Behavioral compatibility in social species is studied for its integral role in how potential mates interact and evaluate a possible relationship. Compatibility involves interpersonal synchrony, which is the temporal alignment of behaviors of at least two individuals. Recent research has established interpersonal synchrony as an indicator of a successful relationship. Previous studies have investigated compatibility in humans; however, we aim to extend the research by studying non-human primates. Titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus) form strong life-long pair bonds with one mate, resulting in physiological and behavioral benefits. In the present study, we investigated how behavioral synchrony can be applied to determine quality of pair bonds in unpaired titi monkeys. Subjects were 20 unpaired adult titi monkeys (10 male and 10 female). We determined each subject’s initial synchrony score, or proportion of time partners were at same level of proximity, with each potential mate in a series of 10-minute “speed dates”. We calculated the relationship effect score, or compatibility unique to each dyad, of each potential pair using the Social Relations Model. There was a significant correlation between synchrony scores and relationship effect. Higher synchrony was associated with lower relationship effect (r = -0.51, p = 0.001), but only when synchrony scores included far distant proximities. This suggests that analyses of synchrony should focus solely on close proximity behaviors. Future directions include analyzing specific affiliation behaviors to assess how synchrony changes as the bond forms post-pairing.

If you could relive a year in your life, what would it be? Nothing can be altered or changed. It must be relieved the exact same way it happened. This is the question that was asked to 22 participants at the University of Central Oklahoma in a psychology course class. It is hypothesized that participants will not choose the previous year. For example, if someone is currently 22 then they will not choose 21. Further, it is hypothesized that participants will choose a year that is generally classified and associated with positive experiences and events. Factors that could contribute to answers are overall life satisfaction and the reminiscence bump which is a phenomenon that says that a person will remember the years they are 20-40 more vividly. Overall, the majority of participants chose a year that would be marked as “positive”. However, it was not uncommon for a participant to choose the most previous year as one they would relive. This data can question the validity of the reminiscence bump and when it shows up within humans.

This study focuses on the impact of game-related factors on National Football League (NFL) instant replay reviews. We initially studied more than 8,700 plays during the 1999 to 2023 NFL seasons. Our study first assessed the impact of the NFL’s rule change of incorporating a booth official to make the final review decision shifting away from the head game referee. This shift was implemented from the 2014 NFL season onward and it was found that booth officials were more likely than head game referees to reverse the initial decision on the field. Next, examining the period from 2014 onwards, using a generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression model which accounted for the correlated data (same NFL referees making the initial ruling on the field) tested whether the team challenging the initial decision was the offensive or defensive one, the home or away one or field position impacted the outcome of the challenge. Lastly, we analyzed the likelihood of overturning a call in the final two minutes of the half/game. A challenge that can only be initiated by the officials (and not coaches as otherwise). While the analysis for this study is ongoing, the purpose of the study is to gauge the effectiveness of the NFL officiating system and shed light on the intricacies of instant replay to help understand official’s decision-making and ensure fair officiating.

In sports players naturally aspire to perform at their peak. In basketball, one example of such superior performance is scoring a ‘Buzzer Beater' (BB), a shooting attempt representing the last opportunity to score which if successful converts a team from a tie or losing position to ultimately winning the game. In this study we analyzed data from National Basketball Association (NBA) seasons between the years of 2001-2023, for shots taken within 35 feet of the basket, and within the last four seconds of regulation (resulting in 1377 BB’s, 53.6% misses 46.4% makes). We investigated which variables were associated with BB success. An initial generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression model accounting for the correlated data (repeated NBA attempting the shot) showed that in-game performance prior to the BB shot was not associated with the success of the BB shot. A second GEE regression showed that the nature of the BB shot (lesser distance and longer time of possession) was associated with greater BB success while other more remote variables such as a home vs away game or all-star status of the shooting player did not influence the outcome of the shot. Overall, we seek to understand what factors are correlated with peak performance. Our findings show a lack of momentum in BB performance (i.e., past performance is not a predictor of subsequent BB success) but that the immediate circumstances of the BB shot hold significant weight.