Student Research Opportunities
Opportunities exist for psychology majors to engage with professors and the department outside the classroom. Research opportunities afford students the chance to learn about research by conducting investigations in collaboration with professors, either as an extracurricular activity or as a work/study research assistant. Obtaining research experience at the undergraduate level is essential for students who hope to gain admission to a doctoral degree program in psychology.
View individual faculty members' webpages for specific research opportunities: DeGirolamo, Pirlott, Ritchie
Below are selected publications and presentations with SXU faculty and active psychology
majors and alumni, each as authors or coauthors (students' names in bold).
Manuscripts
Audiffred, J. & Broadbridge, C. L. (2020). An examination of the influence of serial position
on false recall and recognition. Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research, 25(2),
121-129. https://doi.org/10.24839/2325-7342.JN25.2.121
Ritchie, T. D., Kitsch, K. S., Dromey, M., & Skowronski, J. J. (2019). Individuals who report eating disorder
symptoms also exhibit a disrupted fading affect bias in autobiographical memory. Memory,
27(2), 239-249. https://doi.org/10.1080/09658211.2018.1502321
Presentations
2021
Banicki, L. & Pirlott, A.G. (April, 2021). Skin tone and perceptions of health and attractiveness. Poster presented at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship (virtual), at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conference (virtual), and at the Midwestern Psychological Conference (virtual).
Michel, M. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2021). Social media and life satisfaction. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL (virtual).
Montes, N. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2021). Cultural differences in earliest childhood memories. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL (virtual).
Morales, J. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2021). Differentiating the predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder and posttraumatic growth in a community sample. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL (virtual).
Pirlott, A. G., Aguilar-Ruano, H., & Schexnayder, K. (2021, April). Disease salience predicts anti-LGB sodomy laws. Presentation at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference (virtual) and as a poster at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Evolution Preconference (virtual).
2020
Abrams, T. R., Awwad, S., & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2020). Event criteria do not influence PTSD symptoms. Poster accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL (Conference Canceled) and presented at the virtual SXU Celebration of Scholarship.
Abrams, T. R. & Pirlott A. G. (February, 2020) Perceptions of prostitution: A qualitative study. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Honors Council of the Illinois Region, Joliet, IL.
Abrams, T., & Pirlott, A.G. (2020, April). Perceptions of prostitution: Where does the opposition lie? Poster presented at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Acosta, G., Awwad, S., & Torrence, R. D. (2020, April 23-25). Neural Correlates of Early Attentional Bias in High Trait Anxiety [Poster Presentation] Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL United States. https://www.xcdsystem.com/mpa/program/3n85UNt/index.cfm?pgid=689 (Conference Canceled)
Aguilar-Ruano, H. S. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2020). Predictors of stigmatization of individuals with mental illness. Poster accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL (Conference Canceled).
Awwad, S., Abrams, T. R., & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2020). Using the autobiographical memory model to predict PTSD symptoms. Poster accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL (Conference Canceled).
Banicki, L. M., Jones, B. K., & Pirlott, A. G. (2020, April). Number of offspring affects hypothetical parents' reactions to having an LGB offspring. Poster presented at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship (virtual), at the 2021 Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conference (virtual), and at the Midwestern Psychological Conference (virtual).
Foley, M. M., Zavala, J., Reiff, M. R., & Pirlott, A. G. (2020, April). Do changes in women's access to contraceptives and resources predict changes in women's sociosexuality across cultures? Poster presented at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship (virtual), at the 2021 Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conference (virtual), and at the 2021 Midwestern Psychological Conference (virtual).
Jones, B. K., Banicki, L. M., & Pirlott, A. G. (2020, April). Hypothetical parents' age affects their reactions to having an LGB child. Poster presented at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL, at the 2021 Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conference (virtual), and at the 2021 Midwestern Psychological Conference (virtual).
Michel, M. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2020). The effect of music on memory in a real-world studying scenario. Poster presented at the virtual SXU Celebration of Scholarship (virtual).
Montes, N. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2020). Cultural differences in earliest childhood memories. Poster presented at the virtual SXU Celebration of Scholarship (virtual).
Reiff, M. R., Foley, M. M., Zavala, J., & Pirlott, A. G. (2020, April). Do changes in women's access to contraceptives and resources predict changes in women's mate preferences across cultures? Poster presented at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship (virtual).
Truty, B., DeGirolamo, G.J., Dudiki, T., Nascimento, D., Roth, M., Stefl, S., Byzova, T.V. (April, 2020) Impact of Malfunctioning Microglial Integrins on Behavior. Poster presented at the at the Midwestern Psychological Conference (virtual).
Zavala, J., Reiff, M. R., Foley, M. M., & Pirlott, A. G. (2020, April). Do changes in women's access to contraceptives and resources predict changes in women's mate preferences over time? Poster presented at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship (virtual).
2019
Abrams, T. R., Aguilar-Ruano, H. S., & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2019). Risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder: The role of negative thought processes. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.
Aguilar-Ruano, H. S., Abrams, T. R., & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2019). Protecting against posttraumatic stress disorder: Predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder and posttraumatic growth. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.
Aguilar-Ruano, H. S. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2019). Qualitative analysis of trauma event narratives: Event valence and emotionality factors as predictors of PTSD, rumination, and PTG. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.
Aguilar-Ruano, H., Schexnayder, K., & Pirlott, A.G. (2019, March/April). Sexual orientation hate crimes in response to disease outbreaks. Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Aguilar-Ruano, H., Schexnayder, K., & Pirlott, A.G. (2019, March/April). STD prevalence across U.S. states predicts the presence of anti-LGB sodomy laws. Poster presented at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Audiffred, J. & Broadbridge, C. L. An examination of the influence of serial position on false recall and recognition. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL (April, 2019) and the SXU Celebration of Scholarship (March, 2019).
Dunbar, J. & Broadbridge, C. L. Does the 30 million word gap influence event recall? The relationship between SES, vocabulary, and autobiographical memories from childhood. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL (April, 2019) and the SXU Celebration of Scholarship (March, 2019).
Escudero, G., Nichols, C., & Pirlott, A.G. (2019, March/April). Does perceived loss of fitness explain sadness toward LGB offspring? Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Martinez, M. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2019). Qualitative memory variables as predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder and posttraumatic growth: The importance of personal interpretation. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.
Nichols, C., Escudero, G., & Pirlott, A.G. (2019, March/April). Does LGBs' reproductive history influence prejudices from family members? Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Nichols, C., Escudero, G., & Pirlott, A.G. (2019, March/April). LGBs' perceptions of family members' reactions to their "coming out." Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Sandoval, D. & Broadbridge, C. L. Changing individuals' interpretations of past events: The effect of time and mood on memory valence. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL (April, 2019) and the SXU Celebration of Scholarship (March, 2019).
Schexnayder, K., Aguilar-Ruano, H., & Pirlott, A.G. (2019, March/April). Prevalence of HIV and disease predict legal eradication of same-sex sexual behavior cross-culturally. Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Urban, K. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2019). Consistency of autobiographical memories over a two week period. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.
2018
Abu-Maizer, S. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2018). Memory intensity depends on memory valence and recall session. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.
Abu-Maizer, S., Torres, S., Elkins, K., & Pirlott, A.G. (2018, March/April). Prejudice against public breastfeeding. Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Cervantes-Bautista, M., & Pirlott, A.G. (2018, March/April). Perceptions of sexual coercion threats drive LGB women's fear/anxiety of bisexual/heterosexual men. Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Cervantes-Bautista, M., & Pirlott, A.G. (2018, March/April). The effect of neighborhood ethnic demography on perceptions of and willingness to live in those neighborhoods. Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Dunbar, J. J. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2018). The effect of mood and time on coded memory valence and emotional tone of autobiographical memory narratives. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.
Elkins, K., Abu-Maizer, S., Torres, S., & Pirlott, A.G. (2018, March/April). Individual differences in physical and moral disgust sensitivity predict prejudice against breastfeeding. Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Escudero, G., Nichols, C., & Pirlott, A.G. (2018, March/April). Does loss of reproductive potential and inclusive fitness explain prejudices toward LGB family members? Poster presented at the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Garcia, Y., & Pirlott, A.G. (2018, March/April). What predicts Mexican immigrants' post-secondary educational attainments? Poster presented at the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Jaramillo, M. A. & Broadbridge, C. L. Emotionality and timing of earliest childhood memories in Hispanics and non-Hispanic Caucasians. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL (April, 2018) and the SXU Celebration of Scholarship (March 2018).
Nichols, C., Escudero, G., & Pirlott, A.G. (2018, March/April). Does loss of inclusive fitness explain prejudice toward LGB family members? Poster presented at the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Olita, S., & Pirlott, A.G. (2018, March/April). Do gay men and lesbians show sex differences in mate preferences? A meta-analysis. Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL, and as Czerwien, B., Olita, S., & Pirlott, A.G. (2017, April). Do gay men and lesbians show sex differences in mate preferences? A meta-analysis. Poster presented at the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area Conference, Chicago, IL.
Pajak, M. M. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2018). The effect of mood and valence on positive and negative event centrality. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.
Sandoval, D. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2018). The effect of induced mood and time on memory valence. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.
Torres, S., Abu-Maizer, S., Elkins, K., & Pirlott, A.G. (2018, March/April). Individual differences in traditional gender roles and conservatism predict prejudice against breastfeeding. Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Wilcox, C., Vogrig, L., & Pirlott, A.G. (2018, March/April). Sex differences in mate preferences? A meta-analysis. Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
Vogrig, L., Wilcox, C., & Pirlott, A.G. (2018, March/April). A meta-analysis of sex differences in mate preferences: Any evidence of publication bias? Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL and at the Saint Xavier University Celebration of Scholarship, Chicago, IL.
2017
Cervantes-Bautista, M., & Pirlott, A. G. (2017). Understanding LGBT men and women's fear-based prejudices of other LGBT groups. Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, IL and at the Marquette University Diversity Conference. Milwaukee, WI.
Green, D. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2017). The effect of mood induction on narrative valence and emotional content. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.
Jaramillo, M. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2017). The effect of mood induction on valence across time. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.
Park, H. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2017). Memory valence predicts change in event centralization over time. Paper presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.
Pirlott, A. G., Czerwien, B., & Olita, S. (2017, June). Do gay men and lesbians show sex differences in mate preferences? A meta-analysis. Presentation at the 29th Annual Meeting of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society, Boise, ID.
Reavis, C., & Ritchie, T. D. (2017). Heroic inspiration prompts greater charitable donations than personal savings. Poster presentation. Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, IL.
Ritchie, T. D., & Reavis, C. (2017). Inspiration induced by personal heroes prompts inspiration to give to charitable donations. Invited symposium presentation: The psychology of heroes. Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, IL.
Saldana, C. & Broadbridge, C. L. The effect of mood induction on belief and recollection. Poster presented at the SXU Celebration of Scholarship (March, 2018) and the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (April, 2017).
Williams, B. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2017). The effect of event valence on positive vs. negative event centralization. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.
Williams, D. & Broadbridge, C. L. The effect of event type on the valence and intensity of recalled autobiographical memories. Poster presented at the SXU Celebration of Scholarship (March, 2018) and the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (April, 2017).
2016
Mitchell, T. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2016). The effect of event valence on memory ratings. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.
Park, H. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2016). Event centrality: Not just a phenomenon seen in trauma memories. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.
Rodriguez, R. & Broadbridge, C. L. (April, 2016). The effect of mood and elicitation technique on memory ratings. Poster presented at the annual student symposium of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area.