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Departments of Psychology & Psychobiology |
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Research |
Students have a chance to become partners in learning with department faculty, and conduct investigative studies that relate to the field of study of that faculty member.
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The Absence of a Silverback on Community Dynamics in a Captive Bachelor Group of Western Lowland Gorillas Gorillas typically live in relatively stable social groups consisting of a silverback male, females, and young, but some groups with more than one silverback and all-male groups have also been observed. Maturing gorillas benefit from the experience of silverbacks, especially their knowledge of the environment and protection against predators. Groups including a silverback are more stable than groups of immatures indicating that social bonds are weaker in these groups than in breeding groups. Focal observations were conducted on a captive bachelor group made up of four young blackbacks after the silverback was removed. Data was collected on proximity, space occupied, and behavior. They were observed for 8 weeks for a total of 74 observations. Percent of scans for contact and within reach decreased with the removal of the silverback and percent of scans alone increased. The second level was occupied in a majority of the scans compared to the first level when the silverback was present. No aggression was observed in the bachelor group without the silverback. The removal of the silverback decreased social stability of the bachelor group shown by the decrease in close interactions. The change in space occupied may be attributed to the mimicking of the silverback by the young males when he is present in the group.
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Athletic Participation and Body Image Satisfaction In society today, females struggle with a culture of thinness, whereas males fight to be accepted in a culture of muscularity. Representation of professional athletes by the media and participation in sports may contribute to the pressure young men and women feel to have the perfect body. Research suggests that sports needing a lean body (swimming, cross country, cheerleading,) for success may put athletes at higher risk for poor body image than those sports that focus on power (softball, football). College students completed an online survey in which they answered questions from the Body Assessment Scale (BAS), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-II). Results indicated greater body satisfaction among athletes compared to nonathletes. Within athletes, women showed less body satisfaction than men yet among nonathletes, there was no gender difference. No differences were found between athletes participating in power versus lean sports. |
Spring 2008 |
Kyle Barnette Sales/Marketing Intern Rocky Top Log furniture and Railing Lancaster, KY |
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McKinzie Craig Big Brothers/Big Sisters Intern Danvile, KY |
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Barrett Green PR/Marketing Intern The Idea Farm Danville, KY |
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Heather Herring Speech Pathology Intern Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center Danville, KY |
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Emily Shelley Guidance Counseling at an elementary School Tolliver Elementary School Danville, KY |
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Kelsey Snavely Bluegrass Mental Health Mental Retardation Board Unity House Harrodsburg, KY |
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Camille Soriano Human Resources Intern Ephraim McDowell Medical Center Danville, KY |
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