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Jessica Memoli ’06 (Port Washington, N.Y.) recently researched the attitudes of students who participate in drinking games. She now has a hypothesis as to why they have become so popular.
A psychology major, Memoli surveyed 130 Lafayette students on their drinking game habits to gauge why, or if, students participate. Alan Childs, professor of psychology, guided the project as part of his student’s advanced psychology class.
“My research examined the drinking game behavior of college students,” says Memoli, who is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, America’s oldest and most respected undergraduate honors organization. “Based on previous research, it was hypothesized that males would be more likely than females to drink more and participate in such games, specifically for motives related to competition, power, and dominance over others. After administering a survey to Lafayette students, results showed support for the initial hypotheses.”
Childs says Memoli’s research is important and relevant in today’s college environments. Her research showed that participating and winning in various drinking games is a way to set up a social hierarchy among peers.
“I think it was valuable to look at the drinking game culture on a college campus,” he says. “For students, it’s a ritual in a way. Jess was able to show how males, mostly, find confidence in dominating in drinking games.”
Memoli will present her research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) held April 6-8 at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the NCUR each year. Forty students have been accepted to present their research at this year’s conference.
Memoli chose the project after participating in the Alcohol Program Efficacy Study with Tim Silvestri, assistant director of counseling services, who advises students on making mature decisions regarding the use of alcohol. The study examined the various approaches at colleges and universities aimed at reducing high-risk alcohol consumption. Memoli piloted questionnaires, conducted a literature review, and worked with Silvestri to improve Lafayette’s program.
“I explored the alcohol literature extensively,” she says. “I noticed some interesting gaps in the drinking game literature, which is a relatively new area.”
After taking time to travel after graduation, Memoli plans to enter the marketing and publishing field.
“I have had a very positive experience as a psychology major,” she says. “I can really say that I’ve enjoyed the classes I have taken, the professors I’ve had, and the learning opportunities and challenges presented to me along the way.”
Childs predicts a great future for Memoli.
“She seems to really have a knack for psychology and genuinely cares about what she is researching,” he says.
Memoli served an internship with HWH Public Relations in New York. She is a writing associate for the College Writing Program and psychology lab assistant. She graduated from Paul D. Schreiber High School.