Psi Beta’s National Psi Beta’s National Research ProjectsResearch Projects

Jerry Rudmann, PhD Executive Director

July 1, 2013

Agenda

I. Purpose of the National Research Project Additional incentives for participation

II. Historical OverviewIII. Schedule

A. Pilot during spring 2008B. Begin major study fall 2008 through June 2009

IV. Eligibility requirements V. Variables

A. ShynessB. Academic and social integration of first semester college studentsC. Personality factors

VI. HypothesesVII. Instruments, informed consent form, scriptVIII. Beginning reference listIX. 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, researchresearch, and community service. ~Psi Beta National Council, June 9, 1996~

Additional Incentives for Chapters

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 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 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-SortRiverside Behavioral Q-Sort

8 501

Chapter Participation Requirements

IRB approval Chapter required to submit complete data on at

least 30 participants

Selected Findings from Past National Research Projects

Shyness

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

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 othersStrangers 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 75%

Dating 61%

Establishing intimate relationships 41%

Developing friendships 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

13 items having to do with connectedness– To what extent do you…

feel connected with new friends at this college?come to this college for reasons other than

classes (e.g., to socialize, use the library, study)?feel proud to be a student at this college?feel you would recommend this college to a

friend?Feel connected to this college?

To what extent do you feel connected to this college?

1Not at

All

2 3 4 5 6 7Very Much

9.6 22.6 20.9 18.6 13.0 8.5 6.6

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 items)

Thank you for attending!!!