Tag: Poster 101

Emotion and Identity Influence on Associative Memory 

Presenter(s): Melissa Adler – Human Physiology

Faculty Mentor(s): Dasa Zeithamova, Taylor Guthrie

Poster 101

Research Area: Psychology

Eye witness testimonies play an important role in the criminal justice system. These testimonies depend upon the witness’ abilities to remember not only individual elements of events (e.g., having seen a specific person before), but remember how the elements of the event are associated with one another (e.g., having seen the person and the gun together). The events involved are usually emotionally charged but past studies on the influence of emotion on memory have focused primarily
on how people remember individual elements rather than associations between multiple elements. People’s perceptions
may also be influenced by their biases and stereotypes towards certain races and/or genders. In this experiment, I explored how effects of face identity and emotion influence people’s memories. I hypothesized that non-Caucasian, emotional, male faces will inhibit associative memory. Participants studied associations between two individual objects or between a face
and an object and were then tested on how well they recalled those associations, as well as if they tended to connect related memories. The face stimuli were of different races and genders and had either neutral or angry expressions. Preliminary results indicate that the emotional faces, specifically the non-Caucasian, male faces, have an impact on the participant’s abilities to form associations and recall those associations later. Results from this experiment may demonstrate challenges involving eye-witness testimonies. If it is shown that emotion coupled with certain identity factors interrupts these associative memory processes, then the validity of eye-witness testimonies falls in to question.

Farm Animal Valuation: An Analysis of the Variation in Values of College Students Surrounding Farm Animals and the Way Humans Relate to Them

Presenter(s): Kymmi Donaghue

Faculty Mentor(s): Clare Evans & CJ Pascoe

Poster 101

Session: Social Sciences & Humanities

Meat consumption is a practice that is well ingrained in our society. The diets of most individuals in the United States are heavily meat dependent, yet the meat industry perpetuated by violence and frequently by the exploitation of members of marginalized communities. Sociological examination of values surrounding farm animals and the meat industry is important, as taking a deeper look into practices that are considered normal in our society can provide insight into their implications and how people actually feel about them. This research seeks to answer the question: How do values surrounding farm animals vary across gender, race, socioeconomic status, and LGBTQIA+ community membership? The hypothesis is that members of oppressed groups will answer in ways that indicate an increased sensitivity to the oppression of animals. An qualtrics survey of 167 college students at University of Oregon, Lane Community College and Concordia University was conducted in order to assess values surrounding farm animals. The survey asked questions concerning treatment of farm animals, farming practices, and dietary preferences based on a typology of animal values created by Stephen Kellert. Results are analyzed using R. Preliminary findings suggest those who identify as Christian value the material use of farm animals more than those who indicated having no religion. The majority of all respondents across all demographic categories agree that factory farming practices are inhumane, farm animals should be treated with compassion, and that it is important to take into account the environmental effects of the meat industry when making meat purchases.