Division report of Psychology and Social Sciences.

The Division of Psychology and Social Sciences hosted 17 paper presentations and 10 poster presentations at the 2006 Conference of the MAS. Several universities, including University of Southern Mississippi, University of Mississippi, Delta State University, Tougaloo College, and Millsaps College, were represented by undergraduate, graduate student, and faculty presentations. The paper presentation topics included a variety of topics, such as cell phone usage, racial correlates of self-esteem, health status and causes of death in nineteenth century Natchez and Vicksburg, and financial impact of aging populations. Poster topics were equally varied, including posters on the effects of modafinil on working memory in rats, effects of early food restriction on weight gain, psychological correlates of self-esteem, and effects of age and gender on seat belt usage.

A special symposium on the impact of Hurricane Katrina was included in the afternoon session. The symposium was organized by Dr. David Swanson (UM) and included speakers from USM and MSU. The topics addressed the impact of the hurricane on federally funded research programs in the state of Mississippi, the effects of disaster related trauma on the residents in the disaster area, and disaster preparedness plans for animal facilities. This session was instrumental in soliciting input from Mississippi's scientific community that will facilitate improved responding and preparedness in the event of future disasters.

The Thelma Gipson Awards for graduate and undergraduate oral and poster presentations were sponsored by Dr. Pamela Banks of Jackson State University. The award for best oral presentation by an undergraduate was awarded to Reginald Riggins for his presentation of How Do Interracial Couples Strategize Against The Complexities of Racism? Best oral presentation by a graduate student was awarded to Harold Webster, Jr. for Comparative Analysis of the Relationships of Age, Gender, and Cause of Caucasian Deaths in Late Nineteenth Century Vicksburg and Natchez, Mississippi. The award for best undergraduate poster presentation went to Monica Stevens for Effects of Modafinil on Working Memory. The award for best graduate student poster presentation was awarded to Miranda Page for Health and Activity of a Plaquemine Necropolis in Claiborne County, Mississippi. Each student received a monetary award and a certificate.

At the divisional business meeting, Dr. David Swanson (UM) was elected chair of the division for 2006-2007. Dr. Ron Cossman (MSU) was elected vice-chair. Special thanks go to Ann Marie Kinnell for guidance and assistance in making the 2006 division session a great success.