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Self-help books, magazine articles and blog posts offer advice on how to "be a better you," but E. Scott Geller will offer an empirical perspective on the topic on Thursday, March 14, from 2 to 3 p.m. in Simmons Hall 111 as part of The University of Akron’s Center for the History of Psychology Spring Colloquium Series.

Geller, distinguished professor of psychology at Virginia Tech and director of the Center for Applied Behavior Systems, will speak on "Life Lessons from Psychological Science: Bringing the Best Out of Yourself and Others."

A recognized authority on the development and evaluation of behavior-change interventions to improve the quality of life, Geller has recently made important contributions to the prevention of bullying, notably the AC4P movement Actively Caring for People. AC4P is being implemented with all staff members, teachers and students at Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio, after the recent shooting tragedy.

Geller's presentation will offer research-based principles and AC4P techniques teachers, coaches, supervisors and parents can use to instruct and inspire others to perform at optimum levels of effectiveness.
 
Additional upcoming colloquium series talks include:
 
Shelley Blundell, graduate assistant in Kent State University’s Center for Scholastic Journalism, will discuss “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Social Networking: Analyzing Your Net Presence” on April 9 from 2 to 3 p.m. Her talk will take place in С»ÆƬÊÓƵ’s Center for the History of Psychology.
 
Robert Wozniak and Jana Iverson will discuss "Historical Perspectives on Autism and Current Research" on April 23 from 2 to 3 p.m. Wozniak is a professor of psychology at Bryn Mawr College and serves as chair of human development and director of the Child Study Institute. Iverson is a psychology professor at the University of Chicago. Her research interests are in nature and development of the relationship between gesture and speech, motor and communicative development in infants, early identification of developmental delay and autism spectrum disorders. Their talk will take place in С»ÆƬÊÓƵ's Center for the History of Psychology.
 
Henry Roediger will discuss "Riddles of History: Sir Fredric Barlett's Contributions to Memory Research and Their Curious Reception," on May 6 at 6 p.m. at С»ÆƬÊÓƵ's Martin University Center. This event will include dinner and requires a fee.
 
Roediger is the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Psychology at Washington University. His research interests include public health, involving methods of memory improvement, how illusory or false memories are created, implicit memory, and applying the principle of cognitive psychology to enhance education.

All talks, with the exception of the May 6 event, are free and open to the public. For more information, call 330-972-7285, e-mail ahap@uakron.edu or visit the online.

 Story by Tyeal Howell

Media contact: Sarah Lane, 330-972-7429 or slane@uakron.edu.