The Duke Department of Psychology & Neuroscience congratulates Dr. Elizabeth Marsh, who has been named a recipient of the 2018 Dean's Award for Excellence in Mentoring from Duke's Graduate School. She will be honored, along with other recipients, at a ceremony on Wednesday, March 28, at Sarah P. Duke Gardens. The Graduate School presents the Dean’s Awards for Excellence in Mentoring to recognize the considerable efforts and accomplishments of faculty and graduate students who consistently serve as effective… read more about Marsh receives 2018 Dean's Award for Excellence in Mentoring »
Duke Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience Jennifer Groh and a team of researchers have found that simply moving the eyes triggers the eardrums to move too. In a paper published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers found that keeping the head still but shifting the eyes to one side or the other sparks vibrations in the eardrums, even in the absence of any sounds. "This was really a team effort, instigated by a very determined Kurtis Gruters who received his PhD for this work, and… read more about The Eardrums Move When the Eyes Move »
We are pleased to announce that Camila Vargas Restrepo has won the 2017-2018 Jerome S. Bruner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research. Camila will be completing her Visual Media Studies/Psychology Interdepartmental Major in May. She plans to work for a year before beginning graduate work to study the cognitive processes behind data visualization. Camila arrived at Duke with interests in psychology, neuroscience, art, and graphic design, and has been able to design a program of study that draws from all of these… read more about Camila Vargas Restrepo receives 2017-2018 Jerome S. Bruner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research »
A new study by lead author Elika Bergelson is being reported in a number of media outlets, including The Atlantic; Reuters; The Guardian; International Business Times; Science News; and Duke Today. Bergelson's lab used eye tracking data to show that babies understand that the meanings of some groups of words, such as "juice and milk," are more alike than other groups, such as "juice and car." The research paper combines two approaches: measuring what infants know in the… read more about Babies Understand When Words are Related »
We are happy to announce that Tobias Overath will be joining the Duke Department of Psychology & Neuroscience as an Assistant Professor in summer 2018. Dr. Overath will be part of the Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience graduate training program. Dr. Overath studied musicology and psychology at Humboldt University Berlin and neuroscience at Oxford University, before receiving his PhD from University College London in 2009. Following postdoctoral work at NYU, UCL, and Bonn University, he joined Duke as an Assistant… read more about Welcome Tobias Overath »
We are pleased to share the good news that Jenna McHenry will be joining us in Fall 2018 as an Assistant Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience. Dr. McHenry will be part of the Systems and Integrative Neuroscience (SINS) graduate training program. Dr. McHenry, who received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Florida State University in 2013, is currently a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Psychiatry and School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research examines the functional… read more about P&N Welcomes Jenna McHenry »
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. The Department of Psychology & Neuroscience at Duke University, http://psychandneuro.duke.edu/, invites applications for a Lecturer position to begin July 2018. This full-time regular-rank (non-tenure-track) position has a fixed-term appointment and is renewable. The position will have a primary focus on undergraduate instruction, with an emphasis on Neuroscience. The ideal candidate will already have a Ph.D. in Neuroscience or Neurobiology and… read more about Neuroscience-focused Lecturer position, Duke University Department of Psychology & Neuroscience »
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. The Department of Psychology & Neuroscience at Duke University invites applications for a Lecturer position to begin July 2018. This full-time regular-rank (non-tenure-track) position has a fixed-term appointment and is renewable. The position will have a primary focus on undergraduate instruction. The ideal candidate will already have a Ph.D. in Psychology and at least five years of experience teaching Psychology courses as the instructor of… read more about Lecturer position with emphasis on undergraduate instruction, Duke University Department of Psychology & Neuroscience »
P&N Assistant Professor Gregory Samanez-Larkin is featured in Duke's New Faculty 2017 Series: https://today.duke.edu/2017/10/gregory-samanez-larkin-how-aging-brain-tackles-tough-choices Samanez-Larkin explores how the brain's decision-making machinery changes as we age, specifically how individual and age differences in motivation and cognition influence decision making across the life span. His research is at the intersection of a number of subfields within psychology, neuroscience, and economics… read more about Gregory Samanez-Larkin featured in Duke's New Faculty 2017 Series »
Dr. Sarah Gaither was recently featured in a Duke Magazine story, "Who Do you Think you See?" Gaither, an assistant professor in Duke's Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and principal investigator of the Duke Identity and Diversity Lab, writes: "I feel that if I do not reveal my true racial identity, I would be doing a disservice to others like me who may not feel as confident in revealing that secret self. My identity is not in fact a secret. I am now a professor studying this identity for a living. I… read more about Sarah Gaither featured in Duke Magazine »
The Department of Psychology & Neuroscience at Duke University invites applications for an Assistant or Associate (tenure-track) Professor position in Clinical Neuroscience. We seek candidates who use the experimental methods of human neuroscience to study mechanisms of psychopathology or intervention in clinical and/or healthy populations. The specific focus of candidates’ research interests within clinical neuroscience is unrestricted. Preference… read more about Assistant or Associate Professor (tenure-track) position in Clinical Neuroscience »
The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, https://psychandneuro.duke.edu, invites applications for an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) position in Social Psychology or Cognitive Psychology to begin Fall 2018. We seek outstanding applicants with the potential to develop a nationally-recognized and externally-funded research program in Cognitive Psychology or Social Psychology. The specific research area is open, but our preference is for a candidate whose primary interest is… read more about Assistant Professor (tenure-track) position in Social Psychology or Cognitive Psychology »
Join us for P&N's 2017-2018 Colloquium series! Sept. 29th Kevin LaBar Oct. 27th Ahmad Hariri Dec. 8th Nancy Zucker Jan. 26th Steve Asher Feb. 23rd Makeba Parramore Wilbourn March 30th Jim Shah April 27th Tina Williams All talks are proceeded by a reception from 2:30 – 3:00 in 319 soc-psych; talks are from 3:00 – 4:00 pm in Zener (soc-psych 130) All talks are posted on our events page and the Duke events calendar website Subscribing to Departmetnal Events There are two ways to subscribe to departmental events… read more about Duke Psychology & Neuroscience Colloquium Series 2017-2018 »
P&N's Michael Tomasello gave a lecture on his work Sept. 7 in Griffith Theater, where nearly 400 people gathered in honor of his election to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences. National academy membership is regarded as the highest recognition for a scientist. Read about his lecture, "In Search of Human Uniqueness," in Duke Today: https://today.duke.edu/2017/09/even-preschoolers-play-fair-chimps-not-so-much Dr. Tomasello, who did his undergraduate work at Duke, is a world-renowned scholar on social… read more about Michael Tomasello Shares Work in Celebration of Election to National Academy of Sciences »
Congratulations to P&N's Kathy Sikkema, who has been named the Gosnell Family Professor of Global Health. This endowed professorship recognizes Dr. Sikkema's many accomplishments in global health as a scholar, an intellectual leader, and a mentor to many junior faculty members and students. Kathy’s pioneering research has shown how mental health treatment plays a critical role in the success of community-based HIV interventions; this work not only changes communities, but builds deep links between psychological theory… read more about Kathy Sikkema Appointed Gosnell Family Professor in Global Health »
Thanks to Duke Library Staff, a number of dissertations and theses from Duke's Department of Psychology & Neuroscience (P&N) are available in electronic format for the first time. It all started when P&N staff were cleaning out offices in Duke's social-psychology building, home to the department of Psychology & Neuroscience. They found boxes of old, musty dissertations, some of which had been in storage for many years. These boxes made their way to Jeff Kosokoff, Head of Collection Strategy and… read more about Duke Psychology & Neuroscience Dissertation Digitization Project »
“In Search of Human Uniqueness” Special Lecture – Open to All Thursday, September 7, 2017 4:00-5:00 p.m. Lecture: Griffith Film Theater, Bryan Center Reception: The Landing, Bryan CenterPlease RSVP at http://bit.ly/2q680SW P&N's Michael Tomasello has been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences. National academy membership is regarded as the highest recognition for a scientist. Dr. Tomasello, who did his undergraduate work at Duke, is a world-renowned scholar on… read more about National Academy Member Michael Tomasello Lecture - September 7, 2017 »
Sooner or later, almost everyone has an experience that could be diagnosed as a mental disorder. That’s the take-home message from a new feature article P&N graduate students Aaron Reuben and Jonathan Schaefer recently wrote for Scientific American. Their article, based on Schaefer’s research in the Moffitt and Caspi Lab, makes a strong argument against the stigma of mental illness, suggesting that psychological disorders are a very routine part of the human experience. Reuben and Schaefer are both clinical… read more about Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness »
P&N Clinical Doctoral Student Emily Cherenack is one of 17 Duke University Students to receive a Graduate Student Training Enhancement Grant (GSTEG) for 2017-2018 from the Office of the Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Studies. The goal of this grant competition is to expand the opportunities for graduate students to “step away" from their core research and training, so as to acquire additional skills, knowledge or experiences that will enhance the approach to their original research. Each student will spend up to one… read more about Emily Cherenack Receives GSTEG Grant »
P&N Clinical Doctoral student Adrienne Romer has been selected as one of three winners of the annual Science for the Study of a Clinical Psychology (SSCP) Student Poster Competition. Romer's poster was titled "Structural Alterations within Cerebellar Circuitry Are Associated with General Liability for Common Mental Disorders." Congratulations, Adrienne! http://www.sscpweb.org/page-18094 read more about Adrienne Romer wins SSCP Poster Competition »
The ability to engage in joint actions is a critical step toward becoming a cooperative human being. In particular, forming a commitment with a partner to achieve a goal that one cannot achieve alone is important for functioning in society. Previous research has shown that children begin collaborating with others between ages 2 and 3 years. However, it's less clear whether they understand the concept of joint commitments with binding obligations. A new study looked at this phenomenon and suggests that children as young as 3… read more about Children understand cooperative concepts earlier than thought »
by Hannah Moshontz de la Rocha, Duke Department of Psychology & Neuroscience This spring, PhD students from Duke and UNC Chapel Hill led the Carolina Research in Social and Personality Psychology (CRISPP) conference. A biannual tradition that has taken place since 2002, the conference is student led and features graduate and undergraduate research presentations from psychology departments and business schools across North Carolina. It provides a unique opportunity for student scholars to present and discuss their… read more about Carolina Research in Social and Personality Psychology (CRISPP) conference 2017 »
With Duke's 2017 Commencement just a couple of days away, be sure to read Duke's Class of 2017 Senior Stories, profiles of graduating seniors discussing their Duke experiences. There are several profiles of graduating P&N seniors, including: Jennifer Acosta: Learning Through Duke Immerse Katie Becker: The Study of Truth, Beauty and Social Justice Lauren Blanchette: Building Education Opportunities for Girls in Appalachia Lauren Hagedorn: Leaving Behind Her a Legacy of Community Congratulations to all P&N… read more about Duke Commencement 2017: Senior Stories »
Please join P&N in congratulating Michael Tomasello for his election to the National Academy of Sciences:http://www.nasonline.org/news-and-multimedia/news/may-2-2017-NAS-Election.html Election to the NAS is one of the very highest awards that a scientist can receive – one reflecting a career of deep scholarship, sustained impact, and truly discipline-changing research. Dr. Tomasello, who did his undergraduate work at Duke, is a world-renowned scholar on social cognition, social learning, and communication/language in… read more about Michael Tomasello Elected to National Academy of Sciences »
Congratulations to our students for a successful P&N/CNAP first year festival, which was held Friday in Perkins 217. The following students presented a diverse array of research topics. If you missed it, click on the presentation titles below to see videos of each presentation. Christina Hopkins, "On Words & Their Impact: investigating weight stigma, word choice, and obesity treatment initiation" Madeline Farber, "Effects of Parenting on Neurodevelopment" Jack Brooks… read more about P&N and CNAP First Year Festival 2017 »
Congratulations to P&N Professor Rick Hoyle, who was named the 2017 faculty winner of Duke’s Sullivan Award. Dr. Hoyle was cited for his commitment to service and community, at Duke and beyond: https://today.duke.edu/2017/04/spirituality-and-service-guide-sullivan-award-winners “There are many outstanding teachers like Professor Hoyle at Duke," said P&N Chair Scott Huettel. "There are few, if any, who equal his commitment to living an ethical, other-regarding, and spiritual life.” In 2003, Duke… read more about Rick Hoyle wins Duke University's 2017 Sullivan Award »
Congratulations to P&N PhD alumnus Dr. Kenneth Gergen, who has won the 2017 Distinguished Alumni award from Duke Graduate School. https://gradschool.duke.edu/about/news/social-psychologist-gergen-named… Gergen, who grew up in Durham, is a prominent social psychologist. He received his PhD from P&N in 1963, where the title of his dissertation was Interaction Goals and Personalistic Feedback as Factors Affecting The Presentation of Self. read more about Dr. Kenneth Gergen wins Duke Graduate School's 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award »
P&N Clinical Graduate Student Jonathan Schaefer recently wrote a blog post giving an evidence-based argument against stigma in mental Health. It was recently published on the APA Society of Clinical Psychology's website: http://www.div12.org/is-abnormal-psychology-really-all-that-abnormal/ Research from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, Jon writes, "suggests that the 'typical' human experience is one characterized by at least one brush with a diagnosable disorder, and that… read more about Is "Abnormal Psychology" Really all that Abnormal? »
Congratulations to P&N Professor Michael Tomasello, who has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Tomasello, the James F. Bonk Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience, joined the P&N faculty in 2016. He is also the Director of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany. Tomasello, who did his undergraduate work at Duke, is a world-renowned scholar on social cognition, social learning, and communication/language in human children and great apes. His study… read more about Tomasello Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences »
For P&N doctoral students, the Major Area Paper (MAP) is the first major milestone in the student's PhD program. For clinical doctoral student Kate MacDuffie, her MAP turned into a published article, with co-author Tim Strauman, and was recently cited in an APA blog post. "This work was motivated by my involvement in public outreach efforts like Brain Awareness Week at Duke, MacDuffie says. "Through these community experiences, I became interested in the impact of learning about one’s own biology, and was surprised to… read more about Do Beliefs about Biology Matter for Mental Health? »