Students
Through Digital Trash, an augmented reality art exhibit, Professor Will Pappenheimer and his mobile media students are elucidating an often-unseen problem in a truly innovative way.
Students
Understanding "The Other Side"
Dyson College Assistant Professor of Psychology Courtney Gosnell, PhD, has long been interested in the interpersonal nuances of relationships. Much of her research has been focused on exploring what allows relationships to thrive and prosper, and how individual goals can positively or negatively impact relationships. Yet over the past several years, she couldnŮٱƵt help but notice that politics was increasingly becoming personal.
She also noticed a dearth of research in this domainŮٱƵwhereas there is considerable work done about how members of different political affiliations feel about one another, it didnŮٱƵt necessarily go deeper.
ŮٱƵThereŮٱƵs been a lot of research about how Democrats feel about Republicans and vice-versa, but less work looking at what this looks like in the context of family relationships, or friendships,ŮٱƵ notes Gosnell.
In the fall of 2019, Gosnell was awarded a grant that enabled her to assemble a group of seven undergraduate students to further work on this researchŮٱƵfirst in a reading-intensive and discussion-based setting that would enable the students to gain a feel of what a graduate school seminar might be likeŮٱƵand later on, through applying discussion to formulating an original research idea.
One of the participating students, Sarahlouise Baldwin ŮٱƵ22, found the discussion sessions extremely intellectually stimulating, adding a layer to her academic experience that, as a biology major, she wouldnŮٱƵt necessarily experience without this unique research opportunity.
ŮٱƵThereŮٱƵs been a lot of research about how Democrats feel about Republicans and vice-versa, but less work looking at what this looks like in the context of family relationships, or friendships,ŮٱƵ notes Gosnell.
ŮٱƵBefore we knew what the study was going to be, we were having these meetings discussing current affairs, different things we were seeing in media. Eventually, we started questioning each other and ourselves,ŮٱƵ says Baldwin. ŮٱƵWhy do some people, and some of us, maintain these relationships when we know we wouldnŮٱƵt willingly start a relationship with someone else with different views?ŮٱƵ
That spring, the group, which included Baldwin, Anjolee Spence ŮٱƵ22, Cassandra McKenna ŮٱƵ20, Connor Wills ŮٱƵ20, Alyssa Monty ŮٱƵ22, Shannon Roberson ŮٱƵ22, and Pace graduate student Syed Hasan formulated their discussions into a research idea that would contribute to the academic literature. With GosnellŮٱƵs guidance, the group decided to focus on the concept of gratitudeŮٱƵnamely, how gratitude can be a driving force for maintaining close relationships across the ever-widening political divide.
ŮٱƵThere's a whole academic literature regarding gratitudeŮٱƵon how gratitude helps us connect to people in our close relationships,ŮٱƵ says Gosnell. ŮٱƵWe knew from our initial work, people might maintain relationships with family members because ŮٱƵitŮٱƵs my mom, sheŮٱƵs done so much for me.ŮٱƵ Maybe gratitude is this mechanism which allows us to be open and understanding.ŮٱƵ
Just as the group was planning on initiating the research, the pandemic hitŮٱƵthus delaying the study. Yet, the project was able to move forward a few months later thanks to the dedication of Baldwin and Spence, who dedicated hours during the summers of 2020 and 2021 to conducting the research, carrying out analysis and conducting rounds of coding.
As the research became more developed at the end of this past summer, the group began thinking about venues to present their findings. The project, titled ŮٱƵThe Influence of Gratitude on Close Relationships with Opposing Political AffiliationŮٱƵ was accepted to the prestigious Posters on the Hill presentation sponsored by the nationally based Council on Undergraduate Research. Baldwin, who is likely the first Pace student to ever present at this conference, shared her findings with congressional leadership and staff when she presented on April 27.
"I was so grateful for the experience. Although it was nerve-racking, IŮٱƵve become really comfortable with the research and enjoy talking about it," notes Baldwin. "This was a unique opportunity, and I am glad I was able to do something of this caliber with our work before I graduate."
"This was a unique opportunity, and I am glad I was able to do something of this caliber with our work before I graduate."
Although Baldwin is not looking to go into politics or psychology with her biology degree after Commencement this year, she views this research as an invaluable component of her Pace education, and one that will undoubtedly help her gain greater perspective in both her professional and personal life.
ŮٱƵAs someone who is hoping to go into the medical field, IŮٱƵve gotten questions before as to why IŮٱƵm so invested in research in political psychology,ŮٱƵ said Baldwin. ŮٱƵI believe that this research is very important and fundamental to understanding our interaction with others, and the way that our own emotions and feelings can influence how and why we interact with people.ŮٱƵ
Gosnell hopes that continuing to explore this topic and promoting their teamsŮٱƵ findings could potentially spur applications to help reduce polarization; and at the very least, underscore the complexity of individuals and the necessity of reaching common ground despite political differences.
ŮٱƵIdeally, if we want to come together and not be so polarized as a country, it takes a little bit of understanding of different perspectives. ItŮٱƵs hard to do that when you feel like itŮٱƵs my group vs. another group, but easier when you have, say, a cousin or a parent who has these different views,ŮٱƵ notes Gosnell. ŮٱƵIf I maintain this type of relationship it doesnŮٱƵt mean IŮٱƵm going to adapt their views, but it gives us a better understanding, promotes discussion, and makes it less of an us vs. them situation.ŮٱƵ
More from Pace
Faculty and Staff
Internet addiction, the rise of esports, and stigma surrounding digital gaming in China. Pace professor Marcella Szablewicz examines how new communication technologies impact a growing culture shift.
Pace Magazine
The Great Resignation. Remote Work. COVID-19 and the future of work. YouŮٱƵve heard it all, but what does it mean? Talent Management expert Ibraiz Tarique, PhD, breaks down the ever-evolving relationship between employers and the people who truly make workplaces tick.