The number of students that attended the Midwest Psychological Association Conference in Chicago in May was upstaged only by the diversity of what they presented: the effects of a high antioxidant diet in aging rats; the effects of sexualized clothing on women’s appearance anxiety; expectations of emerging adults of having traditional or non-traditional families; and students’ expectations for life after college.
The psychology department took 13 students to the conference, up significantly from the usual six or so from Kenyon that go most years. And two more students would have gone had they not needed to be elsewhere to compete in Kenyon sports.
“It was a big year for us,” said Dana Krieg, associate professor of psychology who also attended the conference.
The biggest benefit for students attending this particular conference, Krieg said, is the opportunity to present material without being overwhelmed as at larger meetings.
In addition, they were able to hear high-caliber speakers including Elizabeth Loftus, an expert on human memory, and Albert Bandura, the guru of observational learning, imitation and modeling, both of whom Krieg refers to as “rock stars” of psychology who influenced her.
The following material was presented at the Midwest Psychological Association Conference:
“The Effects of Caffeine and a Caffeine Placebo on State Dependent Learning of Three cognitive Tasks in Human Participants” by Karen Huntsman ’13, Madeline Thompson ’15, Associate Professor of Psychology Paula Millin-Lipnos.
“The Effects of a High Antioxidant Diet on Three Behavioral Measures in Aging Rats” by Gina Rickert ’14 and Paula Millin-Lipnos.
“Telenovelas: Ethnic and Gendered Representations in Spanish Media in the U.S.” by Melek Yildiz Spinel ’13.
“Effects of Sexualized Clothing on College Women’s Appearance Anxiety, Assertiveness, and Performance” by Claire Greenfield ’13.
“Costumes and Dolls: Sexualization of Girls in Popular Culture” by Kaye Otten ’13, Claire Greenfield ’13, Melissa Straus ’13, Emily Hage ’13, Kirkley Doyle ’13.
“Women’s Entitlement to Sexual Pleasure: Empowerment and Individual Differences” by Olivia Siulagi ’14.
“Gender, Facebook Use, and Body Image” by Melissa Straus ’13 and Emily Hage ’13.
“Third and Fifth Graders’ Question-Asking Behavior: Evaluating an Intervention to Change Strategies Long-Term” by Leah Sack ’13 and Associate Professor of Psychology Dana Krieg.
“Expectations of Emerging Adults of Having Traditional or Non-Traditional Families” by Zoe Smith ’15 and Associate Professor of Psychology Dana Krieg.
“Students’ Expectations for Life After College” by LeighAnne White ’13 and Associate Professor of Psychology Dana Krieg.