Psychology Department Speakers Series

All events take place at the ATC Auditorium (Room 168) and start at 1 p.m.. 

All presentations are free. Video of all lectures will be posted after each event. 

Questions? 

For more information, contact via email Dr. Kate Christian or phone (616) 234-4405.

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Behavioral Gerontology: The Application of Behavior Analysis to Aging and Aging Care Settings presented by Jonthan C. Baker, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, Department of Psychology Chair at Western Michigan University

Behavioral Gerontology is the application of behavior analysis to address age related-changes and challenges amongst older adults. For more than 50 years, behavior analysts have worked alongside other geriatric services providers to identify environmental variables that exacerbate skill deficits and lead to behaviors that interfere with daily life.

Behavioral gerontology research and clinical work provides support in the areas of mental health, medication adherence, continence, hydration, falls, engagement in preferred activities, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. This presentation will introduce attendees to behavioral gerontology and the role of a behavior analyst in an integrated care setting, drawing on published research and current grant activities of the presenter. 

The talk will identify how other professionals in integrated care settings play a key role in helping behavior analysis, as well how behavior analysts can help support other professionals.
 

Past Psychology Department Speaker Series Videos

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Understanding the Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder Among LGBTQ+ Individuals by Craig Rodriquez-Seijas, Ph.D.

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

The Real World of Forensic Psychology by Dr. Jeff Kieliszewski

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Identifying and Working with First Episode Psychosis by Brandon Goeman, LMSW 

2024-25

• Neural, Hormonal and Sensory Regulation of Parental Behavior with Dr. Kristina O. Smiley
• Living with Adult ADHD: Challenges and Strengths by Dr. Priti Shah
• Everyday Media Literacy by Sue Ellen Christian
• The Science of Choosing a Career: How to Find Success in the Modern Labor Market by Dr. Kevin Hoff. 
• Momentum Center: Creating a Community for Everyone by Barbara Lee VanHorssen

2023-24 

• The Role of Brain Function as a Predictor of Substance Use Behaviors in Adolescent and Emerging Adulthood by Dr. Jullian E.  Hardee
• Humanist Movements of the Early Twentieth Century by Dr. Paul Murphy
• The Anxiety Within: Helping Children Regulate their Nervous System by Jennifer Rapanos, LCSW, RCYT
• Michigan Humanists (sponsored by GRCC Psychology Department) presents A Social Cognition Perspective on the Psychology of Religion by Luke Galen.
• Blue Language: Using body camera footage to understand what goes wrong in police interactions and how to set them right by Dr. Nicholas Camp. 

2022-23

• Toward Trans Allyship: “They” Isn’t Plural and Other Lessons in Gender Diversity

2021-22

• The MMR Vaccine and Autism: The Story of a Medical Fraud with Lessons and Challenges for Today
• Intersectional Scholarship: Resisting the Tendency to Disconnect, Dilute, and Depoliticize

2020-21

• Our Year with Coronavirus: Understanding the Science and Psychology of how COVID-19 has Impacted Our Lives

2019-20

• What Do We Know About Race and Police Use of Deadly Force? Analyses of Real-World and Laboratory Decision Data
• Dating in the Modern Age: What Online Dating and Mobile Apps Can Tell Us about Finding (and Keeping) a Romantic Partner
• Portable Device Use and Learning in the Modern Age
• CANCELED - What Do We Know about the Psychology of Doing "Work" Together?

2018-19

• What is in your suitcase? Addressing Self Awareness with The Tools to Survive
• Gambling: A Behavior Analytic Perspective
• CHARGE Syndrome: The Study of a Rare Childhood Disorder
• What Happens When We Change Ourselves? A Look at Beliefs and Health

2017-18

• Coping with Grief and Loss
• Child Development in the Digital Age: How, and for Whom, Does Mobile Media Use Become Problematic?
• Unmasking the Automatic Mind: Toward a New Understanding of Unconscious Cognition
• Media effects: Can watching T.V. or playing video games really change how you think and what you do?  

2016-17

• The Psychology of Political Affiliation: Are Donkeys and Elephants Really that Different?
• The Emergent Use of Virtual Reality in the Treatment of Psychological Disorders
• Understanding the Neurobiology of Drug Addiction in Humans Through the Study of Animals
• Introduction to Mindfulness: Exploring the Science and Practical Application 

2015-16

• The Real World of Forensic Psychology
• Social Support and Mental Health: It's Not What You Think
• Do Visual Artists See the World Differently?
• No Child is an Island: Integrating Family Systems Perspectives into Children's Mental Health Treatment

2014-15

• Modern Application of Darwinian Theory to Psychology
• I’m Dying to Talk with You
• Art Therapy and the Expressive Arts: Knowing Yourself Through Your Creative Side
• Self-Justification in Everyday Life: What cognitive dissonance theory reveals about cheating, justice, love, war, memory, and the decisions we make 

2013-14

• Do Parents Make a Difference? An Exploration in Raising a Child
• Do sports matter as much to girls as they do to boys? Gender and the Myth of the Blank Slate
• Human Sexuality and Sex Therapy: Yes, our brain is the biggest erogenous zone!
• Stress can destroy a 66 ton bridge; imagine what it might do to you? Understanding and managing stress 

2012-13

• Can Political Psychology Help Us Know What We're Getting When We Vote?
• Anger: Just One Letter Away From Danger!
• Our Connection To Something Bigger: The Archetypes of C.G. Jung.
• Mental Toughness: The X-Factor in Sport and Life 

2011-12

• Will Psychologists Be Replacing Their Couch With A Computer Screen?
• I Didn’t Do Anything To Make You Feel That Way – How We Communicate Without Saying Anything.
• The Human Genome: Will You Be Able To Pre-Order The Sex, Height, and Personality Of Your New Baby?
• The Role of Technology in Our Lives:  The Good, the Bad, and the Scary 

2010-11

• Alzheimer's Disease: One of the Things I'd Like to Forget.
• Things That Go Bump in the Night: An Introduction to Parasomnias
• Finding, Landing, and Thriving in a Job that You Love
• The Roots of Morality: Does Religion Play a Role or is the Tail Wagging the Dog? 

2009-10

• Forensic Psychology: The Real World of CSI
• Animal Psychology: We Do More Than Make Dogs Salivate Or Teach Rats To Run Mazes
• The Psychology Of Love: Do Opposites Attract or Do Birds Of A Feather Flock Together?
• Hypnosis: It's Not Just a Stage Act
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Can’t We Just Give ‘Em A “Chill Pill?”