RE: Surname and academic/research correlation

[Peterson, Douglas]

Anybody else wishing they had put more thought into the naming of their children?    Doug   Doug Peterson Associate Professor of Psychology The University of South Dakota Vermillion SD 57069 (605) 677-5295 [EMAIL PROTECTED]   -----Original Message----- From: Marie Helweg-Larsen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 10:02 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: Re: Surname and academic/research correlation   There is good research to support this notion (my favorite: people named Dennis or Denise are overrepresented among dentists): Author(s): Pelham, Brett W. ; Mirenberg, Matthew C. ; Jones, John T.  Affiliation: State U New York at Buffalo, Dept of Psychology, Buffalo, NY, US; State U New York at Buffalo, Dept of Psychology, Buffalo, NY, US; State U New York at Buffalo, Dept of Psychology, Buffalo, NY, US Title: Why Susie sells seashells by the seashore: Implicit egotism and major life decisions. Source: Journal of Personality & Social Psychology Vol 82(4) (Apr 2002): 469-487 URL:  http://www.apa.org/journals/psp.html Additional Info: US; American Psychological Assn;  http:\\www.apa.org Standard No: ISSN: 0022-3514 (Print) Language: English Abstract: Because most people possess positive associations about themselves, most people prefer things that are connected to the self (e.g., the letters in one's name). The authors refer to such preferences as implicit egotism. Ten studies assessed the role of implicit egotism in 2 major life decisions: where people choose to live and what people choose to do for a living. Studies 1-5 showed that people are disproportionately likely to live in places whose names resemble their own first or last names (e.g., people named Louis are disproportionately likely to live in St. Louis). Study 6 extended this finding to birthday number preferences. People were disproportionately likely to live in cities whose names began with their birthday numbers (e.g., Two Harbors, MN). Studies 7-10 suggested that people disproportionately choose careers whose labels resemble their names (e.g., people named Dennis or Denise are overrepresented among dentists). Implicit egotism appears to influence major life decisions. This idea stands in sharp contrast to many models of rational choice and attests to the importance of understanding implicit beliefs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2003 APA, all rights reserved) Stephen Black wrote: A recent post by Don McBurney to this list cited the text  "Human Sexuality: A Holistic Approach" (2002) by David Putz.    I couldn't help but notice the intriguing correspondence between the author's surname and the topic of his book. One wonders if there's a causal relationship here. Note that I refer to the literal, not the metaphoric meaning of the term, as I'm sure Dr. Putz is a respected academic.   Another recent example is the report by Henry Bone in the March 18, 2004 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine (last week), with the title "Ten years' experience with alendronate for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women".   That's right. Henry Bone, M.D., is the head of the Michigan Bone and Mineral Clinic in Detroit and an expert on osteoporosis, a bone disease.   Finally, I'd like to mention one of my favourites, David Bird and his 1999 book "Bird's Eye View: A Practical Compendium for Bird-Lovers". Dr. Bird is the Director of the Avian Science and Conservation Centre of McGill University.  I believe he's an expert on birds of prey.   I can hear you asking, "What does this have to do with the teaching of psychology?"  Well, clearly there's an important developmental influence at work here which constrains individuals to their ultimate place in academia and research.  Students need to be informed. Those named Livshitz are at particular risk.    Stephen ___________________________________________________ Stephen L. Black, Ph.D.            tel:  (819) 822-9600 ext 2470 Department of Psychology         fax:  (819) 822-9661 Bishop's  University            e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lennoxville, QC  J1M 1Z7 Canada   Dept web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy TIPS discussion list for psychology teachers at http://faculty.frostburg.edu/psyc/southerly/tips/index.htm    _______________________________________________       --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]   -- *********************************************Marie Helweg-Larsen, Ph.D.Associate Professor of PsychologyDickinson College, P.O. Box 1773Carlisle, PA 17013Office: (717) 245-1562, Fax: (717) 245-1971********************************************* --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]

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