Cedar Crest Home
Prospective Students
Lifelong Learning
Current Students
Alumnae
Faculty & Staff
Psychology
Home

Faculty
Psychology Major
Psychology Minor
Biopsychology Concentration
Industrial/
Organizational Psychology Concentration
Forensic Psychology Concentration
Courses
Research
Advising Sheets
Internships
Psi Chi Society
Psychology Club
Careers
Contact US

Lehigh Valley Undergraduate Psychology Conference (2000)

Correlation of Autistic Symptoms and ADHD
Author: Lisa Ketcherick
Advisor: Dr. Diane Moyer

Comorbidity of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is relatively high with other emotional and behavioral disorders as well as learning disabilities. Research has indicated that autistic symptoms are also prevalent in children diagnosed with ADHD. In a recent study, Clark, Feehan, Timline, and Vostanis examined a group of ADHD children and found that more than 70% of these children showed impairment in communication, social interaction or stereotyped behaviors. The present study examined the relationship between ADHD symptoms and autistic symptoms as well as other disorders. It was hypothesized that children with higher ratings on the ADHD Checklist will also have higher ratings on the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale and the Conner's Rating Scale. Results indicated a positive correlation between ADHD symptoms, autistic symptoms, Conduct Disorder and Somatoform Disorder. Given the associated features between ADHD and Autism, future studies may want to examine the specifics of these correlations.

 

The Impact of Exercise on Physical Fitness, Psychological Well Being and Quality of Life in MS Patients
Author: Kelly Minarcik
Advisor: Dr. Diane Moyer

Multiples Sclerosis (MS) is degenerative neurological disease characterized by the demyelination of nerve cells in the central nervous system. In previous study, Petajan, Gappmaier, White, Spencer, Mino, and Hicks (1996) demonstrated that exercise has a positive impact on factors related to quality of life in MS patients. The present study examined the effects of exercise on MS symptoms and psychological well being. It was hypothesized that an exercise program for MS patients would yield improvements in quality of life, psychological well being, and fitness. The study consisted of 22 MS patients who completed the Norwicki Strickland Internal/External Control Scale (Locus of Control), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Digit Span and Digit Symbol (subtests of the WAIS-III), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Testing occurred at six-week intervals over a three-month period. Results revealed a significant decrease in depression and increase in internal locus of control as early as the first three months of the study. Results also indicated a significant decrease in anxiety at the six-month period.


The Relationship Between Empathy and Negative Countertransference in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa
Author: Amanda Tweed
Advisor: Dr. Diane Moyer

Therapist's attributes, such as empathy and countertransference, can influence the treatment outcome of individuals with anorexia nervosa. This study proposed that negative countertransference stems from the therapist's inability to empathize with the client. A sample of therapists who specialize in eating disorder treatment completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and a 24 adjective checklist for both anorexic and bulimic patients. The IR I consist of four independent scores which reflect separate dimensions of empathy such as perspective taking, empathic concern, fantasy, and personal distress. The adjective checklist measured positive and negative countertransference on six separate subscales consisting of success, connected, engaged, manipulated, hopeless/helpless, and frustrated. Therapists' empathic concern was negatively correlated with hopelessness/helplessness towards anorexic patients while personal distress was positively correlated with frustration towards anorexic patients. No significant correlations were found with countertransference towards bulimic patients. This suggests that therapeutic empathy may be an essential element in the successful treatment of anorexia nervosa. 


The Effects of Criminal Profile Training on the Ability to Generate an Effective Profile
Authors: Kimberley Richards and Monica Szasz
Advisor: Dr. Jane Ward

The present study seeks to examine outcome differences in criminal personality profiling among three groups (local police department detectives, forensic psychologist, and college students with some criminal profiling experience), using a closed case of attempted murder. Criminal profiling can be defined as "the process of identifying personality traits, behavioral tendencies and demographic variables of an offender based on characteristics of the crime (Bartol, 1995)." Using a protocol based on research by Pinnizzotto and Finkel (1990), participants were asked to complete three profiling tasks after examining crime scene photographs, police reports, a victim statement and medical reports. It is expected that result will support the hypothesis that detective's experience in criminal investigation and crime scene analysis will produce more accurate and informative profiles than forensic psychologist and students.