05/20/2021
There is great news coming out of NWOSU's Psychology Department. Laralin Worsham just graduated with her Master of Science degree in General Psychology. Congratulations go to both Laralin and her mentor Dr. Jason Ferrell!
Psychology Department Awarded by Oklahoma Psychological Society.
Two members from the psychology department were recently awarded by the Oklahoma Psychological Society. Laralin Worsham is a graduate student in the Master of Science in General Psychology program (graduating in May 2021), and lab member in Dr. Jason Ferrell’s SOS Research Lab (https://www.jasondferrell.com/projects). Ms. Worsham submitted a formal research paper to a research paper competition at the Oklahoma Psychological Society’s annual conference in April 2021. Oklahoma Psychological Society is an organization that fosters and promotes psychological science across Oklahoma.
Ms. Worsham verbally presented her research at the conference and was awarded 1st Place Graduate Student Paper. The project examined the relationships between childhood experiences and intelligence growth mindset. Volunteers (N = 295) 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. Ms. Worsham and Dr. Ferrell are now working on submitting this research for publication.
Additionally, the Oklahoma Psychological Society reviews nominations for outstanding teaching in psychology from across Oklahoma. Dr. Ferrell was awarded as 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. Dr. Ferrell is Assistant Professor and Chair of Psychology at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and his work often exemplifies his philosophy that “teaching is research, and research is teaching.”
