Undergraduate Honors Program - Psychological Sciences

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https://ir.vanderbilt.edu/handle/1803/205

Includes Baccalaureate theses from Department of Psychology in the College Arts and Science, the Department of Psychology and Human Development in Peabody College, and allied disciplines across the university.

Department Location:	301 David K. Wilson Hall
Mailing Address:	Department of Psychology Vanderbilt University PMB 407817 2301 Vanderbilt Place Nashville, TN 37240-7817
Phone:	615-322-2874
Fax:	615-343-8449
Email:	Trisha.James@vanderbilt.edu
Website:	Department of Honors Psychological Sciences

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 271

Orientation and affect directed towards social and nonsocial targets in infant siblings of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04) Rabin, Alexa
This study contributes to a growing body of work aimed at documenting and defining behavioral markers associated with early autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its broader phenotype. A total of 19 infants (sib-ASD), who have a sibling diagnosed with ASD were seen at 6.5 months, and 23 infants were seen at 9 months. Sib-ASD infants were matched in age and gender with low-risk infants (sib-TD), who have a typically developing sibling. Infants were simultaneously presented two stimuli, a person’s face (the social stimulus) and a brightly colored toy (the nonsocial stimulus). We found there were no significant differences between at-risk infants and low-risk infants in their responsiveness to and disengagement from the stimuli. However, a significant group difference did appear in the 9 month infants’ time smiling. Sib-TD infants spent more time smiling at the nonsocial as compared to the social stimulus relative to the sib-ASD infants, who showed no preference in time smiling for one stimulus over the other. This unexpected finding contradicted our initial predictions that sib-TD infants would prefer the social stimulus and thus spend more time smiling at the experimenter’s face, while sib-ASD infants would prefer the nonsocial stimulus, and thus spend more time smiling at the toy.
Relation of Depressive Symptoms to Mood-Congruent Memorial Bias in Young Children: A Longitudinal Study
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04) Thomassin, Kristel; Cole, David A.
The current study examines whether children show evidence of adult-like depressive cognitive schemas and when such schemas emerge. Mood-congruent cognitive schemas have been strongly associated with adult depression (Ingram, 1984; Ingram et al., 1998). Findings suggest that a processing bias emerges in early childhood and adolescence (Neshat-Doost et al., 1998; Taylor & Ingram, 1999). The current study extends the current literature of mood-congruent memorial bias to 5- and 6-year old children. Controlling for prior depressive symptoms, results indicated that both biased recall and recognition are significant predictors of depressive symptoms from wave 2 to 3 but not from wave 1 to 2. Our results have narrowed the age range at which we first see evidence of biased memory and depressive symptoms.
Gender Differences in Coping and Internalizing Symptoms Between Adolescents With a Parent Diagnosed With Depression
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04) Thomas, Samantha; Compas, Bruce E.
The current study examines a sample of children ranging from 9 - 16 years in age with at least one parent that has been diagnosed with depression. The study's primary focus is to assess whether there are gender differences in internalizing symptoms, gender differences in coping styles, if there is an association between coping strategy and internalizing symptoms, and if there are gender differences in relation to coping style and symptoms. The findings indicate there are no gender differences in the reporting of internalizing symptoms. However, boys report more use of disengagement while girls report more primary control coping. Secondary control coping has no significant reported gender difference, and it was found to have the greatest inverse relationship with internalizing symptoms as reported by both genders and parent and child. There are no significant interactions between gender and coping style to predict internalizing symptoms.
Parent-child interactions of depressed and nondepressed mothers and fathers
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04) Schoemann, Nancy O.; Garber, Judy
This study examined depressed (N=20) and non-depressed (N=20) mothers and fathers interacting with their children ages 7-17 (Mean = 12.03; SD = 2.21). The sample consisted of 13 mother-daughter pairs, 7 mother-son pairs, 11 father-daughter pairs, and 9 father-son pairs. All depressed parents met criteria for a current Major Depressive Episode. The parent-child interactions were conducted in the laboratory when depressed parents were just beginning their treatment. The nondepressed comparison group was recruited from public schools. Parents and children were video-taped for 10 minutes discussing an issue that sometimes caused conflict between them. The Iowa Family Interaction Rating System was used to code the interaction behaviors of parents and children. Depressed parents showed significantly less nurturance and positive affect, and significantly more hostility and negative affect compared to nondepressed parents; offspring of depressed parents displayed significantly more hostility and negative affect than did children of nondepressed parents. With regard to gender, both depressed and nondepressed mothers displayed more nurturance toward their sons than daughters, whereas both depressed and nondepressed fathers displayed more nurturance toward their daughters than sons. Among nondepressed parents, mothers communicated better with sons than with daughters, and fathers communicated better with daughters than sons. Among depressed parents, both mothers and fathers communicated better with sons than with daughters. These results highlight the need for interventions that help depressed parents interact more positively with their children.
The relations among religiosity, negative cognitions, and depressive symptoms in adolescents in the context of a prevention trial
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04) Mouser, Meghan Marie
The purpose of the present study was to examine the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral(CB) intervention for preventing depressive symptoms in adolescents in comparison to a nonspecific, attention control group and a no intervention/assessment only control. Participants were 217 students attending a local public school [Mean age = 14.43 (SD = .70)]; 64.1% of the sample was female. Religiosity (intrinsic and extrinsic) was assessed at baseline to examine whether such beliefs moderated the relation between the interventions and changes in depressive symptoms measured with the CES-D and CDI. Results indicated that, among adolescents low in intrinsic religiosity, those in the CB condition had significantly lower post-intervention depression scores, controlling for baseline levels, compared to those who were in either the nonspecific attention or no intervention control groups. In addition, whereas no intervention effect was found for adolescents with low levels of interpersonal self-worth (SW) and high extrinsic religiosity, those with low SW and low extrinsic religiosity had significantly lower postintervention depression if they had been in the CB group compared to the other two conditions. Finally, there was no evidence that the nonspecific control condition affected participants' depression scores, thus indicating that the CB program may provide benefits over and above exposure to a supportive environment. These results highlight that different religious beliefs are related to depression and intervention in important and distinct ways.
Prevention of Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: Do Sociotropy and Achievement Orientation Moderate the Effects?
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04) Mehl, Jessica Katherine; Garber, Judy; Poessel, Patrick
The purpose of the present study was to examine the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for preventing depressive symptoms in adolescents in comparison to a nonspecific, attention control group and a no intervention/assessment only control. Participants were 217 students attending a local public school [Mean age = 14.43 (SD = .70)]; 64.1% of the sample was female. The personality orientations of sociotropy (neediness, connectedness) and achievement (self-criticism, individualistic achievement) were assessed at baseline to examine whether these individual characteristics moderated the relation between the interventions and changes in depressive symptoms measured with the CES-D and CDI. Results indicated that, controlling for baseline depressive symptoms, self-criticism and individualistic achievement each significantly moderated the intervention effect, and there was a nonsignificant trend for neediness to be a moderator as well. Whereas the relation between self-criticism and changes in depressive symptoms was strong and significant for those in the control group, this association was less apparent in the CB group. In addition, high levels of individualistic achievement were associated with lower levels of depression, particularly in the CB condition. There was no evidence that the nonspecific control condition affected participants’ depression scores. These results highlight the importance of identifying individual characteristics that can alter adolescents’ response to cognitive-behavioral interventions for preventing depressive symptoms. Moreover, the CB program appears to provide benefits over and above exposure to a supportive environment.
Hindu and Christian children's concepts of life, death, and afterward
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04) Bryce, Suzanne Nellie.; Narasimham, Gayathri; Rieser, John J.
Children's understanding of death is likely to mediate how effectively they cope with the experience of the death of loved ones, or in the case of severely ill children, their own impending deaths. In order to develop the most appropriate forms of death education and counseling, developmental differences between children in the formation of a coherent concept of death must be understood. Research to date has mainly been focused on theoretical concepts instead of empirical research and indicates that mature concepts of death typically include four components: irreversibility, nonfunctionality, inevitability, and causality. This study found systematic differences in beliefs about death and afterlife both between ages and religious groups. However, much variation existed within each group. Overall, it appears that Hindus generally have more uniform beliefs than Christians. Also, Hindu beliefs are less varied among adults than among the two groups of children, while Christian beliefs actually seem to be more diverse among adults than children, perhaps because of the way adults interpret questions about spirituality.
Effect of striatal and extrastriatal D2-receptor BP on memory and symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04) Patterson, Katherine A.
The integrity of particular dopaminergic projections via the striato-thalamiccortical feedback loop potentially influences specialized aspects of cognition and psychopathology. Research has identified a role for striatal D2 receptors in the cognitive impairments and psychopathological symptoms associated with disorders of the schizophrenia spectrum. Recent developments in PET neuroimaging methods currently permit visualization of D2/D3 receptors in extrastriatal regions. This study evaluated potential correlations between the regional D2/D3 receptor BP in striatal and extrastriatal areas and psychopathological symptoms and memory performance. Significant correlations were observed between particular regions of D2/D3 receptor BP and both verbal and visual memory sub-scales of the Wechsler Memory Scale-III.
Throwing Kinematics and Children's Abilities in the Imaginary Ball Situation
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04) Capucilli, Peter S.; Rieser, John J.
A preliminary study conducted by Rieser et al. (2005) found a discrepancy in the technique three to five year old children use when throwing a tangible ball vs. pretending to throw an imaginary ball at targets varying in distance. In the real situation, children release with the appropriate technical motion expected for each distance. With a pretend ball, children failed to vary the kinematics of their throws in ways that reflected the need to throw to further and further away targets. This disparity is not observed in adults. Observations were conducted under randomized distance trials where children threw three throws at four distances. The current study examined if blocking for distance (repetitive throwing trials at each distance) serves as a possible means to reduce young children's failure in the pretend condition. Results indicated that children's success in the imaginary situation correlated with increased age and blocking for distance.
Frowning Makes it Seem Harder
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04) Michel, Kathryn R.; Smith, Craig (Craig Alexander); Kirby, Leslie D. (Leslie Deneen)
Peabody College of Education & Human Development
Younger siblings of children with autism: Cognitive, language, and social skills
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04) Schwartz, Alexa M.; Stone, Wendy L., 1954-
Autism has a known genetic linkage shown by increased prevalence of the syndrome in probands. Research has shows that those who do not necessarily fit the clinical diagnosis of autism may display sub-threshold traits, referred to as the broader phenotype of autism. This study looks at younger siblings of children with autism two times over the course of 1.5 years, with entry in the study at 12-23 months. This group is compared to a control group of siblings of typically developing children. 68 children participated in this study (42 male, 27 female) in two groups Sibs-ASD (n=41) and Sibs-TD (n=28). Groups are compared in language, cognitive, social performance and early predictive factors of later diagnosis. Results show that the Sibs-ASD show deficits at Time 1 in cognitive skill and social development, and have worse diagnostic outcomes than Sibs-TD. Within the sibs-ASD group females scored higher than males in the areas of language and cognitive ability. Early predictors of eventual autism spectrum diagnosis were found in lower performance on directing and requesting behaviors, expressive language and social skills.
Sibling Bereavement from Childhood Cancer: Impact on the Surviving Children and Their Coping Responses
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04-01) Pang, Ming Yee; Compas, Bruce E.
The death of a sibling is potentially one of the most traumatic events for children and adolescents. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between siblings’ psychosocial adjustment following the death of a brother or sister and the way they cope with loss. Forty bereaved families and 31 control families of the same demographic background participated in the current study within 3 – 12 months after death of a child from cancer. Data were collected using questionnaires completed by siblings, parents, teachers and peers. Results showed that bereaved siblings do not display more internalizing and externalizing symptoms than control siblings. They also indicated that primary control coping is related to less externalizing problems while secondary control coping is related to less internalizing problems. Implications, limitations, and areas of future research are also discussed.
Parents and Children Coping with Pediatric Cancer
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04-06) Shears, Angela Rebecca; Compas, Bruce E.
Children who are diagnosed with cancer and their families must learn to cope with and communicate about the cancer diagnosis, treatment and its side effects, and hospital stays. Parents are their primary support; they are there to help them cope with and understand this new experience. Mothers and adolescents reported on emotional distress, coping, and communication. Results showed that secondary control coping is related to less emotional distress in pediatric cancer patients and that parents are more likely to communicate about information if they think it is important. Open communication is important in reducing emotional distress, but if problems in communication are already present, they override the impact of open communication. Implications, limitations, and areas of future research are discussed.
Exploring the Positive Emotions of Gratitude, Pride, and Happiness
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04-06) Grzeszczak, Aga; Smith, Craig (Craig Alexander); Kirby, Leslie D. (Leslie Deneen)
This study looked at the positive emotions of gratitude, pride, and happiness. Sixty-three Vanderbilt University undergraduate participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions assessing their appraisals, motivations, and behaviors for one of the target emotions. Participants were asked to describe in detail a specific situation in which they experienced one of these emotions and then respond to a series of questions about their experience, as well as about their dispositional tendencies for these emotions. We discovered that gratitude was associated with higher usage of third-person pronouns, higher reports of other-responsibility, and higher associations with negative emotions. Pride was associated with higher reports of self-responsibility and higher levels of competitiveness. Happiness resulted in the highest ratings of positive affect. The results indicate that although happiness and pride appear to be purely positive emotions, gratitude has several associations with negative emotions, resulting in a new interpretation of its meaning.
Parent-Child Communication and Child Distress In Response to a Child’s Diagnosis of Cancer
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-04-16) McWilliam, Sonny; Compas, Bruce E.
Childhood cancer is a disease that affects a relatively small number of children and families in the US each year, but those families who are affected are often devastated. The stress and heartbreak of childhood cancer affects not only the patient’s emotions but also deeply affects the parents and other family members. Unfortunately, the problem does not end with the family having higher stress levels, but these higher stress levels can lead to an entirely new set of problems for the child and the family in the form of significant emotional distress, psychopathology or psychopathological symptoms, developmental problems, and social deficiencies. Despite the good news that childhood cancer is becoming increasingly more curable, there are lasting negative effects from the cancer called “late effects” that continue to adversely effect the patients for decades to come (Gloeker, Percy & Bunin, 1995). So, not only are childhood cancer victims prone to developing problems during treatment, but these problems are not quickly resolved once the child has completed treatment and gone into remission.
Stress Responses and Worries of Women at Risk for Breast Cancer
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-05) Sánchez, Czarina E.; Compas, Bruce E.; Berlin, Kate L.
The physiological impact of a breast cancer discussion between mothers and their daughters was analyzed in relation to other anxiety and concern measures. Fifty-eight mothers with varied breast cancer histories participated. Measures of general anxiety (BAI), concern about breast cancer (IES), perceived risk, and observational data were correlated to salivary cortisol and norepinephrine measured by alpha-amylase. Analysis revealed that cancer specific worries but not general anxiety were positively correlated to cortisol levels, specifically IES-intrusion subscale scores, but not IES-avoidance. Observed behavioral anxiety and avoidance during the interaction did not show significant correlations. However, exploratory analyses revealed whine/complain behavior to be positively correlated with cortisol levels.
Chronic Pain and Anxiety in Children: Physiological and Emotional Factors in Stress Responses
(Vanderbilt University, 2007-05-08T15:07:19Z) Jackson, Madeleine E.; Compas, Bruce E.; Dufton, Lynette Marie
College of Arts & Science
Comparing Thompson's Thatcher effect with faces and non-face objects
(2007-05-08T15:26:59Z) Twedt, Elyssa L.; Sheinberg, David Lawrence; Gauthier, Isabel
The classical Thatcher effect (TE) is experienced when global inversion of a face makes it difficult to notice the local inversion of its parts (Thompson, 1980). The TE can be quantified by comparing the ease with which observers compare a normal and locally transformed image, when both images are shown upright versus inverted. Here we compared the classical TE for images of adult faces to a wide variety of other categories, including grimacing faces, baby faces, animal faces, buildings, scenes, and various types of letter-strings. If the TE reflects a special form of configural processing for faces, faces should show a much larger TE than all other categories. Error rates revealed larger TEs for letter-strings over all other categories. Within the letter-string categories, words showed a larger TE than non-words and low frequency words revealed a larger TE than high frequency words. Within the face categories, adult, grimacing, and baby faces showed comparable TEs whereas animal faces showed the largest TE. For objects, we observe TEs for all categories, but at smaller magnitudes. Our results suggest the TE is not exclusive to faces - it does not appear to uniquely depend on factors such as expertise or the grotesque appearance of the transformation.
Effect of binocular rivalry suppression on contrast change detection
(Vanderbilt University, 2008-04) Hubert-Wallander, Bjorn; Blake, Randolph
In their 2004 study, Watanabe et al. measure the detectability of contrast increment probes during rivalry dominance and suppression by plotting threshold versus contrast (TvC)functions, finding significant elevation of detection thresholds during suppression. But what about contrast decrements, a probe that actually makes the target image harder to see? Here I review the literature on binocular rivalry and probe studies and measure the effect of two new probe types on detection thresholds. Results show that contrast decrement probes produce a very different pattern of detection thresholds than their increment counterparts. Extrapolating from these results, I also theorize on the effect of suppression on the underlying contrast response function (CRF).
Children’s reactions to maternal feedback: Is it what she says or how she says it?
(Vanderbilt University, 2008-04) Federoff, Allison, H.; Garber, Judy
The aim of this study was to examine children’s affective, cognitive, and behavioral responses to maternal feedback that varied with regard to content and tone. Participants were 62 children ages four to five years old (M = 59.82 months, SD = 7.35) recruited from local pre-schools, volunteer lists, and the medical school listserv. Children were read three stories in which the child did something (e.g., drawing, writing, building) and made a small mistake. They were randomly assigned to receive one of four types of feedback. The content of the feedback was either neutral or negative, and the tone was either neutral or negative. After hearing a story and receiving feedback, children answered a series of questions about their feelings, self-evaluation, expectations, and causes of the event, and about the mother’s feelings and evaluation of the child’s product. Mothers reported about their current level of depressive symptoms and their parenting behavior. Multiple regression analyses examined the main effects and two-way interactions of content (neutral vs. negative), and tone (neutral vs. negative). Separate analyses were conducted that included children’s age, maternal depression, and parenting as possible moderators. Results revealed that the content of mothers’ words affected children’s reported affect, cognitions, and behaviors, and these relations tended to vary by children’s age. Older children responded to neutral feedback more positively than younger children, and older children gave higher mother liking ratings in the neutral than in the negative content feedback conditions. Children receiving negatively toned feedback responded more helplessly to a puzzle task compared to those receiving neutrally toned feedback. Neither current maternal depressive symptoms nor parenting moderated the relations between condition and children’s responses.

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