WVU Tech psychology club presents at annual conference
Dr. Cynthia Hall, Associate Professor of Psychology, explained that students were chosen through a peer-review process and competed for a small number of presentation slots.
“In psychology, being accepted to present at a conference is extremely selective and is akin to the actual publication process. I have reviewed for the conference, and hundreds of submissions get denied every year, around 66%. Our students competed and presented with graduate students and faculty. They were some of the only undergraduate students accepted for presentations,” said Hall.
Among the students chosen to present was graduating senior Maverick Hudson, who presented with Andreas Jönsson on “Influence of English proficiency on perceived intelligence." Hudson plans to continue his education and has been accepted to West Virginia University’s counseling graduate program.
Another graduating senior, Mackenzie Sloan, gave a presentation that was standing room only.
“All the seats were filled and around twenty people were standing just to hear her presentation,” Hall said.
Sloan’s research was titled “The relationship between stigma and mental health disorders”, and presented alongside Karen Dominick, Taylor Ward and Brianna Prillaman.
Several students toured the Sea Pines Forest Preserve during their time in Hilton Head.
Next year, the Southeastern Psychology Association meeting will be in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Hall says the psychology club plans to submit projects to next year’s conference as well.
“When the meeting is in New Orleans, it is always the most exclusive and has a lot of submissions,” said Hall.
Dr. Hall invites students to join the psychology club and join them in New Orleans next year.