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msupsychology.bsky.social
MSU Psychology
@msupsychology.bsky.social
160 followers 56 following 100 posts
Official account for the Department of Psychology at Michigan State University. 📚 Striving to better understand human beings. 🧠
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http://linktr.ee/msupsychology
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msupsychology.bsky.social
Looking for some conversation starters this holiday season? We’ve got you.

Try one of these topics based off research and expertise from MSU Psychology: psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...

💚🤍
A picture of a roasted turkey on a dining table. The text says: Conversation starters for the holiday season from MSU Psychology. The Spartan logo is at the top.
November 26, 2025 at 3:54 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
For 20 years, MSU's Dr. Adrienne Adams has studied how money can be used as a tool of power and control in abusive relationships.

Here, she shares three insights about how money plays a role in domestic violence: psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...

#EconomicSafetyMatters #EconomicAbuseAwarenessDay
A close up of a hand holding dollar bills. The text says: What you might not know about domestic violence and money
November 24, 2025 at 5:19 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Congrats to MSU grad student Anna Benedict on being named to Notre Dame’s prestigious Domer Dozen—which recognizes the top 12 outstanding young alumni!

See how Anna is changing the conversation around serious mental illness through research and storytelling: psychology.msu.edu/news-events/... 💚
A studio headshot of Anna Benedict. At the bottom is a green bar with the Spartan logo. A green graphic with a quote from MSU grad student Anna Benedict: The folks whom I've worked with are used to being silenced and ostracized, and they are heavily stigmatized by media which labels them as ‘crazy’ and ‘dangerous.’ In the public eye as well as in research and healthcare, this frequently leaves little room for centering their humanity, their right to autonomy, their ability to recover, their ability to give back to their communities, and their ability to live meaningful lives despite their illness. This orientation on strengths is a vital missing piece that I’m excited to explore.
November 17, 2025 at 6:31 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Congrats to MSU graduate student @abbycassario.bsky.social on being awarded a 2025 Student Publication Prize from @spspnews.bsky.social!

Full story here: psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...
A studio portrait of Abby Cassario with a green background and a Spartan logo at the bottom. A green graphic with a quote attributed to Abby Cassario. The MSU Department of Psychology logo is at the bottom.
November 10, 2025 at 4:06 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Congrats to MSU graduate student Bailey Rann on receiving a 2025 J. Frank Yates Student Travel Award from @psychonomicsociety.bsky.social!

Get to know Bailey more here:
psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...
A photo of Bailey Rann wearing a brown sweater while standing outside with her arms crossed. At the bottom of the photo is a green Spartan head. A green graphic with this quote attributed to Bailey Rann: The brain is incredible, and I love the passion and detailed nature of all those within the CCN program as we work to uncover the underlying reasoning and processes that most humans take for granted like processing rhythms in our environment and attending to different objects.
November 7, 2025 at 3:19 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Meet Dr. Gwendolyn Seidman! As a social psychologist, Dr. Seidman’s research focuses on romantic relationships, social media, and personality traits like narcissism.

Get to know her more here: psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...

Welcome to MSU, Dr. Seidman! 💚
A dark green background with a cutout photo of Gwendolyn Seidman. The text says “Meet Dr. Gwendolyn Seidman, MSU’s new social/personality psychologist" A dark green graphic introducing associate professor Gwendolyn Seidman, her list of classes, and her favorite part of being a professor.
November 4, 2025 at 2:55 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Dr. Kimberly Fenn from the MSU Sleep and Learning Lab answers all your questions about dreaming—including how daylight saving time ending may subtly influence our dreams!

Full Q&A here: psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...

#CognitiveNeuroscience #SleepResearch #DaylightSavingTime
A person sleeping with a sleep mask on. The text says: Ask the Expert: How daylight saving time can affect your dreams. The Spartan logo is at the top.
November 3, 2025 at 6:02 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Meet Jennifer Renick, our newest community psychologist!

With a background in educational psychology and a commitment to research that creates meaningful change, she brings a passion for community psychology and youth engagement to Michigan State University. 💚

psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...
A dark green background with a headshot of Jennifer Renick. The text invites you to meet Dr. Renick, the new community psychology researcher. The Spartan logo is at the top. A dark green background with three quotes from assistant professor of ecological-community psychology, Dr. Jennifer Renick. She talks about her research interests, why a community approach to research is important, and what her favorite part of being a professor is.
October 28, 2025 at 2:27 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Not sure what to be for Halloween this year? We’ve got you! 🎃

Here are five easy psychology inspired costume ideas that you can do with a group: psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...

#PsychologyCostumes #HalloweenCostume
A green background with a ghost and spider webs. The text says: 5 easy Halloween costumes for psychologists - group edition. The Spartan logo is at the top.
October 24, 2025 at 3:39 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Meet Dr. Meltem Yucel, our new moral psychologist!

Dr. Yucel has a passion for understanding why people behave the way they do. Her research focuses on how children and adults understand rules, group identity, & moral development.

psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...

@drmeltemyucel.bsky.social
A dark green background with a cutout photo of Meltem Yucel. The text says “Meet Dr. Meltem Yucel, MSU's New Moral Psychology Researcher" A dark green graphic introducing Dr. Meltem Yucel's research interests, her Moral Minds Lab, and why she wanted to work at Michigan State. Three photos of the Moral Minds Lab space. This lab explores morality across different stages of life and in cultures around the world. In the bottom right corner is moralmindslab.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Congratulations to Dr. Christopher Webster on successfully earning a PhD in Psychology! Since graduating, Dr. Webster accepted a position as a T32 Postdoctoral Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. 🎓

Congrats again, Dr. Webster! 💚🤍

#ClinicalScience
A photo of Dr. Christopher Webster in his graduation clothes. The text congratulates him. In the top left corner is the Spartan head. A green background that describes Dr. Webster's dissertation, pre-doctoral internship, and what he's currently up to.
October 20, 2025 at 6:18 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Drs. Kelly Klump, Katharine Thakkar & Kristen Culbert are leading a $3.7M study examining how hormonal changes during perimenopause might influence psychosis and other mental health outcomes like bipolar disorder.

Full story: psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...

#WorldMenopauseDay #Perimenopause
A photo of a woman talking with a doctor. The text says that researchers lead $3.7m study to shed light on perimenopause and psychosis. A woman fills out a questionnaire. The text says: The study follows 750 women aged 40–60 as they collect daily saliva samples and complete detailed questionnaires to help researchers track hormone levels and psychological symptoms. The researchers hope their work will lead to better health care approaches, more personalized treatments and increased awareness about women’s midlife experiences. A photo of Kelly Klump and her quote that says: “All women go through this period of life, just like with puberty, but only a subset is vulnerable to experiencing outcomes like psychosis, mood disorders and other mental health concerns. It’s important to do this research to better identify which women may be at risk.
October 17, 2025 at 6:48 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Meet Dr. Elisabeth Silver, our newest organizational psychologist! 💚

Dr. Silver's background spans biopsychology, computational methods, & workplace differences. Her work focuses on how orgs and individual employees respond to changing workplace demographics.

psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...
A dark green background with a cutout photo of Elisabeth Silver. The text says “Meet Dr. Elisabeth Silver, MSU’s New Organizational Psychology Researcher.” A dark green graphic introducing Dr. Elisabeth Silver’s research interests, why I/O psych, and why she wanted to work at MSU.
October 16, 2025 at 3:35 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday to explore how belonging and community can shape mental health care! 💚

Interested in being a part of this work? Consider joining Mental Health Research Connect! Learn more here: mhrc.psy.msu.edu

#MentalIllnessAwareness
October 10, 2025 at 2:08 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Join us for a night of exploring how dignity and belonging can shape mental health care beyond traditional clinical systems!

More details here:
psychology.msu.edu/news-events/... 💚

#MentalHealth #MentalIllnessAwareness
Join MSU’s Mental Health Research Connect and NAMI Lansing for a special event during Mental Illness Awareness Week on October 9! The event will feature Dr. Vikram Patel, an internationally renowned expert on community-based approaches to mental health. The talk will be followed by a live panel discussion with a peer support specialist, a psychiatrist, and community activists. A green quote from Katy Thakkar that says: This event is about rethinking how we approach mental health— not just through services, but through relationships, community, and a sense of belonging. We’re thrilled to bring so many mental health experts, including the global voice of Dr. Patel, together to imagine what accessible, rights-based mental health support can look like in practice.
October 3, 2025 at 3:48 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
MSU’s 2nd Annual Disability Summit is coming up Oct 3 and PSY's Beau Zhang is helping shape it.

This year’s summit will feature keynote speaker @habengirma.bsky.social. Virtual sessions will be happening throughout October as well.

More info: psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...
A headshot of Beau Zhang with a Spartan logo at the bottom. A green graphic with a quote from Beau Zhang: “I think having events like the Disability Summit helps people stop and think about issues they may not normally consider. It’s a step toward building a more inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
September 26, 2025 at 2:41 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Congrats to the two PSY nominees for the prestigious Marshall Scholarship! Best of luck to both of you! 💚

Full list of nominees can be found here:
psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...
September 25, 2025 at 8:31 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Congrats to Dr. Ted Schwaba on receiving the SAGE Early Career Trajectory Award from @spspnews.bsky.social! 👏

This award recognizes the outstanding work that Dr. Schwaba is doing at the cutting edge of psychology and genetics.

Full story here: psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...
A photo of Ted Schwaba with congratulation written in text behind him.
September 19, 2025 at 7:01 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
New research from the Castillo-Ruiz lab finds that tiny microbes play an important role in shaping brain development, specifically in a region that controls stress, social behavior & vital body functions. 🧠

See why this is especially important today: psychology.msu.edu/news-events/...

#Microbes
A green graphic with a repeating brain icon in the background. The text says: MSU study finds tiny microbes shape early brain development. At the top is the Spartan logo and at the bottom is an illustration of microbes tinkering with a brain.
September 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Student athlete & psych major Luke Baylis ‘24 found a way to thrive on the tennis court and in class. Now an MSU med student, Luke shares about the role of psychology and mental health in his success in hopes to help the next Spartan student athlete!

Full story: psychology.msu.edu/news-events/... 💚
September 5, 2025 at 5:50 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Congrats to Dr. Josh Pearman on earning a PhD in Psychology! Since graduation, Dr. Pearman accepted a position as a People Scientist at Roblox. 🎓

Congrats again, Dr. Pearman! 💚
September 4, 2025 at 2:14 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Carroll on officially earning her PhD! Dr. Carroll’s research area is Clinical Science with a dissertation that examined the origins of antisocial behavior. 🎓

Congrats again, Dr. Carroll! Best of luck on your next steps! 💚
A photo of Dr. Sarah Carroll in graduation garb. The text congratulates her. The MSU Department of Psychology logo is in the top corner. A green graphic that says that Dr. Carroll’s research area is Clinical Science and includes where she interned and what her future plans are.
August 26, 2025 at 7:38 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
Whether you’re a PSY undergrad, grad student, or a professor - we’re celebrating you today! Happy first day of classes! 💚🤍
A mixture of undergraduate and graduate students holding up signs that say “First day of school 2025-2026” with filled in sections about themselves. A graduate student holds up a sign that say “First day of school 2025-2026” with filed in sections about themselves. A graduate student holds up a sign that say “First day of school 2025-2026” with filed in sections about themselves. A graduate student holds up a sign that say “First day of school 2025-2026” with filed in sections about themselves.
August 25, 2025 at 1:47 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
We’re excited to welcome five incoming MSU Psychology graduate students to the Clinical Science research area this month! Get to know them here: psychology.msu.edu/news-events/... 💚🤍

#MSUPsychology #ClinicalScience
August 7, 2025 at 2:55 PM
msupsychology.bsky.social
A warm welcome to the new PSY graduate students who will be joining us this month! Get to know the three new graduate students who will be working in the Ecological/Community research area: psychology.msu.edu/news-events/... 💚🤍

#MSUPsychology #GradStudent #CommunityPsychology
August 6, 2025 at 2:31 PM