Face to Face 9:45 – 11:00 AM CT: Poster Session
Title of presentation: Make America Gay Again: Measuring Positive Queer Relationship Representation in Cinema
Presenter: Michael Ackeret
Advisor: Dr. Andrew Bonner
Abstract:
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community has been increasingly represented in American cinema over the past few decades. However, current research finds that the content of queer portrayals is stereotypical and damaging (McInroy & Craig, 2016). Recognizing the urgency of positive queer representation, this current project aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse by examining the depicted valence of the moral theme of reverence in queer intimacy in film. Specficially, we wanted to know if the depiction of queer intimacy has changed across time. The study commenced with a comprehensive viewing of Brokeback Mountain (2005), followed by an examination of the more recent Red, White & Royal Blue (2023). Each act of reverence within the queer relationships was systematically coded, providing an operational understanding of the valence associated with queer intimacy. The subsequent statistical analysis involved a chi-square test of independence. The results revealed a significant association indicating a discernible difference. Red, White & Royal Blue emerged as more likely than Brokeback Mountain to depict positive acts of queer intimacy. This study advocates for a progressive, inclusive, and affirming direction for societal attitudes, recognizing the transformative power of respectful portrayals in shaping public perception.
Title of presentation: Wizarding Wisdom: Ageism Explored Through Bravery in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Presenter: Wajeeha Raqeeb
Advisor: Dr. Andrew Bonner
Abstract:
Ng et al. (2023) conducted a comprehensive study exploring the portrayal of older characters in films from around the world. Their research, based on a diverse corpus spanning 88 countries and nearly nine decades of cinema, revealed a disheartening trend: older individuals are often negatively depicted in films globally. This highlights a pervasive issue: ageism, where youthfulness is prioritized over old age, contributing to the perpetuation of negative stereotypes and mistreatment of older individuals. However, the evidence of ageism in movies made for younger audiences has not been systematically evaluated.
Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to examine ageism by coding the moral theme of bravery in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Part 2." We coded younger and older characters in the movie and if their acts of bravery were associated with positive or negative valence. A Chi-square test revealed no significant relationship between characters' age and the depicted valence of bravery, challenging common perceptions. Essentially, being young or old didn't predict how bravery was shown in the movies. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Title of presentation: Don't Worry Your Pretty Little Head: Effects of Ageism and Gender on Perceived Warmth, Competence, and Hire-Ability
Presenter: Emileigh Parda
Advisor: Dr. Kelley Kline
Abstract:
The present study investigates the interplay of ageism and gender in shaping perceptions of warmth, competence, and professional opportunities. Prior research has highlighted disparities in how single female professionals are assessed, typically receiving lower ratings in perceived warmth but higher ratings in perceived competence. Conversely, descriptions of women transitioning to working motherhood often leads to gains in perceived warmth but reductions in perceived competence. In contrast, male professionals tend to garner higher ratings in perceived competence and also experience an increase in perceived warmth when described as working fathers. Emerging evidence suggests that ageism further compounds these dynamics, influencing perceptions of warmth and competence alongside gender and parental status. Utilizing a vignette model (originally used by Cuddy and colleagues, 2004), depicting a fictitious candidate applying for a consulting firm position, participants will rate the candidate on warmth, competence, and various financial and professional outcomes. Employing a two-way between-subjects study design, with factors of gender and age of the target candidate, while maintaining consistent parental status across all scenarios, aims to uncover nuanced trends in perceptions. It is hypothesized that younger depictions of the candidate (28 years old vignette), will elicit perceptions of greater warmth, while older depictions (56 years old vignette), will be associated with increased competence. Based on previous literature, it is anticipated that, irrespective of age, the male candidate will be perceived as both more competent and warmer than the female candidate. This study seeks to surpass prior research findings by revealing more progressive and equitable outcomes, ultimately enhancing professional and financial prospects. Results indicated that older candidates were rated significantly higher in trustworthiness than their younger counterparts, indicating a preference for older individuals. Furthermore, females were perceived as more skillful than males, and were more commonly associated with primary caregiving roles. Older candidates were also viewed as more deserving of leadership positions and preference for hiring. The influence of age and gender on participants' perceptions underscores the imperative nature of recognizing and addressing biases in organizational practices related to hiring and leadership decisions.
Title of presentation: Gender Going Forward: Effects of Age and Gender on Employment in the Past vs the Present
Presenter: Macie Dawson
Advisor: Dr. Kelley Kline
Abstract:
Historically, women and elders have faced discrimination in hire ability compared to men and younger applicants. Using the stereotype model, we observe the warm and competency scores between job applicants of different genders, male and female, and different ages, late twenties and fifties, in addition to economic disparity in regard to offered wages. The goal is to observe if the discrimination of high warmth and low competency is still observed against women, worse so in older women, in modern employers. We conducted surveys in-person and online on forms like reddit and Facebook. We expect to find that while young applicants would score similarly in competence, warmth, and offered wadges regardless of gender, improved from previous studies, there is a large discrimination amongst older applicants in wages and competency scores.
Title of presentation: Increasing Gym Attendance Through Self-Management
Presenter: Jada Edwards and Kirstyn Yountz
Advisor: Dr. Leah Koehler
Abstract:
The present study focused on one undergraduate student’s goal to increase weekly fitness habits for weight management using self-management.. Upon identifying competing behaviors during baseline, a multi-elemental design was implemented to compare two antecedent modification strategies targeted at increasing gym attendance. Gym attendance was measured by duration and frequency and was self-recorded over 6 weeks. Initial gym attendance immediately increased following treatment, however weekly goals were not being met. After adjusting the schedules, weekly goals were consistently met for the duration of the study.
Title of presentation: Self-Management Project to Increase Recreational Reading Behavior
Presenter: Ananda Jaundoo
Advisor: Dr. Leah Koehler
Abstract:
Self-monitoring and management have been used successfully as behavior analytic strategies to target one’s own behavior for change. In this project, the target behavior of recreational reading was targeted for increase for an undergraduate college student at Florida State University. Recreational reading was operationally defined as instances of reading for a leisurely activity completed with a book on a topic of personal interest as was measure using duration (minutes spent). The independent variables were: (a) decreasing response effort of accessing reading, and (b) a stimulus control manipulation. A reversal design was utilized to evaluate experimental control. After collecting data from baseline and starting the first treatment phase, we have found minimal increase in the target behavior, yet there has been an increase in the stability of the data points. Moving forward, treatment C will be implemented to measure target behavior increases as a next step in this study.