Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 2.
Dr. George Hearn, the first I/O psychologist licensed in Louisiana, took a nasty fall down stairs at his home, a few months ago. The Times spoke with George and wife Gloria, and they relayed that he is doing well, and recovering at a steady pace.
George later told Gloria that when he got up from his fall, he wasn’t feeling “all that well.” Since Gloria wasn’t home, he telephoned for some help, and also had to answer the door for a delivery.
George suffered some cuts and a fracture in his neck. But he is now out of his brace and spending his time relaxing, receiving visitors (including and especially his daughter), and doing his required physical therapy. Gloria mentioned to thank everyone for the kind wishes for George’s speedy recovery.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 4.
According to the website’s list of officers, changes have been made to the executive committee in LPA.
Dr. Jessica Brown, Secretary, is now also taking on the duties of the Legislative & Public Policy Committee, previously held by Dr. Jim Quillin. And, Dr. Linda Upton is the APA Council Representative, also previously held by Dr. Quillin.
Other changes include the Medical Psychology Committee, previously held by Dr. Warren Lowe. Currently, Dr. Scott Eckholdt is serving in this capacity.
New executive committee members also include Dr. Gail Gillespie, who is serving as Chair of the Ethics Committee and Dr. Kim VanGeffen who now fills the Chair for Insurance, a position that has been vacant.
Dr. John Simoneaux began serving as Professional Affairs Committee Chair in the fall of last year.
Continuing to serve the association are Dr. Judith Levy (President), Dr. Kelly Ray (President-Elect, Convention), Dr. Cathy Castille (Treasurer-Finance), Dr. Darla Burnett (Past-President, Nominations, Advocacy), Dr. Phillip Griffin (Continuing Education), Dr. Brandon Romano (Membership), and Dr. Tony Young (Scientific Affairs).
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 5.
Student Bookshelf ###
Davidson, Karen Ann (Clinical) Environmental Effects on Adolescents Exposed to Hurricane Katrina
Esteve, Brian Michael (School) Analysis of Progressive Lag Reinforcement Schedules and Environmental Cues on Verbal Response Variability
Patterson, Scott Michael (Clinical)The Effects of Increasing the Risk Perception of High-Risk Behaviors on Decision Making among College Daily Smokers and Never-Smokers
Brown, Jennifer Silva (Cognitive) Apolipoprotein Status and Cognitive Functioning in Adulthood: Role of Physical Health and Social Network Characteristics
Henderson, Marie Young (School) Predicting Performance on High Stakes Testing: Validity and Accuracy of Curriculum-Based Measurement of Reading and Writing
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Psychology could be considered a challenging career; it takes a lot of training, a lot of dedication, and a creative approach to balancing work and family. So, it might be a little surprising when a son or daughter chooses our field.
Dr. John Fanning told me he “wandered” into psychology, but always knew he wanted a career in human service. He didn’t fully discover which path he would take until a friend made the choice for psychology. The friend later changed his career, but John went on to finish his undergraduate at Texas Tech, then his masters at Stephen F. Austin, and his doctorate at the University of Memphis.
John currently holds Clinical and Clinical Neuropsychology specialties and contributes to the world-class treatment team at Touro Infirmary. There he assists patients in brain injury rehabilitation. For the last decade he has helped patients with dementia assessment, neuropsychological testing, and outpatient therapy. He also provides group therapy in the spinal cord injury program.
His daughter Jennifer has decided on a doctorate in psychology as well, and he makes it clear, “She’s going to out perform her dad. She’s extremely talented.”
About Jennifer’s choice of psychology, he said, “I feel positively about it; I never said ‘you need to go into psychology.’ But she had people telling her all along, ‘you should be a psychologist.’ It just seemed to fit her naturally.” She had even presented a poster at LPA in her senior year of high school.
Jennifer told me that she also wandered around in her interests, after first being in classical studies and archeology, and then even considering political science and law. “It’s interesting,” she said. “I didn’t become a psych major until the last.” But as the decision time in her life came closer, she thought back and knew she enjoyed the field and especially enjoyed her courses in abnormal psychology.
Jennifer is pursuing her doctoral degree at the University of Southern Mississippi and “really loves the program.” In her fourth year in clinical, she told me that the depth and intensity of the supervision she receives is extremely valuable to her. She feels that she is learning a great deal, a comment supported by John who insisted, “She knows more than I do.”
While enjoying her training in applications, Jennifer also has a love for research, the technical side, and the university setting. She is appreciative that USM has a very strong and vital research program, and she enjoys the range and opportunities available to her in research, which includes work in aggression, suicide and schizophrenia. Jennifer explained that the research is one of the reasons that she enjoys the field so much.
“Sometimes we talk shop,” she said about her relationship with her dad. “And, that’s fun. But mostly he gives me a lot of good advice like getting into a good program and how to deal with the stress that is normal for graduate school.”
“Sometimes I think it’s funny that we are in the same field. He’s been there.”
For now, Jennifer thinks that she might go into the academic track in her career. “I like research, I like the university setting. But I’d like to practice some as well.” Presently, she is flying around the country for internship interviews.
John and Jennifer share another interest, running. They both ran the Mardi Gras Half-Marathon. And this brings up another family member, Michael, son and brother. Michael recently excelled in a behavioral science project competition at the state level. Jennifer said, “He’d make a really good psychologist.” But both agreed that Michael, age 16, is headed in another direction. When I asked them what that was, they both concurred. “Oh, he’s going to be a professional skateboarder.”
Michael Fanning, doing what he loves most- skateboarding.
Dr. John Fanning and daughter Jennifer out for a run. They both ran the Mardi Gras Half-Marathon.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 7.
Dr. Tom Stigall alerted the Times that The Cancer Prevention & Control Research Training Program at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University is seeking individuals with recent doctorates in psychology.
Individuals desiring to make a career shift to more fully develop their research skills in cancer survivorship are welcomed. Two to three years of funding with salary commensurate with post- doctoral experience are offered along with tuition, health insurance, research support, and travel allowances. An MS degree in Clinical and Population Translational Sciences as part of the training is optional. “Trainees will become independent research investigators in the field of cancer prevention and control, with a particular focus on cancer survivorship,” according to the announcement from Dr. Nancy Avis.
Applications for 2010/11 are being accepted now and go to Dr. Avis, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Winston-Salem, NC 27157.
Contacts: navis@wfubmc.edu and http://www.wfubmc.edu/CancerControlTraineeship .
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 7.
Dr. Darlyne Nemeth, as Vice President of the World Council for Psychotherapy (WCP), invites colleagues to participate in an important survey. Questions are aimed at understanding the influence of personality types that “emerge at times of crisis.” The survey, initiated as a response to WCP’s United Nations presentation on climate change, will help understand factors important for future decisions.
Dr. Nemeth noted, “In times of crises people tend to polarize. We are trying to understand this polarization so that the WCP can be helpful from a humanitarian perspective.” In the introduction to the survey she explained that the initiative serves a prosocial function and is an important research project.
She asks colleagues to visit “climatesurvey.blogspot.com” and complete this important questionnaire, named the “Climate Change Survey.” It is anonymous and available in eight languages.
Please Take Survey at climatesurvey.blogspot.com
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 8.
Caitlin Singletary is currently near the end of her work in the APA-accredited Counseling Psychology program at Louisiana Tech. She noted that the positive change in people is the most inspiring part of counseling. She is also invigorated to see clients take back control in their lives. She stated, “It is inspiring to see the journey and the change in people, but seeing an individual learn how to take back the control and live their life is what keeps me in psychology.”
She lists memorable experiences in her program including being presented with an Outstanding Doctoral Achievement Award by the Psychology Department and being informed that her research paper was accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. She stated, “It is an honor to be recognized, whether it is by my faculty or by someone from the outside who sees that my hard work can contribute something to others.”
Her favorite courses are the technique courses. She explained that, "By the end of the class, I have a more thorough understanding of the technique. And, I can modify and mold it to fit my therapeutic orientation."
She stated that the LA Tech program has provided her with great opportunities. She described growing as a therapist through the curriculum and her practicum experiences. The program also offers lectures and weekend workshops where she developed a strong interest in hypnosis. She has since completed hypnosis training through ASCH.
Caitlin has been continually obtaining research experience since 2005, and has taught undergraduate courses in both Introductory and Developmental Psychology. Because of her interest in research, she has had the opportunity to present at LPA's annual convention for the past two years. She has also been appointed the student director of her program’s student-run clinic, which has helped her learn the business- side of psychology.
Her research interests include pain management, chronic illness/disability, and hypnosis. Her current research focuses on the psychological effects of training centers on blind adults and predicting surgical outcome using psychological assessments. She currently works at the office of David Williams, Ph.D., M.P. in Monroe, LA. Under the supervision of Dr. Williams, she has had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients, including those with chronic pain.
Caitlin's eventual goal is to work in a private practice setting while having a relationship with a pain clinic. She could then help facilitate recovery in pain patients from the psychological side and help medical doctors determine treatment recommendations based on psychological assessments. She would also like to work as an adjunct professor, teaching future health workers in her specialty.
Her advice for undergraduate students is for them to find their passion. She entered her program knowing her goals and possessing a strong desire for working with chronic pain patients. She stated, "It is this passion that motivates me every day. It is this passion that makes me want to learn beyond my program's curriculum. It is this passion that inspires me to make a difference."
Caitlin presenting her research at LPA's annual convention.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 5. Source pages: 14.
Two sleeping boys Like angels in repose An hour from now Exuberance will explode Running and wrestling Shoving and shouting Teasing and taunting But just now I absorb Peace and contentment They exude
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 5. Source pages: 14.
This month I promised to give you tips to help you find your place in the media. You may be wondering why you would even want a place in the media. Your first concern may be whether using the media to promote your practice is appropriate or ethical.
Traditionally, psychologists build their practices by providing excellent care to clients who then refer their friends and family members, and by successfully handling cases from other health care specialists who then recommend their services to colleagues.
However, promotion of psychological services through the media is acceptable. The Louisiana Licensing Law for Psychologists states only that “The board is authorized to promulgate regulations to prohibit deceptive advertisements and representations.”
Just as we are obligated to present ourselves honestly to individuals who seek our help in our offices, we also must be sure to portray ourselves accurately in the public forum. Adhering to this standard in a setting often associated with entertainment requires vigilance.
Although advertising representatives, with their focus on grabbing the attention of an audience, may entice you to pump up your message beyond your comfort level, you can avoid such drama. The right layout can amplify a cautiously worded print ad, and the right delivery can sell a safely worded radio spot.
So my first tip for helping you find your place in the media is to encourage you to relax about the very idea of being involved with the media. You can present yourself to the public in ways that maintain your professional integrity and convey that you are available to help.
Next month I will offer tips for dealing with one of the biggest problems psychologists have, the tendency to speak in scientific jargon, instead of simple sentences, when we communicate with the public.
Please send comments to MediaServices@DrSusanDard ard.com, or call 225-635-4555.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The LPA EC passed a resolution to create a bylaws revision committee, open to any LPA member with voting privileges. The first meeting of the committee will be held on January 9th, at the Baton Rouge Marriott. Chair of the committee is Dr. Phil Griffin. A message from Dr.Griffin and Gail Lowe, Executive Director, noted, “All LPA members who are eligible to vote and who are interested in how the organization operates are invited to serve on this committee.” To be a member of the committee, individuals must attend the first meeting, or be approved by the committee.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8 am and adjourn at 4:30. A continental breakfast will be served and coffee provided.
In the original draft of the resolution, changes created by the committee may be offered for action by the membership at the 2010 annual meeting or at a special meeting called for considering any proposed changes.
A group of LPA members, and members of Grassroots, had requested that the EC create a bylaws revision committee, in order to study and improve the bylaws of the association.
LPA has retained the services of Mr. Alan Jennings, professional parliamentarian, to assist the organization to resolve its problems. (See related story, Parliamentarian, this issue.)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Dr. Amy Copeland, Associate Professor at LSU, Director of the LSU Psychological Services Center, and Adjunct Associate Professor at Pennington, leads a team of researchers and clinicians to help people stop smoking. In combination with her research efforts to discover the cues for relapse, she and her team use empirically supported counseling techniques, a combination of behavioral and pharmacological therapies, to produce best possible outcomes. She collaborates with Dr. Bob Matthews and Dr. Sean Lane from the LSU cognitive area, as well as Dr. Paula Geiselman from the biological area, to help identify variables in this dangerous habit.
She said to PT, “Now we know that nicotine is every bit, if not more, addictive as other substances, and how destructive and costly cigarette smoking is.”
Dr. Copeland’s interest in substance use, and her personal goal of public service, crystallized in her early career. While working at the Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) and University of California at San Diego, it impressed her that, “The population who needs treatment the most can’t afford it.” She continued, “And so I knew that I wanted to focus in public service in some way or another.” As an undergraduate, Amy worked for three years in research at VAMC. “We were looking at the relationship between depression, stressful life events, and relapse in alcoholic patients. It all fascinated me…Especially the Viet Nam Vets who had very little, but just seemed to have such resilience, for what they had been through. Their persistence and strong desire to change, to improve their health and lives in general, was so compelling. I wanted to understand more about the process of health behavior change.”
Amy’s team is looking at heavy smokers who are not necessarily interested in quitting smoking. “We are using motivational interviewing strategies by providing health-related feedback on breath carbon monoxide, pulmonary lung functioning and blood pressure. We call it a health screen for smokers.” She explained, “Most smokers want to quit, on some level. If they are not particularly motivated at the time, then the more tailored the information is to their specific needs, as far as health feedback, the more meaningful it is to the patient. Identifying concerns for the smoker can be key to motivating smokers to quit.” One of her current manuscripts addresses this area, “Personalized health feedback to heavy smokers as a brief motivation interviewing strategy.” Amy’s hope is that this type of brief intervention can ultimately be delivered in a primary care setting by health professionals. She explained that the literature indicates that when physicians or psychologists spend just five minutes talking to patients about quitting smoking, it can make a “huge difference.”
“When they are ready, encourage the combination of behavioral counseling, cognitive behavioral, and some sort of pharmacotherapy. These make withdrawal a lot easier for people. It still takes work, but these certainly take the edge off of withdrawal symptoms.” Amy suggested, “It is best for the smoker to set a specific quit date in advance and to prepare cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally for the day.” Amy stated that there are many resources online, making good information and advice available to smokers who cannot, or opt not to, participate in face-to-face programs. However, she said, “I still think the group setting is best for people. You can see the camaraderie develop among group members as they go through withdrawal together.” She noted that then they can support each other and implement the tools they’ve learned, the cognitive and behavioral coping responses, to get through the urges. “Once people understand the associative nature of urges and cravings, and that laying down new memories and forming new associations will work, it’s going to get a lot easier.”
She remarked on how addictive nicotine is, and how people who have tried to quit many times are discouraged. “As clinicians, we need to address smokers’ level of confidence in successfully quitting. Heavy smokers who have attempted to quit many times and relapsed are discouraged. They have low self-efficacy for cessation. So you really need to emphasize, just like you would with a condition such as depression, that nicotine dependence is a very treatable disorder. There are efficacious therapies and pharmacotherapies, to give the person a lot of support.”
“Let them know also that they are going to go through mood changes, while in withdrawal,” she said. And, “There should be an educational component to it. Then of course, in relapse prevention, make people aware of their high-risk situations.” She explained that when faced with urges, smokers must implement behavioral and/or cognitive skills. She also recommends stress management and rewards. “It’s really important,” she said, “in pure operant terms, that they should reinforce or reward themselves, for making it through even 24 hours without smoking. Don’t think about forever right now, just think about getting through the next few hours without smoking and take it a little bit at a time.”
She also recommends discussing weight. Some of her past research has uncovered that women fear the weight gain associated with quitting, “Even though smoking a pack of cigarettes per day puts more stress on your heart than being one hundred pounds overweight.”
While Amy has published extensively in addiction, cognitive therapy, and health, another primary research interest of hers includes the relationship among weight, eating-related variables and stimulant use (nicotine is a mild stimulant). Amy explained that many women report smoking exclusively to control appetite and weight. While they don’t necessarily suffer from clinically significant eating disorders, they do show high levels of “dietary restraint” or “weight concern,” both associated with cigarette smoking and difficulty with cessation efforts. “I see this in many college women who say to me, ‘But Dr. Copeland, I don’t intend to smoke when I’m your age.’ They don’t realize that nobody does! However, they become nicotine dependent just like anyone else who smokes regularly. Perhaps the most disconcerting is the finding that these attitudes exist in very young children, especially girls. The belief that smoking is related to controlled appetite and weight is predictive of later smoking behavior in adolescents.”
Amy’s research efforts in this area presently focus on college student smokers and whether extreme dieting attitudes associated with smoking can be modified to produce healthier beliefs regarding diet and substance use, including smoking and drinking.
Dr. Copeland can be reached at copelan@lsu.edu for further information about her research, services, and technical questions.
Her lab’s webpage is http://www.lsu.edu/psychology/faculty/DrCopelan d.htm
L to R: Dr. Amy Copeland, Magda Kulesza, Claire Adams, Meredith Terlecki, abd Diana Stewart, viewing the pulmonary lung functioning feedback for smokers. Dr. Amy Copeland’s team at the lab: Left to right: Diana Stewart, M.A., Magdalena Kulesza, M.A.; 2nd row: Megan Apperson, M.A., Claire Adams, M.A., Dr. Copeland, Ning Ding, Meredith Terlecki, M.A., Lauren Baillie, M.A.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
LPA has retained the services of Mr. Alan Jennings, Professional Registered Parliamentarian, to help the association. He told the Times, “I’m engaged by LPA because there are complex questions for the association to decide and an internal climate of impassioned division of opinion. Everyone should be clear in their understanding that the essence of my engagement is an advisory one, and my client is the Louisiana Psychological Association.” He has indicated that he will work toward the benefit of all members of the association, by following the principles underlying parliamentary law.
In providing guidance, Alan spontaneously quotes from the principles that guide his thinking and efforts, saying that resolving whatever issue at hand “…is based on a regard for the rights: •of the majority, •of the minority, •of the individual members, •of absentees, •and of all these together.” He clarified that this is from Robert’s Rules, the section on “Principles Underlying Parliamentary Law.”
When the Times asked him how parliamentary law could help manage conflict, Alan referred again to Robert’s Rules: “The application of parliamentary law is the best method yet devised to enable assemblies of any size, with due regard for every member's opinion, to arrive at the general will on the maximum number of questions of varying complexity in a minimum amount of time and under all kinds of internal climate ranging from total harmony to hardened or impassioned division of opinion.” He remarked that this quote “… says it all, with such economy of words.”
Written as a companion to the official Rules, Alan has authored Robert’s Rules for Dummies, published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., and available through Alan’s website (http://www.alanjennings.com/rrfd/).
Credentialed by the National Association of Parliamentarians, Alan holds office in the Louisiana Association of Parliamentarians, and is a member of the American Institute of Parliamentarians. Retired executive director from the Louisiana Notary Association, he has assisted several organizations to international recognition. He credits this to the principles of procedure and leadership found in Robert’s Rules. He is most active as a professional parliamentarian and serves his clients at the state and national levels, specializing in bylaws and corporate documentation.
Alan lives in Baton Rouge with his wife of 29 years, an accomplished photographer and artist. They enjoy work and vacation travel time together, and a menagerie of four-legged family members: a terrier, two cats, and Buddy, a big American bulldog who wandered in after Katrina and decided to stay.
Mr. Alan Jennings, center, assists Dr. John Simoneaux at recent CE meeting, as Dr. Levy looks on.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Some revisions affecting psychologists were published in the December issue of The Louisiana Register. Comments are due by 1/14. Thes revisions affecting psychologists can be found online, in The Louisiana Register. The “Notice of Intent,” is required for changes giving those interested the time to respond either in writing or to request a hearing.
“These are mostly minor revisions,” said Executive Director, Jamic Monic. However, she recommended that “Those interested should read these changes carefully so that they have the opportunity to comment to the Board.” She encouraged all psychologists to follow The Register, because information is made public in this way, and it can affect both psychologists and the public.
The December “Notice of Intent” (page 2893) includes revisions in topics under Chapter 3– Training and Credentials (school, doctoral programs in psychology, specialty areas (practicum/internships), and clinical neuropsychology); Chapter 4– Certificate of Prescriptive Authority (repeal all); Chapter 7–Supervised Practice Leading toward Licensure (duration and setting of supervised practice), Chapter 8– Continuing Education (preface, acceptable sponsorship, offerings and activities); Chapter 9– Licensees (reinstatement of lapsed licenses, temporary license, registration of out-of- state psychologist, emergency temporary registration for psychologists), Chapter 11– Supervision of Unlicensed Assistants in providing Psychological Services (responsibilities of supervisors); Chapter 15– Rules for Disciplinary Action, Applicability, Processing Complaints (applicability, complaints).
The details of revisions can be read online at the Louisiana Register at http://doa.louisiana.gov/osr/re g/register.htm. See December ‘09 issue, page 2893.
All comments must be submitted by 12:00 pm, January 14, 2010.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The executive committee of LPA held a special meeting on Sunday, December 13th to hear suggestions from members “concerning the future of the association,” as stated by President Dr. Judith Levy in her memo inviting members to attend. The meeting was held in Baton Rouge at the Marriott. Approximately 35 people attended the two-hour long session.
Besides the president, Past President Dr. Darla Burnett, President-Elect Dr. Kelley Ray, Dr. Cathy Castille, (Treasurer), and Dr. Jessica Brown (Secretary) attended. Dr. John Simoneaux (Professional Affairs), Executive Director Ms. Gail Lowe, and Mr. Alan Jennings, (parliamentarian), attended. Dr. Jim Quillin, Chair of Legislative Affairs and considered to be involved in the design and negotiation of Act 251, and Dr. Warren Lowe, Chair of Medical Psychology, were among those absent.
Members were allowed to speak for up to 3 minutes on any topic. Some individuals spoke several times. The format did not provide for debate or discussion, and no vote was taken. Through the two-hour meeting, members expressed concerns about Act 251, the EC’s actions in regard to the passage of the bill, dual regulation of psychology in Louisiana, concerns about lobbying arrangements, concerns with protecting psychology’s interests, and views about the internal conflicts in LPA.
Dr. Levy presided over the meeting, opening by asking members if they wanted to subcontract with LAMP for the services of the lobbyists. This was an unexpected topic. Dr. Simoneaux then said that he had encouraged the EC to put this before the association, feeling that members had a right to be involved in this decision.
Dr. Mike Chafetz said, "Subcontracting is a bad idea. If the interests of LPA and LAMP were identical, there would be no need for LAMP." Dr. Bryan Gros noted that the relationship between LPA leaders and LAMP was at the center of the association’s problems.
Dr. Bruce McCormick referred to issues concerning protecting psychology, as did Dr. Linda Upton. Dr. Darlyne Nemeth noted that there have been other effective lobbyists for LPA over the years.
“Act 251 has implications far beyond Louisiana,” said Dr. Jeanne George, and suggested that an APA task force be formed, “including representatives from every state that are currently considering legislation for prescriptive authority."
Tone of the meeting was respectful but strong views were expressed. Several people commented, "I came only to listen but feel I want to speak up now." Conversations continued afterward in smaller groups.
The meeting was announced with less than 30 days notice needed, so no formal motions were heard or voted on. Previously Dr. Levy tentatively set the date for November 21st. However, this date did not allow the needed thirty days for voting.
Some members had posted on Listserv that since the meeting was not designed to make meaningful changes that they would not attend. Grassroots, an organization of those concerned about Act 251, sent its executive committee, but did not request its members to attend.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 5. Source pages: 2.
Researchers had people concentrate either on the image of a college professor or a super-model, then after a distraction and some time, participants were given a general knowledge test. Those primed with the professor scored significantly better than expected and those primed with the super-model did more poorly. Since I’m fond of Jung’s archetypes, I’ve been delighted to see that, cognitive, social, and evolutionary psychology are coming together to help explain how these magic tricks work. The rabbit isn’t in the hat, but it’s somewhere close.
For human productivity in any setting, it matters which archetypes (mental images) we conjure (prime). In industry we match people to tasks, so it’s helpful to understand the person’s conscious, non-conscious styles, and for sure, the job to be done. Warriors make trouble if there’s no battle handy, Peacemakers cause trouble if tough decisions have to be made, Wanderers make trouble if everyone needs to come together, and so on. But Magicians creates something out of nothing. One day the light bulb didn’t exist, the next day it did, and things changed forever.
Our association has a renewal coming (bylaws revision) and I suspect we’ll have all the archetypes hanging out. We even have a parliamentarian, who will help us conjure our Wise One. After a time, I’m sure our Magicians will create something better that didn’t exist before.
After all, we’re psychologists. If we can’t pull a rabbit out of a hat, nobody can.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.