RSS 1.0SUNY New Paltz Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection
Recent Submissions
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“Can We Fix It?” reality of the glamorization of NYC through the sociological perspective and systems of inequalityIncome inequality disproportionately impacts intersectional identities compared to white Americans. In the United States—and more specifically, in New York City—income inequality is closely correlated with race. It affects access to education, housing, food security, and resources, and contributes to homelessness. This paper aims to examine the urban experience from both sociological and psychological perspectives, focusing on disparities related to race and gender.
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Games to gains: exploring play as therapy for aphasia treatmentAlthough play and game-based therapy is widely used in language intervention for children, games are an emerging therapeutic treatment used in speech therapy for adults (National Literacy Trust, 2024). Post-stroke aphasia is a language disorder that impacts an individual’s communication in expressive speech and receptive comprehension based on the location of their stroke (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2022). The current study investigates the effectiveness of game- and play-based therapy for adults with aphasia. A systematized review yielded ten peer-reviewed studies that met the inclusion criteria. Studies were analyzed according to participant characteristics, game modification, level of control, outcomes, and effectiveness. The combination of group control studies and single-subject designs demonstrates that incorporating language games can have positive impacts on expressive language post-stroke. By maximizing the impact of expressive language intervention, play and game-based therapy can potentially improve outcomes for clients with post-stroke aphasia. Keywords: Communication disorders, aphasia or aphasic or people with aphasia, group therapy, game, game rehabilitation, intervention, speech therapy, post-stroke aphasia, gamification
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Structural inequalities in food and healthcare: a sociological comparison of Upstate and Downstate New YorkIn this thesis, I examine two counties in New York: the Bronx, a densely populated borough of New York City, and Franklin County, a sparsely populated rural county bordering Canada. Despite their demographic and geographic differences, both suffer from high rates of food and health insecurity. This comparison provides an opportunity to understand how structural inequities intersect with local conditions to influence health outcomes.
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The relationship between specific language background, stimulus modality, and false memoryMemory is extremely fallible. It is easy to create a false memory (i.e., a memory of something you did not experience) using the DRM paradigm. Research shows that the semantic priming is likely the source of the classic false memory effect that leads to misremembering a word like “shirt” after seeing a list of words like “dress, coat, and pants.” Semantic priming is also present cross-linguistically, such that in an English/French bilingual, dog in English primes chien (dog) in French or even related words like chat (cat). A second robust finding is that the DRM effect is larger when stimuli are presented auditorily vs. visually in languages that use alphabetic writing systems (e.g., English). However, it has been reported that the opposite effect was observed in Chinese, which has a very different writing system, such that false memories were recalled more visually than auditorily (Mao et al, 2010). The current study recruited bilingual participants who have the common language of English, but whose second language is either Chinese or a language that uses an alphabetic script (e.g., French or Spanish), to test if these modality effects also transfer cross-linguistically. Results did not support our hypothesis. Interestingly, the predicted modality x language group interaction was present in the memory for old words, where alphabetic bilinguals were more accurate for visually than auditorily presented words, but English-Chinese bilinguals were equally accurate for visually and auditorily presented words. These results suggest that the languages you know may influence how you use your memory.
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Why TV mattersHave you ever watched a TV show and had a moment where you realized, oh, maybe these characters are not as well represented as I thought? As a little girl, I started paying more attention to the rampant, harmful stereotypes in the TV shows that I was watching, such as Victorious and Jessie. My mother would make it a point to break down stereotyped characters in the shows I would watch, but not everyone had that same experience. For my thesis project. Why TV Matters, I explored complexities and nuance in character stereotypes and representation in TV. I interviewed faculty friends, and staff to create an interactive website prototype that explores three broad areas of representation: race, gender, and disabilities. What people see on the TV has an extremely significant impact on their perception of the world and different groups of people. Has representation in TV improved in the last 10-15 years? Absolutely. Has the representation gotten more diverse, or intersectional? Maybe it’s time you start watching through a different lens. Keywords: Graphic design Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Disability representation Race Gender Glee Television
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A deer dance on a moving train: examining protest and authority at SUNY New PaltzThis thesis serves as a small snapshot of the political atmosphere at SUNY New Paltz and the resulting reactions to the authority figures at the helms of our federal government and of the school itself. It’s an exploration of how our campus community continues to grapple with the emotional, political, and institutional fallout of that day. Through personal experiences and interviews with eleven students and faculty I traced the feelings of anxiety, distrust, empathy, and unity in the months since the encampment. Rather than assign blame, I aim to document and amplify the voices of those who lived through it. Inspired by Howard Zinn’s You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train, this thesis considers how New Platz students navigated protest and authority during a time of national upheaval through a disaster psychology lens to identify the emotional stages that the community is currently in Keywords: Psychology, Disaster Psychology, SUNY New Paltz, student protest, campus activism, civil unrest, Howard Zinn, political anxiety, Donald Trump, student voice, unity, empathy.
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A stratigraphic analysis of the Port Jervis formationThis paper examines the geological characteristics and depositional history of the Port Jervis Formation, located in the Tri-States Region of New York, through a stratigraphic analysis and paleontological perspective. The Port Jervis Formation is an argillaceous limestone defined among the surrounding units by a prominent trilobite bed containing the index fossil Nanothyris subglobosa . Lower Devonian in age, the Port Jervis Formation is between the older Port Ewen Formation and younger than the Glenerie Formation. In other localities in the surrounding region there is an unconformity, the Wallbridge Unconformity, that lies between the Port Ewen and Glenerie formations. The Port Jervis Formation provides a valuable stratigraphic record since it is one of the only preserved units from the period of deposition. The analysis of the Port Jervis Formation aims to cultivate an in-depth understanding of the depositional environment, stratigraphic relationships, and geologic history of the Tri-States Region during this time, which is very sparsely recorded in Earth's history elsewhere. Key Words: Geology; Devonian; stratigraphy; Port Jervis; conodonts; sea level
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A paleontologic analysis of the Port Jervis formationThis paper will describe fauna seen in the Port Jervis Formation, located near the New York and New Jersey Border. The lithology of the Port Jervis Formation is an argillaceous limestone, including a trilobite-rich bed containing the index fossil Nanothyris subglobosa. The Port Jervis Formation sits on top of the Port Ewen Formation and below the Glenerie Formation, all being Lower Devonian in age. There is a major unconformity called the Wallbridge Unconformity that is in between the Port Jervis and the Glenerie. There is exceptional fossil preservation in the Port Jervis Formation, containing multitudes of brachiopods and trilobites. These fossil specimens will be reclassified, along with prepared and drawn in order to better understand their taxonomy and morphology. Methods used in the laboratory include preparing fossil specimens and dissolving carbonate rocks for conodonts. This paper aims to describe the events that deposited these formations and describe fossil specimens. Key words: geology, Devonian, paleontology, Port Jervis Formation, trilobite, brachiopod
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An investigation of access to representative literature in contemporary education: tracing the issue of book banning in America and evaluating its impact on BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized communitiesThis thesis explores the growing phenomenon of book banning in the United States, with a focus on its disproportionate impact on BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and marginalized communities. Through an analysis of contemporary education systems and their sociopolitical dynamics, this study examines how efforts to restrict access to representative literature perpetuate systemic inequities, diminish educational equality, and erode intellectual freedoms. Drawing on historical and current data, this research highlights the rise in censorship activities, particularly targeting literature that amplifies counter-narratives—stories that challenge dominant cultural norms by presenting diverse perspectives. These bans have been found to put the mental well-being and social-emotional development of K-12 students at risk by depriving them of materials that validate and empower their identities while fostering critical thinking and empathy. This work advocates for the integration of diverse literature into public schools and libraries as an essential component of fostering educational equity and social justice. Key Words: Education, Book Banning, Censorship, Culturally Responsive Teaching, BIPOC Representation (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), LGBTQIA+ Youth (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and "+" for other gender and sexual identities not explicitly mentioned in the acronym, such as pansexual or genderfluid), Marginalized voices, Counter narratives, Diverse literature, Identity affirmation, Inclusive education, Critical pedagogy, Age-appropriate vs. censorship, Social-emotional learning, Teacher decision-making, Curriculum politics, Island Trees v. Pico, Educational law, First Amendment rights, School board authority, Constitutional interpretation, Community values vs. legal rights
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The ethical foundations of literature: an analysis of the adolescent's relationship to readingThis thesis explores the profound influence of literature on the cognitive and emotional development of adolescents, focusing on how literary engagement shapes both individual identities and collective cultural consciousness. Through an examination of generational differences in early childhood literary relationships, the research investigates how shifting societal contexts affect reading habits and preferences. Additionally, it addresses the implications of book banning and censorship on young minds, analyzing how restricted access to literature can hinder intellectual growth and critical thinking skills. The study further evaluates the high school literature curriculum, assessing its role in shaping student interactions with texts and identifying opportunities for pedagogical enhancement. By employing a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and textual analysis, this research aims to highlight the importance of inclusive and diverse literary exposure in fostering a well-rounded education. Ultimately, the findings seek to inform educators and policymakers on the transformative power of literature, advocating for curricular reforms and practices that nurture a lifelong appreciation for reading in the face of contemporary challenges. Keywords: Adolescence Education, Literature, Adolescence, Reading, Diversity, Curriculum, Banned Books
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2B or not 2B alone: the psychology of parasocial interaction in NieR: AutomataParasocial relationships are one-sided emotional bonds that form between individuals and media figures. (Horton and Wohl, 1956). In this paper, I examine NieR: Automata, a Japanese Role-Playing Game released in 2017, with respect to the development of parasociality using a three-layered analysis shown in three stages: in-game character attachments, parasocial engagement in fandom spaces, and a parasocial shift to creators and voice actors. Through this analysis, I utilize NieR: Automata as a case study to illustrate how interactive media, such as video games, can facilitate parasocial bonds. Keywords: Psychology, Parasocial Relationships, Video Games, NieR: Automata
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Gluten-free casein-free diet for children with autism: communication impact and parent beliefsRecently dietary interventions have gained more attention in the popular press as treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) around the world. Currently in the literature, there have been mixed results on the outcomes of dietary interventions. This study investigates the impacts that the gluten-free casein-free (GFCF) diet has on verbal communication in children with ASD. In addition, it explores the impact caregiver/parent opinions have about the diet. A systematic review yielded ten peer reviewed research articles that met inclusion criteria. Controls, results, and parent opinion were compared across articles. It was found that while the GFCF diet has positive impacts on communication it is not any more effective than control conditions. Parents of children with ASD were found to give more positive observations of their child's communication when they knew the diet was being used, possibly showing the impact of the placebo effect. These results have potential impacts on clinical practice in the area of ASD. Key Words: communication disorders, autism spectrum disorders, verbal communication, gluten free casein free diet, parents, placebo, beliefs
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Does climate change impact terrorism? An empirical approach investigating the link in predominantly global south countriesThis thesis seeks to examine how climate change, through both long-term vulnerabilities and acute natural disasters, affects terrorism. Using the “climate threat multiplier” framework, this analysis explores how climate-related factors such as food and water insecurity, environmental degradation, droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events interact with state fragility to create conditions that strengthen or give rise to terrorist organizations and non-state armed groups (NSAGs). Additionally, on the flip side, the paper will seek to explore how climate adaptation may decrease terrorism. Keywords: International Relations, Climate Change, Terrorism, Violent Extremism, Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs), Climate Threat Multiplier, Climate Natural Disasters, Climate Adaptation, State Fragility, Global South, Climate Readiness (ND-GAIN Index), Climate Vulnerability GDL Vulnerability Index (GVI), Global Terrorism Database (GTD), Regression Analysis
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Rational expectations in housing markets: the case of survey forecastsThis paper examines the rational expectations hypothesis within the U.S. housing market using econometric methods to evaluate forecast efficiency and bias. The study focuses on five key housing indicators—building permits, construction spending, existing home sales, new home sales, and housing starts—spanning both pre- and post-2006 housing boom periods. By employing methods such as Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) tests, Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) cointegration regressions, Mincer-Zarnowitz (MZ) bias tests, and anchoring bias tests, the research uncovers varying degrees of stationarity and cointegration across indicators, revealing inefficiencies in forecast accuracy. Results show significant biases in some forecast series, indicating that housing market expectations may not fully reflect all available information. This work provides critical insights into the complex dynamics of housing market forecasts and contributes to improving predictive models. These findings are valuable for policymakers and economists seeking to enhance forecasting methodologies, especially in markets prone to volatility and speculative bubbles. Keywords: finance, business analytics, rational expectations, housing market, forecast bias, Mincer-Zarnowitz regression, anchoring bias, DOLS regression.
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Ole Roemer’s speed of light: recreating the unintentional discoveryBefore the year 1676, the speed of light was thought to be an unmeasurable, infinite quantity in the field of physics and astronomy. It had been proposed briefly by Jean-Dominique Cassini that it was a finite value, rejected, and then adopted once more by Ole Roemer from the same staff while Cassini was at the Paris Observatory. The theory used by Roemer proved conducive, yet not as accurate as if it had been recreated using modern knowledge and astronomical data. This experiment aims to combine Ole Roemer’s theory with the astronomical technology of today to determine the finitude of the speed of light. In order to fulfill this, observations are made using both the open-source astronomy software Stellarium to take simulated data of 40 orbits of Io around Jupiter as the Earth moves counterclockwise in its orbit around the Sun, and a SeeStar S50 smart telescope to observe Io as it orbits around its planet in the months of December 2024, March, and April 2025. As the Earth moves towards Jupiter, the observed orbits of Io become shorter, due to the light reflected off the moon and its planet that’s coming towards us having a decreasing distance it needs to travel. On the opposite side of Earth’s orbit, moving away from Jupiter, the orbits of Io become longer due to the light needing to travel an increasing distance from us as observers. This change in the orbit of Io proves that the speed of light is finite, as it would remain unchanged should it be infinite. Keywords: Astronomy, Io, Jupiter, Galileo Galilei, Jean-Dominique Cassini, Ole Roemer, Stellarium, SeeStar S50
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ArtSci kits for curious mindsHave you ever thought about how an art studio is like a science lab? Are artists secretly mad scientists? The intersection of the two subjects gives us a deeper understanding of the techniques artists used in the past and how to preserve artwork for the future. ArtSci’s art and science kits blend the two subjects together in an engaging and playful way for young audiences. The projects and lessons are made for young children and families, with playful colors and imagery found throughout each kit. The simple nature of the projects creates an accessible lesson that can be adapted to a wide range of age groups. With projects that range from making ancient fres¬cos to contemporary art each kit will have something for all learn¬ers to enjoy. ArtSci encourages kids to ask “how”, “what”, and “why” as they create and explore the world around them. Key Words: Graphic Design Art History Chemistry Science Learning Musuems Art Conservation
