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Exploring the Role of Self-Complexity in Reducing Intergroup Anxiety and Fear of Discrimination Among Marginalized Group Members
Full text linkMulti-cultural and multi-ethnic societies experience unique challenges regarding interactions between different social groups. Negative emotions such as intergroup anxiety are one of the most common challenges that marginalized group members report about their experience of intergroup interactions. As such, social psychologists continue to explore methods to reduce negative intergroup emotions. Given that research on self-concept representation has repeatedly demonstrated that higher self-complexity serves as a buffer during stressful situations, in the current study, I combined intergroup and self-concept research to examine the role of self-complexity as a tool for reducing intergroup anxiety and fear of discrimination among members of marginalized groups. In this study, a 2 (identity prime: marginalized identity prime vs. no identity prime) x 2 (self-complexity manipulation: high vs. low) between-subject design was used. Intergroup anxiety and fear of discrimination were the dependent variables. I recruited 155 participants from undergraduate students in the Department of Psychology. I asked them to write about a self-relevant marginalized identity or their surroundings (in the control condition) and then complete Setterlund’s (1994) self-complexity manipulation. Afterward, they rated their levels of intergroup anxiety (IAS-SF; Paolini et al., 2004) and fear of discrimination (InDI-A; Scheim & Bauer, 2019). I predicted that high self-complexity would reduce intergroup anxiety and fear of discrimination, especially when the participants’ marginalized identity was primed. However, the results did not support this hypothesis, as there were no main effects or interactions involving the self-complexity manipulation and priming conditions on outcomes of interest. Despite the null results of this study, self-complexity has been shown to help individuals cope with stress, stereotype threat, and tension between different social groups. Further research should investigate how self-complexity affects intergroup emotions, considering the insights and limitations of existing studies
Library Advisory Council Bylaws
Full text linkBylaws of Library Advisory Councilhttps://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/cwu_lac/1000/thumbnail.jp
The power of words: Unpacking language\u27s role in educational inequities
Full text linkThe language used to describe racial disparities in education may inadvertently influence how we address them. Framing such disparities as “achievement gap” rather than as “inequality in educational outcomes” assumes a deficit thinking mindset, shifting focus from the structural injustices contributing to education disparities to individuals, resulting in decreased prioritization of racial equity (Quinn & Desruisseaux, 2022). We aim to replicate this prioritization effect, specify the language driving the effect, and examine the impact of frames on perceptions of how to achieve racial equity. Participants were randomly assigned to conditions framing racial equity concerns as: a racial achievement gap, racial inequality in educational outcomes, or racial differences in educational outcomes (S ). The additional condition allows us better understanding of whether “achievement gaps” are perceived as less important, “inequality” as more important, or both. In Study 2, we explore the effects of framing racial equity concerns as an educational debt (S2). Participants rated priority levels towards the issue (Quinn & Desruisseaux, 2022) and the importance of individual vs institution level interventions. Replicating previous findings, participants prioritized the issue more when framed as “racial inequality” compared to an “achievement gap,” t(2 )= 2. ,
Late Holocene Fire History Reconstruction of Beaver Lake in the Northwest Lowlands of the Olympic Peninsula
Full text linkFire is an essential component of the landscapes and forests of the Pacific Northwest, including the temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula. Previous fire history reconstructions from the peninsula show that fire return intervals varied throughout the postglacial period, primarily in response to climatic changes and corresponding shifts in vegetation. However, much less is known about the fire history of the low-elevation forests of the Olympic Peninsula and the role of cultural fire regimes in these environments. The purpose of this study was to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental history of a low-elevation study site, Beaver Lake, located in the northwestern part of the peninsula. Using macroscopic charcoal, pollen, and sedimentological analyses of a ca. 3440-year-long record, we reconstructed a high-resolution record that shows fire activity was remarkably high during the late Holocene for an area considered part of a temperate rainforest. However, patterns of burning varied throughout the record, with the first third (ca. 3440 to 2350 calendar years before present [cal yr BP]) and last third (ca. 800 cal yr BP to the present day) recording much higher amounts of fire activity compared to the middle portion (ca. 2350 to 800 cal yr BP), which recorded very little fire activity. Larger and/or more severe fires that likely burned during multi-year droughts correlate with peaks in magnetic susceptibility and pollen trends that indicate substantial geomorphic responses and successional changes in forest structure following these events. Cooler temperatures and a wetter climate, indicated by nearby glacial advancements, may have staved off fire activity during the period of low fire activity. Cultural burning by the Indigenous tribes of the Olympic Peninsula likely contributed to the observed fire activity at Beaver Lake as nearby prairies were managed for resource procurement, indicated in particular by an increase in herbaceous morphotype charcoal during the past 800 years
Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Lactam-fused Tetrahydropyrans as Potential Antidiabetic Agents
No full textFunctionalized tetrahydropyrans are structural motifs in diverse natural products, including polyether antibiotics, marine toxins, pheromones, and pharmaceuticals. They are frequently used as versatile building blocks for accessing stereochemically sophisticated biologically active compounds. Specifically, functionalized bicyclic tetrahydropyrans bearing contiguous stereocenters have garnered interest in the synthesis and medicinal chemistry communities. Thus far, some synthetic methods have been developed for their construction and functionalization. These methods include Prins\u27 cyclization reactions, intramolecular oxa-Michael reactions, hetero-Diels-Alder cyclization, ring-closing metathesis, radical cyclization, and halocycloetherification. However, these methods have some drawbacks such as the need for expensive reagents and catalysts, substrate limitations, and environmentally unfriendly conditions. Seeking to develop a new strategy to produce lactam-fused tetrahydropyrans, we successfully designed a modular, cost-saving, transition metal-free, and environmentally friendly approach that leverages the 1,3-azadiene-anhydride annulation reaction. Suitable reaction conditions were successfully investigated for the halocycloetherification of trisubstituted lactam-bearing tertiary alkenols to access bicyclic tetrahydropyrans in good yields, regioselectivities, and diastereoselectivities. The requisite bromoethers were then engaged efficiently in a dehydrobromination protocol, leading to the syntheses of highly substituted lactam-tethered 3-methylenetetrahydropyrans, which are highly prevalent in pharmaceuticals and materials. We anticipate that this versatile synthetic method will be embraced by the organic and medicinal chemistry communities. We have laid the foundation for a future structure-activity relationship (SAR) study through collaborative efforts. The ultimate goal is to find new therapeutics for several diseases, including diabetes mellitus
Investigating the Role of School Psychologists in Behavioral Assessment and Intervention in the Schools
No full textBest practices and federal legislation dictate that schools conduct a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and implement a behavior intervention plan (BIP) whenever a student engages in a pattern of challenging behavior that interferes with their learning or the learning of others. While the exact practices of FBAs and BIPs in schools remain largely unknown, school psychologists are often regarded as having the training and expertise to fulfill this role as well as to coach others to meaningfully engage in these practices. To better understand the role of school psychologists regarding FBA and BIP practices, semi-structured interviews were individually conducted with five school psychologists regarding their training, experiences, practices, and roles within their current schools. Thematic Analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data from semi-structured interviews. Participants indicated that FBAs and BIPs are completed by multi-disciplinary teams within their schools, describing their role as facilitators to the behavioral problem-solving process, serving in a primarily indirect or procedural capacity rather than in a coaching capacity due to competing demands and priorities of the organization. These findings may inform future research efforts aiming to close the research-to-practice gap in behavioral assessment and intervention, by providing additional context to the role of school psychologists in behavioral assessment and intervention as perceived by the five school psychologists in the current study
Comparing the Prevalence of Stereotypic Behaviors and Enrichment Use in Rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and Japanese Macaques (M. fuscata)
No full textTo improve captive nonhuman primates’ welfare, particularly those utilized in biomedical and behavioral research, it’s important to understand their behavior. Rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and Japanese macaques (M. fuscata) are two closely related species that are commonly utilized in biomedical and behavioral research. In this study, I compared the frequency of stereotypic behaviors, which are abnormal repetitive behaviors that are apparently non-functional, and enrichment use among four groups of each species. Stereotypic behaviors were divided into motor, which the animal performed while active, and self-directed stereotypies, which the animal performed towards themselves. Enrichment use was divided into structural, which were items that were attached to the enclosure structure, and toy enrichment items, which were temporary items that were not attached to the enclosure. Groups of both species performed varying amounts of motor and self-directed stereotypies. Rhesus macaques performed significantly more motor stereotypies, p \u3c 0.05, than Japanese macaques did, but there was no significant difference in the frequency of self-directed stereotypies. Regarding enrichment use, only rhesus macaque groups received pools, which were considered toy enrichment items, if temperatures were or were expected to be ≥ 85°F. Japanese macaques interacted with enrichment items significantly less when compared to rhesus non-pool conditions, p \u3c 0.05, and pool conditions, p \u3c 0.001. When pools were present, rhesus macaques interacted with toy enrichment items significantly more, p \u3c 0.001, than did Japanese macaques. In comparing rhesus macaques in pool and non-pool conditions, rhesus macaques interacted with toy enrichment items more and were more visible in their outdoor enclosures when pools were present. These results indicate that there are behavioral differences between closely related species, but other factors such as group dynamics and individuals’ behavior may impact the frequency of these behaviors. These results also suggest that pools can be utilized as effective forms of enrichment for rhesus macaques. Species differences, individual differences, and group dynamics should be considered when applying appropriate behavioral management
The Genetic Diversity of an Endangered Buttercup, Ranunculus triternatus
No full textRanunculus triternatus, a rare endemic species of the Columbia River Gorge, faces conservation challenges due to its limited range and fragmented populations. This study assesses the genetic diversity of R. triternatus and compares it with its widespread congener, Ranunculus glaberrimus, using inter-primer binding site (iPBS) markers. Genetic data from 80 individuals across eight populations were analyzed using Nei’s genetic diversity, Shannon’s diversity index, and AMOVA. Results showed R. triternatus had higher genetic diversity than western populations of R. glaberrimus, with eastern populations of R. glaberrimus displaying greater diversity than western ones. PCA, UPGMA, and STRUCTURE analysis revealed genetic relationships and potential admixture between populations. Despite its restricted range, R. triternatus exhibited significant genetic resilience, suggesting genetic health is not the primary cause of its decline. Conservation efforts should focus on habitat protection and expansion. This study underscores the importance of genetic diversity in conservation planning and provides a foundation for future research on the genetic diversity and ecology of both Ranunculus species
CWU Faculty Senate Minutes 2/07/24
Full text linkThese are the official Central Washington University Faculty Senate minutes for the February 7, 2024, regular meeting
CWU Faculty Senate Minutes 1/10/24
Full text linkThese are the official Central Washington University Faculty Senate minutes for the January 10, 2024, regular meeting