I recently saw the documentary “3801 Lancaster: An American Tragedy.” I went home and cried. I don’t mean tears of joy. No, I cried. The last time I cried was when my dad died. The last time before that I can … Continue reading
I like good news, except when the good news turns out to be false. Recently it has been reported that we have been misled by social scientists for decades about the divorce rate in the United States. Some are writing … Continue reading
Why is it that the American people rejected our troops who served in Vietnam? We know all about the protests not only against the war, but against those who served. Why were there no demonstrations of support? Why was there … Continue reading
I was excited when I learned that the parents of a student I knew produced a product my family used and enjoyed. His response to me was “Yea, they’re getting rich off you.” He was quite confused when I replied … Continue reading
Everyone is happy when they are engaged, even those who will eventually divorce. The feelings people have going into marriage do not predict the future of the relationship. Therefore I recommend that everyone get good premarital education. Here at Grove … Continue reading
In a classic psychological study, hungry four-year-olds were offered a marshmallow. They were told that if they could wait about 20 minutes before eating, they could have two marshmallows instead of one. Only about one-third of the children successfully delayed … Continue reading
Is the traditional college doomed? More and more people think so. Massively open online courses (MOOCs) are threatening to shake up higher education by bringing primarily non-credit courses from college professors to the world at no cost. The California state … Continue reading
So how is that New Year’s resolution diet going? Will the long-term results be better than the last diet? For the majority of us, even successful diets are unsuccessful. We may lose weight, but it comes back. Most people can … Continue reading
When discussing the possible effects on children of being raised by same-sex parents, I have told my students that the best evidence we have is that there are no negative effects. I also tell them that the best evidence we … Continue reading
President Obama has been arguing for a number of plans to reduce the burden of student loans such as artificially low interest rates and allowing for some loans to be discharged through bankruptcy. Many young adults are struggling with student … Continue reading
The student-loan checks for the fall semester have now been cashed. Round one of the Federal debt-limit debate is over, but round two may soon begin. Should we be experiencing feelings of control or bondage? It is proverbial that acquiring … Continue reading
Should a 13-year-old be able to purchase a school-shooting simulator without parents’ knowledge or consent? The Supreme Court says that freedom of speech requires that 13-year-olds have that opportunity. In a 7-2 decision, the court struck down a California law … Continue reading
A “Woman Screams for Help After TSA Molestation,” and the “Texas Pat Down Ban May Be Back.” Those are just two of the headlines breaking around the nation this morning, as summer travel picks up—and so do concerns over excessive … Continue reading
I have been using computers since 1982 and still recall a simple artificial intelligence program that ran on my Commodore 64. I was mindful of that this week as I watched IBM’s computer—named “Watson”—compete on “Jeopardy!” against two human “Jeopardy!” … Continue reading
The high price of college textbooks is getting a lot of press. Legislators are considering bills to bring down costs, such as requiring professors to use the least expensive “educationally sound” option. As I have read articles about the burden … Continue reading
Does the state have the right to prevent people from training for particular careers because the state disagrees with their religious beliefs? U.S. District Judge George Steeh has made just such a ruling. Eastern Michigan University expelled Julea Ward from … Continue reading
“The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner’s Semester at America’s Holiest University” By Kevin Roose | Grand Central Publishing [Paperback] (June 3, 2010) | 336 pp. | List Price: $13.99 An emergency prayer meeting has been called. The guys on the hall … Continue reading
My favorite section of the paper is still the comics. Lately I have been reading what seems to have become an annual theme in the “Cathy” comic strip. Not only can Cathy not find a suitable bathing suit, she is … Continue reading
As a psychology professor I teach students who plan to be practitioners of social science. They have been moved with compassion by the problems so many people face, such as being in a painful marriage or having a child with … Continue reading
We are now well into summer vacation, and it is time for a quiz. How many hours per night does your teen sleep during vacation? How many hours of sleep does your teen get on school nights during the school … Continue reading
