Summer 2022 Lab News
In Summer 2022, our 18 returning lab members welcomed 6 new lab members to the Interactive Measurement Group. Similar to Spring 2022, we used a hybrid meeting model so that lab members could attend meetings either online or in person. Together, we learned important stress-reduction techniques, further developed our writing and presentation skills, revamped our Jamovi assignments, and examined several research questions related to climate change.
Having effective stress-reduction techniques is essential for achieving our academic and professional goals. To help one another learn (or improve) these techniques, we completed the 8-week online Palouse Mindfulness-Based Stress-Reduction Program (MBSR). The MBSR – a free course that offers videos, readings, and practices on mindfulness – helps clear and focus the mind so that we are prepared for the inevitable challenges that come our way. We practiced body scans, sitting and walking meditations, mindful yoga, and breathing techniques. You can complete the MBSR, too, or look for resources on specific topics, at https://palousemindfulness.com/
To develop our writing skills this summer, we completed a workbook based upon The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. Together, we practiced techniques such as writing with a purpose, using active voice, and providing concrete details. Using our improved writing skills, we published the 17th issue of our lab newsletter and drafted the articles for the 18th issue (which you are reading now!). Relatedly, we presented a poster on data point censoring at the SPSP virtual conference in February and gave four posters on the factor structure of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale at APS, WPA, RMPA, and OUR – the results of our labors last fall. In addition, Fitsum Ayele gave a podium presentation based upon his Honors Thesis on the relationship between mindfulness and job burnout at the Office of Undergraduate Research symposium.
As many of you know, we have been talking about climate change during lab meetings for over a year. In Fall 2021, we conducted our first study on this important topic, focusing on the relationships between climate change anxiety, hope, trust, and action. In the spring, we converted our 10 Jamovi assignments so that they use this new dataset, selecting the necessary variables and modifying the analyses to fit them. This summer, lab members completed the new assignments and provided feedback on how to improve them; then we drafted scoring keys and grading rubrics that could be used in the fall when Kim teaches undergraduate statistics. Additionally, Kim Barchard and graduate student Kaelyn Griffin submitted a proposal to the Society for Personality and Social Psychology 2023 virtual conference, during which we will present the climate change dataset and the Jamovi assignments that use it. In the future, many more people may be using our data and our assignments.
Finally, we examined several new research questions using our climate change dataset. Kim Barchard, Cassandra Hoffman, Kai Okagawa, and Orei Odents presented the relationship between climate change hope and transportation choices (e.g., taking a car or choosing public transit) at the Western Psychological Association convention in Portland in April, and then presented the reliability and validity of the Climate Change Action Inventory at the inaugural online conference of APA Division 34: Society for Environmental, Population, and Conservation Psychology in June.
Julissa Martinez worked on a McNair Summer Research Institute project to determine whether the two- or three-factor model better fits the Climate Change Hope Scale, while Yuhan Bi conducted an exploratory factor analysis of some of the items from the Climate Change Action Inventory. Moreover, Luke, Jin, and Noa created a poster on the relationship between climate change anxiety and action, and Josh, Jae, and Yele created a poster on the relationship between energy conservation and water conservation. All these projects have taught lab members about the critical role psychology has in mitigating and adapting to climate change and will be the basis for discussions at professional conferences where lab members can share their knowledge and concern with others.
All of this work was made easier by our new computers, which we have named Rose, Orchid, Lily, Daffodil, and Hibiscus. We thank the lab members and IT professionals who helped us get them set up. We’re pleased to see them getting used so often, both during lab meetings and throughout the week.
Thank you to each and every lab member for all of your hard work and dedication. We are excited to see what next semester brings and to celebrate your continued growth and accomplishments!