1. University of Puerto Rico – Cayey
RISE Summer Bridge 2012
Cayey, Puerto Rico
Carla J. Figueroa­Garcia Prof. Edgar Llera
Monday July 9th, 2012 Biol 3009
Research Proposal: “Willpower: our missing moxie.”
Introduction population of undergraduates students
Willpower is a combined word of the University of Puerto Rico in
that in any part of the world and in any Cayey.
language generally means the same. It
is the ability to resist short-term - To design, in a collaborative work
gratification in the pursuit of long-term with a psychologist, a survey and
goals or objectives, according to the different tests that will not only be
American Psychology Association used in the investigation, but that can
(APA). Willpower is what drives us also be used in the future as standard
everyday and in every situation. Many measuring system by doctors or
theories and speculations exist about investigators.
willpowers origins and what affects it,
one of this factors is the culture. A Methodology
culture determines a societies The organism that is going to
development, education, religion, etc. be study is the human and the
This is why willpower is our missing population will be undergraduate
moxie. students of the University of Puerto
Rico in Cayey. Students will be
Problem selected by pairs. This pairs maybe
Up to what extent can the Puerto roommates, close friends, siblings,
Rican culture influence our willpower family or couples. To collect the
trough the upbringing and the necessary data two surveys will be
education? administered. One will be filled by the
person and the other one by its couple.
Hypotheses It is designed this way so that there
A human being can achieve will be two points of view to compare.
anything that he proposes if he has a
good self-esteem and upbringing that Also the subjects will be
compliment its willpower. interviewed by a professional
psychologist to observe their response
Objectives to different tests that are part of the
- To study trough a modified standard measuring system that will be
quantitative survey and interview designed. All of the information will
research the impact level of the Puerto be confidential between the
Rican culture in the willpower of the investigator and the subject. Only the
Willpower: Our Missing Moxie
Carla J. Figueroa-Garcia 1

2. PI and the psychologist will have
access to the information that is
collected.
Expected Results
Children that are raised in stable
and nurturing environments with
discipline and morals are stronger
individuals that are more likely to
succeed in anything that they propose
to themselves.
Children that are raised in unstable
homes with no disciple, morals nor age
appropriate surroundings or education
will have a poor willpower and as a
consequence will not achieve what
they may propose to themselves.
References
What you need to know about
willpower: The psychological science
of self-control. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/willpow
er.aspx
Willpower: Our Missing Moxie
Carla J. Figueroa-Garcia 2