The Effects of Sleep Loss on Collegiate Athletic Performance

Grace Rosebrook, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

This project is on the effects of sleep loss on collegiate athletic performance. Specifically, I assess research on the influence of sleep deprivation and sleep restriction surrounding aerobic and anaerobic capacities, and cognitive and psychological function. Additionally, I synthesize research behind the reasoning of college athletes experiencing sleep loss disproportionately when compared to non-athletic counterparts. I also suggest further research, specifically, variables that may affect sleep loss in college athletes, and the possible effect of sleep extension on athletic performance.

The Effects of Social Media Usage on Mental Health in Adolescents and Young Adults

Melanie Aguilar, Psychology Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

This research explores the effects of social media and smartphone usage on the mental health of adolescents and young adults. It examines how factors such as screen time, social comparison, cyberbullying, and digital connectivity influence psychological well-being, including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and sleep quality. This study aims to provide insights into both the risks and potential benefits of digital engagement among youth, contributing to strategies for healthier technology use.

The emotional response to social gaze is a domain specific cognitive mechanism

College of Professional Studies

Eye contact with another person (social gaze) produces a reflexive emotional responses measurable using skin conductance (SCR). A ‘domain specificity’ model of the social gaze response mechanism was tested by comparing SCRs during social and 'self-gaze' (gazing at one’s own eyes in a mirror). Domain specificity (versus generality) predicts responses only during social gaze and has theoretical implications for how this reflex evolved. Participants (N=76) completed ten, 20 second, social or self-gaze trials. Social gaze produced significantly greater mean SCR’s and showed more habituation across trials. There were no effects of sex or sex match on gaze-evoked SCRs. Results support domain speci

The Employment Landscape and Certification Success Rates for HSU Accounting Graduates

College of Professional Studies

This study outlines the results of a survey undertaken at Humboldt State University to examine factors that are associated with an undergraduate accounting student obtaining a job offer and passing the CPA exam. Undertaking relevant part-time work, academic performance and social (extra-curricular) activities are significant factors leading to job offers prior to graduation, as well as success on the CPA exam. Participation in part-time professional work was not found to negatively affect students’ academic performance.

The Fun Factor: A case for focusing on fun and enjoyment in Physical Activity

Dorian DeNisi, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

As part of this semester's Kinesiology Students' Senior Seminar, I will be presenting my research on why we should emphasize having fun in our physical activity, over traditional exercise regimens.

The Functional Role of Identification in Self- and Group-Identity Uncertainty

College of Professional Studies

We looked at the relationship between self-conceptual uncertainty and group identity-uncertainty. Study 1 provides evidence that group identity-uncertainty produces self-uncertainty, even when people have the opportunity to identify with relevant groups. Study 2 shows that group-identity uncertainty motivates disidentification from a group relevant to their uncertainty. These findings highlight the complexity of the self-concept, suggesting that group-identity uncertainty produces self-uncertainty as well as disidentificaiton with sub-groups related to the uncertain identity.

The Gut Microbiome and the Influences on Emotional State

Sophia Hummel, Psychology Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

We reviewed current research articles examining the complex relationship between gut microbiome and mood regulation in people. In order to collect our data, we completed a literature review on this topic. We found that there is a very strong relationship between the gut microbiome and mood in people. We observed mental health factors in relationship to mood such as stress, anxiety, and depression. As a result, worsened gut microbiome led to worsened mood factors. This topic has high importance due to how new the topic and research is, and how it affects human health, leading to future implications of treating gut microbiome issues more efficiently with the new knowledge on the topic.

The Impact of a Structured Exercise Program on the Pre-Established Exercise Goals for an Individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder

David Adams, Other Faculty

College of Professional Studies

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a structured exercise program on the total amount of exercise completed by the participant. The researchers believe that providing an environment that included the major components of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) would support the participants increase in exercise output. This study used a changing criterion design over the course of 6 weeks. Results suggest that the structured exercise program along with the major components of SDT had a positive impact on the exercise levels of the participant.

The Impact of a Teacher Developed Physical Fitness Program on the Self-Perception and Basketball Skills of Two High School Students

College of Professional Studies

This study has two purposes: (a) to determine the effect of a teacher-developed physical fitness program on the performance of specific participant goals for the game of basketball and (b) to determine the impact of this same program on the overall perception of the participants amongst their peers when participating in the game of basketball. The participants in this study included two high school males. Participant 1 had diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and was provided services through a 504 plan. This study occurred over a 7-week period with the pre and post assessments taking place in the 1st and 7th week.

The Impact of Autistic Traits on Student Evaluations of Professors of Different Genders

Kauyumari Sanchez, Psychology Faculty

College of Professional Studies

Instructor evaluations are critical to the tenure process but are known to be biased with respect to gender (e.g. males are rated higher than females) and other identities (e.g. autism). This study aims to address the following question: Are male and female professors evaluated differently by male and female students when the professor’s autism identity is revealed compared to not revealed? This research highlights the impact of disclosing or failing to disclose one’s autism identity and its impact on student evaluations.