Social and Behavioral Sciences

Dusty Pilkington, Weber State University Social and Behavioral Sciences Boundaries dividing political authority rarely match natural water flow. Multiple agencies, often with competing policies and agendas, manage water within single watersheds. This discrepancy can render management efforts ineffective. Local water agencies include soil conservation districts, local health departments, and engineering agencies. Agencies have varying funding sources, managerial structures, and jurisdictional boundaries. Fragmentation can frustrate management efforts at watershed scales. Comparisons between natural watersheds and human political geography can therefore be helpful in avoiding conflicts. This research examines discrepancies between political and physical geographies for sections of three Utah rivers : the Logan and Provo Rivers, and Red Butte Creek. These rivers are being targeted for intensive research as part of a statewide, multidisciplinary water sustainability project, titled iUTAH. Water-related land use (WRLU) data acquired from Utah’s Automated Geographic Resource Center were analyzed using ArcGIS geoproceessing tools. WRLU contributing to water quality in urban river reaches is described. WRLU was examined using three boundary sets, comparing the political geography of the river reaches, as depicted in municipal boundaries and management areas of community water providers, to their physical geography, as depicted in United States Geologic Survey Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) watersheds. WRLU mixes using political infrastructure were contrasted with land use mixes from HUC boundaries. WRLU was classified in seven categories: residential, commercial/industrial, riparian/water features, irrigated agriculture, non-irrigated agriculture, farmsteads, and parks/open spaces. A gradient from rural Heber, to urbanizing Logan, to fully urbanized Red Butte Creek is shown. While Red Butte Creek HUC boundaries showed 53.8 % residential land use, Red Butte Creek municipal boundaries and community providers totaled 26 % and 39 % residential use, respectively. Differences emerged when irrigated agriculture was assessed using HUC boundaries. Irrigated agriculture totaled 0.2 % in Red Butte Creek, with Logan showing 29. 7% and Heber irrigated agriculture sitting at 41.1 %.

Luz Maria Carreno, Utah State University Social and Behavioral Sciences Significance: Patients’ health literacy, or ability to comprehend and understand health information, influences their health status, knowledge about medical care and conditions, and hospitalization and adherence rate (Andrus, & Roth, 2002). Low-English proficiency patients are especially at risk, given they must overcome English and health literacy barriers.

Kelsea Hill, Utah Valley University Social and Behavioral Sciences Sexuality has long been identified as foundational in the lives of married couples. An area lacking in research, however, is the transition into sexuality made by couples who practiced abstinence prior to being married. The data for this study comes from a survey of 597 respondents that had practiced abstinence before being married. This focuses on the qualitative responses to questions asked abstinent couples about what helped make the transition into sexual intimacy, what purpose(s) sex has in their relationship, what they wished they had discussed prior to having sex, and what challenges they experienced in the transition into sexual intimacy.

Jared Glenn, Utah State University Social and Behavioral Sciences Previous research shows that girls and women tend to prefer and perform better in classes taught by women. However, much less research analyzes the impact of instructor gender on learning outcomes among boys and men. This research fills that gap by analyzing the effect of professor gender on male college students’ achievement. Relying on survey and in-depth interviews among undergraduate men at a large research university, this study finds no significant empirical data that professor gender significantly impacts men’s academic achievement, in contrast to previous findings among girls and women. Interview findings, however, suggest that men prefer the tough grading, which they indicate is integral in male-taught classes. The study contributes to our understanding of gender differences in an academic setting and how that factor shapes learning outcomes and achievement.

Jay Winters, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Science The common stereotype of feminism has a negative connotation implying that feminist’s are simply radical women’s rights activists. The reality is that feminism is hard to define given its complexity and the range of issues it encompasses. A scale was developed in 1994 called the Attitudes Toward Feminism and the Women’s Movement (FWM), which sought to predict attitudes toward feminism (Fassinger, 1994). Many social psychologists see it as an effective way of predicting attitudes despite its age or lack of an emotional component. Our Assessment of Feminist Attitudes (AFA) scale was developed to include an emotional response component as well as provide a contemporary view of the ever-changing feminist movement. Our study is in the process of being assessed for statistically significant data. The effectiveness of the AFA in measuring feminist attitudes will be known in the coming weeks.

Madeleine Ary, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences In 2010 I conducted research in the city of Cambridge England on the relationship between the Muslims of Cambridge and the police of the same city. I conducted this research primarily through single interviews and data analysis from the United Kingdom in general and England specifically. From this research I discovered that the relationship between these two groups was maintained by frequent, mutual contact and trust. England at the time was experiencing a summer of rioting, much of which revolved around Islam. This may have increased the difficulty in such a faith group, authority relationship, however their efforts to maintain a positive relationship only intensified and there was little to no real disruption within the Cambridge Muslim community. My research demonstrates how such relationships can be effectively conducted even in otherwise tumultuous circumstances.

Daniel Cardoza, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences This paper aims to offer an introductory platform to the correlation between Russian fatalistic tendencies and conversion to Protestantism. It argues that fatalism is a central aspect of the Russian collective conscious, something that is fundamentally at odds with the Protestant temperament as outlined by Max Weber in his book, The Protestant Ethic and The Spirit of Capitalism. What happens when a Russian converts to a Protestant religion? This paper specifically focuses on conversion to one religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Analysis of data gathered through ethnographic interviewing and participant observation shows that a correlation might exist between belief in LDS doctrines and a reduction of fatalistic tendencies. This paper serves an introductory basis for future research on this topic. As such, the paper also presents recommendations for further research.

Ryan Hill, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences We analyze the presence of two types of framing bias in ballot wordings that affect election outcomes: status quo bias and agent-external loss aversion. Both of these biases are studied extensively in behavioral economics and likely have salient impacts on initiative or proposition measures in state elections. Status quo bias is the tendency of a voter to be more likely to maintain a currently enacted policy rather than passing a new law. Agent-external loss aversion is the tendency for a voter to be more likely to grant a right to a minority population rather than vote to restrict a right. Both of these biases have had important impacts on the outcome of recent ballot initiatives especially on California Proposition 8 that failed to legalize the right of marriage for same-sex couples. We test the salience of these framing biases by conducting a nationwide survey experiment that randomly assigns different ballot wordings for the same policies across different survey respondents. The survey mimics a real voting situation and the randomization of questions ensures that we can identify the specific effect of each bias on the voting outcome. We analyze the treatment effects using difference of means and ordinary least squares analysis. We also extend our analysis to examine whether moderating variables such as political knowledge or opinion have an impact on the magnitude or direction of the bias effects.

Peter Busche, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences An undergraduate study on young people in the Channel Islands (near England and France. Such questions will be addressed, such as: What makes growing up in a tiny Island community unique? How does leaving the Island for the outside world affect the young peoples’ transition into adulthood? This project consists of a descriptive outline based on 2 months of ethnographic research, as part of a 10,000 word senior thesis. Current anthropological and psychological theories are part of the overall construction of the data.

Kyle Nelson, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences Most research on eye movement while reading has focused on native speakers reading in their own language. This has led to detailed characterizations of the differences between the eye movement of English and Chinese speakers when reading. However, there is a lack of research concerning eye movement differences when reading in a second language. It is expected that English speakers, reading simple letters, would exhibit different eye movements when reading Chinese characters, where words are commonly made up of one or two intricate symbols. Similar adjustments in eye movement are expected if a Chinese speaker tried to read English. Our study seeks to first measure how second language skill influences eye movement during reading and secondly, to distinguish eye movement behaviors that are controlled by either cognitive or visual factors. We hypothesized that as individuals increase in proficiency in their second language, their eye movements while reading a second language would begin to mimic a native speaker’s reading his own native language. Participants were native Chinese or English speakers selected from Chinese language courses and ESL courses taught at Brigham Young University. Participants were matched based on language proficiency and history of exposure to their second language. Native Chinese and English speakers read paragraphs in both Chinese and English while an eye-tracking machine recorded their eye movements. We measured such variables as fixation duration, Saccade amplitude, refixation probability and other important variables. These results will be analyzed to find the differences in eye movement that occur when reading in a second language compared to the participant’s native language. The results, strengths and limitations of the study and future research will be discussed. We believe our research will be beneficial in characterizing how individuals read in a second language, assessing language proficiency, and directing the development of language instruction methods.

Renette Goodrich, Utah Valley University Social and Behavioral Sciences In the realm of Adoption most of the focus is given to the birth parents and the adoptive couple. However, there are many more people involved, some being the birth grandparents, who are the parents of the expecting parents. These grandparents, most of who are dealing with feelings of loss and grief, have been left to struggle through the experience by themselves. A scholar from Well’s, were the law requires social services to be offered to the extended family, conducted studies with grandparents; some of whom received social services and some who did not. His found a statistically significant difference in those who participated in the social services and those who did not. Grandparents who took advantage of social services where less stressed and more excepting of the adoption. This pilot study was conducted at one agency in Utah. Because of HIPPA laws the only access was to those grandparents who attended the support group. This study also showed social service support for these grandparents where significant; by lowering the stress level of dealing with a child’s unexpected pregnancy and helping them with direction and acceptance. This was a qualitative and quantitative survey handed directly to the participants to fill out and return. The agency where this survey was conducted and other associated agencies are interested in these results to better improve currents services and reach out to other grandparents who are not currently participating in these groups. This topic has not been studied in the United States; thus this study will add to the body of scholarly knowledge on this topic.

Ashley Jolin, University of Utah Social and Behavioral Sciences This paper analyzes the essentiality of creating a just European Union banking union between member states of the eurozone, in response to the European debt crisis. In 1992, the Maastricht Treaty established strict financial criteria for member states to follow, ensuring a strong economic environment to support the new currency union. However, numerous member states did not abide by these limits, and countries with weaker economic stability such as Greece and Ireland began to accumulate huge public deficits. As a response to this debt crisis, in June 2012 the key institutions and leaders of the EU proposed working towards a genuine Economic and Monetary Union, a banking union serving as the keystone of this project. I argue it is imperative that this banking union is designed to be successful at dissolving the current economic crisis and anticipating future problems, as the existence of the eurozone is contingent upon it.

Heather White, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences The purpose of this poster is to illustrate the use of storyboards in visually evaluating exhibits and the visitor experience in a narrative museum. Storyboards, a key tool used to develop a visual story, can be used in museums to provide unique insights into the dynamic experience of visitors as they move through exhibits. This poster focuses on how storyboards can be used post-installation to evaluate how visual elements and space effect the visitor’s engagement and experience within exhibits. This poster will present storyboards for three exhibits and the resulting analysis. I analyzed the storyboards by examining artistic elements (line, color, shape, space, etc.) and design principles (unity, balance, scale, proportion, etc.) as they are formed and reformed throughout the storyboard. These changes are only noticeable because of the temporal aspect of sequenced storyboard images. The results show how the visual and spatial visitor experience encourages or discourages engagement with the exhibits. These results can be used, in addition to written and oral evaluation methods, to critique and improve exhibitions to be more accessible and engaging for future visitors.

Mason Bennett, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences In the natural environment, rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) acquire social dominance rank through matrilineal family (mothers’) inheritance. It is unknown as to how high ranking matrilines initially become high in social dominance. Serotonin (5HT) has been linked to social dominance rank. Central Nervous System 5HT is modulated by both the serotonin transporter (5HTT) and MAO and both have been linked to social dominance rank. MAOa and the 5HTT are the two main variables controlling central serotonin. To assess the effects of genetic and temperamental variables on matrilineal rank and potentially the effects of rank on behavior and temperament, we examined: the serotonin transporter genotype and MAOa genotypes. Because low or unstable social dominance rank is stressful, leading to chronic hypercortisolemia we also measured stress-induced cortisol levels. Lastly we examined infant temperament ratings taken from a Bio-Behavioral Assessment (BBA) pioneered by John Capitanio. This test is performed over a 24 hour period when infants are 6 months of age, and includes a bio-behavioral battery of tests designed to measure temperament. Dominance was measured by wins/losses during head-to-head competition between all possible pairs in a group. Subjects included 2300 rhesus macaques raised at the California National Primate Research Center between the years of 2001-2012. Results showed that matrilines high in social dominance exhibited a significantly high rate of both the long allele of the serotonin transporter genotype, and for males a high frequency of MAOa allele 6. As infants, subjects from matrilines low in social dominance rank exhibited high cortisol, hypervigilance, low activity ratings, and high emotionality. This study is the first of its kind to suggest that the acquisition of dominance by a matriline is modulated by genetic influences and that it is likely that the serotonin system plays a role in this process.

Jason Lefrandt, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences Dominant behaviors frequently occur in both human and non-human primates. In the non-human primate world, high and low dominance rankings are rated through interactions recorded within the group, specifically, aggressive and submissive behaviors. Dominance within Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) also tends to be governed by a matrilineal effect: meaning that if two monkeys are in the same family, than both monkeys will show similar rankings within the group. This current study looks into how genotypic variables correlate with overall behavioral expression in dominance. Utilizing archived dominance and genetic data from the National Institute of Health including serotonin, MAO-A, and rearing, we analyzed the correlations with social dominance rankings of rhesus macaques. In order to control for matrilineal effects within established groups, all subjects were placed in smaller, newly formed social groups. This was done in order to facilitate great analyses of genetic influences on dominant behavior. Our original hypothesis was that macaques with long homozygote serotonin for the long allele; were mother-reared; and have the MAO-A gene will have high social dominant rankings. On the contrary, our preliminary findings have shown that subjects who were reared by mothers who were not genetically their own tend to show more dominant related behaviors, and are subsequently rated much higher than those subjects who were mother-reared or peer-reared.

Wendy Hendley, Utah Valley University Social and Behavioral Sciences The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) passed in 1996 changed welfare dramatically. Meant to stop welfare fraud and dependency, it put into place numerous restrictions and promoted work, which meant that people on welfare, usually single mothers, were forced to participate in job-search activities in order to qualify for benefits. As a result, welfare recipients’ opportunities to attend college have decreased. Research has shown a negative correlation between educational attainment and poverty, the higher a person’s education the less chance they have of living in poverty. The human capital theory proposes that investing in education increases labor market returns. Unfortunately, with PRWORA’s focus on work, welfare recipients are forced to find low-wage jobs, which is not enough to lift them out of poverty. Although numerous studies have focused on welfare recipients’ reduced chances of receiving an education, few have looked at the wishes of welfare recipients themselves. This quantitative descriptive study uses secondary data analysis from a study done by the University of Utah’s Social Research Institute in 2006, and answers the following three questions: (1) what is the current level of completed education of welfare recipients; (2) do welfare recipients have a desire to further their schooling; (3) what barriers do they feel are preventing them from achieving their goals? This study found that a high percentage of welfare recipients had a desire to further their schooling, with the number one obstacle being financial. There is a significant gap between the wishes of welfare recipients concerning higher education and what is actually happening in their lives.

Jolysa Sedgwick, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences Traditionally the Hmong in Thailand have made their living through subsistence farming and poppy cultivation. This arrangement had placed familial ties and religious influences at the center of Hmong cultural identity. Today, however, increased globalization has also meant a shift in cultural identity and priorities for the rising Hmong generation. This change is clearly seen in Nan Province where the decision to migrate or relocate to urban centers (such as Chiang Mai) for work is frequent. In the past, cultural identity and life decisions were heavily tied to kinship and religious influences. However, with the onset of globalization, the Thai State and current popular culture are becoming increasingly important to Hmong cultural identity and are becoming increasingly higher priorities in the lives of the Hmong who leave their childhood villages to pursue economic advancement and other activities in urban centers. In order to investigate this cultural shift, I conducted an ethnographic field study among Hmong living in three rural villages in Nan Province and among Hmong individuals in Chiang Mai. Using ethnographic field methods, I collected and analyzed the stories of those who decided or are in the process of deciding to relocate to Chiang Mai. In this paper, I present findings that support a shift in cultural priorities for those participating in urban migration and how that shift is influenced by increased global technology and connectivity. I explain that this shift is integral to understanding what the future will hold for the minority Hmong population in Thailand.

Danielle Jennings, Utah Valley University Social and Behavioral Sciences The popularity of surgical cosmetic procedures continues to climb in the U.S. (ASPS, 2012) and in other industrialized economies (ISAPS, 2011). This includes women in conservative cultures like Morocco and Afghanistan (Women of Afghanistan, 2012). This research was undertaken to examine attitudes towards plastic surgery among women who are members of the LDS Church. Utah boasts one of the highest concentrations of plastic surgeons in the U.S. (Lim, 2011) and is also majority LDS (Phillips and Cragun, 2011), rendering it ideal for this study. Data regarding attitudes towards surgery and levels of religious participation were collected from LDS women [n = 100] and men [n = 25] in Utah through a pilot survey administered in spring, 2013. The sample included women 19 — 81 years of age, 64% of whom were married, and 63% had grown up in Utah. Results indicated levels of religious participation were in keeping with other research involving Mormons (Hill et al., 2008) and 67% of women knew a female member of the Church who had had cosmetic surgery. Attitudes towards surgery varied by age and marital status. A second survey was created and administered via Qualtrics to LDS women [n =473] and men [n = 116] across the U.S. Results suggest variation in attitudes by geographic location, along with variation by gender, age, marital status, and familiarity with surgery. These results suggest aspects of Mormon life in Utah contribute to the popularity of surgery among Church members. These may include the pressures of dating and earlier ages at marriage (Maffly, 2010), coupled with demographic changes (Cragun and Phillips, 2011), as well as earlier ages at first birth of children (Davidson, 2008).

Kent Hinkson, Utah Valley University Social and Behavioral Sciences Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression both have individually strong relationships with academic performance and achievement. However, when considered together, the combination is associated with worse measures than either condition alone. Recently it has been suggested that student veterans may have elevated rates of PTSD and depression, which makes these conditions points of particular interest when looking factors that affect achievement and performance in school.

Lindsey Fields, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences For my senior thesis in anthropology, I conducted fieldwork in a small Hmong village in northern Thailand studying the process of religion conversion. Traditionally, Hmong people practice a mixture of spirit rituals and ancestral worship known as Dab Qhuas and classified as shamanism. Within the past fifty or so years, other religious groups have emerged in the village both Christian sects and Hmong messianic groups. Though many in the discipline of anthropology argue that conversion is a break from traditions of the past, I observe that Hmong of this village in Thailand undergo a much more syncretic type of conversion. Though they identify as either Christian or of a Messianic sect, much of their practices and ideology retain elements of their shamanist past. Though they stress their differences in doctrine and practice, much of the ontology permeating shamanism and Hmong culture is still very much present. In order to better examine this phenomenon, I will focus the beliefs and practices in both Is Nbis and Christianity that take on slightly different forms in each religious practice, yet, still maintain some of the same ideologies. Rituals merely shift in order to fulfill the same metaphysical needs. By studying new practices that retain much of the feel of old culture rituals, I hope to illustrate that these Hmong are not as far removed from their traditional roots as they imagine themselves to be.

Mitchell Reid, Utah State University Social and Behavioral Sciences Chronic childhood aggression can be the beginning of a developmental trajectory that begins with minor aggression, moves on to physical fighting, and then to violence (Loeber & Farrington, 2000). Behaviors during toddlerhood may be more malleable than later in childhood (Reid, 1994). To better understand what predicts children’s early aggressive behavior we examined the role of parenting behaviors, parent mental health, and child characteristics in a sample of toddlers. Sixty-five mothers and their toddlers between the ages of 17 and 24 months (60% female) participated in the study. Mother-child dyads were videotaped during teaching and clean-up tasks. Mothers also responded to several questionnaires to assess toddlers’ social-emotional behaviors, language development, attachment security, and temperament and their own parenting stress and depression. The teaching and clean-up tasks were coded for maternal language supporting behaviors such as asking questions and providing praise, directives, expansions, and labeling. We examined the correlations between the independent maternal (depression, parenting stress, and language supporting behaviors) and child (age, gender, language development, temperament, and attachment security) variables and the dependent variable of aggression/defiance. Correlations between attachment security (r = -.28, p =.03) and maternal directives during the teaching task (r = .33, p =.01) and during the clean-up task (r = .39, p =.00) showed statistical significance. We included these variables in a regression model and found that attachment security and maternal directives during the teaching and clean-up tasks accounted for 29% of the variance in maternal reports of toddlers’ aggression and defiance. These results suggest that toddlers with greater attachment security and with mothers who use fewer directives in everyday tasks are rated as less aggressive and defiant than those with less attachment security and with mothers who use more directives. The full regression model and early intervention implications will be presented.

Patrick O’Connell, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences Studies show that the CRH gene has several variants that are associated with psychopathological disorders and dysregulation of the HPA system, including a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located on the promotor region (201 C/T). In rhesus macaques there is a orthologous SNP in the promoter region of the corticotrophin releasing hormone gene, CRH-248 C/T, that up-regulates the production of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH), inhibits the down-regulation of CRH expression in the presence of glucocorticoids, and is related to stress-induced alcohol consumption (Barr 2009). HPA Axis differences due to genotype will manifest initially in CRH concentrations, affecting the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal stress response (HPA axis). This effect translates peripherally in the form of plasma ACTH concentrations and subsequently in concentrations of plasma cortisol. 180 rhesus monkey subjects reared either with their mothers or in adult-absent, peer-only groups were genotyped and underwent a series of social separations from their attachment source. Blood samples were obtained one and two hours following separation to assay for ACTH and cortisol. Our analyses showed a significant effect of the orthologous CRH-248 genotype on plasma ACTH concentrations following repeated experimentally induced stress. Further analyses showed that this genotypic difference was only found however in the peer-reared subjects. Interestingly, analyses showed no effect of genotype on plasma cortisol levels. This finding suggests while negative feedback at the level of CRH is disrupted leading to pituitary hypersecretion of ACTH, intact negative feedback at the level of the adrenal cortex may moderate this dysfunction. Additionally, genotypic effects were only different after prolonged, chronic stress, as measured separations three and four. We suggest a GxE effect with CRH genotype effects only present after deleterious rearing experiences and chronic or repeated stressful situations.

Lucas Brook, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences Present day Peru finds itself in the midst of an interesting transition. Government decentralization is creating increased levels of political participation among the historically skeptical citizenry (Crabtree 2011). While some Peruvians participate through established institutional channels such as voting, campaigning or contacting political leaders, many others choose to engage in community improvement activities, private organization undertakings, or public protests as their avenue of political participation (Booth and Seligson 2009). What causes some Peruvians to participate in these extra-governmental activities while others use established government institutions? Although the causes of political participation are vast, this study focuses on political knowledge (both actual and perceived) as the independent variable. I hypothesize that Peruvians with less political knowledge (actual or perceived) understand (or at least perceive that they understand) less about Peru’s democratic institutions. Therefore, they will forgo participation through these established government institutions and employ extra-governmental means when participating politically. This hypothesis will be tested through the performing of regression analysis using data from Vanderbilt University’s AmericasBarometer survey project conducted in Peru in 2012. The results of this research will illustrate the effects that citizen’s political knowledge have on their participation in extra-governmental activism.

Briana Bowen, Utah State University Social and Behavioral Sciences The U.S. Secret Service (USSS), one of the most elite security agencies in the world, is charged with protecting the President of the United States at any cost. Three American presidents fell to assassins’ bullets before the USSS was assigned the role of presidential protection; one more would later be slain despite USSS protection. This study examines the organizational culture of the USSS, employing the methodology of cultural topography to identify the agency’s norms, values, identity, and perceptual lens. We review three of the most impactful twentieth-century assassination attempts––two failed, one successful––and their formative effect on USSS organizational culture. Beginning with the lesser-known plot to assassinate Harry Truman, we examine the permanent authorization of the Presidential Protective Division. We apply our main focus to the assassination of John Kennedy, the USSS’s darkest hour and still its most powerful motivator. Lastly, we review the attack on Ronald Reagan and the development of the modern USSS security apparatus. Our final profile of USSS organizational culture gives insight into the agency’s strengths and weaknesses and informs our concluding recommendations for institutional change.

Paige McAllister, Brigham Young University Psychology Negative body image among younger women has grave ramifications including eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. In order to more accurately detect negative body image among women, we created the Body Image and Social Comparison Survey (BISCS). The BISCS is a 10 item self-report measure using a 4-point Likert scale. Our two domains were attitudes about personal body image and social comparisons. We took a convenience sample of 115 women between the ages of 18 and 30 and administered our survey to establish psychometrics for the BISCS. It was discovered that the BISCS has high internal consistency, and 43 out of 45 of the Pearson correlations between items were significant. Factor analysis revealed two primary factors. All questions loaded onto the factors we expected them to except there was one question that loaded onto both factors. Content validity ratios ranged from .48 to .81. Future applications and improvements for the BISCS are discussed.

Sasha Trae, Dixie State University Communication This research critiques prevailing economic, political, and social discourses that create or uphold disadvantage, inequity, and oppression against women. Using multiple Critical Discourse Analysis tools, such as, lexical suppression and absence and representational strategies, this researcher will examine activist, political, and socio-cultural discourse, including Take Back The Night, to expose underlying ideology. This paper analyzes ideological functions of these and other constructions identified in the discourse. This researcher will illustrate how the analyzed discourse shapes our reality that the ownership of women’s equality and safety are in the hands of men. Additionally, this researcher will unveil the ideological suppression and absence of the perpetrator; consequently, twenty-first century public discourse places the responsibility in the hands of women to prevent and address violence against women, the victims. Further, this researcher will demonstrate how the revealed ideologies indicate that violence against women is random or unstoppable; thus, setting up women to continue being integrated into a system that is hostile to them. Moreover, the breadth of this ideology indicates that every society within the nations of our world declare that women are a subset of humanity, and that it is men who get to resist relinquishing this equality while women expend their efforts to obtain it. This paper concludes that violence against women is part of an economic and political system that has been codified and written into the laws of nations; therefore, creating and perpetuating the very structures responsible for the violent climate that we fear and live in.

Marlee Olsen, Snow College Psychology This study focuses on how college students interpret and understand new knowledge. Participants will be answering a number of questions via survey about their personal beliefs such as religion, reliable sources of knowledge, and other possible mitigating factors. After reviewing existing research, we found studies being done over long-term acceptance of beliefs, and also studies of the affects on understanding and acceptance of new beliefs after exposure to relative information. However as we reviewed the literature we found lacking information specifically regarding whether college students, when exposed to new concepts, accept the information before understanding it, or postpone acceptance until further understanding. The survey will be given out to students in different geographic regions across the nation to obtain various religious backgrounds, race, gender, and geographic background. We project to find a correlation between religiosity and the rate of acceptance of new beliefs before understanding. Other mitigating factors such as ratings for source of knowledge and geographic background are expected to also have affects. Results will be discussed.

Laura Steffen, Brigham Young University Psychology There is a wide spectrum of opinion on female gender roles, or what behaviors are appropriate for women. Attitudes towards gender roles can hypothetically be influenced by a variety of factors, including religion. Sexist views have been found to be held by members of many faiths, including Catholics, Muslims, and Evangelical Christians (Glick, Lameiras, & Castro, 2002; Maltby, Hall, Anderson & Edwards, 2010; Tasdemir & Sakalli-Ugarlu, 2010). To our knowledge, this phenomenon had not yet been studied among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Our measure, the LDS Attitudes Towards Female Gender Roles Scale, (LDS-AFGR) was created in the hopes of accurately assessing opinions of female gender roles among the LDS population, in regards to both religious social contexts. All questions on the LDS-AFGR yielded superior to moderate content validity, and two components were yielded by factor analysis. This suggests that our scale has initial promise, and could be further revised to obtain more accurate data about opinions on female gender roles among LDS church members.

Tida Blackburn, University of Utah Psychology Previous work has shown that our perception of height is influenced by ones eye height. We further investigate this phenomenon by extending this research to virtual reality. Virtual reality can give the appearance of eyeheight change, which cannot be done otherwise. We changed participants’ eye height by adjusting the height at which participants viewed their environment. Effective eye heights were both 0.08 cm lower and higher than the participants’ normal eye height. The virtual reality environment was a classroom with two vertical poles and a horizontal pole that create a horizontal barrier for participants to walk under. In the first experiment, participants were instructed to walk under the barrier as naturally as possible and to duck when needed. The height of the barrier was altered across trials. In the second experiment, we manipulated eye height further using physical objects, namely shoe inserts. The second experiment followed the design of the first experiment. Data was collected using cameras and a tracking program to record the participants’ ducking behavior. The previous study found that manipulating a person’s height influences their judgment of how high the horizontal barrier appears and whether they could pass under it without ducking. We hypothesized that people will change their ducking behavior depending on their eye height, because they are rescaling their body to their new viewpoint.

Adrianne Miller, Brigham Young University Psychology Recent studies in rhesus macaques suggest that social competence and sociality, as measured by ease of forming new relationships, is modulated by genetic and behavioral factors. In research centers that study primates, pairing unfamiliar subjects is the most costly and difficult problem that researchers face. We investigated several factors believed to influence social competence: rearing condition, serotonin transporter genotype (5HTT), temperament, and stress responsiveness, as measured by infant plasma cortisol levels. We assessed 354 pairings from subjects housed at the California National Primate Research Center (n=177 male and n=177 female adult pairings). Temperament and plasma cortisol was assessed at three to four months of age. Analyses showed that males were more difficult to pair than females. High cortisol, nursery rearing, and temperament ratings for high emotionality during infancy was predictive of adult pairing failures. Intriguingly, our data showed that the high risk 5HTT genotype was also predictive pairing failures, and that 5HTT genotype interacted with sex, with pairs of males where one or more of the subjects in a pair possessed the high risk 5HTT allele were more likely to be unsuccessful in their pairings. To the extent that our results generalize to humans, our data suggest that early temperament, perhaps modulated by the serotonin transporter genotype, as well as sex and early experiences lead to social competence and success in social relationships.

Jordin Kirkham, Snow College Psychology The purpose of this study is to observe, and analyze how average college students perceive professors in the media and if these perceptions have an effect on our own personal behaviors in the setting of a classroom, the influence of grades, and other factors. Based upon the review of literature, we have discovered that many of the studies regarding professors in the media have barley skimmed the surface, not providing much detail. We plan on going into more depth in our personal observation-analysis studies, seeing how we mainly perceive professors in movies, television, books, newspapers, etc. Results will be discussed.

Jyssica Seebeck, Brigham Young University Psychology Until recently, there were very few meta-analytic comparisons between individual and group formats to determine if reliable outcomes were produced. However, Burlingame, Strauss, and Joyce (2013) recently identified a dozen diagnosis specific meta-analyses (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.) and twenty-three new studies published over the last decade that test for differential format efficacy/effectiveness. This meta-analysis builds upon these by selecting the most rigorous studies drawn from these meta-analyses. More specifically we selected studies that tested equivalent treatments enabling us to make strong causal conclusions about differential efficacy/effectiveness. We began with published meta-analyses that tested for format differences, went to each and determined whether individual studies summarized in these meta-analyses compared treatments that were equivalent. If they did, the study was included herein. We also conducted a literature search to identify studies that tested individual and group treatments not included in the aforementioned meta-analyses. Computed effect sizes tested differential outcomes (group versus individual) and also estimated the effectiveness of format compared to waitlist controls. Moderator variables of outcomes, such as group type and theoretical orientation were also tested. Results are reviewed with reference to treatment recommendations, feasibility of implementation, and evidence based recommendations.

Nickolal Mullen, Brigham Young University Psychology Previous studies have shown that the monoamines are related to risk for alcoholism, and that both are affected by early rearing experiences. This study builds on previous research in examining the effect of alcohol on monoamine neurotransmitter systems, by exposing macaques to a set dose of alcohol and measuring CNS monoamine metabolites. We explored

Ryan Woodbury, Brigham Young University Psychology Ample evidence suggests that religiousness can serve as a protective factor against risk behaviors (Regnerus, 2007), and can be an important context for positive youth development (Lerner, Roeser, Phelps, & Benson, 2008). Many correlates of religiousness have been identified, but our understanding of underlying mechanism is still nascent (Regnerus, 2007). Building on the notion of religion as a source of social control, one potential mediator may be religious norms (Cochran, Chamlin, Beeghley, & Fenwick, 2004), or perceptions of the behaviors proscribed and prescribed by religions. Unfortunately, research on religious norms is scarce. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to identify adolescent and parent perceptions of religious norms, examine individual differences in these perceived religious norms, and assess links between perceived norms and adolescent behaviors. Adolescents (N = 419; age range 15-18) and one of their parents (N = 313) completed online surveys. Qualitative questions asked participants to name three behaviors their religion most encouraged adolescents to do and three behaviors their religion most discouraged adolescents to not do. Quantitative measures consisted of ratings of 18 perceived religious norms and frequency of 18 adolescent behaviors. We investigated the following research questions (RQ):RQ 1: What religious norms do adolescents and their parents perceive? Three coders, using grounded theory, placed qualitative responses into themes. Seven themes emerged from adolescents’ and eight themes emerged for parents (see Table 1).RQs 2 and 3: To what extent and in what ways do these religious norms differ by adolescent and parent gender? And, how do these religious norms differ by adolescent and parent religious affiliation? Two MANOVAs (one comparing gender, the other comparing religious affiliation) were run to indicate respective differences. Both qualitative and quantitative religious norms differed between certain religions (not between adolescent gender; see Table 1).RQ 4: To what extent and in what ways do adolescent and parent perceived religious norms correlate? Bivariate correlations between adolescent and parent perceptions of religious norms for negative behaviors ranged from .07 – .51 (M = .26, SD = .09), and for positive behaviors they ranged from -.01 – .53 (M = .31, SD = .10).

Trenton Simmons, Brigham Young University Psychology Endogenous opioids are believed to modulate social sensitivity and aggression. The mu-opioid receptor gene in rhesus macaques has two common variants thought to be orthologous to human variants: C77G (CG) and C77C (CC). Based on previous studies, we predicted that rhesus macaques with the CG variant would exhibit higher rates of antisocial and aggressive behavior during social challenge. To test this hypothesis, we subjected mother-reared (MR) and nursery-reared (NR) subjects to an intruder challenge. 130 subjects were genotyped for the mu-opioid receptor gene variant. Behaviors were recorded after an unfamiliar intruder of the same sex and age was placed adjacent to the subjects’ home cage. CG, MR males received more non-contact aggression from group members than any other condition (p range<0.012), instigated more contact aggression than any other condition (p range<0.018), and received more contact aggression from the intruder than all other conditions except CC, NR males. In contrast to high rates of aggression, male, CG, MR subjects exhibited the lowest time in social affiliation when compared to all other genotype, sex or rearing conditions (p<0.026) except for CG, NR females. Our findings suggest that the mu-opioid receptor gene modulates aggression and antisocial behavior but only in the context of rearing and sex. These findings suggest one potential pathway for antisocial aggressive behavior development in men.

Amanda Stouffer, Snow College Psychology There have been many studies on the topic of magazine covers, whether it is the contents of the magazine or specifically what is depicted on the cover of the magazine. Such studies typically look at the ethnicity, gender, and age of the people shown on magazines’ covers. They also study what trends exist with these different factors. For example the number of women shown on covers is going up. These studies have been done on many magazines including Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, Playboy, and Cosmopolitan. These extensive studies have also found an increasing amount of sexual objectification, especially of women. The magazine Psychology Today has not been studied in-depth, but as psychology is a supposedly progressive field that uncovers and empirically studies inequalities one might guess Psychology Today breaks that stigma. However it does not. Through the study of the cover photos of Psychology Today the present study will look at: perceived age, sex, ethnicity, amount of clothing, passive vs. active scene, body parts shown, arousing vs. disturbing picture, whether the overall message is positive

Jenna Jackson, Brigham Young University Psychology We examined the effect of social separation stress and serotonin transporter genotype (5HTT) on behavior during mother-infant (MI) reunions using infant rhesus macaques. Based on previous studies, we predicted that infants and mothers who posses the less efficient short (s) allele would display more anxious and aggressive behaviors in both their relationship and also within the larger social group. MI behaviors were recorded during a reunion period after being separated for five days from their mothers. Subjects were 140 rhesus macaques that were tested in one of two separation conditions: mother removed from the social group with the infant left behind, or the mother and infant were each housed alone in single cages. Time spent in behaviors that characterize MI and peer relationships were recorded as dependent variables, while genotype was used as the independent variable. Results showed that MI interactions were especially affected if both the mother and the infant possessed the Ls genotype. Moreover, infants with the Ls genotype also displayed less social contact with other group members, and higher rates of aggression with their peers. Our findings suggest that when both the mother and the infant possess the 5HTT short allele, the MI relationship is strained, showing higher levels of stress and that peer bonds are also affected negatively by the Ls genotype. To the extent that our findings generalize to the human condition, they suggest that the 5HTT genotype influences environmental conditions to influence the mother-infant bond and other social interactions.

Casey Kidman, Snow College Psychology Many people these days are using emoticons in electronic communication. Our topic of research is how people interpret and define these emoticons. This research will include both high school and college students as well as other individuals. We will have students fill out a survey in which they view an emoticon and then write a one-word or brief description of it. We also will evaluate the false consensus effect by asking them on the survey what percentage of people they believe would agree with the way they define the emoticon. Research thus far has not looked into how emoticons are defined, while there is research on how often they are used and what gender uses them more frequently. There are holes in the current research and we are laying the ground work in answering the question of if and how emoticons are universally defined. We expect the very basic emoticons such as “:)” and “:(“ to be generally defined the same; however, as emoticons get more complex we believe the definitions will vary significantly.

Brian Redford, Brigham Young University Psychology Small group treatment is a well-recognized as an effective intervention for persons diagnosed with schizophrenia. The most frequently used and efficacious types of small group treatment include psychoeducational, multifamily and skills groups. These groups are second only to psychopharmacology and frequency of use (Burlingame, Strauss & Joyce, 2013). Using the following search terms (group psychotherapy OR group counseling OR group treatment AND schizophrenia from 1990-2000) 62 studies were identified that used the aforementioned small group treatments. Of these, 29 were excluded based on strict inclusion criteria (i.e., sample size, study design, statistical methodology). 26 studies produced active group comparisons with controls, 3 studies produced single group pre-post comparisons and 5 studies produced waiting list control comparisons studying 2,248 patients. We conducted a meta-analysis using several descriptive (e.g. setting, ethnicity) and moderator (e.g. age of onset, group type) variables examining outcomes on key dimensions (e.g. relapse, hospitalization, medication adherence). Effect sizes estimated treatment effects (pre to post) and if these effects were maintained (post to follow up). Findings are examined in reference to treatment recommendations, feasibility of implementation and evidence based recommendations with respect to illness, protective, mechanisms of action and risk factors.

Jennifer Campbell, Utah State University Psychology Eating disorders are pervasive mental illnesses that overwhelm the lives of individuals who struggle with them. For individuals with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa who do not respond to other treatments, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has the potential to be effective. This presentation looks to orient researchers to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy while supplying a potentially useful treatment option for those who struggle with clinical anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. The current literature comes together to support the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the treatment of eating disorders, specifically anorexia. This presentation focuses on the symptomatology and physical effects of anorexia and bulimia, as well as core principles and processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Future directions regarding the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be broadened to include adolescents as well as other types of eating disorders, such as binge eating disorder and eating disorders not otherwise specified.

Lauren Miller, Utah State University Psychology Affective disorders such as depression, phobias, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder impairs the ability to time in the seconds-to-minutes range, i.e., interval timing. We investigated the effect of chronic administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (FLX) when anxiety-inducing task-irrelevant distracters are presented during an interval timing task. Given that some anti-depressants have beneficial effects on attention and working memory, e.g., decreasing emotional response to negative events, we hypothesized that FLX would decrease activation of amygdala and increase activation of prefrontal cortex. Our results revealed differential activation of amygdala and prefrontal cortex in FLX and vehicle treated rats corresponding to the expected changes in behavior. Results are discussed in relation to the brain circuits involved in interval timing and emotional processing, and the pharmacological management of affective disorders.

Jordan Roberts, University of Utah Political Science I explore the tragic collision between individual self-determination and collective self-determination. While the conflict between these two ideals exists in many forms throughout political life, I focus on an international manifestation of this collision: the conflict between national sovereignty (predicated on collective self-determination) and international human rights (predicated on individual self-determination). There are perhaps no two international values more acclaimed, and no two values that clash as intensely; to allow for sovereignty means to allow for human rights abuses and to intervene in the name of human rights means to deny sovereignty. Eschewing traditional political lenses, I employ a tragic framework that 1) allows fuller engagement with the conflict and 2) avoids the pitfalls of the traditional lenses, including one-sidedness (which fuels the continuation of the conflict) and detachment (which allows for inaction). I draw on Sophocles’ Antigone, interpreting the title character as an embodiment of individual self-determination and Creon as an embodiment of collective self-determination. Furthermore, I argue that prominent attempts at finding a compromise between the two forces caught in this tragic collision, exemplified by the emerging international norm of Responsibility to Protect (R2P), are blind to the collision’s inherently tragic nature, and thus subvert one or both of the values at stake. I also address how this tragic blindness of notable theorists working on questions concerning human rights and sovereignty reproduces the blindness of another Sophoclean character: Oedipus. While tragic conflicts do not lend themselves to neat and tidy outcomes, a tragic framework embraces the conflict, instead of sidestepping it, and works towards an ambiguous, unhappy solution.

Kevin Korous, University of Utah Psychology The goal of this study was to explore if participation in different types of activities was related to the development of an internal locus of control in middle childhood. It was hypothesized that children who participated in more activities would have more of an internal locus of control than children who participated in fewer activities. Participants consisted of 45 adolescent boys and 99 adolescent girls (M = 10, SD = 1.34). Parents were asked to tell us about the activities their child participated in. The listed activities were grouped into four categories based on prior research: 1) sports based activities; 2) school based activities; 3) arts based activities; and community based activities (Barber, Abbott, Blomfield, & Eccles, 2009). To measure locus of control, participants were asked to tell us why a situation involving conflict with a peer occurred and what he/she would do. Then the narratives were coded for locus of control using a five-point scale. There was a significant difference in locus of control by story, Wilk’s A = .348, F(2, 143) = 37.64, p < .01, partial eta2 =.348. Participants were significantly more likely to report that the act of overt aggression was an event s/he had control over and could resolve independently whereas participants reported that the act of relational aggression was more externally driven resulting in less control over the situation, t(141) = -4.59, p < .01, mean difference = .123. Additionally, the participants reported a lower sense of control over the breaking of a social norm by a peer than they did in response to the acts of overt and relational aggression, t(141) = -4.093, p < .01, mean difference = .108 and t(141) = -8.672, p < .01, mean difference = .115, respectively. There was only one significant correlation among the different types of activities and the participants’ scores on locus of control. Children who participated in more arts based activities demonstrated more of an internal locus of control in response to a peer violating a social norm than children who participated in fewer arts based activities, r(142) = -.234, p < .01.

Yoon Lee, Utah State University Family, Consumer, and Human Development Drug abuse in America is a major problem that has been well documented throughout history. Marijuana use has increased among most age levels and is the most abused illicit drug in America. Cocaine use has also increased over the past decade. Possibly the most alarming trend is the fact that hospital visits due to drug abuse of any kind are dramatically increasing each year. Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2010), this study explored to what extent adolescents and young adults were involved with Marijuana or Cocaine abuse and to investigate factors associated with their use of such illicit drugs. For the data analyses, the total sample included 37,926 individuals between the ages of 12 and 25; the sub-sample of this study consisted of Adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 (n=18,622) and young adults between the ages of 18-25 (n=19,304). The descriptive statistics suggested that among the study sample, 35.3 percent reported they ever used marijuana, while 7.5 percent reported they ever used cocaine. The results of logistic regression analyses show that all else being equal, age, health, gender, race, county size, and illicit drug addiction are statistically significant in predicting the likelihood of reporting marijuana experience among young adults between ages of 12-25. Similarly, the results of logistic regression analyses show that all else being equal, age, health, gender, education, race, county size, and illicit drug addiction are statistically significant in predicting the likelihood of reporting marijuana experience among young adults between ages of 12-25.

Kevin Lawanto, Utah State University Psychology Mice are excellent models for studying aggressive behaviors and the neural circuits underlying aggression. They identify their conspecifics through olfactory communication within the animal group (emission scent marking and detection of volatile and nonvolatile chemicals, such as pheromones). Anomalies in the perception and processing of olfactory cues may induce abnormal social behavior, anxiety or aggression. We performed a behavioral assessment of male NrCAM knockout mice and wild-type littermates. We found that NrCAM-deficient male mice exhibit increased aggression towards unknown conspecifics. Using cFos immunostaining, we revealed differences in neuronal activation between NrCAM knockout mice and wildtype littermates in a circuit relevant to processing of olfactory cues and male-specific behaviors (olfactory bulb, amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and hypothalamus). These differences may be the result of misrepresentation of olfactory cues due to abnormal neuronal connectivity in the olfactory system. Our studies may be relevant to pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for abnormal social behaviors, aggression and anxiety.

Elizabeth Payne, Utah State University Anthropology This paper is an exploratory ethnographic research project designed to collect stories of health care experiences of childbirth in Cache Valley, Utah. By interviewing women who have given birth in Cache Valley, key themes have been identified as being significant to the childbirth community, these are; the Biomedicalization of childbirth; Tensions between the biomedical and holistic out-of-hospital approaches to births; Out-of-control pitocin use; and the Beliefs and Attitudes associated with giving birth. I compare the results with my own experiences as well as in the literature. The discussions raises issues of concern and an applied suggested course of action is offered to policy makers.

Eric Hastings, Utah State University Psychology Does building a new school facility change the quality of the school learning environment? If so, how enduring are these effects? Research shows some correlation between the physical environment of a school and student outcomes to. However, research fails to demonstrate that drastic changes to the environment through reconstruction influence those same outcomes. To investigate this relationship a group of newly built/reconstructed schools was identified and looked at longitudinally to measure the quality of the school’s learning environment two years before construction and four years after construction. To measure the school’s learning environment this research used the Indicators of School Quality survey (ISQ); a comprehensive survey system for school administrators to evaluate and monitor school improvement and accreditation efforts which provides information on the status of the schools learning environment, year to year progress and details about the conditions for learning produced in the classrooms. ISQ does this by measuring parent, teacher, and student perceptions of things such as parent support, teacher excellence, student commitment, school leadership, instructional quality, resource management, and school safety. In addition to the impact of school construction on a school’s learning environment, this analysis was extended to student attendance, safety, and student academic achievement. Data collected to this point supports the argument that school construction only has short term effects on a school’s learning environment, but no long lasting effect. Instead of investing in new facilities, schools and districts would be wise to first consider giving more attention to maintaining student and teacher relationships.

Alysha Waters, Utah State University Psychology Emotional distracters impair cognitive function. Emotional processing is dysregulated in affective disorders such as depression, phobias, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Among the processes impaired by emotional distracters, and whose dysregulation is documented in affective disorders, is the ability to time in the seconds-to-minutes range, i.e., interval timing. Presentation of task-irrelevant distracters during a timing task results in a delay in responding suggesting a failure to maintain subjective time in working memory, possibly due to attentional and working memory resources being diverted away from timing, as proposed by the Relative Time-Sharing (RTS) model. We investigated the role of the prelimbic cortex (PrL) in the detrimental effect of anxiety-inducing task-irrelevant distracters on the cognitive ability to keep track of time, using local infusions of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (FLX). Given that some anti-depressants have beneficial effects on attention and working memory, e.g., decreasing emotional response to negative events, we hypothesized that FLX would improve maintenance of information in working memory in trials with distracters, resulting in a decrease of the disruptive effect of emotional events on the timekeeping abilities. Our results revealed a dissociation of the effects of FLX infusion in PrL between interval timing and resource allocation, and between neutral and anxiety-inducing distraction. FLX was effective only during trials with distracters, but not during trials without distracters. FLX reduced the detrimental effect of the distracters only when the distracters were anxiety-inducing, but not when they were neutral. Results are discussed in relation to the brain circuits involved in RTS of resources, and the pharmacological management of affective disorders.

Karen Yu, University of Utah Psychology Objective

Bret Wayman, University of Utah Sociology The purpose of this study is to examine the motivations that drive non-traditional students to return to complete a degree and the challenges that returning students face while attempting to earn that degree that might be different than those of a traditional student. The study assumes that there are differences between non-traditional and traditional students in regards to motivation and challenges faced along the path to earning a degree. By examining these differences, the study aims to see if there are ways to better serve a non-traditional student’s needs in order to increase graduation rates among the non-traditional student group. The primary data for this study consists of essays written by the attendants of a seminar, “Life after the NFL (and other life-changing experiences): A discussion of the challenges and rewards of returning to college,” presented by Dr. Julie Stewart which was sponsored by the University of Utah Department of Sociology and the Sociology Student Advisory Committee and interviews with selected non-traditional students, faculty, and staff. The essays were originally intended for curriculum rather than research purposes and consist of the thoughts of students who attended the seminars about the challenges faced by returning students and the motivations that drive non-traditional students to return to the complete a degree. The seminar attendees consisted of both traditional and non-traditional students. Interviews will be conducted with students who qualify as non-traditional students due to several demographic qualities, and with faculty/staff that are familiar with the challenges that non-traditional students face in returning to school. The students selected will be picked using the strategic method snowball sampling to ensure that those sampled are in the desired demographic. As more non-traditional students enter academia areas of concern need to be identified to help those students to better function and achieve similar results to more traditional students. The proposed study intends to find those areas of concern.