Robert Provine, Psychology, on NPR Blog

Jan 16, 2013 / 1 minute of reading

Every year the website Edge.org poses an annual question to dozens of scholars, scientists, writers, artists and thinkers. Among them is Robert Provine, professor of psychology. NPR’s 13.7 blog wrote about this year’s question, “What should we be worried about?” in a January 14 post. Themes that the blog detected in the answers included “the impact of technology on individual minds and human relationships,” “the growing disconnect between science and the rest of human knowledge and culture,” and “worry itself.” Provine gave a positive spin on the question, urging people to “stop worrying about worry.” “Too much worry strands us… Continue Reading Robert Provine, Psychology, on NPR Blog

Robert Provine, Psychology, in the News

Dec 6, 2012 / 2 minutes of reading

Research by Robert Provine, professor of psychology, has recently been cited in a variety of news outlets. On December 1, the Wall Street Journal published a story on “The Unsolved Mystery of Why You Just Yawned” in which they delve into research performed for Provine’s latest book, Curious Behavior: Yawning, Laughing, Hiccupping and Beyond. “So what is known about yawning? Dr. Provine—who is a champion of what he calls ‘sidewalk neuroscience,’ experiments anybody can do at home without special equipment—has spent years teasing out the details of yawning, as recounted in his recent book ‘Curious Behavior: Yawning, Laughing, Hiccupping and… Continue Reading Robert Provine, Psychology, in the News

Robert Provine, Psychology, on CTV News

Nov 28, 2012 / 1 minute of reading

Psychology professor Robert Provine was featured in a November 26th web article published on the Canadian news network CTV’s website, which discussed the mystery of why people get the hiccups. Provine, whose book Curious Behavior: Yawning, Laughing, Hiccupping, and Beyond was published in August, spoke with reporter Helen Branswell about his research into the involuntary action, which can often occur after drinking too much. He also discussed possible cures, which can include being observed by another person. Provine noticed this particular approach when he attempted to record hiccupping children during his research. “In fact, my first nine attempts to do this in every case… Continue Reading Robert Provine, Psychology, on CTV News

Robert Provine, Psychology, to Give Talk at the Ivy Bookshop

Oct 12, 2012 / 1 minute of reading

Robert Provine, professor of psychology, will read from his new book, Curious Behavior: Yawning, Laughing, Hiccupping, and Beyond, at the Ivy Bookshop on Tuesday, October 16 at 6:30 p.m. In Curious Behavior, Provine boldly goes where other scientists seldom tread – in search of hiccups, coughs, yawns, sneezes, and other lowly, undignified human behaviors. These instinctive acts can be valuable tools for understanding how the human brain works and what makes us different from other species. The Ivy is located at 6080 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21209, and is owned by alumnus alumnus Ed Berlin ’70, history. More information about… Continue Reading Robert Provine, Psychology, to Give Talk at the Ivy Bookshop

Robert Provine, Psychology, in the News

Aug 14, 2012 / 4 minutes of reading

Psychology professor Robert Provine’s latest book Curious Behavior: Yawning, Laughing, Hiccupping, and Beyond, was published this month, and the professor’s exploration of seemingly small, instinctive actions has been covered in a variety of media outlets. An August 14 New York Times review entitled “Pardon Me! A Fearless Look at Our Bodies’ Mundane Functions” said that the book is both entertaining and engaging, and that, “with its many facts and anecdotes and unexpected stories, it begs you to continue where curiosity leads you, down both the boulevards and the back alleys of science.” This article was reprinted in the independent Kenyan newspaper Daily Nation.… Continue Reading Robert Provine, Psychology, in the News

Robert Provine, Psychology, in Scientific American

Jul 20, 2012 / 1 minute of reading

Psychology professor Robert Provine’s latest book Curious Behavior: Yawning, Laughing, Hiccupping, and Beyond as reviewed in the August 2012 issue of Scientific American. Anna Kuchment, senior editor for the magazine, wrote in the “Recommended” section that Provine “has written a charming ode to ‘Small Science’—science that does not require a large budget or fancy equipment but that is interesting nonetheless. Taking examples from his own research, some of which involved nothing more complicated than stalking graduate students and observing how and when they laugh, he explains the origins of some of the most prevalent, but often overlooked, human behaviors.”

Robert Provine, Psychology, in The Washington Post Magazine

Jul 17, 2012 / 1 minute of reading

The Washington Post Magazine announced a humor-writing contest in the July 15th issue. The research of Robert Provine, professor of psychology and author of the forthcoming book Curious Behavior: Yawning, Laughing, Hiccupping, and Beyond, was cited the print edition invitation. Provine is also the author of Laughter: A Scientific Investigation. Prizes include $1000 for a written piece, $140 for a Twitter joke, or $300 for a funny photo. Learn more about the contest – including submission guidelines – here.

Stephanie Archer-Smith ’85, Psychology, Named Executive Director of Local Meals on Wheels

Jul 13, 2012 / 1 minute of reading

Stephanie Archer-Smith ’85, developmental psychology, was recently named the executive director for Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland. “We are delighted to be able to hire someone as experienced and capable as Stephanie to lead Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland,” said board president Jonathan Wachs. “She is well-qualified for the post, and her strengths and abilities are tailor-made to lead our organization into the next phase of growth and sustainabiliy.” Archer-Smith, who received a graduate degree at the University of Baltimore, her served as senior vice president of operations for St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore for the past… Continue Reading Stephanie Archer-Smith ’85, Psychology, Named Executive Director of Local Meals on Wheels

Robert Provine, Psychology, on Irish Radio’s Moncrieff

Jul 9, 2012 / 1 minute of reading

Robert Provine, professor of psychology, appeared on the Irish radio station newsTalk’s Moncrieff program July 5th to discuss laughing’s purpose and its origins in human evolution. “Laughter is literally the sound of play,” said Provine. “In fact, the human ‘ha-ha’ evolved from the labored breathing of our rough-and-tumble primate ancestors, whereby ‘pant-pant’ became ‘ha-ha.’” You can listen to the discussion here, in segment 3 from the July 5th broadcast, beginning at 51:20 and continuing in segment 4.

Michael T. Abrams and Cynthia Boddie-Willis, The Hilltop Institute, in Psychiatry Online

Jun 11, 2012 / 2 minutes of reading

Psychiatry Online published an article entitled “Cervical Cancer Screening and Acute Care Visits Among Medicaid Enrollees With Mental and Substance Use Disorders” on June 1, which counted among its co-authors Michael T. Abrams and Cynthia Boddie-Willis, a Senior Research Analyst and Director of Health Services Policy and Research for The Hilltop Institute, respectively. The piece, which involved creating logistic models using data from women enrolled in Medicaid for 2005, used cancer screening and acute care visits as dependent variables and mental illness flags and independent variables in order to “compare rates of cervical cancer screening and acute care (primary or… Continue Reading Michael T. Abrams and Cynthia Boddie-Willis, The Hilltop Institute, in Psychiatry Online

Robert Provine, Psychology, mentioned in NPR’s “Krulwich Wonders”

Jun 11, 2012 / 1 minute of reading

NPR host and blogger Robert Krulwich devoted the May 26 edition of his blog Krulwich Wonders to a post entitled “A Puzzle: Why Aren’t They Laughing?”. The post discusses a popular internet video ostensibly involving a Belgian television interviewer laughing at the “strange” voices of an interviewee and an audience member. Krulwich wrote of how the stone-faced reaction of the general audience in the video contradicts the findings of Robert Provine, professor of psychology. “It seems unnatural and seems to contradict what neuroscientist Robert Provine says about laughing — that it’s contagious, that ‘we laugh when we hear other people laugh.… Continue Reading Robert Provine, Psychology, mentioned in NPR’s “Krulwich Wonders”

Shawn Bediako, Psychology, Named to Advisory Board of the Center for the History of Psychology

May 23, 2012 / 1 minute of reading

Shawn Bediako, associate professor of psychology, has been named to the advisory board of the Center for the History of Psychology (CHP). The CHP, which is located at The University of Akron, provides access to and interprets the historical record of psychology and related human sciences. It is home to a museum of psychology and the Archives of the History of American Psychology. “I’ve always had an interest in the history of psychology,” said Bediako. “I use my interest in history to balance out the rigors of doing research.” Bediako came to the center’s attention in 2008, when he planned… Continue Reading Shawn Bediako, Psychology, Named to Advisory Board of the Center for the History of Psychology

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