Department of Psychology & Neuroscience
Seven faculty members have been named 2023 Bass Chairs and inducted into the Bass Society of Fellows in recognition of their demonstrated excellence in both undergraduate teaching and research. The group was celebrated Monday evening during a reception at the J.B. Duke Hotel. The chairs were created in 1996 when Anne T. and Robert Bass gave $10 million as a matching gift to encourage Duke alumni, parents and friends to endow the positions. Candidates are nominated by faculty and evaluated by a faculty committee for… read more about Three Trinity Faculty Named 2023 Bass Chairs »
Makeba Wilbourn, associate professor of the practice of Psychology and Neuroscience, presents a lecture on language development to the flagship course, Psych 101. (Photography by John West, Trinity Communications) It’s not often that a Duke professor is introduced with a bio that boasts attending middle school with Snoop Dogg, but that’s just how Makeba Wilbourn rolls. A photo of Wilbourn, associate professor of the practice of Psychology and Neuroscience, and rapper Snoop Dogg… read more about Makeba Wilbourn is Helping Students Find Their Voice »
Elizabeth Wise came to Duke like many students — excited to be in a place where academics and athletics blended, but unsure what she wanted her path to be. “When I came to Duke kind of always thought I'd end up in the business world though,” she said. While MMS was on her radar from the beginning, she spent her first couple of semesters trying courses before deciding on Psychology as her major. “Spring of my freshman year I took Psych 101 and loved it and could tell it that would be applicable to anything I wanted to… read more about Class of 2023: MMS and Psychology Senior Finds Her Path to Business »
On April 15, the MIT Harvard Club Colombia honored Felipe De Brigard with a 2023 Beyond Leadership Award. Recognizing those who “who have made valuable contributions to society in Colombia,” including “outstanding individuals who have demonstrated creativity, innovation and a commitment to social, economic, or environmental progress in Colombia,” the awards were announced at the MIT Harvard Club Summit in the capital of Bogotá. Featured guests included former president of Colombia and 2016 Nobel Peace Prize winner Juan… read more about De Brigard Honored for Work in Colombia »
The Jerome S. Bruner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research is presented each year to an undergraduate Psychology major who exemplifies “excellence in intellectual curiosity with emphasis on research experience and potential for future scholarly activity.” This academic year, two graduating seniors — Pranav Athimuthu and Anna Greenleaf — have been selected to receive the honor, the highest award that can be presented by the department to undergraduate researchers. Bringing… read more about Two Undergraduate Researchers Receive Highest Honor from Department »
Each year, Duke Service-Learning recognizes students, faculty and community partners with the Betsy Alden Outstanding Service-Learning Awards. Betsy Alden was a pioneer in service-learning, beginning her work at Duke during the 1980s. Read more about the legacy of Betsy Alden HERE. Recipients are chosen because they represent an exceptional commitment to the ideals of service‐learning. Each winner receives $150 to further develop his/her community-building and leadership skills. They are also recognized at the… read more about 2023 Alden Award Winners Represent Exceptional Commitment to Service-Learning »
Three exceptional ways of building a stronger community at Duke: Rabbi Elana Friedman heard from students that they wanted to have a single service that joined the traditions of the Reform, Conservative and other various movements of Judaism into shared religious celebrations. She helped bridge the differences to bring Duke’s diverse population of Jewish people together in spiritual community. Bijan Abar made mentorship and advising a core part of his work as a M.D./Ph.D. candidate in the School of Medicine and Pratt… read more about From the Moment They Arrived on Campus, Sullivan Award Winners Have Strengthened Community »
DURHAM, N.C. –- Most kids know it’s wrong to yell or hit someone, even if they don’t always keep their hands to themselves. But what about if that someone’s name is Alexa? A new study from Duke developmental psychologists asked kids just that, as well as how smart and sensitive they thought the smart speaker Alexa was compared to its floor-dwelling cousin Roomba, an autonomous vacuum. Four- to eleven-year-olds judged Alexa to have more human-like thoughts and emotions than Roomba. But despite the perceived difference in… read more about Kids Judge Alexa Smarter than Roomba, But Say Both Deserve Kindness »
Sofia Guerrero, a Duke junior majoring in neuroscience with a minor in computer science, has been named a 2023 scholar by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation Program. Originally from Seattle, Washington, Guerrero is among 413 students awarded Goldwater Scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year. The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship is a federally endowed award that encourages students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. Goldwater… read more about Duke Junior Sofia Guerrero Named Goldwater Scholar »
Growing up in the Bronx only three blocks from Yankee Stadium, it’s no surprise that baseball is in Harris Cooper’s DNA. So much so the retired dean of social sciences and chair of Psychology & Neuroscience at Duke found a new lab for his tireless study of people: Working as an usher at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. “One night game, I saw a guy who had on a shirt that said ‘Rebel Scum,’” Cooper says. “He had on baggy camo shorts, a scruffy beard, hat backwards. He walks by me and a little later, another guy walks… read more about Harris Cooper: Psychology, Baseball and the History of Whiskey »
read more about 2023 Dean's Award: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Anti-Racism Community »
The Trinity Language Council and the student-led American Sign Language (ASL) Club hosted “Signing 101” on the Quad to share the richness of sign language and Deaf culture. Over three days, they taught members of the Duke community and helped raise awareness for ASL and its place among world languages. The sessions were student led, but had the support of faculty on the Trinity Language Council. “Our interest was piqued after learning that the ASL house course led by the student club leaders filled within… read more about ‘Signing 101’ Showcases the Richness of ASL »
Elliott Loverin, a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in musical theater, is focused on the intersections of developmental, abnormal and social psychology. He’s also intrigued by the interactions between individual psychopathology and group dynamics, especially in young people. “Gaining insight into the processes that govern human behavior inspired me to pursue psychology, and its diverse applications allow me to investigate the topics I find interesting within the field.” Loverin’s theater career began with an… read more about Psychology Student Hones Critical Thinking Skills in Theater »
