Students Present Psychology, Neuroscience Research

Olivia DrakeMay 12, 20107min
The Department of Psychology hosted its Research Poster Presentation April 29 in Zelnick Pavilion. Pictured is Ankit Kansal ’10 who presented his research titled “Schizophrenic Patient Decision Making.” His advisors are Andrea Patalano, associate professor of psychology, associate professor of neuroscience and behavior, and Matthew Kurtz, assistant professor of psychology, assistant professor of neuroscience and behavior.

Elizabeth Reagan ’13, Aaron Stern ‘11 presented their research titled “Evaluating Others and the ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ Effect.” This study examines the effects of self-esteem on how people emotionally perceive others. Their advisor is Charles Sanislow, assistant professor of psychology.
Psychology thesis student Niki Holtzman ‘10 presented her research titled “To Skip to or Not to Skip? Varying Definitions of Breakfast Skipping and Associations with Disordered Eating, Obesity and Depression.” Holtzman’s advisor is Ruth Striegel-Moore, the Walter A. Crowell University Professor of the Social Sciences, professor of psychology.
Rayna Edwards ’10 presents her research titled “Religious Microaggression towards Muslims in the United States: Group Identity and Self-Esteem as Predictors of Affective Responses. Participants completed a survey prompting them for an experience in which they felt disrespected on the basis of their membership in the Muslim community. Results indicated that anger was felt more intensely than dejection. Edward’s advisor is Patricia Rodriguez Mosquera, assistant professor of psychology.
Neuroscience and behavior B.A. thesis student Suzanna Hirsch ’10 presents her study titled “Event-Related Potentials Correlates of Procedural Learning: Designing a Task for Children with Autism” to John Seamon, professor of psychology, professor of neuroscience and behavior. Hirsch’s advisor is Matthew Kurtz, assistant professor of psychology, assistant professor of neuroscience and behavior.
Alex Hartley ’10 presented “You Can’t Teach What You Don’t Know: Examining and Improving Teacher Preparation.” This thesis examines the research on teacher preparation in light of six different ways to define and measure effectiveness, concluding that research tends to emphasize teachers’ attitudes and student cognition (achievement) instead of looking at teachers’ behavior in the classroom or student motivation. Hartley’s advisor is Steven Stemler, assistant professor of psychology. (Photos by Olivia Bartlett Drake)