Mascots and Autism

Here is a report on a pilot project in Nebraska where autistic volunteers are dressing up in Frito-Lay inflatable costumes of Chester Cheetah. Keith Allen of University of Nebraska Medical Center and Scott Bowen of Signs and Shapes, a company that creates and produces inflatable costumes, are the collaborators.

The hope is that wearing the costume will allow the autistic volunteers to adopt a new identity while wearing the costume.

This is certainly a far out research idea. Hopefully it will work.

Redheads and Pain

A recent article in the New York Times discusses the relationship between pain and having red hair. The problem is especially acute in dentistry. Redheads tend to avoid visiting the dentist because the usual does of analgesics (painkillers) are not effective.

The apparent cause seems to be the MC1R gene. In most people, that gene creates melanin. In redheads, however, the gene produces pheomelanin instead, causing red hair and fair skin. Another effect of pheomelanin is increased pain sensitivity, both for general and topical anesthesia.

Here's a research idea. Expose redheads and non-redheads to the cold pressor test, a standard laboratory test for pain using time as the dependent variable. Redheads, as a group, should remove their hands sooner.

Another Batch of Student Research Ideas: Summer 2009

Here are the latest research ideas from my Research Methods I students:

• Coach's Personality and Team Success
• Drug Abuse and College Students: Drugs of Choice
• Grade Inflation by College at Southern Arkansas University
• Prevalence of Date Rape Among SAU College Students
• Differences is Altruism Between Male and Female College Students
• Traditional vs. Non-traditional Undergraduate College Students: GPA Differences
• College Students from Divorced Homes Views on Marriage and Relationships
• Does Participation in Greek Life Affect Male and Female GPAs Differently?
• Does Regular Bible Reading Affect Pro-social Behaviors and Values?
• Are Male College Students Less Faithful than Female Students?
• Violent Criminal Family Histories: Effects of Parents Marital Status
• Is Recidivism More Likely with Mild or Harsh Punishment?

Texting and Length of Relationship

Modern love and romance seem inextricably linked to communication. But, I wonder is there too much of a good thing. Specifically, does texting predict relationship success?

I'm betting there's an inverse relationship, the more lovers text, the shorter their relationship will last.

A search of PsycINFO for "texting" found 24 hits, none closely related to relationship length. A couple did relate to a sexual topic, the use of texting to convey information about sexuality and risks of sex.

Someone, please test my hypothesis...

Jack Kramer Autograph Midsize Tennis Racquet

Back in the 1980s, I played a lot of tennis. In 1984, I logged nearly 200 matches. Those days are long gone. But a couple of days ago, I went to hit some tennis balls with my 16 year-old-son. As we were leaving the house (naturally) he informed me that he had broken the strings on his and his sister's racquet and that the only one he had left was my old Wilson graphite racquet, the one I used back then.

So, I went into our spare room to look for some more racquets. I knew my wife had one still from back then. What I did not remember was my old, wood, Jack Kramer Autograph midsize. Click HERE for a picture of one (not mine).

I picked it up. It was not warped but the grip tape was probably 20 years old. When we got to the courts, I cut off the old tape and wrapped on a new grip tape. I let him hit a few off the wall, unimpressed he was. No me, I was impressed. That old racquet felt brand new. Long story short, I played well, felt good, and even started getting my serve in once I quit trying to kill it.

What's the research idea? Obviously, it would be to get tennis players to hit their racquets for accuracy and then compare them to the Kramer. All the usual research caveats would apply of course: counterbalancing, a sufficient number of trials, and control for fatigue.

I'll probably play again soon, and when I do it will be with Jack.

Earliest Primate Described

Here's a bit of paleontological news. Researchers have just released news of a new, fossil primate: Darwinius masillae, discovered near Darmstadt, Germany. The fossil is both a new genus and new species, previously unknown to science. Click HERE to see the complete publication describing the new mammal.

Just in case you were wondering, the specimen is about 47 million years old and seems to be near the root of the line that eventually led to us: Homo sapiens. It is being labeled as a "missing link."

Here is what it looks like. Its actual size is about that of a small cat.

On Variability

An important part of research methods is understanding concepts in measurement. Those include central tendency and variability. Of these, variability is more probably difficult to understand.

A couple of recent articles have highlighted the long-running longitudinal study, funded by W.T. Grant. One of those, in The Atlantic details many of the facets of his longitudinal study. Another, in the New York Times summarizes the work.

The study is remarkable because the 268 students were specially selected from the Harvard University classes of 1942, 1943, and 1944 for being among the most well-adjusted members of those classes (in other words, selected for their relative LACK of variability). Yet, over the years the life trajectories diverged incredibly. One member (John F. Kennedy) became president while another died after falling down a set of stairs, drunk.

Psychology is complex and individuals who may seem similar at one point in their lives may diverge from each other later for a wide variety of reasons. Finding those reasons is a goal of research.