Matching Items (1,356)
Filtering by
- Creators: Department of Psychology
DescriptionThis paper aims to demonstrate the importance of Cultural Competency and global contexts in Psychology, using knowledge gained from 10 events, mainly hosted by ASU and the Melikian Center, as examples. This is explored through the lenses of Trauma, Differences in Mental Health Expression, and Identity.
ContributorsPollock, James (Author) / Jakubczak, Laura (Thesis director) / Dikyurt, Ahmet (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
The thesis explores the intersection of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), traumatic stress, and family court involvement, examining how these factors impact children's psychological and biological health. Drawing from interdisciplinary research in psychology, law, and public health, we dive into how court settings may exacerbate trauma or provide opportunities for healing. The study highlights the biological embedding of trauma, developmental risks associated with ACEs, and the potential for trauma-informed care (TIC) to transform legal processes. We also evaluate current interventions, identify systemic gaps, and propose recommendations for child-centered, trauma-sensitive legal reform.
ContributorsHill, Hayden (Author) / Gaxiola, Paola (Co-author) / O'Hara, Karey (Thesis director) / Stolzenberg, Stacia (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
This study evaluates the performance of two automated deep learning models for glioblastoma segmentation using MRI data, comparing an independent model trained separately on pre- and post-treatment images with a combined model trained on both. A dataset of 200 unseen cases (100 PreTx, 100 PostTx) was segmented by both models and reviewed by three raters using a structured five-point Likert scale and qualitative feedback. Inter-rater agreement, segmentation similarity (via Dice scores), and failure patterns were analyzed. Results showed both models performed similarly overall, with the independent model yielding more under-segmentation errors, particularly for edema and contrast enhancement. The combined model demonstrated greater robustness and efficiency, suggesting it may be more suitable for integration into research workflows. This work underscores the potential of deep learning models for brain tumor segmentation while identifying key areas for future improvement in model design and evaluation.
ContributorsLateef, Zayn (Author) / Swanson, Kristin (Thesis director) / Singleton, Kyle (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
This thesis explores how building a personal brand through organic, transparent content on Instagram can lead to the successful growth of a digital dropshipping business. Over a four-month period, I launched and tested three different Instagram accounts, each reflecting a different strategy and level of experience. Through this process, I experimented with content styles, engagement techniques, and branding approaches—learning firsthand what it takes to trigger algorithmic growth, build trust, and drive sales. Along the way, I also explored the importance of mindset, investing in yourself, and staying true to your brand. This thesis reflects not only what I learned about digital marketing, but also what it takes to build something real and scalable on social media today.
ContributorsWinslow, Tara (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
Major affective disorder (MDD) is a subtype of depression that affects over 280 million people worldwide with stress being important risk factors. Women are twice as likely to develop MDD than men, especially within middle-age when estrogen levels fluctuate and then wane. Our study used a preclinical depressive-like model, using 40mg/kg of CORT which was injected subcutaneously daily over 4 weeks to determine whether depressive-like behavior would be attenuated with estradiol treatment (0.3ug) in both male and female gonadectomized, middle-aged rats. My honor’s thesis will focus on the sucrose preference (SP) and radial arm water maze (RAWM) tasks, two key tasks that can assess anhedonia and spatial working memory. For our modified SP, the task involves a two-bottle choice (water and sucrose) and exposed the rats to the two bottles for ten days with assessment performed on the last three days after acclimation. For RAWM, rats are placed into a symmetrical maze with eight arms connected to a circular center and filled with water. Rats must find four platforms located within four different arms throughout 4 trials. When a platform is located, the platform is removed and so rats must remember which platform was found and avoid that arm and then find one of the three remaining platforms. This causes working memory load to increase with trials. Four trials are given each day for twelve days. The results showed that CORT impaired early-phase RAWM performance in females, while E2 improved performance across all phases. In males, CORT unexpectedly improved early performance, and E2 caused early impairments followed by mid-phase improvements. However, the results seen in the early phase for males should be taken with caution as we had to use the average of their respective treatment group for data interpretation since their sessions were terminated early. SP outcomes showed no effects of CORT or E2 on sucrose preference, although females exhibited higher preference overall and E2 increased fluid consumption. We interpret these results to show that E2 can enhance spatial working memory within females and males with more robust effects in females. The early-phase CORT-induced impairment in females aligns with prior findings that stress hormones can disrupt hippocampal function and spatial learning. The lack of impact on sucrose preference suggests that neither hormone robustly influenced depressive-like behavior within our model.
ContributorsPotu, Sai Srihaas (Author) / Conrad, Cheryl (Thesis director) / Borges-Florsheim, Esther (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor) / Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
This thesis investigates the evolving portrayal of substance use disorder (SUD) in three critically acclaimed films—Trainspotting (1996), Requiem for a Dream (2000), and Beautiful Boy (2018)—through the lens of four prevailing models of addiction: moral, psychological, social, and disease. Using a qualitative thematic analysis, it examines how each film depicts clinical features of addiction, including craving, withdrawal, relapse, and treatment, and how these representations reflect or challenge dominant cultural and scientific understandings of SUD. Grounded in contemporary addiction research and framed by psychological and neurobiological insights, this study reveals how cinema can mirror, shape, and complicate public perceptions of addiction by portraying it as a multifaceted condition influenced by trauma, neurochemistry, social context, and personal agency. In doing so, the thesis underscores the emotional and narrative power of film to humanize individuals with addiction and contribute to a more compassionate and scientifically informed cultural discourse.
ContributorsSrinivas, Sitara (Author) / Gewirtz, Jonathon (Thesis director) / Mack, Robert (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
Choosing to become a parent is increasingly viewed as a personal decision rather than a
societal expectation. With evolving cultural norms and greater awareness of emotional health,
many individuals are reflecting on whether parenthood aligns with their personal values and
aspirations. This exploratory review explores how mental health, individual circumstances, and
societal influences impact the decision to have children. By examining research from psychology, sociology, and public health, it reveals that emotional readiness, relationship dynamics, financial stability, and societal pressures significantly shape this choice. The findings highlight that the choice to raise children is influenced not only by personal desires but also by broader social and cultural factors. With the right support and knowledge, individuals can make more confident and informed decisions about parenthood.
ContributorsBlair, Beverly (Author) / Fey, Richard (Thesis director) / Anbar, Joshua (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Public Affairs (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
This thesis covers the topic of the history of women in medicine, all the way back to when they were only allowed to be midwives, all the way up to present day. It also examines the process in which it takes for a woman to become a doctor and the many challenges women face in these steps. Lastly it highlights some success stories of women in medicine today.
ContributorsKline, Kristen (Author) / Barca, Lisa (Thesis director) / Fay, Colleen (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
DescriptionParticipants will make judgments of autostereograms (magic eye illusions) by identifying the object and then declaring if the object pops out or is sunken in. The study investigates whether people exhibit a bias to converge or diverge their eyesight when given proper instructions.
ContributorsWallace, Brooke (Author) / McBeath, Michael (Thesis director) / Pedram, Christina (Committee member) / Langley, Matthew (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
Social media has become one of the primary sources of nutrition information. This thesis project examines the influence of social media on athletes' nutrition knowledge. A comprehensive literature review reveals significant gaps in credible, sport-specific information, and addresses the challenges and benefits of social media as a nutrition resource for athletes. In response to these findings, an Instagram account called Aquathlete Nutrition was developed to provide reliable, evidence-based nutrition education specific to water polo athletes. The content focuses on key topics including recovery, hydration, nutrient timing, and meal ideas.
ContributorsOstrowski, Molly (Author) / Levinson, Simin (Thesis director) / McCoy, Maureen (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2025-05