School of Natural and Social Sciences
Department of Psychology
Professor of Psychology Office: KHD3083 Phone:323-343-5617 FAX: (323) 343-2281 Email: sfischo@calstatela.edu |
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Educational Background

Introduction
I have been on the faculty of CSULA since 1972. With occasional forays into less chartered terrain, the range of courses I teach include Personality, Social, Clinical, Experimental, Abnormal and Media Psychology. Many of these courses are taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. I supervise the Clinical Practicum course during the summer quarter and maintain a small private practice.
Teaching Interests
As my primary interest is in the area of Media Psychology, I conduct and supervise research in this area and write articles in academic and popular journals, magazines and newspapers. I appear regularly on television commenting on the psychological implications of various local, national and international trends, issues and crises. I also consult to the film and television industries on matters relating to accuracy of portrayal of character, motivation and plot structure. I have written three movies for television and am a member of the Writers Guild, West.
Research Interests
Currently I conduct research in such areas as credibility of press and electronic media, stereotypes of the mentally ill in the media, demographic differences in film preferences, TV addiction, and pre-trial publicity and its influence on jury decision making.I have established a Media Psychology laboratory to develop student interest in Media Psychology and pursue research in a variety of media-related areas.
Representative Professional Activities
Date Publications/Presentations Sept.-Oct, 1995 Confessions of a TV talk show shrink.
Psychology Today, pp. 38-46.Feb., 1995 Villains in film: Anemic renderings.
Popular Culture Review, pp. 45-52.1993 A reel take on mental illness.The Journal of the California Alliance for the Mentally Ill. V.4, 1, 11-14. Aug., 1994 TV addiction: Hypothetical construct or semantic fiction. With Ruzanna Agamyan & Richard Lotto. Paper presented at annual convention of the American Psychological Association, Los Angeles. Aug., 1994 Race and gender differences in patterns of film attendance and avoidance. With Ruzanna Agamyan & Richard Lotto. Paper presented at annual convention of the American Psychological Association, Los Angeles. 1996 Stereotyped images of the mentally ill Journal of Media Psychology, vi, (1) pp. 4-6. 1996 Perceived Credibility of News Sources as A Function of News Focus Paper presented at 1996 Convention of American Psychological Association. 1996 Favorite Films and Film Genres as a Function of Race, Age, and Gender. With Joe Antonio, B. A. and Diane Lewis, B.A. Paper presented at 1997 Convention of American Psychological Association. 1997 Gangsta' Rap and A Murder in Bakersfield . Paper presented at 1997 Convention of American Psychological Association. 1998 Hollywoods Dark Romance with Mental Illness.Journal of the California Alliance for the Mentally Ill. V9, N 1, pp. 56-58. 1998 Gangsta' Rap and A Murder in Bakersfield. (in press)Journal of Applied Social Psychology 1998 Commentary on Warren Hinckley and Celebrity StalkersThe Forensic Echo: Psychiatry, Law & Public Policy. Vol II, No. 10 Educational Background
Ph.D. Psychology1972 New School for Social Research New York, New York
M.A. Psychology1965 New School for Social Research New York, New York
B.S. Psychology1962 Pennsylvania State University University Park, Pennsylvania Winter, 1999 Schedule
Course Sec.# Title Units Day & Time Room Psychology 402 01 Media Psychology 4 T 610-1000pm KHB3009 Psychology 422 01 Social Psychology 4 MW 420-600pm KHB3008 Psychology 555 01 Grad Study Psychology 6 MW 610-840pm KHD3084
Office Hours
Day Time MW 230-400pm T 530-630pm Prepared by
mroffe@calstatela.edu
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