Jeffrey M Rudski
Education
- Ph.D., University of Minnesota
- B.S., McGill University
Teaching Interests
My overarching teaching interest is in getting to help students see how the material in my (indeed, in ALL) courses relates to their lives, their values and the world as a whole. The courses I regularly teach provide a foundation of information that helps students apply the material they learn to everyday experience and develop strategies on how to critically assess information and generate research questions, as well as evaluate broader philosophical questions.
Research and Scholarship
I explore questions in two broad areas:
1. Why are smart people often irrational? I once smugly believed that irrationality reflected ignorance, but eventually realized that we all have irrational beliefs and ways of thinking (e.g., I rationally don’t believe in ghosts, yet I’m terrified of horror films… maybe part of me does believe in them!). Research in judgment and decision-making shows that irrational thinking is actually predictable and orderly. My research investigates what exactly constitutes irrational thinking, and how such thinking can result in misguided or actually beneficial outcomes.
2. Neuropsychosociolosophy. I know that’s not a word. Still, advances in the neurosciences and psychology (“neuropsycho”) are rapidly advancing, and may be outpacing our ethical (“losophy”) consideration of the implications. Is it fair to use “smart drugs?” Are the persons using medication to treat depression still authentically themselves? Heck, do we even have an authentic self? What are the social implications (“socio”) of these advantages? Does gender or race play a role in our perceptions of drug use? Does medicating people result in our ignoring underlying structural and social influences that contribute to mental health challenges? These questions only scratch the surface of the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, sociology and philosophy. More to follow!
- Biological Psychology
- CUE: Advanced Research in Psychology
- FYS: Just Say Know
- Learning & Behavior
- Psychopharmacology
- Williams Award for scholarship, 1999
- Summer Research Grant, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2016
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Lorenz, K.G.*, Glass, A.S.*, Kantor, A.R.*, & Rudski, J.M. (2017). A Multidimensional Model of Addiction: Consequences, Outcomes, and Stigma. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science. Boston, MA.
Baker, C.*, Lewis, N.*, & Rudski, J.M. (2017). Poverty and Cognition: A “Seductive Allure” of Psychological Explanations, and a Preference for Group over Individual Assistance. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science. Boston, MA.
Lehmann, J.S.*, Montgomery, S.M.*, Strickberger. E.S*. & Rudski, J.M. (2017). Rationality, Irrationality, and Arationality: An Exploration of Unsubstantiated Beliefs. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science. Boston, MA.
Rudski, J.M., Orlin, D.J.*, & Boyle, E.J.* (2017). Academic Accommodations Following a Traumatic Brain Injury: A Survey of College Professors. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science. Boston, MA.
Silverstein, M.*, Polcaro, L.*, Truitt, R.*, & Rudski, J.M. (2016). First Do No Harm: The Ethics of Revealing Placebo Effects. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science. Chicago, IL.
Rudski, J.M., Ibrahim, D*, & Sperber, J.F.* (2016). Recognizing Sociocultural Influences on Depression is Easier in Foreign Than in Gendered Contexts. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science. Chicago, IL.
Allen, E.T.*, Arora, M.*, Spadavecchia, F.*, & Rudski, J.M. (2015). Cognitive Enhancement is Less Concerning When it Promotes the Greater Good. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, New York, NY.
Kline, D. M.*, Solomon, S.M.*, Goldberg, J.R. , Saulle, M.C.*, Scher, C.J.*, & Rudski, J.M. (2015). Would you Let Ben Sleep Over? Medicalization, Appearance, and Stigma. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, New York, NY.
Herbsman, B.S.*, Quitter, E.D.*, Bilgram, N.P.* & Rudski, J.M. (2015). Decisions to Terminate Life Support: Influence of Perceived Patient Agency and Experience. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, New York, NY.
Rudski, J.M., Quitter, E.D.*, Bilgram, N.P.*, Herbsman, B.S.*, Hinchcliffe, C.M.*, Tremont, M.E. *, Knepper, L.M.*, Sperber, J.F.*, Arora, M.*, Allen, E.T.*, & Spadavecchia, F.* (2015). Placebos, Side Effects, and Intent: The Ethics of Cognitive Enhancement. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, New York, NY.
Knepper, L.M.*, Sperber, J.F.*, Hinchcliffe, C.M.*, Tremont, M.E.*, & Rudski, J.M. (2015). Biopsychosocial Influences on Depression: Does Medication Distract us from Social Causes? Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, New York, NY.
Rudski, J.M., Matarangas, A.*, & Sandler, M.E.* (2014). Acceptability and Concerns with Antidepressants: Perceptions of Effort Trump Authenticity and Insight. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.
Rudski, J.M., & Haberman, B.D.* (2014). What kind of person uses somebody as a trolley-stopper? Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.
Prawer, E.R.*, Boviard, H.M., Verlin, J.T.*, & Rudski, J.M. (2014). Gender Disparities: How Much Proof Do You Need? Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.
Rudski, J.M. , Field, G. J.*, & Kratchman, D. M.* (2013). Fixed versus Growth Mindsets and Ethics of Pharmacological Enhancement. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.
Alpert, S.*, Dickey, J.P.* , & Rudski, J.M. (2013). Risk Estimation: Do People always Think Straight? Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.
Robbins, T.*, Seeba, J.*, Dubinsky, J.*, & Rudski, J. M. (2013) Preference for Natural versus Artificial Medication is Affected by Dread. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.
Rudski, J.M., Merker, S*., & Wehrle, K*. (2012). Ethical Concerns with Cosmetic Psychopharmacology: Is it the Pill or the Principle? Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.
Genualdi, A.*, Lieberman, A.*, & Rudski, J.M. (2012). Recreational Drugs: Preference for Natural over Artificial Versions. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.
Kanner, S.A.*, Sciutto, M.J., & Rudski, J.M. (2011). Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Contact, and Stigma. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
Rudski, J.M., Smith, M.*, Morrone, D.*, & Sciutto, M.J. (2011). Autism Awareness Videos May Inadvertently Increase Stigma. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.
Robbins, K.*, & Rudski, J.M. (2011). Ratio bias is diminished by risk, positive framing, or serious consequences. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.
Osei, W.,N. *, Jacobson, A.R.*, Lynch, C.R.*, & Rudski, J.M. (2010). Would you rather be injured by lightning or a downed power line? Poster presented at Association for Psychological Science, Boston MA.
Gallub, N.T.*, Manzella, H.M.*, Schaefer, C.M.*, Van Waalwijk, J.M.*, & Rudski, J.M. (2010). Disability, stigma, and magical contagion. Poster presented at Association for Psychological Science, Boston MA.
Rudski, J.M., Bernstein, L.*, & Mitchell, J. E.* (May 2009). Sometimes a flower is just a flower: Implicitly erotic art across the ovarian cycle. Poster presented at Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.
Sciutto, M., Rudski, J.M., Herman, E.*, & Naab, L.* (2009). Labeling and stigma in Asperger disorder and autism. Poster presented at the NASP, Boston MA,
Rudski, J.M., Segal, C.*, & Kallen, E.* (2008). Harry Potter and the end of the road: Parallels with addiction. Poster presented at Association for Psychological Science, Chicago IL.
Rudski, J.M., Salani, R.J.*, Levin, S.N.*, & Newman, J.L.* (2007). Attitudes toward Aspergers: emic versus etic Perspectives. Poster presented at Association for Psychological, Washington DC.
Rudski, J.M., & Edwards, A.* (2006). Malinowski goes to college: Factors influencing students’ use of ritual and superstition. Poster presented at American Psychological Society, New York NY.
Publications (note: * indicates student co-author):
Rudski, J.M., Sperber, J.F.*, & Ibrahim, D.* (2016). Addressing depression through psychotherapy, medication, or social change: an empirical investigation. Neuroethics. DOI: 10.1007/s12152-016- 9292-5.
Rudski, J.M., Herbsman, B*., Quitter, E.D*., & Bilgram, N*. (2016). Mind Perception and Willingness to Withdraw Life Support. Neuroethics. DOI: 10.1007/s12152-016-9269-4.
Rudski, J.M., Osei, W*., Jacobson, A.R*., & Lynch, C.R*. Lynch (2011). Would you rather be injured by lightning or a downed power line? Preference for natural hazards. Judgment and Decision Making, 6, 314–322.
Rudski, J.M., Bernstein, L.R*., & Mitchell, J.E* (2011). Implicitly Erotic Art across the Menstrual Cycle. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 40(4), 767-73.
Faust, C.*, Silverberg, J.*, & Rudski, J.M. (2011). The box-top spatial maze. Journal of Behavioral Neuroscience Research, 9, 34-36.
Rudski, J.M., Segal, C.*, & Kallen, E.* (2009). Harry Potter and the End of the Road: Parallels with addiction. Journal of Addiction Research and Theory, 17, 260-277.
Rudski, J.M. & Edwards, A.* (2007). Malinowski goes to college: Factors influencing students’ use of ritual and superstition. Journal of General Psychology, 134, 389-403.
Dale, D., Rudski, J.M., Smith, E.*, & Schwartz, A.* (2007). Innumeracy and incentives: A ratio bias experiment. Judgment and Decision Making, 2, 243-250.
Rudski, J.M., Marra. L.C.*, & Graham, K.R. (2004) Gender differences in hypnotic susceptibility. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 52, 39-46.
Graham, K.R., Marra, L.C.*, & Rudski, J.M. (2003). Hypnotic susceptibility as a predictor of participation in student activities. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 46,139-145.
Rudski, J.M., & Volksdorf, J.* (2002). Pictorial versus textual information and the ratio bias effect. Perceptual and Motor Skills,92, 547-554.
Psychology
Public Health
Contact: jeffrudski@muhlenberg.edu