Two members from the Northwestern Oklahoma State University psychology department were recently awarded by the Oklahoma Psychological Society.
The OPS reviews nominations for outstanding teaching in psychology from across Oklahoma. Dr. Jason Ferrell, assistant professor of psychology and psychology department chair, was named the 2021 Outstanding Teacher in Psychology.
This is a prestigious teaching award with a rich history of recognizing outstanding teaching and mentorship in psychology programs in Oklahoma. Ferrell’s work often exemplifies his philosophy that “teaching is research, and research is teaching.”
“I am grateful to receive award recognition for outstanding teaching by OPS,” Ferrell said. “OPS has a strong tradition of recognizing teaching excellence, and I am honored to be nominated and selected for this year’s award.”
Laralin Worsham of Enid is a recent graduate of the Master of Science in General Psychology program, and lab member in Ferrell’s Science of Subjectivity Research Lab. Worsham submitted a formal research paper to a competition at the Oklahoma Psychological Society’s annual conference in April 2021. She verbally presented her research at the conference and was awarded first place for Graduate Student Papers.
The project examined the relationships between childhood experiences and intelligence growth mindset. There were 295 volunteers who participated in an online study, and analyses revealed that positive, but not adverse, childhood experiences predict growth mindset. Specifically, adults with more positive childhood experiences trend towards growth, instead of fixed, intelligence beliefs.
“I used to tutor underprivileged elementary school children in college, and I wanted to see how they and other children in similar situations can be successful in an academic environment,” Worsham said. “Even though I couldn’t work with them in person with tutoring, maybe I could study scientific ways to help children succeed.”
Worsham and Ferrell are now working on submitting this research for publication.
Oklahoma Psychological Society is an organization that fosters and promotes psychological science across Oklahoma.
For more information on the psychology department contact Ferrell at (580) 327-8447 or email jdferrell@nwosu.edu.
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CONTACT FOR RELEASE
Erin Davis, University Relations Specialist
eedavis@nwosu.edu, 580-327-8480