2008-2009 News

Professor James Laird lectured at Western New England College on March 27, 2008 on the scientific study of emotions and his recently published book "Feelings: The Perception of Self."

The Wall Street Journal, March 20, 2008, discussed Professor James Córdova's Marital Checkup research in an article by Sue Shellenbarger.

Professor Wendy Grolnick releases her new book, "Pressured Parents, Stressed-Out Kids."

Professor Jeffrey Jensen Arnett is quoted in the Hartford Current on May 9, 2008 in an article regarding Jenna Bush and "emerging adulthood."

Professor Wendy Grolnick discussed, "Parents: the latest villains" in the May 18th edition of the Milford Daily News.

Professor James Córdova is quoted in the June issue of SELF Magazine in the article, "Will your love last?"

Professor James Córdova's "Marriage Checkup" research was covered in USA Today and PsychCentral.com  Full Article

8/25 Professor Abbie Goldberg's suggestions on how gay parents can deal with criticism not only from friends and neighbors but their own families ran in the hoyinternet.com article "Same sex parents? No need to be alarmed." Hoy is the leading Spanish-language newspaper with daily editions in Chicago and Los Angeles.

8/31 The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article "Hey mom, dad, may I have my room back? Moving back home after graduation no longer a no-no" quotes Research Professor Jeffrey Jensen Arnett.

9/4 Professor Michael Bamberg is interviewed on WCRN True Talk AM 830 Radio by T&G columnist and radio host Dianne Williamson. Bamberg discusses why people go public with their confessions, in light of an adultery scandal involving former presidential candidate John Edwards.

9/5 "Pay to learn shortchanges kids," an essay co-authored by Professor Wendy Grolnick, appeared in the Los Angeles Times, as well as in the Austin American-Statesman, Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, Albany Times Union, Detroit News, and others. Grolnick was also quoted in "Why kids are so competitive—and how parents can teach fairness" in Family Circle and Parents magazines.

9/11 Research by Professor James Laird is cited in the Time Inc. Health magazine and Health.com article titled "Boost Your Mood Naturally," which reports, "The simple act of smiling seems to activate happiness centers in the brain."

10/15 Professor James Cordova's op-ed "Most marriages can benefit from an occasional checkup" appeared in The Worcester Telegram and Gazette describing his recent research developing "The Marriage Checkup" couples therapy and encouraging couples to keep tabs on their marriage's health.

Psychologist Nick Thompson of Clark is referenced in the PsychologyToday.com (10/31) blog entry "Con Artists in the Crib," about a possible adaptation in infant crying proposed by Thompson. Thompson asserts that crying with rapid intake of breath dupes caregivers into thinking the infant is in respiratory distress, ensuring a more rapid response to their cries.

11/4 The Times of Trenton quotes Professor Wendy Grolnick in "Lighting the Fire," an article examining the difficulties parents face to motivate their children academically without over pressuring them. Says Grolnick, "Everything has gotten so much more competitive, and it's a tough position for parents. They get the message that your child better do well or there'll be no job for him or no good college for him."

11/9 Professor Wendy Grolnick is quoted in the Cape Cod Times article "Mastering the Holiday Balancing Act." In the piece, which examines ways to make holiday traditions and in-law relations run more smoothly, Grolnick says, "Several years of research and interviews suggests the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship is the most challenging, because we expect the two women in these roles to treat one another like family without all the benefits of family, like a shared history. In-law relationships require the blending together of two or more families with their own needs and traditions."

Professor Wendy Grolnick was interviewed by The Canadian Press in the article "How to help kids learn to give during the holidays: Show by example." To encourage children to focus on more than the gifts they'll receive this holiday season, Grolnick advised that, " The more involved the child is in choosing the type of giving, the more they'll learn from the experience." Also featured in: The Associated Press 11/16.

11/16 Professor James Cordova's Marriage Checkup initiative was featured in the USA Today article "'Marriage checkup' aims to prevent problems", which described Cordova's research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, to give married couples "Marriage Checkup." The Checkup aims to prevent problems in marriage from progressing to become more serious issues.

11/16 Psychcentral.com article "'Marriage Checkup' Works" also discusses Professor Cordova's work in developing the "Marriage Checkup." Says Cordova, "For a lot of couples, life gets up and running and we stop paying attention to the health of our marriage. Often, our marriages don't catch our attention until they start to hurt."

Professor Michael Addis has been elected president of the Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity, Division 51 of the American Psychological Association.

Professor Rachel Joffe Falmagne was re-elected President of the International Society for Theoretical Psychology (ISTP) for a second term.

Professor James Córdova is awarded $1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Professor Abbie E. Goldberg is awarded $60,000 Wayne F. Placek grant by the American Psychological Foundation. More..

Clark Ph.D. Sunil Bhatia wins prestigious award.

Graduate student MySha Whorley was selected as Student of the Year for Division 51 of the APA (Study of Men and Masculinity).

Graduate student Stefanie Toise was awarded the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Fellowship by NIH's division of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.