypothesis: right-handers in our study did score significantly higher on the DS-R than did left-handers.

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2014 Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students

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