Arts - Buffalo State College

whether the US Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and state DOMAS
are unconstitutional by unfairly denying same-sex couples their
fundamental rights as American citizens.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster V
Exploring a Possible College Drinking
Motive: Defiance
James Harter, Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Professor Michael MacLean, Psychology
Drinking is associated with numerous problems and negative
consequences for college students. When it comes to college
drinking, there are four motives that are typically studied in the
field of psychology: coping with negative emotions, enhancement
of positive emotions, enhancement of socializing, and conformity.
The purpose of this study was to propose a possible new motive
known as defiance drinking. Defiance drinking is drinking because
it is forbidden and one wishes to defy parental and/or societal
restrictions, perhaps as a way of demonstrating autonomy and
independence. The study comprised of 291 participants, (138
potential participants were removed because they were over 21 years
of age or because of validity issues and another 108 participants
were excluded due to not reporting alcohol consumption in the last
month). Confirmatory factor analysis and meditational analysis were
conducted to test whether defiance drinking motives were adequately
measured and whether they are significantly associated with alcohol
outcomes. The results indicate that defiance drinking motives
partially mediate the relationship between deviance-proneness and
alcohol outcomes. This suggests that defying authority is a motive
for some underage college drinkers and that it is tied to a tendency
to break rules and to experience alcohol-related problems. Defiance
drinking motives appear to be worthy of additional study.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster IV
Eye Tracker and Art Perception
Victoria Bitterman and Kathryn Przybysz, PSY 488:
Internship
Faculty Mentors: Professor Howard Reid, Psychology, Professor Lin
Xia Jiang, Fine Arts, and Professor Stephani Foraker, Psychology
Our study is using an eye tracker apparatus to examine whether
or not there is a difference in perception of pictures between novice
and trained artists. Previous eye tracker research has examined
complex art issues, such as whether novices and trained artists
view abstract paintings differently. There is no previous research
comparing the variables we are examining. Specifically we are using
an eye tracker apparatus to record the eye movements of students
in art classes and non-art classes while looking at relatively simple
drawings. These black and white drawings consist of objects, faces,
and human figures. The drawings will be shown in pairs, with one
correctly drawn and one that is identical except for a minor error in
perspective or proportion. We will be measuring the amount of time
Psychology and Social Sciences
spent focusing on the errors. Our prediction is that the amount of
time that subjects focus on the errors will increase with the amount
of art training they have received.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster II
Fair Trade and Organic Consumption:
African-American Students’ Attitudes
Toward Food Choices
Ariel Peters, PSC 470W: Senior Seminar
Faculty Mentors: Professor Patrick McGovern, Political Science
and Professor Kyeonghi Baek, Political Science
There has been an abundance of research done about the
psychological traits of fair trade and organic consumers and the
emerging trend of political consumerism. However, little research
has been done exploring African-American attitudes toward
purchasing organic products. Of those studied, people who identified
themselves as purchasers of fair trade and organic products were
often motivated to purchase because of social pressure, beliefs about
social justice, perceived health benefits, price and availability. My
research will examine a relationship between African-American
consumers and their attitudes toward organic and fair trade
products. I hypothesize that African-American consumers perceive
organic and fair trade food products differently from their white
counterparts. This would fall into line with theories suggesting
that African-American consumers may be acculturated toward
food differently from white consumers. Using random sampling
techniques, I will complete an analysis of survey data collected from
Buffalo State College students regarding their food preferences and
purchasing habits. Conclusions from this study may then be used to
assess consumer behavior towards these products with regard not
only to price and availability but group attitudes as well.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster V
Friendship Qualities, Academic Interest,
and Academic Performance In College
Geraldine Erokwu, Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Professor Michael MacLean, Psychology
When it comes to factors that influence academic performance
there is more research on secondary students than college students.
The purpose of this project is to study the relationships among
friendship qualities, academic interest, and academic performance.
For the purpose of this study academic interest is defined as what
motivates students internally to engage in schoolwork and succeed.
Using the Friendship Quality Scale and a modification of Marsh
et al.’s (2005) measure to assess academic interest, data will be
gathered from Buffalo State College students. I hypothesize that
there will be an interaction, such that the influence of academic
influence will vary depending on friendship qualities. With the results
of this study, I hope to contribute to the field and help colleges serve
students better.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster IV
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