Psichi.Org Eyethehe Inntternaattiononnaal Honor Societiety in Pssychhologgy on PSI CHI

summmeer 2017 | vol 21 | no 4 www.psichi.org eyeThehe Inntternaattiononnaal Honor Societiety in Pssychhologgy on PSI CHI

Technology False Memories & Religion Gratefulness Organizational Dishonesty Meaning Distinguished Meaning in Life Nature Walk Gratefulness in Life TechnologyLecturer Series & Religion False Memories Organizational Dishonesty eye ON PSI CHI

eye ON PSI CHI

eye ON PSI CHI WWW.PSICHI.ORG SUMMER 2017 | VOLUME 21 | NUMBER 4

EDITOR/ART DIRECTOR Susan Iles [email protected] EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Bradley Cannon [email protected] ON PSI CHI Ashley Garcia Contents | SUMMER 2017 DESIGNER Lauren Surmann [email protected] DISTINGUISHED LECTURER SERIES* Published by Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Founded September 4, 1929, at the Ninth International Congress of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. Member of the 6 A New Reason to Avoid Association of College Honor Societies. Eye on Psi Chi (ISSN 1092- 0803) is published quarterly by Psi Chi, the International Honor Soci ety Organizational Dishonesty in Psychology. All contents ©2017 by Psi Chi. The publication schedule follows the academic year: fall, winter, spring, and summer. All opinions With Robert B. Cialdini, PhD expressed in signed articles are those of the author(s) and do not nec Bradley Cannon essarily reﬂect those of the editors and/or Psi Chi.

EDITORI AL OFFICE: Psi Chi Central Ofﬁce | PO Box 709, Chattanooga, TN 37401 10 All About Gratefulness Street Address: 651 East 4th St., Suite 600 | Chattanooga, TN 37403 Telephone: +1-423-756-2044 | Fax: +1-423-265-1529 With Robert A. Emmons, PhD Email: [email protected] | Website: www.psichi.org Bradley Cannon 20 Creating False Memories Permission must be obtained from Psi Chi to reprint or adapt a table or With Elizabeth Loftus, PhD fgure; to reprint quotations exceeding the limits of fair use from one What Does Your Life Mean? source, and/or to reprint any portion of poetry, prose, or song lyrics. 14 Ashley Garcia All persons wishing to utilize any of the above materials must write to the publisher to request nonexclusive world rights in all languages With Clara Hill, PhD to use copyrighted material in the present article and in future print Ashley Garcia and nonprint editions. All persons wishing to utilize any of the above Does Technology Decrease materials are responsible for obtaining proper permission from 24 copyright owners and are liable for any and all licensing fees required. A Psychological Nature Walk Our Religious Beliefs? All persons wishing to utilize any of the above materials must include 17 copies of all permissions and credit lines with the article submission. With Peter H. Kahn Jr., PhD With Michael Nielsen, PhD Advertisements that appear in Eye on Psi Chi do not represent Ashley Garcia Ashley Garcia endorsement by Psi Chi of the advertiser or the product. Psi Chi does not endorse or is responsible for the content of third-party promotions. Learn about advertising with Psi Chi at http://www.psichi. org/?page=Advertise FEATURES PSI CHI Board of Directors Letters of Recommendation SOCIETY PRESIDENT 28 Jon Grahe, PhD for Graduate School Part III: [email protected] PAST-PRESIDENT The Final Six Paragons Dan Corts, PhD Drew C. Appleby, PhD, [email protected] Indiana University-Purdue PRESIDENT-ELECT University Indianapolis R. Eric Landrum, PhD Karen M. Appleby, PhD, [email protected] Idaho State University EASTERN REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT Deborah Harris-O’Brien, PhD [email protected] 34 Don’t Worry About It! MIDWESTERN REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT Melissa T. Buelow, PhD Anxiety and Its Impact on [email protected] Emotional Well-Being ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT Sandra Llera, PhD, Matthew C. Genuchi, PhD Towson University [email protected] 10 SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT Christina Sinisi, PhD *See Nick Kanas interview in the 2017 Spring Eye. [email protected] SOUTHWESTERN REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT Shawn R. Charlton, PhD [email protected] COLUMNS DEPARTMENTS WESTERN REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT Wisdom From the Workplace Ethan A. McMahan, PhD 3 Executive Director’s Message [email protected] 4 Do You Work and Inducting Transfer Students Into Your Chapter EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Sooner: What Are Your Options? Martha S. Zlokovich, PhD Attend College? [email protected] Paul Hettich, PhD 36 Annual Report of the ABBREVIATIONS Psi Chi Past-President APA American Psychological Association 26 Why Psi Chi Is Launching APS Association for Psychological Science 38 New Board Members EPA Eastern Psychological Association a Fund-Raising Campaign: MPA Midwestern Psychological Association NEPA New England Psychological Association We’re Telling Our 39 Alumni in the News RMPA Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Psi Chi Story SEPA Southeastern Psychological Association 40 Chapter Activites SWPA Southwestern Psychological Association Bradley Cannon WPA Western Psychological Association

magine this scenario. Elizabeth is a new transfer In addition to these benefits, chapters need to decide student on your campus who already declared how they will take advantage of the fact that nearly half of Ipsychology as her major before even arriving. She comes all university graduates first attend community college, to the psychology department having earned a two-year almost half of them transferring five or more terms of Associate of Science degree, transferring in 38 college credits, coursework (Ma & Baum, 2016). Many more students 15 of them in psychology. In addition to earning a 3.89 GPA enroll in two-year colleges than in the past—over 7.5 in her first two years of college, she is also proud to be a million in 2014 compared to over 2.3 million in 1970 member of Psi Beta, the honor society for psychology at two- (NCES, 2015). In addition, the number of students taking year campuses, and to have served in two officer positions. the psychology AP exam has exploded from less than Because of her Psi Beta service, she arrives at your 4,000 in 1992 to 293,350 in 2016 (College Board, 2016). university excited about all of the opportunities for Psi Chi Add to this changing environment about one third of members. But her excitement turns to disappointment university students who transfer to between four-year at her first Psi Chi meeting; her two psychology courses institutions (Gonzalez, 2012). will not be enough to meet the chapter’s transfer student requirements of 12 college credits completed on campus as Additional Tips well as 9 psychology credits. Because inductions occur once Article III Section IA in the Chapter Bylaws document per semester, your faculty advisor later confirms that she shows two transfer student options. Chapters may choose will not be able to join before fall of her senior year. to accept some or all college and psychology credits from What does this mean for Elizabeth? It means she transferring institutions. probably won’t have time to submit research to Psi Chi Sometimes, members may worry that psychology sessions at a regional convention or apply for awards or courses at two-year schools are not as rigorous as the ones grants before she graduates. Nor will she be as likely to at their campus. If your university has many students become a Psi Chi officer before graduating, which she has transferring from local feeder schools, your faculty advisor already shown interest in and gained experience at during Martha S. Zlokovich, PhD and department chair can evaluate the quality of their her time at Psi Beta. Executive Director courses, faculty, and students. Some chapters have the option of inviting transfer The Solution students to join Psi Chi in their first semester on campus, The solution to dilemmas such as Elizabeth’s is to simply while others do not. If your university transfers in both update your Psi Chi chapter bylaws by vote at your next credits and grades, inviting students to join during their chapter meeting. Transfer student requirements (12 first semester is an option. However, if transfer students credits completed at the new campus) automatically have a 0.0 GPA until they complete courses on campus, apply unless your chapter approves different ones in your they must complete the 12 credits, including 9 in psychol- chapter bylaws. Your chapter also may be able to specify ogy, at your university before they can join. If they have how many of the 9 required psychology credits may be a 0.0 GPA, they have to establish both a comprehensive transferred in rather than completed on campus. GPA and a psychology GPA in order to determine their To customize your chapter’s options, use the Chapter eligibility. Bylaws Template, which officers and advisors can What happens to transfer psychology students during download after logging in to the Psi Chi website. This their first two semesters on your campus? Is your chapter Word document includes fill-in-the blank sections and stacking the deck against transfer students, or playing its some choose-an-option sections, which makes it easy to strongest hand to encourage involvement and contribu- tell which areas can be changed and which cannot. Keep tions? Playing your strongest hand may mean revising in mind that eligibility requirements may be modified your chapter’s bylaws. by chapters as long as chapter requirements are (a) not in conflict with the Psi Chi Constitution, and (b) are academic only (no service, attendance, or participation References requirements, for example). So long as you follow the College Board. (2016). AP program participation and performance data 2016. Retrieved from http://research.collegeboard.org/programs/ap/data/participation/ basic instructions, you should be fine! ap-2016 Gonzalez, J. (2012). A third of students transfer before graduating, and many head toward community colleges. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from Why This Matters http://www.chronicle.com/article/A-Third-of-Students-Transfer/130954/?sid=at Imagine how the scenario above could have turned out Ma, J., & Baum, S. (2016, April). Trends in community colleges, Enrollment, prices, differently for Elizabeth and your chapter. Play your student debt, and completion. Retrieved from https://trends.collegeboard.org/ chapter’s cards right, and transfer students could breathe sites/default/fles/trends-in-community-colleges-research-brief.pdf new life into your chapter, increase the number of active National Center for Education Statistic. (2015). Table 303.25. Total fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by control and level of institution: members, and enhance chapter functioning by providing 1970 through 2014. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d15/tables/ a pipeline of experienced honor society officers. dt15_303.25.asp?current=yes

Young Mature Working Learners Working Learners (16-29) (30-54)

almost 60% are work in managerial, work in sales, office women 51% 67% working educational, or office support support, and personal and service occupations assistance occupations learners Disproportionately Disproportionately AFRICAN WHITE & AMERICAN SINGLE MARRIED with FAMILIES MAJORS MAJORS Business, Social Services, Healthcare, Business, Humanities, Applied Fields and Applied Fields

34% have 25,000 or more in Student Loans, Community Colleges Selective Institutions which is less than for & For Profit Colleges nonworking students

re you one of the 14 million persons who works and attends enter the workforce after high school but do not concurrently college? According to Learning While Earning: The New attend college (Carnevale et al., 2015). ANormal, between 70% and 80% of students are working In past decades, the general rule was that students should learners (Carnevale, Smith, Melton, & Price; 2015). In this not exceed working 15 to 20 hours per week to avoid a negative column, I summarize some characteristics of working learners impact on their studies. However, as educational and living and highlight key issues they face. costs have increased, learning while working has become more challenging. About 40% of undergraduate and 76% of graduate Working and Its Impact students work at least 30 hours a week; 25% of all working learners First, let’s review why jobs are important for college students— simultaneously work full-time and attend college full-time. The besides generating income. If you have little or no job experience, I effects of working and attending school depend on the nature of the job (whether career-related or not) as well as characteristics of urge you to acquire it before entering the workforce. The National the individual and their circumstances. For example, low-income Association of Colleges and Employers (2016) reports that 91% of students are more likely to experience negative effects on their employers prefer applicants with either relevant (65%) or any type academic achievement while working. “This appears to be the of work experience (26%). Not only do jobs pay bills, they help de- result of a lack of counseling, social capital, and other supports velop critical “soft” skills such as time management, interpersonal that are typically associated with a higher socioeconomic status or communications, teamwork, and conflict management, as well more selective colleges” (Carnevale et al., 2015, p. 16). as knowledge and task skills that may transfer to subsequent jobs. Work is also an opportunity to explore career options, function Who Are Working Learners? in an organizational culture very different from college, and have Carnevale et al. (2015) compare Young Working Learners (16–29 a break from the world of abstract ideas. Finally, individuals who years old) and Mature Working Learners (30–54 years old) across work and simultaneously attend college are more likely to advance, several dimensions. Although the distinction is somewhat arbi- over time, to managerial positions after college than those who trary, 30 is the cutoff point because, by that age, most people are

4 EYE ON PSI CHI | SUMMER 2017 COPYRIGHT © 2017 PSI CHI Paul Hettich, PhD, Professor Emeritus at DePaul University (IL), was an Army personnel psychologist, program evaluator in an education R&D lab, and a corporate applied scientist—positions that created a “real world” foundation for his career in college teaching and administration. He was inspired to write about college-to-workplace readiness issues by graduates and employers who revealed a major disconnect between university and workplace expectations, cultures, and practices. You can contact Paul at [email protected]

established in the labor market and are adults. Women account for through standard coursework. Internships, externships, and almost 60% of all working learners. Sixty-seven percent of younger professional contacts are the new norm for students (Carnevale et learners work primarily in sales and office support occupations al., 2015). or in personal service occupations; 40% work full time. Younger Educational outcomes should be expressed as competencies, the learners tend to be disproportionately White and single; they “new currency” in today’s workplace. “The relationship between choose majors in business, social sciences, humanities, and applied postsecondary fields of study and careers are only a rough proxy fields, and are likely to attend selective institutions. for a deeper and more dynamic relationship between competencies Of the mature working learners, 51% work in either managerial, taught in particular curricula and competencies required to educational, or office support and service occupations. In general, advance in particular occupationally based careers,” (Carnevale et this group is disproportionally African American and married al., 2015, p. 57). Although some programs in some schools focus on with family responsibilities. They choose majors primarily in competency development, many educators eschew the competency health care, business or other applied fields, and attend communi- philosophy of education. ty or for-profit colleges; 76% of this group works full time. Mature Heed the old folk warning to not miss the forest (your long-term working learners tend to work longer hours and earn more than goals) for the trees (your options, circumstances, and needs); younger working learners, 45% of whom have earnings at or below it applies to working learners. Take time to ponder the wisdom the poverty level. Student loans are common to both groups (34% uttered by interviewee Nora Watson in Studs Terkel’s classic book have $25,000 or more in loan debt), although at levels less than Working, “I think most of us are looking for a calling, not a job. students who do not work. Tuition assistance is a benefit that many Most of us, like the assembly-line worker, have jobs that are too working learners depend on, and several companies are developing small for our spirit. Jobs are not big enough for people” (Terkel, new education financing options for their employees (Carnevale et 1974, p. xxiv). al., 2015). References The Disconnect Between Higher Education Carnevale, A. P., Smith, N., Melton, M., & Price, E. W. (2015). Learning while earning: The new normal. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Center on Education and the and Workforce Needs Workforce. Retrieved from https://cew.georgetown.edu/workinglearners National policies are needed to clarify and strengthen the complex National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2016). Job outlook 2017. Bethlehem, PA: National Association of Colleges and Employers. connections among workforce needs, educational opportunities, Terkel, S. (1974). Working: People talk about what they do all day and how they feel about what and careers. To this end, Carnevale et al. (2015) offer four rules they do. New York, NY: Pantheon Books. for understanding such connections in the current economic and labor environment (see Table 1). Rule 1 is easy to understand because chances are your family has TABLE 1 pummeled it into your head since elementary school. Rule 2 is also straightforward but you might be facing a dilemma. For example, Carneval et al.’s Four Rules you could work toward a relatively high-paying career in a business specialty, nursing, or technical field and achieve economic stability Rule 1. On average, more education yields more pay. Over a early in your career, but perhaps you don’t have a passion for career, high school graduates earn $1.3 million; Bachelor’s these areas. You may, however, have a passion to work in a mental degree holders earn $2.3 million; PhD holders earn $3.3 mil- health or social service profession where pay is relatively low but lion; and professional degree holders earn $3.7 million. “the good life” is delayed. Graduate or professional school in your Rule 2. What a person makes depends on what that person preferred occupation would eventually raise your income but takes. A major in early childhood education makes $3.3 million education costs increase your loan debt and likely delay decisions less over a career than a major in Petroleum Engineering. about family and home ownership. Rule 3 is like Rule 2: It may Rule 3. Sometimes less education is worth more. A one-year require a decision that pits your personal values against practical information-technology certifcate holder earns up to $72,000 considerations. Rule 4 requires that you carefully research career per year compared with $54,000 per year for the average programs that respond to economic and local needs. Bachelor’s degree holder. Thirty percent of Associate’s degree The report criticizes counseling centers that do not initiate holders make more than the average four-year degree holder. career planning when students enter college, and for not focusing Rule 4. Programs are often the same in name only. Programs and college on the economic value (projected income) of academic majors. majors have different values at different institutions depending on the Furthermore, the traditional four-year model of higher education alignment between particular curricula and regional labor market demand, that addresses careers through an academic major has become less as well as on differences in program quality (Carnevale et al., p. 19). popular, less affordable, and less practical for working learners who seek direct connections between coursework and career, and who do not have time and resources to explore career options Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Learning While Earning: The New Normal.

COPYRIGHT © 2017 PSI CHI EYE ON PSI CHI | SUMMER 2017 5 Dr. Cialdini is a Psi Chi Distinguished Member, along with many other notable psychologists such as Drs. Albert Bandura, B. F. Skinner, and Robert J. Sternberg. He says, “I enjoyed my involvement in Psi Chi as an undergraduate. It was a great socializing experience for me, in which it was possible to interact with advisors to the Psi Chi group and also graduate students who were on the next step of the ladder I was hoping to climb. Psi Chi is one of the things that solidified my interest in pursuing graduate-level psychology.”

A New Reason to Avoid Organizational Dishonesty With Robert B. Cialdini, PhD

Interview by Bradley Cannon

ccording to Dr. Robert Cialdini, a organizational dishonesty also has large common message given to dissuade economic consequences, even if the A leaders of organizations from organization’s dishonesty is never caught dishonest behavior is to simply say, “It’s by regulators or the public. In today’s immoral, so don’t do it.” Although true, he interview, he discusses the many negative explains, this argument only has a marginal effects to watch out for and discusses impact on executives who feel that it is strategies to prevent organizations from acceptable for them to be dishonest in order becoming dishonest. to bolster the profits of their organization. Another message traditionally given Introducing Dr. Cialdini to organization leaders is that, “If you are Dr. Cialdini is professor emeritus of caught in dishonest behavior, there will psychology and marketing at Arizona State be negative consequences to your profits University. He received his PhD from the because people will not want to do business University of North Carolina and post- with you.” Dr. Cialdini believes this to be doctoral training at Columbia University. true too. However, people who commit Dr. Cialdini is the author of several books violations don’t expect to be caught. including Influence: Science and Practice, Otherwise, they wouldn’t engage in the which has sold more than three million violation in the first place. copies. An expert in the psychology of influence, Among Cialdini’s notable contributions the limitations of these two arguments are his six principles of influence. These spurred him to search for a new reason principles include reciprocity (i.e., the to dissuade leaders from organizational obligation to repay others), commitment dishonesty. This new argument, supported and consistency (i.e., the need for internal by his research, warns executives that personal alignment), social proof (i.e., the

tendency to do what others do), authority precipitate of dishonest employees who are Dr. Cialdini explains that this requires (i.e., the desire to follow expert opinion), then more likely to be comfortable with that the executives be clear and consistent liking (i.e., the power of interpersonal cheating. These people will likely cheat the that dishonesty inside of the organization rapport), and scarcity (i.e., that people organization too. They’ll be the kind of is not acceptable. “This includes dishonesty want what they cannot have). He has found people who will designed to improve the profits of the numerous other nuances of influence too. • take sick days when they are not sick, organization,” he says. “For example, if For example, his latest book, Pre-Suasion: • pad expense accounts, you find a sales person who is lying to A Revolutionary Way to Influence and • steal equipment from the customers about products or services, that Persuade, reveals what a communicator can organization, and person has to be removed. This strategy do in the moment before sending a message • run under-the-table deals with has to come from the top, with the message to increase the likelihood that the audience venders and customers, and so on.” that this is just not who we are. This is not will be open and receptive to it. These effects hold true across a wide- in the norms of our organization. We won’t Whenever Dr. Cialdini gives lectures on range of organizations. He says, “We did tolerate it.” these six principles, he says, someone in the a nation-wide survey in which we asked Once dishonesty grips an organization, audience almost always raises the following individuals to report to us about the the remedy requires something that Dr. question: “How do we use this information current organization they were in. And Cialdini doesn’t recommend in almost any ethically, and what happens if people use we did another where we asked them other situation. “And that is ruthlessness,” these strategies in a dishonest way?” about the previous organization they were he says, firmly. “They have to be ruthless This, he says, got him thinking about the in. We found that there were regrettable about weeding out those individuals culture of dishonest organizations and how levels of dishonesty across various forms who are dishonest because, as I suggested research could be used to answer why these earlier, those individuals tend to infect the of commercial and noncommercial principles of influence should always be behavior of those around them.” organizations.” used in ethical ways. He says, “I think one important feature of research on dishonest How It Starts Increased Surveillance organizations is, if we can publicize the Another effect of dishonest organizations Dr. Cialdini highlights the following two research and convince organizations that it is increased surveillance. For example, an reasons for organizational dishonesty to is not in their economic interests to behave organization might react to the dishonesty appear. “The first is that some people are in a dishonest way, we can increase the trust within by increasing surveillance software. simply more disposed toward dishonesty levels in our society. This is very important However, as Dr. Cialdini’s research has than other people. This tends to be the case because trust has been declining in our shown, negative effects of doing this include across the various settings of their lives. society for a number of years now, which mental health problems such as high There is good research to show that the trait leads to all kinds of negative psychological levels of tension, anxiety, and depression. of dishonesty is not specific to a particular and personal consequences.” Increased surveillance has also been linked set of circumstances, but seems to manifest with lower productivity and absenteeism, Effects of itself across settings and situations. So and employees may perceive the new Organizational Dishonesty sometimes when these individuals enter surveillance as an indication that the an organization, their tendency toward Consider this example: A neighbor once sat organization does not trust them. As stated dishonesty causes them to become less down beside Dr. Cialdini on an exercise bike in Cialdini, Petrova, and Goldstein (2004), than ethical in their dealings within the in a local gym. It was morning, at an hour “Employee theft and other dishonest behav- when the man would normally have been at organization.” iors are only likely to motivate management work. During their conversation, the man “The other reason,” he continues, to procure even higher levels of surveillance said that he had recently quit his job. “occurs when other individuals are exposed technology, further perpetuating the “You quit?” Dr. Cialdini asked. to the more dishonest individuals and vicious cycle” (p. 71). “Yeah, I quit,” the man said. “I couldn’t see their behavior often go unpunished. When asked if there are any ways to take the pressure to be dishonest with our As a consequence, they sort of feel that increase surveillance while minimizing customers and clients, so I just had to leave.” they are being under-rewarded in their these effects, he says, “Not that I know This is only one of many risks that environment by a set of circumstances that of. I think the way to approach that is by dishonest organizations face: that some allows cheaters to profit more than those minimizing the need for surveillance, of their most honest and brightest who are entirely ethical. Then, we can see as I suggested earlier, by identifying and employees might quit if they can’t abide some adoption of dishonest behavior in the dismissing any individual who seems to be by being pushed in directions that violate organization as a result of the observation unethical in the way that they behave.” their self-confidence and their preferred that dishonest behavior goes unrecognized ways of being. As Dr. Cialdini explains, and unpunished.” When to Be Dishonest “Consequences like this are very damaging We’ve all heard the popular saying, “It’s to a dishonest organization’s bottom Prevention nothing personal. It’s only business.” line. And when more honest individuals So how can organizations prevent dishonest But is dishonesty ever appropriate in the depart, what’s left in the organization is a behavior? workplace?

Dr. Cialdini’s response: “I don’t think its advertising, and its sales policies. That Reference so, not for reasons of greater profit for the would give you an indication that the Cialdini, R. B., Petrova, P. K., & Goldstein, N. J. (2004). The hidden costs organization. I think that is wrong-headed. organization does not prioritize honesty of organizational dishonesty. MIT Sloan Management Review, 45, 66–73. Retrieved from http://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the- There may be some situations in which it at the level of interaction with individuals hidden-costs-of-organizational-dishonesty/ is sometimes possible to shade the truth to outside of the organization. That sort of protect someone who is basically innocent dishonesty is likely to transfer to the way in a particular situation. That is the old that they handle interactions with individu- Robert B. Cialdini, PhD, is Regents’ Emeritus Professor of Psychology and question that ethicists ask. For example, als within the organization as well.” should you lie to save a child? Of course. Marketing at Arizona State University. Students or professionals who would like He has been elected president of the On the balance scale, a lie is less negative to pursue a career related to understanding Society of Personality and Social than the loss of a child. But as a rule, we the science of influence should consider Psychology. He is the recipient of the want to discourage dishonesty in almost all Distinguished Scientifc Achievement courses in social and organizational circumstances.” Award of the Society for Consumer psychology. And, Dr. Cialdini adds, if they Psychology, the Donald T. Campbell Honest Advice for You are interested in ethical violations in the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Social Psychology, workplace, they should also look at the the (inaugural) Peitho Award for Distinguished Contributions to No doubt, it is best to avoid becoming the Science of Social Infuence, The Lifetime Contributions involved with dishonest organizations research in sociology involving violations Award of the Western Psychological Association, and the altogether. To help you do this, Dr. Cialdini of laws and regulations, and understand Distinguished Scientist Award of the Society of Experimental the factors that lend themselves to those Social Psychology. gives the following tips. “Definitely use Dr. Cialdini’s book, Influence, which was the result of a social media and the Internet to check violations. However, no matter which 3-year program of study into the reasons that people comply on commentary that appears about an career path you take, be sure to heed these with requests in everyday settings, has sold more than three organization, especially its ethical profile. final words of wisdom: “You don’t have to million copies while appearing in numerous editions and 32 be committed to morality for morality’s languages. Dr. Cialdini attributes his interest in social It is also possible to look at the extent to infuences to the fact that he was raised in an entirely Italian which the organization is known to be sake; you can be committed to morality for family, in a predominantly Polish neighborhood, in a historically honest or dishonest in its marketing efforts, profit’s sake too.” German city (Milwaukee), in an otherwise rural state.

Distinguished Lecturer All About Gratefulness With Robert A. Emmons, PhD Interview by Bradley Cannon

icknamed the “father of gratitude,” Dr. Robert A. Emmons wants you to know that you can become a more grateful person. Dr. Emmons is a professor of psychology for the University of California, Davis, and Nhas uncovered numerous ways to help people increase their levels of gratitude. For example, you could make an effort to compare your current situation with harder times in the past, or you could keep a gratitude journal to help you establish a daily practice of being more grateful. Dr. Emmons’s work on gratitude and happiness has been featured in prestigious academic publications, as well dozens of popular media outlets including the New York Times, USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Time, NPR, and PBS. Today, we at Psi Chi are thankful for his willingness to answer our questions, especially on such a sunny, California afternoon.

What is gratitude? stumbling blocks are a sense of entitlement I like this definition: “Gratitude is an (“I deserve”), a compulsive need to be self-reliant (“I did it all myself”), a bias affirmation of the goodness in one’s life toward negativity (“There’s so much wrong and the recognition that the sources of in the world”), and forgetfulness and the this goodness lie at least partially outside busyness of daily life. the self.” It emerges from two-stages of We also tend to be much better givers information processing: affirming and than receivers. Sometimes, this is because recognizing. Gratitude is the recognition • we don’t want to give back, that life owes me nothing and all the good • we don’t feel worthy of receiving I have is a gift. It is a response to all that the benefits and generosity, has been given. So it is foundationally and • we don’t want to feel indebted, or fundamentally a way of looking at life. • we might be suspicious of the giver’s motives. Why do people struggle There is this paradox of gratitude. with being grateful? Developing and sustaining a grateful Unfortunately, many people suffer from outlook on life is easier said than done. It gratitude deficit disorder. Among the major has become quite fashionable to critique

EYE ON PSI CHI | SUMMER 2017 11 Distinguished Lecturer

others for their lack of gratefulness. In fact, Do expressions of gratitude Let me explain. Gratitude, by its very when I give talks, the most frequent ques- have to be sincere? nature, is an external focus. It’s about tion that arises is “how can I get so-and-so receiving a gift or benefit from a source out Awareness of gratitude triggering experi- to become more grateful?” If there is a crisis there. It’s about other people doing things ences is usually not a struggle (unless the of gratitude in contemporary life as some for us that we could never do for ourselves; person is depressed) because there are so people claim, it’s because we are collectively many opportunities for gratitude—you can it’s about noticing the good, taking in the forgetful. We have lost a strong sense of create gratitude at practically any moment! good, and giving back the good. Self- gratitude about the freedoms we enjoy, a I find that the truth is in the details. forgetfulness promotes gratefulness and is lack of gratitude toward those who lost their Authentic gratitude is almost always the primary reason that gratitude produced lives in the fight for freedom, and a lack of specific. I once said to my wife, “thank you benefits. This turns gratitude inside out. gratitude for all of the material adventures for being you.” She responded, “What does we have. Privilege, without gratitude, that mean?” She was not impressed with Why did research on becomes entitlement. And entitlement is this particular attempt to show gratitude. gratefulness get a late start? the enemy of gratefulness. One of the keys to effective thank you’s There are multiple reasons: is being specific. Gratitude in depth is more 1. Emphasis on negative states and How can we make a habit important than “gratitude by the numbers.” traits until the Positive Psychology of gratefulness? Elaborating on a particular benefit in detail movement; is more beneficial than listing a number of The important thing is to establish the 2. Its reduction to an element of polite- benefits more superficially. In other words, daily habit of paying attention to grati- ness, good manners, and civility; and tude-inspiring events. The place to start is go for depth over breadth. When recalling a with a reality check because we all begin benefit that we have received from another, 3. Its association with religion or life dependent on others, and most of us break it down into multiple components spirituality, a topic that the majority will end life dependent on others. If we are and reflect on each element. We can then of psychology has ignored. lucky, in between, we have roughly 60 years thank that person for each way in which we or so of unacknowledged dependency. The have received favor from them. What are some myths human condition is such that, throughout Being specific is effective for two reasons. about gratitude? life, not just at the beginning and end, we 1. It helps us avoid gratitude fatigue. One of the myths about gratitude is that are profoundly dependent on other people. The more discrete the elements, the it leads to complacency. I’ve often heard Gratitude takes us outside ourselves less we will cease to recognize them the claim that, if you’re grateful, you’re not where we see ourselves as part of a larger, or take any one of them for granted. going to be motivated to challenge the status intricate network of sustaining relationships 2. Specificity encourages us to appreci- quo or improve your lot in life. You’ll just that are mutually reciprocal. Gratitude ate the giver’s efforts and recognize be satisfied, complacent, lazy and lethargic, is the truest approach to life. We did not more of the details. perhaps passively resigned to an injustice create or fashion ourselves. We did not birth Therefore, I should express gratitude or bad situation. You’ll give up trying to ourselves. Life is about giving, receiving, for my wife taking care of the kids and the change something. But studies suggest that and repaying. We are receptive beings, de- home every time I leave town for a business the opposite is true: Gratitude not only pendent on the help of others, on their gifts trip because she makes my life so much doesn’t lead to complacency, it drives a sense and their kindness. As such, we are called to easier than it might otherwise be. So, my of purpose and a desire to do more. gratitude. If we choose to ignore this basic advice is to be as specific as possible and There are more. Here’s an article truth, we steer ourselves off course. Just avoid the “thanks for everything” approach I wrote on the myths: http://great- knowing this is usually enough to inspire a or “thank you for being you.” This will ergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/ more grateful outlook on life. make it more sincere. five_myths_about_gratitude How do people detect gratitude, Does gratitude have any What discoveries have surprised and are they any good at this? negative characteristics you about gratitude? This is really difficult to do unless we or effects? It would have to be the finding, now broadcast or distribute our thanks verbally One of the more interesting aspects about replicated in other labs, that gratitude or in action. This is why it is important for gratitude is that trying too hard to be improves sleep. This includes better sleep us not to keep our thanks silent. The word grateful can backfire. We turn gratitude quality, shorter falling asleep latency, longer “thanksgiving” literally means, giving of into a self-focused personal project. The sleep duration, less need for sleep medicine, thanks. Thanksgiving is an action word. focus becomes how I am doing, instead of and less daytime dysfunction caused by Gratitude requires action. There is the what others are doing for me. A preoccupa- lack of sleep. Given how sleep-deprived we action tendency of paying back the good- tion with our performance actually hinders collectively are, and how vital sleep is for ness that we have received. Gratitude our performance. This is the single most healthy functioning, this is HUGE. will not strengthen relationships if it important thing that I’ve learned about Gratitude also strengthens self-control. remains silent. gratitude. It’s not about us! It makes people more patient. Not that this

is super surprising, but rather it was an referred to as the ultimate performance- recently turned 90 years old. He said once unexpected or nonobvious discovery. enhancing substance. that “gratitude keeps you young.” It is cer- Gratitude has the power to heal, energize, tainly true in his case. These mentors were How did you become interested and change our lives. It’s not simply that all people who believed in me, supported in studying gratitude? gratitude brings more happiness or better me, and invested time and energy into Believe it or not, it was an assignment. health. It’s much more than that. It literally working with me. We all need people like Literally. I was invited to a scientific breathes new life into us! And society needs these who support our dreams. more people who are alive. Luckily, we are at conference and told to become the expert the dawn of a global gratitude renaissance. on the scientific literature on gratitude. The What courses or activities There is unprecedented enthusiasm for new problem was that there wasn’t any! In the should students consider who scientific information on the science and science of human emotions, gratitude was are interested in pursuing a practice of gratitude. In schools, clinics, the forgotten factor. So I seized this oppor- career in this type of research? healthcare settings, workplaces, and even in tunity and began conducting research right the halls of academia, there is an increasing What is a burning question that you would away. This was the best assignment I was awareness that gratitude is vital for like to pursue in your studies? Think of ever given! individual and collective flourishing. Better a really big or important question. For people make better societies. example, I was once asked, “Dr. Emmons, How has studying gratitude how can we get 6 billion people around the influenced you? What are you grateful for? world to practice gratitude?” That is a really big question. Then, read all you can, both It has made me realize how hungry people I’m grateful that people who I talk to the scientific research articles and more are to apply scientifically verifiable findings want to spread the word about gratitude. popular writings designed for the general to their own lives, and that we all struggle I’m grateful for readers, listeners, and the public. Take any classes that are related to with unhappiness and negativity. As I amazing interest that people have shown in happiness, positive psychology, and well- did, and still do. You see, left to their own what gratitude is and why it matters. being. Attend talks in person or watch on devices, our minds tend to hijack each and the Internet leaders in Positive Psychology. every opportunity for happiness. Negativity, Do you consider yourself to be In other words, immerse yourself in the entitlement, resentfulness, forgetfulness, a grateful person? field. And look around. Psychology is about and ungratefulness all clamor for our atten- No. I’m probably somewhere in the people. Not just theories in textbooks and tion. Whether stemming from our internal midrange. Many psychologists study what journals. thoughts or the daily news headlines, we are they do because they are kind of deficient at exposed to a constant drip of negativity. it but they want to improve. For example, What can we expect to see Doom and gloom is on the horizon, people who study forgiveness tend to be from you next? as financial fears, relational turmoil, and grudge holding and people who study Yogi Berra once said that predictions are health challenges threaten us. Weighed memory processes tend to be very forgetful. risky, especially when they are about the down by negativity, we are worn down, It’s kind of like that with me with gratitude. future. However, one topic that I think is worn out, emotionally and physically I think about it as a marathon journey. I’m really, really important is joy. Joy is not the exhausted. To offset this chronic negativity, more grateful than I used to be. But part of same as happiness. Joy is deeper and less we need to continually and perpetually hear the reason why I study this is so that I can based on circumstances. There are over 100 good news. We need to constantly and regu- get better at it. published research articles on happiness for larly create and take in positive experiences. each one on joy. I think this will be the next Gratitude is our best weapon, an ally to Any hobbies outside of the big topic in Positive Psychology. This will counter these internal and external threats research area? be a good investment for scientists, as was that rob us of sustainable joy. So this I used to play golf, but then I found that it gratitude 20 years ago. So moving forward, I research is a constant reminder to myself took up too much time. I was also a little will likely have something to say about joy. and others who encounter it. League coach. But now my kid’s too old, so I have a lot more time for research, How can your research be teaching, and writing. Robert A. Emmons, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the used to benefit society? University of California, Davis where he The grateful mind reaps massive advantages Who is your mentor, and what is has taught since 1988. He received his in life. Gratitude enhances performance the value of mentorship? PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign. He is the author of in every domain that’s been examined— I have had many mentors, from my first over 200 original publications in psychological, relational, emotional, and undergraduate psychology professor; to my peer‑reviewed journals or chapters physical. Health, wholeness, wellness, and graduate advisor and research supervisor; and has written or edited fve books fullness result from the systematic practice to gratitude heroes, exemplars, and other including Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier, Gratitude Works! A Twenty-One Day Program for of a grateful living. Its reach is so far and sources of inspiration. One of my favorites Creating Emotional Prosperity, and The Little Book of Gratitude. so wide that you really cannot overplay is Brother David Steindl-Rast, the world’s A leader in positive psychology, Dr. Emmons is founding editor the hand of gratitude. This is why it’s been foremost authority on gratefulness. He and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Positive Psychology.

What Does Your Life Mean? With Clara Hill, PhD Interview by Ashley Garcia

re you happy with the way your life Dr. Hill says, “Trying to get a handle on who explicitly focused on MIL and another is going? Do you feel as though what what MIL is and how it is different than case in which MIL was more implicit. Dr. Ayou are doing is meaningful? Are you meaning of life, and how it’s different from Hill explains that, in some cases, clients nervous about death, aging, or your career? happiness, pleasure, identity, and all those come right into the office and say they want These are all questions that deal with things, was difficult. The construct itself to talk about MIL, but more often, MIL is the concept called meaning in life (MIL), has been muddy in the literature, but we implicit or embedded in other problems. which Dr. Clara Hill and her colleagues really need to grapple with that subject. Therapists used more exploration inter- have defined in four-parts: (a) a felt sense It’s not a discovery but more of trying to ventions with clients for whom MIL was of meaning, (b) a feeling that one matters understand what the construct of MIL is.” implicit than for clients for whom MIL and is significant, (c) a sense that one has was explicit, perhaps because these clients purpose and goals, and (d) a conviction The MIL Study needed encouragement to talk about MIL that one’s life is coherent or makes sense. Dr. Hill states that researching this area and identify it as a problem. In a follow-up survey, therapists reported The global, intuitive sense of meaning of of psychology has made her more aware. “I realized that I’m getting close to 70, so that only 12% of clients brought MIL into MIL is an abstract construct, Dr. Hill says. there’s a lot of thinking about what has the therapy session directly. Dr. Hill says It required her to read all the literature she my career meant to me. What legacy will I that it is more common for MIL concerns could on the subject, talk to lots of people, leave? What does it all mean? I really think to be embedded in other issues such as and think about the definition and how that this is a large part of why I am interest- depression, anxiety over psychical health MIL differs from other constructs. When ed in this topic. It makes me think ‘What is or ageing, or transitions in their lives. She the American Psychological Association my meaning? Do I want to retire? Do I not states that perhaps the reason that only 12% asked her to write a book on MIL, she dug want to retire?’ Those are all crucial issues of people initially wanted to talk about MIL deeper into it, but she felt as though there that point to a transition to think about.” is because of the culture that surrounds was something missing. She came up with Dr. Hill and her colleagues conducted therapy. “In our culture, we are used to the four-part definition to encompass all a study in which they asked experienced clients coming in and talking about areas of MIL to make sure the definition therapists who were really interested in MIL symptoms; that’s what they think therapy is was specific but also over-arching. to tell them about one case with a client all about.”

When it comes to the evidence about Frankl, a neurologist and psychiatrist from “Enriching our thinking about therapy the effectiveness of therapists working Austria who survived the Holocaust, and so we aren’t just talking about symptoms, with MIL, there is not very much. Dr. Hill Irvin Yalom, an American psychiatrist but we are talking about these broader says that this is an area that needs more who researched existentialism. “These two existential issues and bringing them into research. Some evidence, she says, has books have major theories that have helped play.” emerged for the effectiveness of structured me try to develop my own theory,” she says. She noted that Yalom specifies that programs involving four to eight sessions Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning people dealing with existential issues may working directly with MIL for people with is one of the top best-sellers in psychology. not necessarily feel better after therapy. If cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. “It’s so compelling because he talks about they are more aware that they are going to With new measures for assessing MIL, how he survived when he was in concen- die or that they are isolated, then they have she hopes that it will be easier to study the tration camps during WWII. He thought to struggle to construct their MIL. “A lot of effects of working with MIL psychother- that the reason some people survived while people would like to deny all that, so when apy, and she hopes that more people will others did not is because they had purpose you become aware of it, I think you actually conduct research in this area. or passion to accomplish something. become a little more anxious. Learning That certainly wasn’t the only reason they how to cope with it and learning how to How to Assess MIL: survived, but given all other odds, people lead a fuller life is incredibly important. It’s the New and the Old were more likely to survive if they had beneficial for humans to lead a better life meaning, otherwise they gave up.” Meaning in Life Measure (MILM). If people could get much more meaning Yalom’s book, Existential Psychotherapy This measure was developed by Dr. Hill and the positive aspects of meaning, they looks at the existential way of life and how and her colleagues and follows the exact wouldn’t fight so much,” Dr. Hill says. it can be applied in a clinical setting. “There definition that they use. Confirmatory are certain existential things we all grapple factor analyses have shown that there Finding Your Own MIL with: death, anxiety, isolation, freedom, is an over-arching construct with four Exploration, insight, and action is the and MIL. Those are things we all have subscales: Felt Sense, Mattering, Goals, model that Dr. Hill suggests to therapists to struggle to understand,” Dr. Hill says. and Coherence. “These subscales match for assessing and finding MIL. People can “Existential Psychotherapy is really import- also work on MIL on their own. Those my definition of the presence of meaning ant to help explain all of that.” as involving a felt sense (‘I just intuitively who are interested in MIL can explore the think I have meaning but I don’t think a lot Implications for Therapy question in depth, think about it deeply, about what that means’), mattering (‘I feel and challenge themselves to question all the Because only 12% of patients go into a that I matter or have significance’), goals (‘I assumptions they were brought up with. therapist’s office specifically wanting to talk have a purpose or things I’m striving for or That exploration is really key, Dr. Hill about MIL, Dr. Hill believes that therapists passionate about’), and coherence (‘my life asserts. “Thinking about what it all means need to listen for MIL as an underlying and put that together and make some makes sense, I can connect the past present component of other problems and think coherent story or narrative. Then actu- and future’),” explains Dr. Hill. about how meaning is involved in all the ally try and choose what you want to do Meaning in Life Reflectivity (MILR). different things that clients talk about. differently in your life based on creating The second measure developed by Dr. For example, if clients are talking about the narrative.” Hill and her colleagues involves thinking depression, therapists; could consider if about, pondering, and questioning mean- part of that depression is related to not The main problem with trying to ing. This is a component that is missing having a sense of meaning. discover MIL alone, according to Dr. Hill, from other measures of meaning. People If the clients are talking about work, is that it’s easy to get stuck thinking about may enjoy thinking about meaning, even if aging, or getting or losing a career, it. “A lot of times, it helps to talk about it they are not searching for it specifically. therapists can try and help them figure with other people. Talking with a therapist Psychometric properties of the MILM out what part of that is related to having or is fantastic, but sometimes not everyone has and MILR. Both the MILM and MILR have lacking purpose, she says. “There are a lot that opportunity. Talking with friends, or excellent psychometric properties: factor of implications in terms of thinking about anyone who wants to have the conversation, analyses confirmed the factor structures, those meanings and issues. In therapy, and exploring the idea is the key.” high internal consistency has been many times we focus on the symptoms, so demonstrated for all subscales, and high we need these other very crucial outcomes. Many Sources of Meaning test-retest reliability has been demonstrated We need to think about therapy within MIL varies from person to person, Dr. for all subscales. The scale correlate in the frame of MIL and purpose,” Dr. Hill Hill states, because everyone has to think expected ways with other measures of MIL, suggests. about themselves and what their specific subjective well-being, personality, and Studying MIL gives a deeper under- meaning is. “We then have to come to terms social desirability. standing, personally and for the field, she with that. We each might get our sources explains. Studying MIL, having a clear from different places,” she says. There Major MIL Theories definition, and figuring out how to help are, however, certain meanings that are Dr. Hill states there were two major influ- people get more MIL is what is important frequent in the lives of many people. The ences on her thinking about MIL: Viktor about this research, Dr. Hill expounds. primary source is relationships. According

to the research, many people proclaim that Reading books by Victor Frankl, Irving to pursue her interests, although it has led relationships provide them with meaning in Yalom, and Carl Rogers is an excellent start. to discrepancies due to little funding for many ways. They offer a sense of mattering, To help you start a career in MIL, Dr. this type of research, yet she still gets to caretaking, goals, and they help make Hill suggests going into graduate programs study what she finds valuable and mean- sense of life. In this aspect, Dr. Hill says, in counseling psychology or clinical ingful. Dr. Hill says, “That has been very relationships are huge. psychology. “A lot of times, you have to do rewarding.” Work is also an important source of things on your own. You need a good back- meaning in the lives of many people. ground in psychology, a basic education, and the realization that you’re not going to Clara E. Hill earned her PhD at Work that provides people with a passion Southern Illinois University in 1974. that gives them meaning because they get everything you’re interested in taught to She started her career in 1974 as an are contributing to society is important you in a graduate program. You have to go assistant professor in the out and find it on your own,” she says. Department of Psychology, University to MIL. Helping others and religion, for Dr. Hill stresses the influence of working of Maryland and is currently still some people, also provide MIL. It could be there as a professor. She has been and talking with her colleagues. She is a a structured religion, but it could also be a president of the Society for member of The Society of Psychotherapy Psychotherapy Research, editor of worldview, perspective, or even a frame- Research, which is “a fabulous group of the Journal of Counseling Psychology, and coeditor of work that helps someone understand life. people who get together to talk about ideas Psychotherapy Research. Awards include the Leona Tyler Award (Society of Counseling Psychology), the Distinguished The last major source in MIL is creativ- all the time. We love to talk about ideas, ity: Coming up with something new in Psychologist Award (Division 29 of the American research, therapy, and bringing the theory Psychological Association), the Distinguished Research terms of art, athletics, or science. Creativity and research and practice all together.” Career Award (Society for Psychotherapy Research), and the can give people a feeling as though their Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award (Section on lives have meaning, Dr. Hill explains. Counseling and Psychotherapy Process and Outcome Dr. Hill and Psychology Research, Society for Counseling Psychology). Her major “I see psychology as a fascinating field research interests are helping skills, psychotherapy process Learn More About MIL where researchers get to explore things that and outcome, training and supervising therapists, dream Dr. Hill says that, unfortunately, concepts are meaningful to them,” Dr. Hill says. She work, meaning in life, and qualitative research. She has like MIL don’t often get covered in typical published more than 200 journal articles, 70 chapters in has been lucky in her career, she explains, books, and 12 books (including Helping Skills, Dream Work undergraduate psychology courses. Many because she has been able to pursue in Therapy, and Consensual Qualitative Research). She is students have to research it on their own. whatever she wanted to. She has been able married, with two children and two grandchildren.

Interview by With Peter H. Kahn Jr., PhD Ashley Garcia

alking on a treadmill just isn’t as satisfying as walking outside, W says Dr. Peter H. Kahn Jr., who over the last 15 years has been studying two large problems that are radically restructuring human existence: the degradation of nature and the rapid creation of technology. Interview

Dr. Kahn received his PhD from the they are. It’s usually riskier for a child to With these two studies, it is clear that University of California at Berkeley, and be a passenger in a car than it is to play nature provides important psychological through studying with Elliot Turiel, his outside. He believes getting a little banged benefits; and even though technological mentor, he began his research on the up in nature is healthy for children’s nature can be beneficial, it is not as good in human relationship with nature. Toward development. They learn to evaluate risks, comparison to actual nature. According to the end of his graduate program, he such as how high to climb in a tree. He says, Dr. Kahn, this research can be used to show wondered, “humans have social and moral “Children are constructing knowledge of how important it is that we use the correct relationships with other people, but isn’t spatial relations and making their own benchmarks. “If we create technological that also the case with nature?” From decisions about risk, and sometimes there substitutes for nature and ask ‘are they that question, he began developmental are consequences, which is a marvelous effective for promoting human well-being?’ and cross-cultural research on children’s thing.” the question is ‘compared to what?’ The environmental understandings and values, answer should not only be compared to and eventually began researching urban Is Technology a nothing, but also compared to interaction sustainability. But how did he end up there? Substitute for Nature? with actual nature,” he says. At the University of Washington, Dr. Kahn What Is Environmentally Normal? has studied the psychological effects of interacting with what he calls technolog- Dr. Kahn created the concept of environmental generational amnesia, which he “Through interaction ical nature: technologies that in various states is the idea that, when children are ways mediate, simulate, or augment the with nature, and born, they construct a baseline of what is natural world. In one study, for example, he environmentally normal. The problem especially more wild investigated whether a technological nature with this is that, when children are born window could help people recover from nature, the mind in environmentally degraded conditions, stress in an office setting in the same way which all of us are, they see it as normal and as nature that was not augmented. To do becomes more alert, don’t necessarily experience anything as a this, there were three separate conditions: problem or out of the ordinary. aware, and conscious, (a) people could look out a window and see In a study he conducted while in his first the normal view of green space, water, and in a quiet way.” job at the University of Houston, TX, he sky; (b) the window, covered by a plasma interviewed inner city children about their display, showed in real-time what was in understanding of the environment and effect the same nature view; and (c) the Humans Need Nature Interaction pollution. At this time, Dr. Kahn states, window was completely covered and thus Houston was perhaps the most polluted city According to Dr. Kahn, the research liter- became a blank wall. in the United States. While interviewing the atures shows that interaction with nature “We found that there was greater children, it was clear that they understood can reduce stress, depression, aggression, recovery in the actual window condition and could articulate what air and water crime, and ADHD symptoms; and improve compared to the blank wall condition,” Dr. pollution were. When asked if they thought immune function, eyesight, and mental Kahn says, showing that nature is restor- Houston was polluted, they replied that it health. Nature also increases people’s social ative and good for stress reduction. Then wasn’t. connectedness. That’s just for starters. Why on the critical experimental condition, These answers from the children show does nature work this way? It’s here that Dr. it was found that stress recovery for the the idea of environmental generational Kahn draws on evolutionary psychology: technological nature window did not differ amnesia because, according to Dr. Kahn, as a species, we came of age with a rich and from the blank wall. Moreover, although this is what is normal to them, so they diverse natural world, and the need for that people looked at the technological nature don’t see it as pollution. They had perhaps nature still lies within us. window just as often as the actual window, never been outside of the city and so were In nature, there’s fresh air, nature sounds there was greater stress recovery when their constructing a baseline for what normal air such as birds, and there’s research that eyes were on the actual window compared is, even though it was heavily polluted. shows that children, and adults, have better to the technological nature window. He goes on to state that didactic environ- executive function and development when In an ethnographic study at the same mental education will not easily correct this exposed to nature. It has been shown to university, Dr. Kahn studied the use and problem. “You try to tell children that we calm the mind and make people more appreciation of technological nature have serious environmental problems, and alert. “I think part of what interacting with windows in staff and faculty who had inside they just don’t see it because of the baseline nature, embeddedness in nature, does is offices. He found that they loved and used they have constructed,” Dr. Kahn says. allow the mind to develop in a calmer and these technological windows often. “They This is also why, even as people recognize more balanced way,” Dr. Kahn says. provided this mediated access to nature, climate change is happening, many are Parents are sometimes concerned about and that’s important to people because apathetic. “One of the reasons for this,” Dr. their children getting hurt in nature. That otherwise they’d come into the building Kahn says, “is tied to this amnesia thinking has some merit, Dr. Kahn says, but the in the wintertime when it’s dark and leave that climate change is fairly normal. People risks are seldom as high as parents think when it’s dark,” Dr. Kahn says. need a deep connection with nature and the

18 EYE ON PSI CHI | SUMMER 2017 COPYRIGHT © 2017 PSI CHI ADVICE FOR interested in. Connect the disciplines and fnd focus especially on experimental and lab-based ways to see their synergy, and how they can say studies. “The challenge here is to bring in STUDENTS something new. Choose based on your deep enough richness and depth of the more-than- interests. “Feel those intuitively,” he advises. human world and metrics that are not so Dr. Kahn advises students academically to go For students wanting to study amenable to quantifcation,” Dr. Kahn states. deep and broad. Depth is critical. Not just in the ecopsychology, which is the psychological Other ways are more clinical, experiential, empirical literature in psychology, but in terms study of humans with the more-than-human anthropological, and phenomenological. “They of psychological theory. There’s not enough world, there are different ways forward. Some are all good,” he explains. “There’s a lot of good of that these days, he explains. Also read in are more empirical and draw, for example, work to be done.” other areas outside of psychology that you’re on the feld of environmental psychology, and

appreciation of nature in order to value it “It’s perfect,” he says. Drawing on his urban area. But those sensitivities, he says, and then promote a conservation agenda.” evolutionary psychological leanings, Dr. help him see some things that need to be Kahn asks us to imagine the interaction changed in the urban infrastructure and Urban Sustainability and patterns of hunters and gatherers, who help him have a voice in what that can look Human Flourishing would leave the safety of camp and head like. Dr. Kahn’s research on people’s relation- out into deeper nature, and then return to Dr. Kahn’s focus on nature has also made ships with nature and technological nature the safety of home. That interaction pattern him very aware of technology: of not only lead him to understand how important it of “walking or running a great distance, benefits but costs. “For example, we spend is that we focus on having people in urban and then returning” is a part of us still too much time on our screens, and it’s not environments interact with nature. “It’s today, and can be partly enacted even in healthy,” Dr. Kahn says. Understanding this leads him to limit his use of technology, through that daily and hopefully deep Seattle, because of the design of the urban where he can, which he says is a challenge interaction with nature that children infrastructure. Thus interaction pattern for all of us, given our increasingly construct their environmental baseline designs such as this provide principles technological world. and learn to value nature in their lives,” Dr. that researchers can use to create urban Humans are a technological species, Kahn asserts. environments with nature, where people drawn to technology and innovation; that To promote urban sustainability along can flourish. is part of “modern mind,” Dr. Kahn says. these lines, Dr. Kahn uses an approach “Wildness is still within us, and we “But the modern mind is still contiguous that he calls Interaction Pattern Design. He are increasingly building cities that take with our ancestral mind, and thrives with says, “Think about a meaningful way that us away from that, which isn’t healthy,” nature as both an assisting and resisting you’ve interacted with nature, and then emphasizes Dr. Kahn. “These interaction reality.” Through interaction with nature, characterize it in such a way that you could patterns help us push back on the domestic and especially more wild nature, the mind see the same thing happening with different and make urban living a little bit more becomes more alert, aware, and conscious, wild. It’s not all or nothing. There just forms of nature. That’s an interaction in a quiet way. That interaction allows has to be a balance. But the balance keeps pattern.” An example of this, Dr. Kahn for an awareness of space without form. shifting to less nature, more density, more explains, is walking along the edge of water “When we have our scientific hats on,” Dr. concrete. We need to change that.” and land. Many people take this enjoyment Kahn says, “we can examine the evidence of walking between water and earth, such as About Dr. Kahn for the proposition that nature is essential on the shore of a beach, which is a pattern of for physical health and psychological human interaction with nature. He says this At age 16, Dr. Kahn moved to a commu- well-being and human flourishing, but we is why, when there is a lake in a city, there is nally run ranch in northern California. aren’t really looking at the more profound often a trail or path running beside it. There were 670 acres of land, and it was mechanisms. Nature is a portal into deeper Once the interaction pattern is un- rural, an hour up the dirt road from the ways of being.” derstood, ideas for improving the urban smallest town. He lived there for four years infrastructure can begin to be created that and was able to live close to the land every Peter H. Kahn, Jr., PhD, is professor allow for that pattern to be enacted. “The day. “I could get on one of my horses and in the Department of Psychology and ride as long and hard as I could for days and patterns don’t say where or how to do it School of Environmental and Forest exactly, but they provide guiding principles weeks,” Dr. Kahn recalls, “it was just really Sciences, and director of the Human for design,” Dr. Kahn says. formative in terms of providing a sensibility Interaction with Nature and The challenge with creating these of a wilder interaction in life.” Technological Systems (HINTS) patterns is developing a level of abstraction He has a connection with nature that he Laboratory at the University of so that many different versions can be feels most strongly when he’s interacting Washington. He is also editor-in-chief instantiated. Once you have these versions, with it. “I feel deeply when I’m out in of the academic journal Ecopsychology. He received his PhD he assures, you can understand the basic nature,” he says. “When I’m in a city envi- from the University of California, Berkeley. His publications have appeared in such journals as Science, Child structure of human-nature interaction. Dr. ronment, I can feel where parts of me shut Development, Developmental Psychology, Human-Computer Kahn uses another example: there are 20 down. When I’m in a natural area, I can feel Interaction, and Journal of Systems Software, as well as in miles of an old abandoned railroad track in how other parts of me come alive.” He says such proceedings as CHI, HRI, and Ubicomp. His fve books Seattle that have now been converted into it’s wonderful, but also a liability because (all with MIT Press) include Technological Nature: Adaptation trail, right in the heart of urban density. he’s aware of the difficulties of living in an and the Future of Human Life (2011).

Distinguished Lecturer

Creating (False) Memories With Elizabeth Loftus, PhD Interview by Ashley Garcia

hink of a time where you remember How Are False a scenario differently from someone Memories Created? else. For example, maybe you think T In a laboratory setting, Dr. Loftus says, she a car accident was a red car’s fault because and her researchers do two things to create it ran through a stop sign. But your friend false memories. Sometimes they show who was with you remembers seeing the car participants events such as simulated run through a yield sign. Who is right and accidents or a crime. Then they will what really happened? deliberately try to distort the participants’ Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, who is a professor memories of a specific detail such as at the University of California at Irvine, making them believe a car drove through studies this concept, called false memory. a yield sign rather than a stop sign. “We do “A false memory is when you believe that this through what we call leading questions you saw something or did something that or by exposing them to another person’s you didn’t see or do,” Dr. Loftus describes. mistaken version of what happened.” She has been studying this since the 1970s, In other laboratory settings, Dr. Loftus and throughout her career, she has testified and her researchers have made people believe scenarios that never even happened. in close to 300 civil and criminal trials that For example, they have made participants dealt with memory. Though she has falsely believe that they had certain worked on many cases involving ordinary experiences as children, teenagers, and even people, she has also consulted or been an the week before the study was conducted. expert witness in famous cases such as the In a study that Dr. Loftus conducted in trial of the officers accused in the Rodney the 90s, she and her colleagues planted a King beating, the Menendez brothers, false memory that, when the participants and trials involving Martha Stewart and were small children, maybe five or six years Michael Jackson. old, they got lost in a shopping mall. Part

EYE ON PSI CHI | SUMMER 2017 21 Distinguished Lecturer

of the false memory includes making the researchers have proven that, even if these therapy to believe that they had repressed participants believe that they were scared, foods are put in front of the participants memories of someone in their family crying, and then eventually rescued by an after implementing the false memory, they hurting them over long periods of time,” older adult and reunited with their family. will eat less of it. Dr. Loftus states. These newly created But how was this possible? “This is the concept of mind technology,” memories may be either geographically or “We accomplished that by telling our Dr. Loftus acknowledges, because research- psychologically impossible, but people still participants that we had talked to a relative ers are able to plant false memories and by believe that they are true, which can result of theirs, like their mother for example,” doing so, influence participants’ thoughts in long-term consequences. People split Dr. Loftus discusses. “We actually had and behaviors. “This shows us that you can, off from their families, and lots of harm is talked to the mother, who gave us some true through the idea of false memory, influence caused in the process to themselves as well experiences that we reminded the partic- people’s nutritional selections. If this as the family as a whole. ipant of.” After this, the participants were technique is developed for use in the real Dr. Loftus says that once researchers suggestively interviewed three different world, we can make a dent in the obesity know more about how mind technology times. At the end of the study, which problem in our society,” she remarks. can influence behavior, it can continue to lasted just a few weeks, 25% of the sample Similar to Dr. Loftus’s food studies, be perfected and developed to help people. remembered all or part of the completely people who had a false memory of getting However, as the opportunities grow for it to made-up experience. sick drinking vodka were less interested become more widely used, “society is going Dr. Loftus and her graduate students in drinking vodka again. She says that to have to think about ethical issues such as have also been conducting studies on implanting a memory could be a benefit to whether we should regulate this tech- memory blindness. This is where they people because it could enable them to lead nology, if we ever affirmatively use these convince participants that their answers techniques, or if we should ban their use,” healthier lives. were different than the ones they had she says. Those are societal questions that actually given. They have found that The Importance of need to be addressed now that she and her participants often fail to detect when the colleagues have demonstrated the power of researchers tell them something different Studying False Memory these techniques. than what the participant originally said. Memory is one of the key activities humans Instead, participants often adopt the new engage in and one of the most important, Studying Eye-Witness Testimony information as their own memory. Dr. Loftus asserts. Studying this topic al- Dr. Loftus first became involved in studying lows her to understand how memories can false memory in the 1970s after doing How Can This Affect People? work and how they can fail, especially in theoretical studies of memory in graduate False memories can influence a person’s a legal setting. “There are cases that result school. Once she finished and received her thoughts, intentions, and even behaviors. In in injustice, and people are wrongfully PhD, she discovered that she wanted to a more recent study, Dr. Loftus wanted to convicted,” she elaborates. “Faulty memory do something with a more obvious social see what happens to people after you plant is probably a major cause of wrongful relevance. “The idea of the memory of a false memory in their minds. She made convictions, so if we understand it a little witnesses in crimes and accidents seemed the participants believe they got sick as a better and figure out a way to minimize like a perfect fit for somebody who knew child after eating a particular food such as the memory problems, we can bring a little something about memory and had a keen pickles, eggs, or strawberry ice cream. more justice to society.” interest in legal issues,” Dr. Loftus states. “It Research showed that, after the One of the main challenges with memory was a marriage of those two circumstances participants had a memory of getting is that, without corroboration, it is almost that led me to study eye-witness testimony.” sick from a certain food, they were less impossible to tell if a memory is false or if She has a split appointment at the interested in that same food today. Other it is true. “I have been on a number of cases University of California at Irvine in the studies conducted by Dr. Loftus and other where people were led through psycho- Psychology and Social Behavior depart-

ADVICE FOR and starting point in this area of study. Dr. who is publishing in areas of the feld that you Loftus also suggests studying memory as are interested is important when making your STUDENTS much as possible. She reveals that college decision about which program to attend. It is courses sometimes completely focus on human also important to see if the prospective mentor According to Dr. Loftus, students who want to memory, but if there is not a class like this includes graduate students as coauthors on be involved with false memory and eye witness offered at your university, memory is a huge their articles. “Those coauthor bylines are going testimony should look into cognitive and social part of a cognitive psychology course. to help the graduate student ultimately get a psychology. Taking basic courses in these two Dr. Loftus also stresses fnding the right job,” she affrms. areas will give students a good background mentor for your graduate program. Finding one

ment and the Criminology, Law, and understands the malleable nature of mem- the malleability of human memory. She has been recognized Society department. Although she works ory, and that people don’t have to assume for her research with seven honorary doctorates and election to numerous prestigious societies, including the National in both branches of the university, she others are deliberately lying. They could be Academy of Sciences. She has been awarded numerous considers herself a psychologist. having a false memory. Researching and prizes for her work, including the 2016 John Maddox Prize, Because of her research on this topic, experience in the field has allowed her to which is awarded to individuals who promote sound science she has received many requests to testify or feel more generously about other people in and evidence on a matter of public interest, facing diffculty regard to memory mistakes. or hostility in doing so. She is past-president of the consult in court cases that involve memory Association for Psychological Science, the Western disputes. Dr. Loftus says that she gets Psychological Association (twice), and the American satisfaction from helping people who are Elizabeth Loftus, PhD, is a Psychology-Law Society. innocent of what they have been accused Distinguished Professor at the Loftus’s memory research has led to her being called as an expert witness or consultant in hundreds of cases. Some and takes these stories back with her to the University of California, Irvine. She holds faculty positions in the of the more well-known cases include the McMartin classroom to share with her students as Department of Psychology and Social PreSchool Molestation case, the Hillside Strangler, the learning opportunities. Behavior; the Department of Abscam cases, the trial of Oliver North, the trial of the In her daily life, understanding false Criminology, Law, and Society; and offcers accused in the Rodney King beating, the Menendez memory has made her more understanding the School of Law. She received her brothers, the Bosnian War trials in the Hague, the Oklahoma PhD in psychology from Stanford Bombing case; and litigation involving Michael Jackson, when someone makes a memory mistake University. Since then, she has published 22 books and over Martha Stewart, Scooter Libby, Bill Cosby, and the Duke around her. Dr. Loftus observes that she 500 scientifc articles. Dr. Loftus’s research has focused on University Lacrosse players.

Psi Chi’s new digital anthology brings together our very best advice about applying to graduate school—advice accumulated from 25+ experts in over 20+ years of Eye on Psi Chi magazine issues.

In nineteen chapters, this eBook will help you navigate the seven primary steps that are vital to your acceptance at the graduate program of your choice.

1. Preparing for and Selecting a Graduate Program 2. The Application Process 3. Preparing for the GRE 4. Soliciting Letters of Recommendation 5. Writing the Personal Statement 6. Interviewing 7. Choosing a Program and Succeeding in Graduate School Only 99 $ Many chapters have been updated by the authors to include the latest 4 application trends and information. The price is $4.99 for members for Chapter (login required) and $19.95 for nonmembers. Members

Visit www.psichi.org/store/ViewProduct.aspx?id=8266785

Interview by Ashley Garcia

eligion and technology have tion course at Southern Utah State College: Does Technology Decrease more in common than you might Introduction to Psychology. He says, “That Our Religious Beliefs? think. According to Dr. Michael course just blew me away, and I thought, ‘I R As societies gain a greater understanding Nielsen, they both are used to provide an want to do this for a living.’” of technology, there is a decline in the explanation for what is happening and why After taking this class, he included belief in religion. He says, “That’s very true the world is the way it is. Thinking about psychology as his second major and went in Europe. It’s more mixed in the United religion often involves big questions such as on to earn a PhD from Northern Illinois States. In terms of levels of belief, the “Why do bad things happen?” But people University in 1992. He decided to study United States is kind of an anomaly and also use technology to make sense of why social psychology after taking a course as an bad things happen, such as when a family doesn’t quite fit the pattern.” He says that undergrad that was taught by a sociologist. sociologists are discussing and debating this member becomes sick and dies. People seek He says that the course made him see that out explanations for things around them. quite intently in terms of what it means, as he enjoyed thinking about the symbolism They use technology, as well as God, in well as in terms of what the relationship is of how he could make sense and meaning of doing that, Dr. Nielsen explains. between technology and the belief in God. the social world. He further states that technology and “Some are very convinced that, as we get Dr. Nielsen explains that, by studying religion can allow people to see a meaning more technology, the need for God will religion and technology, he has been to their lives, which can be linked to overall go away,” Nielsen says. “Others are pretty happiness. He explains that some studies able to delve into how much value he convinced that won’t happen because show that people who have a stronger places on physical objects rather than questions about existence will remain even belief in God are happier than those who people. According to him, religion is about if we have more sophisticated technology.” do not. Similarly, it is common to see the relationships. His research has made him excitement and happiness that many people think about how relationships are impacted Using Technology to experience when a new line of cell phones by technology such as how it is sometimes Study Religion is released. easier to tell a friend something very Researchers can use technology and bind it personal in an online setting rather than with religion to study those two seemingly The Beginning face-to-face. He says, “I realized along the different areas of our society. Dr. Nielsen Before Dr. Nielsen started studying religion way that, by studying the psychology of states that scholars can use the Internet to and technology from a psychological religion, I’m able to take that into psych get to a specific group of people that they standpoint, he was a music major hoping class and look at religious life from multiple normally might not have access to because to become a teacher one day. However, that perspectives that are represented in the of travel and population restrains in the was before he took his last general educa- discipline. I can’t imagine a better job.” cities they live in and conduct research

24 EYE ON PSI CHI | SUMMER 2017 COPYRIGHT © 2017 PSI CHI they might not have the opportunity to tion with a deity?” These are the questions analyze. Researchers can also use MRI he uses to fuel his research and discover ADVICE FOR scans to study how people’s brains react how technology influences religion. during prayer or meditation. They are able Dr. Nielsen recalls a time when a woman STUDENTS to see the various reactions in the brain and told him about using religion as way to deal compare how the reactions differ or are with the problems in life. She was a stay- One of the main points that Dr. Nielsen similar. at-home mom and when dealing with the stresses is the importance of research. He A journal or event sampling on the challenges of raising her family, she would says, “Most schools don’t have a psychology Internet is also a technology that Dr. pray and reach out to God. She would have of religion class and most departments don’t Nielsen states would be beneficial for a conversation with God, which was an have someone that really focuses on religion psychologists and other researchers to use. experience that she considered to be divine. in psychology as their research. What I always He says, “You just give a research question It gave her a lot of peace and comfort when tell students is that you frst want to get a really and every day or periodically have people dealing with the children. Dr. Nielsen uses good foundation in research methods and respond to your question dealing with your this example to show how religion can help statistics. Those are the tools of the trade, so topic. By doing that, you can get a sense of people during times or moments of stress. to speak.” how people deal with that issue throughout Religion helps people have a sense of He also says for students to fnd a topic the day rather than only having them meaning and purpose by having an entity that interests them and learn all they can reflect back in a questionnaire.” that is thought to always be listening. Dr. about it. “Psychology is really useful,” he “When it comes to technology, there Nielsen questions if technology can serve stresses. “At the same time, don’t limit are areas within psychology, like human the same purpose. He says, “when life yourself to psychology. Learn what you can factors, where researchers really focus on dumps on you and things are going terribly from sociology, biology, or any other feld that the way that people interact with technol- wrong, even when others around you might might have something to say about the subject ogy and how it can be more efficient and be rejecting you, there is a deity potentially you are interested in. It will make you more effective. That is an important aspect for there to help you cope with the stressors well-rounded people and actually improve your researchers to understand technology,” Dr. you are experiencing.” psychology as well. If you study various areas, Nielsen stresses. When it comes to religion, “How well does technology replace and not only limit yourself to psychology, you he thinks that psychology offers a way to religion during times of stress? What do can make bigger connections throughout your make sense of why some people are we do if we are stuck and the technology research, which will make it stronger.” religious and others are not and why around us is failing? What happens if, “You can become involved in psychology of religion does not seem important to instead of going to religion, we go to our religion by picking an area of psychology such certain people. “Sometimes technology friends’ Facebook pages, or we make other as developmental or counseling and then look has an important role in that,” he says. technological connections and do not reach at questions dealing with religion through the “Sometimes it helps do the research, but out to the deity? Does the quality of our lens and perspective of that particular feld,” other times technology is part of the reason experience change? Is it better to have a real says Dr. Nielsen. “This will give you a strong why one person may be more religious than live person instead of a deity that we take foundation.” another person.” on faith?” This foundation, he explains, will help you Dr. Nielsen goes on to say that there get a job as a professor. “If you’re on the job Humans Are Attached are implications for technology with market, chances are you’re going to get hired Using the attachment theory, Dr. Nielsen relationships, whether that’s with people as a developmental psychologist, not as a is able to evaluate how committed humans or relationships with a deity. “One of the psych of religion professor. It’s also important are to technology and religion. When things about the belief in God that seems to because it keeps you grounded within the feld. people are young, they develop a strong help people,” he says, “is that it gives them a It keeps you connected with the core of the emotional attachment to their caregiver, sense of meaning and purpose.” knowledge base.” which in turn helps them in personal “Psychology is extremely important,” Dr. development. Without this attachment, Michael Nielsen, PhD, studied Nielsen says. “It helps us understand why people could have problems developing psychology and music at Southern people are acting the way they are. Whether Utah University, and received his it’s a question dealing with religion or connections as adults. He says, “We can doctorate in social psychology from examine how that early parental attach- Northern Illinois University. He has something else, psychology is an extremely ment might influence how we view God. If taught at Georgia Southern University valuable way to understand that.” I have a strong connection with my mother, since 1993, where he now chairs the is my understanding of God similar to Psychology Department. His research focuses on social psychological my connection and relationship with aspects of religion, and has been published in the Journal for my mother? What happens if we develop the Scientific Study of Religion, The International Journal for a strong connection with technology? the Psychology of Religion, and other journals. He also has Does that follow the same outcome or is it coedited Archive for the Psychology of Religion, and serves on the editorial boards of several journals. Currently he is past- different? Is it possible that our connection president of The Society for the Psychology of Religion and to our cell phone hinders our relationships Spirituality, also known as Division 36 of the American with other people, or our sense of connec- Psychological Association.

Why Psi Chi Is Launching a Fund-Raising Campaign: We’re Telling Our Psi Chi Story Interview by Bradley Cannon

Why did you join perfect. Cynthia says, “I had been happy at the University of Granada in Spain, and Psi Chi? That’s PBS, but when I looked at the job it was so interesting to hear how this description out of curiosity, I thought, student was able to get a Division 52/Psi a big question ‘Wow, that sounds like a challenge that Chi International Travel Grant that let her Cynthia Wilson I’m ready for!’ ” attend her first national convention.” seeks to answer. As another example, Matt Freeman, an At the end of January The Challenge alumni member from the University of 2017, Cynthia officially Psi Chi exists to serve our members and Tennessee at Chattanooga, recently told became Psi Chi’s Director to provide them with valuable experi- Cynthia this: “For me, Psi Chi means stay- of Membership and ences. The organization, Cynthia says, is ing connected with the psychology field and Development, a brand- well-established, and she is eager for the the major we share that laid the foundation opportunity to build out a new develop- for my academic and professional career.” Image by Bo Wheeler, WTCI. Used with permission. new position in our Organization. One of her primary goals: ment platform from scratch. According to Cynthia says, “The more direct interac- to create a new, successful, fund-raising Cynthia, “I think that’s the story of why tions we can have like this with members, program for Psi Chi, which to date had only we are fund-raising: we want to be able to the better informed we will be about what they want and how we can serve them.” pursued one limited fund-raising effort expand what we are doing for our members. Psi Chi deserves to continue, and I want to in 2014 to jump-start a new scholarships What Mentors Do program. Today, we’ll share her thoughts help make that happen.” Psi Chi provides more than $400,000 in “Giving back your time and your money— so far, including why she believes people annual awards, grants, and scholarships. that’s what mentors do,” Cynthia declares. will be glad to Give Back to Psi Chi as well The organization also offers educational “They support things that they feel as some of her specific plans for the year and publishing opportunities through Psi passionately about. And this is fortunate ahead. Chi Journal of Psychological Research, Eye on for Psi Chi because the whole concept of Cynthia’s Arrival Psi Chi magazine, and the Organization’s an honor society is that it helps you step up new blog, Psi-Chi-ology Lab. Countless and become a mentor.” Before coming to Psi Chi, Cynthia was the networking, research, and service oppor- Without a doubt, Psi Chi is flooded with Director of Donor Services at a local PBS tunities are also provided at conventions, passionate and brilliant mentors: advisors affiliate, which involved working with the chapter events, and beyond. and officers across 1,100+ chapters, alumni entire membership. She says, “That was And yet, Cynthia explains, “The number members all around the world, Psi Chi exciting, and in my career, I’ve been able to one thing we’ve got to do to raise more Central Office staff, and Psi Chi’s Board of work in the full spectrum of fund-raising. funds for our members is to tell their Directors. Cynthia says, “I’ve worked for I’ve done special events, written grants, met story. This starts with every undergrad- a few nonprofits in my career, and board with foundations and secured funds for uate, graduate student, alumnus, and commitment is something that is often them, sent direct mail, and much more.” faculty member. What are those members’ joked about: the board’s not engaged, the Cynthia hadn’t been looking for a new backgrounds? How did they get where they board’s not paying attention, they’re not job, but that all changed when a former are? What are their interests? What type showing up to meetings. But Psi Chi is in coworker called her one Sunday afternoon of careers do they want to pursue? Our a position where we have an extremely to show her a position in the want ads Executive Director, Dr. Martha Zlokovich, strong board that is extremely committed for which she thought Cynthia would be put me in touch with a grad student at to Psi Chi. Membership is so important,

“I joined Psi Chi to gain a “My experience with Psi Chi network of young aspiring has been wonderful so students like me who aim to far. I joined in 2009 as an change the mental health of undergraduate student, and people all around the world. I am I’m still finding support and very excited to become a member opportunities from Psi Chi as of this prestigious organization.” a doctoral student today.” —Romin Geiger —Laura Grossi, MA

and to have the support of of our mentors is reached a point in our history where we what’s going to make Psi Chi successful in need to focus on development by sending a membership and development.” message to every person associated with Psi Chi is 726,000 strong in mentors. Psi Chi. We need to let them know that we are not strapped or anything like that, “We’ve got to tell the story of our mentors, The vast majority of incoming Psi Chi but that it is the natural progression of a and hear back about what they are doing. members are undergraduate millennials. nonprofit organization to raise funds in We have got to find out what mentorship This also places our Organization in a order to continue to grow. As we become looks like to members like you. Do you lead good place to succeed because providing stronger, we can provide so much more to a service project in the community? Do you positive experiences through mentorship, our members; we want to be able to expand take on a mentorship role in your church networking, and education opportunities on that.” such as teaching smaller children? Do you are all areas where Psi Chi excels. assist your professors? For example, one As Cynthia puts it: “My title, Great Things to Come mentor in psychology, Dr. Robert Cialdini, Membership and Development, is really Psi Chi’s 88th Anniversary is September has a strong Psi Chi success story (see page all about making good experiences for our 4, 2017. On this date, Psi Chi’s first-ever 6) where he shows how Psi Chi helped him members. So again, we want to hear from Annual Campaign will commence. decide to attend graduate school. Stories them. We want to talk to them. I’ve already Cynthia is very excited about this new way like these will again inform us of how we had the opportunity to speak with students, to celebrate our Organization’s rich history can better serve our members.” and it is interesting to hear their specific Psi and prepare for a bright future. With 8 as PBS, as a national organization, offered Chi stories. For example, I’ve never done a the number of infinity, her goal this year is Cynthia a lot of connections. She says, longitudinal study, but it was fascinating to to raise $88,000 to sustain and expand “That’s where I really learned that none of hear about it, what students had chosen to what Psi Chi can offer its members. us are successful just on our own. It really study, and why.” Donations will be accepted at www.psichi. does take a team, and when I met with org/donations and other means will be Martha and the others at Psi Chi, I really Why Are We Asking Now? announced soon. felt like Psi Chi has a strong team and that “I think Psi Chi is facing something that “Psi Chi can help you get into graduate I could do some good work.” all successful nonprofits face,” Cynthia school. It can help you network and offers explains. “Even though revenue comes from mentorship opportunities. These are The Millennial Generation membership, we are giving out $400,000 professional opportunities that you can “The face of giving and development is in awards, grants, and scholarships each take through the rest of your career.” changing. Everyone is concerned about the year and want to continually expand these Cynthia says. “Give Back to Psi Chi in order millennial generation and how they might benefits and other services. But if you to ‘pay it forward’ for future members.” be different,” Cynthia says. “One thing keep that sort of operating model of only So why did you join Psi Chi? What is that has been heavily researched and talked bringing in one-time membership fees and your affiliation with our Professional about in the fund-raising world is that handing out more and more awards, grants, Organization? How did you get involved millennials want experience. They would and scholarships, the bottom line will with Psi Chi? What has Psi Chi membership much rather give money to an organization eventually shrink.” meant to you? that helps them experience something that “It is my understanding that this has Cynthia would love to share your Psi Chi they couldn’t experience in any other way.” happened with Psi Chi, where we have story at [email protected]

Drew C. Appleby, PhD, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis View Part I and II at Karen M. Appleby, PhD, Idaho State University www.psichi.org/page/212EyeWin17cAppleby

he final article in this three-part by the first author that enabled his students programs request LOR authors to rate series completes the set of 12 to be accepted into the graduate programs were motivated and hard-working, high paragons (i.e., best examples) of of their choice. To refresh your memory, intellectual/scholarly ability, research skills, passages taken from strong letters the previous set of the six most frequent emotionally stable and mature, writing T of recommendation (LORs) written applicant characteristics that graduate skills, and speaking skills.

Teaching Skills or Potential

Regardless of whether your end profes- and giving a class presentation on course they used the information she presented on sional goal is to become a teacher, being material or by discussing a research project critical thinking to write cogent papers. I able to teach effectively (or to possess the or internship experience in a class. Be choose Stacey from among our 60 psychology potential to do so) is an important skill for vigilant for opportunities to enhance your majors to teach my classes because of her a graduate student to have. Strong LORs teaching skills; this will greatly augment excellent oral skills, her knowledge of the often point to a student’s experience or your potential to be a successful graduate subject matter, and my confidence that she promise in teaching. During your under- student and enable graduate admissions would live up to my high standards and graduate career, you may have the oppor- committees to rank you higher than others expectations. I was not disappointed. I will tunity to be a teaching assistant (TA) in a in their pool of applicants who have not continue to use her services in this capacity class. If so, and if you are successful in this had these opportunities. next semester. professional role, this experience serves Stacey has demonstrated to me that she has The results of Joan’s mentoring were as an excellent indicator of your teaching the potential to become a very successful extraordinary. B103 is a very demanding potential and ability. If you do not get an teacher. She served as a guest lecturer in class and has a high drop-out rate, however, opportunity such as this, there are other both my General Psychology and Honors all of her mentees completed the class, all but activities in which you can engage that General Psychology classes on two occasions one received a final grade of A or A+, and can increase your teaching aptitude. You this semester, and I was impressed with the four of them went on to become mentors in may, for example, serve as a department results. My students commented positively the course. This is a truly amazing feat, and mentor for students in lower level classes about her presentations, they performed is perhaps the best evidence I can provide or provide tutoring for students at your well on the test questions that assessed their you in support of my assertion that Joan has university. You may volunteer or be invited knowledge of the material she covered, and remarkably strong teaching skills. to help a faculty member by creating

Works Well With Others

You will work with others on a daily ethically professional boundaries. As you School, where he dealt with people from basis in both graduate school and the are completing your undergraduate career, all levels and walks of life. This internship professional working world. No one works think about ways you can work on and brought him into contact with students, alone, and you will seldom get to choose display this essential professional skill. parents, teachers, and administrators who those with whom you work. Therefore, it William has grown in a variety of ways were often light years apart in terms of becomes your professional responsibility during his undergraduate years. He has points of view, communication styles, and to learn how to work well with diverse developed leadership skills as Student goals. His ability to deal successfully with populations and with people who are very Representative to the Honors Program this range of humanity in a responsible, different from you. This can be challeng- and in his roles as both Vice-President and diplomatic, and effective manner is a strong ing, but it is a critical skill to have in order Publicity Officer of the Psychology Club. He indicator of his ability to interact produc- to be successful in graduate school and has strengthened his ability to deal with a tively with people who are very different beyond. Graduate admissions committees truly wide variety of people by participating from himself and each other. seek out students who have this essential as an active member of Mentoring in the Another set of crucial characteristics of skill and, it is often in LORs, that this skill City (inner city students); volunteering as successful undergraduates and professionals is best described. Letters that stand out an ELS conversation partner (international revolves around their ability to work with are those that describe students who are students); serving as a Resident Assistant in others in a group. James has impressed pleasant and well-liked by students and his co-ed residence hall for two years (full me with his ability to display appropriate faculty members, have been elected into range of college students); acting as a Peer interpersonal skills, to work productively as leadership positions by their peers, who Tutor in philosophy, theology, statistics, a member of a team, and to exhibit effective have been successful working on group and experimental psychology (academi- leadership skills. He communicates well with projects both in and out of the classroom, cally challenged students); participating others without dominating the conversation and who have worked successfully with as an active member of the Housing and and is a careful and perceptive listener. If diverse groups on the job or during intern- Entertainment Subcommittees during he is unsure of an aspect of an assignment, ships. Those who are skilled at working the 1997 Indiana Residence Assistants he always asks for clarification and then with others display strong interpersonal Conference (professional colleagues); and acts on it in an appropriate manner. He is a and communication skills as well as during his internship at Arlington High wonderful team member.

Creating new or original work or ideas is through designing and implementing an Frances possesses the personal characteris- the critical last step in Bloom’s Taxonomy undergraduate research project or thesis tics that are necessary to survive the rigors (Adams, 2015). As an undergraduate or by sharing original ideas in a classroom of graduate school. She thrives on challenge, student, you have been expected to engage setting or in an assigned paper. is always willing to tackle new situations, in lower levels of critical thinking such Terms that Keisha’s internship supervisor exhibits a healthy dose of ambition, and as memorization, application, analysis, used to describe her are “creative, a role definitely possesses the tenacity necessary synthesis, and evaluation. These are model, compassionate, hard-working, to carry a difficult or complex job to its essential components of learning and empowering, dependable, outstanding successful completion. She is one of those rare the importance of these skills should clinical skills, task-oriented, and a strong individuals who is an independent thinker, not be underestimated. However, as a client advocate.” The fact that these words but who also takes direction well. Frances graduate student, you will be expected to have been used to describe her in the context can be counted on to produce an original function at the very highest level of critical of her work with the severely mentally ill is product that reflects both her inner creativity thinking, and that is the creation of new surely indicative of “an absolute commitment and the requirements of the assignment. The and original knowledge in your field. To to work on behalf of oppressed populations,” term paper that she wrote in my class was do this, you must be a creative and original which is one of the integral components of the a prime example of these characteristics. thinker. Although you will develop this mission of your graduate program. Although Although her topic deviated slightly—but skill throughout your graduate career, the severely mentally ill are not often very creatively—from the original assign- successful graduate applicants have considered to be “oppressed populations,” ment, her finished product was one of the shown their potential for this type of work anyone who has worked with this group is best (and certainly the most interesting) in during their undergraduate preparation. acutely aware of how they are marginalized the class. It reflected originality, thorough During your undergraduate career, you in our society. This group is in desperate need research, and felicity of expression. can show creativity and original thought of more advocates like Keisha.

Strong Knowledge of Area of Study

Another important characteristic of purpose for pursuing a graduate degree with competent assistance. He collected and a graduate student is to a have strong (Appleby & Appleby, 2007). analyzed data from the class that enabled foundational knowledge in their field me to know which of my assignments I invited Evan to serve as a TA in my two of study. If you do not have this strong and classroom activities correlated most sections of B104 Psychology as a Social background knowledge, you will find highly with test performance. Evidence of the Science for several reasons. First, I knew graduate school to be a truly intimidating effectiveness of my fourth reason to involve he would do an excellent job with the experience. One obvious way of displaying him in the class surfaced when Evan reported record-keeping aspect of this position (e.g., this knowledge-base is by mastering the to me that he scored at the 95th percentile on entering grades into the online grade book). concepts, theories, and methods that con- the GRE Subject Test in Psychology. stitute the knowledge base of your major. Second, I was positive he would serve as Although the psychology curriculum requires However, you can make yourself an even a very competent tutor to my students 14 psychology classes, Shawn has successfully stronger candidate for graduate school by who struggle with the content of this class. completed 20 psychology classes. This is an strategically focusing your undergraduate Third, I wanted him to utilize his strong extremely rare occurrence, made even rarer degree in other academic content areas statistical skills to help me gather, organize, by the fact that he is also earning another that support your professional goals. For and analyze data that would enable me to baccalaureate degree in sociology. To make example, you may seek out a second major assess the effects of various class assignments this an even more amazing achievement, or a minor in a curricular area specific to on test performance. Fourth, I wanted Shawn has also fulfilled the requirements your professional goals such as statistics to provide him with an opportunity to for two of our four Psychology Track (research focused), women’s studies refresh his knowledge of the social science Concentrations, one in clinical psychology (counseling or working with diverse pop- side of psychology (e.g., social, personality, and one in the psychology of addictions. ulations), or kinesiology (sport or exercise industrial/organizational) because I knew These accomplishments have provided psychology). This type of strategic curricu- he was planning to take the GRE Subject Test Shawn with an exceptionally strong lar planning shows that you are focused on in Psychology. He performed admirably in foundation of psychological knowledge. your educational and professional goals all four of these capacities. He maintained as opposed to being overly general in your a flawless grade book. He provided students

In graduate school, as in the professional One of the parts of Kelly’s senior seminar Christine’s contributions as a panel world, people are often faced with project was a panel discussion in which member of a symposium on teaching ethics difficult decisions. Because of the unique LGBT panel members recruited from other that I moderate at the MPA convention have challenges that practicing professionals local colleges and universities discussed and been instrumental to its continuing success. in psychology face, graduate school answered questions about their lifestyles I was highly impressed with her ability to admissions committees seek candidates before an audience of her fellow students. respond during the first session. She had who have shown good judgement, Three of the panel members cancelled at the obviously done her homework, listened integrity, responsibility, and courage last minute, and Kelly had to make a tough intently and accurately to what the faculty when faced with challenging dilemmas. call. Should she replace one of the missing presenters had to say, and responded in In their research on the moral character panel members and discuss her own sexual such a thoughtful and thought-provoking requirements of practicing psychologists, orientation and lifestyle with an audience of manner that it would have been difficult to Johnson and Campbell (2002) stated that, her fellow students or should she simply distinguish her from the faculty presenters although moral character is a particularly allow the panel to continue with if I had not introduced her as a student difficult concept to define, “personality less-than-optimal results? She took the respondent. I was so impressed that I invited adjustment, psychological stability,” courageous route, and undertook her her back the next year. The quality of her “responsible use of substances, integrity, role with grace and dignity. It takes a second presentation was even higher than prudence, and caring” (p. 50) are all brave person to discuss the details of her/ her first, and I was told by several members essential characteristics for practicing his lifestyle and sexual orientation with of the audience that it was superior to that professionals and, by default, are also family and/or friends, but it takes a truly of some of the faculty on the panel. Needless characteristics that potential graduate courageous person to do the same in front to say, I have extended my invitation to students in psychology should possess. of an audience of fellow students from a Christine once more again this year, and There are a myriad of ways you can show college whose religion foundations are not I am confident that she will once again strong personal character and professional supportive of alternative sexual lifestyles. represent the psychology student perspective integrity during your undergraduate Kelly demonstrated her strong character, on the ethics of teaching in a manner that career. Below, you will find some examples integrity, and emotional stability to me that will be as well-received as her first two of how past students have demonstrated day in a very compelling manner. presentations. these critical professional attributes.

Special Skills

The last category in the top twelve Access, Pagemaker, Quark, and Photoshop) During Michele’s second semester as a TA, attributes that are often discussed in and is a skillful computerized bibliographic I created a new TA role (Assessment TA) successful LORs is often dependent on the searcher (e.g., PsychLit Online, Academic and invited her to serve in this capacity. Her area of psychology in which you would Abstracts, and EbscoHost). His proficiency duties were to gather all the evaluation scores like to specialize. The category of special with the Internet and e-mail applications that she and her fellow TAs performed on skills describes the specific, technical skills (e.g., Eudora, Netscape, Internet Explorer, their students’ assignments and send these needed to be proficient and successful and Telnet) has led him to serve as a data in a complete and timely manner to in graduate school. Some of these skills consultant in these areas to our faculty. One a senior psychology major whose honors thesis focused on the assessment of how include (but are not limited to) techno- of the assignments in our Senior Seminar is well my students accomplished the three logical, mentoring, advising, assessment, a collaborative project in which each team of learning outcomes that I target as most and foreign language skills. If you have students must produce a “book chapter” on crucial for my B103 students to accomplish. specialized skills that will complement a particular topic. Ara served as the leader your specialty area in psychology, it is in Michelle created an efficient strategy to for his team, and his team produced the collect these data and carried out her duties your best interest to make sure that your best chapter that has ever emerged from this in this capacity flawlessly. I have begun to LOR authors know about and can speak class. It was well-written, clearly organized, use the results of this assessment to make to your application of these skills in their and desktop-published in a professional data-based changes to the assignments and letters. manner. His ability to lead a team in such a pedagogical procedures in B103 for the past Ara’s ability to utilize technology is group effort is clearly indicative of a strong two semesters. She received an A+ in B422 remarkable. He has a working knowledge of leader who can put this computer talent to Professional Practice in Psychology for her a variety of software packages (e.g., Word, great use in graduate school and beyond. activities as a B103 TA.

COPYRIGHT © 2017 PSI CHI EYE ON PSI CHI | SUMMER 2017 31 Two Crucially Important • Avoid letter of recommendation environment, acquire academic competence, identify and authors who will provide unflattering set realistic goals, and achieve their career aspirations. He Caveats About LORs has published over 100 books and articles including The descriptions of your personal or The authors published an article titled Savvy Psychology Major and made over 600 conference academic characteristics. These and other professional presentations including 20 invited Kisses of Death in the Graduate School descriptions provide a clear warning keynote addresses. He created the Society for the Teaching Applicant Process (Appleby & Appleby, that you are not suited for graduate of Psychology’s (STP) Project Syllabus, transformed STP’s 2006) whose conclusions were based on the Mentoring Service into an online clearinghouse, and study. Choose your letter of results of a survey sent to the chairpersons founded and served as the director of the Indiana High recommendation authors carefully. School Psychology Teachers Conference. He was honored of all 457 programs listed in APA’s Graduate Do not simply ask potential authors for his outstanding contributions to the science and Programs in Psychology that contained profession of psychology by being named a Fellow of the if they are willing to write you a letter the following statement: “Please provide American Psychological Association, the Midwestern of recommendation; ask them if they Psychological Association, and a Distinguished Member of us with a brief description of one or two are able to write you a strong letter of Psi Chi. He has received 44 national, regional, and examples of things that otherwise strong recommendation. This question will institutional awards and recognitions for teaching, advising, mentoring, and service. His work with IUPUI’s varsity applicants to your program included in allow them to decline your request their application materials that caused athletes led him to be named “My Favorite Professor” by 71 diplomatically if they believe their letter student-athletes, and he was designated as a mentor by your admissions committee members may be more harmful than helpful. 777 IUPUI psychology majors, 222 of whom indicated that to draw less positive conclusions about he was their most infuential mentor by selecting the them than if they had not included these following sentence to describe his impact: “This professor infuenced the whole course of my life, and his effect on me “kisses of death.” A qualitative analysis of References has been invaluable.” Dr. Appleby retired from IUPUI in their responses indicated that faulty LORs Adams, N. (2015). Bloom’s taxonomy of cognitive learning objectives. 2011 with the rank of Professor Emeritus. was the second most common response Journal of the Medical Library Association, 103(3), 152–153. http://dx.doi.org/10.3163/1536-5050.103.3.010 to this statement and that inappropriate Appleby, D. C., & Appleby, K. M. (2007, August). Mentors and yentors: Karen M. Appleby, PhD, received Mentoring as a reciprocal process. Paper presented at the meeting LOR authors and undesirable applicant her BA from Hanover College (IN) in of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA. characteristics mentioned in LORs were Appleby, D. C., & Appleby, K. M. (2006). Kisses of death in the graduate 1998 and her doctorate from the the two most common themes within school application process. Teaching of Psychology, 33, 19–24. University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2004. Currently, Dr. Appleby is a full this category. The following advice, taken http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15328023top3301_5 Johnson, B. W., & Campbell, C. D. (2002). Character and ftness professor in the Sport Science and verbatim from the article (p. 23), should be requirements for professional psychologists: Are there any? Physical Education Department at taken seriously by anyone who is planning Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33, 46–53. Idaho State University where she http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.33.1.46 to apply to graduate school. teaches classes in sport psychology, research and writing, senior capstone, and marketing and • Avoid letters of recommendation from management in sport. She has conducted research in the people who do not know you well, Drew C. Appleby, PhD, received his areas of student professional development in higher BA from Simpson College in 1969 education, women’s experiences in sport and physical whose portrayals of your characteristics and his PhD from Iowa State activity, and life quality issues in the master’s athlete may not be objective (e.g., a relative), University in 1972. He served as the population. She has published in journals such as Teaching or who are unable to base their Chair of the Marian University (IN) of Psychology; Women in Sport and Physical Activity Psychology Department, the Director Journal; the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and descriptions in an academic context of Undergraduate Studies in the Dance; the Journal of Sport; and the Qualitative Report. Dr. (e.g., your minister). Letters from these Indiana University–Purdue University Appleby was named the Outstanding Collegiate Educator authors can give the impression you Indianapolis (IUPUI) Psychology by the Idaho Association for Health, Physical Education, are unable or unwilling to solicit letters Department, and the Associate Dean of IUPUI’s Honors Recreation, and Dance; was awarded the Idaho State College during his 40-year career. He has used the results University Distinguished Teacher Award; and is a three- from individuals whose depictions are of his research on teaching, learning, academic advising, time National Masters Cycling champion. In her spare time, accurate, objective, or professionally and mentoring to create strategies to enable college she likes to cross country ski, race her road bike, and run relevant. students to adapt successfully to their educational with her husband and dogs in the Idaho mountains.

With the creation of Psi Chi’s new Career Center, our Professional Organization is now better equipped to make a direct impact on your career path than ever before. All Career Center features are free for our Job Seekers whether you are just considering a career in psychology or already have considerable experience in your feld.

Search Jobs Because of the thousands of unique opportunities regularly entering and exiting our Career Center, we offer more than 50 available job categories (e.g., Counselor, Social Worker, Instructor) to make your search a breeze. You can also sort results by position, company, location, and date posted. Create an Account Setting up a personal Job Seeker account takes less than two minutes. This allows you to view saved jobs, job applications, messages, and any contact requests you may have from interested employers. Manage Your Resumé Upload or build a Public Resumé for employers to search for and view online. To protect your privacy, your personal information will be automatically Why Employers Choose concealed. You can also conveniently save Incomplete and Private Resumés in order to personalize what you send to any specific positions that catch your eye. Our Career Center Peruse Online Career Resources With more than 2,500 similar job boards, Psi Chi’s Our Five Steps to a Successful Career provides guidance including Our Best Career Center has more partnering associations Career Advice on professional resumés, letters of recommendation, interviews, to promote your open positions than any other internships, and navigating your place of work. You can view job platform. Employers everywhere are invited other Career Resources too. to create a free account to keep track of your job Receive Job Alerts listings, saved candidates, and templates. You can Never let new opportunities pass you by! Creating a Job Alert allows you to also search resumés for free; you only pay $35 hear once a week in your e-mail about new job openings that match your after candidates you are interested in agree to interests and preferred location. You can make multiple Job Alerts with unique connect with you. criteria if desired. Ask an Expert Ten Job Skills You Already Have Send our Career Professionals any questions you may have about refining your resumé, preparing for an interview, or any other aspect of your job search. Impress present or future employers by being able They strive to respond to all questions within one business day. to communicate the 10 skills that all psychology Get Help as Needed students develop. This concise list includes If you should ever have any questions about using our Career Center, you specifc examples that you can use in your resumé can view answers to popular questions or submit a Support Ticket to request and during interviews to show exactly when and further information. how you developed each skill.

Visit www.psichi.org/?RES_CareersInPsych Personal Growth Don’t Worry About It! Anxiety and Its Impact on Emotional Well-Being Sandra Llera, PhD, Towson University (MD)

focuses our attention on potential problems, Despite the fact that worrying makes us hances are, you we rarely reach a solution this way, at least feel bad, fails to provide effective solutions, know what it feels not until we shift out of worrisome thinking and can even seriously damage our health like to worry. and into more effective problem-solving and well-being, therapists actually find it C strategies. For example, “I’ll just talk to my quite difficult to help their clients cut down • “What if I don’t pass this exam?” friend tomorrow and ask her if I hurt her on worrying. For all of its drawbacks, some • “What if that comment I made feelings.” True problem-solving usually of us still have a really hard time letting go to my friend hurt her feelings?” makes us feel better about an issue, whereas of this way of thinking. Why could this be? • “What if I never find true love?” worrying almost always makes us feel worse. Over the years, a lot of researchers have Although we all worry from time to time, tried to answer that question. One reason These kinds of thoughts circle through they’ve found is that, ironically, people tend excessive and uncontrollable worrying is our heads and can be difficult to ignore. the main symptom of generalized anxiety Occasionally, our brain gets stuck on one of disorder (GAD), a disabling mental illness these threatening questions, mulling it over and over, and often imagining the worst that affects more than 5% of the popula- What’s so seductive possible outcome. The most commonly tion, with twice as many women as men about this pattern is receiving the diagnosis. Individuals with reported worry topics include interpersonal that those of us who relationships, work/school performance, GAD experience problematic worry over health, and other responsibilities. a number of different issues in their lives, worry excessively also The problem with worrying, besides which can produce feelings of restlessness, tend to be emotionally making us feel terrible, is that it doesn’t help muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, us to fix any of these issues. We may think and sleep problems. Research shows that sensitive people. we’re doing something productive, like the excessive worry seen in GAD can have problem-solving, but that’s not really what’s widespread and lasting repercussions, such happening. Worrying is actually more like as impaired work and school performance, to have positive beliefs about worrying. “spinning your wheels” over issues that relationship problems, unemployment, and Besides the belief that worry helps us find make you anxious. Although worrying even long-term medical consequences. solutions (which it usually doesn’t), many

people also report that it helps them feel But at What Cost? The ultimate goal is to let go of the more prepared for possible negative events If we give in to unbridled worrying, we are chronic negative mindset, and to invest in their lives. That is, when we worry, we in a sense making ourselves feel miserable in learning how to cultivate more positive feel like we’re bracing ourselves just in on purpose, just to lessen the emotional emotional states. This may mean facing case something terrible happens. That impact of a negative event that may never your fears: allowing yourself to relax and let positive belief tends to hold even if things happen. And we’re choosing to feel this your guard down, and to feel emotionally turn out okay. For example, let’s say you sense of anxiety and pessimism all the time. vulnerable. It also means allowing your worried all week about failing your exam, What’s even worse, we may end up unin- mind to be focused on the present and not but when your grade comes in, you see always scanning the future for possible tentionally turning our positive feelings that you passed. In these events, instead of threats. Because in reality, the present is into anxiety triggers. That is, according to recognizing how much time you just wasted all you will ever have. Why not make it this mindset, letting yourself feel happy on worry, you may feel like you’ve dodged happier? or optimistic makes you feel emotionally a bullet. This can reinforce your worrying vulnerable, as if you’ve let your guard down. because the sense of relief feels so good. Related Reading In other words, happiness begins to feel But what happens if our worries do come American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical unsafe. This makes it hard to simply relax manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American true—if that worst-case scenario we’ve been and enjoy a good mood; it also makes it Psychiatric Publishing. bracing for really does happen? Borkovec, T. D., Hazlett-Stevens, H., & Diaz, M. L. (1999). The role of difficult to stop worrying, even if you want positive beliefs about worry in generalized anxiety disorder and • We fail the test. to. In exchange for the temporary sense of its treatment. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 6, 126–138. emotional security, chronic worrying takes https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1099-0879(199905)6:2<126::aid- • Our friend really is mad at us. cpp193>3.0.co;2-m • Our romantic partner calls it off. a toll—on our relationships with others, our Borkovec, T. D., & Roemer, L. (1995). Perceived functions of worry productivity, and even our physical health among generalized anxiety disorder subjects: Distraction from Research on this sequence tends to more emotionally distressing topics? Journal of Behavior Therapy (essentially, the very topics we’re most support our beliefs about worry, in that and Experimental Psychiatry, 26, 25–30. worried about!). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0005-7916(94)00064-s people do experience less of an emotional Crouch, T. A., Lewis, J. A., Erickson, T. M., & Newman, M. G. (in press). impact (that is, less change in their emo- Prospective investigation of the contrast avoidance model of What Can We Do Instead? generalized anxiety and worry. Behavior Therapy. tional state) if they were worrying before For one, we can learn to trust in our ability http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2016.10.001 a negative event occurred. As you might Llera, S. J., & Newman, M. G. (2010). Effects of worry on physiological expect, those who were relaxing before to cope with the negative event if and when and subjective reactivity to emotional stimuli in generalized a negative event reported experiencing a it occurs. The good news is research anxiety disorder and nonanxious control participants. Emotion, 10, shows that the majority of things people 640–650. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0019351 strong increase in their negative emotions. Llera, S. J., & Newman, M. G. (2014). Rethinking the role of worry But both groups of people ultimately worry about never actually happen. But if in generalized anxiety disorder: Evidence supporting a model of it does, we’re most likely going to be better Emotional Contrast Avoidance. Behavior Therapy, 45, 283–299. reported the same levels of negative emotion http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2013.12.011 after the event. These findings suggest that equipped to deal with it if we’re coming Kessler, R. C., & Wang, P. S. (2008). The descriptive epidemiology of worrying beforehand does not makes us feel from a state of emotional well-being rather commonly occurring mental disorders in the United States. Annual than a state of rigid negativity. A more Reviews of Public Health, 29, 115–29. better about a bad outcome. Instead, they http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.29.020907.090847 suggest that because we were already feeling flexible emotional stance may even allow Newman, M. G., & Llera, S. J. (2011). A novel theory of experiential us to be more open-minded about finding avoidance in generalized anxiety disorder: A review and synthesis bad when it happened, the shift in emotions of research supporting a Contrast Avoidance Model of worry. wasn’t as dramatic. There may even be a solutions. For example, if you failed an Clinical Psychology Review, 31, 371–382. small sense of satisfaction in thinking, I exam, take a deep breath, and remember http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.01.008 that there may still be time to tailor your Newman, M. G., Llera, S. J., Erickson, T. M., Przeworski, A., & was right. Castonguay, L. G. (2013). Worry and generalized anxiety disorder: What’s so seductive about this pattern is approach to studying for the next one. Talk A review and theoretical synthesis of research on nature, etiology, with your professor, and try to offset the and treatment. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 9, 275–297. that those of us who worry excessively also http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050212-185544 tend to be emotionally sensitive people. We grade by taking extra credit opportunities. Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Wisco, B. E., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). Rethinking can feel easily overwhelmed by negative Psychologists also know that keeping a rumination. Perspectives Psychological Science, 3, 400–424. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6924.2008.00088.x emotions. We may even find our emotions more positive mindset actually increases to be scary and feel out of control. And our willingness to implement these self-improvement strategies. Sandra Llera, PhD, is an assistant research shows that people with GAD can professor of Psychology at Towson experience stronger negative reactions to What if your worry is more difficult University, licensed clinical stressful, scary events than our nonanxious to shake off? Consider trying some more psychologist, and recent recipient of counterparts. Furthermore, for the chronic active coping skills such as mindfulness the Psi Chi distinguished worriers among us, it feels a whole lot easier training, guided meditation, and relaxation undergraduate faculty award. She has numerous publications on the to cope with these negative emotions, and exercises like diaphragmatic breathing and topics of anxiety disorders, worry, not as overwhelming, if we were already progressive muscle relaxation. But if anxi- emotion regulation, and braced for them. So in a way, it makes ety and worry have been a more serious or psychophysiology. Her current research emphasizes further sense that some of us would rather play it long-standing problem, you may consider development and exploration of an emotional contrast avoidance model as a new way to understand worry and safe by keeping our emotional guard up seeking out a mental health professional for emotion dysregulation, both in generalized anxiety disorder indefinitely. After all, you never know when consultation or counseling, such as through and transdiagnostically. She is currently on the editorial something bad might happen. your university’s counseling center. board of Behavior Therapy.

Annual Report of the Psi Chi Past-President

Dan Corts, PhD Augustana College, IL (2015–16)

t was a privilege to serve as President Scholarly Pursuits you’re there, please consider helping of Psi Chi for the 2015–16 academic There have been a number of changes your fellow members by participating in Iyear, and what a year it was! Psi Chi already put into action. In the realm of their studies. has changed in many ways, and from my Scholarly Pursuits, Psi Chi “encourages perspective, these changes have all made us members to conduct exemplary research, Member Development stronger as an organization. For our staff disseminate and apply research findings, To further Member Development, Psi Chi in Chattanooga, TN, one of the biggest and maintain a lifelong interest in exploring will “provide information and opportu- changes was the move to a new location. the field of psychology.” The Editor ofPsi nities to enhance members’ professional In the past decade, our membership has Chi Journal of Psychological Research, Dr. and personal lives.” We now offer a job increased and services have expanded so Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, helped board as a way to assist our members. This much that our operations outgrew the transition the Journal to be freely open Career Center, available through the Psi space. The investment in a larger, more access, meaning that nonmembers any- Chi website, allows members to look for modern home office will allow Psi Chi’s where can access the articles for no charge. positions in psychology and related fields, staff to work efficiently and expand as we Melanie stepped down from that role, but regardless of the stage in their careers. continue to grow. Most members do not has been elected to serve as President for For members pursuing graduate school, see what goes on behind the scenes, but if the 2017–18 year. The Journal has welcomed Dr. Merry Sleigh (Southeastern Regional you are ever in Chattanooga, stop in and a new Editor, Dr. Debi Brannan. Debi has Vice-President 2012–16), began work on say hello. served as Associate Editor for several years, Psi Chi’s first nonperiodical publication— Changes come about in many ways; so she brings experience and continuity An Eye on Graduate School: Guidance sometimes it is in response to situations, to the position, along with her impressive Through a Successful Application. This like outgrowing the office. In contrast, we enthusiasm for the job. The changes that e-book is a compilation of Eye on Psi on the Board of Directors believe that the are currently underway include the use of Chi articles authored by Psi Chi chapter best changes are made deliberately, with badges to promote open science. advisors and other experts, and is now clear goals in mind, and with the best data Psi Chi has also worked toward Scholarly available online at https://www.psichi.org/ possible. To that end, the Board developed Pursuits by developing the new Research store/ViewProduct.aspx?id=8266785 Vision2020, a strategic plan designed to Advisory Committee (RAC). The RAC Lastly, the Psi Chi Awards and Grants further the mission of recognizing and has been formed to make suggestions for program offers more than $400,000 to promoting excellence in the science and appli- partnerships, build research skills, and fund member research, travel, and other cation of psychology. By adopting this plan, alert members to opportunities that arise. achievements. The Awards and Grants the Board and employees of Psi Chi have Finally, Psi Chi now provides a recruiting committees identified improvements been able to set short- and long-term goals tool for members seeking participants for by streamlining the application process in three pillars of Vision2020: Scholarly their online research. If you would like to and reallocating funds to strengthen the Pursuits, Member Development, and post your study, visit the website at https:// grant programs that have seen the highest Chapter and Member Experiences. www.psichi.org/?Research_Rules. While demand of applications.

Chapter and Member Experiences Psi Chi, Inc. All of the above changes can serve to The International Honor Society in Psychology enhance Chapter and Member Experiences: Statements of Activities and Changes in Net Assets to foster a “vibrant and meaningful Years Ending June 30 environment for chapters and all members to contribute to and benefit from continued REVENUES, GAINS, AND OTHER SUPPORT 2015-2016 2014-2015 2013-2014 2012-2013 2011-2012 engagement.” Another area of change came Membership and Chapter Fees 1,230,235 1,300,773 1,272,226 1,114,564 1,115,511 from the high levels of participation at the regional conventions, and demand for a Auxiliary Activities 335,471 350,203 373,313 368,239 308,881 greater variety of programming. To support Sponsorship Income 61,420 49,493 this, the Board of Directors has shifted the Dividends and Interest Income 164,952 226,473 72,415 80,178 36,294 budget to better support these high-demand Net Earnings on Investments (134,019) (116,821) 592,484 388,880 46,143 activities. Finally, Executive Director Dr. Martha Miscellaneous 1,696 3,919 2,074 Zlokovich and I had the good fortune to Net assets released from restrictions 12,000 600 make friends at the University of Havana, Total Revenues, Gains, and Other Support 1,671,755 1,814,040 2,313,112 1,951,861 1,506,829 Cuba. A student group there, lead by Alejandro Pena, put together a week long EXPENSES IX Encuentro Internacional de Estudiantes Programs and Meetings 1,141,716 1,122,196 1,012,553 880,832 915,405 de Psicología and invited Psi Chi to attend. Publications 147,644 129,792 123,944 134,697 144,396 Due to international sanctions against Chapters 677,233 782,109 710,140 592,986 545,140 the Cuban government, Psi Chi, which is based in the United States, has not been Management and General 167,666 172,675 161,199 133,769 126,658 able to develop chapters in Cuba until last Temporarily restricted net assets 715 (12,675) (2,199) year. So it was with great excitement that Total Expenses 2,134,974 2,194,097 2,005,637 1,742,284 1,731,599 we put together the first international trip Change in Net Assets (463,219) (380,057) 307,475 209,577 (224,770) organized by Psi Chi for its members and issued invitations through our publications Net Assets, Beginning of Year 4,983,257 5,363,314 5,055,839 4,846,262 5,071,032 in the Spring 2016. NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR 4,520,038 4,983,257 5,363,314 5,055,839 4,846,262 As we move beyond the 2015–16 academic year, we invite everyone to join us by setting up your own Vision 2020 chapter Psi Chi, Inc. goals with our worksheet available at The International Honor Society in Psychology https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.psichi.org/ Statement of Financial Position as of June 30, 2016 resource/resmgr/pdfs/2016_Vision2020- ChapterHando.pdf. The Psi Chi Board, ASSETS along with the Central Office staff, is com- Current Assets mitted to developing opportunities to keep our Professional Organization relevant to Cash and cash equivalents 704,273 and supportive of its membership for now Accounts Receivable 13,129 and many years to come. Prepaid expenses 15,506 Inventory 69,092 Dan Corts, PhD, discovered Investments 3,486,065 psychology at Belmont University (TN) where he earned a BS in psychology, Property and equipment 334,368 he then completed a PhD in cognition Total Current Assets 4,622,433 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. After a post doc at Furman LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS University (SC), he went to Augustana Current Liabilities College (IL). He has been involved with Psi Chi for 15 years as an advisor. Accounts payable and accrued expenses 102,395 During that time, he also served on the Midwestern Steering Committee and Grants and Awards Committee, as a consulting NET ASSETS editor for the Journal, and completed one term as Midwestern Unrestricted net assets 4,505,279 Vice-President. Dr. Corts splits his research work between applied cognitive psychology and student development issues Temporarily restricted net assets 14,759 across all levels of education. He also is coauthor of Total Net Assets 4,520,038 Psychological Science: Modeling Scientific Literacy and the forthcoming Ethics and the Undergraduate Researcher. Total Liabilties and Net Assets 4,622,433

The 2017–18 New Psi Chi Board of Directors

President-Elect Eastern Regional Melanie M. Domenech Vice-President Rodríguez, PhD Marianne Fallon, PhD Utah State University Central Connecticut Melanie M. Domenech Rodríguez State University is a professor of psychology at Dr. Marianne Fallon received her Utah State University. She has bachelor’s degree in psychology an active program of research from Bucknell University and on evidence-based parenting her master’s and PhD from the interventions with particular University of Toronto. Although focus on cultural adaptation she trained as a lifespan and implementation of Parent developmental psychologist Management Training–Oregon focusing on memory, language, model with Latinx families. She and music processing, Dr. is a researcher a licensed clinician, and a passionate mentor. She has Fallon’s interests have turned towards the teaching of psychology chaired 9 honors theses, 12 master’s theses, and 15 dissertations and and factors that promote undergraduate student success. After has supported 15 undergraduate students in obtaining $17,679 in arriving at Central Connecticut State University in 2006, Dr. Fallon grants including Psi Chi’s Undergraduate Research and Thelma Hunt has regularly taught Research Methods and recently published a Research Grants. book, Writing Up Quantitative Research in the Social and Behavioral Dr. Domenech Rodríguez has a long-term commitment to Sciences. Dr. Fallon was awarded the Connecticut State University advancing the mission of Psi Chi. She served as advisor to the Board of Trustees Teaching Award in 2010 and she has been named USU chapter of Psi Chi (2002–15) achieving Model Chapter status a finalist twice for Central Connecticut State University’s Excellence and receiving the 2012 Regional Chapter award. Dr. Domenech in Teaching Award. Dr. Fallon has reviewed submissions for the Psi Rodríguez served Psi Chi as Rocky Mountain Regional Vice- Chi Journal of Psychological Research since 2013 and has actively President (2005–09), Diversity Director (2011–2012), and Editor participated in Psi Chi sponsored events at EPA. of the Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research (2011–16).

Rocky Mountain Regional Western Regional Vice-President Vice-President Leslie D. Cramblet Alvarez, PhD Elizabeth Campbell, PhD Adams State University (CO) Whitworth University (WA) Leslie Cramblet Alvarez is a Elizabeth “Bethy” Campbell is an professor of psychology and assistant professor at Whitworth Professional Development University and a practicing Activity Director for Title V licensed psychologist in Spokane, at Adams State University in Washington. She earned her PhD Alamosa, Colorado. She received in counseling psychology with her BA in psychology from an emphasis in marriage and Southwestern University and family therapy from University PhD in educational psychology of North Texas. With more from Northern Arizona than a decade of experience in University. During the last ten years, Dr. Alvarez has been a strong psychology education and applied practice, her primary areas of supporter of Psi Chi. She served as faculty advisor at Northern specialization include career development and counselor training. Arizona University and she pursued the charter of Adams State’s An accomplished educator, scholar, and clinician, Dr. Campbell Psi Chi chapter where she is currently the coadvisor. She has brings energy, innovation, and enthusiasm to all her endeavors. served on the Psi Chi Steering Committee for the Rocky Mountain Dedicated to servant leadership and passionate about inspiring Region, was a member of the Psi Chi Leadership Committee, and psychology students toward success, her relational approach to has acted as a reviewer for the Kay Wilson Officer Team Leadership student mentorship and professional collaborations yield valuable Award, regional Psi Chi research awards, and the Psi Chi Journal of results: she was honored by Whitworth as the recipient of the Psychological Research. Dr. Alvarez has been actively involved in the Faculty Service Award (2015), Outstanding Vocational Integration Rocky Mountain Psychological Association (RMPA) and in Award (2014), and students’ choice for Most Influential Professor 2014–15 she served as the association’s President. three years running (2014–2016).

Alumni in the News

Psi Chi is interested in news EAST SOUTHEAST WEST about its alumni members. Please report significant personal events such as • civic activities, • services, • honors won, • promotions, • graduate degrees awarded, Robert Frantzen, Jasmine L. Bozeman [2013] Stephen “Steve” Dalton [2015] AB, BE, MS, PE [1958] Fayetteville State University (NC) Dominican University of California • publications, Syracuse University (NY) Jasmine published an all-in-one Steve published two articles in New • weddings, and It has been almost 60 years since college prep guide book for Mobility magazine in July 2016 and • births. Robert’s initiation. Robert’s work underprivileged high school students January 2017. Each article focused life was as an engineer and manager, entitled The Degree Experience: on an aspect of recovering from and he enjoyed his psychology classes If We Can College, SO CAN YOU! traumatic injury. Help Us Fill in and values membership to this day. Available on Amazon and Psychology helped me understand www.jasminelbozeman.com. the Blanks! that any system involving people You may also submit a photo should consider the needs and wants (at least 300 KB) of yourself. of both individuals and groups. Log in and tell us your Majoring in psychology has opened news at http://www.psichi. doors in reading more about human behavior. org/?page=alumni_news Material for publication will Tsoline Kouyoumjian, be printed at the discretion LMFT [2010] MIDWEST of the editor. Jennifer Ferguson, California State University, Northridge Kristina Thielen [2008] MS, LMHC NCC [2014] Tsoline celebrated the one-year Friends University (KS) University of Florida anniversary of her private practice Kristina cowrote five book chapters, Jennifer published the study “The located in Pasadena, CA. She has earned an MS in criminal justice Relationship Between Serum NSE focused her practice on treating from Boston University (MA), Levels and Functional Outcomes eating disorders in adults and adjuncts for Fort Hays State and in Patients With Non-Traumatic adolescents. Friends Universities, and began a PhD Subarachnoid Hemorrhage” in the program in forensic psychology. Journal of Neurosurgery.

Laurel A. Rockefeller [1995] Moriah Brotherton [2016] University of Nebraska at Lincoln University of Louisville (KY) Laurel published the seventh Moriah was awarded the narrative biography from her Commander’s Award for Public Legendary Women of World History Service from the United States Series, entitled Empress Matilda of Department of the Army on England, about England’s first heiress June 8, 2016. to the throne.

ith more than 1,100 chapters, CONVENTION/CONFERENCE: In October INDUCTION CEREMONY: On November Psi Chi members can make EASTERN 2016, four officers attended NEPA. 4, eight inductees heard a message from In total, the officer team attended 15 Fordham Professor Dinesh Sharma, a significant impact in their W Clark University (MA) lectures. Topics ranged from trauma author of The Global Hillary (Routledge, communities. Reviewing Chapter FUND-RAISER: The chapter decided sensitive schools to cognition and 2016). memory. Officers also connected Activities in Eye on Psi Chi is a great to raise funds for the Refugee & CONVENTION/CONFERENCE: On October with other Psi Chi chapters to discuss way to find inspirational ideas for Immigrant Assistance Center (RIAC) 23, more than 160 students and faculty leadership and event planning. your chapter and keep in touch with of Worcester, MA, in the final months participated in the 28th Greater New of 2016. RIAC’s mission is to promote York Conference on Behavioral Research, your chapter after you graduate. Fordham-Lincoln Center (NY) cultural, educational, and socioeconomic cohosted by the chapter in Manhattan, Activities are listed in the development in the refugee and MEETING/SPEAKER EVENT: The chapter chaired by Mica McKnight and Dean had 16 diverse activities with Fordham following categories: immigrant community. To support Elaine Congress. RIAC, the chapter decided to make Psychology Association and Graduate • COMMUNITY SERVICE and sell chocolates, and thus ordered School of Education. On September 18, National University of Ireland, Galway 50 people joined the chapter’s salute to • CONVENTION/CONFERENCE chocolate molds, melting chocolate, and INDUCTION CEREMONY: Hannah Durand Jonathan Galente and Professor Olivia • FUND-RAISING plastic pouches. (president) and Ciara Gunning (vice- J. Hooker, the oldest living member MEETING/SPEAKER EVENT: In November president) led the proceedings, reading • INDUCTION CEREMONY of Psi Chi, to mark her 101st birthday. Psi Chi’s formal induction ceremony • MEETING/SPEAKER EVENT 2016, the chapter hosted one of its most On October 14, the chapter cohosted a ritual and a list of membership benefits • RECRUITMENT popular meetings thus far. Officers led an workshop on Psychologically Healthy to ensure that attendees would be • SOCIAL EVENT interactive activity to introduce members Workplace with Dr. David Ballard from aware of Psi Chi’s awards and grants, to the variety of psychology fields. APA. On November 5, the chapter publications, and educational resources. Share your chapter’s accomplishments First, students discussed their interests cohosted a psychohistory forum with The officers also spoke about recent with others in the next issue of in specific fields of psychology. The Professor Paul Elovitz. On October chapter activities and planned activities presenters then engaged members with a 26, the chapter cohosted a Wikipedia Eye on Psi Chi! Chapter officers and for the coming semester. Sixteen PowerPoint on lesser known psychology workshop featuring Lane Rasberry advisors are encouraged to visit members were inducted including fields such as psychometrics, sports (Consumer Reports) and Kristen http://www.psichi.org/default. psychology, and forensic psychology. Treglia (Fordham) to help students and undergraduate, graduate, and faculty asp?page=chapter_activities After the presentation, students faculty learn to write for Wikipedia. On members. participated in two neuropsychological November 21, more than 50 New Yorkers Queens College, CUNY Submission deadlines* tests: the Stroop Test and the Wisconsin joined Professor Dinesh Sharma’s Fall: June 30 Card Sorting Test. The meeting was a forum to reduce postelection anxiety on MEMORIAL: Read Dr. Robert Lanson’s Winter: September 30 great way to encourage the pursuit of Americans at the Crossroads: Coping touching tribute to Betty Chan. Spring: November 30 psychology while having fun. with Emotional Stress. bit.ly/2oDSX48 Summer: January 30

* Reports received (postmarked) after the deadline will appear in the next issue of Eye on Psi Chi.

A B C

A Clark University (MA) offcers Jacob Kahn (vice-president) and Türkü Hastürk (secretary) prepare chocolates for the fund-raiser. D E B Some of the chocolates for the Clark University (MA) Chapter fund-raiser: on the left, white chocolate, and on the right, milk chocolate with peppermint crumble! C Clark University (MA) offcers at NEPA. From left to right: Sherief Eldeeb (events coordinator), Despoina Lioliou (president), ABBREVIATIONS: Miranda Smerling (events F ACHS Association of College Honor Societies coordinator, on leave for Spring APA American Psychological Association 2017), and Jacob Kahn (vice- APS Association for Psychological Science president). EPA Eastern Psychological Association MPA Midwestern Psychological Association D On Sept 18, the Fordham- NEPA New England Psychological Association Lincoln Center (NY) Chapter RMPA Rocky Mountain Psychological Association salutes Psi Chi Professor Olivia SEPA Southeastern Psychological Association SWPA Southwestern Psychological Association Hooker on her 101st birthday. WPA Western Psychological Association E Author Dinesh Sharma (third from left) addressing the Fordham- Lincoln Center (NY) induction on November 4, 2016. F Sixteen members inducted into 40 EYE ON PSI CHI | SUMMER 2017 the National University of Ireland, Galway Chapter. Chapter Activities

Slippery Rock University (PA) led by Amy Chen (president) and Laudia received a bachelor’s in psychology with 25, 2017. The panel consisted of masters COMMUNITY SERVICE: Members continue Joseph (vice-president). During the an interest in biopsychology, and went and PhD candidates: Danielle Vaclavik, session, prospective members learned Anjana Jagpal, Crystal Steltenpohl, to serve the community in a number on to earn a master’s in experimental about the requirements to join and psychology at Towson University. Lauren Pytel, and Andrea Sanders. John of ways. Members love traveling to a the benefits of becoming a Psi Chi Being a Towson alumna, Professor Jameson, an I/O psychology alumnus, nearby nursing home known as Home 2 member. In addition, Dr. SungHun Kim Stinebaugh could relate to students in also served on the panel. Twenty-five Me. They play bingo; left, right, center; (coadvisor) discussed the development many ways, making her a good mentor undergraduate students attended the and trivia with the senior citizens who of a student-based research lab in the for students interested in the field event and listened to the personal reside there. Members also traveled to college’s psychology department and and those still undecided about the experiences of each panel member. Time Grapevine, a drop-in center for those how to utilize the scholarships offered major. She spoke about her experiences was also allotted for audience questions with mental disorders. Several members by Psi Chi. Prospective members were as a former student including her about the admissions process, GRE study went to serve lunch to those who given a chance to ask questions and each internships and research assistantships. tips, employment opportunities, and the “dropped in” that day. attendee was given a Psi Chi-themed After her presentation, many students life of a graduate student. MEETING/SPEAKER EVENT: The goodie bag. approached her with questions regarding psychology department put on a variety INDUCTION CEREMONY: On February 17, their personal experiences, seeking Friends University (KS) of events during their Brain Awareness the chapter welcomed 14 inductees and advice about classes, internships, and CONVENTION/CONFERENCE: In Week. Several members were on the introduced the incoming officers for the career options. She stayed well after November, several members attended committee that put on the events. The next academic year. Guests and inductees her presentation to speak with these the PERK conference (Association for committee chose to focus on post- were enthralled by the chapter’s vocally students, one on one. She also provided Psychological & Educational Research traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as one talented secretary, Gwendolyn Etienne, her e-mail address and office hours in Kansas). Breeze Padilla presented of their mental disorders. During their who started the ceremony with a sweet to students who wanted to talk with her poster “Personalities of People in event, they showed a short documentary song. Inspirational speeches were her further. Professor Stinebaugh’s Positions of Leadership: America’s on the history of the disorder. Afterward, given by the chapter’s coadvisors and presentation gave students insight Management.” She also won first place in the committee found a speaker from the psychology department faculty into the broad range of opportunities the manuscript competition. the ROTC office on campus to speak to available to them at Towson University members. Afterward, inductees, guests, INDUCTION CEREMONY: On November students and members about the stigma and across the field of psychology. and faculty members dined on Thai food 20, 2016, the chapter celebrated its around PTSD. Members volunteered and a delicious strawberry shortcake for 20th anniversary with a banquet and to provide baked goods for this event dessert. candlelight ceremony; 12 members as well. MIDWEST were inducted. Dr. Amy Bragg-Carey Towson University (MD) (university president) provided the St. Francis College (NY) MEETING/SPEAKER EVENT: Professor DePaul University (IL) welcome. Members were also privileged SOCIAL EVENT: On November 7, the Brianna Stinebaugh presented to a MEETING/SPEAKER EVENT: The chapter to have Dr. Ken Weaver (dean of the chapter hosted its first ever Psi Chi group of undergraduate psychology hosted a panel of current and former Teachers College at Emporia State informational session. This event was students on November 2, 2016. She psychology graduate students on January University) as the invited speaker.

G H I G Slippery Rock University (PA) members volunteer at Home 2 Me nursing home. H Slippery Rock University (PA) December graduates. I Dr. SungHun Kim discusses the importance of research at St. Francis College (NY). J St. Francis College’s (NY) Laudia J Joseph (left; vice-president) with Amy Chen (right; president) before starting the event. K St. Francis College’s (NY) Laudia Joseph (vice-president) and Amy Chen (president) with chapter inductees. L Coadvisors Dr. SungHun Kim (left) and K Dr. Renee Goodstein (right) during their speeches at St. Francis College (NY). M St. Francis College (NY) current and new members/offcers gather for a picture during dessert. L M

Dr. Donna Stuber (coadvisor) also Michigan School of pack up clothing, personal care items, can be heard throughout the building, premiered her 20th anniversary DVD, Professional Psychology and gifts for a total of 728 people! The draws in more people to share in the a retrospect of the chapter’s activities, COMMUNITY SERVICE: Once again, chapter has made participation an “fun and games.” Students and staff accomplishments, events, and alumni members were thrilled to participate annual community service activity, and look forward to this event as a reprieve successes, put together with photos and in the 30th Annual HAVEN Gift members look forward to next year’s from the daily grind, and it does not music. The chapter also celebrated Dr. Giveaway event. HAVEN is a event! disappoint! Stuber, who received the 2016 Florence L. nonprofit organization that provides SOCIAL EVENT: Game night has become Denmark Faculty Advisor Award. comprehensive programs for victims of a semester tradition for students, faculty, Morningside College (IA) COMMUNITY SERVICE: The Wichita State domestic violence and sexual assault. staff, and members of the community COMMUNITY SERVICE: The chapter University Chapter invited the Friends HAVEN supplies shelter, counseling, to meet in the school’s large atrium to hosted a tie dye event on inauguration University Chapter to an evening of advocacy, and educational programming enjoy food and each other’s company. day. They picked this day to remind fun at their student center. Plans are to nearly 20,000 people each year. The Game night was designed as a stress-free students, faculty, and staff that the underway for the chapter’s monthly Gift Giveaway event welcomes anyone event in which everyone is welcome to campus stands together against bigotry, Adopt a Shelter activity of making dinner who has received services from HAVEN engage in fun, fun, fun! Dr. Blackstock, racism, sexism, etc. For this event, at Anthony Family Shelter, participating within the past year to shop for gifts. a professor and Psi Chi member, is members used the slogan, “Tie Dying in the annual university-wide chili cook- Members assisted HAVEN clients the resident game master and always for Diversity: Celebrating Diversity as off, selling lunches at the annual campus with shopping, loaded cars with gifts, brings a variety of games to share with Individuals and Our Unity as Human Jazz Festival, and scheduling the first and provided support throughout the the group. During game night, the Beings.” guest speaker of the semester. Several emotional process. This year’s Gift school is transformed into a stress-free members also plan to present posters Giveaway provided items for 210 clients environment in which, for a few hours, at the upcoming Great Plains Students’ and 518 children. Altogether, more than attendees can forget about deadlines and St. Ambrose University (IA) Psychology Convention in March. 250 volunteers helped pick out and to-do lists. Laughter, which oftentimes INDUCTION CEREMONY: The chapter

A Breeze Padilla of Friends University A B (KS) presents her poster at the PERK Convention. B Chapter alumni and faculty advisors from Friends University (KS) at the 20th Anniversary Celebration. C 2016 HAVEN Gift Giveaway volunteers from the Michigan School of Professional Psychology. D Dr. Blackstock and three Michigan School of Professional Psychology students having fun at a 2017 game night.

C D

inducted 26 members at the annual They caught the attention of passing who cannot attend can still show their food items. The volunteer effort was candlelight ceremony on November 7, students and urged them to participate love and support for the children. a huge success and greatly assisted the one of the largest induction ceremonies in the screening process to help raise foodbank with serving marginalized in the chapter’s recent history. Guests awareness about depression and stop Milligan College (TN) and underserved populations. The event of the inductees were encouraged the stigmatization of mental illness. The CONVENTION/CONFERENCE: Amanda drew some students, faculty, and staff to to join in the ceremony, followed by chapter event was well received by the Largent presented her research on engage in a project collectively and thus refreshments and a keynote speaker. The campus community as 119 students were prejudice and bumper stickers at the increased the presence of the chapter in address was given by Dr. Molly Nikolas, screened during the 4-hour event. SEPA in Atlanta, GA, on March 8. She local communities. assistant professor of psychology in the was supported by a CUR travel grant. Department of Psychological and Brain Roanoke College (VA) Science at the University of Iowa. She SOUTHEAST Norfolk State University (VA) spoke about her research on ADHD in INDUCTION CEREMONY: The chapter had both children and adults, and associated Charleston Southern University (SC) COMMUNITY SERVICE: In the fall, the their induction ceremony for students during the 2016–17 academic year. etiological questions. COMMUNITY SERVICE: The chapter took chapter volunteered with the Foodbank COMMUNITY SERVICE: The chapter a trip to Eagle Harbor ranch, a place of of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern SOCIAL EVENT: The chapter had worked alongside the campus Psychology refuge and shelter for boys ages 4 to 18 Shore to eliminate hunger during the something for everyone with the Are Club to involve the campus community who are orphaned, neglected, abused, or Thanksgiving holiday season. The You Salty or Sweet This Valentine’s Day? in National Depression Screening Day abandoned. The chapter picked a Friday foodbank conducts this event on a social breakfast on February 14, with (NDSD) on October 6. Psi Chi and night and planned games, a cookout, weekly basis, and Psi Chi members coffee, doughnut holes (sweet treats), and Psychology Club members collaborated and a bonfire to roast marshmallows. elected to assist one weekend and sort Chick-fil-A chicken minis (salty treats). by setting up tables with information The chapter also prepared gift bags for donated food, box donated food, and about NDSD near campus eating areas. the children. The gift bags are how those assist with pick-up and delivery of the

F G E Members from Morningside College (IA) at their tie dye event. F T-shirts from the Morningside College (IA) Chapter’s tie dye inauguration event. G St. Ambrose University (IA) Chapter induction ceremony in November 2016.

C D E

H I

L Chapter Activities

having faculty and students donate and vote on which faculty member would have to kiss a live pig. The chapter had a successful turn out and raised more than expected. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE: A few of the university’s finest represented at the latest SWPA convention. The chapter had more than five presentations. INDUCTION CEREMONY: The chapter celebrated the 2017 Cameron University Psi Chi Induction Ceremony. Members passed down traditions and accepted 11 scholastics to the organization.

Rice University (TX) INDUCTION CEREMONY: The chapter inducted seven members on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Rebecca Cunningham (vice-president) and Miranda Proctor (secretary) presided over the induction ceremony with Drs. Sandy Parsons G A The Norfolk State University (VA) Chapter inducting fve members on January 27, 2017. Psychology faculty members and Carissa Zimmerman (faculty are pictured on the top row, from left: Dr. Andrew S. Franklin, University of Louisville (KY) cosponsors). Newly inducted members Dr. Joy Cooley-Doles (advisor), Dr. Darlene Colson, Dr. Ernestine COMMUNITY SERVICE: Members collected included Danielle Manahan, Lesley Duncan (Department Chair), Guest Speaker Ms. Tiphanie Bivens, food items for the annual food drive Miller, Colleen Phillips, Tyler Balloun, Dr. Erica Russell, and Dr. Karen Boyd (advisor). Second row, from hosted from October 10 to 27. Members Stephanie Mendivil, Felix Wu, and Laney left: Kevin Butts, Jr., Yohanan Asefa, Tobias McCrimmon, Raquel and Dr. Leonard (advisor) delivered, Joyner, Uwem Etuk, and Bryan-Daniel Barker (president). Brown. Eleven additional students joined picked up, and packed the food items. the chapter this spring, but were unable B 2016–17 inductees, current executive board, and Roanoke Volunteers were able to collect 1,231 to attend the induction. College (VA) psychology faculty. pounds of food with support from fellow C The University of Mary Washington (VA) Chapter’s fall student and faculty donations. This is the University of Central Arkansas poster session. chapter’s ninth consecutive food drive. COMMUNITY SERVICE: The chapter D University of Mary Washington (VA) students present their research at the chapter’s fall poster session. University of Mary Washington (VA) partnered with a local Chipotle restaurant to raise funds for the Central E A University of Louisville (KY) member packing up boxes for SOCIAL EVENT: At the end of the the local food bank. semester, the chapter hosted an annual Arkansas Women’s Shelter. Chipotle donated a portion of sales to anyone who F University of Louisville (KY) Chapter’s vice-president and fall poster session for the university’s mentioned Psi Chi during an afternoon. treasurer with food bank donations. Department of Psychological Science. This event gave students the opportunity The chapter matched a portion of the G University of Louisville (KY) members packing food items to present their research from the fall funds generated. These funds will be onto a truck for delivery. semester to faculty members and fellow used to support women and families H The winner of the Valentine’s Day card contest at the students. affected by domestic abuse and other . University of Tennessee at Chattanooga issues. I Tricia Henderson leads the Question, Persuade, Refer program University of Tennessee at Chattanooga COMMUNITY SERVICE: The chapter at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. MEETING/SPEAKER EVENT: The chapter presented Brain Day to a local sixth- J The winner of the 2017 Cameron University (OK) Kiss-the- met in February to attend the Question, grade science class. Students enjoyed Pig fund-raiser. Persuade, Refer (QPR) program lead by seeing both a real (plastinated) brain K Cameron University (OK) members: (left to right) the current Tricia Henderson. This program is to and a model brain showing the different president, one of the newest members to Psi Chi, and faculty. build awareness of the signs of suicide functional areas. Members discussed and show how to persuade and refer an L 2017 Cameron University (OK) Chapter Induction Ceremony. distributed functions, parallel processing, individual. With great privilege from this and how these processes produce program, there are now many individuals who are gate keepers to those who cognitive illusions. consider suicide. FUND-RAISER: The chapter hosted SOCIAL EVENT: In February, the its fourth annual Chili Cook-off chapter celebrated Valentine’s Day on March 16. The event provided a with members. The event had a small great opportunity to bring together presentation led by two officers with undergraduates, graduates, faculty, sweet treats and fun activities such as a and staff for a friendly competition. card contest. More than 30 people ate lunch, seven chili recipes were entered into the competition, and two soups were SOUTHWEST available for anyone who preferred not to eat chili. Funds raised by the event were Cameron University (OK) used to support general chapter activities FUND-RAISER: Psi Chi raised funds by and events.

EYE ON PSI CHI | SUMMER 2017 45