SFU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Impact of Optogenetic Activation of the Thalamic Reticular Nucleus on Sleep Architecture in Mice

2024-08-28T16:48:52-07:00

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions worldwide and is often accompanied by significant sleep disturbances, such as sleep fragmentation, early awakenings, decreased sleep efficiency, and insomnia. It has been suggested that the alterations in activity of the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) are closely associated with sleep disruptions in AD. Evidence suggests that activating neurons expressing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) within the TRN may enhance sleep quality and potentially ameliorate neuropathology associated with AD. However, the precise mechanisms through which TRN influences sleep disruptions and AD pathophysiology remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated whether activating GABAergic TRN neurons could alter sleep architecture in wild-type mice. Utilizing optogenetic stimulation, we observed that activation of these neurons did not significantly alter sleep state durations or delta wave power, a key indicator of Slow Wave Sleep (SWS). Furthermore, the application of a two-virus strategy inadvertently led to non-specific opsin expression beyond the targeted TRN area. We discuss the potential factors that contributed to these outcomes, providing directions for future investigations to better delineate the role of the TRN in sleep and AD.

Keywords— Thalamic Reticular Nucleus, Sleep, Alzheimer's Disease, Optogenetics

Memories of Parenting Behaviour and Their Relation to Young Adults’ Friendships: Moderating Effects of Cognitive and Dispositional Factors

2024-08-02T13:15:49-07:00

Research has consistently demonstrated the effect of positive parenting on young adults’ social outcomes. However, a vast number of factors can moderate this link. The present study examined whether trait mindfulness and adaptive cognitive modification may be moderators in the link between young adults’ recollections of parenting and the present-day quality of friendships. An undergraduate sample (N = 626) was surveyed regarding memories of their parents’ positive parenting during their first 16 years of life, their own levels of trait mindfulness, and the quality of current interpersonal relationships with friends. Participants also provided narratives on their past vs. present perceptions of a negative parenting event from their childhood, and these narratives were coded for adaptive cognitive modifications in attributions for parenting behaviours. Analyses indicated that mindfulness enhanced the association between recalled positive parenting and friendship quality. Adaptive cognitive modification did not show statistically significant effects on the relationship between recalled positive parenting and friendship quality. These results show that dispositional factors such as mindfulness, but not adaptive cognitive modification for attributions, influence the way that recollections of parents’ parenting are related to young adults’ positive friendships.

Keywords— Parenting, Friendship, Mindfulness, Attributions, Recollections

Investigating Eyewitness Behaviour and Accuracy using Eyewitness Descriptions

2024-09-03T15:03:31-07:00

While research surrounding eyewitness identification has flourished and continues to expand, there seems to be limited knowledge and research regarding eyewitness description and whether the detail within a given description has an impact on eyewitness accuracy. This paper reviews past literature of verbal overshadowing effect – a phenomenon that describes the act of verbally describing an item (a face, an event) will impair future memory and recognition of that item. Research surrounding verbal overshadowing effect has shown benefits such as improved performance during lineup identification while other research has illustrated weakened memory and recollection. With that said, this paper conducts a study that reviews real life eyewitness descriptions from Austin Police Department and extrapolates its data. Our study serves to provide clarity and a more in-depth understanding of what type of descriptors eyewitnesses provide and if the level of detail helps performance in lineup identification.

Keywords— Eyewitness Identification, Forensic Psychology, Verbal Overshadowing Effect

Do Anti-Bullying Prevention Programs Reduce Depression and Anxiety Experienced by Students? - A Systematic Review

2024-08-28T17:14:08-07:00

Bullying prevention interventions have been devised to reduce peer victimization and its negative effects on victims. Many primary research studies have examined the effectiveness of these programs, including some that investigated whether programs enhanced the self-esteem and overall mental well-being of students who participate in the programs, including those who have and have not been victimized. Several systematic reviews (analyses of secondary data) have assessed the overall effectiveness of these interventions. However, no systematic reviews analyzed the effect of anti-bullying programs on depression and anxiety among program participants. This review was the first systematic review to develop a comprehensive portrayal of the effect of bullying prevention programs on mental health, particularly depression and anxiety. This review was a meta-analysis of the effects of bullying prevention programs on the depression and anxiety of participants. Studies were selected by conducting literature searches on the following electronic databases: ERIC, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Only randomized clinical trials and pretest-posttest studies measuring the effect of these programs on the participants were included. A single effect size type, Cohen's d, was chosen, and any different effect size-types used in the studies were converted. All primary studies that met the selection criteria were coded for effect size. The weighted-mean effect size revealed a negligible effect of these programs in reducing the depression and anxiety levels of the students.

Keywords— Anti-bullying Programs, Bullying Prevention Programs, Depression, Anxiety

The Effects of Implementing Mindfulness Training in Professional and Retired Soccer Players

2024-07-20T19:29:26-07:00

Implementing mindfulness training has positive effects on both current and retired professional soccer players. Mindfulness training should be implemented into athlete training programs as it can significantly enhance players’ performance, resilience, and overall well-being, making it a valuable addition to their training programs. The main arguments include an overview of mindfulness techniques such as Psychological Skills Training (PST), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness Acceptance and Commitment (MAC) approach, and Mindful Sport Performance Enhancing (MSPE), all tailored for sports performance. The benefits of mindfulness training include more effective decision-making, attentional focus, and emotional regulation leading to better on-field performance and off-field mental health. Additionally, there are specific challenges faced by retired players, and mindfulness practices can offer alternate coping mechanisms in addition to aiding their transition away from professional sports by addressing anxiety, depression, and stress. Despite the potential criticism regarding resource allocation and the prioritization of physical training, the short- and long-term benefits of mindfulness justify its integration into the training regimens of soccer players. Emphasis on the importance of incorporating mindfulness to enhance both the physical and mental aspects of soccer will ultimately advocate for its widespread adoption into the sport.

Keywords— Mindfulness, Soccer Players, PST, MAC, MBSR, MSPE, Well-Being

Intergenerational Emotional Flourishing: Conceptualizing the Continuity of Positive Emotion Socilization Strategies Across Generations

2024-08-30T12:58:37-07:00

Emotion socialization (ES; i.e., strategies that minimize, dismiss, magnify, or reward emotions) is influenced by parents’ own understanding and expression of emotions—factors that are shaped by their socialization history (i.e., strategies used by their parents). The present discussion first summarizes parental ES strategies and discusses how these strategies differ between the socialization of negatively valenced and positively valenced emotions. Next, we review extant research on the intergenerational continuity of parenting practices in general, which focuses on maltreatment. We expand on this literature by highlighting the importance of considering the intergenerational continuity of ES strategies for positively valenced emotions (i.e., emotions that feel good to experience; e.g., pride, joy) and identify two mechanism that may play a role in the transmission of ES strategies pertaining to positively valenced emotions across generations: (1) parental expressivity of positively valenced emotions; and (2) children’s emotion schemas that are shaped by parental expressivity and, in turn, serve to inform children’s use of similar ES strategies with their own children down the line. A shift in focus from negatively valenced to positively valenced emotions in the area of intergenerational continuity may support family functioning and flourishing across generations.

Keywords— Emotion Socialization, Parenting, Positively Valenced Emotions, Parental Expressivity, Schemas, Emotional Flourishing

The Development, Socialization, and Cultural Variations of Moral Pride in Children

2024-09-04T18:38:36-07:00

Moral pride is a positively valenced self-conscious emotion critical for virtue development. Moral pride has been of interests to philosophers for centuries due to its potential for sustaining moral behaviour. However, empirical developmental research in young children is in its infancy. This literature review begins by defining various types of pride in the psychological literature, then discusses the role of moral pride in promoting character development. We summarize recent research on the development of moral pride from toddlerhood to early adolescence and highlight early expressions (i.e., general non-moral pride and happiness in prosocial contexts) of moral pride. From this work, we propose a developmental model based on existing research to highlight key shifts in moral pride across the toddlerhood to early adolescent years. Additionally, we review research on socialization mechanisms, like praise and parent-child conversations, that may be crucial for fostering moral pride in children. Throughout the review, we discuss the cultural influences of moral pride development, illustrating how socio-cultural contexts shape children's emotional experiences. We conclude by outlining potential directions for future research in this area. Ultimately, moral pride may be a critical cornerstone of children’s prosocial development, with significant implications for the well-being of children and their communities.

Keywords— Moral Pride, Prosocial Behaviour, Socialization, Culture, Child Development

Echoes of Extremism: The Impact of Social Media on Group Identity, Moral Disengagement, and Dehumanization

2024-08-28T16:40:39-07:00

The digital revolution and the resulting social media platforms have brought about a transformation in human communications and intergroup relations. This paper examines the role of social media in shaping the dynamics of extremist group memberships. It explores how social media facilitates the spread of extremist ideologies and the recruitment and radicalization processes, leveraging theories such as Social Identity Theory and concepts like moral disengagement. The paper also discusses how the anonymity and global reach of social media enable these groups to not only strengthen their identities and cohesion but also engage in moral disengagement mechanisms, such as dehumanization, which rationalize extremist behaviours. Finally, it discusses the dual potential of social media to both propagate extremist views and serve as a tool for counter-radicalization efforts. Through a critical analysis of how digital environments influence group dynamics and individual behaviours, this essay contributes to the understanding of digital intergroup relations and underscores the need for strategic interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of social media on societal cohesion.

Keywords— Social Media, Intergroup Relations, Extremist Groups, Moral Disengagement, Radicalization

Doping in Aesthetic Sports: A Body-Focused Perspective

2024-09-22T11:09:36-07:00

An aesthetic sport is one which is differentially focused on physical appearance during performance, often invoking a specific emphasis on the thinness of athletes’ bodies (Sundgot-Borgen, 1994). Research on the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) (i.e., doping) in the context of aesthetic sports is currently lacking. This paper proposes that the unique focus placed on physical appearance lends itself to the differential manifestation of doping behaviours in these sports. Given that research on doping in non-aesthetic athletes is much more prevalent than in aesthetic athletes, this paper synthesizes the former with research on body-related psychopathology (e.g., disordered eating) in aesthetic athletes. Due to the conflation between performance and appearance (i.e., thinness) in aesthetic sports, it is proposed that doping is inherently linked to the desire to “improve” physical appearance during performance. This may lead aesthetic athletes to utilize weight loss drugs to a greater degree than other athletic populations. The current paper calls for further research on the interaction between body-related psychopathology and doping in aesthetic athletes to better protect this population from the potential consequences of both phenomena.

Keywords— Doping, Aesthetic, Sports, Performance-enhancing Drugs, Appearance-enhancing Drugs, Body Image

Implementing Mental Skills Training in College Golf to Promote Athletic Success

2024-09-22T10:54:24-07:00

Mental skills encapsulates the various mental processes that support and enhance performance during competition. Over the last few years, the importance of mental skills and success in competitive sports has increased. While the literature supporting the effects of mental skills training (MST) on sporting performance is abundant, the emphasis on MST in college sports domains specifically is lacking. The goal of this paper is to address the cruciality of MST in collegiate sports and promote MST implementation in sports prior to the professional competition stage. This point is particularly relevant when considering the breadth of college sports available across North America and their associated skill sets. Athletes who participate in sports that are categorized as being more mental-forward, such as golf, would largely benefit from formal MST at the collegiate level. MST implementation would not only improve competitive results of college sports programs but would also promote success in life after college for student-athletes.

Keywords— Mental Skills Training, Mental Skills, College Golf, Varsity Sports, Performance

Settler Colonialism, Systemic Queerphobia, and Indigiqueer Mental Health Outcomes: An Application of Geronimus’s Weathering Hypothesis

2024-10-01T14:20:21-07:00

Geronimus’s weathering hypothesis, initially derived from studies of African American women and their newborns, posited that their physical health outcomes were worsened by accumulated stress produced by long-term experiences of pervasive intersectional oppression. African American women experienced sociopolitical and economic oppression produced by the synergistic interactions of structural anti-Black racism and patriarchy. The weathering hypothesis can be extrapolated beyond African American women, and beyond physical health, as an analytic framework to understand how other less-studied intersectional groups may experience poorer mental health outcomes due to the intersections of multiple axes of oppression. The present work argues that Indigiqueer people, who exist at the intersection of Indigenous and queer identities, may similarly be weathered by their experiences of combined oppression arising from systemic forces of settler colonialism and queerphobia. After introducing the weathering hypothesis, its neuroendocrine mechanisms, and its original application to African American women, we then separately detail the ways that Indigenous and queer people in Canada experience oppression, linking the forms of oppression experienced by both populations to their respective mental health. In consideration of this discussion of the impacts of and queerphobia, we reapply Geronimus’s weathering hypothesis to understand the mental health disparities experienced by Indigiqueer people and defend this recontextualization of the weathering hypothesis. In closing, we celebrate Indigiqueer vitality and issue a call to action for Canadian healthcare systems to apply a holistic intersectional lens towards viewing Indigiqueer people and their lived experiences to make meaningful progress towards Indigiqueer mental health equity.

Keywords— Indigiqueer, Two-Spirit, Weathering Hypothesis, Intersectionality, Mental Health Equity

The Implications of Awe as a Preventative Treatment for Young Children at Risk of Aggressive Behaviours

2024-11-10T14:51:06-08:00

Existing literature suggests that a positive correlation exists between awe and prosociality and that prosociality and aggression are negatively correlated. Young children who exhibit aggressive behaviours have a greater risk of experiencing peer rejection, delinquency, psychiatric illnesses, academic problems, and suicidal behaviours. Current treatments typically target clinical aggression and are not preventative or effective for young children without developed executive functioning skills. As such, creating accessible and appropriate preventative treatments for young children at risk of future aggressive behaviours or those displaying subclinical aggression should be a priority. Since awe is commonly experienced in childhood it may be effective in preventing the development or worsening of aggressive behaviours in young children compared to existing treatments that require cognitive reappraisal. Awe could reduce aggressive behaviours by promoting prosocial thoughts, curiosity about the world, and positive affect. While it is possible that awe does not directly influence aggression, its positive relationship with prosociality could decrease stress, promote curiosity, induce amusement, and foster well-being, which may have spillover effects into other domains of functioning and promote positive developmental outcomes such as improved family dynamics, reduced aggression and increased positive affect. This proposed treatment also has the potential to help differentiate children who need additional targeted support.

Keywords— Awe, Aggression, Aggressive Behaviours, Children, Prevention, Intervention