Marcia Collaer
Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience
Email: collaer@middlebury.edu
Phone: work802.443.2020
Office Hours: On leave academic year.
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Marcia Collaer is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Middlebury College. She received a B.A. in Psychology from Bradley University, an M.A. in School Psychology from University of South Carolina, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Arizona, and a Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience from University of California, Los Angeles.
Her research interests focus on sex and individual differences in cognitive abilities, particularly visuospatial skills.Work in her lab investigates reasons why men and women, or individuals, perform differently on spatial tasks. Factors of interest include investigating how people ‘pay attention’ to their environment, the strategies they employ, the influence of pressure, the role of social influences such as stereotypes, and levels of steroid hormones including testosterone and cortisol.
Professor Collaer teaches courses relevant to psychology as well as neuroscience, including: Introduction to Psychology, Psychological Statistics, Psychopharmacology, a senior seminar in Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, and a first year seminar focusing on the brain.
Courses
Courses offered in the past four years.
▲ indicates offered in the current term
▹ indicates offered in the upcoming term[s]
FYSE 1253 - The Brain:In Sickness & Health ▲
The Brain: In Sickness and In Health
Neuroscience is a rapidly advancing area of science. We will explore the biology of the brain to help shed light on the mysteries of how humans and other species think, act, and feel. We will address broad questions such as: How is the brain constructed and how does it normally work? How does study of the brain help us understand topics such as depression, Parkinson's disease, autism, perceptual disorders, and amnesia? Topics will be addressed through lecture, discussion, activities, library research, oral presentations, and writing. We will read background texts and scientific articles; case studies will help illustrate certain disorders. 3 hrs. sem.
Fall 2013
NSCI 0500 - Independent Research ▲ ▹
Independent Research
Students enrolled in NSCI 0500 complete individual research projects involving laboratory or extensive library study on a topic chosen by the student and approved in advance by a NSCI faculty advisor. This course is not open to seniors; seniors should enroll in NSCI 0700. (Approval required)
Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014
NSCI 0700 - Senior Research ▲ ▹
Senior Research
This course is for senior NSCI majors who plan to conduct one or more semesters of independent research, or who plan to complete preparatory work toward a senior thesis, such as researching and writing a thesis proposal as well as, if appropriate, collecting data that will form the basis for a senior thesis. Senior NSCI majors who plan to complete a senior thesis should register initially for NSCI 0700. Additional requirements may include participation in weekly meetings with advisors and/or lab groups and attending neuroscience seminars. (Approval required, open to seniors only)
Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014
NSCI 0701 - Senior Thesis ▲ ▹
Senior Thesis
Senior NSCI majors who have completed one or more terms of NSCI 0700, who have a GPA of 3.3 in their major courses, and who plan to complete a senior thesis should register for NSCI 0701 for the final semester of the senior thesis process. Students enrolled in NSCI 0701 write a thesis, give a public presentation of their research, and present an oral defense of the thesis before a committee of at least two Neuroscience faculty members. Faculty may recommend High honors in Neuroscience after considering the quality of these components of a student’s thesis and the student’s GPA in major courses. Additional requirements may include participation in weekly meetings with advisors and/or lab groups and attending neuroscience seminars. (NSCI 0700, Approval required)
Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014
PSYC 0105 - Introduction To Psychology
Introduction to Psychology
This course will provide a general introduction to the discipline field of psychology. The most central and important theories, concepts, findings, controversies, and applications in the following areas will be considered: biological bases of behavior, learning, perception, thinking, development, personality, abnormality disorders, and social behavior. (Open to Juniors and Seniors by waiver only) 3 hrs lect./1 hr. disc.
Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2011, Spring 2012
PSYC 0201 - Psychological Statistics ▲
Psychological Statistics
This course will examine statistical methods used in the behavioral and biological sciences. Students will learn the logic underlying statistical analysis, focusing primarily on inferential techniques. They also will become familiar with the application and interpretation of statistics in psychological empirical research, including the use of computer software for conducting and interpreting statistical tests analysis. (PSYC 0105; Fall: open to psychology and neuroscience majors and undeclared majors, others by waiver; Spring: open to psychology and neuroscience majors; others by waiver. Not open to students who have taken MATH 0116 or ECON 0210) 3 hrs. lect./1.5 hr. lab
Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2013
PSYC 0309 / NSCI 0309 - Psychopharmacology
Psychopharmacology
This course will examine ways in which drugs act on the brain to influence behavior. Students will learn the basics of brain function, will learn basic properties of drug action, and will learn how legal and illegal drugs, including drugs used to treat psychological disorders, alter the brain function and behavior of humans and experimental animals. (PSYC 0301 or BIOL 0370; not open to first-year students; open to psychology and neuroscience majors; others by waiver) 3 hrs. lect.
Fall 2010, Fall 2011
PSYC 0350 - Directed Research ▲ ▹
Directed Research in Psychology
Directed research provides opportunities for advanced students to become familiar with and participate in ongoing research projects under the direction of a faculty member. The student will first read background literature on the content area to be investigated and experimental methodologies to be used. Procedures involved in conducting psychological research will then be learned through firsthand experience. Potential activities include the design of research and the defining of conceptual variables and the gathering, analyzing, and interpretation of data. Finally, students will learn how to write technical articles in psychology by preparing a paper describing the project, using APA style. This course does NOT fulfill the 0300-level required elective. (Approval required; not open to first-year students) 3 hrs. lect.
Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014
PSYC 0435 / NSCI 0435 - Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
In many species, hormones interact with the nervous system and environment to influence behavior. To what degree do these principles apply to humans? We will study basic principles of endocrinology and the nervous system and how hormones influence both human and nonhuman species. Competing social/environmental theories also will be addressed, but are not a major course emphasis. Topics may include: hormonal involvement in behavioral sex differences (e.g., cognition, aggression, parental behavior), reproduction, mood, stress, neuroanatomy, and sexual orientation. Students should know fundamental structures and operation of the nervous system. (PSYC 0301; open to junior and senior psychology and neuroscience majors only) 3 hrs. sem.
Fall 2009
PSYC 0500 - Advanced Research ▲ ▹
Advanced Research
A program of research arranged to meet the needs of advanced students majoring in psychology. (Approval required)
Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014
PSYC 0700 - Senior Research ▲ ▹
Senior Research
A program of research arranged to meet the needs of advanced senior majors in psychology. (PSYC 0201 and PSYC 0202; Approval required)
Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014
PSYC 0701 - Senior Thesis Proposal ▲ ▹
Senior Thesis Proposal
Students hoping to be considered as candidates for departmental honors must enroll in PSYC 0701 under the sponsorship of a department faculty member and submit a formal, written research proposal to the department by 5 p.m. on the Wednesday during the final week of fall classes in their senior year. If the proposal is approved, the student will enroll in PSYC 0702 during the winter term and PSYC 0703 during the spring term of their senior year. (Feb graduates should consult with their advisors about the appropriate semester in which to begin a thesis.) (PSYC 0201 and PSYC 0202; Approval required)
Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014
PSYC 0702 - Senior Thesis Second Semester ▲ ▹
Senior Thesis Second Semester
Students whose honors thesis proposal (PSYC 0701) has been approved will collect, analyze, and interpret their data. This is the second semester of the 3-semester senior thesis. (PSYC 0201, PSYC 0202, and PSYC 0701; Approval required)
Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014
PSYC 0703 - Senior Thesis ▲ ▹
Senior Thesis*
This is the third and final semester of the senior thesis. Students will finish analyzing, and interpreting their data. This process culminates in a written thesis to be submitted by 5 p.m. on the Monday BEFORE the final week of spring classes, a presentation, and an oral defense. The decision about awarding departmental honors will be made after the student submits the thesis. (PSYC 0201, PSYC 0202, and PSYC 0702; Approval required)
Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Spring 2012, Winter 2013, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014
Selected Publications
Richardson, A.E. & Collaer, M.L. (2011) Virtual navigation performance: The relationship to field of view and prior videogaming experience. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 112, 477-498.
Lippa, R.A., Collaer, M.L., Peters, M. (2010). Sex differences in mental rotation and line angle judgments are positively associated with gender equality and economic development across 53 nations. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39, 990-997
Campbell, S. M. & Collaer, M. L.(2009) Stereotype threat and gender differences in performance on a novel visuospatial task. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 33, 437-444.
Collaer, M. L., Brook, C.G.D., Conway, G. S., Hindmarsh, P.C. & Hines, M.(2009). Motor development in individuals with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: Strength, targeting, and fine motor skill. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34, 249-258.
Collaer, M. L., Reimers, S., & Manning, J. T.(2007) Visuospatial performance on an Internet line judgment task and potential hormonal markers: Sex, sexual orientation and 2D:4D. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36, 177-192.
Maylor, E. A., Reimers, S., Choi, J., Collaer, M. L., Peters, M., & Silverman, I. (2007). Gender and sexual orientation differences in cognition across adulthood: Age is kinder to women than to men regardless of sexual orientation. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36, 235-249.
Collaer, M. L. & *Hill, E. M. (2006). Large sex difference in adolescents on a timed line judgment task: Attentional contributors and task relationship to mathematics. Perception, 35, 561-572.
Cherney, I. D., & Collaer, M. L. (2005). Sex differences in line judgment: Relation to mathematics preparation and strategy use. Perceptual & Motor Skills, 100, 615-627.
Halpern, D. F., & Collaer, M. L. (2005). Sex differences in visuospatial abilities: More than meets the eye.In P. Shah & A. Miyake (Eds.) The Cambridge Handbook of Visuospatial ThinkingCambridge University Press, pp. 170-212.
Collaer, M.L., *Tory, H.O. & *Valkenburgh, M.C. (2004). Do sex steroid hormones contribute to sexual differentiation of the human brain? In M.J. Legato (Ed.) Principles of Gender Specific Medicine, pp. 71-83.Amsterdam: Elsevier Science.
Collaer, M. L., & *Nelson, J. D. (2002). Large visuospatial sex difference in line judgment:Possible role of attentional factors. Brain and Cognition, 49, 1-12.
Collaer, M.L., Geffner, M.E., Kaufman, F.R., Buckingham, B., & Hines, M. (2002). Cognitive and behavioral characteristics of Turner syndrome:Do they support a role for ovarian hormones in female sexual differentiation? Hormones and Behavior, 41, 139-155.
Collaer, M.L.(1998). Early organizational influences and social factors:Need for further evaluation. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 21, 368-369.
Collaer, M.L., & Hines, M.(1995). Human behavioral sex differences:Arole for gonadal hormones during development? Psychological Bulletin, 118, 55-107.
Selected Conference Presentations ( *denotes student collaborator)
*Seybolt, M., *Clarke, H. and Collaer, M.L. Acute stress relaxes moral judgments of behaviors intended to harm. (June 2012) Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Annual Meeting, Madison, WI
*Seybolt, M. and Collaer, M.L. Moral judgments in relation to stress and sex. (November 2011). Society for Neuroscience Meeting, Washington, DC.
*Silverstein, N., Collaer, M.L, and Richardson, A.E. (November 2011). The effects of acute stress on human performance in a virtual reality navigation task. Society for Neuroscience Meeting, Washington, DC.
Collaer, M.L., *Weinstein, S.J., *Chock, M.G., and Richardson, A. (May 2011) Stress influences spatial knowledge and strategies, as well as moral judgments. Presentation at the annual conference of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington DC.
Richardson, A.E. & Collaer, M.L. (March 2010) Learning from wide field of view virtual displays: video game experience correlates. Presentation at the Eastern Psychological Association meeting, Brooklyn, NY.
Lippa, R.A., Collaer, M.L., & Peters, M. (June 2009). Visuospatial sex differences are larger, not smaller, in countries with greater gender equality and economic development. Presentation at the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology meeting, East Lansing, MI.
Collaer, M.L., Brook, C., Conway, G., Hindmarsh, P. & Hines, M. (June 2009) Do prenatal androgens make you strong but slow? Presentation at the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology meeting, East Lansing, MI.
*Garcia-Putnam, R. & Collaer, M. L. (April 2008). Sex differences in a spatial virtual navigation task. Presentation at the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Undergraduate Research Posters on the Hill Conference, Washington, DC
Collaer, M.L., Brook, C., Conway, G., Hindmarsh, P. & Hines, M. (June 2009) Do prenatal androgens make you strong but slow? Presentation at the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology meeting, East Lansing, MI.
Collaer, M.L., Reimers, S., & Manning, J.T. (October 2006). Human visuospatial ability and the neurohormonal hypothesis: Line judgment performance in relation to sex, sexual orientation, and digit ratios. Presentation at the Society for Neuroscience meeting, Atlanta, GA.