The Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences is committed to delivering a valuable and diverse research experience for students who wish to pursue graduate school and a career in anthropology, sociology, and psychology. Faculty members who teach in these disciplines offer a variety of opportunities to conduct research and present findings at regional and national conferences. See the resources below for additional information about any of these exciting programs.
News
Seventh Annual Ollie J. Lee Symposium, April 2017
The Lee University Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences recently held its seventh annual Ollie J. Lee Symposium. Anthropology, psychology, and sociology students presented their original research at the event, held to honor Dr. Ollie J. Lee, Distinguished Professor of Sociology. More than 40 students presented oral or poster exhibitions at the symposium.
Conference Presentations (MPA), April 2017
Nine undergraduate psychology majors attended the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) conference, where they presented their original research on a variety of topics, including anger, nostalgia, and workplace satisfaction.
Dr. Poole publishes in Motivation Science, December 2016
The journal Motivation Science has accepted for publication an empirical article entitled "Sadness Speeds and Disgust Drags: Motivational Tendency in Negative Affect Influences Time Perception," which was written by Dr. Bryan Poole and psychology alumna Lauren Neal.
Psi Chi Undergraduate Research Grants Awarded, December 2016
Psi Chi, the national honors society in psychology, awarded Brooklyn Messamore and Allison Severin an undergraduate research grant ($1,500) for their proposal entitled "Face it: Mere Exposure to Stigmas." Gabby Oechsle and Nicole Nuzzolo were also awarded an undergraduate research grant ($1,260) for their proposal entitled "Anger, Empathy, and Cognition." These students will use their funds to complete their proposed projects and present their results at a professional conference.
Early Career Professional Award, December 2016
Dr. Bryan Poole received an Early Career Professional Travel Grant from the Society for the Teaching of Psychology for his research on student emotions in the classroom. Dr. Poole will use the grant funding to present the results of his research at next year's Southeastern Teaching of Psychology conference.
Tennessee Higher Education Commission ITQ Grant Award, November 2016
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission awarded Dr. Bryan Poole and colleagues an Improving Teacher Quality grant ($73,164.42) that will allow them to instruct local high school teachers on best practices for teaching mathematics and statistics.
National Science Foundation Grant Awarded, September 2016
The National Science Foundation awarded Dr. Bryan Poole and colleagues a five-year grant ($155,467) to study how to better teach mathematics and statistics courses to undergraduate students. Dr. Poole will serve as the project's co-PI in charge of assessment, implementation of new programs, and dissemination of results.
Conference Presentation (SSS), July 2016
Dr. Karen Mundy-Judkins recently presented research on dance and healthy lifestyles for the 79th Annual Meeting of the Southern Sociological Society (SSS) in Atlanta, Georgia. Mundy-Judkins studied forms of movement in exercise, as well as social dance, and considered health outcomes and patterns of injury. This research focused on the efficacy of movement and dance for health maintenance.
Sixth Annual Ollie J. Lee Symposium, April 2016
The Lee University Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences recently held its sixth annual Ollie J. Lee Symposium. Anthropology, psychology, and sociology students presented their original research at the event, held to honor Dr. Ollie J. Lee, Distinguished Professor of Sociology. More than 40 students presented oral or poster exhibitions at the symposium. There were 13 displays from anthropology students, 17 displays from psychology students, and 11 displays from sociology displays. Presentations included topics such as homelessness, pornography use, immigration, job satisfaction, eating and body dysphasia behaviors, and religious points of view of God and women’s health.
Conference Presentations (SEPA), April 2016
Dr. Bryan Poole accompanied nine undergraduate students to the Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA) conference, where the students presented their original research on a variety of topics, including mixed emotions, attention, and awe.
Conference Presentations (SETOP), March 2016
Drs. Heather Quagliana, Susan Alford, and Bryan Poole accompanied four undergraduate students at the 28th annual Southeastern Teaching of Psychology (SETOP) conference and presented their research.
Conference Presentations (SEPA), April 2015
Drs. Heather Quagliana and Bryan Poole accompanied nine undergraduate students to the Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA) conference, where the students presented their original research on a variety of topics, including altruism, attention, and religiosity.
Conference Presentations (SETOP), March 2014
At the 27th annual Southeastern Teaching of Psychology (SETOP) conference, Drs. Heather Quagliana, Susan Carter, and Bryan Poole presented their models for how to effectively run undergraduate research labs. In addition, Drs. Fisher and Poole presented their work on training undergraduate teaching assistants.
Conference Presentations (CAPS), April 2014
Dr. Heather Quagliana and her students presented research on theological parenting at this year's conference for the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS).
Ollie J. Lee Symposium, April 2014
Over 70 students involved in anthropology, sociology, and psychology research presented their academic work at this year's fourth annual Ollie J. Lee Symposium. This year's symposium showcased a plethora of poster presentations and symposia, covering topics in social/personality and cognitive psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
Conference Presentations (SEPA), March 2014
Mr. Bryan Poole and two students presented their research--one study on attractiveness and attention, and another study on approach motivation and time availability--at the 60th annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA).
New Research Space, March 2014
The BSS recently acquired new research space in the Mayfield Annex. Currently, the space houses the Archaeology Research Center, the Play Therapy Center, the Marriage and Family Therapy Center, and the BSS Research Lab, where a growing number of students are conducting research in both psychology and sociology.