College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs Poster Presentations

Youth Gangs in America: A Treasure Valley Comparison

Kati-Maria Anderson — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 22:28:56 PDT

It has long been documented that youth gang members are disproportionately involved in high levels of serious violent crime in comparison to non-gang delinquents. While gangs have been around since the 1870s, it has only been in recent years that gang-related studies have reemerged. The purpose of this study is to examine why youth join gangs. This research will include Idaho’s definition of a ‘gang’, national statistics regarding youth gangs and compare this data to gang statistics in the Treasure Valley. The results of this research will disclose the risk factors pertaining to youth involvement in gang activities, as well as highlighting the various responses to local gang crimes. Additionally, this research will examine local and national alternative programs aimed at high risk youth.

Sexual Behavior Among Students: An Examination of Participation in Bondage, Domination, Submission, Masochism (BDSM) Behaviors

Ian Mosley — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:00:53 PDT

The present study sought to determine the frequency of BDSM-related (Bondage, Domination, Submission, Masochism) behaviors in a sample of college students. Respondents answered a 22 item survey containing basic demographic questions and 20 original questions related to BDSM behavior. Final analysis revealed that although undergraduate psychology students do not consider themselves member of the BDSM community, the majority of them engage in a large number of BDSM related behaviors.

The Prevalence of Separation Anxiety in Undergraduate Students

Cade Hulbert — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:26 PDT

The present study examined whether parental intrusiveness played a role in undergraduate students experiencing separation anxiety while attending college. One-hundred and nine participants responded to a 6-question survey. Investigating how undergraduate students were raised by their parents is crucial because certain parenting styles may increase the likelihood of young adults developing separation anxiety. There was a significant difference between males and females on overprotectiveness from their parents, whereas females reported a higher frequency. Further studies in this area may assist in understanding how parenting style can influence susceptibility to separation anxiety.

Problematic Internet Use and the Effect on Academic Performance

Jessica Kesler — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:25 PDT

I examined the effect of Internet usage, specifically the use of social networking sites, on one’s grade point average. One hundred seven participants responded to an 8-question survey about their Internet usage and study habits. There was a significant interaction between the number of social networking sites a participant belonged to and the participant’s year in school. There was also a significant difference between the amount of time the participant spent on the Internet on how frequently they found themselves browsing the Internet for enjoyment when they should be using the Internet for school-related subjects. This research suggests that the use of the Internet, specifically the use of social networking sites, has a significant effect on the GPAs of college students.

Differences Between Racial-Ethnic Groups in Response to Discriminatory Acts

Emily Lopez — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:25 PDT

Previous literature on campus climate research, has followed the trend in which Whites consistently hold more favorable views of their campus than minorities. This type of research may include student’s perceptions of the general campus climate, racial-ethnic climate as well as the academic climate. Despite having its skeptics, campus climate research is overall, a beneficial tool. It can give insight to perceptions that are often hard to talk about. The results from studies such as these can be used to generalize outside campus walls, into larger society such as the workplace. Employers, professors and other community members can take results of studies such as this to make improvements on campus as well as the workplace. My study examined undergraduate college student’s responses to statements regarding discriminatory acts and assessed for racial-ethnic differences in response to these statements. Asian American/Pacific Islander (n= 2), White/Caucasian (n= 85), Black/African American (n= 3), Hispanic/Latino (n= 9), students of other ethnicities (n= 4), and students of more than one ethnicity (n= 6) participated in my study. Contrary to my prediction, no significant differences were found between Whites and minorities in response to discriminatory acts, with one exception. Asian American\Pacific Islander and Black/African American students significantly disagreed more than other student groups in response to ignoring being the target of a racial joke. Many speculations can be made as to why my study did not follow the trend of previous literature. One speculation being that my study did not reflect a fairly equal ratio of students in each ethnic group. There were no Native American participants in my study, as well as a limited number of participants from other ethnic groups. The methodology in which participants were surveyed may have contributed to my findings. Perhaps if the methodology was modified in a future study, significant differences would be revealed. Implications for research use and future focus are provided.

Parental Closeness, Parental Knowledge, and Their Effects on Risky Behaviors

Julia Miller — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:24 PDT

Psychologists have been interested in studying parental knowledge and risky behaviors that adolescents and emerging adults participate in. While still living at home, the home may act as a safe buffer for adolescents, keeping risky behaviors to a minimum. Once adolescents enter the emerging adulthood stage and leave the house, this buffer disappears, and another buffer must form to replace it. This study seeks to determine if open communication and perceived closeness to parents is a possible safety net in reducing risky behaviors that emerging adults participate in. Participants for this study came from Boise State University and signed up via Experimentrix, online, or were chosen as volunteers. After signing up for this study, emerging adults were given a survey with questions relating to parental monitoring, child disclosure, risky behaviors, and parental closeness. The results from the survey showed that satisfaction with parental communication, parental closeness, and parental knowledge had an effect on alcohol and drug use and participation in sexual intercourse with no protection. A limitation of this study was the fact the age range of those taking this survey was higher than the age range for the ideal study on emerging adults. However, significant findings were still found, and as a result of these findings, it is recommended that even after children leave home for college, parents foster closeness and continue to communicate with their child.

Self Perceived Religiosity and Risky Behaviors

Samantha Schuele — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:23 PDT

I analyzed the relationship between self-perceived religiosity and the prevalence of risky behaviors. The risky behaviors being measured included promiscuous sex, binge drinking, and recreational drug use. There were One hundred and eighteen participants who participated in the study by answering survey questions concerning the prevalence of their participation in risky behaviors as well as there church participation and perception of their religiosity. I predicted that there would be negative correlations between the defined risky behaviors and self-perceived religiosity. The survey information was then input into a statistical analysis program to gather data. After interpreting the data, it was found that there was a significant negative relationship between self perceived religiosity and binge drinking. The same significant negative correlation was found between self-perceived religiosity and promiscuous sex. A significant negative correlation was also found between self perceived religiosity and recreational drug use. This indicates that the more religious an individual perceives himself or herself to be, the less likely they are to participate in risky behaviors. I continued utilizing the data to suggest that the presence of a religious identity can greatly reduce risky behaviors. I then made suggestions for potential action and reform in society to offset the prevalence of risky behaviors.

Facebook: A Students Link to Social Connections

Ernesto Soto — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:22 PDT

Facebook, a popular social networking site among college students, provides the means for college students to stay in contact with their friends. I conducted this present study to examine the relationship between college students’ Facebook usage, their age, and their number of friends. One hundred and thirteen students from a general psychology course participated in this study. The outcome suggest that Facebook usage among college students is higher among younger students, with those students spending 1.37 hours more per week logged into their Facebook account. Additionally this study found a strong correlation with the number of friends college students have and their Facebook usage, were those college students that have more friends interacted more frequently on Facebook. The college students with a higher amount of friends posted information on their Facebook account more frequently on a daily basis as well as uploaded pictures more frequently during a weekly basis. As expected this study confirmed the association between age and the number of friends as a driving factor behind Facebook usage.

Motives of Violence in Men and Women

Catherine Thomas — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:21 PDT

This study examined if stress caused by school and feelings of inadequacy were the motivating factors leading to intimate partner violence. This study consisted of 41 males, 28 females and 9 participants who did not specify a gender. The average age of the participants was 22.48. All of the participants (N = 78), were Boise State University students who either received class credit or were volunteers. Participants were given a survey with questions regarding their levels of stress and feelings of inadequacy. They also answered questions related to their year in school and past violent behavior. Also, they were asked if they considered lesser acts of violence to be violent or not. This study found that intimate partner violence is not a gender issue. More women answered that they had abused their partner than men did. Year in school and feelings of inadequacy were not significant as motivating factors leading to intimate partner violence in this study. All factors with the exception of gender were not significant in the motivations of violence with these participants. More research needs to be conducted to find the motivations of violence in intimate relationships.

The Influence of Movies on College Students Drinking and Smoking Habits

Efren Velazquez — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:21 PDT

I studied the effects movies have on influencing college students to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes and if there was a gender difference in who was influenced more by the movies. There have been many studies conducted on adolescents involving how much movies have influenced them to smoke or drink. However, my study focuses on college students and analyzes the impact films have had on them in their choice to drink or smoke. A total of 113 general psychology students completed a survey that was composed of questions created by students enrolled in Psychology 321, Research Methods, who were working on their own research report for the semester. A total of seven questions were asked by me in the survey involving whether movies influenced the participants to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. The end result of the study was that movies do not influence college students to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, thus accepting the null hypothesis and stating that movies do not influence college students in anyway. The second hypothesis of whether there is a gender difference also had the null hypothesis accepted. This conclusion suggests that other factors may contribute in the decision of college students to start smoking or drinking, such as peer pressure or living a difficult house environment. It is also recommended to analyze other forms of media as a source of influencing college students to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes.

The Importance of Body Satisfaction

Lindsey Ward — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:20 PDT

This study examines the rate of body satisfaction amongst men and women, as well as how it affects social status. Individuals received a survey, which inquired about how satisfied they were with their body image. The results have indicated that there is not a significant relationship with the higher the self body image a person has the more they feel like they fit in whether they are skinny or not. There is a significant difference between men and women and falling into the habits of eating disordered behaviors. This suggests women have lower self body image than most men. The significance in eating disordered behaviors and rates of body satisfaction are discussed, and the difference between men and women is emphasized.

Heredity and Depression: The Effects of Genetic / Attribution on the Public’s View of Individuals with Depression

Sarah Watson — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:19 PDT

Evidence suggests that some people are genetically predisposed to depression. This belief has become increasingly common among the public in recent years. Some studies indicate that people who believe in genetic attribution feel fear towards depressed people. Studies also show that individuals who believe in genetic attribution for depression may be unwilling to interact with depressed people. If this is the case, information about genetic attribution may contribute to stigma towards depression sufferers. Many other studies are contradictory and suggest that genetic attribution does not affect the level of fear felt towards depressed people or willingness to interact with them. A survey was administered to volunteers at Boise State University in order to access their opinion on genetic attribution, their willingness to interact with depressed people, and their perceived risk of harm from depressed people. Over one- third of participants reported a belief that heredity is a factor in the development of depression. Participants who believed that heredity was a factor in depression believed that depressed people were more likely to be violent than other people. Despite this, they were no less likely to want to interact with depressed individuals. The results support previous studies that suggest that genetic attribution may increase stigma towards depressed individuals, although the study does not indicate that people avoid interacting with depression sufferers.

The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls: The Frequency of Alternate Aggressions

Katie Wilson — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:19 PDT

The present research examined the hidden culture of aggression in females and their usage of proactive alternate aggressions on a regular basis in order to positively influence overall social acceptance. The participants (N=78) answered a survey including questions on non-physical aggression and the frequency of usage. The results indicate there is a significant relationship between women who think non-physical aggression inflicted on others can positively influence social acceptance and the frequency in which women inflict non-physical aggression. However, females who do not believe that non-physical aggression inflicted on others influences social acceptance felt no affects. This suggests that women must believe and support this system of aggression in order to perpetuate it. It is also important to note that this is an overall social acceptance meaning women and men are supporting these behaviors since they are the ones accepting the person who possess this aggressive demeanor. The purposed motivation for proactive aggression among women is to maintain status and social acceptance, deemed important by popular culture and trends. Also, women are confined and limited to gender roles and stereotypes in western industrial cultures such as the United States. The pressures to conform in order to be accepted are demanding on every individual. Therefore, although the women who chose to inflict proactive alternate aggression on other women are perpetuating the problem, they are also tortured and caught in the cycle. It is necessary to further research this topic in adult women to create an awareness of these actions and well as the consequences.

Effects of Location on Alcohol Consumption and Social Norms

Jonathan Lawson — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:18 PDT

Informed by the theory of normative social behavior, I sought to better understand the drinking habits of college students from various areas of the United States. A series of short survey questions were included in an omnibus survey given to 118 total participants. To measure perception of social norms, questions included information about the students' drinking habits and their perception of their peers' habits. The country was split into several regions, and it was found that the area of the country a student was raised in had little effect on their drinking habits, but the age at which the students began drinking was significantly related to their current drinking habits. The results of this study indicate that further research is warranted with wider demographics than previously used in studies of this kind.

The Effects of Parental Divorce on the Success of Romantic Relationships

Lilia Juarez — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:17 PDT

In this study the effects of parental closeness after divorce on the success of romantic relationships were examined. A survey was given to college students in which they provided information about their relationships with their parents and current partners. There was no significant relationship between the closeness of non-divorced parents and their child’s relationship success. Also, there was no relationship between divorced parents and their child’s relationship success. However, there was a significant positive relationship between how well children got along with their mother and with their father. These non-significant results suggest that it is not the divorce itself, but the attitudes and behavior towards divorce between the parents that may affect the success of the child’s romantic relationships.

The Different Motivating Factors of Self Esteem, Disorder Eating, and Exercise Motivations Between Men and Women

Alli Nielsen et al. — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:17 PDT

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between self-esteem, exercise motivation, and disordered eating in a sample of undergraduates. Three hundred twenty-five students completed surveys assessing the above variables. In men drive for thinness was related to several exercise motives including health orientation, weight concern, personal goal achievement, competition, recognition, life meaning, and self-esteem. Bulimia was related to weight concern. Body dissatisfaction was related to weight concern and self-esteem. In women, drive for thinness was related to several exercise motives including health orientation, weight concern, personal goal achievement, competition, recognition, coping, life meaning, and self-esteem. Bulimia was related to weight concern, recognition, coping, self-esteem, and life meaning. Body dissatisfaction was related to weight concern and self-esteem. We will discuss applications for athletic trainers, personal trainers, and counselors.

The Relationship Between Drive for Muscularity, Exercise Motivation, and Disordered Eating

Chanel Parker et al. — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:16 PDT

The purpose of this study is to examine the correlations between drive for muscularity, exercise motivation, and disordered eating in a sample of undergraduates. Three hundred twenty-five students completed surveys assessing the above variables. Drive for muscularity was not related to disordered eating. However, it was related to several exercise motives including health orientation, personal goal achievement, competition, and recognition.. Drive for thinness was related to several exercise motives including health orientation, weight concern, personal goal achievement, recognition, coping, and life meaning. Bulimia was related to weight concern, recognition, coping, and life meaning. Body dissatisfaction was related to health orientation, weight concern, recognition, and coping. We will discuss applications for athletic trainers, personal trainers, and counselors.

Furry Friends, Neglect, and Social Support: An Examination of Pet Attachment and Its Predictors

Cory Hutchinson et al. — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:15 PDT

The purpose of this study was to research the relationship of stuffed animal and pet attachment to neglect and social support. A positive correlation has been found between pet attachment and dissociation (Brown & Katcher, 2001). While many studies have looked at predictors of pet attachment, little research has been conducted on pet attachment and neglect. We surveyed Psychology 101 students in an online survey. The first hypothesis was that neglect would be highly correlated with attachment to stuffed animals, but negatively correlated with attachment to pets. The second hypothesis was that people with greater current social support from parents would also have greater attachment to pets than did people without such strong support.

Who Loves Fluffy Most? A Look at Gender Differences and Birth Order on Pet Attachment

Nik Silveira et al. — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:14 PDT

Although attachment to pets or pet substitutes is common, various factors may affect the degree of attachment. This study looked at a sample population of Psychology 101 students who completed a series of self-report measures. Little to no research has been done linking birth order to pet attachment; however, this study predicted a link between first-borns and pet attachment. Additionally, previous studies have indicated that men are generally less attached to pets than women (Geller, 2005; Kidd & Kidd, 1989; Taggart, 1997;). The current study sought to replicate this finding, as well as to extend this prediction to stuffed animals. This would support how societal gender roles influence behavior and attachment patterns.

Factors in Academic Achievement

Michelle Harbst — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:48:14 PDT

This study looks at differences in teacher expectations and how they affect academic performance. Participants were Psychology 101 students. This was a matched paired, repeated measures design. Participants were given academic tasks to complete. They were then matched into two equal groups. The experimental group was told they did exceptionally well, and that they were expected to again. The control group was not told anything about expectations of future scores, or results from previous tasks. Both groups were then given similar academic tasks. To determine whether expressed expectations affected performance, a t-test compared difference scores between the control and experimental groups. Further research should address these issues more closely.