In the News

Thomas Blass, Psychology, on NPR’s “Science Friday”
Professor of Psychology Thomas Blass was a guest on NPR’s “Science Friday” and discussed the life and legacy of the controversial social psychologist Stanley Milgram. “Obedience experiments” were conducted by Milgram in the early 1960s and proved that most individuals will do what an authority figure tells them. Blass discussed this and more from his book, “The Man Who Shocked the World,” which highlights Milgram’s life and work. The show ran Friday, June 12.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105310424

Christopher Corbett, English, in Baltimore Style
In his monthly column for Baltimore Style, professor Christopher Corbett writes about the changes in “freak shows” throughout the generations. Beginning with references to the Skowhegan State Fair in Maine (which was founded in 1819), he proceeds to examine the difference between now and then, asking, “Do you think we might be the last generation to have experienced the edifying effects of this sort of entertainment?” His final answer: no. They are communicated differently – through television, the Internet and other live streaming capabilities.“What freak show could rival ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ and his family? Or Sarah Palin and her family? How can the humble freak show of yore hope to challenge the delights offered by Maury Povich or Judge Judy or the late Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter?” he wrote. The article, “Step right up,” ran in the July/August issue.
http://www.baltimorestyle.com/index.php/style/backpage/
Robert Provine, Psychology, In the News
Robert Provine, professor of psychology, was quoted in media across the globe recently regarding a new study on the evolution of laughter in apes. Provine, an expert on and an international expert on the neuroscience of laughter, yawning and other contagious behaviors, has long studied the distinctive, panting laughter made by apes and other primates when they are tickled. His thoughts on the study were featured in hundreds of media articles and broadcasts, including, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” the Associated Press, Nature, New Scientist, AAAS Science Now, The Guardian (UK) and Wired. “I think that it’s about time we get out there, start tickling the dogs and the cats, and the pigs, the rats, as well as the chimpanzees,” he said.
http://www.umbc.edu/research/blog/2009/06/thoughts_on_ticklish_apes_and_1.html
UMBC, STEM Education, in the Baltimore Sun
STEM education was highlighted in a recent Baltimore Sun article, “Nurturing a love of math, sciences.” Experts are becoming concerned about whether the U.S. will produce enough STEM teachers like UMBC mathematics major Christine Sweigart ’11. The article noted that UMBC “stepped up its production of STEM teachers” by offerings such as a four-year track for future math teachers (instead of requiring them to obtain a separate degree and certificate that would take five years). “Students are already deciding what they don’t want to do with their lives by fourth and fifth grade,” said Anne Spence, an assistant professor of engineering at UMBC. “So we hope to at least want to keep the door open for math and science instead of having that door close for them at an early age.” The article ran Monday, June 29.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-md.stem29jun29,0,6784837.story