-
Interpersonal Regret Choices among Undergraduates.
.....Teagan Ainsley Slade, East Carolina University; Emily Herrle, East Carolina University; David Knox, East Carolina University; Elizabeth Perkins, Morehead State University; I Joyce Chang, University of Central Missouri; and Lacey Ritter, Mount Mercy University
show abstract
Regretting one’s interpersonal decisions is not unusual- “I should have…”, “I could have…..”, “Why didn’t I?” This research focused on interpersonal regret among a sample of 305 undergraduates (72% female, 82% heterosexual, 63% white) who reported on their experience with 17 interpersonal decisions. The top three regrets were “overlooking red flags”- 70%, “staying in a relationship that should be broken”- 60%, and “forgiving a partner rather than ending the relationship- 56%. Gender differences in regret over relationship decisions revealed women being significantly more likely than men to regret “ Overlooking “red flags” ( p < .05) , putting up with partner’s lying (p < .001), and staying in a relationship in which they felt “used” (p < .001). Men were significantly more likely than women to regret “flirting while in a committed relationship” ( p < .05). There were no significant racial or sexual orientation group differences. Symbolic interaction is the theoretical framework for explaining the data. Limitations of the research are identified.
-
Party At The Polls : Voter Registration Initiative.
.....Jaycob Beasley, Tuskegee University
show abstract
This initiative began in March 2023 as a civic engagement project for Tuskegee University, evolving to educate and inspire young voters amid rising voter suppression. We focus on increasing youth participation in civic discussions and encouraging political involvement through voting. Our partnership with the NAACP campus group led to a significant impact on our campus, increasing education among registered voters and inspiring approximately 150 unregistered voters to participate actively, including managing form submissions to the Macon County Courthouse.
An interactive annual event on Tuskegee University's open house day educates the community about historical voter suppression in Macon County and modern tactics, while actively registering new voters in an engaging setting. Volunteers are trained to confidently convey our mission, engage citizens, and share Tuskegee’s history that inspired this initiative.
In the summer of 2024, this initiative gained international recognition as I was invited to present at the OSUN Get Engaged Conference in Berlin, Germany. The presentation was a success, allowing me to gain valuable insights and further inspiring the ongoing transition of this initiative into a sustainable nonprofit organization. I was honored with a sealed certificate for my efforts, marking a significant milestone in the project's journey. Future goals include expanding outreach, fostering new partnerships, and increasing voter registration and civic engagement across broader communities.
-
Analyzing News Reports on Black Parent-Child Socialization to Explore Gender Neutrality.
.....Mahir Mahmud Khan, Wichita State University
show abstract
Black parents use a socialization tool informally known as "the talk" to guide their children on navigating interactions with law enforcement. This conversation includes discussions on effectively managing police encounters to reduce the risk of harm or fatality. Studies reveal that, despite Black women and girls experiencing fatal police violence, there is significantly less attention given to violence against them. The purpose of this study, however, is to analyze news sources related to "the talk" and investigate the gender neutrality of headlines. The research employed an unobtrusive method, specifically a combination of content analysis and thematic analysis on six news articles gathered through a Google search (2010-2023) for "the talk by Black parents." The findings indicate that, while the headlines are gender-neutral, the article framing maintains a gender-binary approach, excluding children with non-binary gender identities from the discussion. Moreover, there is an increased emphasis on male children, contributing to the marginalization of girls. This study adds to critical race and gender studies by examining media representation and uncovering complex dynamics at the intersection of race and gender. Future studies could explore the impact of gender framing in media on public perceptions and attitudes.
-
A Comparative Analysis of Animal Cruelty Law Categories and Reported Incidents Across U.S. Regions.
.....Shelly McGrath, University of Alabama at Birmingham; and Kirsten Tjarks, University of Alabama-Birmingham
show abstract
This research examines the variability and enforceability of animal abuse laws across different U.S. states. Amidst growing societal concern for animal welfare, significant inconsistencies exist in legal protections for animals. My study aims to bridge the gap between diverse legal frameworks and the goal of unified animal protection. Utilizing a multi-faceted approach, we systematically compare legal texts across states, analyze the correlation between legal wording and law enforcement, and assess the influence of regional socio-political contexts. The literature review identifies gaps in current research, particularly in the enforcement effectiveness and regional variation of laws. My findings highlight a fragmented approach to animal cruelty laws in the U.S. and underscore the need for standardized, effective legal strategies. This study contributes new insights into the enforceability of animal abuse laws, advocating for policy reforms to enhance animal welfare legislation and aiming to influence future research and policymaking in this crucial area.
-
Remaining Together After an Affair.
.....Lillian Griffin, East Carolina University
show abstract
Remaining Together After an Affair
Lillian Griffin, East Carolina University
Haley Morrow, East Carolina University
I Joyce Chang, Central Missouri University
Elizabeth Perkins, Morehead State University
David Knox, East Carolina University
A partner’s cheating/affair remains a crisis event for most couples in a romantic relationship.
Working through the betrayal is an alternative to ending the relationship. This research will
assess factors involved in making the decision to remain in a relationship after cheating has
occurred and what the relationship was like going forward. The data will be from 400+
undergraduates at three universities who will be asked to complete a survey emailed to them by
the faculty members of this research. In addition to 16 quantitative questions, open ended
qualitative questions include “If you have been in a committed relationship where your partner
cheated on you, and you stayed together, what factors contributed to your decision to stay
together and what was the relationship like going forward?” Variations by gender, sexual
orientation, and race will be assessed. Symbolic interactionism and social exchange theories will
be used to explain the findings. Limitations of the research will be identified.
-
Social Media and Public Opinion on Gun Control.
.....Maruice Mangum, Jackson State University
show abstract
The purpose of this research is to learn whether social media usage shapes public opinion on gun control. Given its widespread use in politics and sensationalism of newsworthy events such as mass shootings, I investigate whether usage of certain social media outlets, frequency of usage, and being active on mainstream social media influence support for or opposition to various forms of gun control. To date, this investigation serves as the first of its kind.
Social media platforms have become important linkage mechanisms, connecting people across borders, serving as prime sources of news, and making it possible for individuals to communicate directly with each other. Social media platforms make it easier and more effective for users to share their views on many topics and are powerful avenues for social and political activism, igniting the #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter movements and the Arab Spring.
In doing so, I ground our investigation in cultivation theory. Cultivation theory posits that long-term exposure to television influences society’s perception of the real world (Gerbner, 1969). Over time, exposure results in desultory learning (Mosharaf, 2015). Thus, social media consumption may have a positive relationship with negative perceptions of the real world (mean world hypothesis). I contend that the more active social media users are, the more likely they will see the world as a dangerous or negative place, hence, support gun control. I expand on cultivation theory through the following hypotheses:
H1: Social media consumption is positively associated with wanting the U.S. government to make it more difficult to purchase a firearm.
H2: Social media consumption is positively associated with wanting to require background checks when purchasing a firearm in the U.S.
H3: Social media consumption is positively associated with wanting to ban assault-style firearms in the U.S.
H4: Social media consumption is positively associated with wanting the U.S. government to implement a mandatory assault-style firearm buy-back policy.
-
Retribution or Reform? A Qualitative Analysis of Racial and Gendered Opinions towards Rehabilitative Justice.
.....Emil M Cucksee, University of Alabama in Huntsville
show abstract
Previous research has compared punitive attitudes between men and women but largely excludes gender minorities. The current study takes an intersectional approach to more comprehensively examine gendered and racialized attitudinal differences. We recruited 22 participants via the Discord platform, utilizing a snowballing sample method from June to July of 2024. Participants completed 45-minute long interviews and demographic questionnaires in order to examine their attitudes regarding general perceptions of criminal justice, policing, prisons, the release of inmates, and capital punishment. Among a relatively liberal sample, we found that men, women, and gender minorities all shared rehabilitative-oriented beliefs about criminal justice. However, cisgender women were more likely to define criminal justice in the context of fairness, whereas cisgender men and gender minorities were more likely to define it in the context of restoration. Gender minorities were more receptive to themes of abolition and/or reform than were cisgender men and women. We found relatively few racial differences between White participants and participants of color, though White people were more likely to support capital punishment in rare exceptions, and people of color were more likely to cite false convictions in their support for the abolition of capital punishment.
-
Interpersonal Regrets among Undergraduates.
.....Emily Michele Herrle, East Carolina University; Teagan Ainsley Slade, East Carolina University; and David Knox, East Carolina University
show abstract
Regretting one’s interpersonal decisions is not unusual- “I should have…”, “I could have…..”, “Why didn’t I?” This research focused on interpersonal regret among a sample of 305 undergraduates (72% female, 82% heterosexual, 63% white) who reported on their experience with 17 interpersonal decisions. The top three regrets were “overlooking red flags”- 70%, “staying in a relationship that should be broken”- 60%, and “forgiving a partner rather than ending the relationship- 56%. Gender differences in regret over relationship decisions revealed women being significantly more likely than men to regret “ Overlooking “red flags” ( p < .05) , putting up with partner’s lying (p < .001), and staying in a relationship in which they felt “used” (p < .001). Men were significantly more likely than women to regret “flirting while in a committed relationship” ( p < .05). There were no significant racial or sexual orientation group differences. Symbolic interaction is the theoretical framework for explaining the data. Limitations of the research are identified.