Houghton Psychology students showcased their research projects at the Western New York Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference at the University at Buffalo on April 13, 2024. The conference featured 40 student posters and 10 oral presentations by students from 12 different institutions, attracting over 150 attendees.

The 12 Houghton students from the spring semester Experimental Methods and Collaborative Research classes gained experience in the complete scientific process during their undergraduate studies, from formulating hypotheses and designing experiments to analyzing and presenting their findings.

“With the replication crisis and open science continuing to be major focuses in psychology and other disciplines, this experience was key to these students’ professional development,” said Alison Young Reusser, associate professor of psychology. “We want our students to be prepared producers and consumers of scientific work in psychology.”

The Western New York Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference celebrated the achievements of these talented students and highlighted the importance of fostering a vibrant research community among undergraduate scholars. Among the participating schools were Alfred University, Buffalo State University, Canisius College, D’Youville University, Daemen University, Erie Community College, Hilbert College, Houghton University, Le Moyne College, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY Empire State College, and the University at Buffalo. Hannah Kim, assistant professor of psychology at Houghton, also played a crucial role as a faculty judge.

By providing a welcoming environment for undergraduate psychology students to share their research in a professional setting, the event served as a stepping stone for students to transition into larger national conventions.

Poster Presentations

• “Choosing Empathy in the Face of Cognitive Costs and Loneliness” presented by Aubree Niles ’24, Rachel Bedell ’26, Clancey Cockle ’26, Tasha Bernard ’28 and Bemnet Haile
• “Exploring the Possible Benefits of Cognitive Reappraisal in Relation to Depression, with Socioeconomic Status as a Moderator” presented by Hannah Bretz ’25, Aidan Fish ’25 and Lauren Hildebrand ’26
• “Consider the Stars: How Experiences of Awe Impact Humility” presented by Anna Lloyd ’26, Sara Carter ’25, Paola Mercado ’26, Aaron Hinton ’24 and Jeremy Swanson ’25

Oral Presentation

• “Kindly Correcting Toxicity: Does It Change Others’ Behavior?” presented by Abigail Wheeler ’24