Writings Preview
May 21st, 2008 |Unfortunately, I’m not ready yet to post any of my work in the Writings section. But here’s a preview of what I’ll have in a few weeks.
Effects of Community Violence on a Population of Young Adults
In the spring of 2008, I participated in a research project examining the effects of hearing about, witnessing, and being victimized by community violence. A population of low-risk college students (ages 18-25) was sampled and assessed for PTSD, depression, delinquency, and academic achievement. Social support and perceived safety were also considered. The results of this study are currently being prepared for publication.
High-Achieving Students (Literature Review)
This summer, I’m conducting an independent study on high-achieving students. Details to follow.
Effects of Cultural Capital on Selection and Frequency of Use of Social Network Websites (Thesis Proposal)
In the fall of 2008, I’ll be composing a thesis on the effects of cultural capital on the selection and frequency of use of social network websites.
Abstract: Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu‘s theory of cultural capital posits that parental educational attainment and parental income are major determinants of future outcomes and behavior. Cultural capital inherited early in life impacts acquired educational capital and taste preferences, and perpetuates class divisions. Researchers such as danah boyd have hypothesized that class divisions are being reflected in behavior on social network sites (SNSs) like MySpace and Facebook.
The study will use random sampling methods to acquire results from two data sources: subjects’ responses to an electronic questionnaire, and content analysis of the subjects’ SNS profile(s). The purpose of the study is to evaluate the theoretical model depicted below, derived from a combination of Bourdieu’s theories and existing research on SNSs.
