University of West Georgia Psychology

Meta-analytic research reveals a robust association between maladaptive stress coping strategies and increased cannabis use. Neurobiological findings indicate stress-induced changes in the endocannabinoid system, while psychological analyses highlight emotion-focused coping as a risk factor. Integrating these insights underscores the necessity for interventions targeting both neurobiological and psychological determinants of stress-related cannabis consumption.

Survey data revealed that cannabis use is prevalent among UWG students, with attitudes ranging from acceptance to concern over health risks. Focus group discussions highlighted nuanced motivations, social influences, and perceived stigma. Integration of findings underscores the need for balanced campus policies and educational initiatives that address both harm reduction and shifting student cannabis attitudes.

Psychoactive plants have long catalyzed profound shifts in self-perception, influencing humanistic understandings of consciousness and identity. Across eras and cultures, their ritual and therapeutic uses reveal a persistent quest to expand, dissolve, or reframe the boundaries of the self—an inquiry now reignited in contemporary discourse through the lens of cannabis and modern humanistic psychology.

Steven Schmitz, Ph.D., Co-President of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology, will lecture at 3:30p Thursday, Jan 17th in Melson 218. “The Therapeutic Benefits of the Shamanic Journey” Does the ancient spiritual practice of the shamanic journey have therapeutic value for 21st Century clients? Dr. Schmitz will offer a brief overview of the history of shamanism and […]

Academia has just become more relevant and approachable as JSTOR announced that the archives of 1,200+ academic journals are now available for free reading by the public. Anyone, including non-academics, can  now sign-up for a JSTOR account.   Non-academic accounts allow access to three articles per every two week period. JSTOR is available here. This […]

UWG Doctoral student Jon Skalski has been actively researching change with one of his former professors, Sam Hardy, at his alma mater BYU. Today this article was posted in BYU News on the research:  Psychologists: Scrooge’s transformation parallels real life-changing experiences It discusses the process of transformation with Scrooge as reference. The research will appear […]

As a UWG student, it is of great interest to me that our current President will be stepping down at the end of this academic year and that a new one will be replacing him. I often think, dream, and reflect on what would be the ideal traits of someone who would captain of our […]

Psychology Faculty Position. The Department of Psychology at the University of West Georgia announces a tenure-track Assistant/ Associate Professor position to commence Fall 2013. The department houses dynamic undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs engaging an integrative approach with roots in humanistic, existential/phenomenological, transpersonal, depth, critical, and feminist psychologies.  We emphasize human science and other […]

Fresh from a few UWG grad students that were on the square tonight… We approached the square tonight to a symphony of police and fire lights.  News vans where present with their satellite antennas reaching for the sky.  Reporters were talking into the cameras.  Police were walking inside of a taped-in area with their gloves […]

Just a couple photos here of Aimee.  For a fuller collection, check out the Home Photo Bank.  It has a couple dozen photos of Aimee. Aimee is a bright light.         Updates and how to help Aimee and her family

The department of psychology is honored to present: The 14th Annual Student Psychology Annual Research Conference (SPARC) one of the largest student psychology conferences in the Southeast! To be held on Thursday Thurs April 12, 2026 Lunch: 11:30-1pm. Talks start at 1pm and will end around 5:00pm. Location: Melson Hall classrooms. SPARC is a research […]

Thank you for coming to this site to read updates on Aimee, and to learn how you can be of support to her and her family. As of today, Thursday, May 26, all updates will be on a new website that I set up for her This new site is the same collaborative effort between […]

The College of Social Sciences’ Department of Psychology would like to announce the oral defense of the Ph.D dissertation of John Roberts. The defense will be held in the Dean’s conference room, Pafford building, 3rd floor on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 2:00 PM TRAUMA AND THE ONTOLOGY OF THE MODERN SUBJECT John Lloyd Roberts, […]

We pass this news on to you… “It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Clark Moustakas, esteemed co-founder of the Michigan School of Professional Psychology, brilliant scholar and transformative spirit. Clark passed away Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at his home in Farmington Hills, Michigan leaving behind a rich and remarkable legacy. […]

We are sad to belatedly announce another immense loss to the scholarly community… Noted Indologist, author and self-described “champion of traditional yoga,” Georg Feuerstein has died. His wife and teaching partner, Brenda L. Feuerstein, made the following announce

Gabrielle Roth: February 4, 1941 -October 22, 2012 “Our Mama Raven’s wings have lifted her spirit from this lifetime and she is in flight to her next journey, where she will dance in our hearts forever.” -Jonathan Gabrielle Roth died yesterday, October 22nd, 2012.  She was the most influential teacher of meditative dance of her time. […]

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Dr. William G. Roll, a former professor of Psychology at the University of West Georgia.  Dr. Roll’s son, Leif Roll, has kindly provided the following obituary to share. — William George Roll II, 85, of Villa Rica, Georgia died at 5:05 a.m., January 9, […]

2026 Integrative Health Conference: State of Integrative Health in Georgia Objective: To explore the state of integrative health and to focus on innovative health care organizations in Georgia Mission Statement: The mission of the 2026 Integrative Health Conference is to recognize the existing examples of integrative health in Georgia and to facilitate furture development of […]

Doctoral student Neil Walsh shares his appreciation of the education offered in this department.  He discusses how it is a return to the roots of Western education that emphasized character formation rather than skill training.  He warns potential students to not come here if they are seeking a practical, worldly learning experience.  He mentions Tobin […]

Last night a fellow student approached me about meditation.  He shared that he has been making the effort lately to sit, yet he couldn’t taste any results.  My answer seemed quite helpful to him, so I thought I’d share it here. It should be known that this is all based upon my experience, not based […]