As part of the 2014-2015 Psychology Speaker Series, Carol Tavris, Ph.D., will discuss “Self-Justification in Everyday Life: What cognitive dissonance theory reveals about cheating, justice, love, war, memory, and the decisions we make” from 1-2:30 p.m. March 18 in room 168 of the ATC.
Dr. Carol Tavris is a social psychologist, writer, and lecturer. Her most recent book with Dr. Elliot Aronson, Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why we justify foolish beliefs, bad decisions, and hurtful acts, will provide the foundation for this presentation. She will explore why is it hard for so many people to admit their mistakes, give up a wrong belief, and accept responsibility for their actions. What blocks us from even being aware that we are wrong and might need to change? Dr. Tavris will describe the cognitive biases that lead most people to justify beliefs that are outdated, decisions that have proved to be misguided, and the harms we inflict on others. She will discuss the psychological benefits of these biases and how understanding their dangers can help us improve our lives.
All sessions are free. For additional information, contact Dr. Frank Conner at fconner@grcc.edu or 616.234.3612
Art Therapy and the Expressive Arts: Knowing Yourself Through Your Creative Side
Andrea Baier-Petiet, BS, MA, LMSW
Tuesday, February 17, 2015, 1:00 – 2:30
Andrea Baier Petiet is a Licensed Master Social Worker at Psychology Associates of Grand Rapids. She has provided ethical assessment and counseling services for over 25 years. In this presentation she will begin with a history of Art Therapy/Expressive Art. From this foundation, participants will be introduced to the benefits of using Art Therapy/Expressive Arts with clients that have depression, anxiety, substance abuse and other forms of mental illness. Ms. Baier Petiet will provide extensive examples of actual art work done by her clients along with the function of this experience and product in their therapy.
All sessions are free and held in the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, Room 168
For additional information, contact Dr. Frank Conner at fconner@grcc.edu or 616.234.3612
The Campus LGBT Task Force wants to send out a Raider Salute to Stacey Herrick for searching throughout the entire campus to identify all the single-stall, locking bathrooms. In order to increase safe restroom access for transgender and other campus community members who may feel uncomfortable or unsafe utilizing female- or male-designated restrooms, the identified restrooms will all be labeled “unisex” (i.e., gender-inclusive). A listing of their locations are currently posted online: http://cms.grcc.edu/socialsciences/genderstudies/campusgenderrelatedfacilities
We will soon have these locations posted on select departmental web sites as well. Thanks, Stacey!!
The next presentation in the Psychology Department Speaker Series will tackle death and dying.
In “I’m Dying to Talk with You,” Dave Kampfschulte, director of Amazing Circles Workshops, will draw upon 27 years of experiences as a hospice volunteer to discuss advanced care planning, initiating end-of-life conversations, and helping people to think about and discuss death in a positive way. He’ll explore some of the roadblocks we often put in the way of discussing death in a session that will be interactive and informative, and delivered with energy, empathy and humor.
The free lecture runs from 1-2:30 p.m. November 20 in room 168 of the ATC . To see the other topics and speakers in this year’s series, click here.
Amber Bailey, Chris Blik, and Michele Day are getting ready to deliver over 700 items collected by Psi Beta, the National Honor Society in Psychology at the Community College, all donated by students in Psychology classes at GRCC. Sponsored by the Psychology Department, these items will be shared by 3:11 Youth Housing, an agency that provides transitional housing for homeless youth helping in their transition to self-sufficiency, and Family Promise of Grand Rapids, which helps homeless families with children find permanent housing with a continuum of supportive programs and mentors helping them achieve sustainable self-sufficiency.
To see other #100waystogive projects, click here.
GRCC student killed in Holland fire wanted to be professional chef
Oct. 23, 2014; MLive
HOLLAND, MI — Jeremiah Smith, the 29-year-old man killed in a house fire Saturday, was attending Grand Rapids Community College in hopes of becoming a professional chef.
GRCC psychology lecture series examines creativity, death, self-justification
Oct. 23, 2014; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Grand Rapids Community College psychology department will host three lectures from November through March, focusing on topics ranging from creativity to death to self-justification.
IONIA: New public safety officer sworn in
Oct. 23, 2014; The Ionia Sentinel-Standard
IONIA, Mich. — A new officer has joined the Ionia Department of Public Safety, and he has training in all three areas needed by the city: police, fire and medical.
… Joshua McCarthy is a 2009 graduate of Jenison High School. He graduated from Grand Valley State University Police Academy, and holds an associate’s degree in fire science from Kalamazoo Valley Community College and a second associate’s degree from Grand Rapids Community College. Joshua McCarthy is Police-, Firefighter 1 and 2- and Basic Emergency Medical Technician-certified.
College notes: FH Central grad Jason Stacy has soccer goal go viral with help of ESPN SportsCenter
Oct. 23, 2014; MLive
… Drew Pennington, Grand Rapids Community College: Pennington (GR Forest Hills Northern) finished tied for 15th at the Kohler Collegiate Classic at Whistling Straights, home of the 2015 PGA Championship on Oct. 21. He shot a 155 (75-80) to help the Raiders to an impressive fifth-place finish.
Laura Willson continues North Branch’s tradition of volleyball excellence
Oct. 23, 2014; MLive
North Branch senior Laura Willson may be next in line to hold the exclusive Miss Volleyball title for the Broncos, who’ve had two athletes earn that statewide honor.
… North Branch starts its players young, as Willson began in the fourth grade, and continues to model leadership by inviting former players to summer camps.
“They bring their knowledge from college,” Willson said. “Micaela Deshetsky (2013 graduate, Grand Rapids Community College player) came back and helped me and Mady be better captains. She told us we need to make this team better.”
Charles Darwin
Students studying biology and anthropology will be among those interested in the first presentation in the Psychology Department Speaker Series.
In “Modern Application of Darwinian Theory to Psychology,” Todd Shackelford, Oakland University’s psychology department chairman, will show how Darwinian selection has become the centerpiece of biology and how many psychologists and anthropologists have used evolutionary perspective to guide their work. He’ll review the instrument of evolution: natural selection, the products of evolution, and the impact of evolutionary thinking on modern psychological science. He will also introduce how evolutionary psychology will emerge as a guiding theory for all of psychology.
The free lecture runs from 1-2:30 p.m. October 20 in room 168 of the ATC . To see the other topics and speakers in this year’s series, click here.
The Psychology Department has scheduled “Love, Loss, Violence, and Forgiveness” student conference and advising days for October 15 and 16.
Advising will be held October 15 and 16 on the third floor of White Hall. The Psychology Department will be holding one-on-one academic advising for students majoring in Psychology, Social Work, Gerontology, or those currently enrolled in PY-097.
During this time you can meet with a professor in the Psychology Department to:
Please talk to your professor or see the information in White Hall for specific times during the two days.
Here is the “Love, Loss, Violence, and Forgiveness” student conference schedule for October 16:
All Day (9:00 – 4:30)
Psi Beta will be providing the opportunity to take different psychological assessments related to personality, emotional intelligence, stress, and more!
Forgiveness (9:30 – 11:00)
This session will explore forgiveness; what it is, what it isn’t, and why it is hard to do. Participants will also be introduced to the effect forgiving or not forgiving has on the human body.
Understanding Intimate Partner Violence (11:15 – 12:45)
Have you ever wondered if you are involved in a healthy relationship? Are women the only ones affected by Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)? In this session you will gain an understanding of the signs of IPV, an awareness for those suffering from IPV, and tools to assess the health of your relationship.
Grief and Loss (1:00 – 2:30)
This session will introduce the four Phases of Bereavement and the four Tasks of Mourning. Additional content will cover the myths and realities of grief in addition to how to help someone who is experiencing grief and loss. This presentation will provide both a grounding in theory as well as a practical understanding of this often times difficult topic.
LGTBQAA – Sexuality and making sense of the endless letters and spellings! (2:45 – 4:15)
This presentation will provide a brief history of LGBT including individual and cultural judgments and preconceived ideas about the LGBT community. Specific questions will be address such as how ones sexuality plays into identity development and some of the crucial milestones? Additional content will cover why it is important for people to “identify” themselves and whether relationships with family and others are different. Ample time will be provided for anonymous questions.
Sex, Drugs, and Art
2014 Psychology Department
Student Conference and Advising Days
March 27
Student Conference
First Floor White Hall
All Day (9:00 – 4:30)
Psi Beta will be providing the opportunity to take different psychological assessments related to personality, emotional intelligence, stress, and more!
9:30 – 11:00
Art Therapy as a Coping Technique for Managing Stress
This session will explore art therapy which is a creative use of art to provide for nonverbal expression and communication through which to foster self-awareness and personal growth. Participants will learn more about using art as a coping technique for managing stress and will experience an introductory art therapy activity. Space will be limited to the first 20 people.
11:15 – 12:00
Love Psychology But Don’t Want to Be A Psychologist?
What else might you do with a Psychology Degree? What degrees and careers are available that are similar to psychology, but provide a different educational and career path? In this session, practitioners from related fields will share various career options that provide alternative paths for psychology or related majors.
1:00 – 2:30
Too Much Drugs and Alcohol: The Work of a Substance Abuse Counselor
This session will introduce students to the work of a Substance Abuse Counselor. Participants will hear about how these disorders are present in a person’s life, possible causes, and techniques used as treatment. This particular presentation will have a unique perspective on the use of hypnotherapy as a tool applied to treatment.
2:45 – 4:15
Intimacy and Human Sexuality
This presentation will discuss the role of intimate relationships in young adulthood. Variables such as social networking and social media will be considered in how these relatively new technologies affect the development of intimacy. Other topics include factors related to sexual satisfaction as well as gender issues related to intimacy.
All session are free and open to any student at GRCC. There is no need to register, but sessions will be filled on a first come – first served bases. Arrive early to assure a seat in the session. Refreshments will be served.
March 26 & 27
Advising
Third Floor White Hall
The Psychology Department will be holding one-on-one academic advising for students majoring in Psychology, Social Work, Gerontology, or those currently enrolled in PY-097.
During this time you can meet with a professor in the Psychology Department to –
• Develop a schedule for Fall Semester 2014.
• Plan for your future classes.
• Determine what classes you need to graduate.
• Decide which classes are best for your transfer or career goals.
• Ask questions about career options in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Gerontology, or related fields.
Please talk to your professor or see the information in White Hall for specific times during the two days.
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