Student Research Spotlight - Differential Effects of Video Games and Film on Stress and Mood

Alexis Cruz

Differential Effects of Video Games and Film on Stress and Mood

What effect do playing video games and watching movies have on mood and stress? This is a question former student of Brigham Young University–Hawaii, Alexis Cruz, sought to answer in her senior research project. Interestingly, Cruz’ study exists within a minority of research categories that do not revolve around the pursuit of a link between playing video games and aggression. Rather, her study sought quite the opposite. Cruz specifically hypothesized that playing a video game would do better at affecting both an improvement in mood and a decrease in stress than would watching a movie.

When asked how she chose her research project, Cruz remembered that she was instructed to choose something that she was passionate about, saying “Choosing what to do my project on wasn't difficult for me because I absolutely love playing video games and watching movies!” Cruz also stated this aspect of choosing which topics to research can be very important. One might grow tired of research quickly “if it’s something you aren't excited about,” she advised.

Cruz also mentioned how “bothered” she was by how media outlets seem to generally give video games a negative connotation as they appear to be “commonly paired with violence, aggression, and mass shootings due to selective attention to extreme examples.” And she added, “They are often demonized despite the many people who also play and do not commit violent acts.” So, in order to study the subject further, Cruz focused in on discovering connections between video game playing and mood and stress. Eventually, Cruz decided to compare both video game playing and movie watching with the same attributes.

Though the research process was challenging for Cruz, she says she ultimately “felt really proud” when she persevered. Looking back, Cruz said that she feels that her research has helped her “to better understand and think analytically” about other studies, and that it will help her “to conduct improved studies in the future.”

Additionally, Cruz stated the importance of studying in psychology for her and others, saying “Through research we can really gain insight on how to better help people and improve their quality of life.”

In Cruz’ study, she found that playing a video game or watching a movie produced an “overall decrease in anxiety, increase in positive affect, and decrease in negative affect” indicating that both “can reduce stress and help manage mood.”

And finally, Cruz noticed a trend in her data that, while not statistically significant, may have been shown to be so had more students participated. She said, "The trends suggested that with a larger sample size, there could be evidence to support my hypothesis that students who play video games experience a greater reduction in stress and a greater increase in positive affect more than students who watch a movie."

You can see Alexis' study in more detail by viewing her project poster here.

Article by Kyle Evan Madsen

Student Research Spotlight - Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Aggression

Helaman Ching Fung Li
Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Aggression

Curiously, the relationship between sleep deprivation and aggression is less than frequently found in psychological research. Links have been found between sleep deprivation and depression, as well as correlations between depression and anxiety symptoms coinciding with impulsive aggression, so intuition may tell us there must therefore be a relationship between sleep deprivation and aggressive tendencies. 

This is exactly what Brigham Young University–Hawaii graduate, Helaman Ching Fung Li, sought to discover in his senior research project. Li reported results that “sleep deprivation significantly predicted overall aggression,” which strongly indicates the assumption of a correlation is, indeed, accurate. In fact, after testing participants with a sleep quality index and then four measures of aggression, Li found “all four were predicted by sleep deprivation.” Perhaps this is all the more reason to catch one’s Z’s, colloquially speaking, if one wishes to diminish their aggressive tendencies.

Li says that his research project has given him “courage and surety” for his work and schooling in the future. He aspires to study and eventually pursue a career in criminology. Despite the difficulty to research this subject in an undergraduate program, Li is sure his project on aggression pushes him in the right direction, saying his research has helped him “better understand maladaptive behaviors.”

Helaman’s project poster can be viewed in more detail here.

Article by Kyle Evan Madsen

Student Research Spotlight - Effects of Filler Words on Perceived Speech Quality

David Richardson

Effects of Filler Words on Perceived Speech Quality

Contrary to what some might consider taboo in public speaking, the use of filler words, such as "um" or "like," etc., by a speaker, may not be so inappropriate to the point of negatively affecting their standing in a public setting. According to David Richardson's research on the perception listeners have while listening to a speech, "descriptive ratings of the speakers did not seem to be negatively affected by his use of filler words." Actually, Richardson found that "in the case of comfort and humility, filler words resulted in a positive affect on audience perception" of the speaker.

Richardson, now a graduate of Brigham Young University–Hawaii, looks back on his research with satisfaction. He says that presenting his project at the Empower Your Dreams event was "one of the proudest moments" of his life. When deciding on the subject he wanted to research, he settled upon the hypothesis on display here because it was a subject he felt genuinely interested in. This helped him to stay motivated and have a love for his work.

 Richardson's work has enabled him to develop confidence in his own abilities to stay disciplined in a structured program. In his future career, Richardson says he knows that his research helped him to gain skills necessary in making important decisions, and specifically, to remember to include filler words in any future presentations, as those types of speeches tend to leave a positive impact upon listeners.

David's project poster can be viewed in more detail here.

Article by Kyle Evan Madsen

APS Convention 2014

May 22^nd to the 25^th marks the date for the 26^th Annual Convention for the Association for Psychological Science. The event provides a remarkable opportunity for students, professors, and researchers of psychology to showcase their most recent work. The event brings the best minds of psychology from around the nation to give seminars, hold symposiums and workshops, and to present awards. Brigham Young University–Hawaii was represented at the event by nine students, their professors, and their research accomplishments. Mostly, the convention is attended by graduate students and their professors, so to be an undergraduate attendee is a privilege. Aside from having one’s name and hard work out there to be seen, students who attend have the opportunity to interact with professors of various graduate programs, and to catch a glimpse into the world of post-graduate higher learning. Being a part the association gives students the chance to participate in future endeavors to understand the science of human behavior.

The following are the projects presented at the conference and their respective authors (in no particular order):

“Education assessment in the Pacific: Empowering one nation to help others”

Frank C. Worrell, L. Naomi Rasmussen, Haley A. Thomas, Hoyee Au- Yeung, Amy Junghyun Lee, Seini C. Ita, Daniel T. Kinikini, Alexa R. Tuita, Sela Unga, Megan L. Costantino, Lisa M. Thompson, Bonnie C. Allred, Ronald M. Miller University of California, Berkeley & Brigham Young University-Hawaii

“BMI as a Function of Evolutionary Pressures”

Hoyee Au- Yeung , Amy Junghyun Lee, L. Naomi Rasmussen, Boyd Timothy, Ronald M. Miller

“A Comparative Study of Samoan and Caucasian Undergraduate Students”

Davis Kealanohea Kane, Amy Junghyun Lee, Christopher J. Joyce, Camalita Fiona Joyce, Cara A. Nebeker, Alexis C. O. Cruz, Aaron Ka Yu Fong, Taylor L. Bobbitt, Jeremie Douglas Oliver, Ethan Gameren, Eric Orr, Ronald M. Miller

“Analyzing Personality Changes Affected by Socialization of Different Ethnic Groups”

Amy Junghyun Lee

“Blood Type and Personality: A Self Fulfilling Prophecy?”

Boyd Timothy, Zacharias Dupaix, Scott L. Kemsley, Kyle E. Madsen, Natalie E. DeMartini, Amy Jung Hyun Lee, Ronald M. Miller

“Collectivistic/Individualistic Cultures, Capaldi’s Sequential Theory, and the Iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma”

R. Tedd Johnson, David W. Staves, Emily Wong, Ronald M. Miller

“Religious Factors Contributing to Marriage Satisfaction, Goal-Oriented Thinking, and Depression of Students”

Eric Orr, Amy Junghyun Lee, Koon Kan Fung, Cho Yuk Chan, Alexis C. Cruz, Davis Kealanohea Kane, Ronald M. Miller

Empower Your Dreams - March, 2014

On March 20th, Brigham Young University-Hawaii hosted its ninth annual Empower Your Dreams contest, in which many students of psychology had the opportunity to present their research and academic accomplishments to other students, faculty, and staff. The event poses a positive and constructive environment for students to showcase the hard work and dedication they invest in their academic and career goals.

Natalie DeMartini, a senior, presented her poster which displays her senior research project entitled, "Positive and Negative Messages and the Efficacy of Sports Drinks on Performance." Natalie had a positive experience at the event, afterwords expressing that she "loved presenting new ideas for others to learn and grow in knowledge." She also said she felt "it was awesome to see other people's interest" in her work, saying "it encouraged me to continue to believe in myself." Natalie's project focused mainly on how the expectations of the efficacy of certain products can lead to the fulfilling of one's expected performance by consuming those products. 

The results indicate that participants would increase or decrease their athletic performance according to their individual belief in a products legitimacy. However, unless there was no strong preconceived belief, then one's performance could easily be swayed by a positive or negative message rather than the drink itself.

Natalie's project abstract, as well as the abstracts of the other 13 students who presented at Empower Your Dreams follow below. 

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Maxwell Bogner

The Effect of Clothing on Exam Performance and Confidence

Bem’s self-perception theory suggests we judge ourselves in the same manner that we judge others. Research shows that we often associate adjectives like intelligence and confidence with those who are dressed in professional clothing. In the current study, 50 male students wore either casual or professional clothing while completing an academic task, in order to examine if clothing type influenced performance as well as feelings of confidence. Participants completed 20 GMAT math questions and rated their confidence for each item. There were no significant differences between clothing conditions in performance scores, t(48) = 0.07, p = 0.47, d = .02, or confidence ratings, t(48) = 0.91, p = 0.18, d = .26. These results demonstrate that with this population clothing had no effect on academic performance or confidence. Results may be explained by the mediating role of comfort of the clothing worn on task performance (Bell, Cardello, & Schutz, 2005).

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Alexis Cruz

Differential Effects of Video Games and Film on Stress and Mood

As an extension of research comparing the effects of movies and video games on aggression, the present study concentrates on the differential effects of each form of media on anxiety and affect. 53 participants completed the State Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults (STAI) and the Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), with a sphygmomanometer attached before and after being randomly assigned to play a video game or watch a movie for 30 minutes. Anxiety was reduced, F(1,51) = 8.70, p = .005, eta squared = .15, negative affect reduced, F(1,51) = 5.78, p = .02, eta squeared = .10, and positive affect increased, F(1,51) = 4.10, p = .047, eta squared = .07, after playing the video game and watching the film. Physiological measures showed no differences between groups or before or after interaction with media. These results indicate that either form of media can help manage mood and anxiety.

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Natalie DeMartini

Positive and Negative Messages and the Efficacy of Sports Drinks on Performance

Placebo sports and energy drinks have been used to examine the role of placebos and the efficacy of sports drinks on performance.  In this study I examine the effect of positive and negative messages associated with a placebo drink. Participants ran one mile, then on a separate occasion were given a drink with either a positive, negative or neutral message, then ran a second mile. Using the mean difference of time as a dependent variable, there was a significant interaction between the message and the participants’ beliefs about the efficacy of sports drinks, F(4, 58) =  3.67, p =.009, eta squared = .20. These results demonstrate that while positive or negative messages can increase or decrease athletic performance respectively, having a preconceived belief in sports drinks may nullify the placebo effect.

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Amy Foulk

Horse Interaction and Stress Reduction

Previous research has shown that interacting with animals may result with mental and physical benefits. This study’s focus was animal interaction and its effects on anxiety levels. I hypothesized that a greater reduction of stress symptoms would occur in the participants who were interacting with the animals. Physiological and self-reported measures were recorded for both interaction and observation groups of participants over 4 weeks as they completed a horseback-riding course. There was no significant main effect of condition on self-reported anxiety, F(1, 14) = .002, p = .97,  eta squared =  .0001. However, there was a significant main effect of condition on heart rate, F(1, 14) = 16.41, p = .001,  eta squared =  .54, with participants interacting with the horse having a greater decrease in heart rate. In contrast to the majority of research on animal-human relations, these results support the need for inclusion on physiological variables in future studies.

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Lena Hawaikirangi

The Length of LDS Dating Relationships and its Effect on Marital Satisfaction

Previous research has shown that the length of time couples date before marriage can predict the level of satisfaction within their marriage. Latter-day Saint (LDS) couples have been shown to differ considerably in dating patterns from the population of this established literature. In the present study, I examine the length of dating relationships and marital satisfaction in LDS couples. Length of dating relationships did not predict marital satisfaction β = -.001, t(196) = -0.02, p = .99, nor did length of dating explain a significant variance in marital satisfaction, R² = .000001, F(1, 196) = .003, p = .99. These results indicate that the well-established relationship between dating length and marital satisfaction may not describe LDS couples. Characteristics of commitment-making and religiosity, common among LDS culture, are discussed as possible explanations for these disparate findings.

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Kailee Kartchner

Physical Self-Efficacy and the Effects of Augmented Feedback

Self-efficacy has played an essential role in sports performance. In the current study, I examined the effects of physical self-efficacy and visual feedback on female athletes’ chin-up hold time. Athletes (N = 57) completed a Physical Self-Efficacy scale (Ryckman, 1982) with half receiving visual feedback (time) while doing the chin-up hold. Results indicate that visual feedback had no effect on performance time. However, physical self-efficacy predicted performance times, β = .25 t(54) = 1.90, p = .06. In addition, self-efficacy explained a significant proportion of variance in performance time, R² = .05 F (1, 54) = 3.59 p = .06. In contrast to previous studies, feedback did not appear to influence performance times. Which suggests feedback is not essential. Recommendations for future research in this area include examining the effect of feedback on athletes within a single sport, as well as a task analogous to their sport requirements.

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Helaman Ching Fung Li

Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Aggression

Previous research has shown a relationship between sleep deprivation and depressive and anxious symptoms. The same group of symptoms has also been known to correlate with impulsive aggression. However, a direct link between sleep deprivation and aggression has yet to be examined thoroughly with a college-aged population. In the present study, I examined whether sleep deprivation predicted measures of aggression for university undergraduate students. 163 full-time students completed both the Sleep Quality Index (Krenek, 2006) and The Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992). Sleep deprivation significantly predicted overall aggression, β = .31, t(161) = 4.15, p < .0001. In addition, sleep deprivation reflected a significant proportion of variance in overall aggression, R² = .09, F(1, 161) = 17.22, p < .0001. In contrast to previous studies, all four measures of aggression were predicted by sleep deprivation. This study suggests that dissimilar populations may be differentially affected by sleep deprivation.

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Nadia Nematbakhsh

First Impressions of Trustworthiness Based on Facial Formation and Race Similarity  

Previous research has shown that baby-face features yield a powerful impact on the perceptions of faces. In the present study, I examine perceivers’ judgments of trustworthiness based on facial formation and racial similarity. Participants viewed 16 photographs representing combinations from each facial formation (baby-face, mature, neutral) and selected race (Polynesian, Caucasian, Asian). Regardless of racial identity of perceivers, baby-faces were judged as more trustworthy than mature faces F(2,250) = 1381.94, p < 0.0000001, eta squared =.92. Caucasian faces were judged as more trustworthy than Asian and Polynesian faces F(4,250) = 7.56, p = .000009, eta squared = .12. There was a significant interaction between men and women as women were judged as more trustworthy than men F(2,125) = 4.74, p = .01, eta squared =.07. This study suggests that the evaluation of baby-faced individuals received higher trustworthiness ratings independent of the ethnicity of the perceiver. Caucasian and women faces were judged as more trustworthy, independent of perceiver’s ethnicity.

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John Quindara

Face Value: Cross Cultural Effects on Facial Attraction

In an extension of facial attraction research, I experimentally examined the effects of ethnicity and exposure on facial attractiveness for college students. Two universities were selected for their contrasting student populations: BYU Idaho for its majority Caucasian student population and BYU Hawaii for its ethnic diverse student body. Students were presented with computer-generated faces of Asian, Caucasian, and Samoan individuals, along with variations of the three ethnicities mixed together. Attractiveness ratings for each face were recorded. There was a significant interaction between school attended and attractiveness ratings with the Caucasian face being rated more attractive at Brigham Young University–Idaho than at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, F(5, 1395) = 74.36. p < 0.0000001, eta squared = .21. As one face type was rated more attractive irrespective of the ethnicity of the rater, these results indicate that facial similarity has minimal influence in judging attractiveness.

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Liahona Naomi Marie Rasmussen

Cross-Cultural Disgust Reactions to Flatulence

Disgust has been found to have inborn and learned factors that lead to its development and expression. The current study investigated how participants from Asian, Caucasian and Polynesian cultures expressed disgust differently. During completion of a survey, a confederate ostensibly flatulated in the same room as the participant by playing a prerecorded sound from a phone application. Reactions were recorded via laptop camera. 94 recordings were then codified by three raters into 5 typical disgust reactions. After reliability was found between raters, a chi square was run. Overall it was found that participants from different cultures tended to display disgust differently, χ²(4, N=72) = 9.11, p = 03, ϕ = .36, (one-tailed). Asian participants were the least likely to respond facially or vocally. Polynesians tended to respond by laughing and Caucasians by smiling. This study indicates that culture is an important variable in future studies on expressions of disgust.

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Leon Smith

Personality Differences and the Effects of Motivation in the Gym

Coaches play an integral part in motivating athletes. One method of motivation is through pre-game speeches. Previous research has shown that differences in personality may account for differential responses to motivational speeches.  In the present study, I examined whether men with high pride would take shorter breaks in between their workout sets than men with low pride after being given a motivational speech. Before working out, 43 participants completed the “Perception of Success Questionnaire” and then listened to a five-minute motivational speech. Following the speech, rest times were recorded for ten workout sets. Men who rated themselves as having more pride had longer rest periods than those with low pride ratings, but this difference was not statistically significant, t(41) = 1.18, p = 0.13, d = 0.44. Results may be explained by men with high pride finding security within the gym and men with low pride feeling intimidated.

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Jina Lizbeth Soto

The Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Cosmetic Use

Previous research has shown that facial attractiveness is associated with many social advantages (e.g. popularity, acceptance, and social competence). Accordingly, many women have sought to alter their facial attractiveness through the use of cosmetics. In the present study, I examined the relationship between use of cosmetics and self-esteem among female undergraduate students. 145 participants completed the Cash Cosmetic Use Inventory (Cash, Rissi, & Chapman, 1985) and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (Gray-Little, Williams, and Hancock, 1997). Self-esteem significantly predicted the amount of cosmetics worn while exercising, β = -0.318, t(225) = 6.53, p < 0.03, and explained a significant proportion of variance in cosmetic use, R2 = 0.27, F(1, 143) = 3.91, p < .05. As self-esteem did not predict cosmetic use in any other setting, these results suggest that the relationship between cosmetics and self-esteem has only limited generalizability.

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Yury Zavala

Effects of Music on Stress: Classical Compared to Hip-Hop

Previous research has reported the influence of music on stress and physiological arousal. While much of this research has focused on classical music, little has included contemporary genres. In the present study, I examined whether classical music would have an increase on self-perceived relaxation levels, anxiety, and reduce physiological arousal in comparison to self-preferred hip hop music. 65 full-time students completed both the Relaxation Rating Scale (Alphonsa, 2007) and the State Anxiety Trait Form Y-1 (Spielberger, 1977) before and after being exposed to either classical or hip hop music. In addition, physiological measures were recorded. Participants who were exposed to hip hop music yielded a significant decrease in relaxation, F(1, 63) = 13.454, p = .0005, eta squared = .18, and anxiety, F(1, 63) = 5.35, p = .024, eta squared = .078. However, there was not a significant difference in physiological measures. Results suggests that relaxing music is a more effective stress reducer than preferred music.

Presentation by Scott Kaufman

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“We need more people who ‘get it,’ like you”

On Monday, March 17^th, Brigham Young University–Hawaii (BYUH) was privileged to hear from Scott M. Kaufman, founder & CEO of Humanintelligence and New York Times best-selling author. Kaufman, a renowned entrepreneur, is an inspiration for young minds everywhere with his focus on helping young adults to discover their passions and to make goals that will lead them to successful careers and relationships.

He spoke to a modest sized audience consisting mainly of students, and focused on the opportunities placed before them as young adults preparing to enter society’s work force.

He explained that a positive aspect about being a young adult is that they are “allowed to not know what their passions are yet.” “You still have time to figure it out,” he continued, saying that this age is a prime time to determine future plans before later adulthood marginalizes opportunities.

Impressed with the students here at BYUH, he encouraged them to find their passions and bring their knowledge and skills to the world to help serve and improve those who are less fortunate.

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 “Tie your passion into what is needed,

not wanted”

“We need more people who ‘get it,’ like you,” he noted. He then emphasized that “as long as we are doing this out of a pure heart and a desire to serve others,” then lives will be changed because of the service and love they receive.

He summarized that being a successful student arises from discovering, “every day, how [they] can get in touch with what [they’re] truly passionate about,” and then finding a way “to connect that passion out in the real world that serves other people.”

Additionally, he spoke on analyzing one’s needs and wants. “Tie your passion into what is needed, not wanted,” he expressed.

“It was an intriguing presentation,” says Annelise Eddy, a sophomore studying psychology. “It definitely opened my eyes up to different ideas.”

Kaufman spoke on an acronym that he advocates for young people to be successful: CARING. (Respectively, it stands for Communication, Authenticity, Relationships, Integrity, Nature, and Gratitude.)

Three of the prominent traits of success were Communication, Relationships, and Gratitude.

When introducing Communication, he affectionately noted, “Communication is not a skill, it’s an art.” He also advised to “learn to communicate via volunteering,” as that is an ample opportunity to develop effective interactions.

For Relationships, he emphasized that “the real currency of the world is relationships,” that relationships help to meet the needs and wants of others. He also believes that because the United States and other countries in the world are decreasing in ethnocentric values, “we had better learn about what it means to be international.”

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 “Communication is not a skill, it’s an art”

And finally, for Gratitude, he cautioned students to evaluate the gifts they may take for granted, asking, “When you complain, what are you complaining about?” “Gifts have already been given to you,” he added, “You just have to recognize it.”

Tyler Larson, a senior studying psychology believes Gratitude was “the most helpful trait” Kaufman discussed. “It helped me to recognize opportunities available to me here at school and as a member of the church,” he said.

Kaufman concluded his presentation with an invitation not only to practice the skills and gifts that students have, but to practice “with the right intentions.”

The students and faculty at Brigham Young University–Hawaii are thankful for Scott Kaufman’s presentation. We hope for more enlightenment from him in the future and to work closely together in using our passions to reach our goals.

Article by Kyle Evan Madsen

2013 Student Research Presentations: Poster Session

The Fall 2013 poster session of the Psychology student research presentations was held on November 27, 2013 in the Aloha Center. Senior students had the opportunity to showcase their academic achievements of their own personal research. The following are the nine individual student’s presentations in the poster session of the conference with the abstract of each project.

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The Effects of Race on Helping Behavior

Talaileva Fa’apoi

Based on a sample size of 296 subjects, this study examines the relationship between ethnicity, gender, and helping behavior. Subjects included students primarily from the Brigham Young University of Hawaii campus, along with students and non-students from the mainland USA, Australia, and New Zealand. I hypothesized that Pacific Islanders would elicit helping behavior more often than other ethnicities based upon their collectivistic culture and values based upon traditional social relationships (Doherty et al., 1994). I also hypothesized that females would be more helpful than males. The helping behavior selected was asking subjects if they would participate in a survey. The independent variables were ethnicity and gender, and the dependent variable was helping behavior. Using a Pearson Chi-Square test of independence, results indicated that there were significant statistical differences with ethnicity on helping behavior, but there were no significant differences with gender on helping behavior. Pacific Islanders and Asians helped more than expected but Caucasians did not. Additional findings included comparisons between invite method, online versus in-person, and results indicated significant differences.

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The Effect of Music Preference and Music Loudness on Reading Comprehension

David K. Kane

This study investigated the effects of music preference and music loudness on reading comprehension. 24 undergraduate students, 14 women and 10 men, from Brigham Young University—Hawaii participated in the study. Participants were asked to rate five 15-minute exerts of popular music, and then were given 10 minutes to take a reading comprehension test, while listening to the same pieces of music, but at full-length. There was no correlation found between the participants’ ratings of the songs, and their performance on the reading comprehension test. However, the study found that the mean test scores of the participants who were exposed to loud music (71-90 dB(A)) performed significantly better on the reading comprehension test, than did the participants who were exposed to soft music (51-70 dB(A)). The results of this study neither supported nor refuted this study’s hypotheses, because of errors in methodology, small sampling, and failure to control for English literacy.

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Exercise Adherence, GPA, & Religiosity:

Effects of Exercise Adherence and Religiosity on Grade Point Average in Polynesians

Scott L. Kemsley

This study examined the effects of exercise adherence and religiosity on GPA, specifically in Polynesians. Face-to-face sampling was utilized at a multi-cultural, western university. Each participant was asked for their cumulative GPA and how often they exercised, based off of a likert scale, along with being asked to complete the Duke University Religion Index. Results indicated that there was a statistically significant, positive correlation between GPA and exercise adherence and a statistically significant, negative correlation between religiosity and GPA, suggesting that Polynesians that exercise often are more likely to have higher GPAs. It is suggested that further research be conducted involving the negative relationship found between religiosity and GPA in Polynesians, as it tends to defy current research. Future research should also take into account the level in which the cumulative GPA was obtained (high school, undergraduate, graduate).

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Personality changes Among Young Adults:

Is the Personality Change Affected by Socialization with Different Ethnic Groups?

Amy Junghyun Lee

Most researchers still debate that personality traits among young adults can be changed by external factors like peer interaction. Although the relationship between personality change and peer interaction has been studied, it is difficult to find out about peer interaction with different ethnic groups. Thus, this study was conducted through a cross-sectional study to examine that personality traits would be changed between freshmen (n = 65) and seniors (n = 69), and socialization with different ethnic groups can influence their personality changes, using NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and The Ethnic Peer Interaction. Our results were analyzed by a repeated measure Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and it indicated that there was non- significant relationship for both personality changes (p = 0.21, eta squared = 0.01), and the relationship between personality change and ethnic peer interaction (p = 0.59, eta squared = 0.005). However, Extroversion of NEO Five-Factor Inventory showed a clear trend between freshmen and seniors Therefore, it is suggested that each personality trait from the Five-Factor are changed over the years during the young adulthood, through a variety of factors although the overall personality change does not occur.

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Media Influences on Romantic Obsession and Unhealthy Dating Expectations

Melece V. Meservy

In this study, I investigated how predictive social media role models of obsessive romantic behavior are for the implementation of the same behavior and subsequent emotional instability (high anxiety and depression) in university-aged students, as well as the differences for female and male participants. 141 Participants were recruited at Brigham Young University-Hawaii to complete two surveys: the Passionate Love Scale (PLS) developed by Hatfield and Sprecher (1986) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) developed by Lovibond and Lovibond (1996). Three individual simple regressions and a 2 (Gender: Male and Female) x 2 (Hours: Low and High) x 3 (Romantic Obsession: Anxiety, Depression, and Passionate Love) repeated measures ANOVA was used. No statistical significance was found in support for either hypotheses. However, results showed a weak positive relationship in hours exposed to romantic media, anxiety, depression, and passionate love, suggesting that had a larger sample been recruited, there may have been greater significance.

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Humor’s Perceived Benefits in Correlation to One’s Health and Mental State

Keryna S. Monson

Based on a sample size of 53 Polynesian and Asian students, this study examines how the amount of humor in a person’s life affects their overall physical and mental health. Online surveys were used to collect data from Asian and Polynesian students from a multicultural campus that were born in their respective countries outside of the United States. Findings indicate that there was not a statistically significant relationship between the amount of humor a person has in their life and one’s perceived overall mental and physical health within the Polynesian culture. However, there was found to be a statistical significance between humor and perceived overall mental and physical health among those of Asian descent. This study hypothesized that Polynesians who ranked higher on the humor scale would also rank higher in their overall general and emotional health. However, although the Polynesians ranked higher in each category, their relationships between the variables were not significant. It was also hypothesized that Asians who ranked higher on the humor scale would also rank higher in their overall general and emotional health. The findings supported this hypothesis.

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Can Color Paper Affect You Test Scores?

Effect of Paper Color on Task Recall and Memory Among Undergraduate Students

Marissa V. Munton

Three paper colors were presented in the survey as: white- the baseline control color that is standard for educational testing; blue- a cool and tranquil color; and red- a warm and lively color. It was tested to see if colors, specifically the vivid color of red, would provide a higher effect on memory recall than plain white paper. A test survey consisting of three different reading passages were printed in sets, on three different colors of paper to see if reading the passages on different color backgrounds would provide a significant effect on memory recall. This survey was provided to college undergraduates in a classroom setting, of which 150 international students participated. The individual was not notified of background of paper prior to being tested. After the completion of the survey, they were then debriefed.The results of a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test indicated F (2, 148) = 1.0723, p = .344, eta squared = .014 among the three colors of white, blue, and red. Although, there was no statistical significance between the three colors, the color of white paper alludes to exceeding slightly higher performance than the colors of either red or blue. Overall, memory retention seemed to be unaffected by the color of paper.

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Religion and Ethnicity as Predictors of Sleep Problems

Aimi F. Campbell

Previous studies show the general associations between sleep disturbances, depression, and physical health problems. In this study I examined differences in sleep, depressive symptoms, and health between religious and non-religious groups and among different ethnicities. The subjects were 160 college students from the United States, Asia, and Polynesia. A 3×2 ANOVA was conducted, with religious belief and ethnicity as grouping variables. No significant differences in disturbed sleep, depressive symptoms and health problems were found between religious and non-religious participants, or among individuals of different ethnicities. These results suggest that religion and ethnicity are not the major factors in differences in sleep, depression and physical problems. Sleep disturbances appear to be common regardless of religious affiliation and cultural differences. 

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Influence of Working Hours on GPA:

Which Students Will Be Influenced the Most?

Cho Yuk Chan

In this study, I examined differences in GPA according to the amount of student working hours and year in school. In addition, I also tested whether or not there were differential effects of work and school year for international and American students. A total of 89 students (29 male, 60 female, or 54 international students, 35 American students) taking 12 to 16 credits were selected to participate in this study. GPA, year in school, and demographic variables were assessed with an online survey. There were no statistically significant differences in GPA by college year, working hours, and home country. Sample size was discussed as one of the major limitations of this study.