Psychology in the News...

A recent article in The New York Times outlines new research on the importance of touch in social relationships. Warm, supportive physical contact releases oxytocin in the brain, invoking feelings of well-being and trust, and reduces levels of stress hormones such as cortisol. Researchers have even found positive correlations between the frequency of contact among players and a basketball team's success on the court: more contact, better games. High five!

Psychology in the News...

The American Psychiatric Association will soon be publishing a new edition of its diagnostic manual, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM-V), and is soliciting comments on the proposed revisions. Though this may seem an esoteric topic, it has real implications for individuals with mental health disorders and their families. For instance, one of the proposed changes in the DSM-V would reclassify Asperger's Syndrome as Autism Spectrum Disorder. While there's little controversy over grouping the disorders empirically (on the basis of many shared features, and possibly a common cause), the shift has concerned some families, who worry that the "autism" label carries a stigma that Asperger's has largely overcome. CNN recently published an article exploring families' reactions to the proposed changes - it's a good reminder that diagnostic labels can affect social relationships, school, work, insurance, and access to social services.

Psychology in the News...

Did you know that holding a grudge or not forgiving yourself and others can actually be hazardous to your physical health? Forgiveness may not be easy, but it definitely does a body good! To learn more, check out:

http://www.amyknowsbest.com/mind_body_soul/Entries/2010/1/29_Grudges__Hazardous_to_your_Health.html

MVT

Psychology Club

Hello everyone!

One of the activities that I am most excited about this semester/school year is serving as the new advisor to the SMC Psychology Club! I am thrilled to help reorganize the club and meet/work with some very motivated students - both psychology majors and non-majors!

On Wednesday evening of this week we will be having our first meeting and the students plan to elect club officers. I hope that we have a great turnout! There are many fun activities that we hope to plan this year, but we need members! Those events possibly include apple picking, psychology themed pumpkin carving, GRE-prep/study sessions, Faculty-Student Jeoparday game show, visiting a corn maze, and participating in Brain Awareness Week in March 2010 where we hope to visit local elementary schools and educate students about brain safety and the brain itself. The students will also plan field trips and movie nights and many other social events. Even though the club is of course based upon academics, the students also prefer the club to have a social nature as well. Social networking is so popular now (yes, I am on Facebook!!! :)) and thus the club may even create their facebook page to keep students updated on what psychology courses to take next semester, graduate school preparation, etc.

While my job as faculty advisor is more or less to be "hands off", I am looking forward to hearing about the successes and fun that the students will have. I will be sure to keep you posted!

Until next time,

Prof. MVT

The Semester is off to a flying start!!!!!

Hello everyone! We here at SMC are off to a brand new semester! I find myself feeling both nervous and excited, but cannot imagine being anywhere else in early September than at SMC in beautiful Vermont! There is a slight chill in the air reminding us that the colorful New England fall colors are right around the corner, the campus is abuzz with both new and returning enthusiastic students, and the hallways are bustling with friends reuniting and students locating their classes. Warm smiles and laughter fill the quad and interactive lectures are taking place in the classrooms. "School" is definitely back in session.

The summer was very busy for me. I taught a summer hybrid online course - a first for SMC - and supervised TWO SMC psychology research students - Jenny Pietroski (grant from the Social Science Research Center at SMC) and Rachel Allen (grant from NASA) - on two separate research projects... they wrote and received their own grant funding! I am so proud of them! Also, this summer Prof. Anthony Richardson (also a psychology professor) and I received new laboratory space and set up a Psychophysiology and Virtual Reality lab! Come visit us! We are located in STE 219. We'd love to give you a tour and have you get involved as we are looking for lab assistants to assist us and our students with research projects. Please send us an e-mail if you are interested or stop by the lab. I will be sure to post pictures and blog about our new lab this year as it is VERY exciting and we are very thankful for such space! We will be traveling to conferences to present our results from the summer projects and visiting Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, as part of the "requirements" for Rachel having received funding from NASA.

I am also THRILLED to have been asked by several SMC psychology students to serve as the new advisor to Psychology Club! Our first big event will be a trip to Sam Mazza's corn maze in Colchester, Vermont in September/October! The students hope to get to know each other at this outing, purchase pumpkins for a later pumpkin carving event - psychology themed of course - where we faculty will serve as "judges", and enjoy apple cider. We hope that you SMC Psychology students - majors and non-majors are welcome - will join us. Keep your eyes peeled for the date and time. :)

These are just a few of the updates of late! I hope that you readers are enjoying the last few weeks of summer - perhaps attending family picnics, local fairs, or making those last few trips to beaches on lakes and oceans!

Until next time,

Prof. MVT

Tomorrow is the big day....

All of the hard work will pay off tomorrow as our seniors will be presenting their research and practicum experience at this year's Psychology Department Symposium!!!

What is a department symposium you may be asking? Well, in a nutshell, it is a time for our students, family, friends, and faculty to spend the day supporting the work that our Psychology seniors have accomplished this year. Some students will be giving 20 minute oral presentations via PowerPoint while others will be showcasing their research and practicum (internship) experience with a poster presentation. There are no awards given out, no grading will take place; rather, the day is more of a celebration of accomplishments. The day will be long (9-4pm), but I can hardly wait! I am so proud of our seniors!

I had 8 of my research students over for dinner this evening and we spent much of evening reflecting on the year, discussing plans after graduation (some will enter the workforce while others will attend grad school), reminiscing, and of course EATING! The students were so thankful for a home cooked meal - lasagna - and cheesecake for dessert. My husband and I enjoyed greatly enjoyed opening our home to my students! Our cats, one of which is extremely shy, loved all of the attention!

Time for me to get my sleep, but I will sure to fill each of you in on the happenings of the "Big Day"!

Until next time....


Prof. VT

Welcome Spring

We've now entered the season of Unpredictable Weather, which in Vermont falls between Unending Winter and Mud Season. By way of illustration, this was the view from my window yesterday at 10am:


And this was the same view, at 2pm:


All very confusing, I have to say. I'm just waiting for Beautiful Summer to arrive.
-rlc