Two Psychology Majors Study in Canada This Summer
Juniors Peyton Osgood and Breanna Sampo received a Fulbright-Mitacs internship to conduct research in Canada this summer.
The Fulbright-Mitacs Globalink enables about 60 students from the United States to
attend a Canadian university in which they will undertake advanced research projects
for 10 to 12 weeks in their area of interest under the supervision of a professor.
Peyton conducted research at Ryerson University in downtown Toronto with Dr. Andrew
(Hyounsoo) Kim. She conducted a cross-cultural study of loot boxes in video games,
exploring the possible relationship between the boxes and problem gambling in non-Western
countries. “This study really stuck out to me because I love video games and believe
that they have a lot of interesting psychological impacts that have mostly gone untouched,”
Peyton said. “This research could have an impact on policies and restrictions on loot
boxes in games in non-Western countries where there are currently no regulations.”
Breanna worked on a research project at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario
with Dr. Steve Sider. Her project, titled “School Leadership and Inclusive Education
in Canada,” examined how the leadership of Canadian schools incorporates students
with special needs into general classes. “This topic is particularly interesting to
me because I have a passion for inclusion,” Breanna said. “I strongly believe everyone
has a special place on this earth and we should never exclude those who are different
as it creates unnecessary barriers for those who deserve an equal chance in the world.”
A native of Crest Hill, Ill., Peyton will graduate in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and minors in history and clinical and counseling psychology. She is the vice president
of both the Psychology Club and Psi Chi, the psychology honors society. A member of
Pi Gamma Mu, the international social science honor society, and first-chair French
horn player in the McKendree University concert band and wind ensemble, Peyton also
serves as a resident assistant in Barnett Hall and as a research assistant to Dr.
Guy Boysen, professor of psychology at McKendree.
Breanna, a resident of Cedar Point, Ill., will graduate in May 2023 with a bachelor’s
degree in psychology and minors in communications and clinical and counseling psychology.
She is the president of the Psychology Club and Psi Chi, the secretary of the Student
Government Association, and a member of McKendree’s Academic Excellence Celebration
Committee. A psychology tutor and section leader of the McKendree Color Guard, Breanna
also serves as a research assistant to Dr. Boysen.
