Psychology student’s research presentation at COSI dispels language myth
Students from Dr. Nikole Patson-Huffman’s spring semester Psychology 3371 – Language in the Mind course created short digital slideshows aimed at dispelling common myths about language.
In addition to the course requirement, they were competing for the chance to have their work on display in the Language Pod at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus. The Language Pod is a research lab run by the Buckeye Language Network and dedicated to the study of language and the dissemination of knowledge about language sciences.
(To learn more about The Language Pod at COSI visit: http://buckeyelanguagenetwork.osu.edu/LanguagePod.php
or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BLNLanguagePod)
Senior psychology major CheyAnne Mullins’ presentation, which dispels the myth that women talk more than men, was chosen by the Language Pod executive committee as the winning presentation. Her presentation will become part of a rotating slideshow that educates COSI visitors about important areas of language science.
According to Mullins, many people are unaware that there are so many career paths outside of just psychiatry and counseling that relate to having a degree in psychology. She was inspired by taking a class from Dr. Patson-Huffman called Language Development, which dealt with how infants learn language, she wanted to continue pursuing additional coursework in this area.
“There are so many divisions in psychology. I hope to go into linguistics later, so it was nice to conduct research that will have a direct impact on my future career in speech therapy,” said Mullins.
“It is amazing how the human mind processes language and all the different components of the brain involved in that task,” Mullins added. “Understanding those processes gives me insight and encourages me approach things differently.”
If you visit COSI in early May 2015, Mullins’ presentation is on display in the Language Pod, which is upstairs in the Life Exhibit.
Mullins graduates from Ohio State spring semester, magna cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She was recently honored with the C. Eugene Maynard Academic Excellence Award, which is presented annually to an outstanding senior who has completed a significant portion of their studies on the Marion campus and has attained a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Mullins is a 1999 graduate of Elgin High School and a lifelong resident of Marion County.