Psychology seniors present research at virtual conference

Two Westminster College psychology majors presented research at the 39th annual Mid-America Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference (MAUPRC) held virtually on Friday, April 24.

Chessie Stitzel, a senior from Northumberland, presented the poster “Family Climates’ Relationship with College Outcomes with Assertiveness as a Mediator.” The research focused on how two aspects of family interactions—cohesion and conflict—influenced both adaptive and aggressive assertiveness, and how assertiveness impacted self-esteem, problem solving and psychological empowerment.

Jordin McGehee, a senior from Maryland Heights, Mo., presented the poster “Athlete’s Perceptions of Coach’s Communication Based on Manipulated Mindset.” The study investigated how a coach’s mindset will influence an athlete’s perceptions of that coach’s communication skills.

Stitzel’s and McGehee’s posters stemmed from research conducted in their Senior Psychology Scholarship Experience course with Dr. Sherri Pataki, professor of psychology. Stitzel collaborated with fellow senior psychology majors Hannah Morris of Pittsfield and Daylen Penn of Finleyville, while McGehee worked with Bria Braddock of Beaver Falls and Abigail Somerhalder of South Park.

MAUPRC is a regional undergraduate student conference for psychology students who present their research as talks and posters in a supportive, professional environment. Students from more than 71 colleges and universities from the U.S. and Canada participated in the event, which is sponsored by the psychology departments of Ball State University, Earlham College, Eastern Illinois University, Franklin College, Thomas More College and the University of Southern Indiana. The 2021 conference will be held April 17-24, 2021, at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind.

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