b'The Effect of Colored Paper on Math PerformanceNestle N. ButlerSponsor: Dr. Mark Whatley, Department of PsychologyIn a students academic career, few subjects generate as much anxiety as math (e.g., Carey et al., 2019). This anxiety can result in emotional reactions, such as fear of failure, and behavioral reactions, such as procrastination (Onwuegbuzie, 2004). This study examined whether different colors of printing paper might facilitate better math performance in students and their perception of difficulty. Participants math performance was measured by the number of correctly answered questions on a test of mathematical ability. Participants, 20 males and 20 females, answered 10 moderately challenging math questions on either blue or yellow colored paper. Participants then rated the overall difficulty of the questions. Contrary to prediction, participants who took the test on blue paper answered questions more correctly than those who took the test on yellow paper, but the differences were not significant. As predicted, in the blue paper condition, both males and females rated tests less difficult than those in the yellow paper condition, but the differences were not significant. The results have implications for individuals with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, that find white paper distracting. Further research is warranted on how color impacts academic performance to facilitate optimal student performance.Gender Identity Attitudes and Self-Esteem as a Function of Gender ClassificationTionna M. Cooper, Jessica A. Horton and Abigail J. SmithSponsors: Dr. Mark A. Whatley and Dr. David T. Wasieleski, Department of PsychologyWithin the past decade, society has begun to develop a rapidly progressive and open mindset toward gender identity and even how the word gender is defined. Past research has shown sex differences in gender identity attitudes and self-esteem; specifically, females hold more positive attitudes toward gender identity but report lower self-esteem. The current study evaluated how females gender classification might further qualify these findings. The data was collected through means of an anonymous online survey (Qualtrics), comprised of the Gender Identity Attitudes Scale (GIAS) and two counterbalanced scales: The Self-Esteem Scale (SES) and the Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ). Gender classifications were made based on median split on masculinity and femininity scales on the PAQ. Results indicated that masculinity and androgyny classifications reported higher self-esteem scores compared to feminine and undifferentiated classifications. No classification differences were found on the GIAS. These results might reflect changing socialization practices wherein females are encouraged to diverge from traditional feminine roles and interests. Concurrently, women in popular culture today tend to display more dynamic masculine or androgynous traits than what might be considered more traditionally feminine. Future research could investigate whether this pattern of results would occur with male participants.90'