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Research Elizabeth Lilley ’06 performed for her honors thesis has won her first place in the Psi Chi/Allyn & Bacon Psychology Awards competition.
The awards, which are sponsored by Allyn & Bacon Publishers and Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology, are open to all undergraduate Psi Chi members and are presented to those who submit the best overall empirical research papers. Lilley received $1,000 and her paper’s abstract and her biography were published in the fall edition of Eye on Psi Chi.
Lilley, a Marquis Scholar who graduated in May with a B.S. in neuroscience, will use the award to help her pursue an M.S. in public health at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. After graduation from Columbia, she plans to attend medical school.
Her honors thesis focused on factors that aid the psychological wellbeing of Korean adoptees and challenges beliefs held in some quarters about the environment needed for healthy intercultural adoptions.
The research examined 17 variables that contribute to three aspects of psychological wellbeing: self acceptance, personal growth, and relationships with others. Lilley’s thesis underscores the importance that a sense of ethnic identity as a Korean American plays in an adoptee’s psychological wellbeing. She challenges current theory that states a diverse living environment is necessary for the successful psychological development of intercultural children. She has demonstrated that couples who wish to adopt Asian Americans don’t have to live in culturally diverse areas.
Lilley presented her findings at both the annual conference of the Eastern Psychological Association in March, and the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in April. She also plans to write a master’s thesis on a topic related to adoption and health concerns, so the work she has done so far will be helpful in that process.
Lilley believes her research experience and being part of a supportive academic environment at Lafayette has contributed to her success. Her thesis research was guided by Susan Basow, Dana Professor of Psychology, and Ann McGillicuddy-DeLisi, Metzgar Professor of Psychology.
“My education at Lafayette has helped me more than I had expected,” says Lilley. “Going into a program with so many professionals and being one of the youngest in my program was incredibly intimidating, but I’ve found that my background has definitely prepared me to keep up with the rest of them.
“My experiences with my professors have guided me in forming and pursuing my goals and I am very grateful to have had such wonderful mentors in my undergraduate experience.”
While at Lafayette, Lilley was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa, Psi Chi, and Order of Omega (Greek system) honor societies. She was a dean’s list student, writing associate, psychology lab assistant, and member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.
Honors theses are among several major programs that have made Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. The College sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year; 40 students were accepted to present their research at this year’s conference.
Chosen from among Lafayette’s most promising applicants, Marquis Scholars receive a special academic scholarship and distinctive educational experiences and benefits. This includes a three-week, Lafayette-funded course abroad or in the United States during January’s interim session between semesters or the summer break. Marquis Scholars also participate in mentoring programs with Lafayette faculty and cultural activities in major cities and on campus.