Student Research Spotlights in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Safa Ahmed, ‘23: “The Color of Words: Investigating the Effects of Consonant Sounds in Synesthesia”

Please describe your research.

“Synesthesia is a neurological condition in which certain senses blend together. In Grapheme-color synesthesia, people experience colors when thinking about letters, numbers or words. Different sounds evoke colors in people with chromesthesia. The purpose of this study was to determine if consonant sounds affect word-color association in synesthesia; specifically if words with soft-consonant sounds would elicit lighter shades of colors while words with hard-consonant sound would evoke darker shades of color.”

Why did you decide to conduct undergraduate research while at Meredith?

“I enjoy using the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research to learn more about topics I am interested in. I have been interested in synesthesia since high school, so it was great to be able to conduct research on the topic.”

Why did you decide to participate in CSA Day?

“I am excited to show other people what I have been working on for the past year. Most people don’t know about synesthesia, but I hope that everyone who listens to my presentation finds the topic as interesting as I do.”

What are you most looking forward to on CSA Day?

“I am most excited to be able to share what I’ve been working on for so long now.”

Would you encourage other students to participate in undergraduate research/ CSA Day?

“Yes, I would encourage other students to find a topic that they are really interested in. There is so much you can learn through research. Whether the research is through the science or English department, there are so many topics out there. You don’t have to conduct research on the subject of your major. I am a biology major but I chose to do my thesis in psychology. The professors at Meredith are great and super encouraging, so my advice would be to reach out to a professor who teaches a class you enjoy. Talk to them about possible research topics and opportunities, and go from there.”

Photo courtesy of Molly Perry

Molly Perry, ‘22: “The Effects of Attachment on Interpersonal Self-Efficacy in Emerging Adults: Postpartum Depression in Mothers as a Moderator”

Please describe your research.

“For this research, I was advised by Dr. Betty-Shannon Prevatt. My goal for this project was to examine the effects that history of postpartum mood symptoms in mothers can have on attachment and social self-efficacy in college students.”

Why did you decide to conduct undergraduate research while at Meredith?

“I wanted to conduct undergraduate research at Meredith so I could gain more real-life experience with research and statistics rather than only having experience with mock assignments in my Research Methods classes and other class projects I have conducted by myself.”

Why did you decide to participate in CSA Day?

“I wanted to participate in CSA Day because I’m proud of the work I have done and I wanted to gain experience with presenting research and responding to live questions.”

What are you most looking forward to on CSA Day?

“I’m looking forward to attending other students’ presentations and watching the award ceremonies. I always enjoy celebrating my peers and talking to them about their accomplishments.”

Would you encourage other students to participate in CSA Day?

“Yes! As a senior who is preparing to enter the workforce within the field of psychology, research and presentation experience is a key skill that employers are looking for. CSA Day will always be a great opportunity for Meredith students to gain transferable career skills.”

Mia Shelton, ‘22: “The Belongingness of Transgender Students on College Campuses”

Please describe your research.

“I researched the belongingness of transgender students on college campuses with a specific focus on how professors introducing their personal pronouns impacts it…My faculty mentor is Dr. Betty-Shannon Prevatt.”

Why did you decide to conduct undergraduate research while at Meredith?

“I wanted to conduct undergraduate research at Meredith because I wanted to discover more ways to make college campuses safer and more inclusive.”

Why did you decide to participate in CSA Day?

“I decided to participate in CSA Day because I wanted to practice my public speaking skills and prepare to present at psychology conferences.”

What are you most looking forward to on CSA Day?

“I am most looking forward to sharing my findings with the Meredith community in hopes that we can create a more inclusive campus culture.”

Would you encourage other students to participate in CSA Day?

“Yes! It is a great experience. If I had to give advice to future CSA Day participants or undergraduate researchers, I would tell them to have fun with their research and choose a topic that genuinely interests them!”

Interviews compiled by Aminah Jenkins, Associate Editor, and Hannah Taib, Staff Writer