ISSEP-2025-05

GRANT ID#: ISSEP-2025-05

GRANT TITLE: Impact of guns on students’ behaviors and existential outcomes

GRANTEE: Texas A&M University

PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR: Kyle Silva

CO-PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR: Brandon Schmeichel

GRANT AMOUNT: USD $1,766

DURATION OF GRANT PROJECT: April 15, 2025 – June 16, 2026

Description of the Project

 

Executive summary:

Guns are ubiquitous in the United States, and some policy makers have proposed to “harden” educational spaces to protect students. But what are the psychological consequences? Guns may be considered existentially threatening stimuli, such that guns may be associated both with greater death-related cognitions and reduced feelings of authenticity in the learning environment. The first study will use experimental methods to test the effects of being in the presence of guns on experiences of authenticity, death anxiety, academic motivation, and cognitive performance. The second study will use experience sampling to track students’ thoughts and feelings when they are (versus are not) in the presence of firearms in daily life.

 

Itemized budget:

Grant funding will cover the expenses detailed below:

  • Incentives for participating in two-week experience sampling study ($15 each for 100 participants) = $1500

  • Denix Replica M1911A1 pistol (2 @ $103/each) = $206

  • Table = $60

The total amount approved is USD $1,766.

Kenneth Vail