This study examines a mediating relationship between positive contact, perceived threat, and same-sex marriage. We hypothesized that perceived threat, both symbolic and realistic, mediates the relationship between positive contact and attitudes toward same-sex marriage. Findings indicate that positive contact relates to more positive attitudes toward same-sex marriage and in turn, less realistic and symbolic threat. For instance, if an individual had more positive contact with a gay acquaintance then they were less likely to believe that the legalization of same-sex marriage would threaten such things as their religious freedom (symbolic) or financial well-being (realistic).

One of the most popularly craved foods in the United States is chocolate. Yet, current definitions and ways to assess chocolate craving vary from study to study. The purpose of this investigation was to create a reliable and valid measure that can be used to assess problematic chocolate craving and its correlates. Preliminary findings indicate that the Chocolate Craving Inventory (CCI) is both a reliable and valid measure. Our investigation yielded high internal consistency and test-retest reliability in a college sample (N = 100). In addition, evidence for convergent and discriminant validity were also found. Future studies will further assess the psychometric properties of the CCI.

Calculated CPI for Eureka area using local prices and data.

The Student-Parent Support Initiative is a student-run initiative whose purpose is to bring a campus-wide awareness of student-parents at Humboldt State University. Our goal is to identify student-parents and to help students with children connect with one another and provide a space to find resources that support their family and academic goals. This presentation highlights the strengths, challenges, and needs of 18 student-parents who participated in focus groups and completed a questionnaire during the 2014-2015 academic year.

Each year senior capstone students in the HSU Department of Economics provide an updated calculation of a consumer price index (CPI) for Eureka, CA, using Bureau of Economic Analysis methodology and extensive local price data collection. This year the project will also include extensive analysis of each CPI sector such as housing, food, and transportation.

Because females have historically been socially and physically discouraged from participating in such events. It is important to examine effective nonverbal behaviors which promote gender inclusion in this setting. Utilizing a literature review and observation of the behaviors of females who attend rock music performances, this project describes community efforts to provide safety for female audience members through nonverbal communication and observations support the perceived female inhibition to participate equally to males in such an environment.

I will conducting a feasibility study for the implementation of a local community currency in Humboldt County, in conjunction with the impacts (positive or negative) of starting a community currency. This study will be based off of examples of current successful community currencies.

In this study environmental activism attitudes were defined as the positive view of pro-environmental behaviors as mediated by egoistic, social, and biospheric motivators. This investigation reports on the development of the Attitudes Towards Environmental Activism Scale (ATEAS), a 26-item measure of attitudes towards environmental activism. In this sample the internal consistency reliability of the ATEAS was r = .92, with one-week test-retest reliability of r = .90 in a retest sample of 15 students. Participant differences were found in the results. The ATEAS scale can be used to provide a basis for research in future environmental education.

When aspects of culture and diversity are integrated into courses, students can benefit in many ways including enhanced critical thinking and greater social agency, or one’s belief in the importance of working to correct social injustice. Despite these benefits, few instructors report that they integrate diversity-related content into their course curriculum, with many citing lack of knowledge for how to do this as a primary barrier. The purpose of this study is to assess student perceptions of diversity in the curriculum using both quantitative and qualitative methodology, with the broader goal of informing future curriculum design.

The demographics of K-12 public schools in CA have changed dramatically since the 1980s today students of color make up 75% of the student body. Since 1980 the number of White students in the CSU has gone from 70% to just 26.5% in 2015. Ever since the 1980s we have seen a divestment in K-12 and in the CSU. This research will not only describe the crisis in k-12 and higher education schooling but also create the changes needed for a sustainable future. This qualitative study proposes a paradigm shift of INVESTMENT- social justice, multilingualism, learner centered, nepantla, ethnic studies, African Indigenous knowledge, and sentipensante pedagogy in order for all our students to succeed.