Download a pdf copy of this program here.The Psi Chi Hospitality Suite's location will be listed on a sign at the RMPA Registration Desk and will be open on Friday, April 21, from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 22, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2006Psi Chi Symposium: "Mentorship: How to Find and Keep a Good Mentor and Make the Most of That Relationship"9:10 - 10:10 a.m., White Pine 1Chair: Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, Utah State University (Psi Chi Rocky Mountain Region Vice-President)
Presenters: Carla Reyes, University of Utah; Lora Tuesday-Heathfield, University of Utah; and Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, Utah State University
This session will focus on one of the more productive and potentially important relationships for undergraduate students: the mentor. A mentor can radically change the professional trajectory of a student and open up opportunities beyond those imaginable to undergraduates. Strategies for finding and keeping a good mentor will be discussed.
Psi Chi Forum: "The Psi Chi National Leadership Conference: A New Forum"10:20 - 11:20 a.m., White Pine 1Chair: Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, Utah State University
Participant: Robert Youth, Dowling College (NY; Psi Chi National President)
An overview of some of the history about how the Psi Chi National Leadership Conference developed from an idea into a coming reality. The session will include notes about the role that leadership plays in moving forth new ideas against factors that work to resist change. The first Psi Chi National Leadership Conference is scheduled for January 2007 in Atlanta.
Psi Chi Oral Paper Session11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., White Pine 1
Chair: Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, Utah State University
Examining Kindergarten Readiness of Children Who Attended Montessori Schools, Preschools, and Traditional Daycare. Corinne Kipton, Metropolitan State College of Denver (CO)
University Pride: Exposure to the School's Accomplishments Increases Liking. Veronica Chacon, Rebecca Burdette, Elizabeth Narkon, Alanna Dombrowski, Blanca Jaure, Candise Forgue, Anacani Gonzalez, and Jennifer G. Coleman, Western New Mexico University
The Role of Faculty Advisors in the Success of Psi Chi Chapters. Mary Ann Bailey and Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, Utah State University
Psi Chi Advisor Appreciation Luncheon12:30 - 1:30 p.m., The Cabin Restaurant (located in hotel)
Host: Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, Utah State University
Psi Chi Distinguished Lecture: "An Existential Psychological Perspective on the Psychology of Terrorism and Political Extremism"1:30 - 2:30 p.m., Kokopelli 3Speaker: Tom Pyszczynski, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Chair: Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, Utah State University
Terror Management Theory (TMT; Greenberg, Pyszczynski, & Solomon, 1986) provides a psychological analysis of the functions of culture and why cultural differences often lead to lethal conflict. The theory posits that cultural worldviews function to provide protection from core fears of death and vulnerability that are inherent in the human condition. Because faith in these belief systems depends on social consensus, the mere existence of those with divergent worldviews has the potential to threaten the protection from existential fears that these worldviews provide. To date, over 300 experiments conducted in 15 different countries have supported hypotheses derived from TMT. Recently my colleagues and I have been conducting experiments to explore the role that terror management processes play in both sides of the conflict in the Middle East. These studies have shown that subtle reminders of death increase support for suicide bombings among young Iranians and support for extreme military interventions (including pre-emptive war and the use of nuclear weapons) among young Americans. Experiments have also shown that subliminal reminders of the 9/11 terrorist attacks increase the accessibility of death-related thoughts outside of conscious awareness and that policies in Iraq among Americans, regardless of political orientation. On a more encouraging note, research sows that subtle activation of a sense of "common humanity" reverses anti-Arab prejudice among Americans. Parallel studies are currently in progress in Iran, along with studies exploring the possibility that activating peace-encouraging passages from both the Christian bible and Muslim Koran could produce similar conflict-reducing effects. TMT suggests that religious ideologies are especially important components of most people's anxiety-buffering systems. Whereas leaders on both sides of the current conflict have trended toward using religious ideologies to promote and justify hostility, our hope is that the same belief system can also be put to use to promote peaceful coexistence and cooperation.
Psi Chi Conversation Hour With Tom Pyszczynski 2:40 - 3:40 p.m., Psi Chi Hospitality Suite
Chair: Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, Utah State University
Psi Chi Symposium: "Going Beyond Classroom Instruction: Getting the MOST Out of Your Undergraduate Education"5:00 - 6:00 p.m., White Pine 1Chair: Pamela Ansburg, Metropolitan State College of Denver (CO)
Participants: Mark Basham and Bill Henry, Metropolitan State College of Denver
Enrolling in, attending, and "passing" classes can be a very small portion of completing an undergraduate education. The experiences outside of the classroom can have a much greater impact on students' ability to position themselves for success after graduation. This symposium will focus on making students aware of the greater definition of an education and how to make the most of their time in college.
Psi Chi Social Hour6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Psi Chi Hospitality Suite
Host: Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, Utah State University
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2006Psi Chi Poster Session9:10 - 10:10 a.m., Kokopelli 2
Chair: Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, Utah State University
Visual Long Term Memory and the Effects of Working Memory Capacity. Kristin S. Sitton and Karin M. Butler, University of New Mexico
Does Music Affect the Memory of College Students? Lauren Needleman and Daniel Michaels, Lynn University (FL)
Group Influence on Individual Perception Using the Autokinetic Effect. Eva K. Smith, Lynn University
How Hair Color Effects Perceived Attractiveness and Intelligence. Catherin E. Birkett, Lynn University
Pheromones and Physical Attraction. Daniel Newman, Lynn University
Views on Infidelity: Is It Ever Accepted? TinaMarie Compitiello, Lynn University
Views of Attraction: Based on Male Height and Salary. Jessica Polsky, Lynn University
Perception of Attraction Between American and International Students. Cortney Pascale, Lynn University
Parental Marital Status and Media Influence on Attachment Styles. Abigal Shaw, Lynn University
Hairstyle Favorability for African American Male College Students. Jackie Codiga, Lynn University
A Measurement of Self Esteem Through Images in the Media. Margaret Bartlett, Lynn University
Hair Color as Basis of Personality Judgment. Isabel Schwier, Lynn University
Women's Style of Dress on Attraction and Intelligence. Megan McCarthy, Lynn University
Beauty, Brains, and Breasts: How Does a Women’s Breast Size Affect a College Student's Perception of Attractiveness and Intelligence? Jeanette Martinez and Susan Thyng, Lynn University
Short-Term Memory and Its Association To Gender, Hemisphere and Hand Dominance. Sabrina A. Reifler, Lynn University
School Performance and Psychoactive Drugs: The Effects of Caffeine and Red Bull. Koren Lang, Lynn University
Psi Chi Symposium: "Presenting Your Professional Self: How to Present Yourself for Employment, Grad School, and Beyond"10:20 - 11:20 a.m., White Pine 1
Chair: Jennifer Coleman, Western New Mexico University
Presenters: Jennifer Coleman, Elizabeth Narkon, and Jennie Montoya, Western New Mexico University
Students work hard to successfully complete their undergraduate degrees. Then what? Students attempting to gain entry into a graduate program will likely stress different undergraduate educational experiences than those seeking employment. This symposium focuses on how to present yourself to arrive at the next destination after the undergraduate degree.
Psi Chi Roundtable: "Psychological Bliss: Finding Your Niche Within Psychology"11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., White Pine 1Chair: Pamela Ansburg, Metropolitan State College of Denver (CO)
Participants: Mark Basham, Metropolitan State College of Denver; Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, Utah State University; and John Davis, Texas State University-San Marcos (Psi Chi President-Elect)
This roundtable will bring together psychologists working in a variety of fields within the discipline (e.g., social, counseling) to discuss the many alternative professional paths within psychology. The goal of this roundtable is to stimulate exploration within psychology and encourage students to find their "niche."
Psi Chi Question & Answer Session: "How to Get the Most Out of Psi Chi"2:40 - 3:40 p.m., White Pine 1Chair: Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, Utah State University
Presenters: Chris Koch, George Fox University (OR; Psi Chi Past President); Robert Youth, Dowling College (NY); John Davis, Texas State University-San Marcos; Paula Miller, Psi Chi National Office (Psi Chi Executive Officer); and Virginia Andreoli Mathie, Psi Chi National Office (Psi Chi Executive Director)
The session will give participants the opportunity to find out how to get the most out of the membership in Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology. Information on resources (e.g., grants, special programs) as well as processes (e.g., faculty advisors, regional and national networks) will be shared and ample opportunity will be available to students for answering questions.
Psi Chi Awards Ceremony3:50 - 4:50 p.m., White Pine 1
Chair: Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, Utah State University
Awards for the Psi Chi Rocky Mountain Regional Research Award winners will be presented. These papers are dispersed throughout the RMPA program in topical sessions (as listed below), but awards will be given out during this session.
Adult Attachment and High-Risk Drinking: Drinking Motives as a Mediator. Jenna E. Elgin, Lisa McKinley, Kate Haralson, and Diana M. Doumas, Boise State University (ID)
Friday, April 21, 5:00 - 5:15 p.m., Painted Horse Room (Clinical Psychology 3 Oral Paper Session)
Adult Attachment, Self-Concept, and Emotional Distress. Kate Haralson, Jenna E. Elgin, Christine L. Pearson, and Diana M. Doumas, Boise State University (ID)
Friday, April 21, 11:45 a.m. - 12:00 noon., Painted Horse Room (Personality Psychology Oral Paper Session)
An Evolutionary Perspective on Disability: Discrimination Descending. Holly L. Wasinger, Metropolitan State College of Denver (CO)
Saturday, April 22, 9:40 - 9:55 a.m., Painted Horse Room (Diversity Oral Paper Session)
Anger, Anger Expression, Physical, and Verbal Aggression Among Rural Middle School Youth. Nicholas E. Baez, Colorado State University
Saturday, April 22, 2:55 - 3:10 p.m., Painted Horse Room (Education/School Psychology Oral Paper Session)
The Personal, Social, and Moral Domains: Implications for Tolerance. Jennifer Cole Wright and Jerry Callum, University of Wyoming
Saturday, April 22, 9:25 - 9:40 a.m., Painted Horse Room (Diversity Oral Paper Session)