Psi Betas National Research Projects Robin Musselman Psi

Psi Beta’s National Research Projects Robin Musselman Psi Beta Past-President Jerry Rudmann Executive Director, Psi Beta National Honor Society July 1, 2013

Agenda I. Purpose of the National Research Project Additional incentives for participation II. III. Historical Overview Schedule A. B. IV. V. Eligibility requirements Variables A. B. C. VI. VIII. IX. Pilot during spring 2008 Begin major study fall 2008 through June 2009 Shyness Academic and social integration of first semester college students Personality factors Hypotheses Instruments, informed consent form, script Beginning reference list Closing

Purpose of Psi Beta’s National Research Project The mission of Psi Beta Honor Society is to promote professional development of psychology students in two-year colleges through promotion and recognition of excellence in scholarship, leadership, research, and community service. ~Psi Beta National Council, June 9, 1996~

Purpose of Psi Beta’s National Research Project The mission of Psi Beta Honor Society is to promote professional development of psychology students in two-year colleges through promotion and recognition of excellence in scholarship, leadership, research and community service. ~Psi Beta National Council, June 9, 1996~

Additional Incentives for Chapters l l To further investigate important topics: e. g. , shyness, mobile phone addiction To partner with cutting edge researchers at leading research universities Research partnership with Psi Chi Assist with assessment component of chapter service projects l l Peer mentoring, campus connectedness, developing a growth mindset, inoculation against stereotype threat, etc. Poster presentations at conferences

Historical Overview of the Psi Beta National Research Project Year Topic Measures Chapters N 2008 -09 Shyness Scale, Shyness Inventory, Big 5 4 181 2009 -10 Happiness Appreciation, Gratitude, Subjective Happiness Scale, Self-Esteem, Optimism, Satisfaction with Life 8 482 2010 -11 College Connectedness Shyness Scale, Campus Connectedness 12 918 2011 -12 Mobile Phone Use Big 5, Self-Esteem, Cell Phone Addiction scale, Leisure-Boredom Scale 13 741 2012 -13 International Situations Project Riverside Situational Q-Sort Riverside Behavioral Q-Sort 8 501

Chapter Participation Requirements l l IRB approval Chapter required to submit complete data on at least 30 participants

Selected Findings from Past National Research Projects

Shyness l l l Consider yourself to be a shy person? 43% If not shy now, were you ever shy? 67% If shy, has shyness ever been a personal problem for you? – – Often 38% Sometimes 27%

Some Correlations l l l Connectedness and shyness are not related Shyness is inversely related to Extroversion (r = -0. 62**) Shyness is positively related to Neuroticism (r = 0. 50**)

Types of people who elicit shyness For shy people, shyness producing others Strangers 76% People of the opposite sex (group or one-on-one) 49% Authorities (by virtue of their expertise) 47% Authorities (by virtue of their role – police, teachers, etc. ) 37% Foreigners 28% Relatives, elderly people (tie) 25% Persons of the same sex 14% Parents 12% Friends, Siblings 6%

Some ways shyness has created problems in participants’ personal lives Meeting new people Dating Establishing intimate relationships Developing friendships 75% 61% 40%

How shyness has created problems in participants’ educational lives Speaking up in class 70 Giving a presentation to the class 68 Asking questions during class 52 Seeking help from teachers outside the classroom 47 Making friends with classmates 43 Participating in group discussions/projects 34 Participating in student organizations 31

Actions taken to overcome shyness: Tried to change the way I think about myself 59 Tried to go out to meet people 53 Tried to make conversation with people I don’t know but would like to know 51 Changed my physical appearance 26 Served as a volunteer 23 Joined a fitness or recreation club 21 Visited Internet chat rooms and/or discussion groups 16 Consumed alcohol or illegal drug / tied with individual therapy / tied with self-help books 14

Development of a College Connectedness Scale l 13 items having to do with connectedness – To what extent do you… l feel connected with new friends at this college? l come to this college for reasons other than classes (e. g. , to socialize, use the library, study)? l feel proud to be a student at this college? l feel you would recommend this college to a friend? l Feel connected to this college?

To what extent do you feel connected to this college? 1 Not at All 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very Much 9. 6 22. 6 20. 9 18. 6 13. 0 8. 5 6. 6 25 20 15 10 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Exploratory factor analysis of connectedness questions Principal Component Analysis, Promax with Kaiser Normalization Factors 1. Pride/satisfaction with the college (4 items) 2. Connected to friends/activities (5 items) 3. Familiarity with college staff (instructor, staff, and/or administrator – 2 items) 4. Study group involvement, interest (2

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