Undergraduate Research Day 2021
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The Ninth Annual Undergraduate Research Day was held at Southern New Hampshire University on Wednesday, April 7th, 2021.
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Item The relationship between anxiety and responses to politically charged images(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-07) Marendes, John; Brau, Julia M.; Corbo, Vincent; Rocco, VanessaSocial media use has increased significantly in recent years, underscoring the need to consider reactions to politically charged images in this context. Further, research has shown that people with high anxiety tend to focus more on threats, are more critical of information, and worry more about political issues (Caporino et al., 2020; Marcus & Mackuen, 1993; Mogg et al., 1994), delineating the need to explore anxiety in interpretation of political imagery. The current study examines anxiety as an extension of a previous study that investigates the psychological and physiological reactions to political images. In a sample of thirty-one undergraduate students, we collected demographic and anxiety variables through self-report prior to completion of a political propaganda task. Task stimuli consisted of liberal and conservative images with and without text. K-means cluster classification analyses were conducted to determine groups of high (N=11) and low (N=20) trait anxiety individuals. Mixed design ANOVAs revealed a significant three-way interaction (text*political alignment*anxiety) on image rating, F(1,29)=4.443, p=0.044, where high anxiety individuals rate conservative images without text more positively than liberal images without text. Similarly, these individuals rate liberal images with text more positively than conservative images with text. Further, data revealed a trend for a threeway interaction (text*political alignment*anxiety) on reaction time, F(1,29)=3.659, p=0.066, where individuals with low anxiety have a longer reaction time to conservative images with text. These results suggest that anxiety plays an integral role in the reactions to political imagery along with the political alignment and inclusion of text within the images. (Author abstract)Item Motivation, mind-wandering, and rhythmic response: An area under the curve extension analysis of metronome response task performance(2021-04-07) Brau, Julia M.; Corbo, VincentSeveral models of sustained attention have been used to explain declines in performance related to motivation and mind-wandering. Specifically, the opportunity cost theory predicts that changes in motivation may insulate cognitive resources and minimize mindwandering tendencies (Esterman & Rothlein, 2019). A recent study (Brosowsky et al., 2020) expanded on this theory using a rhythmic response task, further providing evidence that, over time on task, motivation and mind-wandering are negatively associated. Since motivation levels and changes in motivation may differ, the current study extends these findings by classifying subsamples of participants based on motivational differences to examine changes in performance. Using area under the curve (AUC) calculations (Pruessner, et al., 2003), such as AUCg (the overall change over time) and AUCi (the magnitude of change over time), overall motivation and the magnitude of change in motivation was calculated. A k-means cluster classification analysis was then used to create artificial groups based on both AUC values. This allowed for the investigation of differences in task performance and mind-wandering based on these groupings. Mixed design ANOVA analyses yielded a significant Block x AUCg motivation interaction effect on omission rate (F(3,441) = 3.979, p = 0.01) and a trend for a main effect of group (F(1,147) = 3.395, p = 0.07) on task variability. These main findings provide evidence that individuals with higher overall motivation may not experience performance deficits to the same degree that those with low motivation appear to. Further, the magnitude of change in motivation may only exhibit differences regarding mind-wandering tendencies. (Author abstract)Item Anticipated psychosocial stress informs sustained attention performance: A behavioral and physiological perspective(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-07) Brau, Julia M.; Fortenbaugh, Francesca C.; Esterman, Michael; Corbo, VincentThe ability to sustain attention is paramount to the completion of daily activities, such as driving or attending to a lecture. Previous studies have suggested that stress prior to cognitive testing leads to changes in attentional performance based on stressor context, but the impact of anticipated stress on attention remains unclear. To answer this question, the current study examined a sample of thirty-one undergraduate students (age 18-35, M=21.5, S.D.=3.1) who either anticipated a psychosocial stressor or completed guided meditation before completing a go/no-go sustained attention task (gradCPT). Subjective measures of anxiety, self-esteem, extraversion, and neuroticism were also gathered along with heart rate and electrodermal activity measures to objectively determine stress reactivity. Correlational analyses revealed negative associations between state anxiety and commission errors (r=-0.5, p=0.048), reaction time variability (r=-0.522, p=0.038), and a positive association between state anxiety and accuracy (d’) (r=0.521, p=0.038) in the stress condition exclusively. When controlling for state anxiety, mixed design ANOVAs revealed a significant main effect of condition on d’ (F(1,28)=5.54, p=0.026), where the stress group showed lower d’. Further, data showed a trend of an interaction on reaction time variability (F(1,28)=3.49, p=0.072) where increased variability across the task duration occurred as a function of condition assignment, and a trend of a main effect of condition (F(1,28)=3.93, p=0.057) suggesting more commission errors under stress. The results suggest that anticipation of a stressor does impact sustained attention, but that performance may exist on a spectrum based on subjective appraisal of the stressor. (Author abstract)Item Simulating crossword lottery tickets(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-07) Cooper, Angela; Jamieson, WilliamThis project studies the process the New Hampshire State Lottery must go through when creating a particular type of crossword scratch ticket. For this scratch ticket, the player uncovers a letter bank, and scratches the letters which appear in the letter bank from the crossword. Prizes are awarded depending upon the number of words in the crossword which are completely scratched away. This project creates two functions using MATLAB. The first function has a crossword configuration and a prize amount as inputs, and generates a specific letter bank corresponding to a desired prize amount. A second function allows a user to input the crossword and a letter bank from a lottery ticket to check the amount of prize money that should be awarded. Further, an analysis is performed which calculates the probabilities of winning particular prize amounts with randomly chosen letter banks. This analysis concludes that the State Lottery is not assigning the letter banks randomly, and thus analyzing the crossword before the letter bank is revealed does not allow the player to gain an advantage. (Author abstract)Item Meta-analysis: Child abuse and neglect(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-07) Blaikie, Courtney; Libby, RebeccaItem How might we help someone to gain perspective on school dropouts: Research compiled using design thinking and liberatory design(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-07) Botella, Beatriz Lorenzo; Bowie, Emma; Cummings, Katelyn; Sacanell, Gema; Petrillo, Megan; Tapley, Colleen; Murray-Chandler, LynnSpain school dropout rate is bad, but... really how bad? why is it happening? and how we're going to help our audience become more culturally responsive teachers. (Author abstract)Item Global Inquiries Scholars: Design thinking on Spain's dropout rates(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-07) Bowie, Emma; Murray-Chandler, LynnWe introduce you to Manuel from Spain and he has a certain perspective when it comes to his own countries dropout rates. Here we will take you through the Design Thinking and Liberatory Design Process to help solve Manuel's issues and test our own cultural bias. (Author abstract)Item Education in the prison system: The effects on recidivism(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-07) Collins, Erin; Speropolous, LisaThis project discusses the impact prison education has on the rate of recidivism. The goal of the criminal justice system is explored and how recidivism is affected based on the programs implemented in the system. Background research was conducted on the term recidivism before delving into how prison-based education impacts it directly. Education in the prison system positively impacts the rate of recidivism and is essential to those who are incarcerated to be able to better themselves upon release. Prior to concluding, ways in which education in the criminal justice system can be continued are discussed. (Author abstract)Item Bait ball simulation(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-07) Harper, Tim; Ramirez, Darren; Duffy, Tim; Jamieson, William; Gilbert, AdamItem Investigation of the role of childhood adversity on adult antisocial behavior(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-07) Knox, Nora; Corbo, VincentStudies have found that there is a high prevalence of trauma and a lack of parental attachment in those with antisocial behavior. This study aims to reflect these findings using the Adverse Childhood Events Questionnaire (ACE-Q) to measure trauma, Psychological Maltreatment Review (PMR) to measure attachment, and the Self- Report Antisocial Behavior Measure (SABM) to measure antisocial tendencies. The hypothesis is that Childhood trauma and Parental Attachment will significantly predict variance in Adult Antisocial Behavior. Findings did not support the hypothesis, although there were findings that allude to a variance in antisocial behavior dependent on the relationship with the father, versus the mother. (Author abstract)Item Humor development in children(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-07) Hardiman, Nicole; O'Connor, Meghan; Carlson, Jenna; Magee, Noelle; Nordmeyer, AnnStudying children's humor development can be a window into children's social and cognitive development. According to McGhee (1974, 1976), both children and adults find jokes maximally funny when they are cognitively demanding and present an "incongruency" - that is, a violation of your expectations about how the world works. In order for an incongruency to be perceived as funny, you must have a sophisticated enough grasp of the concepts that the joke is about so that you perceive the incongruency, but at the same time, the joke must be "cognitively demanding" - that is, it can't be too obvious. This "Cognitive Congruency Principle" (McGhee, 1974, 1976; Zigler et al., 1966) has been demonstrated by showing that children in elementary school find jokes most funny when they are about concepts that children have recently mastered. Humor also contains a social component, requiring the ability to read and produce social cues to indicate that you are joking (McGhee, 1974, Hoicka & Akhtar, 2012). Hoicka and Akhtar (2012) suggested that humor was a socio-cognitive phenomenon and were curious to know if toddlers could produce novel humor, or if it all consists of copied humor patterns from their parents. They found that even children under 12 months of age "produce" humor through hide-and-seek and peekaboo games, and that many children begin to produce novel verbal and conceptual jokes around 2 years of age. Questions remain regarding the development of humor, more specifically the types of jokes/humor young children/babies use and how they differ across developmental stages. By evaluating children’s use of humor in the context of the "jokes" they engage in, we can more deeply understand why and how they use humor to communicate at their given age. (Author abstract)Item Creating a deep space adventure(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-07) McCormick, Bryan; Humphreys, DavidA detailed breakdown of effects and techniques used to create the film short Deep Space. This is a film and animation project created using Adobe After Effects taking the viewers on a conceptual journey through the solar system. Techniques include track mattes, compositing, roto scoping, creating planets from NASA planet scans, 3d space, particle acceleration, and creating a theoretical black hole. (Author abstract)Item Part 1: Exploring gender disruption in societal institutions and its relevance in the video game industry(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-09) Torres, Fernando; Tobin, PatrickThis is part 1 of a multiyear study to understand gender disruption in societal institutions and its relevance in the video game industry. In order to explore this topic, the study will utilize a literature review of the video game industry and qualitative interviews with professionals in the field of diversity and inclusion. The video industry has seen that 59% of video game players are male and 41% of video game players are females (Entertainment Software Association, 2019). While there is clear inequality in male and female video game players this study to seeks to understand gender disruption as it relates to the industry. In the context of this research the term disruption is used similarly to how Clay Christensen used it in his theory of disruptive innovation, however this study seeks to understand how the gender concepts are challenged in the video game industry. (Christensen et al, 2015). It has been found that gender discursive struggles exist in the online gaming communities and that progressive gamers have work to do in online gaming communities (Naidoo et al., 2019). The literature review and the interviews will provide a better understanding on the framework that can be used to understand gender disruption in societal institutions and its relevance in the video game industry. The literature review will provide helpful information on the current gaming industry such as how content analysis by Glaubke et. al (2001) established that females that were incorporated in only 16 per cent of the characters in popular video games. The recent research was from 2001 and there may have been improvements since then. Demonstrating the how the female inclusion is not a priority for most video games developers. The interviews will help by collecting qualitative data from professionals in the areas of diversity and inclusion towards the goal of getting a better understanding on a broad gender disruption society. (Author abstract)Item Survey of New Hampshire amphibians for Chytrid fungus(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-07) Song, Yuhui; O'Grady, Liam; Duryea, Mary; Mitchell, Mariah; York, KatharineAre New Hampshire amphibians affected by Chytrid fungus? Chytrid fungus, is a fungus that can cause Chytridiomycosis amongst amphibians. This amphibian disease has devastated several amphibian populations in Central and South America. Chytridiomycosis causes a thickening of the keratin layer of the skin on amphibians. Amphibians breathe through their skin. The thickening of the keratin layer of their skin, reduces effective gas exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide, resulting in death. Using PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and gel electrophoresis, several frog DNA samples were tested and produced some positive results. This warrants further research and testing in the New Hampshire amphibian population. (Author abstract)Item Instant insanity: Uniqueness and existence of solutions(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-07) Richards, Matthew; Fraser, MelanieThis mathematics research project will probe into the game Instant Insanity, a classic puzzle which involves stacking four cubes whose faces are covered in four colors. This research will attempt to answer four questions: how to solve one specific puzzle layout, how to generalize a solution method that solves other layouts to the puzzle, which conditions lead to the existence or non-existence of a puzzle solution for a layout, and which conditions lead to the uniqueness or non-uniqueness of a puzzle solution for a layout. Research methods include the use of directed graphs, combinatorial objects such as necklaces, multi-sets for categorizing solutions, and the probabilistic analysis of data. This project will illustrate important mathematical concepts such as equivalence classes and pigeonhole principle. It will also offer insights into what makes a puzzle challenging. (Author abstract)Item Nano aquaponics(Southern New Hampshire University, 2021-04-07) Schroeder, Tyler; Guo, DavidDesigning an efficient and sustainable livestock and crop system (Author abstract).