Profile for Berna Gercek Swing

Berna Gercek Swing, and Kaia Culver, both Psychology, presented "An Examination of Male and Female Activities Among Friends" at the the Midwestern Psychological Association Annual Meeting on April 18 in Chicago, IL. A total of 206 participants answered (145 females) open-ended questions about how they spend time with their best friends. Analysis of the answers suggest that females enjoy activities that involve talking or create a context for conversations (e.g. shopping). Males engage in activities that do not necessarily afford meaningful sharing (e.g., playing sports).

Submitted on: April 19

Berna Gercek Swing, Psychology, presented "Exploration of Gender Differences in Friendship Patterns and Life Satisfaction" at the Midwestern Psychological Association Annual Meeting on April 18 in Chicago, IL. In a survey of 226 undergraduates (155 F), females reported having fewer close friends (F=5.65) than males (M=7.15) and enjoyed better quality of best friend relationship (t(203) = -6.15, p <.001). Quality of friendship and number of close friends predict life satisfaction and reduced loneliness for both genders.

Submitted on: April 19