Redefining the Measurement of Pornography Consumption

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Stephen Hatch and Dr. Scott Braithwaite, Psychology Department Introduction Pornography consumption has grown over the past decade with the industry’s leading providers reporting billions of more views with each passing year (Pornhub.com, 2015). The Internet has facilitated the social acceptance and spread of pornographic material, and it is believed that approximately 40 million Americans view […]

The Effects of Media on Ambivalent Sexism and Attitudes Towards Domestic Violence Victims

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Liam Lavelle and Niwako Yamawaki, Department of Psychology Introduction The impact of media on behaviour has long been studied and debated in the field of psychology. Research on the effects of media have primarily focused on the relationship between violent media and real life acts of physical violence. In recent years studies have shown that […]

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol to Establish Dependence

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David Matthews, and Scott Steffensen, Department of Psychology Introduction Excessive alcohol consumption in the United States is costing hundreds of billions of dollars in the United States alone. Addiction is a corrosive disease whose impact spreads across a broad spectrum including monetary damages, social disruption, health concerns, and life-ending decisions. Trailing a path of 88,000 […]

Comparing the Effects of Tredmill Desks and Cycling Desks on Cognitive Performance

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Nicholas Randall and Michael Larson, Department of Psychology Introduction Sedentary lifestyle and obesity are growing concerns that are responsible for at least 300,000 premature deaths and $90 billion spent on health care per year in the United States (Manson et al., 2004). Many jobs today contribute to a sedentary lifestyle by requiring prolonged periods of […]

METH Causes Expression of 8-OHG in the Addiction Pathway and Leads to Increased S-Glutathionylation of the Vesicular Monoamine Transportor Via the Sigma Receptor

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Taylor Hyde and Scott Steffensen, Department of Psychology Introduction Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive drug of abuse and which results in serious financial, societal, and individual consequences in the United States. In 2005, METH abuse costs the country billions dollars each year. Societal and individual costs as a result of METH use are also […]

Oxytocin and Infant Development: A Study of the Genetic Underpinnings Behind Social Behavior in Rhesus Macaques

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Spencer Waters and James Dee Higley, Department of Psychology Introduction It is widely accepted that the neuropeptide oxytocin helps mediate pro-social behavior and bonding between humans as well as other primates. Current genetic research has shown a link between variants in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and measures of social skills in humans. Demonstrating a […]

Effects of Tetrabenazine on Basal Methamphetamine

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Tribett, Taylor Effects of Tetrabenazine on Basal Methamphetamine Faculty Mentor: Scott Steffensen, Psychology It is easy to see how much METH hurts the lives of its users and leads to high costs for society. Methamphetamine abuse is linked to higher healthcare costs, child abuse, and higher rates of theft and incarceration (Dobkin & Nicosia, 2009). […]

Habituation to Electronic Security Warnings

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DeVault, Corinne Habituation to Electronic Security Warnings Faculty Mentor: Brock Kirwan, Psychology Introduction Habituation is the phenomenon that exhibits itself after repeated exposure to a stimulus; the brain response to it is decreased. This is seen in many different mediums, like tastes, touch, sound, etc., and thus could be observed in experiencing electronic security warnings […]

Role of Sigma Receptors in Low-dose Methamphetamine Modulation of Dopamine Release in the Nucleus Accumbens

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Marchant, Gilbert Role of Sigma Receptors in Low-dose Methamphetamine Modulation of Dopamine Release in the Nucleus Accumbens Faculty Mentor: Scott Steffensen, Psychology Introduction Methamphetamine (METH) is an addictive drug of abuse and METH use is a growing problem in the United States. The current dogma states that psychostimulants such as METH attack the mesocorticolimbic dopamine […]