Abstract not available

Abstract not available

Abstract not available

The importance of auditory stimulation for captive rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) was assessed through three studies. The first study allowed three groups of monkeys to control the onset and offset of a series of 5 types of auditory stimulation over 10 weeks. Using an ABA design, the behavioral effects of this manipulation were examined. A significant increase in affiliative behavior was seen during the test phase. This was accompanied by a decrease in self directed behaviors, notably stereotypes. The second study allowed the monkeys to control the onset and offset of two types of sound. Operant response rates, duration of music exposure, and activations of the music indicated that there was a preference for Jazz and Dixieland music over Animal Sounds. The final study examined the behavioral responses of the monkeys to music under two conditions; (a) normal home-cage or (b) heightened arousal. The arousal condition was accomplished through the introduction of novel and/or threatening objects. To assess whether responses were truly as result of a stimulus with tonal and rhythmic components, white noise was used as a control. Significant interactions between sound type and arousal condition suggested that music has a calming effect under conditions of heightened arousal. Levels of tension related behaviors were lower during the Music and Arousal condition than the Noise and Arousal condition. In addition, higher levels of social contact were evident. The results of these studies indicate that monkeys will play music when given the opportunity. Interest in the music is maintained for longer when they are presented with a simultaneous choice between two stimuli than when presented with only one type to turn on or off. As the presentation of music was accompanied by increases in affiliative behavior and decreases in self directed behavior, the manipulation was said to have a beneficial and calming effect.

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No description available.

Two studies tested the hypothesis that romantic partners function as hard-to-fake signals of status. In Study 1, participants rated the status of various professional men (CEO, professor, politician). The person was described as either having married an attractive woman (high quality signal) or an unattractive woman (low quality signal). Participants rated the high quality signaler as possessing more status in all three scenarios. In study 2, participants (all men) were told that they would interact with either a high status or a low status male professor. They were given a choice to partner with either a very attractive but unpleasant woman or a less attractive but pleasant woman. In the high status condition, participants chose the very attractive partner more often than in the low status condition. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Spring Semester, 2015. / March 24, 2015. / Mate Choice, Mate Flaunting, Mating, Signaling / Includes bibliographical references. / Roy F. Baumeister, Professor Directing Thesis; Jesse Cougle, Committee Member; James McNulty, Committee Member.

Past research indicates that imagining contact with an outgroup member can reduce prejudice toward that outgroup (Miles & Crisp, 2014). However, for people with few experiences with outgroup members, such as gay men and lesbians who are a numerically small outgroup, imagined contact may be difficult and less effective. The current work proposes imagining contact with famous gay men and lesbians may be one way of resolving these issues and improving the efficacy of imagined contact. In one online study (Study 1) and one lab study (Study 2) we tested the hypothesis that among heterosexuals, imagined contact with famous gay men and lesbians can be an effective means of improving responses toward gay men and lesbians compared to imagined contact with non-famous gay/lesbian individuals and famous heterosexuals. Results supported our predictions demonstrating that imagined contact with famous gay men and lesbians is associated with a more pleasant imagined interaction experience, reduced sexual prejudice, and fewer concerns about being misclassified as gay or lesbian. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Fall Semester, 2014. / October 29, 2014. / contagion concerns, imagined contact, sexual prejudice / Includes bibliographical references. / E. Ashby Plant, Professor Directing Thesis; Colleen Ganley, Committee Member; James McNulty, Committee Member.

People use heuristics, even though these produce wrong answers to problems. The present research tested an explanation for this seemingly irrational phenomenon. People use heuristics to preserve mental energy and avoid self-regulatory failures that occur when one’s mental resources become depleted (i.e., ego depletion). Three studies tested different hypotheses derived from this model. Study 1 found that people assigned to complete a depleting task (compared to an easy, non-depleting task) subsequently used more heuristics to solve word problems. Study 2 found that people assigned to use intuition (rather than controlled thinking) to solve the same set of problems were more likely to use heuristics to solve the problems. Crucially, using intuition also improved performance on a subsequent self-control task (the Stroop test). Study 3 found that people who merely anticipated a future effortful task (compared to anticipating no future task) were more likely to use heuristics to solve the problems currently in front of them. People high in trait self-control were especially likely to use heuristics in this apparently strategic manner. Surprisingly, however, people were seemingly unaware that they had adopted the strategy to use heuristics to save energy for the future. Overall, the results supported the idea that one reason for cognitive miserliness is to avoid ego depletion. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester 2016. / June 10, 2016. / cognitive miserliness, cognitive reflection, decision making, ego depletion, heuristics, self-regulation / Includes bibliographical references. / Roy Baumeister, Professor Directing Dissertation; Al Mele, University Representative; E. Ashby Plant, Committee Member; James McNulty, Committee Member; Colleen Kelley, Committee Member.

No description available.