Psychology major Sarah Kimutis (SHU ’16) presented her research on “The Relationship between College Students’ Religiosity and Superstitious Behaviors” at the Eastern Psychological Association’s annual conference in Manhattan on March 5.

“We analyzed the relationship between five types of religiosity and exam, sport, and general superstitious behavior in 362 college students and student athletes,” she explained. “Previous research has suggested a complex relationship between religiosity and general superstitious belief. Our study found a similarly complex relationship, with some exam-related superstitions (pre- and during-exam rituals) being related to certain aspects of religiosity, but competition-related superstitions and general superstitions being unrelated.”

Sarah, who is minoring in sociology, worked with Associate Professor of Psychology Jeffrey Bartel, Ph.D., on the project. The study won a Regional Research Award through Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology.

"Our study found ... some exam-related superstitions (pre- and during-exam rituals) being related to certain aspects of religiosity, but competition-related superstitions and general superstitions being unrelated.”

Seton Hill was well-represented at the conference. Below are other Seton Hill research projects featured during the three-day event.

International Business In The Classroom: An Interdisciplinary Approach

Kristen Barczynski (SHU psychology & math major); Mitchell Horrell (SHU psychology major); Megan Matejcic (SHU business administration entrepreneurial studies & psychology major); Seon Ripley, Julia Simeone (SHU psychology major); Elizabeth Jacobs, Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Seton Hill; John Dobson, DBA (Clark University)

Data were collected to evaluate a strategy for interdisciplinary teaching and earning. Business students were asked to give international management suggestions to a CEO looking to expand production to a collectivist culture. Social psychology students provided expertise on implications of American management practices on a collectivistic workforce. Results indicate improvements in the quality of the memos following interaction with the psychology students under some circumstances. Implications are discussed.

Factor Structure Of The Self-Reporting Questionnaire (Srq-20) In An American Population

Jeffrey S. Bartel, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, Seton Hill;  Elizabeth Jacobs, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology, Seton Hill; DeMarquis Clarke, Ph.D., LMFT, Associate Professor Marriage & Family Therapy, Seton Hill

The Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20), developed by the World Health Organization, is a brief screening measure for mental disorders. Factor analyses of the SRQ-20 in other countries have yielded 2-7 factors, but the present study is the first analysis of the measure using an American sample. Consistent with the plurality of international studies, we found that a three-factor structure (somatic, depressive, and cognitive) best fit the data.

In addition, Assistant Professor of Psychology Elizabeth Jacobs, Ph.D., and psychology major Bunny Pugh collaborated with colleagues from other universities on: 

The Theory Of Planned Behavior In Entrepreneurship Education

Elizabeth Jacobs, Ph.D. (Seton Hill University), John Dobson, D.B.A. (Clark University)

and

Variations In Genes Coding For A Calcineurin Isozyme Associated With Severe TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)

Bunny Jo Pugh (Seton Hill University), Nicole D. Osier, Phd(C), Sheila Alexander, Yvette Conley, C. Edward Dixon (University Of Pittsburgh)

For more information on the conference, visit the Eastern Psychological Association’s site.     

^{Photo above: Sarah Kimutis with her research poster.}