Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 9. Source pages: 16.
2016 –– Submissions due October 13 Southeastern Psychological Association to Meet in New Orleans, March–April 2016
The Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA) will hold its 2016 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, March 30 through April 2, at he Sheraton New Orleans.
Invited talks include Dr. Oscar Barbarin, previously the Lila L. and Douglas Hertz Endowed Chair in Psychology at Tulane University, and who began a new appointment as Chair of the African American Studies Department at the University of Maryland in August 2015. Dr. Barbarin has published widely on the socio-emotional development of children, particularly boys of color. Other invited speakers include Dr. Pam Imm, community psychologist and Dr. Paschal Sheeran, who will speak on the psychology of health behavior change.
SEPA is the largest psychological organization in the Southeast, and its mission is to stimulate the exchange of scientific and professional ideas across the diverse areas of psychological inquiry and application. SEPA consists of both professional and student members.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 9. Source pages: 2.
The Opposite of Participative Government by J. Nelson
The August appointment of the 3rd place candidate, Dr. Lambert, a member of LAMP (Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists), and the steps that occurred politically in order for Dr. Lambert to be appointed, and Drs. Stubblefield and Patterson to not be appointed, confirm that the state psychology board is so entrenched in politics that only an intervention can help.
1) During the legislative session the LSBEP worked to pass a law that would have removed the Louisiana Psychological Association (LPA) from the nomination process for the board.
The magnitude of the proposed change slipped past an oblivious LPA until it came into focus during the legislative session, but the real issue is that the board entered the political fray, not so curiously on the side that benefited the special interest group, LAMP.
This story included irony of Shakespearean proportions, when the board convinced FARB, an association of regulatory boards, to write a letter of support, based on the 2014 Supreme Court ruling that special interest shouldn’t be motivating decisions on regulatory boards. It is doubtful that FARB had any insight that their support aided the special interest group that has consistently exercised its political power for years on the LSBEP.
2) After a failed confirmation of a LAMP member, Dr. Comaty, the psychology board held a surprise Monday morning meeting in June, not properly communicated to the citizens by the way, and voted to give themselves authority to reinterpret the meaning of the 1964 state psychology licensing law regarding nominations/appointments.
This is astounding. By their action they declared that they are the authority to interpret the meaning of a 40-year old section of language about names going to the Governor.
Consistent with textbook group process errors, the lack of logic in their motivated action escapes them. They say the law means that “all results” of an election must be reported to the Governor. But if this were true––it is not––then the authors of the law would have created a method without a logical selection hurdle for service on a state board. The authors would have been suggesting a random, chaotic, and illogical methodology, which at best would be a clerical task with wasted energy on a farce of an election.
3) The board also published an Emergency Rule that appears to give them even more power to dictate and define the nomination process. This move eliminated another top-vote getter from consideration to fill the stop left by the failed confirmation of the LAMP member.
4) During the legislative struggles, LSBEP rejected out- of-hand, a request for democratic solutions to citizens’ political disputes, a request for a democratically designed nomination committee. (We have to ignore for now the related problem that those in the larger social environment keep “asking permission” for their own rights and obeying in Milgram style a board that exists only because the citizens themselves created it.)
It doesn’t matter that LAMP is the group behind the scenes pulling strings, it could be any political, self-interest group. We should invoke John Adams’ warning that we all need knowledge, wisdom and virtue if we expect to retain our liberties and if our social system is to thrive.
The LSBEP problems are dire. The politics continue to govern who holds seats on the board, rather than the combined voice of those voting as to who will do the best job. People are regularly placed on the LSBEP, not because they are experienced, wise and virtuous, but because they are members of a political group.
Second, the actions of the LSBEP show a strong and problematic overlap with the political, even Machiavellian, culture with norms that are the antithesis of what psychology is about and the principles we rely on. These norms directly affect LSBEP’s critical-thinking and judgment. We can predict that the quality of the board’s decisions and outcomes are similarly affected across its services.
And then, perhaps most significant long-term, the impact of the recent actions is to destroy citizens’ participation in their own government. The result of this is increased apathy, less energy and productivity, poorer decisions and problem solving, and less creativity and innovation.
But my preaching is not helping the LSBEP or anyone else for that matter. The patient is not motivated to change; the patient doesn’t have the KSAOs needed to change; the larger context is blocking change, etc., etc.
An AA truism might apply. Perhaps we must hit bottom to get better.
The question is, “Where’s the bottom?”
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 9. Source pages: 3.
In August the state medical board, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME), published a Statement of Position regarding the “Use of Social Media by Physicians and Other Healthcare Providers.”
While the statement refers to physicians, it is applicable to all healthcare providers under the LSBME jurisdiction, said the authors.
The Medical Board noted that “Physicians can protect their professional relationship with patients, colleagues, and others by refraining from interacting with current or past patients on personal social networking sites such as Facebook.”
They said that it is important to note that “complete confirmation of the patient’s or physician’s identity is not possible on an electronic medium.”
The statement said that physicians should avoid posting unflattering portrayals of other healthcare providers or engaging in cyber-bullying. They said that this “… undermines public trust and could be considered unprofessional conduct.” Also, physicians must be mindful of their employer’s social media or social networking policy.
“In concordance with HIPAA laws, physicians must always protect patient privacy and should never do anything to compromise their confidentiality. While it might be of use for physicians to discuss information concerning their patients and other medical experiences outside of a clinical setting, physicians should refrain from posting or referring to identifiable patient information online.”
The authors write that physicians should constantly monitor the content that they post and what is posted about them as well as their privacy settings. They strongly recommend that physicians separate their personal and professional content online and well as keep communications consistent across all forms of communication with patients.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 9. Source pages: 4.
Drs. Susan McDaniel and Nadine Kaslow issued a memo to members of the American Psychological Association (APA) on August 14, 2015, saying that the Council of Representatives voted to prohibit psychologists from participating in national security interrogations.
The move came at the APA annual convention last month where representatives from around the country discussed the issues in a report by Daniel Hoffman. Hoffman found what he viewed as “collusion” between some APA officials and the members who worked for the Department of Defense.
McDaniel and Kaslow noted, “During our annual convention in Toronto last week, the Council voted overwhelmingly to prohibit psychologists from participating in national security interrogations.” The measure passed by a vote of 157-1, with 6 abstentions and 1 recusal.
Dr. Darlyne Nemeth, APA Council Representative and member of the Louisiana Psychological Association, told colleagues, “… I am not surprised by the dynamics revealed in this report.” She explained that she feels that the business of APA is largely conducted by the Staff and that the Council is “granted the illusion of governance,” and that the democratic process is lacking.
The resolution amends the 2013 APA Policy Related to Psychologists' Work in National Security Settings and Reaffirmation of the APA Position Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
The new Resolution points to the APA Ethics Code to “take care to do no harm,” and then notes that “psychologists shall not conduct, supervise, be in the presence of, or otherwise assist any national security interrogations for any military or intelligence entities, including private contractors working on their behalf, nor advise on conditions of confinement insofar as these might facilitate such an interrogation.”
The ban “… does not apply to domestic law enforcement interrogations or domestic detention settings where detainees are afforded all of the protections of the United States Constitution, …”
“APA will continue to serve as a supportive resource for psychologists in organizational settings,” said the Resolution’s authors, “including in military and national contexts, to assist them in abiding by APA policy and the Ethics Code, while recognizing that APA members, including military and national security psychologists, strive to achieve and are responsible to uphold the highest levels of competence and ethics in their professional work.”
The policy adopted by the Council directs that psychologists can “only provide mental health services to military personnel or work for an independent third party to protect human rights at national security detention facilities deemed by the United Nations to be in violation of international law, such as the U.N. Convention Against Torture and the Geneva Conventions.”
The resolution “… invokes Ethical Principle A to ‘take care to do no harm,’” but they noted that it does not amend the Ethics Code at this time, and so is not enforceable.
Dr. Nemeth, said to colleagues, “… the 2002 relaxation of the APA Code of Ethics was apparently done with good intentions. In the end, the various changes, however, had unintended consequences regarding psychologists’ involvement in the interrogation process, which many considered to be unacceptable.” She told colleagues that she will have a “wait and see” position regarding meaningful changes.
The primary finding of Hoffman Report centered around a 2005 task force that Hoffman and others felt was topheavy with military psychologists. While the task force took the position, “Psychologists do not engage in, direct, support, facilitate or offer training in torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment,” they also found that psychologists may serve in various national security-related roles, gave only broad guidance about ethical problems, said Hoffman.
Psychologists speaking at a meeting. L to R, Drs. Joe Tramontana, Darlyne Nemeth, and Kim VanGeffen. Dr. Nemeth voted in the APA Council of Representatives vote recently, the move that banned psychologists from working in interrogations.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 9. Source pages: 4.
The American Psychological Association has placed the Louisiana State University clinical psychology doctoral training program on the “Accredited, on probation status” list. The action was reported last October and the program is currently still listed as on probation.
This decision means that APA Commission on Accreditation (CoA)” judgment ia that the program is not consistent with the Guidelines and Principles for Accreditation. According to the APA report, a program not coming into compliance within two CoA meetings after a show cause notice is assigned "accredited, on probation" status. Although it is an accredited status, "accredited, on probation" is considered by CoA to be an adverse action that serves as notice to the program, its students and the public that in the professional judgment of CoA the accredited program is not consistent with guidelines.
Remaining in good standing is LSU school psychology doctoral program. Also in good standing is the LaTech counseling doctoral program and also Tulane’s school psychology program.
The LSU clinical program is the only APA accredited clinical doctoral program in the state.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
On July 23, a man with a history of mental illness opened fire on movie-goers at the Grand 16 Theatre in Lafayette. Fifty-nine year old John Houser wounded 11 people and killed two beloved members of the community, Jillian Johnson, 33, of Lafayette, and Mayci Breaux, 21, of Franklin.
“Of course, no one expects something tragic like this to occur in their hometown whether it be a large, urban city or smaller rural town,” said Dr. Glenn Ally, Lafayette medical psychologist at Acadian Area Human Services District and the Cancer Center of Acadiana. “To say that this is shocking to the community is really a gross understatement, …”
“It is truly a tragedy in all aspects of the word,” he said. “As a human being and as a citizen of this community one cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of vulnerability when one considers, ‘There but for the grace of God go I.’ This theatre is one frequented by many in the community on any given day. Ordinary citizens from every walk of life taking a break from their routine for a couple of hours of entertainment…”
Dr. John Simoneaux, clinical and forensic psychologist from the Alexandria area, and steering member of the Louisiana Coalition for Violence Prevention said, “When considering this incident from a mental health perspective, several issues came to mind. First, as has been the case in other shootings around the country similar to this, there was a significant mental health component involved in the alleged shooter's background.”
“This alleged perpetrator had been involved with the mental health system for some time,” Simoneaux said, “and at one point in time had had an involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. This perpetrator was not some misguided teenager. He was a 59 year old adult and college educated. He had a law degree though I believe never practiced law. He had engaged in violent behavior before as well. Even after his psychiatric hospitalization, reports of his subsequent behavior are strongly suspicious for continued psychiatric difficulties.”
The Coalition has looked at some of the issues in the mental health system. Cindy Nardini, Licensed Professional Counselor, also of the Alexandria area, and also steering member, said, “While it seems like the occurrence of these acts of violence are more frequent, they continue to shock and puzzle us. As mental health providers we have the humbling opportunity to help bring about positive change.”
She noted that there are many ways to be involved in helping stop violence. “Because of this opportunity, it is of vital importance that we keep abreast of the latest research,” she said. “One of the components of the Louisiana Coalition for Violence Prevention is to provide training for mental health providers. In doing so, positive change is more likely,” she said.
Dr. Mkay Bonner, Industrial- Organizational psychologist from Monroe, also in the Coalition, wondered if people could be better trained to deal with the new level of violence that seems to be part of the culture. She said, “It likely would not prevent tragedies like this but fewer people might be injured or die if they had been taught some options of what to do,” she said. “The basics are what we know in psychology – get ready to run–flight, hide–freeze, or fight–which may be as simple as throwing your drink, your purse, or whatever you can get your hands on. Also the new motto of ‘See Something, Say Something’ is good.”
“In a free society, we will not prevent all of these. But, there are things we can do to keep ourselves safer,” she said. “I think most people need more training on personal safety – in their workplaces, shopping, at church. Having a plan and training can make a difference.”
The mental health response after the tragedy was swift in the close- knit south Louisiana community.
“The Acadiana Area Human Services District, our community mental health center,” said Dr. Allly, has made counseling services available to those who were involved in this tragic situation. In the immediate aftermath there have been vigils and other gatherings to support the victims and those who may have been impacted by this senseless act,” he said.
Dr. Hung-Chu Lin, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, told the Times, “The Lafayette Consolidated Government has opened a Family Information Center to provide information and emotional support to the community,” she explained. “The Counseling and Testing Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette also has been offering services to help students, faculty, and staff members affected by the event, move through the grief and trauma.”
The Louisiana Psychological Association established a service network. “Upon hearing about the tragedy in Lafayette,” said the association’s President, Dr. Lacey Seymour, “the members of the Executive Council immediately began discussions regarding what we could do as an association to help the members of the community during this difficult time.” The group identified practitioners who were willing and able to provide counseling services to those affected by the tragedy.
“Since the shooting,” Dr. Lin said, “there have been numerous vigils and prayer services held every day. People continue to visit the apparel store Parish Ink and the boutique Red Arrow Workshop in downtown Lafayette to commemorate and remember one of the victims, Jillian Johnson, and show support to her family. Many previously scheduled cultural events had been transformed into vigils in the wake of the shooting,” Lin said.
Dr. Allly said, “Patients in my own practice spent much of their visits discussing this brutal killing and the loss of two very beautiful and vibrant women in our community. Allowing time for these patients to ventilate their utter shock, frustration, anger, and sense of vulnerability was important.”
Dr. Lin said, “As a developmental psychologist, I am concerned about how this event will affect the school aged children here, as the Grand 16 Theatre was a fun place to many children. Children are not in school right now, so, mental health resources at school won’t reach children right in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Children rely on how parents talk to them about this tragic event and how the media conveys the messages. So far, the media has been handling the event in a very careful and professional way; there have not been publicized graphic images or terrifying messages on the media.”
“The community as a whole has been showing loving care to those grieving as well as unyielding bravery and resolution to stand strong and persevere,” Dr. Lin said. “Children are watching; they learn from adults. They know they can go to someone when they need to talk about their feelings, and they also know that they can become others’ support. Lafayette is doing a great job educating our children as they go through this difficult time.”
“As was seen in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing,” Dr. Ally noted, “so too in Lafayette, signs of "Lafayette Strong" can be seen throughout the city. As with many other American cities, Lafayette is a wonderful city comprised of a very resilient people and surrounded by a very loving, caring and proud Acadian people. We will mourn our loss. We will celebrate the lives lost. We will survive and more, we will thrive.”
Dr. Lin said, “Lafayette stands strong even though the tragic shooting shook us to the core. This is the Cajun land, the heart of Acadiana, a very loving community; families and friends come closely together to wrestle with grieve. Everyone feels each other’s pain and reaches out to anyone who is in need. No one allows such a barbaric atrocity to take away our Joie de Vie.”
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 8. Source pages: 2.
Will APA Throw the Baby Out with the Water Torture? by J. Nelson
The Hoffman report comes out after a decade long conflict between those with different goals and to some degree, different worldviews. The human rights psychologists promote the noble ideal of “first do no harm,” which, it appears, the military psychologists fear will prohibit them from any involvement in interrogations. The human rights people have been frustrated mightily and dismissed by APA. Gasoline was poured on the fire when it eventually came out that two psychologists were involved in water- boarding terrorists, proving that the human rights people had a point––that this type of power is very dangerous.
Into this conundrum enters Hoffman with his 556-page report. There is no quantification of data, there are no frequency tables or even any collapsing of themes. There are no standardized measures, but of course without themes, what is there to measure? We are told that the “process” amounts to reviewing 50,000 documents and interviewing 148 people, which of course is not a process or method, but a list of things. As to the report itself, we find that observations are mixed with opinions, opinions mixed with conclusions, and unproven hunches about inner motivations and personality characteristics, mixed with all the rest.
Haven’t we psychologists been trained to guard against intuitions, even in qualitative research, that sneak ad hoc into our explanations? We know that a couple of solid categories and a 2 X 2 table can help us avoid what our minds naturally do––which is to truncate, delete, and distort, which make our final judgments no better than dart-throwing chimpanzees.
By now you may have guessed that I feel uncomfortable with this report. How are we as psychologists to deal with this? I’ve seen the comments that say, “Yes the report is flawed, but it is still valid in ways.” Well, doesn’t our training say that reliability limits validity? I believe I can explain something, and at the same time avoid being criticized as trying to kill the messenger. Hoffman was right about the general phenomenon. APA officials had lost grip on their duty to stay 100 percent clear of subgroup conflicts. A huge mistake and probably obvious to any outsider who stopped to look. Hanlon’s razor––Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence. (Tom Hannie keeps wisely pointing this out to me.)
For those who are untrained in group dynamics, like Hoffman, the slide from being neutral, or at least trying to be neutral, into the projective field, where our groupish brains take hold and reality shifts, might look like conscious intent and “collusion.” But it isn’t. Even in Hoffman’s report he points out the emotional conflict, referring to “incredible intensity of the anger” on “both sides of this debate.” He tells us straight out that this is a high-intensity conflict. From these emotions it is nothing at all to slip back and forth from the rescuer to the victim to the persecutor roles in social exchanges.
I would imagine that officials in APA started out and even continued to see their efforts as “facilitating” some compromise. Not as Hoffman sees it, “manipulating.” But there might not look like much difference at all in overt behavior, the difference is only in intent.
What astonishes me also is that APA hired an attorney to “investigate” its organizational problems, which is substituting an adversarial approach for what might be better viewed as a family group issue. And, an attorney who has run for the U.S. Senate. Duh?!
But I’ve seen it now so often, that I am wondering if psychologists have some sort of genetic makeup that causes them not to be able to resolve intragroup conflicts. That is certainly the case here in our community. I’ve witnessed a very strong tendency to avoid conflict. I’ve seen years of people in this community knowing there are serious intragroup problems and never asking for help. I’ve seen them ask for administrators, lobbyists, attorneys, even parliamentarians, but I’ve never seem them ask for psychological help. Go figure.
So Hoffman sees malice apparently with “secrets” and “collusion,” cloak and dagger images. He views it as manipulating rather than failed facilitating. He suspects intentional misleading, rather than poor leadership. He sees APA as seeking the favors of DoD, rather than serving the members who work for DoD.
Outcomes include removing those who were involved in the mistakes, a necessary management change for the depth of this kind of error, whether malice or incompetence. APA had the power and so had the responsibility. The outcomes in the sound bite media, ugh.
The outcomes for the two factions, well that is less clear. It’s possible that there is not enough room in APA for two, conflicting worldviews. Most psychologists are in health care, even military psychologists, and most psychologists are progressives politically, with 94 percent being Democratic.
The myths have legs now. The cognitively complex reasoning is harder than the simple sound bite that is more dramatic. Backfire effects are in play. Anyone who objects looks defensive, or worse, in favor of torture, which is a sticky word. The word sticks to your hand no matter how hard you try to shake it off.
But I hope APA does not throw out the military psychologists who want to apply scientific psychology for a non-healthcare purpose––national security. I hope we can keep them involved because I believe we need them. I hope we can keep all the human rights psychologists involved also. We need good psychologists everywhere, with our unique training and with our ideals, to help solve our human problems, and to keep the waters pure.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 8. Source pages: 2.
Ms. Kelly Parker, speaking only as an individual, contacted the Times and registered a complaint about the July story “SB113: What Was Behind Door #1” and the suggestion in the section “Whose Side is the Board On?” that the board was not neutral and could be viewed as lobbying. The publisher agreed to make it clearer that the article referred to the board also, by including “and the board” and also to reword the sentence “… could be viewed” to “some view…” which, the publisher agreed, is more accurate. However, Parker still expressed displeasure and declined to communicate further when asked about other corrections. Please send corrections to the Times at psychologytimes@drjulienelson.com
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 8. Source pages: 5.
The Board of Examiners of Psychologists published a new Rule in the July 20 issue of the Louisiana Register, under the Emergency Rules section.
According to the rationale, the new Rule is needed for filling unexpected board member vacancies in order for the board to officially function and carry out the duties of the Louisiana state Board of Examiners of Psychologists to safeguard life, health, property and the public welfare of this state. This Emergency Rule was effective June 25, 2015. It can remain in effect for 120 days.
The rule has to do with section 1201, “Vacancies,” of the psychology licensing law.
The Rule, Notes: “A. The board will notify the Governor’s Office of any vacancy occurring in board membership.
“B. The governor shall fill, within 30 calendar days, for the remainder of the term, any vacancy occurring in board membership for an unexpired term from a list of qualified candidates provided in the most recent election.”
Some in the community note that aspects of the Rule are inconsistent with current laws.
The Rule when into effect on June 25, and notes that the Governor is to comply in 30 days. However, no notice of an appointment has been made.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Born in Oklahoma, Mary Medlin has lived in Monroe most of her young life. Currently she is a graduate student in the masters program at the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM), having earned her summa cum laude undergraduate in 2013. She finishes up her masters this fall and hopes to continue toward a PhD in perhaps a university in North Carolina, Oklahoma, New York, or maybe Texas, she told the Times.
Sounds almost reasonable so far. But there is much more on this super student’s to do list.
Mary is an award-winning researcher who is building up an impressive list of studies, she loves statistics, tutoring, has served as President of the ULM Psi Chi chapter, is a graduate teaching assistant, and she happens to be the trainer for Capri, the university’s mascot Warhawk.
Mary recently grabbed the second-place graduate poster award at the Louisiana Psychological Association (LPA) convention, with co-author ULM Professor, Dr. Kilian Garvey. The work was on “Individualizing and Binding Morality: Are They Mutually Exclusive?”
Mary’s awards are stacking up. Last year she took home both first and second places at LPA for “Cerebral Lateralization, Handedness, Intelligence, and Cognitive Thinking Styles,” and “Handedness and Tolerance of Ambiguity,” working with Dr. Garvey and colleagues Nick Cannady and Rachel Knight. And for the “Sinistrality of Rationality,” she earned first graduate poster at LPA in 2014.
She has earned a first place oral presentation for her work, “The moral foundations of animal abuse: A state-by-state analysis,” and first place poster presentation, “Religiosity as a Predictor of Altruistic Belief and Action,” at the ULM science conference.
Along with her thesis professor Dr. Garvey, who “… was very insistent in getting me further involved in research once I started graduate school,” Mary said, she has also worked with other ULM faculty and manages to keep learning new things.
She has worked with Dr. Jack Palmer on an altruistic belief study, looking at how religiosity correlates with altruism types.
Mary notes her work with Dr. Bill McCown, current assistant dean at ULM, has been very positive and supportive. Explaining the directions she gained from Dr. Joe McGahan, Mary said, “he taught me how to analyze statistical relationships and theories. He likes trying to teach students to look at things in different ways.”
She and Garvey examined the “The Laterality of Disgust,” a paper presented at the Arkansas Symposium at the University of Central Arkansas. They discovered that right-handers scored significantly higher on a measure of disgust, which they hypothesized was related to differences in interhemispheric interaction patterns. And in “The Laterality of Belief,” Mary and Garvey examine the effect of handedness on belief in creationism or evolution.
Mary is involved in some very creative research. Currently she is looking into the Pathogen Prevalence Theory of Human Values. In “Regional Variations in Pornhub Search Terms,” presented at Southwest Psychological Association Conference, Medlin and Garvey analyzed the counterintuitive finding that homosexual porn was searched for more in the Southern US Bible Belt, and found that “pathogen prevalence” was the highest correlation and the only variable that predicted pornography viewership in a multiple regression.
These themes relate to Dr. Garvey’s laboratory, the Social Cognition and Decision Making at ULM.
In another study presented at the Southwest Psychological Association, Medlin and Garvey looked at the relationship between political and social conservatism and answers to the question “are you gay” and found that pathogen prevalence was the greatest predictor of a “No Answer” response.
Mary has also worked with ULM Professor, Dr. Cecil Hutto. She and Hutto “share a love of behaviorism,” she said, “especially as it, and comparative methods, apply to animal research.” This comes in handy because Mary works at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo.
Mary started working at the zoo in 2012 and is still there. “I have worked in all the animal departments and am now the ‘swing keeper,’ though I am primarily the carnivore keeper,” she explained. Most of her work is with the ULM Warhawk, Capri, that she has trained. “Since I began work as a zoo keeper at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, I have had the opportunity to do behavioral research with a lot of animals,” Mary explained. “Some examples include trick-work and sensation studies with a black crested macaque and training the mascot of my college, the ULM Warhawk.”
She was the trainer also for one of her favorite monkeys, a macaque named Ernie. She trained him from outside his cage because he was extremely hostile and these monkeys have one and a half-inch canines.
Mary has been a member of Psi Chi since 2012. She has served as both President and Vice President, and is still acting Vice President. “As president I led our chapter in several projects,” she said, “including an experiment on the malleable nature of eye-witness testimony.” The Psi Chi group is also involved in suicide prevention and awareness.
Dr. Rick Stevens, ULM Associate Professor, is the faculty advisor for Psi Chi. Mary considers Dr. Stevens primarily responsible for getting her involved in official tutoring.
“Pretty much since I started attending ULM I have been tutoring someone in something,” she said. “My tutoring knows no limits, as I have been the only psych tutor on campus, though I mainly tutor in statistics––the second love of my life––and research methods. I actually wrote a small textbooklet as a resource for our Psyc 4000, the Psych lab, class.”
Mary has been a graduate assistant for Dr. Stevens and Dr. Janelle McDaniel, both from whom she has learned a great deal. Mary has taught introductory psychology and child psychology. And she has also worked with Dr. David Williamson. “He instilled in me my now crazy love of statistics.”
“A project I have taken on with one of my professors is creating a new Registered Student Organization for Psych majors,” she said. It serves as a resource for psychology students to learn about advances in the field and prepare for graduate school, she explained.
She is planning on a PhD and considering a number of directions. How does she accomplish so much? “I also just enjoy working,” she said. “I've always had a job since I was 17, and have juggled school and work and for six years now. I have loved all the jobs I've had …”
“There's a running gag throughout the department that I live in my office on campus,” she said. “In summation, an insane work ethic, inspiring professors, lenient bosses, and the belief that sleep is overrated. I'm absurdly passionate about what I do. Go big or go home.”
University of Louisiana Monroe psychology graduate student Mary Medlin with “Capri.” She has used behavioral methods to train the warhawk who is the mascot for the university. ULM graduate student Mary Medlin with her research poster at the recent convention of the Louisiana Psychological Association. Her professor, Dr. Kilian Garvey, is co- author of the work.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 8. Source pages: 11.
In a July 17 press release from Travis Napper, President and CEO of the Ruston Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau, announced that the Bureau would be working together with the City of Ruston to create a strategic plan for increasing tourism to the area.
The Bureau will be working with the Applied Research for Organizational Solutions (AROS) the consulting group within Louisiana Tech University's Industrial-Organizational- Psychology doctoral program. AROS faculty includes Dr. Mitzi Desselles, Dr. Tilman Sheets, Dr. Frank Igou and Dr. Steven Toaddy. Senior graduate students with AROS include Ann-Marie Rabalais, James De Leon, Christopher Huynh, and Brittani Plaisance. Also among the graduate students at AROS are Christopher Patton, Evan Theys, Bharati Belwalker, Richard Chambers, Lindsey Anderson, William Scanu, and Brandon Dennis.
The group applies the principles of industrial-organizational psychology to produce custom, cost‑effective solutions for organizations.
The Ruston Bureau also selected Baton Rouge-based Tourism Builders to lead the tourism review and planning effort. "Growing and improving Ruston and its economy begins with independently conducted research, including the input and cooperation of all the city's stakeholders," added Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker. "Ruston's future depends on the actions of our businesses and the university, and we need a reliable roadmap to navigate our way."
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Researchers and presenters head to Toronto, Ontario, for the 2015 Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, to be held August 6 to 9.
Participants for the state will engage in symposiums, poster sessions, discussion sessions and community hours.
For the Symposium: “Sex Differences in Marijuana’s Effects in Human and Animal Studies— Equal Opportunity for Abuse?” Peter Winsauer, PhD, Patricia E. Molina, PhD, MD, Peter F. Weed, MPH, and Angela M. Amedee, PhD, from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center–New Orleans, will participate. Along with colleagues they will review “Sex- and Age-Dependent Interactions of Chronic Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol With Ovarian Hormones.”
Lore Dickey, PhD, from Louisiana Tech University will participate in the symposium, “Policy in Action—The Development and Impact of Policy Relating to Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Individuals.” He will also participate in a Discussion, “Gender Inclusivity—A Dialogue About Transgendered and Gender Nonconforming Experiences.” Dr. Dickey will be a discussant in the Symposium: “Intersectionality and Transgender Identities—Implications for Research and Practice.”
Clinicians from Louisiana will present a Symposium: “Preparedness and Resilience in the Face of Environmental Uncertainty and Trauma,” Chaired by Darlyne Nemeth, PhD, MP. Participants are Joseph Tramontana, PhD, with “Psychological Treatment of Survivors of Man-Made Disasters.” Also Judy Kuriansky, a frequent presenter in Louisiana, from New York will address “National and International Interventions and Policies: Psychology’s Influence at the United Nations.”
Dr. Stacy Overstreet from Tulane will chair the Symposium “Translating Research on Trauma Into Evidence-Based Practices—Creating Trauma- Informed Schools.” Participants include Courtney Baker, PhD, Tulane University. Baker and Overstreet will address the topic of, “The Psychometrics of the Trauma-Informed Care Belief Measure for Educators and Service Providers”
In the Symposium: “At the Intersections of Privilege, Power, and Identities— Teaching About Diversity,” Michael Cunningham, PhD, of Tulane University, will address Teaching About Diverse Populations at the Graduate and Undergraduate Levels.
For the Conversation Hour on “Community Engagement Through Research–Opportunities and Challenges,” Jorge Verlenden, MS, MEd, Bonnie Nastasi, PhD, Laura Cornell, MEd, Heather Henderson, MS, Meredith Summerville, MS, and Emiliya Adelson, BS, from Tulane University, will discuss, “Using Participatory Action Research to Promote Evidence-Based Practice and Change in Schools.”
Poster sessions and research include a variety of topics. In Vocational and Career Development, Wyndolyn M.A. Ludwikowski, PhD, Thuy-Linh Nguyen, and Alex Williams, from Xavier University of Louisiana will present, “Predicting Student Success and Retention at an HBCU via Interest-Major Congruence and Achievement.”
Karen Kopera-Frye, PhD, University of Louisiana at Monroe will present, “Dimensions of Successful Aging Among Rural Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Older Adults.” Along with colleagues, Guler Boyraz, PhD, from Louisiana Tech University will review information from, “Trauma and PTSD Predicts Depression Among First- Year College Students: Moderated by Race, Gender, and First Generation Status.”
In the session on Social-Emotional- Behavioral Assessment and Intervention, Kathryn A. Simon, MEd, Elizabeth M. McIntyre, BA, and Stacy Overstreet, PhD, of Tulane University will present, “Is Knowledge Enough? The Link Between Social Emotional Learning and Emotional and Behavioral Risk.”
And, Corey L. Black, BS, and Courtney Baker, PhD, also of Tulane University will present, “Tiered Prevention and Intervention Programs for Preschoolers: Systematic Literature Review.”
In the poster Session on Workforce Issues—Training, Consultation, and Wellness, Camille R. Hardin, Courtney Baker, PhD, and Corey L. Black, BS, of Tulane will present, “The Effects of Support and Perceived Malice on Beliefs About Punitive Behavior Management Strategies.”
In Mental Health and Social-Emotional- Behavioral Outcomes, Ashley Galsky, BS, Michael Brachfeld, MS, and Jeffrey Brown, MS, of Tulane University will review their work in, “The Experience of Complex Trauma in New Orleans Youth.”
Christoph Leonhard, PhD, Chicago School of Professional Psychology–New Orleans, will present in the session on Cutting-Edge Research, on “Parents’ Motivational Readiness to Change: Impact of Autism Parent Training,” along with colleagues from around the country.
Daniel Mochon, PhD, from Tulane University, served as the Program Chair for the Society for Consumer Psychology for this year’s convention.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 8. Source pages: 13.
Reminiscense and Katrina Drs. Janet and Lee Matthews Speak at Southern Society for Philosophy and Psychology
Dr. Janet Matthews and Dr. Lee Matthews organized and participated in a symposium on “Reminiscence” at the Southern Society for Philosophy and Psychology. The Symposium was part of the group’s Annual Convention held in New Orleans this April. Founded in 1904, the Society’s purpose is to promote philosophy and psychology by enhancing the exchange of ideas among philosophers and psychologists.
At the group’s spring convention, Dr. Lee Matthews presented on the history, research and theories of reminiscence and how with the backing of a non-profit foundation, funding from grants, community support, donations and a private hospice facility, an outpatient Grief Resource Center was founded in 2006 to provide public and professional assistance following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
He described one of the programs that provided Reminiscence Groups in area nursing homes and assisted- living facilities, to encourage the elderly to communicate and interact with a listener in the present. Dr. Janet Matthews presented on hurricane impact, not only from Katrina and Rita, but also Hurricanes Gustav and Ike three years later in 2008. She discussed the loss of lives, businesses, property and emotional loss, as well as, the loss of mental health infrastructure and some of the research from those at the Louisiana State University Health Science Center showing the immediate and long-term emotional consequences for children. Matthews also outlined the impact of the closing of New Orleans Adolescence Hospital and Southeast Louisiana Hospital.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 8. Source pages: 15.
Dr. Robert Baker heads to Europe in a few weeks to compete in the Decathlon at the World Masters championships.
Baker has regularly held the national decathlon champion position. He has won over 27 national championships in mutli- events or individual events. He has won the national outdoor pentathlon champion. He has also won the national outdoor 300 meters hurdles championship. Baker competes at the national level but also the international level. He won the bronze metal in the 2003 World Championship in the decathlon.
Baker just competed in the USA Track & Field National Masters Decathlon but a strained Achilles prior to the meet limited him, and he injured his Achilles again during the pole vault. Despite the injury he earned the silver medal. “I normally win this meet,” he said, “but the combination of injuries and being the absolute oldest one in my age group made it too difficult this year.”
Baker previously told the Times that he wins some position just about every year he participates, anytime he is not nursing an injury. He has had a few injuries––five knee surgeries, some torn cartilage, hamstring injuries, which have required that he miss some events.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 8. Source pages: 16.
Analysis conference on October 9-10, 2015, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The conference will be held at the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel located on the corner of Canal and Bourbon.
Keynote speaker this year is Dorothea Lerman, PhD, BCBA-D, who is Professor of Psychology, Coordinator of the M.A. Behavior Analysis Program, and Director of the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at the University of Houston.
Lerman served in the Associate and Assistant Professor roles at Louisiana State University between 1997 and 2004. She has been Editor-in-Chief for Behavior Analysis in Practice, Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, and Associate Editor for Research in Developmental Disabilities.
According to her vita, Dr. Lerman has served as president of APA Division 25 and also as conference co-chair for the Autism track of the Association for Behavior Analysis International. She has published numerous research articles in the field.
The Gulf Coast ABA conference will also include workshops, symposia, and poster presentations. Attendees will be able to earn continuing education and engage in community conversions with others at social and scholarly events. More information can be found at the association’s website.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.