Effects of Swimming on Memory Recall During Spaced Review -- Andrew Geleynse & Brent VanderWerff
Previous research has shown that both spaced review of information and exercise positively influence memory recall. The present study examined the effects of swimming on memory recall during spaced review. Participants studied essays, then either swam or completed word-search puzzles, studied for 5 more minutes, and were tested. No statistical difference was found between the swimming condition and non-swimming condition on memory recall scores. Future research on these areas is warranted but should extend the duration of exercise.

The Effects of Social Setting on Perceived Physical Attractiveness -- Shannon Huitsing, Nathan Otten, & Nathan De Graaf
This study examined how college student's perceptions of attractiveness may be influenced by social factors. We showed male and female participants pictures of an individual of the opposite sex, either in a group or alone setting. We hypothesized that participants who viewed the target person in a group situation would give higher overall attractiveness ratings than those viewing the same target alone. We found that social condition did not significantly affect overall attractiveness scores. However, female participants gave significantly higher overall attractiveness ratings to targets in the group condition than the alone condition.

The Effects of Background Color on the Stroop Task -- Lynnea Vis & Roshelle Doornbos
This study examined whether the color of the background of the Stroop Task effected the time it took to take the Stroop Task or the amount of errors made. Previous research showed that lexical processing and color processing occur in different parts of the brain (Beauchamp et al., 2005; Binder et al., 2003; Claeys et al., 2004; Senaha et al., 2005). This study consisted of participants completing the Stroop task that was projected with either an orange or a white background. The time it took to complete the task and the number of errors were recorded. Results did not show that background color effected the time or number of errors during the Stroop Task.

The Effects of Puppies on Happiness -- Mallory Ooms & Kendra Triemstra
Many things contribute to happiness, and many people spend their whole lives searching for it. This study investigated one factor that may affect happiness. We hypothesized that exposure to a live puppy (as opposed to a stuffed dog) for a short time would increase happiness in college students. Participants were exposed to a live puppy (or a stuffed dog) for a short period of time and then took a short happiness inventory.  Results showed that puppies did not significantly affect happiness and that dog owners were actually less happy. Future research could be done increasing the amount of time spent with the puppy or with a different measure of happiness such as number of smiles on the participants' faces.

Effects of Repetitious Advertising on Childrens’ Cereal Consumption -- Brad Redeker & Lisa Sakuma
This study sought to determine the extent that children are influenced by the media, based on Moses' and Baldwin's (2005) theory regarding belief-desire schemas in children. We hypothesized that with increased exposure to commercials for a target product, children will consume more of that product than children who have fewer exposures to the commercial. The amount of cereal 3- to 5-year-old children consumed was measured as a function of television commercial repetition (0, 1 or 3 commercials) for a target product. Results showed that the number of television advertisements for the target product did not significantly affect consumption behavior in participants, supporting Campbell and Keller's (2003) claim that the persuasiveness of commercials often decreases with repetition.

Effect of Cell Phone Rings on Short Term Memory -- Steven Koning & Reid LePage
Cell phone rings were tested to see if they would produce a distracting sound. Three cell phone conditions were manipulated (i.e., a generic ring, a song, and no ring) to see how short term memory was affected.  We predicted that participants in the no ring condition would remember significantly more words than participants in the other two conditions.  Twenty words were displayed for two minutes for participants to memorize.  During the generic ring and song conditions, a cell phone rang during the last 15 seconds of the study period.  The results suggested no significant effect between type of ring and number of words recalled.