Past Projects
See what we've accomplished and take a look at our previous research projects.
Effort expenditure for Reward Based Outcomes
The purpose of this research study is to examine whether factors and symptoms of mental health, including schizotypy, predict decision making and reward based effort expenditure. We are also interested in examining if willingness to exert effort on a task predicts different lifestyle and health habits. In addition to this, we are also interested in better understanding the relationship between clinical belief-based symptoms such as delusions and reward sensitivity, and delusions and intolerance of uncertainty as this could provide further information on how such symptoms are developed and maintained.
Lifestyle, Loneliness, and Mental/Physical Health
The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of cannabis use in the relationship between loneliness and paranoia among individuals with schizotypy. By exploring this relationship, the study aims to shed light on the potential connections and interactions between these factors, contributing to a better understanding of the mental health dynamics in this specific population. This study also will examine the relationship between cannabis use and the risk of developing psychosis. The study seeks to provide valuable insights into the pathways and processes by which cannabis use might influence the likelihood of experiencing psychosis, particularly in individuals with schizotypy.
Normative Data for a New Technology Measure
The purpose of this study is to further develop and gather base rate data for a technology use survey in order to better understand the role technology plays within our society. The findings from this study may contribute to knowledge about general technology use patterns. By developing this measure, we may increase our understanding of broad patterns of technology use and its implications in our daily lives. In the future, this measure could be used to examine the relationships between a number of physical and mental health constructs including interventions involving technology.
Factors Impacting Social Risk
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between a number of different factors and schizotypy. We are interested in examining the relationship between self-reported physical and mental health and the perception of time in undergraduate students. In addition, we will also examine the roles of lifestyle behaviors (e.g., physical activity level, cigarette smoking, sleeping patterns, sexual behaviors, etc) and physical health. Interpersonal emotions and interaction will be evaluated as well as feelings toward intimate relationships to see how they impact sexual risk behaviors in addition to technology use.
Factors Influencing health behaviors
This study explored the lifestyle behaviors of undergraduate students. Specific lifestyle behaviors of interest included dietary choices, physical activity, and nicotine use. In addition, the influences of childhood resources and environment in relation to health behaviors was also explored.
Factors influencing beliefs
This study involved the exploration of a number of concepts relating to the formation and maintenance of delusion-like beliefs. Variables of interest included delusional ideation, mood, lifestyle habits, schizotypy, and health history with the addition of a source monitoring task with participants.
Childhood experiences and health among college students
The purpose of this research study was to examine the relationship between childhood experiences and current mental, physical, and social well-being in college aged students. In particular, we were interested in examining the relationship between caregiver socioeconomic factors and current physical and mental health. We are also interested in examining the relationship between childhood experiences, current mental and physical health, and attachment styles.
Predictors of physiological change during a visual task
The purpose of the study was to determine the predictive factors of the stress model towards developing psychiatric illnesses. In other words, we were looking at how people's reaction to stress predicts the presence of mental phenomena. We did this by inducing a stress response though a change blindness task. To record the stress reaction we used an EEG, electrodes on the head to monitor brain waves. We also administered questionnaires to screen for sub-clinical levels of psychiatric disorders.
Mental Health, Boredom, Technology Use
The purpose of this study was to examine factors of mental health including schizotypy and mood symptomology in the context of boredom and technology use amongst college undergraduate students. This study included the original and preliminary Domains of Technology Use Survey.