Students to present original research at Illinois conference

HUNTINGTON, IN April 10, 1996 -- Fourteen Huntington College students will take part in the 15th Annual Mid-America Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference. The conference will take place on Saturday, April 13, on the campus of Eastern Illinois University.

"Participation in undergraduate research conferences provides our students with an opportunity to exercise the critical thinking skills developed during their tenure at Huntington College," states Dr. Robert Boozer, professor of psychology at Huntington College. Boozer teaches the Applied Research Methods course in which students have spent the semester developing their research projects and collecting data that will be shared at the conference.

The purpose of the conference is to recognize and encourage research by undergraduate psychology students. The program allows undergraduates to present their research and ideas in a convention format. "Only a very small percentage of the undergraduate population ever ventures into this realm of inquiry," said Boozer.

The 14 research presentations will cover a wide variety of topics:

  • Jennifer Baker, a senior sociology major from Berrien Springs, Michigan, will present her findings on how the home environment and gender of a juvenile delinquent effect the severity of the crime committed.
  • Jennifer Harris, a junior sociology major from Richmond, Indiana, will present her findings on the influence of knowledge of the sexual reproductive system on the frequency of sexual activities.
  • Karen Heinold, a junior psychology major from Valparaiso, Indiana, will present her findings on whether the level of interaction between young adults and the elderly affects the degree of ageism directed at the elderly by young adults.
  • Colleen Jenkins, a sophomore sociology major from Centerville, Indiana, will present her findings on the influence of educational levels on family size.
  • Steve Keene, a junior psychology major from Warren, Indiana, will present his findings on the family structure and the development of an eating disorder in adolescents.
  • Aaron LaTurner, a junior psychology major from Decatur, Indiana, will present his findings on the effects of disruptive auditory stimuli on visual recall.
  • Jodi Leas, a junior psychology major from Bluffton, Indiana, will present her findings on the effects of spacing and gender on sibling rivalry. - Cheryl Lennartz, a junior psychology major from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, will present her findings on how musical preferences affect emotional states.
  • Dawn Mastin, a senior psychology major from Rockford, Ohio, will present her findings on family indicators for juvenile delinquency.
  • Annette McCarty, a junior psychology major from Saranac, Michigan, will present her findings on whether Christians and non-Christians have different judgmental characteristics.
  • Kathryn Smith, a junior sociology major from Logansport, Indiana, will present her findings on whether non-verbal behavior can be an indicator of deception.
  • Tonya Summersett, a junior psychology major from Van Wert, Ohio, will present her findings on environmental and internal indicators of eating disorders in male eating disorder clients.
  • Linda Thomas, a senior psychology and Bible/religion double major, will present her findings on the attitude of acceptance of non-charismatic Christians toward charismatic Christians as a result of exposure and knowledge.
  • Judy Weinstein, a junior sociology major from Brooklyn, Michigan, will present her findings on the extent that Christian adolescents influence the morals and religious beliefs of their Christian and non-Christian peers.

Huntington College was founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. For nearly 100 years, Huntington College has offered high-quality academic programs to equip men and women to impact our world for Christ. The four-year liberal arts college offers graduate and undergraduate programs in nearly 50 fields of study. Located on a contemporary, wooded campus in Huntington, Indiana, the College is among the fastest growing members of the Coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities.