Let’s Talk About Stress—Next Psychology Graduate Research Series Event Is Feb. 12

When you’re stressed, does the time of day make a difference? Also, how effective is meditation in relieving stress and improving cognitive functions?

Take a deep breath, relax, and learn the answers to these questions (and others) at the next Psychology Graduate Research Series event, co-hosted by NSU’s Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences and Center for Psychological Studies (CPS). The event will feature presentations on research conducted by two students in the college’s M.S. in Experimental Psychology program.

Psychology Graduate Research Series

Presentations by Christina Gobin and Alexandra Srour

Wednesday, Feb. 12
Noon–1:00 p.m.
Parker Building | Room 338

About the Research

“The Stressed Brain: Does Time of Day Matter?”
By Christina Gobin | Faculty Adviser: Jaime Tartar, Ph.D., associate professor and coordinator of psychology research at the college

This talk explores how one’s chronotype (i.e., “morning person” or “night owl”) can affect the impact of stress on emotional and non-emotional task performance. Gobin will also discuss the effect of stress on performance of these tasks at times of the day that are compatible or incompatible with a particular chronotype. Gobin recently presented her co-authored research poster on this subject at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in San Diego, California.

“The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Working Memory, Mind-Wandering, Stress, and Suppression”

By Alexandra Srour | Faculty Adviser: Johnathan Banks, Ph.D., assistant professor at the college

Over the past decade, the practice of mindfulness meditation has received a great deal of attention from the scientific community. Srour’s study examined the effects of brief mindfulness meditation on functional working-memory capacity, mind-wandering, suppression, and susceptibility to a psychological stress manipulation. The results suggest that a brief mindfulness meditation may alter susceptibility to a psychological stressor. Srour’s research on this topic is featured on page 15 of the 2013–2014 Farquhar Forum magazine.

The Psychology Graduate Research Series is free and all are welcome to attend. Complimentary pizza will be served. For more information, contact Jaime Tartar, Ph.D., or Sarah Valley-Gray, Psy.D., associate professor at CPS.

Pondering Your Next Step in Psych? Consider the M.S. in Experimental Psychology
Are you looking to further develop your psychology research ideas and skills? Consider the college’s M.S. in Experimental Psychology program. This degree will not only equip you with comprehensive skills in scientific inquiry and research methodology, but you’ll also have the opportunity to test your hypotheses and share your findings with the public. Whether your interests are in the area of behavioral neuroscience, social psychology, or somewhere in between, the M.S. in Experimental Psychology will prepare you for a rewarding career.

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