UB in the News

USA Today's "A Better Life" blog looks at a UB study that appeared in the journal "Personal Relationships" that showed that having a parasocial relationship with a celebrity can be a boost to self esteem.

An article in TIME magazine reports on research conducted by Mark Seery, assistant professor of psychology, that showed that "talking it out" is not always the best reaction to trauma. "We constantly tell people it's wrong to hold feelings inside. But our finding [suggest] the exact opposite," he said.

An article distributed by the Associated Press looks at the Building Blocks pre-kindergarten math curriculum developed by Douglas Clements, professor of learning and instruction, and Julie Sarama, associate professor of learning and instruction.

An article in Newsweek reports that while common sense generally dictates that letting it all out, blowing off steam and getting it off your chest are the appropriate way to deal with difficulties, a study by Mark Seery, assistant professor of psychology, suggests that those who do not reveal their feelings in the wake of a collective trauma turn out just fine, if not better, than those who do.

The "Health Highlights" column compiled by HealthDay News reports that for some people, bottling up feelings about traumatic events may be better than letting it all out, and quotes Mark Seery assistant professor of psychology. The article appeared in newspapers around the country, including The Washington Post.

An article in England's The Guardian asks about the benefits of keeping a stiff upper lip in light of Mark Seery's research that showed that talking about your feelings after a collective trauma may not always be the best thing to do.

New research by Mark Seery, assistant professor of psychology, has received a great deal of media coverage in the U.S. and overseas, particularly in the U.K. where The Guardian ran front-page coverage. Seery also did interviews with major media outlets in Ireland, Sweden and Canada, and was quoted in TIME, Newsweek and The Washington Post.

An article in the The Chronicle of Higher Education on colleges using computer analysis to identify students at risk of failing courses in order to improve retention reports on a project by William G. Wild Jr., director of student-excellence initiatives in the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, that has identified seven variables, including scores on standardized state math tests, that predict undergraduates' success in the program.

Makau Mutua, dean of the Law School, is quoted in an article on the Law Blog of The Wall Street Journal on the decision by New York State legislators to fund study proposals for three new law schools in the state. "This came out of left field, completely unanticipated and unexpected. You would think that when a plan of this magnitude is afoot, the relevant state officials would consult those of us who have expertise," he said.

An article in the Baltimore Sun on the release of "Sex and the City" and the movie's influence on fashion quotes Elayne Rapping, professor of American studies.