Journals @ KPU (Kwantlen Polytechnic University)
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Theatre and Film Intertwined: Transgression and Intermediality in Fleabag
Full text linkThe essay examines the critically acclaimed theatrical performance and limited television series, both named Fleabag in the relation of each other’s mise-en-scène techniques. While both works are widely known for their captivating use of breaking the fourth wall, a comparative analysis might reveal the key differences in the mechanisms by which transgression and mediality operate. In Fleabag – play and series alike – theatre and film live inseparably together, pointing toward a new quality of self-reflection.
 
Exploring Student and Instructor Perceptions on the use of Video Cameras in the Online Classroom
No full textA major barrier to online learning is student non-use of video cameras for online synchronous courses. Using online survey data from 76 undergraduate students (84% female) and 52 instructors (63% female) who have taken or taught online synchronous courses, we explored student and instructor video camera use tendencies and rationales. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and revealed that students typically left their cameras off due to others having their cameras off (70% for large groups, 59% for small groups), appearance concerns (58% for large groups, 45% for small groups), and/or not feeling as though it was important (43% for large groups, 32% for small groups). Conversely, instructors most frequently reported that they always had their cameras on and encouraged students to turn on their cameras. Analysis of the open-ended questions revealed that both students and instructors reported that camera use increased engagement, attention, and connection within the learning environment. Both student and instructor data showed that encouragement was the biggest motivator for camera use. In consideration of these findings, it may be beneficial for instructors to continue encouraging student camera use, as well as reminding them of its benefits for peer connection and engagement
Exploring the Effects of Background Music and Biological Sex on Verbal Memory
Full text linkMusic is an important aspect of many people’s lives; therefore, research surrounding the impacts of background music is important and relevant. The literature on the impact of music on cognitive processes is ever-expanding and has mixed findings (Theofilidis et al., 2020). Through a quasi-experimental 2 x 3 factorial ANOVA, we studied the effect of background music on verbal memory. We hypothesized that performance on a verbal memory task would be better for females under the no music and instrumental conditions. We also hypothesized that verbal memory performance would be better for males under the lyrical condition. We had three independent music conditions: no music, instrumental, and lyrical. We used biological sex as a quasi-independent variable. We recruited a sample of N = 94 from the SONA research pool. The findings did not support our hypothesis
A Lifespan Longitudinal Analysis of Receptive Language
Full text linkAlthough normal aging is generally associated with cognitive decline, crystallized intelligence tends to improve with age. One type of crystallized intelligence is receptive language – the ability to comprehend spoken and written language. We investigated longitudinal change in receptive language ability using the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT) over a 2-10 year period in 697 participants ages 3-98. We found significant improvement from ages 3 to 57, no change from ages 57 to 65, and significant decline after age 65. Overall, we conclude that receptive language ability varies across the lifespan
The Effects of Avatar Customization on Body Image
Full text linkThe use of avatars has become prevalent through mobile and virtual reality applications, which grow daily. This study explored whether avatar customization influences body image and whether creating a self-resembling avatar, as opposed to a random celebrity avatar, increases body satisfaction. In a mixed design, 36 participants, aged 16 to 30, were randomly assigned to customize either a self-resembling (n = 18, 72% women) or a celebrity avatar (n = 18, 61% women). Participants completed a body image satisfaction questionnaire before and after creating their assigned avatar. Although we hypothesized that creating a self-resembling avatar would have a more positive effect on body image than creating a celebrity avatar, the results of the ANCOVA with pre-test body satisfaction as a covariate, indicated that avatar customization had no significant effect on body satisfaction. Our findings demonstrate that continued avatar use is not only viable, given the lack of negative effect on body image, but also sustainable in the growing media world
The Power of Perception: Examining Learning Styles
Full text linkIn educational psychology, the concept of individual learning styles has long been debated for its perceived influence on learning results. This study explored how varying the presentation of instructional methods—auditory, visual, and reading modalities—affected learning outcomes. Specifically, it examined whether learning outcomes differ based on the mode of instruction and whether individuals’ preferred learning styles (auditory, visual, or reading) influence these outcomes. Participants were either matched with their preferred learning style or not. Learning outcomes were measured in terms of test scores. The results of this study provided a different perspective for instructors to enhance students’ learning, as findings suggest that utilizing different learning styles depending on students’ preferences could limit students to their own learning style and potentially constrain their ability to develop a more versatile and adaptable approach to learning
The Influence of Themed Images on Word Associations
Full text linkThis study explores the influence of visual priming on linguistic choices and emotional context. Building on the concept of the PrimingTheory (Ratcliff & McKoon, 1988), which suggests that prior exposure to stimuli influences subsequent emotional responses, this research investigates how different visual primes, specifically, light and dark-themed images, affect the completion of fragmented words. The research methodology involves a between-subjects design with a total of 98 participants, aged 18-26, using two sets of images as independent variables-brighter themed images conveying positive emotions and darker-themed images with negative connotations. Participants engaged in word completion tasks through an online survey after providing electronic consent. After conducting an independent samples t-test, we found a significant statistical difference between the means and a medium effect size. This supports our hypothesis that participants exposed to brighter-themed images tend to create positively associated words and those exposed to darker-themed images tend to create words with negative connotations.
Controversies in Infant Development: Circumcision
Full text linkThe practice of male circumcision has been subject to debate in recent academic literature. This paper examines research on circumcision and analyzes the opposing arguments for and against the practice. Arguments in favour of circumcision follow research that suggests that the practice be used as a preventative measure for future health concerns. Arguments against circumcision raise questions about its ethicality and the generalizability of the findings that support circumcision as a preventative measure. After careful consideration and analysis of the research, a position is established regarding the debate
“…a More Sympathetic Reunion…”: : Ben-Hur (1959), Subtextual Adaptation, Sexual Politics and the Art of Homoerotic Performance
Full text linkIn this essay I will take a closer look at a legendary ‘gay subplot’ in the history of mainstream Hollywood film production—the unrequited love story between the Jewish prince Judah Ben-Hur and the Roman tribune Messala in the 1959 Hollywood “sword and sandle” blockbuster Ben-Hur. I will focus on three heretofore neglected dimensions. First, the extent to which the subplot makes it possible to understand Ben-Hur as a subtextual adaptation of Gore Vidal’s controversial 1948 novel, The City and the Pillar; secondly, how the link between the film and the novel by Vidal sheds light upon the sexual politics of homosexual rights as they were being conceptualized and developed after World War II; and, thirdly, how this subplot, far from having been ‘slipped in’, was fully integrated into the production not only through subtextual adaptation, but also via cinematography, music, and especially dramatic performance