American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research Publishes Graduate Student's Research

Grace Heugel, a graduate student in the Counseling M.A. Program in the Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy, had her research published by the American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (AJHSSR). Grace and her professor, Krista Figueroa, M.A., CSPC, worked together on developing Grace’s research and synthesizing her findings. The published, peer-reviewed article explores the psychology of fear and presents the research conclusion that the fear response can be controlled.

The article titled, “Mind Over Mountains: Training the Fear Response” explores fear as an adaptive neurobiological system shaped by neural circuitry, environmental context and cognitive training. Drawing from the fields of neuroscience, environmental psychology and cognitive performance research, the authors examine how fear can be regulated, rather than eliminated. Neuroscience research was directed to the roles of the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens and caudate nucleus in threat detection, emotional regulation and risk-based decision-making. 

Grace and Figueroa’s research also discusses evolutionary influences on fear responses, gender differences in threat sensitivity, and the restorative effects of natural environments on emotional regulation. “Mind Over Mountains: Training the Fear Response” also serves as a case study of free solo climber, Alex Honnold. Honnold is utilized by the authors to illustrate how prolonged exposure, rehearsal and regulatory control can recalibrate fear systems without eliminating fear itself. Grace and Figueroa’s article can be found in the current issue of the American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research.

About the Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy at Seton Hall
The Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy is found within Seton Hall University’s College of Human Development, Culture, and Media. Department faculty are involved in professional development activities and provide seminars and workshops for students in all programs. Specialties include school psychology, professional counseling, mind/body/spirituality, applied behavior analysis and sport psychology. Our faculty are engaged in research in such wide-ranging areas as career decisions, cultural diversity, infant mental health, learning disabilities, sport psychology, neuropsychology, psychopathology, trauma issues, etc. and are dedicated to promoting scientific research in a professional and ethical manner. Students have rich opportunities to work directly with faculty, helping to catalyze research that is focused on solving some of society’s most important and persistent challenges. The Department offers a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. For more information, visit the Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy's website.

About the American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (AJHSSR)
The American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (AJHSSR) is an international, blind peer-reviewed, open access online journal. The social sciences include, but are not limited to, economics, political science, human geography, demography, management, psychology, sociology, anthropology, archaeology, jurisprudence, history, linguistics and more. The core vision of the AJHSSR is to disseminate new knowledge and cutting edge technology for the benefit of all, ranging from academic research and professional communities to industry professionals, in a variety of topics within the branch of Humanities and Social Sciences research. For more information, visit the American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research's website.

Categories: Research