Wide Range of Topics Explored at Scranton’s Psychology Conference

            A presentation on a biological aspect of psychology, discussions of testing for extrasensory perception and the new phenomenon of mental health courts, and a workshop to help psychology majors apply to graduate school highlight the 26^th University of Scranton Psychology Conference. The event will be held on Saturday, April 16, in Brennan Hall on campus.

            S. Marc Breedlove, Ph.D., Barnett Rosenberg Professor of Neuroscience at Michigan State University, will deliver the keynote address at the conference. His lecture, titled “The Role of Androgen Receptors in Behavior,” is scheduled from 1:45 to 3 p.m. Dr. Breedlove is noted for his study of the effect of steroid hormones on the developing and adult nervous system. He is the lead author of the fifth edition of “Biological Psychology: An Introduction to Behavioral, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience” and many other books and publications.

            Prior to Dr. Breedlove’s presentation, from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., participants will choose among three simultaneous offerings: two symposia and a workshop. Bryan Burnham, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at The University of Scranton, will present “Is Null Hypothesis Testing a Big Pile of Psi?” Dr. Burnham will review controversial research involving the psi phenomenon (precognition or extrasensory perception) and some of the criticisms of its results.

A symposium titled “Mental Health Courts” will be presented by three Lackawanna County officials: The Honorable Judge Robert A. Mazzoni, Court of Common Pleas; Colleen M. Phillips, mental health coordinator; and Todd J. Ferretti of the probation/parole office. The trio will discuss the efforts and results of this program to release, supervise and assist people whose offenses were likely the result of untreated or undertreated mental illness.

            Barry X. Kuhle, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at The University of Scranton; and Christine E. Bennett and Stavroula Z. Fountoukis, current Scranton students heading to graduate programs in the fall, will present a workshop titled “The Dos and Don’ts of Applying to Graduate School in Psychology.” The panel will offer relevant information, including resources and a timeline, and answer questions.

            For additional information, contact Timothy Cannon, Ph.D., professor of psychology at The University of Scranton, at 941-4266 or cannon@scranton.edu.