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Second Annual MCLA Undergraduate Research Conference
Thursday May 6, 2004
Papers: Church Street Center Small Room (Chapel)
10:30 am-12:00 pm
Paper 1: 10:30-10:55 am
Title: Checkerboard Geometry
Author: Patrick Myers
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Alla Kucher, Math
I will be explaining a non-Euclidian geometry in which movement between points is restricted to vertical and horizontal lines, and lines of slope 1 and -1. Distances along the latter lines are divided by 2, making a diagonal of a square congruent to its side. I will show how this affects distance between multiple points. I will also explain how these lessons can be applied to situations in strategy games involving movement on a grid.
Paper 2: 11:00-11:25 am
Title: Identification of Native Yeast Populations at Turtle Creek Winery
Author: Heidi Deeter
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ann Billetz, Biology
Wine is produced by the fermentation of grape juice. This alcoholic fermentation can occur either spontaneously, by native yeasts, or by the inoculation of a specific genus of yeast. Unknown yeast samples were obtained from grapes at Turtle Creek Winery in Lincoln, MA to identify the native yeast populations. Streak plates were prepared to identify morphology and fermentation tubes were made for biochemical differentiation. Through PCR and RFLP analysis regions of the DNA were amplified and digested. These results were compared to yeast standards to identify the unknown yeasts as to genus and species.
Paper 3: 11:30-11:55 am
Title: Lexical Decision with Taboo Words
Author: Kristin Janschewitz
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tim Jay, Psychology
What are the effects of strong emotionality on post-lexical access reaction time (RT)? Lexical decision (LDT) and recall tasks were used in three experiments to evaluate repression (i.e. slower RT, higher error, poor recall) and sensitization (i.e. quicker RT, reduced error, and superior recall) hypotheses for taboo word processing. Recall data supported the sensitization hypothesis. A visual-field LDT was designed to determine whether taboo words’ connections to the right hemisphere could override the right visual field advantage usually found in these tasks.
Papers: Church Street Center Library (Classroom 102)
10:30 am-12:00 pm
Paper 4: 10:30-10:55 am
Title: Relational and Overt Aggression and Adolescent Dating Popularity: A Dominance Theory Approach
Author: Scott Tirrell
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Maria Bartini, Psychology
In the pursuit of understanding the relationship between adolescent relational and overt aggression and dating popularity, a group of 175 high school students were assessed using both self-report and peer nomination instruments. Utilizing the theories of social dominance and sexual selection, it is suggested that relational and overt aggression play a significant role in dating popularity, and that competition for mate selection may in fact influence the use of relational and overt aggression (depending on gender). Results indicated that there is a relationship between being nominated or self-reporting relational or overt aggression and being nominated as a popular dating partner, as well as increases in the frequency of dating.
Paper 5: 11:00-11:25 am
Title: College Students' Attitudes Toward Gay Men and Lesbians: Correlates with Identity and Experiential Factors
Author: Adam Garrison
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Deborah Foss, Psychology
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine college students’ attitudes toward gay & lesbian (G&L) issues relating to identity development. Positive attitudes and heightened awareness of G&L issues/people were predicted to correlate with specific identity categories. The sample consisted of 124 MCLA students. Results showed that dissonant and internalization identities were positively correlated with accepting and tolerant attitudes toward G&L people and heightened awareness of discrimination against gays and lesbians. Providing people with opportunities to interact with G&L community members may have positive effects on their identity development.
Paper 6: 11:30-11:55 am
Title: Non-Traditional and Off-Campus Students’ Perceptions of MCLA
Author: Andrea Peters
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Deborah Foss, Psychology
Policy makers and educators are concerned about widening access to higher education as national trends show increases in nontraditional and off-campus students attending college. The purpose of this study is to examine empirically the challenges these students face in pursuing higher education at MCLA. A survey was distributed to over 500 off-campus MCLA students to gather information on academic and student life topics. Analysis of student responses will document off-campus students’ perceptions of what MCLA does well and what we can do better, in concert with MCLA’s strategic mapping process.
Posters: Church Street Center Social Hall
1:00-3:00 pm
Poster 1
Title: Age as a Factor in the Development of Language Values
Authors: Tim Quinones and Kristin Janschewitz
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tim Jay, Psychology
We aim to study the relationship between the language values held by children and those held by their parents. Subjects will be read a list of words, some being ordinary, some being taboo. We will be looking at the number of disagreements a child has with his/her parent as to what words are “good” and what words are “bad”.
Poster 2
Title: RAPD protocol for the discrimination of Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) genets.
Author: Rebecca McKeever
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mike Ganger, Biology
Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense Desf.) is an herbaceous perennial common to local forests. Mayflower may produce shoots by clonal reproduction. These shoots are of the same genotype as the maternal plant and belong to the same genetic individual (genet). The ability to discriminate genets is crucial for understanding the ecology and evolution of Mayflower. We have developed an RAPD (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA) protocol that allows for genet discrimination using small primers. We have identified nine primers that can be used as part of RAPD. These primers help produce a distinctive banding pattern on a gel (fingerprint) that is unique to the genet.
Poster 3
Title: Community Attitudes Survey
Authors: Gina Caucci and Kristin Janschewitz
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tim Jay, Psychology
This study was designed to assess the attitudes of adults, elementary-school children, and college students toward health, fitness, and recreation. The goal was to determine how recreation areas and waterways could be used to improve the health of residents of Berkshire County. Surveys were administered to 118 parents of school-age children, 118 elementary schoolers, and 100 college students. The responses revealed participants’ attitudes about diet, exercise, nutrition, and health.
Poster 4
Title: Sexual Responsivity as a Function of Experimenter Gender
Author: Gina Caucci
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tim Jay, Psychology
This experiment was designed to test the effects of experimenter gender on sexual responsivity to sexual double-entendres in a word association task. Male and female participants were tested one at a time with either a male or female experimenter. There were no significant differences found as a function of participant gender. However, as hypothesized, participants produced more sexual associates with experimenters of the same gender.
Poster 5
Title: Teacher attitudes regarding adolescent aggression in school
Authors: Sonia Watts, Lesley Burdick, and Shelley O’Dowd
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Maria Bartini, Psychology
This study was conducted by distributing surveys to all adults employed at a high school in Western Massachusetts. The surveys asked participants to answer questions about their perceptions of aggressive behavior, bullying within the school, and effectiveness of an intervention. Our hypothesis states that the participants will either not recognize bullying as a problem at all or will deny that bullying is as serious a problem as it actually is.
Poster 6
Title: Fascinating Fibonacci Sequences in Nature
Authors: Jane Farnham and Jessica Trombley
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Alla Kucher, Math
To design and produce for field testing a set of two posters for teaching and learning pattern recognition skills as required by the NTCM’s Prinpcles and Standards for School Mathematics-Standards 2000. The posters will employ natural objects such as pinecones, flowers, and pineapples to present all three analytical, numerical, and graphical aspects of the Fibonacci sequence. These specific features of the posters address the needs of the blind, visually impaired, learning disabled and dyslexic student. These posters will be tested in real class settings during teaching practica at the first and third grade level and learning outcomes will be statistically analyzed and compared to existing teaching approaches.
Poster 7
Title: Child Sexual Abuse: A Comparison of Responsibility Attributions between 1984 and 2004
Authors: Amber Kelson and Joanna Boody
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Deborah Foss, Psychology
Over the past 20 years, awareness of child sexual abuse (CSA) has increased. The purpose of this research was to compare how people attribute responsibility to those involved in a case of CSA with data from Waterman and Foss-Goodman (1984). Participants were volunteers (N=258), ranging in age from 18-78 (M=25.83, SD=10.97) years and were evenly divided between males and females. Each read a case of CSA and responded to questions assessing responsibility. Results tended to show similarities, with modest differences in attitudes and reasoning between 1984 and 2004 data.
Poster 8
Title: Gender Differences in Adolescent Dating
Authors: Amber Kelson and Darryn Witzgall
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Maria Bartini, Psychology
The purpose of our study was to look at the possible correlations between dating frequency and self-esteem among high school students, in addition to any gender differences. We found positive correlations between high school students frequency of dating, how often they attended co-ed parties, romantic self-esteem, perceptions of close friendships and frequency of going out at night.
Poster 9
Title: Mate Selection Characteristics
Authors: Amber Kelson, Diana Alden, Kori Ford, and Jennifer Sigsbury
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Maria Bartini, Psychology
The purpose of our study is to look at the relationship between gender differences and mate characteristics when choosing a dating partner/long term partner. We hypothesize that men will place more emphasis on physical attractiveness, whereas women will place greater emphasis on the financial stability component. We also hypothesize that individuals will rate the characteristics differently when looking for a dating partner as opposed to a long-term partner.
Poster 10
Title: A Molecular Analysis of Nymphoides peltata
Author: Andrea Lysy
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ann Billetz, Biology
Nymphoides peltata is an aquatic plant native to Asia that has been established in over twenty U.S. states. The plant spreads rapidly and is hardy, forming a dense mat that affects aquatic ecosystems and recreational areas. Chloroplasts of N. peltata and other Nymphoides species will be extracted by centrifugation, and maternal DNA will be isolated. These studies will allow for a better understanding of the genetic flow and variation among different populations and its significance to the plant’s spread.
Poster 11
Title: Relational and Overt Aggression in Adolescence: A Comparison of Self-Report and Peer Nomination Instruments
Authors: Scott Tirrell and Eric Denette
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Maria Bartini, Psychology
To examine gender and grade differences in experiences of relational and overt aggression, a group of 175 high school students were assessed using both self-report questionnaires and peer nomination instruments. Consistent with previous research, significant gender differences in relational, as well as overt, aggression were found, although these results varied according to the type of questionnaire analyzed. Students’ self-perceptions were also correlated with self-reports of victimization and aggression.
Poster 12
Title: Assessing Housing Preferences in Betta Splendens
Authors: Scott Tirrell, Teresa May, Eric Denette, Mike Driscoll, Sarah Marvel, Jodi Browning, Alex Charalambous and Beth Fawcett
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tom Byrne, Psychology
Three male beta fish were housed in a ten gallon aquarium in which they had free access to four subdivided sections of differing volumes. Fish location was recorded four times per day. All subjects spent time in each section and were found to be in the larger two sections during the majority of observations. Results suggest that Betta Splendens prefers larger living quarters than those typically marketing for their captivity.
Poster 13
Title: Analysis of Delay-Interval Responding During Acquisition with Delayed Reinforcement.
Authors: Scott Tirrell and Teresa May
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tom Byrne, Psychology
Five male Sprague-Dawley Rats were exposed to a two-lever procedure in which one lever produced liquid reinforcers under a resetting delay and a second lever canceled any upcoming reinforcer delivery if pressed during a delay interval. After acquisition criteria was met, sessions were videotaped and delay-interval responding analyzed. Data suggest that conditioned,
immediate reinforcement may facilitate acquisition with delayed reinforcement.
Poster 14
Title: A Biochemical and Molecular Analysis of Yeasts
Author: Kristen Wood
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ann Billetz, Biology
I am trying to characterize and identify four unknown yeasts isolated from Turtle Creek Winery, Lincoln, MA. By using eight standard yeasts I have learned the techniques involved in identifying and characterizing yeast. I have characterized the yeasts as to individual colony and cellular morphologies. I have also characterized the yeast by PCR and fermentation studies. I am currently in the process of identifying the unknown yeasts by the above methods.
Poster 15
Title: Using Sucrose Substitution to Initiate Ethanol-Self Administration in Laboratory Rats
Authors: Scott Tirrell, Sarah Marvel, Beth Fawcett, Michael Driscoll, Eric Denette, Alex Charalambous and Jodi Browning
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tom Byrne, Psychology
Five male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a forced-choice procedure in which a sucrose/ethanol solution was made available for ten minutes. Over consecutive sessions, the volume of liquid consumed was recorded as rats were exposed to progressively greater concentrations of ethanol.
Poster 16
Title: The Influence of Alternative Reinforcers on Pre-Ratio Pausing
Authors: Jodi Browning, Alex Charalambous, Eric Denette, Michael Driscoll, Beth Fawcett, Sarah Marvel, and Scott Tirrell
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tom Byrne, Psychology
Five male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to respond under increasingly larger fixed-ratio schedules of food delivery until pausing was evident or until they could perform under an FR 70. Once response rates and pause times were stable, alternative liquid reinforcer were placed in the chamber. Subjects had access to the liquid reinforcers at any point during the session. Liquid reinforcers available included tap water, tap water with ethanol, and tap water with sucrose and ethanol.
Poster 17
Title: The Cohabitation Effect
Authors: Joan Clevenger, Kelly McGuirk, Jennifer Melle, and Jennifer Renzi
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Maria Bartini, Psychology
Previous research suggests that couples who cohabit before marriage are more likely to divorce. We were interested in learning more about the differences between couples who cohabit before marriage and those who follow more traditional engagement practices. Participants completed a survey containing questions about their religious views, marital satisfaction, communication styles, and whether or not they cohabitated prior to marriage. We hypothesized that there are differences between cohabiting and non-cohabiting couples that could explain the higher divorce rate for cohabiting couples.
Poster 18
Title: Enology: A Biochemical and Metabolic Approach
Author: Christopher Gale
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ann Billetz, Biology
The research I am doing is in enology. This is the study of wine and the making of wine. My research has to do with the study of the yeast that is used in wine production. The yeast that I am characterizing has been acquired from grapes, leaves, and vats from Turtle Creek Winery in Lincoln, MA. From the collected samples, pure cultures were obtained. These cultures were used for fermentation and molecular analysis to identify the native yeast as to genus and species.
Poster 19
Title: Visual Working Memory across the Age Span
Authors: Nick Cave, Erin Phaneuf, and Melanie Somes
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Maria Bartini, Psychology
We are conducting an experiment to assess how visual working memory increases or declines with age. We presented participants with a visual stimulus and after allowing them to study it, we presented them with a questionnaire that included both items that were in the picture and those that were not. Participants indicated whether or not the items were present in the picture. We expect that as age increases, the number of correct recollections will decrease.
Poster 20
Title: Attitudes about the Elderly
Authors: Jodi Hollingsworth, Katherine Hayford, and Andrew Rock
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Maria Bartini, Psychology
Our study was designed to examine the stereotypical views that young and middle-aged adults may hold about the elderly (individuals over the age of 65). Each participant was given two surveys containing forty negative and positive adjectives and were asked to indicate how likely they were to use that adjective to describe an elderly male and an elderly female. We expect to find that younger participants hold more negative views than older participants. We also expect to find gender differences both in terms of participants and the ratings of male vs. female elderly adults.
Poster 21
Title: Teaching Geometrical Shapes with Manipulatives at the Elementary School
Level: An Exploration Into the Geometric World Through Model Building
Author: Lorraine Sue Blank
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Alla Kucher, Math
To examine geometrical shapes and their inherent structural properties through the medium of model building. Some children have problems learning geometry with only two dimensional images. Assigning different groups of children to work with different geometrical shapes through the use of designing model structures will allow children to familiarize themselves with the qualities of those geometrical shapes on a three dimesional manipulative level, thus increasing their understanding of the properties of those geometrical shapes and how they can be used to form geometrical structures.
Poster 22
Title: Taboo Stroop Task
Author: April Tovani
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tim Jay, Psychology
Previous research has shown that emotionality affects latencies in the Stroop task. This study proposes two hypotheses for the effects of tabooness on color naming. The repression hypothesis predicts longer response latencies, more error and poorer recall with taboo words relative to neutral words. The sensitization hypothesis predicts shorter response latencies, less error and greater recall for taboo words. Half of the words will be color consistent throughout the experiment.
Poster 23
Title: Unusual Sleep Experiences
Author: Andrea Peters
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Peggy Brooks, Psychology
Reports of anomalous sleep and dream experiences are often related to the sleep paralysis phenomenon. These episodes are transient and sensations are often accompanied by intense feelings of fear, anxiety, and/or bliss. The focus of this study is to explore the relationships between sleep paralysis experiences and personality characteristics. A sample of MCLA students completed self-report measures and data were analyzed to examine relationships between unusual sleep experiences and temperament.
Poster 24
Title: EEG Demonstration
Authors: The students in CCST 244 Sleep and Dreams:
Andrew Arvedon, Sonja Ashton, Cheryl Beloncik, Jessica Bonzek, Tonya Bortell, Melissa Bump, Sarah Carroll, Amanda Derosier, Kelly Gallagher, Algecira Garcia, Jackie Genereau, Jasmine George, Rhyland Gillespie, Jakia Hall, Jason Kokoska, Christena Locke, Kevin Lyons, Anthony Marchetti, Craig Maynard, Alison McGonagle, Matthew Murphy, Jessica Perchik, Andrea Peters, Ann Prudhomme, Maya Santandrea, Amanda Smith, and Jamie Wallace
Lab Assistants: Allison Fusini, Nate Thorn, and Dawn Sadera
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Peggy Brooks, Psychology
Students in CCST244 - Sleep and Dreams - will demonstrate use of the electroencephologram (EEG) to measure electrical activity in the brain. Poster exhibits will show characteristic brain wave patterns and brain lobes from which they are recorded. Students will also be available to discuss their various class projects.
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