Psychology

The Department of Psychology in Arts & Sciences and the Department of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine provide focal points for psychology research at Washington University, but discipline-specific experts in psychology can be found in schools, departments and programs across campus. See the "Related Information" box at right for links to other psychology-related groups, topics and resources. Scroll to the bottom of this page for a more descriptive summary of key psychology-related programs on campus.

Faculty Experts:

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José Bermúdez Chair of Philosophy - Neuroscience - Psychology José Luis Bermúdez's research interests are primarily in interdisciplinary philosophy of mind and philosophy of psychology. Topics of recent interest include the nature of mental content, models of psychological explanation, the role and origins of self-consciousness and the possibility of thought ... Expertise: interdisciplinary philosophy of mind, philosophy of psychology Direct contact: (314) 935-7149 / bermudez@wustl.edu

Renee Cunningham-Williams visiting associate professor of social work Renee Cunningham-Williams Download Cunningham-Williams' expertise centers on the comorbidity of mental health disorders, particularly those relating to behavioral addictions, risk taking, and antisocial behaviors. Expertise: gambling addiction, substance abuse, risk taking, antisocial behaviors, crisis intervention Direct contact: (314) 935-4563 / williamsr@wustl.edu

Henry L. "Roddy" Roediger III James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor Roediger Download Roediger is an internationally recognized scholar of human memory function and the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor. He served as chair of the Department of Psychology in Arts & Sciences from 1996-2004, when he was named dean of academic planning in Arts & Sciences. Roediger's ... Expertise: human memory, memory, learning, retention, false memory Direct contact: (314) 935-4307 / roediger@artsci.wustl.edu

Luis Zayas Shanti K. Khinduka Distinguished Professor of Social Work Luis Zayas Download Luis Zayas' primary interests are in clinical practice with adolescents and families and in training clinical practitioners. His clinical experience spans 25 years of working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in community mental health, psychiatric clinics, pediatric rehabilitation, ... Expertise: adolescent mental health, maternal mental health in pregnancy, parent-child relations, cross-cultural factors in child-rearing behavior, family functioning, psychiatric diagnosis, alcohol use by Latinos Direct contact: (314) 935-9448 / lzayas@WUSTL.EDU

Rebecca Lester Assistant Professor of Sociocultural Anthropology in Arts and Sciences Rebecca Lester Download Lester's research focuses on medical anthropology, gender, embodiment, religion and ritual, psychological anthropology and cross-cultural psychiatry. Linking these issues at various points is her focus on gender, self and the body. She has recently completed her first book (based on her dissertation ... Expertise: medical anthropology, gender embodiment, religion and ritual, psychological anthropology, cross-cultural psychiatry, Mexico, United States Direct contact: (314) 935-9426 / rjlester@wustl.edu

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News Stories & Tip Sheets:

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Ring-nesia Cell phone ringtones can pose major distraction, impair recall May 28, 2009 -- A flurry of recent research has documented that talking on a cell phone poses a dangerous distraction for drivers and others whose attention should be focused elsewhere. Now, a new study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology finds that just the ring of a cell phone may be equally distracting, especially when it comes in a classroom setting or includes a familiar song as a ringtone.

Imagine this Study suggests power of imagination is more than just a metaphor April 14, 2009 -- We've heard it before: "Imagine yourself passing the exam or scoring a goal and it will happen." We may roll our eyes and think that's easier said than done, but a new study from psychologists at Washington University in St. Louis suggests imagination may be more effective than we think in helping us reach our goals. "The imagination has the extraordinary capacity to shape reality," say co-authors of a study suggesting that merely imagining something close to our hands will cause us to pay more attention to it.

Businesses increase innovation spending in recession Downturn presents opportunity for successful innovation, says expert April 9, 2009 -- Sawyer Download Even as the United States faces the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, businesses are spending more money on innovation, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report. Keith Sawyer, Ph.D., assistant professor of education and psychology in Arts & Sciences and one of the country's leading experts on the science of creativity, says that investing in innovation is one of the best ways to beat the recession.

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Related News Clips:

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Show More Psychology Clips

Sleep helps reduce errors in memory United Press International and 4 others Sept. 15, 2009 -- Researchers at Michigan State, Chicago, and WUSTL says sleep may reduce mistakes in memory for both the young and the old. They studied the presence of false memory in groups of college students. Previous research has shown that sleep improves memory, but this study address errors in memory. The study was published in the journal Learning & Memory.

Young Animals May Be Able to Erase Bad Memories U.S. News & World Report online and 5 others Sept. 8, 2009 -- New Swiss research published in Science suggests that young animals may have a mechanism that allows them to jettison traumatic memories, but experts say it's unclear whether humans of any age can do the same. Includes comments by WUSTL psychology professor and memory specialist Mark McDaniel.

(Un)wired For God Newsweek Aug. 13, 2009 -- Sharon Begley reports on new data in the debate on neurobiology and whether we are wired to believe in God. In a paper last month in the online journal Evolutionary Psychology, Gregory Paul posits that, rather than being wired into the brain, religion is a way to cope with stress in a dysfunctional society -- the opium-of-the-people argument. She mentions research by WUSTL anthropology professor Pascal Boyer.

Happiness: Staying positive in negative territory USA Today and 1 others Aug. 6, 2009 -- Researchers suggest that unlike money, social experiences can provide happy memories, which don't wear away as fast as the rush of buying a new possession. But WUSTL [marketing professor Joseph Goodman] and a Texas colleague have found that negative experiences can have a more negative impact on happiness than other spending of a comparable amount.

How to quit smoking Chicago Tribune and 1 others July 7, 2009 -- Eric Wolbert has been a non-smoker for 30 days. He quit his pack-a-day habit because he has watched cigarettes hurt too many people, including his grandparents, who died of lung cancer, he said. As part of his third attempt at quitting, Wolbert signed up for a seven-week group therapy program called "Freedom From Smoking" at WUSTL.

Black Reverence for Jackson Is Now Unreserved The New York Times and 11 others June 29, 2009 -- Around the world, Michael Jackson was celebrated Sunday, but there was a special fervor in black neighborhoods and churches. Jackson is seen as a towering figure with crossover appeal, even if in life some of his black fans wondered if he was as proud of his race as his race was of him. Includes comments by WUSTL AFAS professor Gerald Early.

Vacation: What the Heck Is That? MSN Money June 26, 2009 -- Not taking some R&R could leave you carrying some heavy baggage down the line, bringing you and your company down. WUSTL entrepreneurship specialist Clifford Holekamp advises that shorter vacations are less stressful for small startups that are "very dependent on the founder to run the day-to-day operations."

Despite everything . . . Americans are seeing better times ahead USA Today and 2 others June 23, 2009 -- Americans say they're still in a tunnel, but more are beginning to see a light at its end. Fewer people say they've prospered over the past year than in decades, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds. WUSTL social work professor Mark Rank comments on the 'American Dream.'

Study: 'Depression Gene' Doesn't Predict the Blues Time.com June 17, 2009 -- Are some people hardwired to get the blues? Scientists have long believed that a tendency toward melancholy runs in families. A new study published on June 16 in JAMA now threatens to send researchers back to the drawing board. The meta-analysis of 14 prior studies concludes that the so-called depression gene may not be associated with an elevated risk for depression, as many researchers had believed. WUSTL psychiatric geneticist Alexandre Todorov, whose 2007 peer-reviewed study was included in the JAMA piece, comments.

No scars: New obesity surgery goes through mouth Associated Press and 52 others June 4, 2009 -- Doctors are testing a new kind of obesity surgery without any cuts through the abdomen, snaking a tube down the throat to snap staples into the stomach. The experimental, scar-free procedure creates a narrow passage that slows the food as it moves from the upper stomach into the lower stomach, helping patients feel full more quickly and eat less. The first U.S. procedure was done at WUSTL. WUSTL surgery professor Chris Eagon comments.

Please silence your phone -- NOW! Los Angeles Times online June 3, 2009 -- A new study that shows that a cellphone ring, more than just being annoying, can pose the kind of distraction that can impair learning or derail someone's train of thought. Study author and WUSTL psychology postdoctoral research scholar Jill Shelton comments.

The culture of failure The Boston Globe June 1, 2009 -- If at first you don't succeed, tell the world about it -- because Web culture has become obsessed with "failure videos," mostly on YouTube. Whatever the reason, the sharing of personal missteps has become a part of today's e-culture. WUSTL psychology professor Don Fitz comments.

Perfectly Happy The Boston Globe May 12, 2009 -- The new science of measuring happiness has transformed self-help. Now scholars suggest it could transform society — from tort law to urban planning to medical care. WUSTL law professors Samuel Bagenstos and Margo Schlanger co-wrote a law review article in 2007 suggesting that the emphasis on lost enjoyment of life in jury awards actually makes it harder for the plaintiff to recover.

Brand Names Live After Stores Close The New York Times and 4 others April 14, 2009 -- While some stores like Sharper Image have disappeared, their brand names live on. Consumers might be confused by the new products or even feel deceived by the practice. Includes comments from WUSTL economics professor David Levine and WUSTL intellectual property law professor Charles McManis.

Break It to 'Em Gently: Telling Kids About Financial Woes The Wall Street Journal March 25, 2009 -- Advice for parents explaining to children what changes may need to take place when a family faces economic hardship. WUSTL senior consultant and author Karen Levin Coburn.

Depression can break the heart USA Today March 4, 2009 -- Depression almost doubles the risk of developing heart disease over 12 years, according to a long-term study of twins. It contributes to the risk of heart disease as much as diabetes, high cholesterol or obesity does, says study leader and WUSTL psychiatry professor Jeffrey Scherrer.

Bunking In With Mom and Dad Time online Feb. 20, 2009 -- The term boomerang children used to refer to young adults moving back in with their parents, but the recession is forcing people in their 30s and 40s and older--often with a spouse and kids in tow--to bunk in with the 'rents until they regain their financial footing. WUSTL psychology professor Brian Carpenter comments.

What's better: A meal out, or a gift? United Press International Feb. 13, 2009 -- A study conducted by Joseph Goodman of WUSTL and colleagues from the University of Texas at Austin has found that sharing an experience like a restaurant meal can be better than a material gift, but only if the experience is positive.

Antidepressant Eases Anxiety in Older Adults The Washington Post and 4 others Jan. 21, 2009 -- In the largest study of SSRIs in older people with anxiety disorders, a team of psychiatric researchers found the drug escitalopram improved anxiety symptoms and quality of life. The study was conducted by WUSTL associate professor of psychiatry Dr. Eric J. Lenze while at the University of Pittsburgh. His team studied 177 people over the age of 60.

PTSD Tied to Domestic Violence Among Vets PsychCentral.com (MA) and 8 others Nov. 7, 2008 -- New research suggests the risk of domestic violence will rise as increasing number of veterans are diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. The consequences on families and children in communities across the U.S. are an emerging concern says WUSTL social work professor Monica Matthieu, an expert on veteran mental health.

News Spotlights:

Spelling patterns key to helping children learn to spell, read
March 2003 — Virtually every school child has heard the "i before e" rhyme at least once as he or she struggled with spelling. But according to child development psychologist and reading development expert Rebecca Treiman, the "i-e" rule is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to spelling patterns to be found in the English language. Research by Treiman and colleagues at Washington University in St. Louis suggests that teaching children to recognize and use these patterns may help them learn to spell and read more easily.

Brain imaging study sheds light on inner workings of human intelligence
Feb., 18, 2003 — Human intelligence is like a mental juggling act in which the smartest performers use specific brain regions to resist distraction and keep attention focused on critical pieces of information, according to a new brain imaging study from Washington University in St. Louis. People with higher fluid intelligence use specific brain regions to help focus their attention and resist distraction during a difficult mental task. "Some people seem to perform better than others in novel, mentally-demanding situations, but why?" asks Jeremy R. Gray, Ph.D., co-author of the study to be posted Feb. 18 in an advance online issue of the journal Nature Neuroscience.

Chronic worries may raise risk for range of diseases
November 2002 - The parents of children battling serious cases of pediatric cancer may be worrying themselves sick, according to a new study from Washington University in St. Louis. Although researchers have long suspected a link between stress and health problems, this study is the first to document a specific hormonal process through which chronic stress compromises the human immune system. The study does not establish direct links between stress and any specific health problem, rather it reveals a process by which stress can cause abnormalities in the immune system, changes that could leave worriers more vulnerable to allergies, heart disease and a host of other health problems.

Roediger elected chair of American Psychological Society
June 14, 2002 − Henry L. "Roddy" Roediger, III, chair and professor of psychology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, has been elected president of the American Psychological Society (APS), the leading organization of academic psychologists in the United States. APS has more than 14,000 members and publishes three highly regarded journals. It is recognized in Washington, D.C., as a leading voice in support of psychological science.

Additional background on pyschology-related campus programs:

Experts in psychology-related topics can be found in almost every school, department and program across campus. Some examples include:

The Center for Mental Health Services Research in the George Warren Brown School of Social Work.

The Center for Health Behavior Research in the School of Medicine.

The Neuro-Imaging Laboratories of the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology and he Center for Cognitive Neuroscience provide opportunities for ongoing collaborations among researchers in psychology and those in the medical school, including neuroscience leaders as Steven E. Petersen, Ph.D., professor of neurology; and Marcus E. Raichle, M.D., professor of radiology. An affiliated Image Analysis Center allows fMRI and other computer images collected in the medical school to be sent to psychology via fiber optic cable.

The Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology (PNP) program offers a doctorate in philosophy with a special emphasis in cognitive neuroscience and/or cognitive psychology. This initiative explores all aspects of mind-brain research, including consciousness, perception, memory, learning, language and cognitive development. Of the 25 faculty members involved in the program, four are from psycholgy, six are from medicine and 10 are from medicine. Other faculty come from biology, computer science, economics and physics.

The Psychological Services Center is a department-run, faculty supervised clinic that allows doctoral students the opportunity to gain hands-on experiences providing psychological counseling to community residents. The non-profit clinic provides services on a sliding-fee scale based on ability to pay.

The Hewlett Mind Brain Program is an interdisciplinary, campus-wide course of study allowing incoming undergraduates to immerse themselves in a hands-on, research-based exploration of brain science. Besides a broad set of courses, the undergraduate program is noted for having experimental psychology/research methods taught in small, intense sections of 10-15 students. Many undergraduates participate in research and each year about a dozen top students conduct honors projects under close faculty supervision. Psychology is the most popular undergraduate major at Washington University, with around 170 majors each year.