Samuel
Monette
Sponsor: Stacey Combes, Ph.D. Neuro Physio & Behavior An accurate mental representation of one's body size is essential for making affordance judgments (assessing the possible actions in one's environment). Some animals can update their mental representations when body size changes, but our understanding of this in insects remains limited. A previous experiment on bumblebee affordance judgment shows that bees turn (yaw) their bodies to fly sideways through narrow gaps; their yaw angles strongly correlate with the ratio of their wingspan to gap width, indicating that they have an internal body-size representation. We aimed to determine whether adult bees could adapt their body- size representation in response to sudden changes in environmental affordance. We allowed bees to gain experience yawing through narrow gaps, then introduced invisible tripwires near the edges to induce collisions. Instead of increased yaw angles in response to repeated collisions, many bees landed and crawled through the gaps rather than flying. Although this does not provide definitive evidence that bees update their body-size representation, it suggests they can modify their affordance judgments. We are continuing to collect data to determine which flight variables predict successful versus colliding transits, the role of leg extension during obstacle traversal, and how bees shift from flying to crawling as affordances change. Investigating Differences in the Collegiate Athletics Experience Between Neurodivergent and Neurotypical Athletes: a Social Dynamics Perspective
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Authors:
Samuel Monette
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Grounded in social cognition and social identity frameworks, this work investigates how institutional practices and interpersonal interactions can either constrain or support neurodivergent athletes' agency, self-esteem, and sense of belonging. Furthermore, this study evaluates the degree to which challenges often experienced by neurodivergent individuals continue to manifest in the athletics context, as an understudied environment. The current research examines how neurodivergent (ND) and neurotypical (NT) collegiate athletes differentially experience athletic contexts, including relationships with coaches, peers, and broader team environments with implications for well-being and belonging. This quasi-experimental study includes 100 athletes (50 ND, 50 NT) who will complete measures of coach-athlete relationships, peer functioning, communication preferences, and social connectedness. Multivariate analyses will test between- group differences and explore how social and organizational contexts shape neurodivergent athletes' experiences within a performance-driven environment. By highlighting context-specific challenges and opportunities for neurodivergent athletes, this research contributes to understanding how structural and relational factors influence well-being in athletic settings. Beyond advancing theoretical knowledge, the study emphasizes that understanding group-based differences can facilitate inclusive practices and tailored accommodations. Such practices promote belonging, resilience, and equity for neurodivergent individuals within collegiate athletics and other organizational environments. The Psychological Tax of Resilience: Investigating the 'Strong Black Woman' Schema and Mental Health Outcomes Ni'Jah Montgomery
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UC Davis / Psychology / 2026
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Samuel Monette