|
Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania
Psychology Department
2007
ABSTRACTS
MALE SOCIAL SUPPORT, GENDER ROLE VIOLATION, AND EMOTIONAL CONTAGION: HOW STRESS AFFECTS COUPLES IN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS
Kathryn Baranovich
Advised by Sherri Pataki
Research on couples has found social support provided by men increases physiological distress in their partners, whereas the opposite is true for women (Kirschbaum, Klauer, Filipp, & Hellhammer, 1995). Questionnaires and heart rate were used to examine stress, social support, and gender roles in 17 undergraduate heterosexual couples. Females were asked to give a speech and males were asked to provide social support to their partners. Masculine men who were asked to provide social support were predicted to experience greater anxiety than androgynous men due to gender role violation. This anxiety may then be transmitted to their partners. There were not significant findings related to the masculine gender role; however, male participant’s heart rate increased when asked to provide social support to his partner.
THE IMPACT OF VISUAL PRESENTATIONS AND ERP ON THE GUILTY KNOWLEDGE TEST (GKT)
Brett Bundy
Advised by Kirk Lunnen
Efforts at lie detection have resulted in systems and methods that have largely been shown to be non-scientific and prone to high rates of false positives. This study examined the effects of a visual adjunct and event-related potentials (ERP) to the Guilty Knowledge Test (GKT). Fifty participants engaged in a mock crime involving the “theft” of money. Physiological measures including respiration, pulse, galvanic skin response, and EEG were taken. Results reveal that adding a visual component and ERP improves the accuracy of the GKT by reducing false positive identification. The results support the hypothesis that a visual adjunct to the GKT and reduces false positives and increases true positives with cardiovascular activity and ERP.
THE EFFECTS OF THERAPIST SELF-DISCLOSURE ON ALLIANCE IN PSYCHOTHERAPY
Cristen Chiri
Advised by Kirk Lunnen
Psychological research has focused increasingly on the appropriateness of therapist self-disclosure both in the therapy process, and as an intervention. The current study considers the effects of therapist self-disclosure on therapeutic alliance. Audio-taped therapy sessions from an archival database were rated for therapist self-disclosure. Contrary to previous research, results indicated that there is not a significant relationship between therapist self-disclosure and alliance. Results do indicate, however, that the type of disclosure, specifically interpersonal disclosures, does affect alliance significantly. As interpersonal therapist self-disclosures increased, alliance ratings increased.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT AND PEER PRESSURE: THEIR EFFECTS ON ANXIETY
Ann Ebhojiaye
Advised by Alan Gittis
The purpose of this study was to test adolescents’ susceptibility to peer pressure, depending on the level of parental involvement. The participants were adolescent college students, ages 18-19. Parental involvement was measured based on a combination of scales, called the Parental Involvement scale, which asked the adolescent the amount that his/her parents are involved in their lives. Adolescents were in a peer pressure condition or non-peer pressure condition, and completed a risk taking scale. Finally, the participants received a scale measuring their anxiety. I hypothesized that adolescents who have high parental involvement will have lower levels of anxiety, and adolescents who have low parental involvement, will have higher levels of anxiety. Based on the hypotheses, no significant differences were found.
COMPUTER-MEDIATED AND FACE-TO-FACE COMMUNICATIONS: THE MEDIUM EFFECT ON TASK PERFORMANCE AND QUALITATIVE MEASURES
Lindsay Egg
Advised by Alan Gittis
With advances in technology, this study tested two ways of communicating: therough verbal discussion and through a computer chat room. It was predicted that people would prefer verbal communication through judgments about group contribution, confidence in answeres, and enjoyment completing tasks. It was predicted that the quality of decision making would not be affected by communication modes. Sixty-three Westmisnter College students worked in groups of three to complete two intellective, idea-generative, and judgment tasks. Each group was randomly assigned to complete tasks by communicating either verbally, through the computer, or both. As predicted, verbal discussion was preferred in comparison to computer communication. Contrary to prediction, different ways of communicating led to differences in the quality of decision making.
EMOTIONAL IDENTIFICATION AND EMPATHY AS PREDICTORS OF PRO-SOCIAL BEHAVIORS IN CHILDREN
Nancy Hammond
Advised by Mandy Medvin
This study examined the relationship between identifying emotions, empathy, and pro-social behaviors in thirty-seven children ages three to five. Children were interviewed to establish their level of identification of emotion in others and empathy. Teachers completed questionnaires regarding each child’s empathy and behavior. This correlational design used multiple regression analysis to examine the relationship between variables. Confirming expectations, preschoolers who received high scores of emotional identification and high scores of empathy showed the highest correlations with pro-social behavior. No significant gender differences were found; however there was a trend for four and five-year-olds to score significantly higher on emotional identification and empathy than three year olds. Implications for future research and applications are discussed.
THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SHIFTWORK ON SLEEP, FAMILY AND SOCIAL CONFLICTS, AND ALCOHOL USE
Maranda Huff
Advised by Jamie McMinn
The purpose of this study is to look at shiftwork and how it affects work-family conflict, social-conflict, sleep and alcohol consumption of the employee. The 60 men who participate din the study all worked for the same company, only on different shifts. The shifts included were the standard shift, the 21-tun, and the 2on/2off. Overall it was found that workers on the 21-turn and 2on/2off shifts had more work-family conflict and sleeping problems than those working the standard shift, only the workers on the 21-turn had greater alcohol consumption than both 2on/2off and the standard shifts. For companies this could mean moving all employees to a standard shift because of the effects turns have on an individual.
COMMUNAL STRENGTH, WILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE, AND WILLINGNESS TO EXPRESS EMOTION AS PREDICTORS OF ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP LONGEVITY
Julie Kepins
Advised by Sherri Pataki
This study examined the relationship among communal strength (CS), willingness to sacrifice (WS), willingness to express emotion (WEE), and romantic relationship longevity over six months. The participants were 74 college undergraduate students between the ages of 17-22, who were involved in a romantic relationship for a tl east six weeks. A longitudinal method was used with two testing periods, T1 (Spring 2007) and T2 (Fall 2007). Participants reported their CS, WS, and WEE for their partners by completing surveys. Overall, CS and WEE were significantly correlated with each other. Furthermore, CS and a participant’s own relationship prediction foretold whether or not the relationship dissolved at T2. Therefore, this study shows the importance of CS as a predictor of romantic relationship longevity.
CLIMBING WALL AND ROMANTIC ATTRACTION: THE EFFECT OF EXCITING EXPERIENCES ON PASSIONATE LOVE
Amanda Lambert
Advised by Sherri Pataki
This study examined whether exciting experiences and the length of relationships are related to the perception of passionate love in romantic relationships. It was predicted that participants who engaged in exciting activities would experience heightened feelings of passionate love compared to participants who engaged in neutral activities. Relationship length was predicted to be negatively correlated with passionate love. One undergraduate partner from 29 romantic relationships participated in an exciting activity by climbing the campus rock wall, or ina neutral activity by learning how to put on a safety harness. Questionnaires were then completed to measure passionate love for the partner. Neither length of the relationship nor the type of activity predicted the perception of passionate love for the partner.
ATHLETES’ REACTIONS TO SPORTS-RELATED INJURIES
Daniel LoVerde
Advised by Alan Gittis
This study investigated the relationship between leadership attributes for the manner in which participants responded to sports injury scenarios. A total of 44 participants were used in this study. Participants included both undergraduate males and females at Westminster College. Zhang’s (1997) Revised Leadership Sports Scale was used to measure leadership attributes and a 20 item sports injury scenario scale was used as well. Trends in the data show most leaders would play in important games, such as championships, while injured, yet tend to injuries in all other cases. However, the trends were not significant.
THE EFFECTS OF SUPERVISOR PRESENCE AND ORGANIZATIONAL JUSTICE ON CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOR AND IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT MOTIVES
Jack Marti
Advised by Jamie McMinn
In an experimental study of 44 employees, the researcher hypothesized high organization justice would lead to more organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) with the intent to benefit the organization. It was also predicted that when a supervisor was present, more OCB directed at coworkers would occur with the intent to benefit the employee. Through vignettes and questionnaires, the results indicated that OCB was more likely to occur and be performed to benefit the organization in ambiguous justice conditions as well as being performed to benefit the organization when a supervisor was present. This suggests employees perform OCB altruistically, especially when a supervisor is present and justice conditions are unknown.
ANTECEDENTS AND LEARNING CONSEQUENCES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY IN ORGANIZATIONAL TEAMS
Laura Pienkowksi
Advised by Jamie McMinn
This study examined psychological safety in organizations by elaborating on the antecedent conditions (e.g., trust, commitment, managerial behaviors, and innovation) that influence team safety and their association with team learning behaviors by evaluating 20 hospital nursing teams (N=139). The prediction that psychological safety would mediate between the antecedent conditions and team learning behaviors was supported. A series of regression analyses showed the relationship between the antecedent variables and team learning behaviors were partially mediated by psychological safety. Distinguishing what influences psychological safety within teams can lead to effective team performance and increased production for organizations.
THE EFFECTS OF REJECTION SENSITIVITY AND COPING ON AGGRESSION IN COLLEGE STUDENTS
Beth Porter
Advised by Mandy Medvin
This study examined the effects of rejection sensitivity and coping on individual’s use of aggression and gender differences in the use of relational and overt aggression. A sample of 153 college students were given three questionnaires to measure rejection sensitivity, one on the various coping methods they sue, and one on aggression. Findings indicated that individuals who were high in rejection sensitivity and high in disengagement coping were highest in their use of both relational and overt aggression. Individuals who were high in rejection sensitivity and low in engagement coping were high in their use of relational and overt aggression. Finally, boys were higher in their use of overt aggression and disengagement coping than girls, and girls were higher in their use of relational aggression and engagement coping than boys. Implications of these findings for interventions are discussed.
AGE-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN MORAL REASONING FOR CONCLICTS BETWEEN FRIENDS AND NON-FRIENDS
Rebecca Rihs
Advised by Mandy Medvin
Little research has been conducted on age-related differences on moral reasoning. The present study examined moral reasoning in disagreements between friends and non-friends. Participants included 176 5th (age 10-11) and 9th (age 14-15) grade students who responded to hypothetical disagreements involving friends and non-friends. Within the scenarios, participants rated the severity of the disagreement and justified their rating through open-ended questions about the conflict. The results indicated that adolescents rated disagreements with non-friends as more severe than friends, whereas children rated disagreements similarly for friends and non-friends. Moreover, 9th grade students used more personal and moral reasons in justifying situations with friends than with non-friends. Further implications of moral education were discussed.
COHESION AS A MOTIVATOR: A SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY ANALYSIS
Ryan Sharbaugh
Advised by Mandy Medvin
This study investigated the influence of team cohesion on motivation in a sample of 107 collegiate team athletes. Self-Determination Theory’s (Deci & Ryan, 1985) premise that social factors influence the satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs, which, in turn, regulate motivation, was used as a basis for this study. Self report questionnaires assessing team cohesion, psychological need satisfaction, and motivation were administered in a team setting to five teams within different sports. Baron and Kenny’s (1986) mediation model was used to test the hypothesis thata cohesion influences motivation through the satisfaction fo needs. A series of regression analyses showed that cohesion mediated needs and motivation. This suggests that supporting psychological needs will motivate individuals through team cohesion
IDIOSYNCRATIC WORKING ARRANGEMENTS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO ORGANIZATIONAL ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS
Brett Turk
Advised by Jamie McMinn
Two studies examined idiosyncratic working arrangements (i-deals) and their relationship to other organizational constructs. Data from 210 employees across multiple industries were used to create a measure encompassing content-based types of i-deals. From these data, seven categories of i-deals were posited. Forty undergraduates rated how closely 28 behaviors matched a definition for each of the types of i-deals. A two cluster model for i-deal type was supported: flexibility and resource availability. Another sample of 107 employees from six organizations completed surveys, including an i-deal measure. Receiving i-deals had positive relationships with psychological contract fulfillment, organizational justice, job satisfaction, and organizational citizenship behavior. These relationships indicate that i-deals may have a profound impact on both individual and organizational performance.
THE EFFECT OF THERAPIST SELF-DISCLOSURE ON TREATMETN OUTCOME IN A NATURALISTIC SETTING
Barry Unis
Advised by Kirk Lunnen
The efficacy of therapist self-disclosure has been under scrutiny, so the present researcher assessed self-disclosure in regards to psychotherapy outcome. Audiotapes of therapy sessions between graduate clinical students and DSM-diagnosable undergraduate student-clients were reviewed. Self-disclosures were recorded and analyzed for length, number, reactivity, positivity, and type. Those data were compared to outcome assessments such as the Outcome Questionnaire, the Symptom Checklist, the Global Outcome Rating, and the Global Assessment Screening by utilizing multiple regression analyses. There was one significant relationship between aspects of therapist self-disclosure and psychotherapy outcome, signifying that therapist self-disclosure has little or no effect on outcome.
SOURCE OF SELF-ESTEEM, SIMILARITY, AND COMPETITION AMONG COLLEGE ROOMMATES DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE
Amy Whitling
Advised by Sherri Pataki
This study examined source of self-esteem, similarity and their effects on competition among first year roommates. It was predicted that similarity between roommates would lead to greater competition, and that this effect would be stronger in the spring than in the fall. Participants included 86 undergraduate first year men and women. Each participant completed a survey measuring source of self-esteem, global self-esteem, perceived similarity, perceived competition, liking, and companionship. Multiple linear regressions indicated that source of self-esteem, particularly physical appearance and social comparison, is related to greater competition and less liking between roommates only in the fall. Also perceived similarity showed to be a stronger predictor of competition in the spring.
PARASYMPATHETIC AROUSAL FOLLOWING RELIGIOUS VERSUS NON-RELIGIOUS MEDITATION BASED ON LEVEL OF PARTICIPANT RELIGIOSITY
Elise Woomer
Advised by Kirk Lunnen
The current study was conducted to investigate whether religiously based meditative practices would result in more significant parasympathetic arousal for highly religious versus non-religious participants. Fifty-one participants underwent a stress induction, a measurement of religiosity, and were randomly assigned to one of three conditions, a non-religious meditation, a religious meditation, or a control (resting with no instructions). Measurements of physiological arousal included: galvanic skin response, pulse rate, respiration activity, and electroencephalographic activity. Analysis suggests that levels of religiosity do not significantly impact the degree to which differing meditative techniques decrease physiological reactivity. Knowledge of unconventional treatment options, such as meditation, which has been shown to reduce the physiological symptoms of stress, can be valuable on a personal and professional level.
|
Research 
