Experienced professor finds true calling
William Matthias
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Lifestyles
As the last of approximately 75 students made their way into Professor Andy Knapp's introductory psychology class, he turned off the Metallica album playing on the loud speakers and got down to business. He gave instructions to his students, each of whom had one rubber band and was intrigued by what Knapp said.
"Stand up with your rubber band and turn to face the left side wall," he said.
The students complied, with puzzled looks on their faces.
"Now, move toward the wall until you are close enough to put a hand on the person in front of you."
The 52-year-old grey-haired professor, sporting a T-shirt, tight, faded jeans and a pair of slip-on shoes, jumped on the table in front of him.
"Now put your thumb in the middle of the back of the person in front of you and pull it back with the other hand until it is about eight inches away," Knapp said.
Again, without question, the students did as they were instructed.
"Now let go."
"Ow" reverberated through the classroom. Knapp chuckled.
"Why did you do that!" he shouted.
"You told us too," the students said.
"Yes that is true, I did," he said. "And that is how the Holocaust happened."
This experiment demonstrated obedience to authority, a concept in social psychology. It was one of many Knapp developed to supplement the conventional lecture-listen format common in undergraduate teaching. Surprisingly, Knapp is only in his second semester of teaching. He received his bachelor's and master's in Psychology from The College at Brockport, the latter in 2008. His ultimate goal was a doctorate degree.
"Getting credentials is a mission of mine," Knapp said. "I am on this quest so I can live the lifestyle I want, teaching and conducting research as a full-time faculty member."
Knapp is dedicated as much to his students as he is to his own education.
"I love it when students suddenly seem to get it," he said. "It is also rewarding to know that students find my lectures engaging and entertaining. I may be the only [exposure to] psychology students ever get, so I want the experience to be memorable."
"Stand up with your rubber band and turn to face the left side wall," he said.
The students complied, with puzzled looks on their faces.
"Now, move toward the wall until you are close enough to put a hand on the person in front of you."
The 52-year-old grey-haired professor, sporting a T-shirt, tight, faded jeans and a pair of slip-on shoes, jumped on the table in front of him.
"Now put your thumb in the middle of the back of the person in front of you and pull it back with the other hand until it is about eight inches away," Knapp said.
Again, without question, the students did as they were instructed.
"Now let go."
"Ow" reverberated through the classroom. Knapp chuckled.
"Why did you do that!" he shouted.
"You told us too," the students said.
"Yes that is true, I did," he said. "And that is how the Holocaust happened."
This experiment demonstrated obedience to authority, a concept in social psychology. It was one of many Knapp developed to supplement the conventional lecture-listen format common in undergraduate teaching. Surprisingly, Knapp is only in his second semester of teaching. He received his bachelor's and master's in Psychology from The College at Brockport, the latter in 2008. His ultimate goal was a doctorate degree.
"Getting credentials is a mission of mine," Knapp said. "I am on this quest so I can live the lifestyle I want, teaching and conducting research as a full-time faculty member."
Knapp is dedicated as much to his students as he is to his own education.
"I love it when students suddenly seem to get it," he said. "It is also rewarding to know that students find my lectures engaging and entertaining. I may be the only [exposure to] psychology students ever get, so I want the experience to be memorable."
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