Graduate Student Research Symposium

Agnes Amfo-Adu

Advisor: Dr. Weiyi Ma

With increasing integration of technology and multimedia in educational settings, understanding how background music affects the learning process is of significant interest. This meta-analysis or literature review examines the effects of background music on cognitive learning during reading comprehension tasks. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of pertinent literature to consolidate results from several experimental experiments in order to clarify the connection between background music and reading comprehension. Recent literature on this study presents a comprehensive overview of the impact of background music on cognitive task performance, highlighting the detrimental effects on memory and language-related tasks, the potential moderating effects of age, and the importance of considering individual differences, such as extraversion levels. It also challenges existing theories on the use of background music during instruction and emphasizes the need for further research to gain a comprehensive understanding of how background music affects cognitive task performance. The research study concludes by highlighting the complicated relationship between background music and cognitive functions and how it affects the performance of cognitive tasks. The results imply that background music might affect task performance in both positive and negative ways. In particular, when music has lyrics, it has been shown to negatively impair memory and language-related activities. The review emphasizes how crucial it is to take into account individual differences, including personality features, and task complexity when figuring out how background music affects cognitive function. To obtain a thorough grasp of the effects of background music, researchers and practitioners must carry out task-specific and population-specific investigations in the future. Also, future research should explore the mechanisms of background music effects and its potential benefits and drawbacks in various cognitive settings, aiming to optimize its use to enhance cognitive task performance considering individual differences and task demands.

Emma Clark

Advisor: Dr. Kyuree Kim

In recent years, apparel brands have increasingly focused on enhancing the sustainability of their product offerings to attract environmentally conscious consumers and elevate their brand image (Ciasullo et al., 2017; Dangelico et al., 2022). Moreover, most eco-friendly products are priced higher for consumers compared to standard alternatives due to higher costs associated with sustainable production processes (Moon & Lee, 2018). As brands strive to convince consumers that their products provide additional value through their enhanced environmental consideration to a degree that warrants the added cost, there is a necessity for understanding eco-friendly attributes that are meaningful to consumers (Anh et al., 2020). Numerous studies have worked to identify primary factors that shape consumers’ perceptions of eco-friendly apparel products and their willingness to pay more for these products. However, there is a lack of consensus on the attributes that influence consumers’ perceptions (Ciasullo et al., 2017). Therefore, it is essential to provide a comprehensive summary of the factors that impact consumers’ willingness to pay for green apparel by identifying, assessing, and synthesizing existent research relevant to the topic. The present study follows a systematic literature review methodology to develop an integrative framework of consumers’ willingness to pay more for environmentally friendly apparel products based on the various antecedents identified in the literature. The findings will shed light on future research directions through highlighting the trends in current data and identifying gaps where further exploration is needed.

Shannon Hart

Advisor: Dr. Betsy Garrison

Wage gaps have been researched for over forty years. Yet, mechanisms beyond direct gender discrimination remain understudied. The use of a comparative isolation method in recent research indicates wage gaps unrelated to gender exist between lesbian and heterosexual women. Levendis and Lowen (2022) propose the Parenthood Hypothesis as a possible explanation: that there are gendered perceptions of potential parenthood, and that these perceptions have a variable impact on income dependent on an individual’s identity. Evidence suggests that gendered perceptions of parenthood may impact women more adversely than men, contributing to the overall gender wage gap. Additional marginalized identities, such as sexuality or race/ethnicity, may interact to form complex and compounding disadvantages for minorities in the job market. The current paper evaluates sources from multiple backgrounds and perspectives to shed light on the dynamic and interacting factors that form this syndemic, and inform a more holistic understanding of this complex social issue.

Linsay Huitink

Advisor: Sabrina P. Trudo, PhD, RD

Recent research using naturally occurring compounds from plant-based foods (phytochemicals) shows promising effects for the treatment and prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC), the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Phytochemicals can act as a natural pesticide, help the plant defend itself against the environment, and may have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects in the human body. Apiaceous vegetables like celery, parsnips, carrots, and parsley are rich in several furanocoumarins and polyacetylenes that may be beneficial in reducing the risk of CRC. This study aims to determine whether furanocoumarins (5-MOP, 8-MOP, 8-HOP, IMP) and polyacetylenes (FaOH and FaDOH) from apiaceous vegetables will protect against DNA damage by a colon carcinogen (PhIP) in normal colon mucosal epithelial cells. This study also intends to investigate the polarization of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Macrophages are a type of innate immune cell that play an important role in the inflammatory response and in the process of tumorigenesis in CRC. Depending on the local microenvironment, macrophages can differentiate and polarize into M1 or M2 macrophages. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have been linked to the growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis of a variety of cancers, most likely through polarization of TAMs to the M2 phenotype. Hence, we will also determine whether the same phytochemicals above will stimulate polarization of macrophages to the protective M1 phenotype in RAW 264.7 cells. Our results will aid in further elucidation of the role apiaceous vegetables have in preventing colon cancer.

Gracien Jules

Advisor: Sabrina P. Trudo, PhD, RD

Colorectal cancer continues to be one of the largest killers in the United States each year. With over 50,000 people dying from this disease each year, there is a need for more research into preventative mechanisms. Colon cancer arises from a variety of causes. These causes include poor dietary patterns, low levels of physical activity, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption. Food preparation also plays a large part in cancer development. Cooking meat at high temperatures leads to PhIP formation, the most mass-abundant colon carcinogen in meat. Flavonoids are a family of naturally occurring compounds in plant foods, with the celery-family of vegetables being one rich food source of them. Studies assessing the relationship between flavonoid consumption and colon cancer risk are inconsistent. Many studies show no relationship between flavonoid consumption and colon cancer risk, while some studies show an inverse relationship for specific types of flavonoids. This study will aim to evaluate the effectiveness of specific flavonoids in celery-family vegetables on reducing colon cancer risk. These flavonoids will be used to treat RAW 264.7 cells (which are a type of immune cell called macrophages) to test their ability to differentiate the macrophages to M2 (anti-inflammatory) macrophages instead of M1 (proinflammatory) tumor-associated macrophages. The different flavonoids will also be used to determine their protective effects against PhIP-induced damage in normal colon epithelial cells. In summary, the results of this project will improve understanding of the mechanisms by which intake of the celery-family of vegetables may decrease the risk of colon cancer.

Juliana Marconi

Advisor: Dr. Eunjoo Cho

Consumers use online and offline channels simultaneously at the same during the product search, purchase, and aftersales stages. Some consumers prefer to check out a product in a brick-and-mortar store but purchase it online. This is referred to as showrooming. Showroomers gather product information from a physical store and purchase the product online from another retailer. Although many studies highlight the negative impact of showrooming behavior, showroomers can make purchases on the same retailer’s online channel. As a result, showroomers can provide omnichannel retailers with potential benefits. Drawing on Ajzen’s (1991) theory of planned behavior, the purpose of the study is to examine the determinants and consequences of showrooming. Specifically, this study investigates the effects of price consciousness, value consciousness, perceived risk on attitudes toward showrooming behavior. This study also examines the effects of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on the intentions towards showrooming behavior. Finally, the effect of intentions on retailer choice was investigated. Data were collected through an online survey of 383 college students, primarily aged 18-23 years old at a major Mid-southern university. The results showed that price consciousness, value consciousness, and perceived risk significantly influenced consumers’ attitudes towards showrooming. Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influenced intentions towards showrooming. The effect of intentions on same retailer choice was stronger than that on different retailer choice. This means that consumers who showroom tend to purchase products from the same retailer’s online website after showrooming. The findings can guide retailers in developing more effective omnichannel approaches and enhancing the in-store experience to better meet the needs of modern, tech-savvy young adult consumers.

Julianne Post

Advisor: Dr. Amanda Terrell

While there are numerous studies on specific sibling dynamics and outcomes, there is limited research about the fundamental sibling relationship as a sublevel of a family system. Many sibling-based research studies focus on pathological and specific factors that impact sibling relationships. An example of this would be one sibling having cancer and associated effects on the mental health of the other siblings. The proposed research applies the circumplex model of family systems to expand understanding of sibling groups. The overarching goal of this research is to learn whether the number of siblings that an individual has is associated with their family adaptability and cohesion capabilities and patterns. Using Qualtrics online survey software, data will be collected from approximately 200 college students attending a large university in the southeastern United States. They will self-report their demographic information, including their number of siblings. In addition, an adapted version of the 42-item FACES-IV (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale; 2011) will be used to assess perceived levels of cohesion and adaptability among sibling groups. FACES-IV is typically used to examine a family system, including parents, but for this study it will be used to examine the sibling subsystem within the larger family system. Prior research suggests that there will be a negative association between larger sibling groups and cohesion. It is further hypothesized that larger sibling groups will be positively linked with adaptability. Because the sibling subsystem is one of the earliest close relationships a person has (if they have any siblings), it is important to understand their relational dynamics and health that could influence other and future close and family relationships.

Karalee Taves

Advisor: Dr. Nick Johnston

The restaurant industry in the United States is reliant on line-level employees, such as food preparation and servers, and cooks. These line-level positions provide 2,898,550 people access to employment and is predicted to have the largest increase of employees across all industries, with close to 1.3 million jobs being added between the years of 2021 and 2031 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d.). Due to the large population of people affected by the impacts of working in the foodservice industry, research to better the experiences of the employees is crucial to benefit their well-being. Foodservice has proved to be stressful, due to the long and irregular hours, inconsistent pay, and physiological and psychological impacts. This research aims to understand employee’s usage of breaks, and whether these employees are utilizing their break periods to rest, rejuvenate, and relieve their stress, or rather, increase their levels of stress by incorporating unhealthy habits. According to research, taking a break can either have a positive or negative impact on people, depending on how they utilize their time (Cheng & Cho, 2021; Sonnentag et al., 2010; and Zacher et al., 2014). In recent studies, the term “doomscrolling” has been popularized in its negative effect on mental well-being (Kaya and Griffiths, 2023 and Sharma et al., 2022). In this study, servers’ choice of screen time usage while on their break will be surveyed with consideration of activities such as doomscrolling, in contrast to other positive uses of cell phones, including brain stimulating games, listening to peaceful music, or talking with a loved one. This will determine if stress levels and discontentment are increased by activities associated with negative emotions stimulated by doomscrolling, and whether it may affect their mental health and ability to properly rest and prepare themselves for a job heavily dependent on emotional labor.

Karalee Taves

Advisor: Dr. Nick Johnston

Abstract: Tipping is a unique practice, especially in the U.S. food and beverage service industries. Given its impact on employee and firm performance, tipping has been widely studied in hospitality, economic, and psychology literature. However, recent reports reveal that post-pandemic tipping practices have evolved, and norms are being challenged. Most scholars agree that tipping is a social practice, and the behavior taps into our collective tendencies to help others. Despite this understanding, few studies have examined empathy as an antecedent of tipping, and none have attempted to understand the motives of empathy in a customer-server exchange. Using the VAB framework, this study explores the relationships between organizational pride (values), identity salience, empathy (attitudes), and tipping (behavior). This study aims to fill a gap in the literature by exploring underlying motives of empathy towards tipped service workers. Results from this study can be used to manage the consumer monitoring process and improve employee workplace satisfaction.

Adena Thomas

Advisor: Dr. Laura Herold

Abstract:

Play in the classroom is often a source of debate.  The merits of play on early childhood development are well documented, especially regarding self-efficacy - an individual’s belief in their ability to perform a task or complete a goal. Self-efficacy has, in turn, been linked to academic resilience and achievement. Despite these findings, research shows a decline in unstructured play opportunities in both preschool and kindergarten.  During a play intervention study, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teachers were interviewed about student behaviors before, during, and after loose parts and other playful materials were added to their classroom environment.  This thesis examines the teacher-perceived relationship between the addition of open-ended loose parts play materials and teacher perceptions of student self-efficacy.  Utilizing interview data from 9 kindergarten and 4 pre-kindergarten teachers over two academic years, the relationship between how often loose parts play and perceived student self-efficacy will be examined. Initial results suggest that increased self-efficacy resulted from the presences of loose parts, and that this was an agent for positive behavioral outcomes in classrooms.