Watch for coming activities sponsored by Psi Chi! 
 

Psychology Club

 
Psychology Students received their new shirts just before Christmas break!  Great idea - they were very well received! 

Look for more movie nights to be scheduled this spring - Also happening later this spring will be the annual Psi Chi induction and (when the paperwork is completed and processed) the official campus recognition of the Psychology Club. 
 
 

Holiday Movie Review

 by Jenny Pratt 
   
In the big Oscar rush, Hollywood pushed out a bunch of movies over the holidays so they could be counted as eligible for the awards.  Big stars, big directors, big plots, and big money are all elements that helped to create three big blockbusters of the 2000 Holiday season: 

Cast Away 
This long-anticipated film starring the masterful Tom Hanks is sure to bring home some awards in March, but the most important part of the film is not the awards it will bring.  This film is sure to inspire and leave many stunned at its outcome... 

The Family Man 
For all those who are Nicholas Cage fans, this movie will not disappoint.  Despite the harsh review of some critics - this film took a magical look at "what might have been."  The concept of "What if I had made different choices"  has been examined before, but not with the drastic changes that drive Nic Cage in this film. 
 
What Women Want 
Mel, Mel, and more Mel.  This covers the basis of this film - released also with Helen Hunt as a big attracting star.  By hearing her thoughts, Mel is able to get a better grasp on who he is and who he should be. 

While all of these films may not be Oscar bound, they certainly do have a lot to offer audiences.  Some audiences go for the stars, but in the end, I hope they can take away more than just those stars.  These movies create a wonderful atmosphere for delight in imagination. 
 
 
 
 
 

Dr. Stephen Bennett, Assistant Director of the Counseling Center, administers the program and contributed the following article:  

Typically, students work in a clinical setting 40 hours a week during the month of January.  All students have an on-site supervisor and a Gustavus faculty supervisor.  The on-site supervisor is responsible for overseeing all work that a student is doing, and helps the student get their learning needs met during the placement.  In my role as the Gustavus faculty supervisor, I help students develop a learning contract before the   
practicum starts that outlines the goals and skills the student wants to learn.  This learning contract is discussed with the on-site supervisor early in the practicum placement so that all parties are clear on expectations and goals.  Students have told me that the learning contract has helped them shape and personalize their training in very concrete ways. 

 As the faculty supervisor, I try to make myself available to students before, during, and after the practicum experience to answer questions, suggest material to read, prepare students for working in a professional setting.  I also try to help students to think about their experience in a way that maximizes their potential for learning and personal growth.  

Its important that I stay in contact with each of the students during their practicum, and I expect to talk with students by phone and/or e-mail at least once a week and more if necessary.  I try to visit each student on site during their placement so that I can get a better idea of what each student is doing, and how things seem to be working out.  I try to meet with the student and their on-site supervisor.  At the end of the placement a student's performance is evaluated by the on-site supervisor with feedback given to the student and to me.  Once students return to campus, I also sit down with them to go over their on-site evaluation and to talk about their experience.  In addition to these individual meetings, we have a group wrap-up session where all the students on clinical practicum and career exploration get together to celebrate their sucess, share stories, and talk about their experiences.  Students have found this to be a good time for additional learning, and to network with their peers on a variety of topics. 

In terms of course requirements, I require that students keep a journal, write a summary paper, and complete any assigned reading that is agreed  upon.  This January the required text is-- Manual For Clinical Psychology Trainees, 3rd Edition by James P. Choca and Eric J. Van Denburg.  

This J-term we have students placed at Washburn Child Guidance Center in Minneapolis; CCP Family Services in Minneapolis; New London/Spicer School District; and Regions Hospital.   In past J-terms we have had students at United Hospital Adolescent Psychiatric Unit in St. Paul; Leo Hoffman Center in St. Peter; the Courage Center in Golden Valley; Chrysalis-- A Center for Women in Mpls; and SafeHouse-- a residential treatment program for adults with chronic and persistent mental illness in St. Paul.  

Any student who is interested in learning more about the Clinical Practicum or Career Exploration programs should contact Steve Bennett. sbennett@gustavus.edu 

Department Resources Available 
Several printed resources are available for you to browse in the department's resource center (SSC 26). You will find information about graduate schools and career paths. Graduate School bulletins are also available. See Lee for more information. 

• Jenelle Callies presented a poster on school bullies and responses to anger at the Biennial Kansas Conference on Clinical Child Psychology in Lawrence, Kansas in mid-October.

Karen Heidesch was interviewed by Mankato television station KEYC about her Senior Honors Project.  Karen is conducting research involving rural issues of stress, coping strategies, and problem solving techniques taking place in farming communities.

Dr. Kelly Champion will present "Victims' Responses to Anger-Provoking Events: "I'll get you for that!" at the 2001 SRCD (Society for Research in Child Development) Biennial Meeting in Minneapolis April 19-22. 

Institute for Research in Cognitive Science Undergraduate Summer Workshop will be held June 4-22 at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.  For more information about IRCS and CCN check out http://www.ircs.upenn.edu and http://www.ccn.upenn.edu  
Poster info is displayed in the Psych Department. 
 
 

Interesting Links in  Psychology

 
Tests, Tests, Tests 
http://www.queendom.com/test.html 

MENSA Links 
http://www.euthanasia.org/mensal.html 

Love and Relationships 
http://topchoice.com/~psyche/love/ 

Fruit Game! 
http://www.2020tech.com/fruit/index.html 

Careers in Psychology Information 
Careers in Psychology 
  
Public Information/Psychology  
http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/  

• Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology
• Gourman Report on Graduate Programs (Princeton Review)
• Perfect Personal Statements and Graduate School Essays (Arco)