Thursday, April 3, 2014

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.