Senior Thesis and Abstracts
Recent social science graduates demonstrated their understanding of
the field through their senior theses. Below are some recent theses
titles and where they were presented. In addition, some abstracts of
senior work can be viewed here.
2008
Beltz, Amber. Effects of Relational Aggression with Regard to Popularity and Instigator, 28th
annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research
Conference (MAUSRC), Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, W.V., 17 April
2008.
Butts, Nicole. Mere Exposure Effect and Information Processing: The Impact on Attitudes Toward U.S. Presidents, 28th
annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research
Conference (MAUSRC), Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, W.V., 17 April
2008. [As of Oct. 2008, Nicole is teaching Radiography at Chambersburg Hospital.]
Fitzgerald, Tamika. Are African American Women Buffered from the Eurocentric Beauty Standard, 28th
annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research
Conference (MAUSRC), Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, W.V., 17 April
2008. [As of Oct. 2008, Tamika is pursuing an M.S. in Public Administration at Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pa.]
Knoll, Alicia.Impact of Descriptive Labels and Placement of Entrees on a Restaurant Menu, 28th
annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research
Conference (MAUSRC) at Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, W.V., 17
April 2008. [As of Oct. 2008, Alicia is pursuing an M.S. in Psychology at Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pa.]
Long, Tara. Substance Use by College Students:
Prevalence Rates, The Role of Motivation for Athletic Involvement and
Sport-Type Differences, 28th annual meeting of the
Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research Conference (MAUSRC), Shepherd
University, Shepherdstown, W.V., 17 April 2008.
Nieves, Nerfis. The Effects of Cognitive Priming on Parental Role Attitudes, 28th
annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research
Conference (MAUSRC), Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, W.V., 17 April
2008.
Williams, Kelly. The Role of Print Advertisements in the Formation of Sexual Attitudes, 28th
annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research
Conference (MAUSRC), Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, W.V., 17 April
2008. [As of Oct. 2008, Kelly had completed para-legal studies at
Georgetown University and is working in Chambersburg as a Youth Advocate
with Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP), a non-profit Youth and Family
Support agency working with high-risk youth and their families.]
Beidel, Jennifer. Understanding Substance Use in Young Adults, 28th
annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research
Conference (MAUSRC) at Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, W.V. 17 April
2008. [As of Oct. 2008, Jennifer is employed in a social services position.]
Markley, Jennifer. The effects of Ginkgo Biloba on Spatial Memory Retention in Rats, 28th
annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research
Conference (MAUSRC), Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, W.V., 17 April
2008.
Webber, Katie. College Students and Credit Card Use, 28th
annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research
Conference (MAUSRC), Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, W.V., 17 April
2008. [As of Oct. 2008, Katie is employed by Council of Independent Colleges in Washington, D.C.]
2007
Crusey, Kristina. Tolerance for the Mentally Ill, 27th
annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research
Conference (MAUSRC), Hood College, Frederick, Md., 13 April 2007. [As of Oct. 2008, Kristina works in a supervisory position, working with developmentally challenged individuals.]
Medina, Mary. College Students and Motivation, 27th annual
meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research Conference
(MAUSRC), Hood College, Frederick, Md., 13 April 2007.
Smith, Amanda L.Coaching Style Behaviors: The Relationship
Between Perceptions of and Preferences for Coaching Behaviors and
Athletes’ Self-confidence, 27th annual meeting of the
Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research Conference (MAUSRC), Hood
College, Frederick, Md., 13 April 2007. [As of Oct. 2008, Amanda is pursuing an M.S. in neuropsychology at St. Josephs University in Philadelphia.]
Lewis, Doretha. Lower Income African American Views of Immigrants, 27th
annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research
Conference (MAUSRC), Hood College, Frederick, Md., 13 April 2007.
Winslet, Dorothy. Understanding Rural Women Who are HIV Positive, 27th
annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research
Conference (MAUSRC), Hood College, Frederick, Md., 13 April 2007.
2006 and Earlier
Lockard, Emily.The Effects of Multiple Role Enactments on Multitasking Ability, 26th annual meeting of the MAUSRC, Villanova University, 20 April 2006. [As
of Oct. 2008, Emily is pursuing a Ph.D in marriage and family therapy
at NOVA Southeastern University; married surname: Lake]
Peters, Aron. The Relationship Between Conformity and Extraversion, 26th annual meeting of the MAUSRC, Villanova University, 20 April 2006. [As of Oct. 2008, Aron is pursuing an M.S.W. at Temple University.]
Spangenberg, Michelle. Changing Attributional Styles, 26th annual meeting of the MAUSRC, Villanova University, 20 April 2006. [As of Oct. 2008, Michelle is pursuing an M.S. in Counseling at Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pa.]
Boyer, Kitty A. The Effects of the Open Studio Process of Art Therapy with Older Adults, 25th annual meeting of the MAUSRC, Elizabethtown College, 19 April 2005. [As of Oct. 2008, Kitty works as a financial advisor and co-owner of Barrows Wealth Management.]
Klotz, Kaitlin. Identification and Implications of Relational Aggression, 25th annual meeting of the MAUSRC, Elizabethtown College, April 19, 2005. [Kaitlin has completed an M.S. in school psychology at Bucknell University.]
Daftary, Tarika. Attributional Influences on Observers’ Perceptions of Rape and Robbery Victims, Honors in the major, 23rd Annual Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research Conference, Messiah College, April 2003. [Tarika
has completed an M.S. in psychology at the University of Dayton and,
as of Oct. 2008, is a Ph.D. candidate in forensic psychology at John Jay
College of Criminal Justice, CUNY.]
Lee, Mary. The Positive Effects of Stigmatized Music: An Exploratory Analysis, 23rd Annual Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research Conference, Messiah College, April 2003. [As
of Oct. 2008, Mary works with the Bureau of Juvenile Justice,
overseeing a grant for employee development for clinical counseling,
mental health, D&A and MR for staff that work in state-run juvenile
facilities for the State of Pa.]
Noll, Nicole. Gender Schematicity and Need for Cognition:
Replication and Extension of Markus, Smith, & Moreland (1985),
Honors in the major, 23rd Annual Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research Conference, Messiah College, April 2003. [Nicole
has received an M.S. in psychology from James Madison University and as
of Oct. 2008, is a Ph.D. candidate in social psychology at Temple
University.]
Inoue, Tomomi. Attitudes Toward Three Age Groups by Young Adults and the Underlying Influences on the Attitudes. Paper presented at the 20th Annual Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research Conference at Shippensburg University, April 17, 2000. [Tomomi
completed her MSW at Washington University, St. Louis, specializing in
women's issues and social & economic development.Her final practicum
was in a domestic violence program for Asian/Asian American women in
San Jose, CA]
Means, Nicol Moreland. Brain Lateralization in Mice: Effects of Age, Environment and Practice, 20th Annual Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research Conference at Shippensburg University, April 17, 2000. [Nicol
completed an M.S. in experimental psychology at New Mexico Highlands
University and a Ph.D. in neuropsychology and statistics at the
University of Wisconsin and Capella University. She is currently a
statistician and grants writer for the Bernalillo County, New Mexico,
Juvenile Detention Center]
Banerjee, Payal. Eurocentric Ideals of Beauty: Impact on White and Black Women (Honors)., 18th Annual Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research Conference at Hood College, April 22, 1998. [Completing Ph.D in Sociology at Syracuse University]
Nakao, Kayoko. Effects of Environmental "White Noise" on Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type. [Kayoko completed her MSW and Ph.D. in Social Welfare at University of California, Los Angeles.]
Hoos, Kathleen Pell. Assessing the Relationship between Friendships and Depression in a Retirement Community. [Completed MS in Psychology, Shippensburg Univ., retired Director of LPN nursing program]
Meyers, Robin.Poetry Therapy and Senior Citizens: Enhancing Cognition, Memory and Self-Esteem through Reminiscence. [Robin has received a Ph.D in Christian psychology and is an L.P.C.]
Thanki, Dhruti. The Halo Effect: Can Criminals Be Beautiful? [Dhruti has received an M.S. from Michigan State University.]
Wijeyawardana, Eshani. Philosophies of Human Nature across Cultures [Eshani has completed an M.S.W. at Columbia University.]
Slotterback, Carole. Cigarettes, Alcohol and Women: Warnings and Target Appeals [Carole
has received a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Northern Illinois
University and is full professor at Scranton University.]