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Frazier on Decision Hour for Jurors in the Chauvin Trial
In the Derek Chauvin trial, jurors recently were in deliberation, finding themselves involved in one of the most significant police brutality cases in American history. A Star Tribune article titled, “Decision hour arrives for jurors in high-pressure, emotionally draining Chauvin trial,” covers how jurors may face heavy stress in many cases, particularly in high-profile proceedings. Pat Frazier, PhD, professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota states that jurors undergo vicarious trauma exposure paired with the pressure of making a decision and lack of emotional/mental support. Frazier points out that jurors really only have one another as a support system as they are not allowed to discuss the trial with anyone.

Leon Quoted in Smithsonian Magazine
Ever wondered what astronauts do on their weekends off? According to a Smithsonian Magazine article titled, “How Do Astronauts Spend Their Weekends in Space?” astronauts maintain a pretty similar schedule to the normal 9 to 5 work-week most of us experience. Living in such a confined space, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and mental health is essential.

APC Study on How Age Affects Cortical Tracking
Researchers from the Auditory Perception and Cognition (APC) Lab in the Psychology Department recently released research on the effect of age on cortical tracking of word-level features of continuous competing speech. The paper titled, “Effects of Age on Cortical Tracking of Word-Level Features of Continuous Competing Speech,” was co-authored by Juraj Mesik, Lucia Ray, and Magdalena Wojtczak.

Lee on Pandemic Brain Fog
Brain fog, the feeling of sluggish or fuzzy thinking, is a common experience; however, the pandemic may be increasing this experience. With isolation, added interruptions, and the stress of the past year, your ability to focus on and complete tasks can be affected. In a Duluth News Tribune article titled, “Minnesota experts share tips to ease pandemic 'brain fog',” Rich Lee, PhD, Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota, states that brain fog is currently not well understood.

Ones and Alumnus Receive Award

Congratulations to Deniz S. Ones, PhD, Hellervik Professor of Industrial Psychology, Distinguished McKnight University Professor, and Distinguished University Teacher of the University of Minnesota’s Department of Psychology, and I-O Area Alumnus Michael Wilmot who were awarded the 2021 Joyce and Robert Hogan Award for Personality and Work Performance by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) for their Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America paper on Conscientiousness.

Lee on the Rise of Anti-Asian Hate Crimes
On March 16th, a gunman opened fire on several Atlanta-area spas, killing eight people with six being Asian women. This horrific attack was just one of many as the US has seen an upward trend in anti-Asian hate crimes. In a Minnesota Daily article titled, “Asian and Asian American community members heal and process after Atlanta-area shootings,” the article shares how at a local level, student groups across campus such as the Asian-American Student Union (ASU) have collaborated with each other to hold safe spaces. Rich Lee, PhD, Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota, drafted the department’s statement in response to these attacks.

Frazier on PTSD From Police Footage
Throughout the Derek Chauvin trial, witnesses have taken to the stand to describe what they saw the night of George Floyd’s death. In a Star Tribune article titled, “Derek Chauvin trial shows people who film police violence later struggle with trauma,” Pat Frazier, PhD, professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota, states that the experiences described in court are consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder.
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