Psychology Students Present EEG Research at New England Psychological Association (NEPA) Conference

Curry College seniors Calvin Bunton, Otto Awqatty and Marie Murphy accompanied Psychology Department chair/professor, Dr. Bruce Steinberg to the New England Psychological Association (NEPA) Conference at Worcester Polytechnic Institute on October 13, 2012. 

The students were invited to present the results of research they had conducted in Steinberg's Advanced Research Seminar at Curry.  The students had studied the electrical activity of the brain (EEG), and how patterns within the EEG related to college students' grades and executive functions (e.g.  the regulation of emotion and self- motivation).

The students found that EEG activity, executive functions and college academic performance (grade point average) were all inter-related. These findings were presented in a poster session for undergraduate researchers at the conference.

"The students did a great job with the research and with the presentation," beamed Professor Steinberg.  "They were knowledgeable, articulate and comprehensive in explaining the project and its significance to their audience.   Many people in attendance commented on the high quality of their work and their presentation of the results."

Describing his inaugural conference experience, Bunton said, "I was pleasantly surprised that my first in depth experience in research was able to garner so much interest from the Psychological community.  Psychology is such an interesting field, and it's so rewarding to see my hard work pay off." 

Murphy, reflecting on her research experience noted, "Being part of the advanced research group was a great experience.  I loved learning how to hook up the EEG's and correct the eye-movements. Going to the conference made me feel accomplished.  It was nice to see other people who went through a similar process, and the different topics they focused on."

Awqatty echoed Murphy's sentiments, "It was great to be able to discuss Psychology with so many knowledgeable students and experts in the field."

Steinberg added, "For me, watching my students present their research was a tremendous source of pride in their growth and accomplishment. Their work in the Advanced Research Seminar took them from the stage of conceptualizing a research question, to the development of methods to carry out the study, to the collection and analysis of data and finally to the presentation of findings at a professional, scientific conference. For a college professor who loves teaching and research, this is as good as it gets!"