Working memory (WM) is the cognitive construct responsible for maintaining and processing information. Despite the fact that WM permeates nearly every aspect of daily life, the current research on the relationship between WM and metacognitive ability is sparse and inconclusive. In the present study, we were interested in using WM capacity to predict an individual’s perception of difficulty in a category task. We hypothesized that higher WM capacity would allow an individual to more easily complete the task and, subsequently, perceive the task as easier. To test this hypothesis, participants were presented with everyday words and given opportunities for trial-and-error-based learning about to which of three novel categories each word belonged. Next, participants completed two counterbalanced measures of WM, R-span and O-span tasks. Finally, participants were presented with a novel transfer task and a questionnaire that measured strategy usage and perceived task difficulty. Participants were assigned to high and low WM groups based on a median split of the combination of R-span and O-span scores. Preliminary results are consistent with our hypothesis. Individuals in the high WM group rated the task as less difficult than participants in the low WM group. Additionally, the high WM group also had higher accuracy scores than the low WM group on the final trial of the category learning task. These findings have important implications for education. If WM capacity really does influence actual and perceived performance in cognitively demanding situations, manipulating WM load in the classroom could help facilitate success for all students.

In general, women are at higher risk for anxiety disorders than men. A characteristic of many anxiety disorders is generalization of fear responses, which occurs when fear is expressed towards non-fearful stimuli. Previous research from our lab demonstrates that in ovariectomized female rats, estradiol induces contextual fear generalization, whereas in gonadectomized males, estradiol reduces generalization. Our lab determined that estradiol acts within the dorsal CA1 (dCA1) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) to induce generalization in females. However, in males the brain regions mediating estradiol’s ability to reduce generalization are unknown. Given the influence estradiol has on glutamate receptors, we hypothesized that estradiol induces generalization in female rats by enhancing glutamatergic signaling in the dCA1 and ACC. Using a passive avoidance paradigm, we examined the role of NMDA and AMPA type glutamate receptors in the dCA1 and ACC and found that both are necessary for estradiol-induced generalization. Pharmacological blockade of both receptor types reduced generalization caused by administration of estradiol. To determine specific brain regions involved in the reduction of generalization in male rats, we examined the effect of estradiol in the dCA1 and the bed nucleus stria terminals (BNST), two regions important for mediating the behavioral effects of estradiol. Results demonstrated estradiol infusions into the dCA1, but not the BNST, reduced generalization in males. These data suggest a similar neural circuit is involved in the sex-specific effects of estradiol on generalized fear. Understanding the sex-dependent influences of estradiol on generalization will allow for improved, sex-specific, treatments for many anxiety disorders.

This study examines relationships between executive functions (updating, shifting, and task switching) and spoken word. Participants complete three measures of executive functions and then are audiotaped while reciting a poem and giving a short speech. Audio tapes are analyzed for quality and number of speech errors. Results will be analyzed to determine which executive functions predict speaking ability. Data collection is ongoing, as this is a class project for Research Methods in Psychology.

This study aims to examine the physiological, emotional, and psychological effects of stress on the human body. Chronic stress can cause a wide variety of symptoms and if left untreated can lead to illnesses such as heart disease and stroke. The goal I have for this study is to find how stress affects people, particularly college students, in order to gain a better understanding of how to help people better manage their stress and to lead healthier and happier lives. The study is a quantitative, quasi-experimental, correlational design and will focus on students within a university setting. I am using a variety of surveys and cognitive tests to see how stress affects participants’ lives and if there are any correlations between stress and well-being. I hypothesize that stress will show a negative correlation with emotional health and cognitive well-being, and a positive correlation to physiological symptom reporting. This research study has been approved and I am currently collecting data.

There is an association that can be observed between PTSD and the severity of substance abuse disorders in those individuals who experience a traumatic event (Peirce et al., 2008). However, we aim to investigate if there is a relationship between gender and substance abuse when an individual experiences an interpersonal trauma. Prior research does suggest that women are more susceptible than men to develop PTSD (Peirce et al., 2008). In presence of interpersonal trauma history (sexual assault, physical assault, physical assault with a weapon), does gender influence frequency substance abuse?

This sample was collected through an inpatient detox center for individual’s presenting with a substance use problem. Cognitive assessments and questionnaires about past trauma and substance use history were administered to the participants at the detox center. The questionnaire asked about different types of trauma, such as physical or sexual assault, and the degree of exposure (i.e. “happened to you” or if “you witnessed it”).

Given the relationship shown between PTSD and substance use (Dansky et al., 1996), we expect to replicate this relationship for PTSD and substance use in this sample but we hypothesize that gender will not impact these variables. Understanding the potential gender differences within substance and trauma may better inform whether treatment approaches should be tailored by gender for interpersonal trauma. Data collection is ongoing at this point. Results will be provided at the poster presentation.