As a developmental psychologist, adolescence has been an interesting academic topic and area to research, however I have been accused of being locked in a delayed adolescence because of my continuing interest in muscle cars dating from my youth. My father owned an auto repair shop and I grew up learning about cars and how to fix them. My favorite has been the Chevrolet Corvette and I have owned one almost my entire driving life since age 20. The pictures below show my first 1960 Corvette, my 1966 Corvette that I purchased shortly after coming to Gustavus, and my most recent 2003 Anniversary corvette.

People often think being a psychologist and enjoying cars as much as I do is unusual, but if you have ever worked on engines you would appreciate the similarities. When I became interested in cars I had a strong interest in knowing how things work and I tested my theories by "experimenting" souping up engines. A good auto mechanic comes by the experimental method naturally. Likewise as a psychologist I have always wanted to know what made people "tick" and doing research with them has helped me to better understand them and make sound conclusions. The procedures are not very different in form.