The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) recently awarded Mason Associate Professor of Psychology, Dr. Lauren Cattaneo, the 2018 Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring Award. This award recognizes individuals for their outstanding teaching and mentoring in areas related to the psychological study of social issues.
“Teachers are architects of experience,” said Cattaneo. “When I’m teaching, designing a course, or shifting things around during a semester, I’m always thinking about the experience students need to have in order to shake up their current way of understanding things or get them to understand a new concept. I’m generally trying to get students to try on a new way of seeing things”
Cattaneo says her teaching philosophy centers around how her coursework effects her students’ perspectives, their understanding of social issues, their ability to challenge elements of social injustice and not feel defeated by the frustrations that come with it, and the ability to listen and understand other people’s perspectives.
Cattaneo specializes in clinical/community psychology, specifically in the areas of empowerment, community-based learning, civic engagement, and addressing intimate partner violence through client-centered services. Her overarching focus is exploring the ways psychology can help address social problems. Her interest in both teaching and social justice merged to create Community Engagement for Social Change, an undergraduate psychology course that explores social problems and intrapersonal, interpersonal, and social aspects of addressing them. Hearing from her students that the course made an impact on their thinking and choices long after the course was over, Cattaneo began to engage in research to explore the ways community-based learning can promote prosocial attitudes and civic engagement.
“I’m passionate about my teaching, whether it’s in the classroom, in one-on-one mentorship with students, or out in the community. It’s the heart of my career. And I am also passionate about social justice – it’s the reason I got into this line of work to begin with. Over time, I learned how to integrate those two passions, and that has been a hugely rewarding and energizing thing. The fact that I have been recognized for that integration, particularly by SPSSI, means a whole lot to me,” she said.
SPSSI, founded in 1936, aims to apply theory and practice to issues facing differing groups, communities and nations. They fund research on social issues, advocate and publish works to influence public policy, facilitate discussions to encourage social activism and public education, as well as serve as a consultant to the UN Economics and Social Council. The organization is Division 9 of the American Psychological Association and an organizational affiliate of the American Psychology Society.
July 17, 2018
