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Posted: 4/29/98

A&M International Faculty Teach TxDOT About Stress Reduction

 

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Employees of the local Texas Department of Transportation office are a little less stressed these days thanks to two Texas A&M International University faculty members.

Dr. Jeffrey Brown and Dr. Tracie Blumentritt, both assistant professors of psychology at A&M International, recently held a half-day workshop on stress reduction for TxDOT employees.

"Our presentation consisted of a few simple techniques that can help alleviate stress in the work place. These techniques also help people feel like they have some sort of control over their lives," explained Dr. Blumentritt.

Dr. Brown added that while stress is a problem associated with virtually every job imaginable, employees can maintain a high level of effectiveness by learning to manage their stress levels.

"Simply put, happy, stress-free employees are also highly productive employees. Research on stress has been fairly consistent in showing that employees with high stress levels can develop illness and health problems, some of which can be severe or even life-threatening," he said.

Brown, an expert in human memory, has found that people can often reduce their stress level by improving their memory.

"Memory affects worker performance and stress levels. Forgetting the big meeting or big project can be very, very stressful. Improving memory can also help people feel like they have more control over their lives thereby reducing stress," he said.

Brown teaches University-level courses in Learning and Memory, Cognitive Psychology, Applied Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Research Methods.

Blumentritt, an expert in learning disabilities, developmental psychopathology, and educational psychology, teaches courses in Developmental Psychology, Educational Psychology, Psychological Testing and Measurement, and Psychopathology. She is also currently developing a new course on Health Psychology.

Persons who need additional information on Psychology courses offered at A&M International should contact the University's Department of Psychology and Sociology at 326-2475. University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Additional information may also be obtained through the University's Home Page on the World Wide Web.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu