Arts - Buffalo State College

108
Psychology and Social Sciences
ADHD and Adjustment To College: Major
Changes and Grade Retention
Amanda Grenier, Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Professor Jill Norvilitis, Psychology
There have been several recent studies pertaining to ADHD and
its effects on college students’ academic success as well as students’
ability to adjust to their academic lives. However, less research has
been conducted on the effects that ADHD symptoms have on aspects
of college such as course failure, knowledge of college policies,
frequency of major changes, and the number of colleges students
attend. I hypothesize that those with ADHD symptoms will take
longer to graduate and will be more likely to change majors due to
impulsivity. I further hypothesize that those with more symptoms will
be less aware of college policies. Because colleges are concerned with
retention and graduation rates, it would be beneficial to determine
whether or not symptoms of ADHD have any relationship with these
factors in order to enhance retention rates. Data are currently being
collected and results will be presented at the celebration.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster IV
ADHD Symptomology In the Elderly
Mary Wagner, Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Professor Jill Norvilitis, Psychology
ADHD is commonly diagnosed in childhood, but many adults
continue to live with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD. The
present study sought to examine ADHD symptomatology in the
elderly population. Many individual in their 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s
may continue to live with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD. The
estimated prevalence of ADHD in adults is about 4-5%, but little is
known about prevalence or symptomatology in the elderly. Among
adults, ADHD symptoms are associated with continued risks and
problems such as higher rates of traffic accidents, more job turn
over, higher divorce rates, less satisfaction in relationshipfs, poor
money management and impulsive shopping. The study investigated
the similarity of patterns of known childhood and adulthood ADHD
behavior and risk to retrospective reports of ADHD behaviors
reported by the elderly. The results indicated that, when controlling
for both gender and cognitive function, those who reported more
childhood symptoms of ADHD also reported more difficulties with
relationships and money management throughout their adult lives.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster V
Alternative Political Thought and Real
Political Practice
Robert Horwitz, PSC 470: Senior Seminar
Faculty Mentor: Professor Patrick McGovern, Political Science
There is continuing controversy as to whether unconventional
or conventional modes of political participation are more effective
in achieving the goals of environmental protection. The Earth
Liberation Front (ELF), an international group of environmentalist
working through covert cells around the world, utilizes
unconventional political participation to protect the environment.
For the past two decades these “eco-terrorists” have used arson,
sabotage and intimidation to harass corporations, businesses and
other organizations that harm the environment. I hypothesize that
the ELF as a whole has been successful in achieving their long-term
objective of environmental protection without directly physically
harming animals and humans. For the purposes of my research
I have created a database of ELF actions from 1996-2009, taking
into account the type of unconventional action and the long-term
effects that it had in protecting the environment directly. From these
actions I will be employing a stratified sample that will provide two
ELF actions from each of three different categories. These categories
are based on an ordinal scale ranging from small, medium, and
large ELF operations as determined the amount of property damage
they caused ($1 – $99,999, $100,000 - $999,999, $1000,000+).
Environmentalists and law enforcement officials will be interviewed
as well to help assess the impact of ELF actions. The results from
this study may be useful for other citizen groups as to whether
unconventional political participation is an effective strategy in
achieving their stated goals.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster V
The Ambassador Shuffle
Sarah Brown, HON 400: All College Honors Colloquium
Faculty and Staff Mentors: Professor Andrea Guiati, Director, All
College Honors Program and Ms. Jessica Eagen, Undergraduate
Admissions
As a Student Ambassador there are several responsibilities
within the Undergraduate Admissions Office of Buffalo State
College. Checking e-mail, making telephone calls, and providing
tours are just the tip of the iceberg. Student Ambassadors work with
prospective students to make their opinion of Buffalo State College
the best that it can be. Do Student Ambassadors actually make a
difference on the campus? With tours being the focal point of the
program, what is the percentage of students who take tours and
then decide to attend Buffalo State College? This project will look at
how many prospective students take a campus tour and then attend
Buffalo State College as a freshman. This data will also be compared
to the total number of prospective students that take campus tours.
The research completed includes comparing the sign in sheets of
each daily tour from January 2010 through August 2011, versus
the list of deposited freshman students from the spring and fall
2011 semesters. Completed surveys from tour participants will also
be examined to see how the Student Ambassadors are performing
on their tour. To wrap up the project, a look as to what current
Ambassadors believe it means to be an Ambassador will also be
examined. Presented as a poster and portfolio, this project will give
an in-depth look into what the role of an Ambassador is and why