Browsing by Subject "Experimental track"

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Antidepressant Effects of TRH Analogue EEP in Female and Male Rats Assessed with the Forced Swim Test and BDNF Assay
(2023-05) Schulz, Emily N
The endogenous peptide pGLU-GLU-PRO-NH2 (EEP) has antidepressant effects in male rats demonstrated by decreased immobility in the forced swim test (FST). EEP is a chemical analog of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which has short-term antidepressant effects by intrathecal administration in humans. In people with depression, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is decreased in the hippocampus and frontal cortex which leads to decreased volume in both. When people are successfully treated for depression, irrespective of the treatment type, BDNF and volume increase in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, which can indicate recovery. Sex differences are present in the occurrence and symptoms of depression; however, female animals are not always represented in depression research. Female sex hormones are thought to be a reason for sex differences related to depression, and BDNF is known to fluctuate over the estrous cycle of female rats. This study sought to determine if the antidepressant effects of EEP are related to BDNF levels in rats. This study found no significant effects with the forced swim test (FST) and immobility but had a large effect size. A minor sex difference was present in the FST (p = 0.03). Rats that received EEP were not found to have significantly increased levels of BDNF in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, but the results had a large effect size with the frontal cortex. No sex difference was found with BDNF concentrations. Results related to the estrous cycle were insignificant and considered exploratory. The results suggest that continued testing of EEP is needed to gain a greater understanding.
Associated Correlates of Social Comparison Threat to Working Memory Capacity
(2018) Peper, Philip E
Social comparison, whether upward or downward, can cause consequences that hinder working memory performance. The present study aimed to illuminate possible moderators and mediators of the threatening effect of social comparison on working memory capacity. No significant group differences were found, so moderation and mediation analyses were not conducted. However, across comparison groups, exploratory analyses revealed negative affect and peak sympathetic nervous system arousal both negatively and significantly predicted working memory performance. Greater research is needed to determine whether these variables mediate the phenomenon and discover whom is most susceptible to detriments.
Attentional Bias to Online Video Gaming Images Using Eye Tracking Technology
(2018-07) Leff, Dustyn, J
The Effect of Stress Susceptibility on the Relationship Between Attachment and Internet Gaming
(2020-04) Ait Daoud, Imane
The prevalence of gaming in the United States has increased dramatically in the last decade (Entertainment Software Association [ESA], 2019). Excessive gaming, however, has also become problematic, with negative effects on relationship development, emotional wellbeing, stress susceptibility and more (Kaess et al., 2017; Monacis et al., 2017; Griffiths, 2005). Excessive gaming or the pathological use of internet games is referred to as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) (American Psychological Association [APA], 2013). While there is an abundance of research assessing the consequences of excessive gaming, there is still much left to discover about the etiology and development of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). Recently, the connection between attachment security and IGD has been increasingly explored, with several studies suggesting a positive correlation between insecure attachment and IGD (Eichenberg et al., 2017; Tavakoli et al., 2014; Benarous et al.,2019). This study sought to expand on the current literature by assessing the relationship between both attachment and stress susceptibility, and IGD and stress susceptibility. Additionally, a potential mediation model was also assessed. Participants (N = 423) completed self-report assessments regarding gaming addiction, attachment, perceived stress, trauma, and other demographics. Results indicated that significant differences between attachment groups on Internet gaming disorder scores (F (3,419) = 70.80, p < .001, w = .33), with the secure group (M=6.13, SD = 4.75) reporting the fewest IGD symptoms. Secure individuals (M=51.21, SD = 23.90) also reported significantly lower levels of perceived stress than insecure individuals, F (2,418) = 61.61, p < .001. A Tukey's post-hoc analysis showed that the secure group differed significantly from the preoccupied group (p <.001), and the Anxious-Avoidant group (p <.001) but not the Dismissive group (p = ns.). IGDS scores were significantly associated with Attachment Anxiety (r = .63, p < .01), Attachment Avoidance (r = .26, p < .01), and ACE trauma scores (r = .69, p <.01). Lastly, a mediation analysis showed that while controlling for perceived stress, attachment type was still a significant predictor of gaming addiction scores, b = -3.17, SE = .72, consistent with partial mediation. The findings of this study indicate that attachment security, as well as stress, may have significant implications in the understanding of the development and etiology of gaming addiction. Further research is called for on the pathways through which attachment may influence gaming addiction and treatment of psychopathology.
The Effect of Video Game Use on Attentional Bias of Gaming Related Imagery
(2020-12) Eberhardt, Erich J
Attentional bias toward addictive cues has been documented for various addictive disorders including alcohol (Ceballos et al., 2009; Field et al., 2004c) and nicotine (Field et al., 2004a). Repeated use causes stimuli related to substances and behaviors to become more salient, which was predicted by incentive sensitization (Robinson & Berridge, 1993). The purpose of the current study was to investigate attention toward video gaming related imagery as compared to neutral cues, as well as explore urges and expectancies associated with gaming. Previous studies in our laboratory (Leff et al., 2019) showed that self-reported video gaming behavior was positively related to eye tracking indices. It was hypothesized that these findings would be replicated in the current study. It was also expected that urges and expectancies associated with video games would be positively correlated with gaming symptoms and eye tracking metrics. Participants (N = 26) were presented 2 randomized blocks of image pairs (45 pairs in block 1, 40 in block 2) containing either alcohol, gaming, or neutral images. Following, participants completed demographic and self-reported measures of video gaming behavior. Findings showed that there was a significant positive relationship between gaming symptoms and urges, p < .001, and gaming symptoms and expectancies, p < .01. There was no significant relationship between gaming symptoms and eye tracking indices. There was no relationship between urges and eye tracking indices, or between expectancies and eye tracking indices. These findings support the inclusion of urges and expectancies in future research of problematic gaming.
Effects of Acute Psychosocial Stress on Self-Reported Wanting and Liking for High Calorie Foods: Role of Body Mass Index
(2018-04) Moriarity, Kaitlyn
The purpose of the current study was to examine self-reported wanting and liking of high and low calorie food images following an acute psychosocial stressor in individuals differing in body mass index (BMI). Participants (N = 51) completed the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST; Kirschbaum, Pirke, & Hellhammer, 1993) to investigate stress system response. A visual food image task assessed hedonic (i.e. liking) and motivational (i.e. wanting) responses to food images. Self-reported positive and negative affect, state anxiety, hunger, and physiological measures (Blood pressure and heart rate) were recorded. Overall, it was hypothesized that overweight and obese individuals would have higher self-reported "wanting" but not "liking" of high calorie food images as compared to normal weight individuals. The results from this study showed that acute stressors could have an impact on self-reported "wanting"� after viewing images of high calorie food. That is, individuals who were subjected to an acute stressor (n = 21) had a decrease in the "wanting" of high calorie food images (p = .035), as compared to control participants (n = 30). These findings may have basic science and clinical implications.
How Malleable Are Beliefs about Traits? Self-Theories About Traits as Motivated Reasoning After Reliving a Negative Self-Conscious Emotion
(2019-07) Rogers de Alcerro, Jonathan Michael
Recent studies have shown that beliefs about the malleability of one's personality traits can manifest as motivated reasoning within certain situations, but no studies have examined whether this motivated reasoning is a consequence of emotional states. Based on Gausel and Leach's (2011) model on negative self-conscious emotions, we investigated this possibility by asking participants to relive a moral failure from the past year where they felt either guilt, shame, rejected, or inferior. We hypothesized that reliving a feeling shame or guilt would motivate participants to describe the Big Five trait they attributed most as a cause of their past moral failure as more malleable than their least attributed trait. We also hypothesized that feeling rejected or inferior would motivate participants to act defensively by describing their most attributed trait as less malleable than their least attributed trait. Participants who relived feeling guilt tended to describe their most attributed trait as more malleable than their least attributed trait, but this was not true for participants who relived a feeling shame, rejection, or inferiority. These results suggest that feeling guilt can elicit motivated reasoning about the malleability of one's traits with implications beyond reparative behaviors following a moral failure.
The Impact of Identity Salience on Self-Reported Internalized Stigma among U.S. Sex Workers
(2023-05) Gardner, Jacinda J
Sex work is accompanied by a variety of negative consequences, one of which is the internalization of stigma. Although a small number of studies have assessed internalized stigma experienced by sex workers, fewer have assessed potential moderators between experienced stigma and internalized stigma. In fact, identity salience, the extent to which one identifies as a sex worker, has been entirely overlooked. Thus, the current study assessed the potential moderating role of identity salience as it related to experienced and internalized stigma. One hundred and sixty-five sex workers were recruited via the r/Ask_SexWorkers subreddit to participate and each were compensated with a $25 Amazon Gift Card. Each were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: a condition meant to prime for a sex worker identity, another meant to prime for a family role identity, and a control condition. Participants then completed an internalized sex work stigma scale, an experienced sex work stigma scale, an identity salience scale, and a demographics questionnaire. The results revealed that there was no difference in rates of internalized stigma based on assigned prime, suggesting that the prime was ineffective. However, there was a positive correlation between experienced stigma and internalized stigma. Additionally, identity salience moderated this relationship between experienced and internalized stigma; in particular, the relationship was significant for those identifying strongly as a sex worker but not for those identifying less strongly. Future research should attempt to replicate with a revised prime.
Implicit and Explicit Attitudes Toward Those with Intellectual Disabilities in Romantic Relationships: Impacts of Personhood Perception
(2023-02-27) Record, Julia M
Recent mixed reports of positive and negative explicit attitudes toward those with intellectual disabilities (ID) have researchers questioning the impacts of socially desirable responding. This justifies the importance of studying implicit attitudes, generally reported as more negative than explicit attitudes. Despite existing literature on implicit attitudes toward those with ID, no studies have assessed implicit attitudes toward mixed-sex couples with ID due to the absence of physical markers that would otherwise aid ID detection. One exception, however, are the distinct facial features existent in people with Down Syndrome (DS), with which implicit attitudes were explored. Personhood perception (i.e., whether those with DS are just as ‘human’ as those without), was also measured, as personhood perception has been suggested to lower as a function of greater ID severity. Thus, the current study investigated differences in implicit and explicit attitudes toward mixed-sex couples with and without DS, impacts of socially desirable responding, and how perceptions of personhood can account for variations in these attitudes. Young adults (N = 261) were recruited and instructed to Implicit Association Test (IAT) that assessed implicit attitudes. Meanwhile, measures of explicit attitudes, socially desirable responding, and personhood perception were assessed through online questionnaires. Results revealed a slight implicit preference for those without DS over those with DS (DIAT = -0.20) and implicit measures depicted more bias than did explicit measures. However, social desirability did not significantly moderate the relationship between explicit and implicit attitudes. Nevertheless, perceptions of personhood were positively correlated with both implicit and explicit attitudes. Results from this study can have important implications for personhood-centered interventions that could aim to empower, reduce stigma, and promote increased autonomy for those with any ID (including DS) wanting to engage in a romantic relationship.
Impulsivity and Risky Decision-Making
(2016-05) Young, Nathaniel A
The relationships between emotion, trait impulsivity, sensitivity to reward and punishment and risky decision-making were explored. Twenty-Seven undergraduate psychology students (14 males and 13 females) completed the (negative) Urgency, (lack of) Premeditation, (lack of) Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, and Positive Urgency scale (UPPS+P); the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ), and the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Afterward the participants performed the Iowa gambling task (IGT). Results showed that dimensions related to negative emotion and rash impulsivity significant factors within the model to predict risky decision-making during the IGT
The Influence of Primed Romantic Attachment on Attitudes Toward Consensual Non-Monogamy with a Mediating Role of Romantic Jealousy
(2022-04) Muzzy, Brieanna M
Although monogamy is the most common romantic relationship arrangement in Western cultures, interest and prevalence of consensual non-monogamy (CNM; romantic relationships negotiated between two or more people and therefore nonexclusive, either sexually, emotionally, or in combination) is increasing and attitudes tend to be negative. Furthermore, research indicates that romantic attachment impacts attitudes toward CNM, such that individuals who are anxiously attached report more negative attitudes than avoidant and securely attached individuals. However, previous research has only been correlational, thus the causal relationship between romantic attachment and CNM attitudes was assessed. Additionally, due to the relationships between attachment, jealousy, and CNM attitudes, the extent to which romantic jealousy mediates the relationship between romantic attachment and CNM attitudes was explored. A total of 173 adults were recruited via Mechanical Turk. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions in which they were asked to reflect on a prompt designed to induce the three romantic attachment styles. All participants also completed a battery of questionnaires measuring romantic jealousy and CNM attitudes. Although results revealed that the manipulation did not have a significant effect on CNM attitudes (thus, a mediational analysis could not be performed), significant correlations between romantic jealousy and CNM attitudes emerged. Additionally, participants with infidelity experience reported higher jealousy. Results from this study have important implications for researchers and clinicians working to further understand if attachment can be manipulated and to help partners find ways to cope with and mitigate insecure attachment styles.
Influences of Affective Stimulus and Placement on Procedural Task Learning and Performance
(2019-06) Birkholz, Samuel
This study assessed how procedural memory task performance is influenced by affective tone and stimulus placement. Participants (n = 78) completed one of four conditions with timed practice and performance tests. Results demonstrate procedural memory tasks can be learned just as quickly under different affective conditions.
Jersey cows or jersey shirts? The influence of prior knowledge and context on ambiguity resolution
(2022-09) Pannell, Hannah Victoria
Ambiguous words within text can slow down the comprehension process as readers need more time to determine their appropriate meaning. According to the reordered access model of ambiguity resolution, both context and frequency of usage influence the speed at which a reader selects the appropriate meaning. Additionally, prior knowledge related to one meaning of an ambiguous word can slow the speed of access if it does not align with the context of the sentence containing the ambiguous word. Such difficulties in meaning selection typically manifest as longer reading times in certain parts of a sentence (i.e., the ambiguous word, text appearing after the ambiguous word). This study expands upon previous works by comparing the effects of prior knowledge (i.e., baseball knowledge) and context on readers’ ability to determine the appropriate meaning of ambiguous words via monitoring their eye movements. A quasi-experimental design was used in which participants read 12 passages containing baseball-related ambiguous and unambiguous words presented in one of two types of prior context (i.e., context biased towards the less frequently used meaning or context biased towards the more frequently used meaning). Reading times were longer after reading dominant-biasing context and for those high in baseball knowledge. Results from this emphasize the importance of frequency of usage and context on ambiguity resolution as well as the impact of prior knowledge on comprehension overall.
Musical Training and Improved Visual-Spatial Working Memory, Verbal Working Memory and Processing Speed
(2022-07) Sun, Linlu
The current study used a musical skill task—Profile of Music Perception Skills, Mini Version (Mini-PROMS)—to standardize the assessment of musical training for investigating the relationship between musical training and cognitive skills including visual-spatial working memory, verbal working memory, and processing speed. The study also aimed to explore whether musicians who have better verbal working memory do so because they can process information faster (mediation analysis). Thirty-four students from University of Minnesota Duluth participated in the experiment and completed Mini-PROMS and cognitive skill tasks. Musicians had faster processing speed, and those who had better melody skills had better visual-spatial and verbal working memory, as well as processing speed. Musicians who had better accent skills had better processing speed. No mediated correlation was found.
Mystical Experiences Following Solo and Dyadic Orgasmic Meditation and the Impact of Orgasm Occurrence
(2024-04) Hill, Madeleine R
Sex Differences, Physiological Response, and Emotion
(2022-06) Baumann, Ashley M
Females have a higher prevalence for PTSD and other anxiety disorders than males, thus fluctuating sex hormones, such as estrogen, are considered to play a role. Research suggests that during predictable cue tasks, high estrogen females had greater startle response toward predictable tasks compared to unpredictable and control tasks. The current study used physiological responses and self-reported measures to investigate fear response during the oddball task within naturally and unnaturally cycling females. The oddball task consisted of five time points, consistent with control, unpredictable, predictable, extinction, and control blocks. Participants viewed a randomized slide show of three visual stimuli consisting of natural and control images. Participants (n = 26) were split into high or low estrogen groups and were placed in a separate group if using a hormonal contraceptive. Results found that, overall, participants had a greater positive affect at time two than at time five, F(4,80) = 3.832, p = .007. Given the small sample size, a second set of analyses assessed high estrogen level females and those using hormonal contraceptive (lower estrogen) after time the first control (time two) and after the unpredictable and predictable block (time three). Results found between group differences in state anxiety, such that HC females had greater state anxiety than the high estrogen group, F(1,12) = 4.880 , p = .047. These results were opposite for our hypotheses that overall, females with high estrogen levels will have greater self-reported mood, anxiety, and physiological response across the study. Results also opposed our hypothesis such that a group by time interaction revealed participants in the HC group had significantly higher positive affect at time two which decreased at time three, F(1,12) = 4.931, p = .046; This significant difference between time points occurred only in participants using HC.
The “Sextual” Double Standard: An Experimental Examination of Variations in Judgments of Men and Women Who Engage in Computer-Mediated Sexual Communication
(2018-09) Harvey, Carissa A
Although computer-mediated sexual communication (i.e., sexting) is a common behavior, research indicates that perceptions of sexting are generally negative. However, no research has attempted to quantitatively examine how perceptions of sexting vary according to the gender of the individuals involved. Thus, the current study investigated the endorsement of the sexual double standard (i.e., the tendency to judge women more harshly than men for engaging in comparable sexual behavior) when evaluating hypothetical individuals who engage in sexting. A total of 663 U.S. adults (347 men, 316 women) participated in a between-subject experimental paradigm, in which they were randomly assigned to read one of 16 vignettes depicting a hypothetical sexting scenario and evaluate one of the individuals involved. The results revealed that, although participants reported neutral perceptions of sexting overall, hypothetical men were judged as less moral for their involvement in sexting than were women. Morality judgments of those who sext were also influenced by the target's role in the interaction (sender/receiver, requester/non-requester) and the familiarity of those involved (casual/committed partners). Overall, these results indicate that the traditional sexual double standard has given way to an egalitarian standard, perhaps due to recent societal shifts. Implications for investigators, educators, and practitioners are discussed.
Strengthening Psychological Knowledge and Critical Thinking Skills in General Psychology
(2021-02) Switt, Colleen
Research suggests that General Psychology often does not adequately prepare students for the next step in their education or provide a thorough, scientific understanding of psychology (Gurung & Hackathorn, 2018). This can be manifested as beliefs in common misconceptions surrounding psychology and an inability to distinguish valid research findings from claims based on flawed research. General Psychology is a popular class and is usually taught in large lecture halls which makes it more challenging to implement active learning practices such as laboratory experiences. The current study aimed to enhance General Psychology students’ scientific competency. Students from two sections of General Psychology were recruited (N = 117). Students in the experimental class completed writing assignments focused on methodology and analysis of psychological research that were designed to deepen their understanding of psychology and improve critical thinking skills, whereas the control class’s assignments focused on topical content. Scientific competency was assessed as students’ beliefs in psychological myths and critical thinking skills. Students in the experimental class outperformed the control class on both assessments (myth assessment: p = .015, d = .42; critical thinking assessment: p = .037, d = .60). The findings of this research suggest that more methodological knowledge of psychology strengthens critical thinking skills, which may lead to favorable academic outcomes.
Substance Use and Retrospective Adverse Childhood Experiences: An Ambulatory Assessment of Cortisol Awakening Response
(2022-06) Ravet, Mariah K
Although support for the relationship between early life stress and substance use in adulthood is well documented, there is a paucity of research examining the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), substance use, and cortisol awakening response (CAR) in college-aged adults. Thus, the current studies were designed to address this gap in the literature. The specific aims of this project included determining the relationship between ACE exposure and risky substance use, whether perceived stress mediates the relationship between ACEs and substance use, whether the diurnal cortisol rhythm varies by substance use status and sex, and whether CAR varies by ACE exposure. In Study One, 265 college students completed measures of ACEs, substance use, perceived stress, and mental health. In Study Two, 55 participants self-administered salivary cortisol samples within their place of residence and completed inventories for ACEs, substance use, and mental health. For Study One, perceived stress levels were higher among those with high risk of hazardous drinking, high e-cigarette use, and daily THC/marijuana use. Results also revealed a significant positive relationship between ACEs and drinking consequences and e-cigarette use as well as a mediating role of perceived stress in the relationship between ACEs and drinking consequences. In Study Two, results revealed a medium effect of cortisol collection time point by sex and by risky substance use status. Further, results indicated that those with high ACEs exhibited blunted cortisol levels immediately upon waking compared to those with low ACE exposure. This study contributes to the growing literature base by using a well-established cortisol collection method that has been previously unexplored in the context of ACEs and substance use. The use of self-collected cortisol samples to identify students at risk for hazardous substance use and other health-compromising behaviors has important implications for tailored prevention efforts for those with a history of ACEs.
The Effects of Psychosocial Threat on Working Memory Performance in Anxious Individuals
(2024-05-24) Anderson, Jillian C
A large area of anxiety research assesses two key characteristics, state and trait anxiety. Scholars find that individuals with high trait anxiety have difficulty disengaging their attention away from threatening stimuli. When in a threatening situation, people may experience elevated heart rate, increased skin conductance, and ruminating thoughts. This can distract the individual during decision-making and further disturb their memory. Thus, the current experiment intended to examine specific variables that affect the relationship between stress and working memory performance in anxious and non-anxious individuals. Variables that were expected to influence working memory performance included levels of state and trait anxiety, and physiological arousal. Participants first completed a complex working memory task (OSPAN task) followed by undergoing a common psychosocial stressor (Trier Social Stress Test) and completed the OSPAN task again. Heart rate and skin conductance levels were also collected. Results showed that heart rate and skin conductance levels were significantly elevated during the Trier Social Stress Test compared to baseline measures. State anxiety also significantly increased from baseline to after the stress test. Furthermore, overall working memory performance was better on the second round of the working memory task. However, participants who experienced the greatest increases in state anxiety performed the worst on the second round. The current findings contribute to the growing body of literature on the individual’s cognitive and physiological responses as they experience anxiety and stress.

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