Psychology
Three psychology majors Wendy M. Kane, Monica E. Medina, Andrea L. Torres presented at May's 20th Annual Association for Psychological Science convention, attended by 3,300. They were accompanied by Dr. Brent King, assistant professor of psychology. The presentation was titled "My Computer, My Protector: Locus of Control, Computer Fluency, and Online Self-Disclosures." The project investigated locus of control, computer fluency, and online self-disclosure on personal web pages (e.g., MySpace). The research was completed as part of an honors seminar course available to psychology majors and minors. Additional authors included Lisa Reed, Jonie M. Coulson, and King. Online self-disclosure is a topic of discussion in the mass media and law-enforcement agencies around the United States. However, little research has been conducted that investigates the factors that are involved in online self-disclosures.
Torres and Medina also presented a research poster, "The Effects of Need for Cognition and Test-Taking Anxiety on Memory of General Knowledge," at the 78th Annual Rocky Mountain Psychological Association conference in Boise Idaho, April 11. Two ASC psychology faculty,Dr. Gina Mollet and Dr. Leslie Alvarez, also had presentations. Approximately 500 faculty and students participated in the conference. Attendees came from the eight-state Rocky Mountain region, as well as from Virginia, Florida, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico.
The student-researchers presented research that showed that participants who enjoyed thinking did better on a general knowledge quiz, compared to participants who experienced less enjoyment from cognitive tasks. Also, participants who had lower levels of test anxiety did better on the knowledge quiz. The project was part of a research methods course, required for all ASC psychology majors.
Softball
Senior shortstop Heather Ebert made ASC softball history in the team's best conference season since 1993 (NCAA Div. II era). Coached by Dervin Taylor, the Grizzlies won the RMAC West Division Title and finished 2nd in the RMAC Tournament.
Ebert became the first ASC player named National Player of the Year among NCAA Div. II institutions, as well as the first selected for the First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American(r) for the College Division by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). This recognition considers both classroom and athletic achievement. A human performance and physical education major, Ebert has a 3.85 GPA. She was also named Daktronics South Central Regional Player of the Year and the RMAC Academic Player of the Year.
Ebert hit .505 with Div. II-high and school-record 22 home runs this season and ranks second in the country with her .978 slugging percentage. She finished the year with 16 doubles, 2 triples, 6 stolen bases, and drew 33 walks while striking out just 12 times.
