2005 Program

Program at a glance

FRIDAY April 1st

11:00-5:00	Registration (Merket Alumni Center)
12:45	Greetings
1:00-2:00	Paper Session I (Social)
2:00-2:30	Psychology Bowl Round I
2:30-3:30	Panel Discussion: Graduate School
3:30-4:30	Poster Session I, Refreshments (Cognition)
4:30-5:30	Invited Address: Dual Task Performance and Cognitive Architecture
7:00	Transportation to Cagle's Steak House (conference dinner)

SATURDAY April 2nd

8:00-12:00	Registration and Breakfast
8:30-9:30	Poster Session II (Social and Clinical)
9:30-10:30	Paper Session II (Memory)
10:30-11:00	Psychology Bowl Round II
11:00-11:45	Breakout sessions on psychology
12:00 -1:00	Lunch
1:00-2:00	Paper Session III (Personality)
2:00-3:00	Invited Address: The Power of Respect in Relationships
3:00-4:00	Paper Session IV (Social Decisions)
4:00-4:30	Psychology Bowl Championship Round

Registration 11:00 - 5:00pm

Welcome 12:45pm

The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Well-Being in College Students KASI N. HOWARD, Austin College (Faculty Supervisor: DR. LIBBE GRAY, Austin College). This study will utilize the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test and the Friedman Well-Being Scale to test this hypothesis that emotional intelligence or lack thereof, affects psychological well-being, relative to Austin College liberal arts students. It is hypothesized that there is a moderately strong positive correlation between emotional intelligence and psychological well-being. These findings help to further understand the construct of emotional intelligence and its effects upon individual well-being.

The Relationships between the Big Five Personality Factors and Language Used When Lying and Telling the Truth EMILY DESORRENTO, JENNIFER BATKA, CATHERINE FIELD, ADRIAN GOHL, & MARY DZINDOLET, Cameron University. Newman et al. (2003) found linguistic style was useful in detecting deception. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality and linguistic style used when lying and telling the truth. Participants completed the NEO PI-R Big Five personality inventory and told the truth and lied about their movie preferences. Correlational analyses found that the relationships between linguistic style and personality varied between lying and truth-telling. Implications for future research are discussed.

Examining Affective Contrast with Facial Electromyography (EMG) JENNIFER MARSHALL & MARCIE MCDANIEL, Texas Tech University (Faculty Sponsor: DR. JEFF T. LARSEN, Texas Tech University). Affective contrast is the idea that moderately pleasant stimuli are judged more pleasant in a mildly pleasant context than an extremely pleasant context. Two hypotheses for affective contrast are that rating scale numbers are used evenly across contexts or that participant emotions change across contexts. We examined the two possibilities with participants rating pictures and with facial electromyographic measures of emotion. Results provide evidence for the idea that a change in context affects emotions.

Psychology Bowl Round I Friday 2:00 – 2:30pm Moderator: JOAQUIN BORREGO

Panel Discussion Friday 2:30 – 3:30pm “Secrets” of Applying to Psychology Graduate Programs Moderator: RUTH MAKI

The Relationship of Students’ Self-Perception and Actual Performance across Genders and Ethnicity JANIE GOMEZ, Texas Tech University (Faculty Sponsor: RUTH MAKI, Texas Tech University). Male and female Hispanic and Caucasian students predicted performance before and after taking math, verbal, and trivia tests. Hispanic students tended to give lower predictions for math and verbal tests, but not for trivia. Males reduced their estimates from before to after the verbal test, but females reduced their estimates on the math and trivia tests. Confidence in performance depends on the type of task and the gender and ethnicity of the student.

Test Anxiety, Prediction, and Test Format MICHAEL MIESNER, Texas Tech University (Faculty Sponsor: RUTH MAKI, Texas Tech University). My goal is to understand the relationship between test anxiety and predictions of performance for one’s self and others as related to test format. Participants predicted their performance and took either multiple choice or essay tests. Preliminary results suggested that participants were not more anxious as they worked through the essay test. Results expected are that predictions of performance will be consistently below actual performance for most students.

Factors Associated with Compliance to Flexible Sigmoidoscopy as a Colorectal Cancer Screening Method LINDA L. MATURINO, University of Texas at El Paso, (Faculty Sponsors: Leroy K. Kim, M.D., Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – El Paso, OSVALDO F. MORERA). Despite nationally recognized guidelines to promote universal screening for colorectal cancer (CRC), screening rates remain low. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a leading method for the prevention and early detection of CRC. In order to better understand the low compliance rate for CRC screening, possible determinant compliance factors were recorded from the medical charts of 131 referred patients. The most important factor associated with successful adherence to flexible sigmoidoscopy was attendance to previous appointments.

Penalties and Errors in ATST: How Can They Be Predicted? LANA JACKSON, TARA MURPHY, JOSHUA ARDUENGO & COREY JENKINS, Texas Tech University (Faculty Sponsor, FRANK DURSO, Texas Tech University). We tested several abilities specifically probing for predictors of errors and penalties in ATST*. Subjects were tested on fluid ability, crystallized ability, spatial ability and short-term memory. Strong crystallized intelligence showed to be a reliable predictor of errors and penalties in ATST. All other ability tests did not prove to be accurate predictors of errors and penalties in ATST. *A computer-based program, which simulates air-traffic control.

Predicting Attitudes Toward Organ Donation Among College Students JULIO C. ROSADO & MONICA C. SKEWES, University of Texas at El Paso (Faculty Sponsor: OSVALDO F. MORERA, University of Texas at El Paso). The Attitudes Toward Organ Donation Scale (Morgan & Miller, 2002) AND THE Organ Donation Decisional Balance Measure (de Val & Morera, 203) was administered to 269 introduction to psychology students. Trust in the medical profession (Skewes, 2002) and readiness to talk to family members was predictive of organ donation attitudes. Gender was predictive of scores on the decision balance measure. Aspects of one’s comfort in talking about death were also predictive of decisional balance scores.

Invited Address Friday 4:30 – 5:30pm Moderator: KATE BLECKLEY

Dual-Task Performance and Cognitive Architecture HAL PASHLER, University of California, San Diego

Friday 6:30 – 7:00pm
Transportation to Cagle’s Steak House (from hotel, from Merket Center)

Friday 7:00 pm
Dinner at Cagle’s Steak House

Registration 8:00 – 12:00pm
Breakfast 8:00am

A Literature Review of Hispanic Migrant Farm Worker Mental Health AMY RODRIGUEZ, Texas Tech University, NATASHA NAYLOR, Texas Tech University, KAMERON FELLERS, Texas Tech University, JULIO C. GONZALES, Texas Tech University, & STUART J. SPENDLOVE, Texas Tech University (Faculty Sponsor: JOAQUIN BORREGO JR, Texas Tech University) We examined existing literature investigating the relationship between Hispanic migrant worker acculturative stress and psychological problems. Studies were pre-selected based on psychological problems examined with Hispanic migrant farm workers. Variables were used to review each study. Results from studies will be presented to illustrate the need for more research to understand the needs of the Hispanic migrant farm workers population. Results will highlight gaps in the literature and limitations of previous studies.

Cultural Pluralism, Immigration, and Latinos’ Perception of Culture and Prejudice JORGE A. MARQUEZ, University of Texas at El Paso (Faculty Supervisor: MICHAEL A. ZARATE, University of Texas at El Paso). Immigration rates continue to increase resulting in identifying ways in which people view immigration and how that will influence their own culture. American born Latino undergraduates from the University of Texas – El Paso (N = 74) were randomly assigned into one of three conditions (assimilation, diversity, and control) in which perception of change in culture was manipulated. Results showed that participants in the diversity condition expressed significantly less prejudice (F(2, 71) = 3.25, p = .044) than either control and assimilation participants.

Investigating Gender Differences in Civic Participation as Measured through Discussion Boards SHIRLEY ALLEN, LINDA WHITE & AMY KENADY, Collin County Community College (Faculty Sponsors: JENNIFER L. O’LOUGHLIN-BROOKS & VALERIE T. SMITH, Collin County Community College). The current study examined gender differences in civic participation amongst North Texas community college students measured by discussion boards. In response to the demand for people to become more civically involved, colleges are encouraging student participation in civic engagement activities. One such activity is participating in discussion boards where students can stir up relevant conversation among peers in an anonymous atmosphere by addressing topics of civic concern. The data suggest that gender contributes in determining who participates in such activities.

Self-Discrepancies in Romantic Relationships Among College Students AARON CARLSON, CHRISTINE PALMER, & LINDSEY JASBRING, Texas Tech University (Faculty Sponsor: ERIN HARDIN, Texas Tech University). We investigated gender differences in the relations between heterosexual relationship satisfaction, self-discrepancies, and affect. We expect to find that women experience more negative affects and relationship dissatisfaction associated with discrepancies from their partners’ expectations of them, whereas men are more likely to experience these outcomes associated with discrepancies from their own expectations of themselves. We will also examine the role of relationship length of the relationship in relation to these variables.

The Effects of Media Exposure on Attitudes Toward Sexuality and Religion MISTI J. THOMAS, Texas Lutheran University (Faculty Sponsor: CAROLYN TURNER, Texas Lutheran University). This study examined the relationship between sexual attitudes, religious values, and whether religious values might moderate the transformation of sexual attitudes in four domains following sexually explicit media exposure. Results indicated that Permissive sexual attitudes and Intrinsic (internally-oriented) religiosity were negatively correlated prior to sexually explicit media exposure, but not so following exposure. Extrinsic (externally-oriented) religiosity remained positively correlated with Instrumentality in sexual attitudes both pre- and post media exposure.

Increasing Acceptance of Behavioral Child Management Techniques: What do the Parents Say? KAMERON FELLERS, Texas Tech University, AMY RODRIGUEZ, Texas Tech University, & JOY R. PEMBERTON, Texas Tech University (Faculty Sponsor: JOAQUIN BORREGO, JR., Texas Tech University). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parents’ attitudes towards corporal punishment and reasons for using or not using behavioral child management techniques. Eighty-two parents completed the Parenting Discipline Practices (DPD) questionnaire, a corporal acceptance scale. Parents also read six child management techniques, rated their acceptability, and answered a free-response question asking them to give reasons they would or would not use each technique at home.

Evaluating the Dimensional Structure of Event Appraisals THOMAS J. BENITSCHECK, PHILLIP N. SMITH, & JONATHAN R. FLUCK, Texas Tech University (Faculty Sponsor: GREGORY H. MUMMA, Texas Tech University). To determine how an individual’s appraisal of events (stressors) can be measured in order to learn how event appraisals trigger distress, introductory psychology students completed an online assessment of stressful situations and 16 appraisal items related to potential dysphoric, anxiety, or angry reactions. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses on an initial and cross-validation sample suggested a 3-factor model involving Loss of Self-Image, Threat of Harm, and Transgression by Another.

Variables Associated with Intimate Partner Violence in a Deploying Military Sample CAROL A. FONSECA, University of Texas at El Paso, KAREN SCHMALING, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, COLBY STOEVER, University of Texas at El Paso, CASEY GUTIERREZ, University of Texas at El Paso, & ARTHUR BLUME, University of Texas at El Paso (Faculty Sponsor: KAREN SCHMALING, University of North Carolina at Charlotte). Variables associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) were examined within a military sample. Soldiers in relationships (N = 2,926) from Ft. Bliss, Texas completed a questionnaire that queried relationship satisfaction, stress, risky alcohol use behaviors, and tactics used during IPV. Four hundred and forty-nine soldiers reported IPV. Younger age, less education, less relationship satisfaction, more stress, and risky alcohol use behaviors were significant predictors of IPV. Results are discussed to reduce IPV among military personnel.

Differences in Cortisol Production at Varying Levels of Nicotine Deprivation Among Dependent Smokers VALERIE HOBSON Texas Tech University, LINDSAY KERR, Texas Tech University, ASHLEE RHODES, Texas Tech University, JESSICA HARRIS, Texas Tech University, JARED DEMPSEY, Texas Tech University (Faculty Sponsor: LEE M. COHEN, Texas Tech University). Twenty-two male and eight female dependent smokers completed three different experimental sessions, with short-term, long-term, and no nicotine deprivation. It was hypothesized that increased levels of deprivation would lead to increased levels of cortisol given the stress associated with this event. Results did not support our hypothesis. However, it was found that cortisol levels were highest during ad lib smoking condition. Results discuss the influence of nicotine increasing cortisol, which has been documented previously.

Paper Session II: Memory Saturday 9:30 – 10:30am Moderator: MATT HAYES

Memory for Word Lists ABBIGAIL ARELLANO, Texas Tech University (Faculty Sponsor: RUTH MAKI, Texas Tech University). We investigated false memories for word lists in individuals and groups. We presented aurally ten word lists, each containing fifteen words that were related to a non-presented, critical word. Following the listening exercise, there was a free recall with confidence ratings. The participants then formed a group and completed a group recall with confidence ratings. We looked at the number of critical words that were falsely recalled by individuals and groups and their confidence ratings.

Effects of Context Reinstatement on Misleading Information and Lineup Selection JERRY KENNEY, JEREMY KINSER, ERIN OSTER, KRYSTAL POPE, VALENCIA RHONE, & JOHN WARREN Austin College (Faculty Sponsor: MICHELE HELFRICH, Austin College). We investigated whether context reinstatement alleviated the misinformation effect in memory retrieval. Participants watched a video of a crime scene and were then randomly assigned to the misinformation condition or control group. Participants then received either context reinstatement or a filler task, both in video form. All participants were then given a free-recall measure and suspect-present or suspect-absent lineup. Surprisingly, data suggests context reinstatement was detrimental to accurate information retrieval in the misinformation condition.

In Your Dreams: An Exploration of the Relationships between Lucid Dreaming, Dream Recall, and General Intelligence. KIMBERY N. TANUVASA & JEFF FORTNEY, Collin County Community College (Faculty Sponsors: JENNIFER L. O’LOUGHLIN-BROOKS& VALERIE T. SMITH, Collin County Community College). To investigate characteristics of lucid dreamers, a survey and a test designed to measure a person’s ability to form perceptual relations and to reason by analogy (Raven Standard Progressive Matrices) was administered to North Texas community college students (N = 357). Of the respondents, 31% indicated having experienced a lucid dream, the “phenomenon of being conscious and aware that one is dreaming, while one is in the process of dreaming.” The obtained incidence rate was markedly lower than consistently reported figures ranging from 55% to 87%. Dream recall was higher for students, who were lucid dreamers, which is consistent with studies conducted by Gackenback et al., Lucid participants also scored higher in General Intelligence (g), with data yielding statistically significant differences between groups (p = .012).

Psychology Bowl Round II Saturday 10:30 – 11:00am Moderator: JOAQUIN BORREGO

Paper Session III: Personality Saturday 1:00 – 2:00pm Moderator: JON MANDRACCHIA

Computer Game Character Preferences: Reflections of the “Big Five?” ANNA PARK, Texas A&M University-Commerce (Faculty Sponsor: TRACY HENLEY, Texas A&M University-Commerce). The present study examined the relationship between personality preferences for fantasy computer role-playing game characteristics. Subjects completed an instrument wherein they evaluated and rank-ordered by preference a series of characters commonly found in games of this genre. Once subjects completed this instrument they then completed the Big Five Inventory. The strongest correlation was between preferences for evil characters and Openness.

Practical People: An Investigation of Personality Trait Indicators of International Students. TABISH KHAN & ERIN LANDS, Collin County Community College (Faculty Sponsors: VALERIE T. SMITH & JENNIFER L. O’LOUGHLIN-BROOKS, Collin County Community College). The current research investigated the relationship between BMTI test results and the cultural backgrounds of the participants. The subjects were North Texas community college students of the past 10 years that were enrolled in the ESL program. The sample (N = 284) consisted of males and females from various countries combined into 10 regions based on proximity and reciprocal influence. The data indicates several regions displaying STJ personality types, which may represent a near universal inclination towards such characteristics. These results offer an insight towards the success of international students whose personality types generally agree with the way American classroom instruction is presented.

Violence in the Big House: A Look at Mentally Ill Offenders MATTHEW LOPEZ, CLAUDIA PORRAS, & JARROD STEFFAN, Texas Tech University (Faculty Sponsor: ROBERT MORGAN, Texas Tech University). We examined the characteristics between violent and nonviolent mentally ill inmates. Sixty male inmates at an inpatient psychiatric prison were classified as violent or nonviolent based on their convicting offense. Participants completed two personality inventories. Results focus on assessing differences among four sets of factors: Personality Factors, Interpersonal Factors, Clinical Psychopathology, and Coping Skills. Discussion focuses on the application to improving management, classification, and treatment of the mentally ill inmates.

Break

Invited Address Saturday 2:00 – 3:00pm Moderator: MARY DZINDOLET

The Power of Respect in Relationships SUSAN HENDRICK and CLYDE HENDRICK, Texas Tech University

Paper Session IV: Social Decisions Saturday 3:00 – 4:00pm Moderator: AMIE MCKIBBAN

The Effect of Attention on Obtained Outcomes and Unobtained Outcomes CRYSTAL S. WAMPLER, Texas Tech University (Faculty Sponsor: JEFF LARSEN, Texas Tech University). This study examined effects of obtained and unobtained outcomes on attention in a monetary game. Dot detection measures helped make inferences about direction of participants’ attention. The hypothesis that more dots would be detected for obtained outcomes was supported and hypothesis that obtained outcomes have greater emotional effect than unobtained outcomes was also demonstrated. Participants played 64 monetary games with two cards then rated emotions about the outcome, including wins and losses on obtained cards.

Psychological Distress as a Result of an Interaction between Life Experiences and Coping Skills JUSTIN LOUNDER & DANEEN GRISHAM, Texas Tech University (Faculty Sponsor: ROBERT MORGAN, Texas Tech University). This study examines the relationship between life experiences, coping skills and psychological distress. The research questions addressed in this study are: (1) Is there a correlation between positive life experiences and negative coping skills with high psychological distress? (2) More specifically, do either life experiences or coping skills affect our psychological distress more than the other? It is hypothesized that an interaction of life experiences and coping skills will have a significant effect on subjects’ psychological distress.

Losing My Religion?: An Examination of Interplay Between Spirituality, Religion and Sexuality JESSICA L. SHREVE, BRIAN ZADOROZNY & CHASE D. HIGGS, Collin County Community College (Faculty Sponsors: VALERIE T. SMITH & JENNIFER L. O’LOUGHLIN-BROOKS, Collin County Community College). In contemporary U.S. society, there is a common perception that spirituality is increasingly favored over religiosity and that changes have impacted the norms regarding sexual attitudes and behavior. The goal of the current research was to examine the correlation between personal convictions in one area of an individual’s life and how these may or may not affect attitudes and behavior in another area. A survey, designed to measure level of religious and spiritual commitment and sexual attitudes and behavior, was distributed to a sample of North Texas community college students (N = 395). Data yielded significant differences in attitude and behavior according to measures of spirituality and religious identification, as well as by gender on the issues related to birth control, masturbation, condom use and same sex contact.

Psychology Bowl Championship Round Saturday 4:00 – 4:30pm Moderator JOAQUIN BORREGO

Winners

Poster (3rd)

Poster (1st)

Our Judges