Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Psychology > Faculty > Parkinson

Personal Statement:
I have been at Thiel College since 1985, long enough to have a really good parking space! My undergraduate and master's degrees are from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and my Ph.D. is from Penn State. My time away from Thiel is spent most often at our home, with eight acres of land, a small creek, and foliage and wildlife that change with the seasons. I live with Ron, a professional potter, Bosco the cat, and an assortment of wild birds we feed. Like most academics, the house is filled with books. I also enjoy jazz and world music, and spend many days from spring through fall hiking and biking.

Contact Information:
Psychology Department — AC-229
Office Phone-(724) 589-2070
Fax-(724) 589-2021
Email: bparkins@thiel.edu

Professional Affiliations:
National Council on Family Relations International, Society for the Study of Social and Personal Relationships

Course Responsibilities:
Child Development, Adolescent Development, Human Aging in an Aging Society (Gerontology), Personality
Theory, Social Psychology, Lifespan Issues Seminar, Counseling Methods, General Psychology

Professional Interests:
Areas of interest: developmental theories and issues across the lifespan; the counselor-client relationship; the development, maintenance, and deterioration of close romantic relationships

General teaching philosophy:
Psychology "sounds like common sense" to many people. However, I try to make my students aware of the explanations for these everyday behaviors, as well as the intricacies of interactions among so many variables. For me, this is why psychology is so interesting!