Emil's Epilogue - April 2010
Gustie Psych News & Eventsapril showers

A Tribute to our Seniors -- Our psych majors are involved in a myriad of studies and activities and, as such, are fulfilling commitments to college and community every day of the week all year long. As we approach graduation, it seems timely to acknowledge the many gifts of time, talent, and leadership that our senior majors contribute to our Gustavus community. Listed below are just a few of our seniors who've made commitments to activities and organizations outside the classroom. Thank you to all of our graduating seniors for their many gifts of time and effort! Gusties really do shine!

Katherine Schnell - Psychology Major; Premed; Delta Phi Omega Sorority- vice president, secretary; health and wellness co-chair; history and alumni co-chair; The Elders Program, coordinator and a volunteer; Psi Chi member; senior class legacy committee

Jenny Grundman - Major: Honors Psychology; Minor: Sociology/Anthropology; Activities: Gustavus Youth Outreach (GYO), youth retreat leader; Study Buddies, middle school and Headstart (preschool) tutor; Career Center Host Program, host; Psi Chi member, Co-President; Office of Institutional Research, Intern

Chelsi Deno - Psychology Major; Sociology/Anthropology and Peace Studies Minors; Organizations: Theta Xi Gamma sorority

Kyle Goodfellow - Psychology Major and Sociology Minor; Involved with: Gustie Greeters; Campus Activities Board; Study Buddies (off and on); Psi Chi member; Senior-Week Event Planner

Cathryn Nelson -- Honors Psychology Major; Neuroscience Minor; Pre-Health Club;, Psi Chi Honor Society; Servant Leadership Program; Special Needs Tutor; Elders Program; Gustie Buddies Special Needs Mentor; Choir; Voice Lessons; Intramural Tennis; Intramural Softball; Psychology Academic Assistant; Honors Research Project; Research Apprentice; Lucia Court; Guild of St. Lucia Co-president; Proclaim; Juggling Club; Chapel Apprentice; Agape Bible Study; Student worker in the Office of Church Relations; Gustavus Youth Outreach Team Leader and Coordinator

Vicky Hidalgo -- Psychology Major; Pre-Medicine; Women's Rugby -- President; Activities: Gustavus Youth Outreach; Gustie Buddies; Servant Leadership Program; "I am We are"

Susan Kramer -- Psychology Honors; Activities: Psi Chi, Guild of St. Lucia (co-president); Delta Phi Omega (President-Fall 2009); Peer Assistants; Psychology Academic Assistant; and Senior Class Legacy

Kari Jacobsen -- Psychology Major; Chapel Choir; Lucia Singers; POG at Hoffman Center; Psi Chi Co-President; Research Assistant; Student Assistant; Wellness Advisory Board; Intramural Softball; Relay for Life; Gold Leadership Series

Rachel Anderson -- Psychology major; Gustavus Swimming; Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority; St. Peter Middle School tutor; Women's Rugby

Lauren Clausen -- Psychology Major; Political Science Minor; Pound Pals; Study Buddies; Judicial Board member, Psi Chi member

Kelsey Hausladen -- Psychology Major; Building Bridges Conference, (also works at Kid's Corner and also as a nanny)

Emma Iverson -- Psychology Honors, Sociology/Anthropology Double Major; Spanish Minor; Big Partner Little Partner; Gustie Buddies; Gustavus Youth Outreach (team leader and coordinator); Proclaim; Chapel Apprentices; GOLD leadership; Alpha Kappa Delta (treasurer); Psi Chi; Phi Beta Kappa; Sociology Department Academic Assistant; Psychology Department Academic Assistant; Psychology Tutor

Katie Layman --  Psychology Major; Coaching Minor; Women's Basketball; Elders; Special Olympics; Psi Chi member

Emily Pallansch -- Psychology Major; Study Buddies, Sunday school teacher, and an Intern at Children's HeartLink in Minneapolis

Sarah Jabar -- Psychology Major; Dance; Big Hill Farm, Dance Company

Maggie Hansvick -- Psychology Major; Gustavus Women's Swimming '07-'10, Captain '08-'09, '09-'10; CAB Co-President '08-'09, '09-'10; CAB Special Events Executive '07-'08; Psi Chi member '08-'10; Career Center Host '08-'10; Study Buddies volunteer spring '07; Habitat for Humanity spring '08; Women's rugby '08-'09; Bio lab TA '07; Anatomy & Physiology TA '09-'10

Neuroscience Capstone Project

BAWEach year during Brain Awareness Week, the Neuroscience Capstone class teaches the fourth grade classes at North Intermediate about varying topics involving the brain. This year topics included brain anatomy, the senses, vision, neurotransmitter and drug effects, and neuro1brain safety. Teaching the fourth graders about brain awareness ties into one of the major goals of the Neuroscience capstone, which is learning how to successfully explain scientific material within the area of neuroscience to different audiences. Brain week gave us a chance to take material we have learned in various neuroscience courses and find fun, interesting, and captivating ways to teach that material to younger students. The neuroscience program is valuable neuro3because it encompasses a large range of information. Students with different backgrounds and interests are able to easily come across topics that are fascinating to them. I would highly recommendadding the neuroscience minor to any student.  -- Amanda Fisher

[Amanda is a senior psychology and biology double major and neuroscience minor. She has assisted David Menk in Institutional Research and has been involved in the Biology Honors Society and plans to play intramural softball this spring. She intends to study for the GRE and pursue graduate school in the near future - possibly in clinical and/or research.

Psychology Honors Majors 2010

Departmental Honors in Psychology -- HonorsThe Honors Program is designed to provide the highly motivated student with a unique opportunity to study a particular psychological topic in depth. HonorsEligibility: To participate in the Psychology Honors Program students must meet or exceed a set grade point average and be recommended by a member of the psychology faculty. Students eligible to participate in the Psychology Honors Program are extended invitations from the Psychology Department chairperson typically in the spring of their sophomore year.  

I am very glad I am an Psychology Honors major. Being a research apprentice my Cathrynjunior year allowed me to better understand how conducting research really works. Taking on my own project as a senior furthered that knowledge and gave me really wonderful research experience. I was able to continue on with the research I did junior year, adding my own variables into the study on simulating hearing loss.  I love that I know my research advisor, Jan Wotton so well because of our cooperation on research. I also feel like I have gotten to know other professors in the department better because of my extra involvement in my psychology major. I am so happy for the relationships I have built with other honors majors and professors in the field of psychology! I would definitely recommend taking advantage of the honors psychology major if you have the option. -- Cathryn Nelson -- Honors Paper entitled: Vowel Discrimination in auditory conditions simulating two aspects of hearing loss.

When I was approached about being an honors major, I was unsure of whether or not I should commit to the extra academic work and time requirements. However, I decided to do it because of the valuable research opportunities. I knew that I would likely be going on to graduate school, and wanted the research experience to refresh my memory from Stats class. During my junior year I was an apprentice with Dr. Martin Jennyand Dr. Kruger who were working on research examining co-rumination and same-sex relationships. Now, as a senior, I have been studying parenting style as it relates to identity development in emerging adulthood, which is the developmental period that falls between the ages of 18 and 24. At the beginning of the project I found the literature review type work to be tedious, overwhelming, and challenging as I was pulling many different theories together to make my own hypotheses. However, I am getting more excited as I have started to clean-up my data-set and am ready to start the analysis process. The honors program has been challenging for me, but also rewarding as it has prepared me well for graduate-level work. I have learned two very valuable skills: how to design a research project and how to write a research paper. I caution those who simply want the word "Honors" on their diploma because the program is time consuming and stressful at times. But, if you enjoy applying what you have learned in class to the research side of Psychology or you would like to refine your research skills, then why not challenge yourself to create your own research project? -- Jennifer Grundman -- Honors Paper entitled: Does parenting style predict identity outcomes in emerging adulthood?

"The Honors program has provided me with several valuable opportunities for both Abbeeducational and personal growth, all of which I am very grateful for. Not only have I had the chance to work alongside a faculty member on an area of their interest, but I've also been encouraged to explore my own interests through an independent research project. The skills I've learned and knowledge gained will undoubtedly help me as I pursue graduate studies in psychology. In addition to the academic gains being an Honor student has provided are the chances I've had to form connections with many of the psychology professors. There is so much more to learn beyond the classroom walls and I am truly appreciative of the connections I've been able to make with the psychology faculty in my time here at Gustavus. The lessons I've learned both in the research lab and the offices of my professors are ones that I will carry with me for years to come." -- Abbe Paulhe -- Honors Paper entitled: Frontal Asymmetry and Changes in Attachment in First-Year College Students

The Honors Psychology Program is a valuable opportunity for students who meet the eligibility requirements. Being an Honors Psychology major is different than the regular Psychology major in that you have the opportunity to gain two years of research experience (which, at times, can be stressful as well as time consuming). In your junior Susieyear of the Honors program, you choose a professor whose research you areinterested in and assist them in preparing for their experiment as well as gathering andpossibly analyzing data. Your junior year exposes you to research in the raw form and prepares you for your senior year when you develop and execute an independent research project. During your senior year you may choose to work with a different professor or remain with the same one from your junior year but their role is now to supervise and assist as you develop your ownresearch project. The topics for research are limitless and you get to choose whatever you are interested in. Over the course of the year you will review the literature on your topic, gather data, and write your research paper. Luckily there are usually other Honors majors to meet with who share the frustrations with as well as the joys of research! At the end of the year you are given the opportunity to deliver a 30 minute talk on your research project at the annual Psychology symposium. You may also present your research at various other undergraduate conferences. I believe that executing an independent research project helped in admissions to graduate school as well as preparing for graduate level coursework. On top of that, it was an amazing learning experience! I encourage Psychology majors (who meet the eligibility requirements) who have a strong work ethic and a desire to learn more about Psychology outside of the classroom to consider Honors Psychology. -- Susan Kramer -- Honors Paper entitled: The Effect of Attachment Style on Word Recognition in Social and Non-Social Narratives

Although Gustavus doesn’t have a specific honors program, the Psychology Honors emmamajor is a great way to set yourself apart and gain some extra experience that will be helpful in whatever you choose to do after Gustavus.  As a junior Research Apprentice, you build on your experience from Methods by assisting a faculty member with one of their on-going research projects.  Typically this involves becoming familiar with the literature on the specific topic, helping to develop measures and materials if they have not been done already, assisting with data collection and analysis, and contributing to some sort of write-up or presentation at the end of the year.  During the senior year, you conduct your own independent research project under the supervision of a faculty advisor.  This can be the same person for whom you were an apprentice the previous year, but does not have to be.  You can also continue on in the same vein as the work you were doing as an apprentice or come up with a different topic that fits your own interests.  Throughout the year, you will conduct an extensive literature search, develop and compile your materials, collect and analyze data, and present your findings in an oral presentation to the department and in a final paper, like the one written in Methods.  Although your faculty advisor will assist in all these steps, it is much more student-driven than the junior year apprenticeship.  Through participating in the Honors program, I have gained not only research experience, but I also have improved my ability to understand and think critically about primary source journal articles and had to develop the initiative to put in work independently on a long-term project without lots specific due dates along the way.  These skills will be really helpful for me as I go on to graduate school, even though I will not be in a primarily research-based program. -- Emma Iverson -- Honors Paper entitled: Helping Others Helps Me: Prosocial Behavior as a Function of Identify Development and Self-Regulation in Emerging Adulthood.

Spotlight on an alum - Julie Severson '06

  • After I graduated from Gustavus in May 2006 with majors in Psychology and Criminal Justice, I accepted a job as a judicial senior court clerk at the Anoka County Courthouse. JulieAt the time, I wasn’t exactly sure what the position would involve but it sounded interesting and was my first job after college! The position was temporary for one year and began in July 2006. The job itself wasn't difficult or challenging – for the most part, I spent my days delivering people and files to and from courtrooms when requested by judges, court clerks, or other court staff. I ended up really enjoying the atmosphere of the courthouse, gaining work experience, and getting to work with so many different types of people. After the courthouse job ended, I spent a couple months working in random positions doing promotional work, temporary office jobs, etc. until I found one I really enjoyed.
  • It was while I was working at the courthouse and talking with deputies there that I decided I would pursue a law enforcement career (while I was still young enough to jump over the 6 foot wall required as a part of the program :).  Soon after, I enrolled in the Law Enforcement Career Transition Program at Alexandria Technical College and began taking online classes in August 2007. I accepted a part-time Community Service Officer position in the City of Crystal in October 2007 as a way to gain experience in the field.  In order to work full-time, my other part-time job at the time involved my working at a trucking company... that was interesting!
  • After completing the academic classes at Alexandria in May 2008, I entered the 10-week summer skills program. This was the best summer I've ever had!! I continued as a Julie in uniformCommunity Service Officer in Crystal during this time which meant that I needed to drive home every weekend. Luckily for me, the City of Crystal was hiring and I interviewed with them before I even started the skills program. I took the POST exam (MN state peace officer licensing) in August 2008 and was subsequently offered a position for the City of Crystal. My first day as a police officer was in October 2008. I've now been a police officer for almost a year and a half and I love the fact that every day brings me plenty of challenging situations, interesting people, and lots of camaraderie. Psychology majors have a lot of career options.  Remember that it is important to make sure you are working at something you enjoy!

Department News

The Psychology Department will welcome Dr. Lauren Hecht as assistant professor in the Fall of 2010. Dr. Hecht earned a BA, Philosophy & Psychology, from Albion College and attained her PhD, Cognition & Perception, from the University of Iowa. Dr. Hecht will teach General Psychology and Stats and Research Methods II in the fall.

Psi Chi Activities

  • An invitation to all undeclared students... Psychology Major Informational Event on Tuesday, April 13th at 3:30 p.m. in SSC #28. Interested in declaring a psychology major but want to know more? Current majors and faculty will provide a panel discussion with time for questions and answers.  Open to all interested students. Informal and informative -- come and learn!

  • Bowling with the Profs will be Tuesday April 27th at the St. Peter Bowling Alley, probably around 7 or 8 pm.  Look for more info to follow!
  • Psi Chi Induction has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 11th at 6:30 pm in the St. Peter Room and it will be an ice cream social.

All Psychology Majors -- Mark your calendars: Dick and Kathie Martin have once picnicagain offered to host the annual end-of-year gathering for psychology majors on Friday, May 14. The picnic (lasagna dinner) will begin immediately after the Research Symposium concludes at approximately 5:15 p.m. Make plans now to join your peers for fun and fellowship at this annual department tradition. Rsvp to Lee at lsande@gustavus.edu - note vegetarian preference and/or dining plan number if you have one.

Events and Conferences

  • 2010 Minnesota Undergraduate Psychology Conference
    • Saturday - April 24, 2010
    • Macalester College, St. Paul
    • MUPC is an annual conference that promotes undergraduate research by providing a forum for students throughout the upper Midwest to present oral and poster presentations about their research.  The conference is open to all, and attendance is free.  
    • Dr. John Bargh, Professor of Psychology at Yale University, will deliver this year’s keynote address: Unconscious behavioral guidance systems:  The automaticity of everyday life.
  • Midwestern Psychological Association Meeting
  • April 29 – May 1, 2010
  • Palmer House Hotel, Chicago, IL
  • Creative Inquiry - Gustavus
  • Abstracts were due: Friday, March 19
  • Event: Friday, April 30, 2010
  • http://gustavus.edu/kendallcenter/undergraduate-research/creative-inquiry.php
  • MidBrains
    • Saturday - May 1, 2010
    • St. Olaf College, Northfield
    • MidBrains 2010, the annual meeting dedicated to the undergraduate neuroscience researchers of the midwest! Registration and abstract submission is now open.
      http://www.macalester.edu/midbrainconference/
  • Honors Day - Gustavus
    • Saturday - May 1, 2010
  • Spring Psychology Symposium - Gustavus
    • Friday - May 14, 2010

Miscellaneous Randomness

  • Imagine this... there just happens to be one more DQ certificate just waiting to be claimed by the first student reading this and replying to lsande@gustavus.edu (and including the words Emil's Epilogue).

Why is this newsletter named Emil's Epilogue?

Planning on asking faculty for a reference letter?

Prepare by providing them with the information they will need: http://www.gustavus.edu/academics/psych/referenceletternf4.htm

Intern/Fellowships & Career Opportunities

The NYU Infant Cognition and Communication Laboratory
RA Postion at Stanford
Yale Mind and Development Lab
Research Assistant for Dr. Robert Siegler at Carnegie Mellon University