Flagler grad wins ERAU research award

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (06/17/2013)(readMedia)-- Recent Flagler College graduate Frankie Lawton was named the winner of Embry-Riddle's Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award during their Human Factors and Applied Psychology conference recently.

Lawton, who graduated with a double major in psychology and public relations, won the award based on his paper "Preferences in Leadership related to the Five Factor Model and Gender," co-authored by Flagler adjunct Tracy Litzinger and assistant professor Dr. Jeremy Krause. The paper focuses on identifying the personality types of political leaders in the United States and how these types affect their public perception.

Lawton hypothesized that there would be a correlation between a participant's opinions of a given leader based not only on their personality similarities, but also on gender correlation. He also researched and reported on the importance of understanding how even negative traits such as neuroticism play a role in public opinion of leaders.

Lawton is currently applying for his PhD in Psychology and interning with St. Augustine Youth Services.

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Flagler College is an independent, four-year, comprehensive baccalaureate college located in St. Augustine, Fla. The college offers 24 majors, 29 minors and two pre-professional programs, the largest majors being business, education and communication. Small by intent, Flagler College has an enrollment of about 2,600 students, as well as a satellite campus at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Fla. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review regularly feature Flagler as a college that offers quality education at a relatively low cost; tuition is $22,500, including room and board. A relatively young institution (founded in 1968), Flagler College is also noted for the historic beauty of its campus. The main building is Ponce de Leon Hall, built in 1887 as a luxury resort by Henry Flagler, who co-founded the Standard Oil Company with John D. Rockefeller. For more on Flagler College, visit www.flagler.edu.