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2020-01-22 (Western Howl)
Get PDFStudent newspaper includes campus, local and national news stories and photographs. For additional information about this collection see: http://digitalcommons.wou.edu/studentnewspapers
Perspective Taking, Empathy, and Prosocial Behavior
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The risk of becoming homeless is a growing concern for both adults and the youth within the United States (Morton, Dworsky, & Samuels, 2017). The present study examined how the use of perspective taking instruction to induce empathy could be used as a promoter of prosocial behavior toward people experiencing homelessness. Past research has found evidence to support that asking an individual to consider what another person is thinking and feeling can lead to feelings of empathy, which can then motivate helping behavior (Oceja et al., 2014). Researchers have discovered a need for better suited resources for the growing homeless population, which include the ability of those working with the homeless to empathize and build connections with those they wish to help (Barman-Adhikari et al., 2016). Therefore, the present study hypothesized that participants given empathy inducing perspective taking instructions, versus objective perspective taking instruction, would indicate a higher likelihood of donating money (i.e., a prosocial behavior) to the homeless individual in the story provided. It was also hypothesized that those in the empathy group, versus the objective group, would donate more money, on average, to the homeless person in the story. The 42 participants were all psychology students at Western Oregon University who were recruited via SONA. The experiment was conducted via a survey administered online through Qualtrics. Participants were given one of the two perspective taking instructions, a short story to read about a homeless person, which was then followed by two questions in relation to likelihood of donating money and the amount willing to donate. The results indicated trends in line with the hypothesis, however, after performing an independent t-test it was discovered that neither result was significant: likelihood to donate money t(40)=1.142, n.s., amount of money willing to donate t(40)= 0.83, n.s. These findings suggest that further research is required to support that perspective taking instruction can effectively provoke prosocial behavior toward the homeless. Developing an understanding of ways to increase empathy toward the homeless, has the potential to improve current and future resources and aid in the effort to decrease the number of homeless individuals within the U.S. at any given time
Using GIS as a Tool for Mitigating Geologic Hazards and Managing Natural Disasters
Get PDFGIS is a versatile tool that has widespread application before, during, and after catastrophic geologic events. This research project analyzes results from three recently published case studies each corresponding to a point along the crisis response timeline. Planning for various geologic crises is critical, as demonstrated by Tran and others (2009), who utilized GIS to analyze risk factors and map flood hazards in Vietnam. GIS is also an invaluable tool for search and research activities during a natural disaster. These situations require quick response to ensure fast resolution, and GIS can be rapidly deployed through a four step progression in a search and rescue operation (Pfau and Blanford, 2018). In the aftermath of geologic crises, GIS can be deployed to help distribute and coordinate disaster relief efforts. Using Leon County, Florida as a study area, Horner and Downs (2010) used GIS to create a distribution network for relief efforts in the event of a hurricane. While GIS is best known for its widespread use in disaster management planning, it is also an important tool for rapidly responding to emergencies and for organizing post-disaster relief efforts. These studies demonstrate that GIS technologies are highly versatile before, during, and after geologic crisis events. As such, GIS should be viewed as an important strategy in geologic crisis hazard management
Navegando con las expectativas familiares y las responsabilidades universitarias: conflictos emergentes para las estudiantes latinas y sus padres
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Possible Orderings of a Deck Using Two Types of Shuffles
Get PDFWe analyze the effects of two different types of shuffling on a deck of cards. The number of possible orderings of the deck under these two types of shuffles is shown to be bounded by looking at the group structure formed by the two shuffles and by looking at various restrictions imposed by the shuffling types. One such restriction for even-sized decks is that if one card is a particular number of cards away from the top before shuffling, the card that is the same number of cards away from the bottom before shuffling will always be the same number of cards away from the bottom as the other card is away from the top after any amount of shuffles
Using the Spectrum of Prevention Model to Design a Personal Sexual Health Kit Online Ordering System
Get PDFBackground: The majority of college students are sexually active, but nearly half are not using safer sex practices, such as consistent condom use. These un-safe practices potentially lead to unintended pregnancies and can increase rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and long-term sequelae thereof. Purpose: This project aims to apply the Spectrum of Prevention model to develop a proposed project for a Personal Sexual Health Kit Online Ordering System at Western Oregon University (WOU). Methods: Informed by a review of the literature related to STI prevention on college campuses, and discussion with national leaders in this field, we developed an intervention that uses the Spectrum of Prevention as a framework to support the implementation of a Personal Sexual Health Kit Online Ordering System. Outcomes: The developed intervention can be implemented on the WOU campus and can be used as a model for other universities seeking to decrease stigma around sexuality and improve the health of their students. Implications: By addressing the Spectrum of Prevention, this project works at all levels to reduce stigma around sexuality and sexual health. In addition, we expect to see a reduction in STI rates among college students on campuses implementing this intervention
Number Talks Effects on Working Memory
Get PDFNumber Talks are a short guided educational method where students engage in meaningful conversations centered around interesting mathematical or numerical problems that are aimed at building number sense and flexibility. Participation in number talks can improve our students’ numerical reasoning, confidence, and their abilities in the collection, inception, and termination of information-processing functions such as encoding, storing, and retrieval from the long-term memory system. This is helpful to create fully inclusive classrooms since there are many common types of learning or emotional disabilities that affect a student’s working memory
FODfinder Website Demonstration
No full textFODfinder Video Demonstration Abstract
Cassidy Bullock
Gabriel Brehm
Jensen Almquist
Tanner Hill
Millions of people in the United States suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome with symptoms triggered by what are known as FODMAPs. The presence of FODMAPs are not clearly shown on food labels and thus may be challenging to avoid. This video demonstrates a software solution developed by several undergraduates from Western Oregon University’s Computer Science Department to help people suffering from IBS more easily identify triggering foods. They have developed a web application that allows users to explore foods, both generic and from wellknown name brands, and determine whether they are suitable for their diet. The search is backed by the USDA database, and will display information about the foods’ ingredients and nutrition as well as a FODMAP ranking based on a proprietary algorithm. The application also allows users to dynamically label ingredients as high or low risk to allow for a more individualized experience. Users can create lists of foods which they can print to bring to the grocery store, and they can also view other users’ lists to foster a sense of community. Additionally, a mobile android application has also been integrated so that users can search for foods directly in the store and get a quick score for foods they\u27re unsure about. From mobile, searching for foods is as easy as scanning a barcode while in the store to bring up details about that food. Because high risk foods are not labeled as having FODMAPs, the necessity for a solution is all the more crucial. This easy to use software solution fulfills the important role of helping people with IBS easily access specific information about foods and manage their symptoms
Engaging in Growth Mindset through Photovoice
No full textEngaging in Growth Mindset through Photovoice
Research has demonstrated that children and adolescents with a growth mindset are likely to challenge themselves more often, persevere when they encounter difficulties, and have a higher level of academic achievement compared to those with a fixed mindset. A growth mindset is believing one can develop skills and talents, and this mindset leads to several positive youth outcomes (Dweck, 2019). A fixed mindset means believing that intelligence and talents are simply fixed traits, and this mindset can create barriers for youth because of believing they are not capable of accomplishing certain skills and goals. (Clear, 2018). However, research proves it is possible to transform fixed mindsets into growth mindsets.
A lack of empirical understanding on how youth articulate their understanding of growth mindsets as well as how the construct and mentoring might integrate exists. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine if and how mentoring could be used to increase growth mindsets in adolescents and to understand what a growth mindset means to adolescents in a mentoring context.
The present study used a type of participatory action research known as Photovoice to investigate these relationships. This method of research employs techniques that can capture data derived from youth perspectives, with the idea that these perspectives can provide details of existing problems that face youth. The objective of Photovoice is to support the self-empowerment of participants by providing them with an opportunity to express their experiences and “speak” through photographs about issues that challenge them, to connect with others in their community, and advocate for change. Photovoice engages those who do not usually have a say in the decisions that affect their daily lives, such as middle school students, as a way for them to deepen their understanding of an issue.
Because of Covid-19, we were unable to proceed with our research with the Talmadge Middle School and Western Oregon University Mentoring Program. However, using pilot study data, it was determined that youth saw the value of hard work to achieve a goal, as opposed to giving up, because the process was meaningful. Additionally, it was found that adults who do not listen or empathize with youths’ feelings were viewed as an obstacle to growth mindsets for youth.
The use of Photovoice in a mentoring context engages adolescents in power-sharing research, creating a sense of belonging and empowerment that their perspectives are being heard, evaluated and, represented. Mentors can help children feel confident in their skills due to the guidance provided in the development of a growth mindset. Mentors play a unique part in this development because they can guide adolescent students to cultivate skills. This is important because the adoption and integration of a growth mindset has been shown to improve emotional, social, relational, and psychological well-being in youth