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VITA

May, 2004

Spencer Keith Thompson

Home Address: 2751 Fair Oaks Circle
Odessa, Texas 79762
Phone Numbers: (home) 432-362-8277
(Office) 432-552-2350

 

EDUCATION

 

1969 B.S. Psychology (major) Brigham Young University
  German (minor)  
1971 M.A. Psychology University of California Los Angeles
1973 Ph.D. Developmental Psychology University of California
  Minor areas: Personality Los Angeles
  Learning  
1974 Postdoctoral fellow, (Pediatrics) Neuropsychiatric Institute
    University of California
    Los Angeles
1974 Biobehavioral Aspects of Aging Summer Institute
    University of Southern California – Gerontology Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 HONORS AND AWARDS

Academic Scholarship Brigham Young University
Phi Eta Sigma, Scholastic honorary  
Psy Chi, psychology honorary  
Phi Kappa Phi, scholastic honorary  
UCLA Alumni Award, selected by University of California
the Division of Life Science Los Angeles
and presented to a doctoral graduate  
for Distinguished Academic Achievement  
Nomination for AMOCO Outstanding U.T. Permian Basin
Teaching Award, 1980  
Finalist Chancellor’s Outstanding U.T. Permian Basin
Teacher Award, 1991  
Nomination Chancellor’s Outstanding U.T. Permian Basin
Teacher Award, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001  
Entry in Who’s Who in American Colleges, 2000  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Society for Research in Child Development, 1972-Present
American Psychological Association (Division 7), 1974-1993
Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development, 1977-Present
American Psychological Society, 1994-Present

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Associate Professor of Psychology and Education, University of Texas of the Permian Basin, 1982-Present
Chairman Area of Psychology, 1990-Present
Chair of Child and Family Studies, 2002-Present
Early Childhood Education Program, Coordinator, 1990-1996
Director of Center for Behavioral Analysis, 1990-Present

Classes Taught:
Undergraduate – Child Psychology
Adolescent Psychology
Adulthood and Aging Psychology
Language Development in Young Children
Social and Emotional Development in Young Children
Theories of Personality
Personnel Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Senior Research
Graduate – Research and Design in the Social Sciences
Socialization and Personality (Life-Span Course)
Family Dynamics
Chaired more than 45 Masters Degree projects and theses in
Psychology and Early Childhood Education
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Education, University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Fall, 1974-1982
Lecturer – teaching Adolescent Psychology, Intelligence and Creativity, Lewis and Clark College, Summers: 1977, 1978
Adjunct Assistant Professor – Developmental Psychology, UCLA, 1974
Teaching Associate – Developmental Psychology, UCLA, Summer 1973
Advisor for undergraduates engaged in individual research projects, UCLA, 1973
Co-leader of small (10 students) undergraduate practicum class in family research and child personality measurement and experimental methodology, UCLA, 1972-73
Developmental Psychology at UCLA, 1969-72 with Dr. Terry Faw, Dr. Millard
Madsen, Dr. Wendell Jeffrey
Teaching Assistant
Learning Psychology, Developmental Psychology, 1968 with Dr. Larry
C. Jensen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


PAPERS

Beery, F.K., & Thompson, S.K. (April, 2004). Influences on parental non-compliance in the community health care environment. Poster presented at the Society for Research in Human Development, Park City, UT.

Morales, J.L., & Thompson, S.K. (April, 2004). Developmental issues in memory using Ginkgo biloba. Poster presented at the Society for Research in Human Development, Park City, UT.

Mitchell, K.S., & Thompson, S.K. (March, 2002). Adjustment of female adolescents in intact and remarried families. Poster presented at the Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development, Austin, TX.

Thompson, S.K. (November, 2000). Normative cognitive changes associated with aging. Presentation to Continuing Education Conference: Alzheimer’s Disease Workshop: Current Treatments, Care, and Concerns. University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX.

Thompson, S.K. (May, 2000). Ethics and moral judgment. Presentation to Continuing Education Conference: Ethics for Medical/Mental Health Practitioners. University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX.

Thompson, S.K., & Thompson, D.J. (April, 2000). Trends in adolescent gender-role egalitarianism: 1976-1999. Paper presented at the Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development, Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Siegel, A., Moely, B., & Thompson, S.K. (March, 1998). History of child development: How can the past inform the future? Invited address at conversation hour, Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development, Galveston, TX.

Jenson, S., & Thompson, S.K. (March, 1998). Custodial grandparents and their parenting styles with their grandchild. Poster presented at the Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development. Galveston, TX.

Sneed, S., & Thompson, S.K. (April, 1997). Pre-schoolers’ comprehension of the concept of the counting concept. Southwestern Psychological Association. Fort Worth, Texas.

Masterson, R.M., & Thompson, S.K. (March, 1996). Moral judgments of abusive men and their partners. Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development. Park City, Utah.

Thompson, S.K. (March, 1994). Presidential address: Sex role egalitarianism in adolescents, 1976-1993. Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development. Austin, TX.

Thompson, S.K. (Spring, 1994). Effects of Divorce on Children. Conference address and seminar to Permian Basin Mental Health Workers. Odessa, TX.

Rathbun, S., & Thompson, S.K. (March, 1992). The relationship of adolescent identity status to the problems they report. Paper presented at the Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development. Tempe, Arizona.

Thompson, S.K., McQuitty, R.A., & Martin, P. (March, 1990). Socialization in kindergarten and third grade children. Paper presented at the Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development. Dallas, Texas.

Thompson, S.K., Carlisle, M.F., & Beaman, T.R. ( April 29, 1989). A longitudinal study of extremely popular children. Paper presented to the Society for Research in Child Development. Kansas City, Kansas.

Nall, S.E., & Thompson, S.K. ( April 14, 1989). Extreme popularity: Physical attractiveness as a determinant of popularity. Presentation at the Southwestern Psychological Association. Houston, Texas.

Thompson, S.K. (March 17, 1988). Adolescents’ attitudes about sex role egalitarianism: 1976-1987. Paper presented at the Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development. New Orleans, Louisiana.

Thompson, S.K., & Trott, P. (April 18, 1986). Sex role egalitarianism in gifted children. Paper presented at the Southwestern Psychological Association. Fort Worth, Texas.

Thompson, S.K., & Carlisle, M.F. (March 7, 1986). Extreme popularity in children. Paper presented at the Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development. San Antonio, Texas.

Thompson, S.K. (March 17, 1984). Adolescents’ attitudes about sex-role development: A longitudinal study. Paper to the Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development. Denver, Colorado.

Thompson, S.K., Brooks, W.S., & King, S.S. (April 9, 1982). When and how do adolescents become adults? Paper presented to the Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development.

Thompson, S.K. (March 19, 1982). The development of independence and achievement in children. Invited to speak to the Permian Basin Perinatal Association.

Thompson, S.K. (February 19, 1982). The effects of societal changes in sex roles and adulthood attainment. Paper presented to Texas Tech Conference on Families and Close Relationships. Lubbock, Texas.

Thompson, S.K. (October, 1981). Is the child the parent of the adult: The relationship of early development to later development. Paper presented to Texas Council for the Social Studies, State Convention. Midland, Texas

Thompson, S.K. (April 2, 1981). Gender concepts, sex role deviancy and cognitive development. Invited by Eleanor Maccoby to participate in symposium, The Nature of Gender. Biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development. Boston, Massachusetts.

Thompson, S.K. (March 6, 1980). Application of Child Development in Education: Confessions of a Development Psychologist. Paper presented at Early Childhood conference: Anticipating the 80’s. Odessa, Texas.

Thompson, S.K., & Metts, P.C. (March 1980). A developmental study of sex role egalitarianism in adolescents. Paper presented at the Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development. Lawrence, Kansas.

Thompson, S.K., & Thompson, D.T. (1978). Semantics: Children’s use of pronouns and sex role context to determine gender. Paper presented at the Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development. Dallas, Texas.

Thompson, S.K., Bates, J.E., & Bentler, P.M. (March 1977). Testing assumptions of gender identification by comparing gender-problem and normal groups of boys and their parents. Paper presented at meetings of the Society for Research in Child Development.

Thompson, S.K. (February 1977). The effects of implementing a debate format in a traditional lecture course. Paper for AAAS-SWARM. Denver, Colorado.

Thompson, S.K. (April 1976). Effeminacy in boys and parent dominance. Paper for AAAS-SWARM. Tucson, Arizona.

Thompson, S.K. (1975). Early gender role acquisition. Paper presented at the Texas Psychological Association. San Antonio, Texas.

Thompson, S.K. (April 1975). Societal changes in sex roles and their effect on children in the community. AAAS-SWARM. Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Thompson, S.K. (1974). Sex differentiation and the use of gender labels by 24, 30, and 36-month old children. Paper presented at Western Psychological Association. San Francisco, California.

Buchanan, J.P., & Thompson, S.K. (1972) Piaget’s theory of moral development: A quantitative test of stage and the uses of intent and damage information. Paper presented at the Western Psychological Association. Portland, Oregon.

Thompson, S.K., & Larm, C. (1969) The proactive and retroactive effects of electroconvulsive shock on memory in rats. Unpublished senior thesis.

 

PUBLICATIONS

Thompson, S.K. (1999). Out of Chaos Comes a Lucid Dream. Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development Newsletter.

Thompson, S.K. (2000). Learned Helplessness; Moral Reasoning; Social Learning Theory. In Reynolds, C.R., & Flethcher-Janzen; E. (Eds.), Dictionary of Special Education, 2 nd ed., New York: John Wiley and Sons. Pp. 1063-1065, 1208-1209, 1663-1664.

Rathbun, S., & Thompson, S.K. (1994). The relationship of identity status with adolescent self-perceived problems and help seeking behaviors. Unpublished manuscript.

Thompson, S.K. (1993). A finely tuned developmental psychology textbook. Review of Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence, 3 rd ed., David Shaffer, Contemporary Psychology, 1311-1312.

Thompson, S.K. (Spring, 1993). Healthy faculty workloads. Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development Newsletter.

Thompson, S.K. (Fall 1993). A mundane parent test. Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development Newsletter.

Thompson, S.K. (Summer 1992). Fishing for students. Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development Newsletter.

Thompson, S.K. (Summer 1991). Dressing the office for success. Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development Newsletter.

Thompson, S.K. (Winter 1991). B.I.A.S. Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development Newsletter.

Thompson, S.K. (February 1990). Graft, corruption, and intrigue: Tales of the NIMH secret agent. Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development Newsletter.

Thompson, S.K. (Summer 1990). Secret convention rules. Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development Newsletter.

Thompson, S.K, Carlisle, M.F., & Beaman, T.R. (1990). A longitudinal study of extremely popular children. (Report No. PS 018 292) SRCD Kansas City, Missouri, (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 310 877).

Thompson, S.K. (December 1989). The PETT. Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development Newsletter.

Thompson, S.K. (September 1989). Doin’ what comes naturally. Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development Newsletter.

Thompson, S.K. (Summer 1989). A case of androgynous father failure. Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development.

Thompson, S.K. (April 1989). Helpful hints on improving teaching reputations. Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development.

Thompson, S.K., & Thompson, D.J.T. (Spring 1982). Instructor’s Manual, for Papalia and Olds, A Child’s World, New York, McGraw-Hill.

Thompson, D.J.T., & Thompson, S.K. (1981). Instructor’s Manual to Accompany Papalia & Olds: Human Development. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Thompson, S.K. Adolescent psychology is coming of age. Review of Joseph Adelson (Ed.), Handbook of Adolescent Psychology, New York: John Wiley, 1980. Contemporary Psychology, 1981, 26, 595-597.

Bates, J.E., Bentler, P.M., & Thompson, S.K. (1979) Gender deviant boys compared with normal and clinical control boys, Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 7, 243-259.

Beckwith, L., & Thompson, S.K. (1976). Recognition of verbal labels of pictured objects and events by 17-30 month old infants. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research. 19, 690-699.

Thompson, S.K. Book review of Matteson, D.R. Adolescence Today; Sex roles and the search for identity. In Child Development Abstracts and Bibliography, 1976, 50, 304-305.

Thompson, S.K. Book review of Savage, R.D., Britton, P.G., Bolton, N., & Hall, E.H. Intellectual functioning in the aged. In The Journal of Biological Psychology, 1975, 17, No. 2, 35.

Thompson, S.K. Gender labels and early sex-role development. Child Development, 1975, 46, 339-347.

Thompson, S.K. Book review of Kahn, S. Essays on Longevity. In The Journal of Biological Psychology, 1974, 16, No. 2, 54.

Thompson, S.K. The developmental usage of labels in early sex typing and gender identification. 1973, Unpublished dissertation.

Thompson, S.K., & Bentler, P.M. A developmental study of gender constancy and parent preference. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 1973, 2, 379-385.

Buchanan, J.P., & Thompson, S.K. A quantitative methodology to examine the development of moral judgment. Child Development. 1973, 44, 186-189.

Bates, J.E., Bentler, P.M., & Thompson, S.K. Measurement of deviant gender development in boys. Child Development, 1973, 44, 186-189.

LaVoie, A.L., & Thompson, S.K. Selective exposure in a field setting. Psychological Reports. 1972, 31, 433-434.

Thompson, S.K. & Bentler, P.M. The priority of cues in sex discrimination by children and adults. Developmental Psychology, 1971, 5, 181-185.

GRANTS AND AWARDS

United Way of Odessa Grant for Center for Behavioral Analysis Applied Psychology. The assessment of Human Services Provided in Odessa. Awarded 1998. Total $9,000.

Houston Endowment Grant for the Enhancement of Retention through Student Services. Awarded for 1997 with matching funds extended through 2001. Total Award $250,000. Student Counseling Center Enhancement Total $78,000.
 

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE SUMMARIES 

  1. Adolescent Egalitarianism—longitudinal study following sex role attitudes of adolescents from fifth grade through eleventh grade. Currently progressing.
  2. Adulthood Attainment—investigating how adolescents make the transition to adulthood in terms of physiological, chronological, sociological, and psychological factors. Comparison of how adults through the lifespan define their adulthood.
  3. Under my direction students have been investigating the role of grandparents after divorce, socialization processes at the dinner table, the quality of day care facilities in West Texas, characteristics of extremely popular children, sex roles in families with both parents working, modification of cooperation in Type A children, peer interaction in toddlers, anxiety in young children, identity status in adolescents, parent styles and hyperactive children, parent styles in helping with educational assignments, sex roles in gifted children, moral judgment of abusive spouses, appearance/reality distinction in children, and intervention to teach non-aggressive problem solving alternatives to children.
  4. Syntax, Pragmatics, and Semantics—a study of the ability to divorce syntax rules governing pronoun usage from the real world situational cues (clothes, activities, jewelry, etc.) in determining sex of characters in stories, 1977.
  5. Early Gender Development: dissertation—development of techniques designed to measure the language and conceptual facility necessary for normal acquisition of gender identification; examined early indices of gender awareness and sex typing in 2- to 3- year old children. 1973. P.M. Bentler, W.E. Jeffrey, Co-Chairmen.
  6. Infant Studies Project, Arthur H. Parmelee (Director)—large-scale longitudinal study comparing high and low risk premature infants with full term infants to determine stability of risk factors, cognitive and social development, and effect of early educational intervention. 1972-74. Dr. Leila Beckwith, Supervisor.
  7. Moral Judgment—development and application of technique to measure factors affecting moral judgment of children. 1972. Wendell E. Jeffrey, Advisor.
  8. Gender Identification in Boys: search for cause of gender deviancy by comparing families of normal, effeminate and clinical control boys (4-13 years). Development of measurement techniques (including parent report, behavioral observation, interpersonal relationship, kinesic analysis, behavioral preference and moral judgment), partial administration of project, 1970-74. P.M. Bentler, Director.
  9. Early Gender Development—creation of procedure by which to assess the discriminative importance attributed to different physical sex cues; examination of early awareness of gender permanence and sex typing. 1969-70. Peter M. Bentler, Advisor.
  10. Selective Exposure—examination of cognitive dissonance hypothesis by implementing ad lib techniques outside the traditional laboratory setting. 1969-70.
     

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

President of the Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development, 1994-1996.

President Elect of Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development, 1992-1994.

Chapter reviewer for Hetherington and Parke, Child Psychology, 4 th ed., McGraw-Hill, 1992.

Grant reviewer for National Science Foundation

 

Consulting Reviewer for:

Houghton Mifflin, Review of book proposal Our Lives as Adults: Adult
Development and Aging. November 1999.

McGraw-Hill, Review of Santrock Child Development, 9 th ed. October 1999.

Harcourt/Brace College Publishers, Review of Sternberg, In Search of the Human
Mind, 2 nd ed., 1996.

Journal of Biological Psychology

Child Development Abstracts and Bibliography

Child Development

Psychological Reports

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

McGraw-Hill College Division

Brooks-Cole Publishers

 

Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development (SWSRHD):
President 1994-1996
President elect 1992-1994
Member of the Planning Committee Editor of the SWSRHD Newsletter: 1980-1988
Chair of paper sessions, reviewer, chair session for conventionsSouthwestern Psychological Association paper reviewer, 1986.

 

SELECTED UNIVERSITY SERVICE

Co-designer of Child Development and Family Studies major, approved Feb. 2002
ExCET review of test taking skills for early childhood, Jan. 2002
Task force examining the feasibility of Bachelors in Applied Arts and Sciences Degree, 2002.
Presentation to selected regional high school students for UTPB Leadership Conference, Personality Characteristics of Likable Teen Leaders,” Feb. 2001
Consultant for underrepresented populations in colleges grant proposal, Nov. 2001
Faculty Hamburger Chef for Student Spirit Day, 1998-2002
Commencement committee, 2000-2002
Social Science advisor for multi-disciplinary minor and major, 2000-present
UTPB Customer Satisfaction Task Force, 2000-present
SACS steering committee for re-accreditation, Athletics Program, 1999-2000
Drop Everything and Read (DEAR Day) Participant with my class, 1997
Chair Faculty Athletics Committee, 1995-present
Faculty Athletic Academic Advisor, 1995-present
Service on Presidential University Committees including: Research in Schools (Chair); Computer Center; Campus Recreation; Awards and Recognition (Chair); Library (Chair); Parking; Faculty Athletics; Faculty Grants; Faculty Mentoring.Faculty Elected offices and Committees Graduate Council 1987-1994
Food Services Committee, 1992
Volunteer for Freshman Orientation Faculty presentation, Fall 1992.
Judge for Regional Science Fair, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997
Chairman Faculty Library Committee, 1990-1992.
Teacher Education Council, 1986-present
Judge for Excellence in Writing Award, 1991-1992
Faculty Governance 1985-1986
Senate Curriculum Committee, 1983-1985
Academic Affairs, Senate Committee, 1980-1982
Chairman Division Curriculum Committee, 1986-1987
Chairman Arts and Education Curriculum Committee, 1975-1981
Faculty Senator: 1979-1981, 1983-1985
President Faculty Senate, 1984-1985
Education Faculty Secretary, 1983-1984
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, local accreditation committee on Educational and Special Programs, 1988
Education Department Representative to UT System Coordinated Research Program in Teacher Education, 1984-1985
Regional Representative to hearings of the Select Committee on Higher Education, 1986
Teach Course on Fishing for Lifetime Sports in Physical Education Department, 1984-1989
Faculty Advisor for Phi Theta Kappa scholastic honorary 1980-1985; Psi Chi/Psychology Club 1983-1985.
Regional Representative for Council of Faculty Governance Organizations, State of Texas. 1986-1987 Newsletter Editor.


INVITED UNIVERSITY ADDRESSES AND FORUMS

Examples:

Spanish Language Commencement speaker, UTPB. Una Celebración Hispana el 13 de diciembre del 2003: Una Vida Larga. (A Long Life).
Faculty Brown Bag Luncheons: Generalizations from Generation: Generation X, Sept. 2000
Is There Religion After Education? Invited talk for the Center for Behavioral Analysis funded by Houston Endowment, Feb. 1998
Graduate Education in Psychology, UTPB Graduate Council Jan. 1996
Lunch and Learn: Test taking Strategies, Sept. 1992
Test Anxiety and How to Deal with It, Oct. 1991
Writing in the Social Sciences, Apr. 1991
Religion and Psychology: Revelation or Hallucination, Nov. 1990

 

Biographical Note Continued