Theory Shmeary

So you know how sometimes people complain about theories being just a theory?  You know, as opposed to a law?  Ever wondered what that really meant?

Theories are organized sets of hypotheses, organized sets of whys laid out in an attempt to understand some group of facts that have been observed. In scientific terms at least, theories have stronger support and explanatory power than laws.  Good theories are testable, they can be shown to be wrong, or if we are lucky good and careful scientists, perhaps on the road to right. So theory schmeary and all that.

And, in scientific terms at least, "law" doesn't mean quite the same thing as in everyday speech.  In everyday speech, laws are rules we are supposed to obey - things we have to do but sometimes don't or things we get in trouble for doing.  By contrast, in scientific terminology laws are descriptions of things that happen.  They are primarily observatory in nature, meaning they tell us what happens under a certain set of circumstances.  Apple rolls off head, apple falls.  It tells us the what of what happened.  But - and here's a crucial part - it doesn't tell us the why, and that's because we generally don't understand why they happened, we just know that they do. So in terms of evidence and explanatory power, theories are the better bet.

However, in the spirit of internet memes, let me pass on for you a PSA recently forwarded to me about a law you should follow.

Because seatbelts?  Not just a good idea.  The LAW.

Scholarship opportunity

Hi all,
I just wanted to alert you to a potential scholarship opportunity.  The Ronald E. McNair Scholar's Program  is a fabulous opportunity for a motivated student.  It is designed to help students from low income, first generation or traditionally underrepresented groups get into graduate school.  Basically, you participate in a series of professional development courses all year, are matched with a faculty advisor, and then design, carry out, write up and present your own research project during the summer (with a salary! that means money!).  I've served as an advisor three times and am a HUGE fan of the program.  I've linked above to the webpage, but feel free to ask me questions about it as well.

Educational Opportunities

Anyone interested in medicine?  Oregon Health and Science University has a summer internship program for undergraduate students in the Center for Research in Occupational and Environmental Toxicology.  Work at OHSU for the summer, receive a stipend, and gain valuable experience to make your graduate/medical school application more competitive.  Plus, as you will be required to take mass transportation to work every day, you might get to ride this on a daily basis. 

Capstone anyone?  Finish up your required Capstone course in 2 weeks outside in the beautiful summertime Portland weather helping children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities enjoy summer camp.  Information here. By the way, all students I have talked to who have completed this Capstone have said really good things about it.  I highly recommend it. 

Or, if you prefer, put up with me for another quarter by taking my Early Childhood Education Capstone course. I'm teaching a small course in which students will be placed in local daycare centers to work with young children (ages 3 months to 5 years).  We'll meet to discuss application of developmental principles into applied settings, and you will be asked to complete a final project to present to your daycare center at the conclusion of the quarter.  See me for more information, and relatively soon, as class size is limited.

Healthy body, healthy life, healthy mind.  We all know the health benefits of exercise.  Let PSU and a little competition help you out here with the 20.20.20 mini-triathlon at the Academic and Student Recreation Center on February 20.  20 minute lap swim, 20 minute stationary bike, and 20 minute run.  

Undergraduate Opportunity for Scholarship to Child and Family Sciences Conference

I just wanted to let you know about a professional development opportunity for students interested in child and family studies. Apparently, Arizona State University is hosting a conference focused on professional development for undergraduate seniors interested in going into a research-oriented career. There's an application link, and if you are accepted, they pay for all your expenses (except for incidentals) and you attend a two and a half day conference designed to help you get into graduate school.  It sounds like a great opportunity - check it out!

By the way, if you are interested in graduate school (in any area, really, not just child and family studies, and not just psychology) then please do talk to an advisor about how best to prepare yourself for graduate school!  It's a competitive process, and it's good to start preparing well before graduation.

Opportunity to study Psychology and Law

Hi all,
I just got an email describing a training opportunity I thought I would pass on. It's a program in which students study the intersection of law and psychology (with room and board and tuition and even a stipend) for one year at University of Nebraska/Lincoln.  It looks like a great opportunity, so I thought I would pass on the information.

http://www.unl.edu/psychlawreu/