Lehigh Valley Undergraduate Psychology Conference (2002)A
Description of the Stress Level of College Women
Based on an Evaluation of a Sample A group of college women between the ages of eighteen and twenty four were asked to rate the level of stress that a list of stressors induces. The stressors were given a number value by each participant based on one stressor that was given a fixed value of fifty. This method is based on the method used by Holmes and Rahe to produce the Social Readjustment Rating Scale. It is the prediction of this researcher that, when asking a sample taken from a population subject to similar conditions, similar responses will be produced. A list of stressors and their relative values will be produced by this research. This list could be further expanded and given to a sample from the same population to create a stress test applicable to that population. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ellis Honig Arts
and crafts projects demonstrate the link between
creativity and mental illness. In this study, it
was hypothesized that arts and crafts projects would
positively elevate the moods of adults with mental
illness. Fifteen clients of a partial hospitalization
program for the lower functioning mentally challenged
participated in several arts and crafts sessions.
For each session, the participants were assigned
an art project (e.g., drawing a picture). Before
and after the project, they completed a Beck Depression
Inventory (1996) and mood questionnaire. The results
indicated that the arts and crafts projects positively
elevated the moods of the participants. The implication
of this study is that an arts and crafts project
can be used as a form of therapy and as an alternative
method for participants to express themselves, rather
than the traditional counseling session. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kerrie Baker
There
has been extensive research investigating the role
of attitudes in learning, particularly in relation
to gender differences in mathematics achievement
and participation. This work indicates that the quality
of females' experiences in mathematics is related
to their perception of the classroom psychosocial
learning environment and is important in understanding
reported gender differences in mathematics achievement
and participation. The purpose of my research is
to measure the relationship between females' perceptions
of classroom psychosocial climate in eighth grade
mathematics classes and females' beliefs, attitudes
and emotions regarding mathematics. The study uses
established measurement scales to investigate gender
differences in students' mathematics `affective profiles'
and perceptions of classroom learning environment
and the part these factors play in students' learning
of and participation in mathematics. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Diane Moyer
The
effectiveness of subliminal perception was measured
in this study with the use of numeric stimuli. It
was hypothesized that participants would be effected
by the subliminal stimuli and choose the number 79
over the other numbers visibly presented. The independent
variable was the computer program. The dependant
variable was the number the participant chose. Participants
were Cedar Crest College students and voluntarily
took part in the study. All participants viewed a
computer program consisting of the sequence of numbers
between 7090. Half of the participants viewed the
sequence with the number 79 subliminally added. After
viewing the program, each participant wrote down
a number within the range of 70 90. These numbers
were used to acquire the results. The results revealed
that the subliminal stimuli had no significant effect
on the participants' responses; therefore the results
did not support the hypothesis. Advisor: Dr. Ellis Honig
Program assessments are conducted regularly to examine the quality and efficiency of their operation. This study focused on the assessment of an undergraduate Psychology Department at a liberal arts college, including an exit interview, a comprehensive structured psychology exam, and a historical and procedural review of the department and facility. Senior Cedar Crest students with a major or minor in Psychology completed an exit survey designed to measure various aspects of the Psychology Department ranging from advising, class offerings and resource availability. Psychology Majors also took an exam published by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to test their breadth and depth of knowledge in the field. In addition, historical data were collected, and faculty members in the department were interviewed to examine trends or patterns over the last few years. Descriptive statistical analyses and correlational analyses were conducted. Results will be discussed, along with implication for the findings. Faculty
Advisors: Dr. Kerrie Baker, Dr. Ellis Honig and
The
Effect of Style of Dress on Customer Service The
goal of this study was to see if shoppers of different
styles of dress were treated differently by sales
associates in terms of customer service. The independent
variable, style of dress, was casual versus professional
dress. The dependent variable, customer service,
was the length of time it took to be approached by
the sales associate. A male and female researcher
visited several upscale retail stores in the Lehigh
Valley area, first dressed casually, then dressed
professionally. An observer stood outside the stores
and recorded the data. The expected outcome of this
study was that the professional style of dress would
receive better customer service. Hopefully, this
research will help sales associates become more aware
of their possible biases and result in innovative
training procedures if necessary. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ellis Honig |
