Activites include joining a faculty member's research team for active research involvement, participating in a weekly multidisciplinary seminar, and participating in scholarly, social, and cultural activites that bring together behavioral science students with students enrolled in other summer research programs on campus. 

The general program goal is to give high-ability undergraduates the opportunity to find out about graduate school and advanced research in cognition, biobehavioral sciences, and mental health. The program seeks to demonstrate to the participants that a career in science that addresses these problems offers an exciting challenge and that such careers include many personal and intellectual rewards. The program also seeks to increase the overall numbers and diversity of students entering research careers. Another aspect of the program is to help the students identify their focal interests through direct experience. The University of Minnesota offers students an ideal opportunity to explore their future options in an intellectually challenging and socially rewarding context. 

For more information, please see the bulletin board across the hall from SSC 27/28. For an application, please stop in to see us in the Psychology offices. 

 
 FYI: Psych Lit  
Did you know that there is a service available at the library called Psych Lit.  It is an easy to use search engine that finds research, both recent and past, in the Psychology field.  It is an icon on the computers and is a very helpful tool.  

More FYI: Former Student Returns to Psychology Department to Teach 
Gustavus' own 1995 Psychology graduate, Joseph E. Gaugler, will be joining our department during January term to teach a Gerontology class. Joe is currently pursuing his PhD in Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State University.  

Dear Emil's E-mail 
Dear Emil, 
There's this senior in my psych class that I find myself constantly distracted by. Much of the time I'm forced to repress my thoughts so that I can concentrate on the lecture. However, this is becoming harder and harder as I'm having to sublimate these feelings into more concise notetaking and attention to the prof. When I get back to my dorm, I displace my frustration at my inability to vocalize my 
thoughts to this senior and I tramp around listening to loud music and arguiing with my 
neighbors. Then I end up telling others that they should tell the people they want that a cup of coffee sounds good.  I feel I'm projecting an aura of coolness that others 
perceive. Should I do something about it or let my unconscious defend me against the heat of  passion? Studying Too Hard 

Dear Studying, 
I am going to assume that this senior is a physical or romantic attraction, not just one of those people that you want to scream at because they annoy you in class by doing annoying stuff like tapping their pencil or sniffling really loud or whispering to others or smacking while they eat...these are just a few of Emil's annoyances!! My only advice to you is borrowed from my good friends at the Nike company: JUST DO IT! I have found that not facing up to a situation only makes it more distracting to a person. By confronting the object of your distraction, you can effectively solve the problem. What's the worst that could happen? This person is a senior, so even if you get a little embarrassed, he/she will be gone next year anyway. At any rate, you will know how this person feels, for better or worse, and you will finally be able to move on and be at peace with yourself. Your spirit will improve and others will no longer perceive your cool aura, unless it's your cool person aura, in which case I think they have already caught on to that...(Emil isn't into the whole "auras" thing, and doesn't quite get how it works). But, as always, the final call is yours. Do what your heart tells you to do! What's life without a few tricky situations?? BORING! And we all know that Emil hates boring. Good luck. Emil  

**Emil wants to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Please be safe when celebrating the holidays and don't forget to tell Snata to bring Emil lots of presents, or maybe just a job for next year!!** 

If you have any questions or comments for "Dear Emil," email them to Dear Emil. 
 

At the present time, Kirsten Amundson is the Chapter Co-President but she will be resigning that position at the end of fall semester as she will be student teaching in New Zealand. Kelly Aase may be filling Kirsten's position as Co-President. Other officers that you may contact if you have an interest in the Gustavus Psi Chi Chapter would be Kristi Larson or Lisa Seeley. The Psi Chi advisor is Dr. Kelly Champion. 
  
 

    "OUR" FACULTY 

Here at Gustavus, Dr. Walker teaches Research Methods and Social Psychology. During J-term, Dr. Walker will be teaching a class specializing in the creativity of psychology. This class will focus on showing research with creativity, objective ways of creativity, and how to define and measure creativity. Sounds interesting, so psych majors, be creative and jump on board. The J-term class coincides well with the research areas that Dr. Walker has been focusing on. She is doing research on creativity in the area of mental illness and how it leads people in our society and she is also researching how people try to control the environment. 

Now that we know all about the psychology side of Dr. Walker, it is time to see what she does when not surrounded by psych students. Marie has an art background which helps her in her research on creativity. She also loves to write and garden in her spare time. Combing these two interests, Dr. Walker wrote a gardening column for her local newspaper back home. Also, during her leisure time, Marie enjoys playing golf. Dr. Walker lives in Le Sueur with her husband and her dog. 

For all the psych majors Marie has this advice to give: "You never know what you are going to find. Your career may not go as you expect, but don't give up on your interests. Take time to do other things because what you had planned will come back to you if you were really meant to follow that path." 
   -Becky Goughnor  

A Closer Look at SSC 
SSC, the illustrious building that we Psych majors have come to know as our building has not always been home to Emil and the GAC Psych department.  This comes as no surprise to those of us who have wandered the maze of its hallways in search of one room or another—any building with such “unique” architecture must have a history.  And so it does... 

SSC, the original college library was constructed in the late 1940s for a mere $17,000.  When compared with current tuition costs this figure seems meager, but in its day SSC was one classy library. (Check out the photos below!  It was actually spacious!)  The Psych department is currently located in what used to be the library’s museum. 

By the mid-70s the library had outgrown itself and was moved to its current location.  Meanwhile, the old building was renovated and became our beloved Anderson Social Science Center, named after Arthur H. Anderson, a generous donor to the college with long ties to the Lutheran church and Gustavus. 

Since then, SSC has served as home to us Psych folks and the rest of our social science cousins.  It may not be the most aesthetically pleasing building on campus, but until a tornado happens to choose a more advantageous path through campus, we can find solace in the knowledge that we are living in a little piece of history. 
    -Sara Lindberg 

Contributions to "Emil's" are welcomed and appreciated. Contact one of our staff below. 
 

Amy also enjoys singing and is a member of the G Choir.  After graduation Amy is considering doing service with a non-profit organization or going into the mission field.  Another possibility for Amy’s future is going on to graduate school for Christian counseling.  Above all, she wants to do something in which she knows that she is helping people.  
   -Jessica Franken 

Now in arts and entertainment, psych majors are also very active. Junior Alicia Barron is a member of the Gustavus Collegiate Chorus. On November 14, they performed at a holiday concert which was a fundraiser for the benefit of Kid's Corner Child Care Center of St. Peter. The concert was for anyone to attend, but all ticket sale proceeds went to Kid's Corner. This is what Alicia said about the concert. "I really like the idea of sharing our talents for the benefit of others. If we can do good with our music, I think it is our duty to try to do that." The performance was terrific and the Kid's Corner board, staff, and patrons were very appreciative of the efforts of everyone involved. 

Of course, we all know about Christmas in Christ Chapel which was held the weekend of Dec. 4, 5, and 6. This very special holiday performance is held with the help of many of our psych majors. We thank them for their participation for the enjoyment of others, and hope that all performnces went smoothly. And I wish all of you Happy Holidays!!! 
    -Becky Goughnour 

 Jane Anderson - Dream Interpretation, consultation, author, scientist, precognition, psychology, symbolism, dream analysis 

 Psychology Links 

 Mensa, IQ, and Intelligence - favourite links 

BOOK BULLETIN BOARD 
The textbook bulletin board is still in place. Remember to post books there which you would like to sell. Check out the Book Bulletin Board web page for Psychology text books already listed. If you have books to sell, email Barb Rodning in the Psychology office. If the textbook(s) will be used again spring semester, we will post your name on our Book Bulletin Board.