Posters - 2026

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  The relationship between environmental cues and emotional responses

  Isbella Cantrell, Ashley Frost, and Mark Sanchez

  The purpose of this study was to better understand if the environment influenced an individual’s emotions by observing horror and non-horror video games and coding the frequency of observed reactions. Former research illustrates that emotional arousal during video games may activate defensive behaviors similar to real-life threats. Three different YouTube streamers were observed playing one horror and two non-horror video games. All three streamers played the same three games. It was expected that all three players would have more frequent reactions to horror games as opposed to non-horror games (H1), that anger reactions would occur more frequently than sympathetic reactions among the non-horror group (H2), and that isolated vocalizations would occur more frequently across all conditions (H3). Participants were observed playing each game, their emotional reactions were recorded and categorized into three different classifications: isolated vocalizations, isolated physical reactions, and a combination of both. An independent samples t-test was utilized to analyze H1, a one-sample t-test for H2, and a one-way ANOVA with Post hoc LSD was utilized to analyze H3. Results indicated no statistically significant difference in the frequency of horror games compared to non-horror games. It was statistically significant that anger was the most common emotional response, and that vocalizations were the predominant reaction type across all games. Findings suggest that emotional arousal is likely less dependent on game genre and more dependent on neural network pathways. Future studies should look at the intensity of emotional reactions, utilize biometric data alongside observations, and measure different emotions across different video game genres.

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  Bound by brotherhood: Social networks predict job satisfaction and trust among frefighters

  Ashley Frost

  The primary purpose of this study was to better understand the correlation between the social support networks among firefighters, also known as “brotherhood”, and their job satisfaction. The secondary goal was to explore potential indicators of what traditions entailed within the fire department and their significance in fostering brotherhood. Former research has articulated the bonds within the fire service and how team comradery and job satisfaction influence brotherhood, however; limited research has investigated how traditions within the fire service influence brotherhood. It was expected that brotherhood would have a positive correlation with job satisfaction (H1), that there would be a positive correlation between traditions within the fire service and brotherhood (H2), and that the more time that firefighters spent with their team training the higher their trust levels (H3). The survey consisted of thirty-one questions developed by the researcher, in which twelve questions were adapted from the Social Support Inventory and the Inventory of Socially Supported Behaviors. Questions explored firefighters’ perceptions of their support networks and identified the qualification and demographics of the participants. Results showed a positive correlation between brotherhood and job satisfaction (H1), a positive correlation between brotherhood and traditions within the fire service (H2), and a positive correlation between the time teams spent training together and trust levels. Findings suggest that when engaging in team building exercises to strengthen their brotherhood, firefighters become more satisfied with their work. Future research should assess the best methods to facilitate teamwork cohesion exercises as it was positively correlated with brotherhood.

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  Evaluation of prosthetic and orthotic technologies using AI technology

  Iris Reyna, Samerial Brown, Gary Guerra, and Ed Khu

  Individuals with lower limb prosthetics have amputations and abnormal limb motions, which poses a high risk of injury when doing everyday activities. In this field, evaluation of individuals' prosthetics are done through biomechanical analysis and gait analysis. This analysis is used to study human movement and evaluate the mobility and quality of life of amputee patients as well as determining the modifications, positioning, and alignment needed to ensure stability with prosthetic and orthotic technologies (Kumar & Bhowmik, 2024). Trunk flexion has importance to the study because of its impact on lower limb kinetics, kinematics, the increase of ground reaction forces, stride parameters and joint movements. Trunk acceleration shows the functional mobility of an individual during assessment, the higher the acceleration the faster the trunk (Warrener, et al., 2021).

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  Impulsivity in Shameless

  Abigail Trejo, Clarisa Garcia, and Gia Posito

  identity exploration and relationships, while keeping social expectations and personal values in balance.

  •Impulsivity involves risk-taking, peer influence, role models, and the desire for acceptance or reward. Impulsivity is tied to emotions, experiences, and the process of maturing (Reagan, Osgood, & Kreager, 2025).

  •Research shows that impulsivity is shaped by personality traits, past experiences, and environment (Bahr et al., 2005).

  •Overall, this study aimed to highlight how an individual's environment and background can impact their impulsivity.

  Hypotheses

  H1: It was expected that the characters would be more impulsive at school than at home.

  H2: It was expected that the characters would be more impulsive during childhood compared to adolescence.

  H3: It was expected that there would be more behavioral impulsivity than verbal impulsivity.