Best when viewed in HTML format
January/February 2009 issue | Volume 2, Issue 5 Latest Information | Issue Archives | Unsubscribe
Students To Present Research In New Orleans

Five Rollins Psychology students and three professors are preparing to present their research at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association in New Orleans, Louisiana February 18-21. The 2009 Convention is being held at the Sheraton New Orleans on Canal Street in the heart of the city. Rollins presentations include Measuring Quality in After-school Programs by Sharon Carnahan, Matthew Pita, and Sarah Somogie, Relating "Big Five" Traits and Sensation Seeking to Color Preferences by Jennifer Gasparri and Paul Harris, and Individualism-Collectivism and Competitiveness: Exploring Empirical Linkages for Women by John Houston, Kelly Sabin, and Adriana Ospina. As a regional affiliate of the American Psychological Association, the largest professional organization in Psychology, SEPA meetings are an outstanding opportunity for students to present their work, take in a broad range of science in psychology, and network with potential future employers or graduate school mentors. If you are interested in following in the footsteps of these five students, consider engaging in summer and senior research with faculty members in Psychology.
FACULTY BLOG SPOT
The Clock
by Dr. St. John
In: Writing and Presentation Tips
Amanda Gilmore '07 Published
Amanda Gilmore, now a graduate student at the University of Washington, recently published a paper entitled Socioeconomic Stereotypes Among Undergraduate College Students with Dr. Paul Harris in the journal Psychological Reports. The research, which began as an undergraduate honors thesis for Amanda at Rollins College, investigated socioeconomic stereotypes among college students. Amanda discovered that, given descriptions of fictional peers who differed only in family income, students attributed different characteristics to the fictional students. For example, upper income students were intuited to be more sociable, attractive and judgmental, whereas lower income students were intuited to be more likable, intelligent, and creative. Amanda's work integrates with a larger body of social psychology research on classism and may have practical applications in understanding the challenges college students face on campuses that are socioeconomically diverse. You can read Amanda's paper - it is this month's featured journal article.
James Ransome To Speak
As part of the Second Annual Good Neighbor Conference, the Rollins College Child Development Center and the Office of Multicultural Affairs is pleased to host keynote speaker James Ransome on Friday, February 20th at 7:00pm in the SunTrust Auditorium. The event is free to the public, so feel free to attend regardless of whether you are also signed up for the Good Neighbor Conference itself. Ransome is a noted author and illustrator, particularly of children's literature. He has received the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration and the IBBY Honor Award for his book The Creation among numerous awards for his writing and art. His titles include Let My People Go, How Animals Saved The People, and The Old Dog. Ransome will describe his artistic influences and will address the conference's theme "Being a Good Neighbor in a Multicultural Society" and will take questions from the audience. There will also be an opportunity to have books signed.
Special Event: The Truth About Suicide
On Thursday, February 12, at 7:00pm in the SunTrust Auditorium, the Rollins College Active Minds chapter and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention are pleased to host The Truth About Suicide: Real Stories About Depression In College, an interactive symposium. The event features Marie Dudek, Chair of the Central Florida Chapter for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Coach Doug Merrill, author of Fighting The Demon of Suicide, Dr. David Richard, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Organizational Behavior Program, Jeannette Simmons, President of the Rollins College Active Minds Chapter, and members of the Rollins College Counseling and Psychological Services Department. Depression and suicide have touched the lives of many people on the Rollins College campus and in our community; in addition to raising awareness of these issues, the symposium will bring together many of the local organizations who provide support for people concerned for themselves or loved ones. The event features a DVD followed by a group discussion. The event is free and open to the Rollins community.
Suicide Prevention Walk: Take Part!
Vicki Long, Administrative Assistant in the Rollins Psychology Department, was last year’s recipient of the Thaddeus Seymour Award for Community Engagement for her efforts in the prevention of suicide. In honor of the memory, passion, and commitment to her father, who committed suicide in 2004, she started the Out of the Darkness Walk in Baldwin Park. Vicki recruited and organized hundreds of members in the Central Florida community and helped raise $42,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention during the first event in 2008. Due to the success of the Out of Darkness Walk, Vicki was able to start the Central Florida Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention which includes six counties, and she also serves as a Board Member for the organization. You can get involved with this great cause. This year's 5K walk will be Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 9am (sign-in at 8am). The Rollins Psychology team is already getting organized! Check out The Out Of Darkness website and the information page on the Rollins PSY for Vicki team, where you can register to walk or to donate.
Second Annual Good Neighbor Conference
As part of its community service and educational mission, the Rollins College Child Development Center is presenting the Second Annual Good Neighbor Conference. The Conference honors the legacy of Rollins alumnus Fred Rogers, host of the long-running popular children's show Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. The Good Neighbor Conferences continue the Fred Rogers tradition of finding ways to create supportive learning environments for children, with the Child Development Center's emphasis on the empirical study of learning environments. This year's conference has the theme Being a Good Neighbor in a Multicultural Society, exploring the challenges and opportunities offered by our rapidly diversifying neighborhoods and classrooms. The conference kicks off with a free keynote address by children's author and illustrator James Ransome on Friday, February 20th (see above story). Community members are invited to sign up for the Saturday workshops. Topics will include "Teaching Tolerance", "Cultures and Customs of Faiths in America," and "Rearing Kind Children". The Conference this year is co-sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Contact Vicki Long for information.
Dr. Farkash Elected To Head Association
Congratulations goes out to Dr. Martin Farkash, who has been elected President of the Florida Psychological Association, Central Region for the 2009-2010 term. The FPA is a statewide organization of 1,600 practitioners that sponsor continuing education programs, assistance in establishing a practice, and other opportunities for professional development.
DID YOU KNOW?
Most laboratory rats are substrains of a species known as Rattus norvegicus. Despite their name, the "Norway rat" is not endemic to Norway and may not have even existed in Norway when the species was named (in the 1700s). The species likely entered Europe on trade ships from China. Although many laboratory rats are white or black and white, the wild Norway rat is known popularly as the "brown rat". Among their peculiarities are asymmetrical lungs and the lack of a gall bladder. The brown rat is a popular, sociable, and intelligent pet.
FACULTY FACT
Dr. Sharon Carnahan has a deep love for wilderness camping. When she was a kid, her family owned a canoe guide business in upstate New York near Saranac Lake. Canoeing and camping is still a favorite family vacation; she owns 3 canoes, 12 life jackets, a reflector oven, and several tents.
•3/7 - 3/15 Spring Break
OUR FACULTY
LINKS
ABOUT THIS ISSUE
Shrink Rap is an email publication of the Rollins College Department of Psychology. This issue can also be found online. The newsletter is sent monthly during the academic year to Psychology majors and minors in A&S and Holt, students in A&S psychology classes, psychology faculty and staff, and friends of the department.