Dr. Amy Underwood Barton
Assistant Professor
“I hope my students develop an understanding and appreciation for (1) the physiological correlates of behavior and (2) the scientific rigor of behavioral science”
Degrees Held:
- Ph.D. in Psychology – Cognition & Neuroscience – University of Missouri-Columbia, 2018
Career Highlights:
I've conducted EEG research on event-related potentials (special brain waves signifying specific cognitive events) related to visual short-term (working) memory. I've also worked as a research specialist for an autism clinic, where I assisted in various research projects, such as drug trials for the treatment of autism. I've also worked with an education research lab to test the efficacy of a social curriculum for adolescents with autism diagnoses. Prior to entering academia, I worked as a social worker for a skilled nursing facility.
In which online program(s) do you teach?
B.S. in Psychology
Which classes do you teach online?
Experimental Psychology and Biological Psychology.
In what ways do you connect with online students?
I use Zoom, Canvas, Outlook and Google.
What do you want your students to take away from class?
I hope my students develop an understanding and appreciation for 1) the physiological correlates of behavior and 2) the scientific rigor of behavioral science.
What advice would you give to your online students?
Communicate with me if you have any concerns.
What qualities make someone particularly successful in the field in which you teach?
Compassion, flexibility and passion for the subject matter being taught.
What is the one book you think everyone should read?
“The Once and Future King” by T.H. White.
What do you do when you need a laugh?
When I need a laugh, I watch “Frasier” or “Boston Legal” reruns. My little Pomeranian, Cotton, also serves as an endless source of entertainment for myself and my husband.
Tell us something your students may not know about you:
I'm a native Floridian. I enjoy the beach and deep-sea fishing when I get the opportunity. Eighty degrees and sunny is my favorite kind of weather.
Links to multimedia:
- Underwood, A. L., & Bauer, L. M. (2018). Challenges and solutions to integrating writing in the classroom: Perspectives from a graduate student instructor.
T. L. Kuther (Ed.), Integrating writing into the college classroom: Practical strategies for promoting student skills (pp. 8 – 18).
http://teachpsych.org/ebooks/integratingwriting - Hackley, S. A., Ren, X., Underwood, A., & Valle–Inclán, F. (2017). Prepulse inhibition and facilitation of the postauricular reflex, a vestigial remnant of pinna startle. Psychophysiology, 54(4), 566-577. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.12819
