Several Gustavus students will be making their way to Carleton College to partake in the day’s events.  The work that they will be presenting covers a wide array of topics.  Papers that will be presented by Gusties include the following: 

 “Physical and Physiological Responses to a Natural Disaster in College Students” -–Melissa Gardner 

 “Confabulating vs. Reading Misinformation: Are there Differences in the Damage to Eyewitness Memory?” –-Jesse Hedge, Paula Lorfeld, & Jill Peterson 

 “Advertisements and Body Image” --Tracy Burmeister, Tracy Hanson, Rachel Peterson, & Desi Willer  

 “Mother-child Conversations about a Devastating Tornado” --Alyssa Malinski, Karen Heidesch, Elena Paraskova, & Lisa Seeley 

 “The Effects of Similarity and Proximity on Predicted Relationship 
Continuance” --Lori Schlaak & Liz Bassani  

 “Fear Appeals in Poster Advertisements” –Kari Carlson & Alyssa Malinski 

 “Personality Differences in Coping with a Traumatic Event” –-Kari Carlson 

 “The Effects of Social Influences on Eating Behavior” –-Sara Lindberg & Kristina McMahon 

 “The Effects of Race and Gender on Punishment Decisions” –Jessica Carlson, John Davis, Jackie Oelkers, & Jennifer Wendt 

 ““That's Right”: Effects of Positive Feedback on Eyewitness Memory" –Stacey Willemsen 

To see pictures of the research posters and presentations, click here. 
  -Sara Lindberg  
 

FYI:  Paterson Award Candidate 
The Paterson Award, given by the Minnesota Psychological Association, is 
in recognition of the outstanding undergraduate psychology student among 
the schools in the state of Minnesota.  The psychology department at Gustavus Adolphus College has chosen Elena Paraskova as our candidate. The recipient of the Paterson Award is usually announced at the Minnesota Undergraduate Conference, which this year is held on May 7th, at Carleton College in Northfield.  

Congratulations, Elena, for being chosen as our candidate. 

More FYI:  Department Picnic 
The Department of Psychology sponsored a spring picnic for all psychology majors on Thursday, May 13 at Minnesota Square Park, or Swede Park, as some people call it.  
Because of the wet week we had been having, we were afraid we would be picnicking in the rain, but thankfully, the weather cleared up, although it was more than a little chilly. It was nice to be outside again without umbrellas and rain gear. 

There were approximately 27 majors who braved the cold to come out to enjoy some good food and to mingle with each other and the psychology faculty. We thank you all for coming and we look forward to making this an annual event. 

To see pictures, click here. 

Even More FYI:  Homecoming 1999 - Bigger & Better 
Plans are in the making for a bigger and better homecoming. Gustavus Homecoming festivities are moving to the quality of our rival surrounding schools' - - full of activities, dances, grill-outs, sports-nights, bonfires, half time shows, and a parade. 

The 1999 Homecoming parade will include all of the things normally associated with a parade - - horses, bands, royalty, judges, floats, banners, cars, and even a grandstand! Since the parade is within the first few weeks of school, Saturday, October 3rd at 10:00 a.m., it is an excellent opportunity for psychology majors to inform incoming freshmen about our department.  

Anyone interested in being on a committee to help plan and create a parade entry for the psychology  department, please contact me, Barb Rodning. I will contact you in the fall so that we can start planning right away.  
 
 

Some movies related to Psychology 
(From Psychology by Zimbardo and Weber) 
A Clockwork Orange starring Malcolm McDowell, Partick Magee, Adrienne Corri, Aubrey Morris, James Marcus.  Fascinating, disturbing film based on Anthony Burgess’s novel about a futuristic society’s efforts to reform a violent criminal by applying conditioning techniques. 

Total Recall starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone, Ronny Cox.  In the twenty-first century, a man discovers that false memories – and a false identity – have been planted in his mind, so he travels to Mars to confront the perpetrators of the crime.  Oscar-winning special effects highlight the film, based on science-fiction writer Phillip K. Dick’s tale, “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale.” 

Fearless starring Jeff Bridges, Isabella Rossellini, Rosie Perez, Tom Hulce, John Turturro, John DeLancie.  After he and a few others survive a devastating plane crash, a man loses perspective on the meaning of his life, work, and family.  Suspecting that he has become indestructible, he engages in increasingly risky and careless – fearless- behavior, alienating everyone except fellow survivors who are similarly disoriented, traumatized, and guilt-ridden.  Great writing and acting, and an intriguing look at what comes after surviving trauma. 

Charly starring Cliff Robertson, Claire Bloom, Lilia Skala, Leon Janney.  Powerful, provocative fantasy based on Daniel Keyes’ short story, “Flowers for Algernon,” about a retarded man who volunteers for experimental surgery that transforms him rapidly into a genius.  Examines the stigma of labels and the complex relationship of intelligence to other human abilities – and to one’s overall sense of self. 

Rain Man starring Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino, Jerry Molden, Jack Murdock, Michael D. Roberts.  After his wealthy father’s death, a selfish, high-living young man discovers he has an older brother, institutionalized most of his life, who is an autistic savant: he cannot function well in the outside world, but is capable of remarkable feats of memory and calculation.  The relationship they develop – as men, brothers, and persons with very different individual abilities – highlights important questions about the intelligence, personal qualities, and personal relationships essential to a happy life. 

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

Also, there will be an Open House on May 18 (right before finals) for all psychology majors and General Psychology students. Psi Chi is providing you with a study break to be held in Linner Lounge on May 18 from 6-8 p.m. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Please plan to attend this Psi Chi sponsored event.  

  "OUR" FACULTY" 

To collect the data they use an ultrasonic ranging system, electrogoniometers, high speed videography, and video and audio recording.  The independent variables include expertise of the performer, tempo of the performance, and the type of music performed.  The dependent variables include the distance the slide moves, the speed of the slide motion, the motion of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist, the quality of the performance, audible errors, demographics, and biometrics.  

One of the major questions the professors hoped to answer was “What makes performance better and how can we teach that?”  Another goal and a main factor in keeping the experiment going this long is the wish to teach the joy of research to students.  They have been able to accomplish this with an intriguing topic that interests people of many fields.   
  
The experiment begins with questions.  The participants are asked how many years they have been playing the trombone, their age, and how many hours per week they play.  The length of their forearm and upper arms is measured.  The first exercise is a b-flat scale, something comfortable and familiar to musicians.  They are given a slow tempo, then asked to double it, then double it again.  The next exercise demands that they move to all of the positions (1st, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 4th, etc.).  The third exercise was composed by randomly choosing from the 42 possible motions between positions.  This proves to be awkward for the players and not automatic.  Fourth is a slow tempo song and fifth is a moderate tempo song.   
  
The electrogoniometers are placed on the wrist and elbow with velcro and make 72 observations per minute.  The sonic ranger is activated by a cardboard cone attached to the end of the slide, and measures distance and velocity.  The high speed videography provides information about the movements of the body, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and slide.  It also gives information about the angles.  The video and audio recordings are assessed by an unbiased judge to evaluate quality and technique of the playing.   
  
Some of the conclusions reached through this experiment can be very helpful if applied to trombone performance.  The professors discovered that the professionals move the slide only as fast as is necessary, while amateurs often move it as fast as they can.  The professionals move less fast to get to positions regardless of tempo.  The professional players use less of an elbow angle than students, and also less muscle activity while moving the slide.  All players seemed to be more comfortable with inward motions versus outward motions.  The professionals played the instrument pointed more downwards and to the side, which brings greater ease in playing.  In the future the professors hope to bring back students they tested three or four years ago and collect more data from them as a longitudinal element to their experiment.   
  -Jessica Franken 
 

James Megas is currently struggling to get both of his kids to ride on their bikes without derails. 

Mark Kruger was an intramural table tennis champion for Carthage College. 

Marie Walker may have some vampire blood in her… her mom was born in Transylvania. 

Kelly Champion won state athletic championships in two different states… a very long time ago. 
 

 Microsoft - The Puzzle Collection 

 Macromedia ShockRave 

 The Fruit Game Home Page 

 Marcel's WebMind 
 
  

 

 

Now in sports … we have extreme athletes presenting the psychology department and we don't want to miss mentioning any of them. So we will go back in time for a bit. Set your clocks back to winter. Jenny Bendzick was phenomenal at hitting those boards. She is a member of the women's basketball team that was ranked in the top six teams in the West Region for Division III. Way to go Jenny!! While Jenny was hitting the boards, Erica Coady was swimming to great lengths for the Gustavus women's swim team. Erica was a performer at the all-conference meet where the team ended up 4th out of ten teams. We are so proud of you Erica!! Now, take yourself forward again to the present. Blake Malloy is doing all he can to bring everyone home. Blake is part of the men's baseball team. The team is 12 and 16 overall. Hit some homeruns for us Blake!! I couldn't leave you without mentioning Jenny Pratt who is on staff for the Emil's Epilogue newsletter. Jenny is a member of the women's softball team. The team is overall 15 and 22 and would be lost without our own Jenny Pratt. Way to go Jenny!! 
   -Becky Goughnour 
 

These all sound like grand and ambitious  
plans. Good luck to you all!!!