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Fall 2024

Social Sciences

Illustration of a head with butterflies and flowers coming from it
Fall 2024

How do we compensate for memory loss?

Remembering to perform a future action is a critical part of daily life.

Psychologists refer to this as our “prospective memory,” and some examples include remembering to pay bills on time, returning library books when they’re due, or getting to doctor’s appointments.

Brooke Beech is a Washington State University doctoral student specializing in clinical neuropsychology. She works with older adults to examine how aging affects thinking and everyday behavior.

“I have a particular interest in factors that relate to everyday memory,” Beech says.

During normal aging, most people will experience a mild, gradual decline in their prospective memory. But there are tools … » More …

sun over a city skyline
Fall 2024

Feeling hot triggers impulsive behavior and irritability

Heat blanketed Chicago during the summer of 2022, with hot, sticky days followed by sweltering nights.

In the nation’s third-largest metro area, about 400 residents tracked their moods during a summer when temperatures hit 100 degrees by mid-June. Were they feeling cranky? Acting impulsively? Lashing out verbally? Yes, yes, and yes, according to survey results.

When people were uncomfortably hot in their homes, they reported increases in impulsive behavior. In neighborhoods with lower-income households and less tree canopy, residents also noticed being easily angered and verbally aggressive.

The research was conducted by Kimberly Meidenbauer, an assistant professor in Washington … » More …

WSU Sociology 100 years of excellence logo
Summer 2024

A century of WSU sociology

Gang dynamics, effective surveys, rural communities, families, environmental issues—Washington State University’s sociology department explored these societal topics and many others over the last 100 years. The department always kept an eye on the university’s mission to connect research with people and communities across the state.

Fred Yoder was appointed as the first sociologist at Washington State College in 1920 and became the chair of the Sociology Department in 1928. Since then, the department has been a national and international leader in sociological research and undergraduate and graduate education. Many students have gone on to successful careers as academic sociologists, … » More …