Divisional Report Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience.

The Division of Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience experienced a significant increase in participation at the annual meeting this year. More than a hundred requests for papers were distributed to psychologists and psychology graduate and undergraduate programs all over the state by the Division Chair, Pamela Banks. Fifteen research papers were presented in either slide presentations or poster presentations. The presentations scheduled for the morning session were well attended with standing room only in our meeting room. It was especially exciting to see the significant number of college students in attendance. For the first time in perhaps several years, two monetary awards were presented to students for outstanding research projects. The judges were professors from Jackson State University, University of Mississippi and Alcorn State University. In the category of Oral Paper Presentations, Jerome Burt, a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi, was given the "Ou tstanding Student Research Presentation Award." Mr. Burt presented a paper entitled, "Race receptivity and compromise." His research is supervised by Dr. Billy Barrios, University of Mississippi. In the category of Poster Presentations, Richisa Johnson, a senior psychology major at Jackson State University, was presented with the "Outstanding Student Poster Presentation Award." Her research topic was "Helpful and unhelpful comments to bereaved and non-bereaved individuals." Ms. Johnson is mentored by Dr. Pamela Banks, Jackson State University.

At the Divisional Business Meeting, it was decided that the Division of Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience would combine with the Division of Social Science in order to enhance both divisions. The newly agreed upon name for the Division is the Division of Psychology and Social Sciences. Dr. Pamela Banks was selected to remain Chair of this division. Co-Chairs for the division will be Dr. Ann Marie Kinnell, University of Southern Mississippi and Dr. Billy Barrios, University of Mississippi. This year's divisional activities were regarded as very successful because of the participation of six of the state's institutions of higher learning. Faculty members and students from Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Mississippi and Tougaloo College participated in this year's annual session for the Division of Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience.