2022 (Volume 10), McNair Research Journal
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14220/517
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Item Open Access Front Matter(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022)The front matter for Volume 10 (2022) of the McNair Research Journal contains the following sections: Welcome by Jamaica Dunigan, History of the University, Acknowledgements, and Table of Contents. It also contains information about TRIO, Ronald E. McNair, and the McNair Scholars Program.Item Open Access Exploring Relational Turning Points Between Family Members of Differing Political Identities(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022) Bloemetjie, Sean; Wang, TiffanyMuch research has been done into the creation and maintenance of social identities, including political identities. WIth a perceived exacerbation of political polarization, there may be a greater concern for how a person's political identity and their expression of that identity impacts relationships with those who are societally considered closest to them. This research focuses on how closeness between members of the same family is impacted based on the experience of the participants. After interviewing studetns who described their experiences, I found that students felt a decrease in closeness and a greater sense of apprehension to engage in communication with family members who do not share their political identity, but also learned how to mitigate these interactions to maintain the relationship.Publication Open Access Democratic Backsliding in West Africa(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022) Bonney Amamoo, Claudia; Bawden, JohnIn the past two decades, West Africa has been home to nascent democracies with substantial democratic principals, including term limits. However, there have been signs of rising authoritarianism, as some West African leaders have sought to evade term limits to retain power. The evasion of term limits and other socio-economic factors have resulted in Freedom House reclassifying some West African countries from Free to Partly Free. Freedom House's Freedom in the World 2020 Report revealed that five West African countries—Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Nigeria should the greatest decline in freedom. Particularly, Senegal and Benin fell from Free to Partly Free status, leaving the Republic of Ghana and the Republic of Cape Verde as the only Free countries in the region. This alarming trend signals democratic backsliding and may cause political instability in West Africa. This paper assesses democratic backsliding in countries apart of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) using the democratic backsliding framework establised by Stephan Haggard and Robert Kauffman. It explores the prominence of the causal factors of democratic backsliding (polarization, capture of legislature, and democratic regress by stealth) using the Varieties of Democracy data set and other coded variables. Polarization assesses if society is polarized into antagonistic political camps and capture of the legislature assesses legislative constraints on executive power. Lastly, regression of stealth refers to the subversion of democratic principles, including term limits.Publication Open Access Social comparison in the natural care community: How Black women utilize social media influencers during their natural hair care journey(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022) Borden, JaMirah; Deavours, DanielleSocial media is a staple thing in many people's lives. Without it, we would not be able to connect with old friends or keep up with the latest trends. Social media must be examined closely because of its continued growth, particularly among young adults and minority communities (Borden, 2022). Social media has been around for over 15 years, and the platforms continue grow, from Facebook to TikTok (Routley 2019). According to Nick Routley, in 2019, Facebook had the most monthly active users at 2.2 billion. This year alone, it was expected that at least 3.9 million people would be using social media, wich is a 4.8% increase form 2021 (Georgi Todorov). As stated in my previous research, how social media affects and changes lives in the natural hair community is immaculate and understudied (Borden 2022). In addition, some members leave the natural hair community to join a new group. This affects the Black community and its impact on others. This research explores how and why black women transition from the natural curly state of their hair to an alternative such as locs, perms, and relaxers, or doing the big chop. It also examines their personal effects on parasocial relationships, social identity theory, and parasocial breakups. Utilizing in-depth interview with seven Black females that have left the natural hair community, the findings of this research will provide an extension to my previous study, as well as social comparison effects within and outside of the community.Publication Open Access Family Matters: Marriage and Divorce in Black America(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022) Carson, Kiara; Newell, JasonWhile some topics within the Black community are not often talked about, it is still important that the experiences of marriage and divorce for adult children within the Black family are addressed. The limited literature in the area suggests that Black children of divorce experience higher rates of poverty, poorer academic performance, loss of spirituality, behavioral issues, and challenges with forming healthy adult relationships. The primary research aim of this study was to examine the authentic lived experience of Black adults from families, both married and divorced, with regard to adult relationship formation, overall life perspective, and emotional health and wellness. The exploratory study exampled Black adults (ages 21-30) raied in traditional family households, either married or divorced. The research methodology utilized a qualitative narrative storytelling design for data collection. The results will share statistics and individual experiences that marriage and divorce have on adult children.Publication Open Access Evidence for Redefining Dietary Fiber(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022) Daw, Joshua; Hart, Kelley DevaneThere are currently three macronutrients recognized within the field of dietetics due to their gram quality intake and requirement for human health; this includes proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Dietary Fiber, however, is not considered to be an independent macronutrient despite its gram quantity intake and requirement for human health. Additionally, Dietary Fiber is a net-zero energy yielding nutrient unlike other carbohydrates. Although Dietary Fiber should remain chemically catergorized as a carbohydrate, for the purposes of dietetic prescription and education, Dietary Fiber should be redefined as the fourth macronutrient. This definition shift would illustrate both the importance and complexity of this macronutrient and may yield an increase in Dietary Fiber consumption and relevant research.Publication Open Access Swiping Left on Black Women: The Analytical Lens of the Male Perception of Black Women(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022) Harris, Chloe; Tetloff, MeredithThis research was inspired to find an explanation for the marital gap between Black women in comparison to women of other races. It seeks to understand how Black women are perceived in both society and the dating world by men of all races and ethniticities. Most of the participants are between the ages of 19-30 and are students at the University of Montevallo. Black women are often portrayed in a negative light through the media, such as the "angry black woman" persona, "black women are loud and ghetto", etc. This study's purpose is to take a more in-depth qualitative and quantitative analysis of how black women are perceived by cisgender heterosexual males within the U.S. The anticipated findings will reveal the common themes realted to the perception of black women.Publication Open Access Ancestry of the Modern Guitar(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022) Heathcote, Kodiak; Goldspiel, AlanThis paper aims to develop a better understanding of the instruments that led to the creation of the modern guitar. It seeks to provide an overview of each variation of guitar and offers a brief background on the etymology and general characteristics of a guitar. We discuss the etymology of the word guitar, a round translation of the Greek word "Kithara", and basic characteristics such as flat-backs, short necks, and being a polyphonic instrument. We begin with the Renaissance guitar and end with the modern Classical guitar, observing the designs, tunings, stringing, styles of music played, and often the composers/performers on each instrument. In addition to observing guitars, we observe a couple of related instruments to the guitar, those being the Lute and Vihuela as these instruments are important to the development of the guitar. By observing previous works on the guitar and its related instruments, we see the evolution of the guitar and, importantly, how it changed throughout the centuriesPublication Open Access The Effects of ACEs in Young Adults(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022) Martin, Kaylan; Tetloff, MeredithAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events or conditions that a person experiences from 0-17 years of age. This study focuses on those outcomes and explores prevention tactics that specifically developed for young adulthood. The research included conducting a meta-analysis of scholarly peer-reviewed scientific studies young adulthood with a history of one or more ACEs and the effects of ACEs in young adulthood. Overall, the study found that ACEs have a strong culmulative effect as well as correlation between specific ACEs and certain outcomes in young adults. This study also found multiple options for prevention tactics.Publication Open Access Exploring the Effects of Unconstitutional Prison System on Alabama's Prisoners(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022) McCluney, LaJuree; Alexander, TimothyThe purpose of prison is to punish, rehabilitate, and work as a deterrent (Zoukis). Though the main purposes of prisons are to punish and rehabilitation, it has now become a holding facility where unpleasant dangerous situations occur preventing positive rehabilitation. For one to be placed in a prison, they must first be charged with committing a crime. Committing a crime is an act that grants punishment. If one is punished for the crime that they have committed, it will hopefully deter them from making the same punishable decision twice. Although prison is a place of punishment, it is also a place of rehabilitation. This rehabilitation should include educational, drugs, and transition programs. The threat of prison should not be because one could die but because one will be alone and forced to live life within the prison facility.Publication Open Access The Effect of a High-intensity Functional Training Warm-up on Deadlift 1-RM Performance(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022) Munoz, Manuel; Eremus, Thomas; Fennell, CurtisGeneral warm-ups (GWU) are typically done before an individual participates in resistence exercise. Over the years, different warm-ups have been designed to help individuals prepare for physical activity; however, there is little known as to which warm-ups fully optimize muscle potential. The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of a high-intensity functional training (HIFT) GWU and a traditional (TRAD) GWU on a conventional barbell deadlift one-repetition maximum (1-RM) test. Seven healthy, resistance trained males participated in the study. The participants were randomly counterbalanced into the traditional GWU or the HIFT warm-up. The GWU consisted of cycling on a Monark cycle ergometer for 15 minutes at a heart rate between 55-60% of maximal heart rate. The HIFT consisted of a 250-meter row on a rowing ergometer, 5 burpees, 10 kettlebell swings (53-pound kettlebell), and 15 air squats for as many rounds as possible within 15 minutes.Publication Open Access Magic Realism: An Art of Storytelling in Film(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022) Nearor, Yasmin; Vazquez, LenoraMagic realism has influenced many cultures and art forms. Yet, the concept is still unknown to some audiences. While magic realism started in Europe in 1925, its influences have reached numerous people from Europe to Latin America to the United States in painting, literature, and recently in film. Magic realism is a relevant "storytelling approach" as the 2022 original film, Sneakella captures magic realism in teh "fairy godfather" character, Gustavo, who uses natural magic to help El, the protagonist to acquire his dreams. This film was released on Disney plus, a streaming service. This research on magic realism will explore how voice (voice over) narration escorts the viewers into the "familiar world made unfamiliar" by the presence of strange and peculiar elements or natural magic. The definition of magic realism as its exposure has inspired a vast number of interpretations such as magical realism and lo real maravilloso (marvelous real). Furthermore, research will designate the purpose of this storytelling approach by analyzing three major themes of magic realism in six films.Publication Open Access Exploring the Evolution of Black Cinema and the Influential Power of Film(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022) Tubbs, Jada; Mitchell, QshequillaFilm is a relatively modern form of media that possesses compelling storytelling abilities. Similar to the general concept of media, film in particular has a powerful impact on the cultivation of social structures and ideology through its incorporation, deformation and omission of historical events and depictions of discrete groups. This research focuses exclusively on the perpetual progression of depictions of black individuals throughout the course of American cinema and the correlation between these depictions and real life events. It attempts to demonstrate the social influences of Hollywood cinema by providing an overview of the historical evolution of black characters in American film as it pertains to power dynamics, exploitation and deconstruction.Publication Open Access Virtual Reality and Pain Perception(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022) Williams, Jamiya; Richardson, Elizabeth J.This study examined pain perception, immersion, and anxiety in a virtual reality space. The purpose of the study was to measure whether prior anxiety experiences would impact immersion experiences in a virtual space due to the environment being similar to the onset of the anxious experience. The study used multiple measures to gauge whether participants felt immersed: galvanic skin response (GSR) measurements as well as a self-reported measure of anxiety include the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) 4a and Blood Draw Fear Inventory (BDFI). A total of four college aged participants were recruited via convenience sampling. Pearson correlations showed that anxiety was associated with other fear inventory and surveys but was not related to presence in the VR space (i.e., immersion and absorption). However, GSR increased when subjects were in VR environment.Publication Open Access When Your Favorite Characters Alter Their Identities: Implications of Race Swapping in Book to Screen Adaptations on Parasocial Relationships(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2022) Wright, Victoria; Deavours, DanielleIn recent years, many fictional literary works have been adapted for the screen through different media like movies or television shows, know as book adaptations. Book adaptations from page to screen are common, one of the basic ways of obtaining creative ideas for cinema and series (Jenkins, 2006). Some the most successful television series in the past decade have been book adaptations, such as Game of Thones (HBO), The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu), and Outlander (Starz). The movie industry also relies heavily on book adaptations, seeing success from those book-based blockbusters. Previous research suggests audiences can form relationships with these fictional characters, know as Para Social Relationship Theory (Rubin & McHugh, 1987). Though Hollywood is slowly becoming more diverse, many of these works have a lack of diverse in them which moves casting directors to racebending, changing the racial identity of the character in the book adaptations, to make the media more fitting for present-day audiences. While diverse representations are undeniably beneficial to industry, creativity, and culture, previous research suggests audiences may feel distress when changes happened to these characters or to the parasocial relationship (Eyal & Cohen, 2006). Through the lens of adaptation theory and parasocial relationship theory, this study seeks to understand the potential impact of changing the racial diversity of characters from book to screen adaptations on audience identity, particularly in minority culture.