​​22nd Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium

​School of Behavioral and Social Sciences


​A different type of princess: Gender roles in the Shrek films
​A different type of princess: Gender roles in the Shrek films Poster | Discuss via Zoom
By: Talia Tupa, Cole Thorne
Faculty Sponsor: Erica Weisgram
Gender roles are prevalent in children's media, particularly media that features princesses (Coyne et al. 2016; England et al. 2011). In their work, England et al. found that gender roles were present in both early and modern Disney Princess films. However, the "Shrek" film franchise presents the princess role in a nontraditional way. The purpose of this examination was to observe how both the leading male protagonist (Shrek) and the leading female protagonist (Fiona) exhibited masculine and feminine behaviors throughout each of four films of the franchise. Two researchers coded masculine and feminine characteristics for both the leading male (Shrek) and leading female (Fiona) protagonists in each of the four Shrek films using the coding scheme developed by England et al. For feminine characteristics, Shrek exhibited more feminine characteristics than Fiona (Chi square = 17.56, p<.05). For masculine characteristics, Shrek also exhibited more masculine characteristics than Fiona (Chi square = 43.87, p < .05). Across all four of the Shrek films, Shrek possessed more feminine and masculine characteristics than Fiona did. Future studies should take screen time into consideration, as it appeared that Shrek may have had more codes overall, just because he was featured in the films more frequently that Fiona. It would be interesting to compare Fiona’s masculine characteristics with the masculine characteristics possessed by female leads (other princesses) found in England et al. (2011). This could help with validating that Fiona truly is “a different type of princess.”

​Comparisons Between the Effectiveness of ACT and CBT in the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder
​Comparisons Between the Effectiveness of ACT and CBT in the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder Poster | Discuss via Zoom
By: Cole Thorne
Faculty Sponsor: Jody Lewis
There has been little research comparing the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for anxiety disorders.  What research has been conducted has been focused on the treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD).  The purpose of this literature review was to compile all of the research that has been conducted to this point that compares ACT and CBT to see which one has been found to be more effective in treating SAD. The three aspects I focused on were the assessment of overall treatment effects, influence on positive and negative affect, and the decrease of negative cognition and experiential avoidance. The past research suggests that while treatments did not differ from each other in terms of overall effectiveness, there were a few minor differences between the treatments on specific outcome variables. 

​Do Politics Still Influence Religious Eco-Leadership in 2020?
​Do Politics Still Influence Religious Eco-Leadership in 2020? Poster
By: Leah Gastonguay, Morgan Wagner, Kayla Doege, Hannah Dahlke, Esme Reinders, Linghan Chi
Faculty Sponsor: Mark Ferguson
It is important to examine the conditions under which religious eco-leadership contributes to positive, negative, or neutral outcomes for the planet. Based on a social identity approach to leadership, we had self-identified Catholics complete a manipulation of self-categorization (as a religious or secular person) and then asked them to read a summary the Pope’s speech to the United Nations (on nature protection or poverty reduction). Participants then completed measures of willingness to perform sustainable behavior. Interestingly, our results were again moderated by time of participation (before or after the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election). After the election, participants in the religious-nature and religious-secular conditions reported less willingness to perform sustainable behaviors than before the election. However, there were no differences between the secular-nature and secular-religious conditions before or after the election. We discuss the implications of our results for religious eco-leadership.


​​Effects of Parental Divorce on Youth's Mental Health
​​Effects of Parental Divorce on Youth's Mental Health Oral Presentation | Discuss via Zoom
By: Jacob Hilgendorf
Faculty Sponsor: David Chunyu
This research proposal seeks to study the effects of parental divorce upon the mental health of children at least 14 years old over a six-year period. The literature review suggests several factors that might play a part in the development of children’s mental state, including the level of interparental conflict, the amount of quality parenting time, and support from their father. The research from this study will help to further understand exactly how divorce affects the development of youth’s mental health over time. In order to study such a phenomenon, a survey would be used to track the mental health of the subjects over a six-year period. The sample for the study would be drawn from court records of the more recent divorce filings that have children, while the control group would be drawn from those who answer a widespread mailed questionnaire and meet the requirements. To complete such a study, each subject is to record their thoughts, feelings, and home events in a journal provided as well as completing two in-person interviews spaced six months apart.

​​Geospatial Analysis of Residential Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Carbon Sequestering Properties of Local Natural Spaces
​​Geospatial Analysis of Residential Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Carbon Sequestering Properties of Local Natural Spaces Poster | Discuss via Zoom
By: Ryan Michalesko
Faculty Sponsors: Doug Miskowiak, Anna Haines, Shiba Kar
The residential sector on average makes up about a quarter of Wisconsin’s total energy consumption (Energy Information Administration, 2018). Furthermore, Wisconsin ranks in the top three states for highest total energy consumption and the top ten for carbon dioxide emissions per square meter of residential space, according to data analyzed by researchers at the University of Michigan (Goldstein et al., 2020). The concept of local greenhouse gas inventory is ever evolving and often unreliable at the community scale. Since many of the mitigation efforts aimed at lowering and offsetting emissions are local in nature, it is crucial to gather data at this level. This project serves as a case study to develop a workflow to find community specific residential emissions information through remote sensing and geospatial dataset analysis. Using building footprint and height data from nearly 6,700 residential buildings, collected through geospatial analysis, this study illustrates the role that the residential sector plays in greenhouse gas emissions of Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Additionally, by classifying the land cover types of area natural spaces, a comparison of emissions totals and the offsetting benefits of tree cover is possible. This analysis at the community level provides another data point for use when prioritizing strategic planning and conservation decisions.

Group Identification and Health Risk Perceptions: Do our Connections to Groups Predict our Risky Health Behaviors?

​Group Identification and Health Risk Perceptions: Do our Connections to Groups Predict our Risky Health Behaviors? Poster
By: Zach Fermanich, Cole Thorne, Leah Hollander, Yu Tian, Vanessa Quentin
Faculty Sponsor: Mark Ferguson
Risk perceptions are thought to be grounded in the objective properties of hazards. However, social identity perspective suggests that risk perceptions reflect underlying group identifications. This study examines whether twenty-seven group identifications predict risk perceptions and behaviors across five types of health-related hazards (transportation, body, relationship, alcohol, and drugs). We hypothesize that some group identifications will increase certain health risk perceptions and behaviors, whereas others will decrease them. To test this hypothesis, we collected data via an online survey. Participants completed measures of group identification, health risk perceptions (likelihood and severity of harm), and willingness to perform risky health behaviors. We found that some group identifications (such as religion) increased some risk perceptions, whereas others (such as age) decreased them; the opposite was true for risky behaviors.  

​How COVID-19 Impacts Individuals with Mental Illness
​How COVID-19 Impacts Individuals with Mental Illness Poster | Discuss via Zoom
By: Ailani Burns
Faculty Sponsor: Maggie Bohm-Jordan
As COVID-19 sweeps the states in death tolls those who are suffering with a mental illness continue to suffer in silence. The purpose of this preliminary research is to examine how mental health (depression and anxiety) affects a person’s well-being in the past year (in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic). The study hypothesized that depression and anxiety level have increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Theoretical framework included structural functional theory and social cognitive theory. The study will analyze an online survey (Qualtrics) using a snowball sampling method through a social media platform (Facebook). Future implications are to examine 1) frontline workers/ caregivers post COVID-19 pandemic mental health status, 2) individual’s perception on agoraphobia, germaphobia, and xenophobia, and 3) perspectives on COVID vaccinations.

​How Would Easier Access to Mental Health Facilities Impact the Homeless Population?
​How Would Easier Access to Mental Health Facilities Impact the Homeless Population? Poster
By: Skyler Plaskey
Faculty Sponsor: David Chunyu
This research proposes an approach to reducing homelessness by bridging the gap between mental health facilities and the homeless population. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact mental health facilities would have on the homeless population. This type of study would benefit criminal justice professionals, and additionally, other institutions that work closely with the homeless, such as homeless service organizations or crisis is response teams. By doing this, I intend to increase awareness of programs and resources offered by mental health facilities designed for individuals who are homeless. Homelessness is divided into three sub-categories, those who reside regularly in shelters, those who frequent services (soup kitchens, day facilities, etc.), and those who reside in the streets. I propose 150 participants be surveyed per sub-category, totaling 450 participants. This survey will be conducted over a 6-month period by means of bi-weekly questionnaires consisting mostly of closed-ended questions distributed via mail. Success will be measured based on the results of the survey, primarily being determined by the number of interactions with law enforcement, number of nights participants report feeling comfortable and safe, number of reported mental health episodes, and number of days participants report feeling less anxious.

​Norm Dynamics and Prejudice Expression
​Norm Dynamics and Prejudice Expression Poster
By: Leah Gastonguay, Morgan Wagner, Kayla Doege, Hannah Dahlke, Esme Reinders, Linghan Chi
Faculty Sponsor: Mark Ferguson
How do our perceptions of stable and changing norms impact our self-reported prejudice? Social norms strongly influence levels of prejudice, and past work shows that these norms are relatively stable. However, more recent findings provide evidence that social norms are not always fixed. This study examines how stable versus changing norms influence levels of prejudice by investigating whether perceived norms of bias incidents influence self-reports on measures of prejudice. We hypothesized that prejudice scores should be influenced by changing social norms rather than by stable social norms. To test this hypothesis, we collected data via an online survey posted on Qualtrics. Participants were randomly assigned to view one of four graphs of confirmed bias incidents in the UW System ("Always High," "Always Low," "Increasing," or "Decreasing") and then completed several existing measures of prejudice. Surprisingly, we found no effect of condition across measures. However, data collected after recent civil rights protests indicated lower levels of prejudice than data collected beforehand.

​Re-Tracing a Wisconsin Flood
​Re-Tracing a Wisconsin Flood Oral Presentation | ArcGIS StoryMap | Paper | Discuss via Zoom
By: Jarod Whaley
Faculty Sponsor: Ismaila Odogba, Doug Miskowiak
Emergency Management consists of four phases; Prepare, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation. Are small communities adequately poised to undertake each phase when it comes to the reality of natural disasters? This study examines the emergency management response in Southwest Wisconsin to the 2008 Kickapoo River flood. It involves a literature review of past historic floods, the emergency response to the floods, interviews with professionals (including the Emergency Management Director and Coordinator for the Kickapoo River Valley), and lastly an assessment using select metrics to address the question, “how did communities within the Kickapoo River Valley perform relatively to other communities that have experience similar flooding disasters in emergency management planning?”  

​Social Identity Salience Affects Trait Personality Scores
​Social Identity Salience Affects Trait Personality Scores Poster
By: Morgan Wagner, Leah Gastonguay, Kayla Doege, Linghan Chi, Hannah Dahlke, Esme Reinders
Faculty Sponsor: Mark Ferguson
Personality is thought to be a relatively stable internal construct across situations and over time. However, social identity perspective suggests that personality represents a dynamic personal identity that shifts across situations and over time. This study examines whether changing the salience of group membership influences personality scores on a range of existing measures. We hypothesize that manipulating group membership salience will affect scores on at least some personality measures. To test this hypothesis, we collected data via an online survey posted on Qualtrics. Participants were randomly assigned to one of five salience conditions (athletic, artistic, rebellious, university, or individual) and then completed several existing measures of personality. We found that salience of group membership influenced scores on some personality measures (such as agreeableness and openness to experience), but not others.

​​The impact of adverse childhood experiences on mental health, coping mechanisms, resiliency, and social support in an undergraduate population
​​The impact of adverse childhood experiences on mental health, coping mechanisms, resiliency, and social support in an undergraduate population Poster | Discuss via Zoom
By: Katie Albrecht, Rachel Kaminski, Maggie McConkey
Faculty Sponsor: Becky Gathje
The study investigated how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact the overall well-being of undergraduate students at UWSP. Research has suggested experiencing various trauma at a young age can impact a person’s mental and physical health, decision-making, and potential future outcomes (Felitti et al., 1998). There is plenty of research that measures the impact of ACEs in adults, yet an underwhelming amount focusing on college-age young adults. In order to begin quantifying the impact ACEs have on undergraduates, this study asked UWSP students that were enrolled in psychology classes to participate in an online survey. This survey required participants to fill out multiple assessments that concentrated on topics such as mental health, adverse childhood experiences, perceived social support, coping strategies, substance use, and resiliency. Data collection has concluded with data analyses forthcoming. This study’s overall focus is to shed light on mental health and ACEs within a younger demographic and to potentially further evidence on what can increase resilience and encourage more positive outcomes in adults with high ACEs scores.

The Influence of Homelessness in Jury Decision-Making
The Influence of Homelessness in Jury Decision-Making Poster
By: Morgan Wagner
Faculty Sponsor: Mark Ferguson
Social norms influence daily decisions, but the impact of these decisions is dramatically increased when in a courtroom setting. Decision making by juries has been found to be influenced by race, but other stigmatized groups in society have not been studied in depth. This study examines the influence someone’s housing status has on a juror’s verdict and sentencing. I hypothesize that when a defendant is described as homeless, they will be more likely to be charged guilty and have a longer sentence recommended. To test this hypothesis, I collected data via an online survey posted on Qualtrics. Participants were randomly assigned to read a description of the defendant as homeless or with an address, which was then followed by an edited court transcript. Participants then indicated their verdict and sentencing recommendation and then completed the Juror Decision Scale. If the data collected supports my hypothesis, the implication for social norms and group identification having an effect in the courtroom would extend past racial biases.

​The Influence of Social Identity Salience on Willingness to Perform Sustainable Behaviors
​The Influence of Social Identity Salience on Willingness to Perform Sustainable Behaviors Poster
By: Morgan Wagner, Leah Gastonguay, Kayla Doege, Linghan Chi, Hannah Dahlke, Esme Reinders
Faculty Sponsor: Mark Ferguson
Environmental attitudes are thought to be relatively stable internal constructs across situations and over time. However, social identity perspective suggests that attitudes reflect dynamic self-categories that shift across situations and over time. This study examines whether changing the salience of group membership influences environmental attitudes scores on a range of existing measures. We hypothesize that manipulating group membership salience will affect scores on at least some environmental attitudes measures. To test this hypothesis, we collected data via an online survey posted on Qualtrics. Participants were randomly assigned to one of five salience conditions (athletic, artistic, generational, university, or individual) and then completed several existing measures of environmental attitudes. We found that salience of group membership influenced scores on some attitude measures but not others.

​​Wisconsin Urban Tree Cover Effects: How Tree Canopy Can Aid Wisconsin Communities in a Changing Climate
​​Wisconsin Urban Tree Cover Effects: How Tree Canopy Can Aid Wisconsin Communities in a Changing Climate Poster with Audio
By: Katie Livernash
Faculty Sponsor: Ismaila Odogba
Wisconsin cities are experiencing the effects of a changing climate at increased rates; these include warmer summers and heavy storm events. Warmer summer temperatures will be felt at greater extremes in urban settings due to “urban heat island effect”, a phenomenon where heat concentrates at greater levels in more developed areas. In urban settings, floods can be detrimental, but the increase in development causes more extreme floods. These issues can be mitigated by increasing the urban tree canopy cover and implementing green infrastructure programs. The greening of cities can aid in the concentration of heat in cities and allow for stormwater and precipitation to better infiltrate into the ground. This study examined the effects of urban tree canopy cover and green infrastructure on urban heat island effect and stormwater by reviewing relevant case studies and identifying best practices applicable to Wisconsin communities. Four Wisconsin cities were analyzed to assess to current and projected temperatures and rainfall, and tree canopy level by utilizing the DNR’s Urban Tree Cover Analysis tool. Inferences were then made on how an increase in urban tree canopy cover and green infrastructure mitigates the effects of urban heat islands and increased precipitation and stormwater. 

​ ​​ ​