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Education news and issues in the Ozarks.

Psychologist Discusses Intersection of Meditation, Conscientiousness, Religion, Health

Students studying in Meyer Library

 Yoga is said to be an exercise of the body, mind and soul. It is clear that since the ancient days, there was an understanding that each of these areas influenced the others. Dr. Amber Abernathy, Mary-Charlotte Bayles Shealy Chair in Conscientious Psychology at Missouri State University, is testing this relationship through a collaborative research project with Dr. Stephen Berkwitz, head of the religious studies department.

As a psychologist, her primary research focus has been on personality, and thanks to the endowed chair by Shealy, Abernathy has tightened her focus to helping people increase their conscientiousness. 

Though conscientious psychology is a new area, she confidently notes that the personality trait of being conscientious influences a person's action from a young age.

Nicki received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration from Missouri State in marketing, in 2002 and 2004 respectively. After gaining experience in writing, marketing, special event planning, fundraising and public relations, she returned to the university to work in the office of strategic communication. There she tells the university’s story by sharing the stories of individuals at Missouri State.
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