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Robert J. Thompson Jr.

Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Neuroscience
Psychology & Neuroscience
Box 90086, Durham, NC 27708-0042
320 Reuben-Cooke Building, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


My research and teaching interests include how biological and psychosocial processes act together in human development and learning. One area of focus has been on the adaptation of children and their families to developmental problems and chronic illnesses, including sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis. Another area of focus is enhancing undergraduate education through scholarship on teaching and learning and fostering the development of empathy and identity.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Neuroscience · 2015 - Present Psychology & Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

In the News


Published October 15, 2024
Meeting of the Minds in Two Departments
Published May 21, 2015
Psychology & Neuroscience Honors Bob Thompson
Published January 24, 2014
Book Review: Higher learning, higher ground

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Recent Publications


Diversity of undergraduates in STEM courses: individual and demographic differences in changes in self-efficacy, epistemic beliefs, and intrapersonal attribute profiles

Journal Article Studies in Higher Education · January 1, 2024 Across undergraduate STEM learning contexts in several countries, students’ intrapersonal attributes of epistemic beliefs, self-efficacy beliefs, intrinsic motivation, and sense of identity have been found to influence learning and to change in response to ... Full text Open Access Cite

Postsecondary Faculty Attitudes and Beliefs about Writing-Based Pedagogies in the STEM Classroom.

Journal Article CBE life sciences education · September 2022 Writing is an important skill for communicating knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and an aid to developing students' communication skills, content knowledge, and disciplinary thinking. Despite the importance of writing, ... Full text Open Access Cite

Anti-Intellectualism to Anti-rationalism to Post-truth Era The Challenges for Higher Education

Book · January 15, 2022 "The post-truth world threatens our collective commitment to rationality but must not become the norm. ... Cite
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Recent Grants


Collaborative Research: Accelerating the Pace of Research and Implementation of Writing-to-Learn Pedagogies Across STEM Disciplines

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2015 - 2021

Collaborative Research: Understanding the Role of Writing in Promoting Learning and Engagement for Diverse Thesis Writers

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2012 - 2016

Writing-to-Learn in the STEM Disciplines

ConferencePrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2010 - 2011

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of North Dakota · 1971 Ph.D.
University of North Dakota · 1968 M.A.
La Salle University · 1967 B.A.