TIFFIN UNIVERSITY, TIFFIN, OH— Jonathan Appel, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and TU psychology student Erin Snapp presented at the 6th Global Conference “Making Sense of Madness” in September 2013 at Mansfield College (University of Oxford) in Oxford, United Kingdom.
The conference theme was inter-disciplinary research that examined issues of madness across historical periods and within cultural, political and social contexts within a range of critical perspectives. This was designed to be a multidisciplinary international dialogue. Conference participants were educators and scholars from various countries including, Scotland, UK, Poland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, New Zealand, South Africa, Montreal, Italy, and the United States. There were psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, a feminist art historian, a medical anthropologist, a philosopher, an attorney, several literature professors, and several additional professionals.
Dr. Appel and Ms. Snapp were part of joint panel with Ursuline College (Ohio) that presented a comprehensive review of the scientific and professional literature analyzing key research findings in the “psychology of creativity.” The title of the panel presentation is based on the panel’s paper, “Creativity, Critique and Cutting Edge: Creativity and Madness,” which is being published as part of book based on the conference. The paper/presentation identified, described, and evaluated what contribution the behavioral sciences have made to understanding the connection between creativity and mental health/mental illness. The presentation also highlighted a recent collaborative research project by the conference panel. Dr. Appel notes that “Ms. Snapp has been an integral part of the research project” and really excelled in getting the project off the ground—and helping tremendously in all aspects of this exciting collaborative project.”
Dr. Appel also be presented the paper, “Non-Rational States of Consciousness: Understanding and Counseling ‘Madness’,” co-authored with his wife, Dr. Dohee Kim-Appel. This paper and presentation examined the issue that most current theories of psychology and therapy/counseling provide a less than comprehensive perception into consciousness and the human psyche. The paper presentation argued that a more holistic and integrated approach to understanding and counseling non-rational consciousness states is needed. Dr. Jonathan Appel has worked in the field of Behavioral Health nearly decades. He has worked with individuals, groups, families, and organizations as a counselor, psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, program director, consultant, researcher, and educator.
Ms. Erin Snapp is an undergraduate Psychology major at Tiffin University and currently President of the Psychology Club.