Recent Submissions

  • Conformity and punishment: does conforming to an antisocial behavior reduce punishment?

    Badura, Olivia J. (2024-08)
    Prior research has examined the inverse relationship between conformity and free will beliefs, as well as the impact of free will beliefs on punishment severity (Alquist et al., 2013; Moynihan et al., 2018; Pande, 2021). However, there is less information on the direct impact of conformity on punishment. The current study examines the influence of conformity on punishment decisions for moral breaches, taking into account the role of authenticity and free will. More specifically, the study explores if individuals conforming when committing a crime are perceived as deserving a lesser punishment than those acting on their own free will. The study, involving 67 participants who evaluated fictional scenarios of criminal behavior, revealed that participants in the conformity condition recommended harsher punishments, specifically in terms of imprisonment. However, conformity did not significantly impact other punishment measures. Ultimately, the study challenges prior assumptions, providing insights into social influence dynamics and moral judgment complexities.
  • Identity development and cultural expectations: exploring the identities of LGBTQ+ individuals through the lens of master narratives

    Goldstein, Gavriel J. (2024-08)
    The purpose of this study is to better understand how LGBTQ+ individuals understand and make meaning out of their identities in relation to societal expectations that are prevalent in the United States. In my research, I employed the master narrative framework (McLean & Syed, 2015b), which shifts focus in the study of identity from the individual to the intersection of self and society, highlighting the role of culture within the identity development process (McLean et al., 2017). This framework involves master narratives, culturally shared stories that provide a foundation within which individuals can organize and story their own experiences, beliefs, and values (McLean & Syed, 2015b; Syed & McLean, 2023). In my study, I had participants (N = 21) complete in-depth, semi-structured interviews in which they reflected upon their life experiences and how they came to understand themselves as LGBTQ+ identifying individuals. My research was guided by two research questions surrounding (1) the construction of master narratives and (2) how LGBTQ+ individuals align with and deviate from it. Upon conducting a thematic analysis of the data, I was able to reveal how LGBTQ+ individuals are aware of different cultural expectations that have been imposed on them. Analysis of the data revealed the existence of distinct master narratives of a good life for straight individuals and a good life for LGBTQ+ individuals, each encompassing unique cultural expectations. In a case study, I was also able to highlight the complexity of alignment and deviation within these narratives, emphasizing the need for further research to explore the nuanced ways individuals navigate master narratives. Key Words: identity, LGBTQ+, master narratives, narrative identity, cultural expectations
  • Anthromotive: a journey in accessible car design and fabrication

    Peraza, Alexander (2024-05)
    If this SOAR repository item is not accessible to you (e.g. able to be used in the context of a disability), please email libraryaccessibility@newpaltz.edu
  • Brute force attainability

    O'Connor, Nic (2024-05)
    "Brute Force Attainability" is for those that forget. In tackling my own struggles with an unreliable ability to remember, my thesis addresses the fragile condition of memory in the pursuit of fulfilling long term artistic goals. A solidified design becomes tangible through different combinations of CNC flatbed milling, 3D printing, silicone molding, a DIY rotocast, a little bit of fiberglass, an exorbitant amount of sanding, and airbrushing.
  • The historical materialist illusion theater: remembering the goddess civilization

    Campbell, Eli (2024-05)
    The Historical Materialist Illusion Theater is an interactive installation focused on the work of Lithuanian-American archaeologist Marija Gimbutas (1921-1994), designed using CAD software and fabricated using CNC processes. The installation functions as an art piece but also a self-contained exhibition of Neolithic artifacts reproduced with modern technology. This installation provides an experience for viewers to engage with archaeology and art history, and to learn about cultures that lived thousands of years ago.
  • Tattoos and social perception: is the stigmatization of tattoos warranted? An empirical study

    Longo, Kaitlyn D. (2024-05)
    The current study seeks to understand how the presence of tattoos affects social perception and to identify the observable differences in traits between individuals who have tattoos and individuals who do not have tattoos to explore the accuracy of these perceived differences. Participants (N=308) were presented with a stimuli photograph of a male or a female who did or did not have tattoos before being asked to rate that individual on a set of 11 traits. Contrary to original hypotheses, the study found that the target stimuli with tattoos was not rated significantly different on a set of 11 traits than was the stimuli without tattoos, regardless of gender of target stimuli and participant tattoos. Participants also filled out multiple individual-difference measures as well as a set of demographic questions. Results revealed that generally, tattooed participants did not score significantly differently than did non-tattooed participants on individual-difference measures including the Light Triad, the Dark Triad, the Big Five Personality Traits, and a measure of Honesty/Humility. It is worth noting that findings did reveal two significant differences between tattooed and non-tattooed participants; tattooed participants scored significantly higher on a measure of psychopathy than did non-tattooed participants and non-tattooed participants scored significantly higher on a measure of emotional stability than did tattooed participants. Although the data did not support the majority of the original hypotheses, the findings reveal a decrease in the negative effect of tattoos on social perception and allude to a societal shift in the opinion on tattoos that is worth further exploration.
  • Memory as a continuation of movement: effects of auditory temporal structure on memory performance with differing cognitive loads

    Similton, Oliver Drew (2024-05)
    The following thesis aimed to test the empirical support for an embodied memory by investigating the relationship between power-law structure in auditory stimulation, posture, and memory performance in tasks of differing cognitive load. The shared power-law framework offers a common operationalization between manipulated stimulation and measured movement. We began by manipulating power-law structure explicitly in stimulation, we then estimated the resulting power-law exponents in movement, and finally, tested for a difference in memory performance. Participants (N=36) participated in a Corsi Block tapping task with high and low load trials. While participating, they were exposed to one of three auditory stimuli with differing levels of power-law structure. Participant performance and movement were measured and analyzed using detrended fluctuation analysis. Memory performance was analyzed using a factorial ANOVA. Cognitive load had a main effect on memory performance, but all other differences were nonsignificant. Future work may need to account for the multitude of power laws throughout the body that may moderate the response to power-law structure in stimulation. Keywords: scale invariance, Corsi block tapping task, memory, encoding, embodiment, perception-action-cognition
  • An evolutionary investigation of the tradeoffs that accompany high religiosity

    Lopez, Sergio A. (2024-05)
    The study examines the complex interaction between religiosity, personality traits, and behavior within human group dynamics. It delves into evolutionary psychology's relevance in understanding social adaptations crucial for human ancestors' success within religious contexts. Using various standardized surveys like the Big Five Inventory, Religious Orientation Scale, Dark Triad, and Risk Propensity Scale, it aims to identify correlations among these factors. Specifically, this research predicts that the relationships between dispositional personality traits, openness or Machiavellianism for example, and behavioral traits, for example the propensity for taking risks, is moderated, affected, by whether an individual is religious or a-religious. By employing regression analysis, it will explore how religiosity affects relationships between the predictor and outcome variables. Anticipated findings could uncover connections unique to religious and a-religious individuals, shedding light on evolved behaviors' impact on social groups. This research offers insights into religious psychology, emphasizing the complexity of behavior within social contexts. Keywords: Religiosity, Personality Traits, Human Group Dynamics, Evolutionary Psychology, Moderating Variable.
  • Understanding the evolutionary characteristics of online trolls

    Powell, Kyle J. (2024-05)
    The current paper seeks to offer and provide evidence for a novel way of explaining online trolling behavior from an evolutionary perspective. Specifically, the goal of the current paper is to frame online trolling as an extension of the “principle of coercive threat” (Bingham & Souza, 2009). A series of correlations and multiple regressions was run to assess the relationships between Dark Triad traits, life history strategy, long-term social estrangements, social support, and trolling behavior. A significant effect of gender identity was found such that men engage in significantly more trolling behavior than do women. Additionally, online trolling behavior was found to be significantly positively correlated with Dark Triad traits and significantly negatively correlated with social support. This latter correlation is a novel finding that suggests new research directions, including ways to parse the differences between in-person and online interactions with others. Implications for current understanding of trolling behavior are discussed, and several future research directions are explored.
  • Music therapy for treating spiritual health needs of people with substance use disorders: a survey study

    Pomerantz, Jonah (2024-05)
    Individuals with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) require multiple levels of care and support for recovery. Aside from the myriad physical and psychological realms of recovery, people with SUDs are in need of adopting a novel lifestyle to sustain sobriety and prevent relapse. Twelve step programs provide people in recovery with the means of cultivating spiritual practices which when integrated, can provide foundations and support for living sober. Research suggests that spiritual practices and principles can foster a variety of beneficial outcomes for recovering individuals. Music therapy might be a helpful form of treatment for people with SUDs, though more research is needed to determine the efficacy of the modality for this population. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of research which examines music therapy’s potential to treat the spiritual needs of individuals with SUDs. A survey was conducted to learn more about how, and if music therapists in the United States are treating the spiritual health needs for people with SUDs. Music therapists reported that connection with others and exploring relationship with self were the most common spiritual health goals addressed in music therapy. Song discussion and lyric analysis were the most commonly used methods to address spiritual goals. Participant text responses indicated a variety of perspectives on what music therapists considered to be “spiritual goals,” as well as several views on scope of practice to address such needs. The present study can help to broaden the knowledge base of current trends in music therapy practice in meeting the spiritual health needs for persons with SUDs, as well as provide recommendations for future research.
  • Music therapy and music medicine for pain management in cancer patients: a rapid review

    Zhu, Xiaoyu (2024-05)
    Cancer is a complicated and challenging disease that affects millions of individuals globally. Pain is a frequent symptom experienced by cancer patients. Pain activates the sympathetic nervous system which can impair quality of life, and cause anxiety, depression, helplessness, despair, and a plea for death. The most recent advances in contemporary cancer care include a focus on integrated and holistic thinking. Music therapy and music medicine have emerged as viable complementary therapies to pain management in cancer patients. This rapid review synthesizes existing literature to evaluate the effectiveness of music-based interventions in alleviating pain among individuals undergoing cancer treatment. A total of eight articles met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The findings suggest that music therapy and music medicine show potential in reducing pain intensity, enhancing coping mechanisms, and improving overall well-being in cancer patients.
  • Exploring the role of intersectionality in current music therapy practices: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

    Lussier, Danielle (2024-05)
    The term “intersectionality” and related concepts have become popular throughout recent music therapy literature; however, there is minimal research on how music therapists are currently using intersectionality in their clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to investigate how music therapists are actively utilizing intersectional approaches with the individuals they are working with, and whether or not they are “practicing what they preach” in relation to an intersectional framework. Additionally, this study explored how music therapy education has prepared currently working music therapists to work in an intersectional capacity. Participants for this study included three board-certified music therapists that have been practicing full-time for at least five years and have experience working with clients that hold historically minoritized identities. Participants shared their experiences and beliefs in semi-structured, individual interviews. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). From the IPA, eight themes emerged: a) actively using an intersectional approach; b) intersectionality in context; c) safety; d) authenticity; e) self-reflexivity; f) values and intentions; g) social justice and activism; h) education. The data suggests that while music therapists are practicing in an intersectional capacity, they are doing so through their own self-reflexivity, authenticity, and self-sought education. Participants agreed that formal education on intersectionality is crucial to include in undergraduate music therapy courses in order to best prepare all-level clinicians to foster an anti-oppressive and inclusive practice. Other clinical implications, study limitations, and recommendations for educators and future research are discussed. Keywords: music therapy; intersectionality; cultures; identities; music therapy education; intersectional approach; intersectional framework; social justice; activism.
  • Authorial intent: a novel in progress

    Jones, Keith Richard (2024-05)
  • Crying from the ground

    Haughton, Dylan (2024-05)
  • Clinical decision-making in hospice music therapy: a thematic analysis

    Flanagan, Michael (2024-05)
    This study explored the clinical decision-making of three music therapists from a local hospice organization. The purpose of this study was to examine how hospice music therapists choose to work with individuals who have Alzheimer's Disease and dementia in the hospice care setting. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to investigate this topic. A thematic analysis was then used to analyze the data from the participants of this study. From this, three key themes arose: 1) choosing music experiences to meet the needs of dementia patients in hospice, 2) choosing theoretical approaches for dementia patients in hospice, and 3) assessment processes for individuals with dementia in hospice. These three themes were divided into three or more subthemes that further illustrated commonalities between participants' responses. The results suggest that music therapists may best meet the needs of hospice patients who have dementia through individualized and adaptable clinical decision-making processes. Further research is required to better understand implications for music therapists working in this setting.
  • An algorithmic approach to constructing finite automata

    DeGennaro, Charles Louis (2024-05)
    In this thesis, we introduce algorithms for creating deterministic (DFA) and nondeterministic finite automata (NFA) for some common types of regular languages. The motivation for this work comes from studying problems students taking theory of com-putation classes encounter. When working with finite automata, there are patterns in the structures of automata that arise. This thesis seeks to generalize a subset of common problems by creating step-by-step constructions based on the distinguishing properties of the given language. Along with these algorithms, software has been developed to generate these automata based on their dis-tinguishing properties. This thesis aims to be the foundation for developing an educational tool for theory of computation students. The goal is to highlight the similarities and logic behind these common constructions, while also providing the visual aid of the constructed automata through the accompanying software. The problems we consider are: the Maximum Prefix-Suffix Overlap problem, the Substring problems, the X followed by Y problem, the Consecutive Character problems, the Conditional Counting Modulo n problems, the Regularly Repeated Characters problem, and the Contains X but not Y problem. All algorithms presented in this thesis are polynomial in runtime, and polynomial in space complexity. The Maximum-Prefix-Suffix Overlap problem has a linear runtime, and the Contains X but not Y problem is of special interest due to its space reduction from the ‘usual’ solution.
  • Vessel

    Curry, Oliver (2024-05)
  • Holistic reliability study of BiCMOS emitter follower

    Caprotti, Nigel (2024-05)
    The interdisciplinary nature of semiconductors engineering is undeniable, as electrical, chemical, and mechanical disciplines are all heavily involved in the design of integrated chips. The many specialties of integrated circuit manufacturing and design include the processes involved in fabrication, device testing, feature size metrology, defect analysis, and the list goes on. One notable subfield is integrated circuit reliability, the study of the physical degradation mechanisms of chips like hot-carrier injection, electromigration, and time-dependent dielectric breakdown. The research and seminal progress in this important field have been a mélange of both empirical results as well as first principle theoretical realizations. This paper studies the reliability of a basic BiCMOS emitter voltage follower comprised of several passive elements, as well as two MOSFET transistors and an NPN bipolar junction transistor. The modeling and circuit design was enabled by the GlobalFoundries open-source 180 nm microcontroller process design kit. Employing Xschem and Ngspice for schematic-level simulation, and KLayout for layout generation and design rule verification, the performance and physical model of the circuit were established using only open-source software. Thermal finite element modeling using SolidWorks was undertaken to predict the temperature distribution of the circuit due to Joule heating. A holistic consideration of circuit reliability is offered, with special credence given to the electromigration of the first- and second-level metal interconnects. This paper will assess the degradation of individual circuit components (mean-time-to-failure), propose strategies to mitigate potential reliability risks, and posit a final layout using BiCMOS circuitry and the open-source process design kit. Author Keywords: Hot carrier injection, metal oxide semiconductors, field effect transistors, front-end-of-line degradation, back-end-of-line degradation, layout, electromigration, microelectronics reliability, BiCMOS
  • One morning fair

    Stuhr, Elias (2023-12)
    What I have written is hopefully a relatable story about anyone. Myself and everyone else I know spend a lot of time inside our own heads, and that's kind of what this one's about. I hope that what I have done here is not strange or surreal and I hope that it is not disturbing, because that would be against the point. What I hope this story does for the reader is just the feeling that they have been understood, if just for a brief moment. By way of introduction, this is a story about two people–Ruth and Jed–and their attempts at trying to get along with one another. In the story I also mention Arthel, Mallory, Dalton, Leslie, and Gary and Geraldine. They are important too. So are Mandy and Jenna. That's just about everybody.
  • Time perception embodied: the effect of yogic posture and meditation on retrospective time estimations

    Cullen, Emily (2023-12)
    The current study aims to integrate models of embodied and cognitive time perception by investigating the role of attention allocation, physiological arousal, and arm length on retrospective time estimations. We operationalize attention through an open monitoring meditation and physiological arousal through expansive and contractive yogic postures. Arm length was analyzed as a covariate. Participants (N=60) reported estimated time spent on a brief attention task after either listening to music or meditating and the adoption of an expansive or contractive yogic posture. We found that the expansive posture lengthened time estimations in comparison to the contractive posture, and that this effect was accentuated for individuals with longer arms. No significance was found for the effect of meditation on retrospective time estimations. Interactive effects of posture and arm length feed into embodied models of time perception, emphasizing the idea that our spatial relationship to the external world directly influences our internal perceptions.

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