Gaining Hands-on Experience

Lindsay Morton

Lindsay Morton (’05)

Lindsay Morton, a 2005 graduate of Bucknell University, is one of many students that has discovered the value of an undergraduate research experience.

Morton participated in the Bucknell Program for Undergraduate Research (PUR) as a rising senior, looking into the psychological effects of the Iraq War on Bucknell students. Morton worked in close collaboration with Professor Chris Boyatzis as she examined the relationship between stress and anxiety caused by the war and various coping mechanisms. The project was based loosely on previous work published by Kenneth Pargament (1994).

Morton developed a series of surveys exploring anxiety levels related to the Iraq War, the coping methods employed to deal with this anxiety, and religious beliefs. She found that students use a variety of coping methods to deal with anxiety and stress, including "venting" and humor. Another prevalent reaction to anxiety is to turn to religion, either seeking help spiritually or from clergy, or blaming God for the circumstances.

Whereas the Parmagent study did not speak to differences between men and women, Morton’s study sought to highlight gender differences in primary coping methods. She succeeded in uncovering several patterns from the results of the surveys. Women generally experienced higher levels of anxiety concerning the war in Iraq, and men and women tended to employ different types of religious coping. Furthermore, Morton identified certain patterns that fairly accurately predicted changes in anxiety levels. For example, the use of venting as a coping method in women indicated a likely negative change in distress (more anxiety) over time.

The project has been presented at the 2005 Kalman Symposium at Bucknell University. The presentation of the final results at the Kalman Symposium was one of the highlights of Morton’s undergraduate research experience. "It was a great feeling to have others listen and be sincerely interested in a project that I had worked so hard on," wrote Morton as she reflected on her efforts. Morton and Boyatzis are also preparing to present the research at the American Psychological Association spring conference in New York City in 2006.

In the semesters following her summer research experience, Morton participated in three courses involving individual research projects. She spent time during both the Fall of 2004 and the Spring of 2005 working with non-human primates in ANBE 296, an animal behavior lab, and an independent study with Professor Peter Judge. Morton also worked with negative reinforcement models in rats in Professor Kevin Myer’s "Learning Laboratory" (PSYC 293).

Morton graduated with a degree is psychology, but feels that her educational experience was enriched by her involvement in undergraduate research. "I had always been interested in psychology," she wrote, "but this experience fostered a drive in me to do more in the field." She credits Boyatzis for his important role as both a mentor and colleague throughout the research process, from his help in drafting the premise for the project to his "encouragement and support, and the excitement for psychology that he helped to instill in me," as Morton wrote.

Morton is currently applying to graduate programs and plans to head back to school this fall semester.