Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006
Sebastian Lonigro, a Westminster College a senior psychology major from Cumberland, Md., was recently awarded a Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Undergraduate Research Travel/Presentation Grant.
"The research grants for projects and creative activities must be conducted under the mentorship of Westminster College faculty," said Dr. Virginia Tomlinson, director of the Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Westminster College. "Funding may include supplies, equipment, travel to libraries and data sources, and travel to make presentations. In order to apply for research support, the student must have a research proposal completed as a degree-seeking student at Westminster College, and be in good academic standing."
Sebastian LoNigro is a son of Cathleen and Joseph LoNigro, Cumberland, Md., and a graduate of Fort Hill High School. The title of his research is, "The Role of Psychological Factors in Subjective Reports of Parasympathetic Arousal," and she was advised by Kirk Lunnen, assistant professor of psychology.
"Nesbitt (1973) reported that smokers describe feeling relaxed while smoking even though simultaneous physiological measurement indicates increased arousal. This phenomenon has been termed "Nesbitt's Paradox." Most research has focused on physiological explanations of the phenomenon, such as nicotine withdrawal. However, few studies have investigated the contributions of psychological factors to Nesbitt's Paradox. The present study examined the possible impact of manipulation of smoking materials on Nesbitt's Paradox. A sample of 18 smokers and 18 non-smokers participated in a stressor task and were then assigned to one of three experimental relaxation conditions: sham smoking, deep breathing, and control. Participants were compared on measures of blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature. Results indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between groups across the experimental conditions," wrote LoNigro.
Contact Tomlinson at (724) 946-6033 or e-mail tomlinvm@westminster.edu for more information.
