Perhaps one of the least likely places you'd expect to find a psychology professor would be on stage at a rap concert.
But Christopher Chabris, an associate professor of psychology at Union College, has now crossed that apparent gulf between evolutionary psychology and hip hop.
Chabris recently appeared on stage with Baba Brinkman, a Canadian rapper and playwright. Brinkman had a theatrical and musical piece called "Ingenious Nature," at the SoHo Playhouse in New York City.
Here's how The New York Times described Brinkman's show: "mashed up stories from his love life with findings from the seductive field of evolutionary psychology, which tries to explain gender relations, political beliefs and teenage recklessness through the lens of millions of years of genetic selection."
After each show, Brinkman had a scientist speak to the audience. Brinkman was a fan of Chabris' book "The Invisible Gorilla, and Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us." He referenced the book on two separate tracks from his 2010 album, "The Rap Guide to Human Nature."
Chabris told a school publication he never expected his research to infiltrate the world of rap.
"A lot of things have happened as a result of writing our book, but being cited in rap lyrics and appearing on the stage of a rap show have to be two of the best," Chabris said.
Students head back to class
Capital Region college campuses have started to come back to life after the holiday break. Classes are already in session at Union, Maria, Empire State and Albany Medical colleges.
Here's a rundown of when classes resume at other area colleges and universities:
• Albany Law School: Monday
• The College of Saint Rose: Monday
• Albany College of Pharmacy: Jan. 22
• Columbia Greene Community College: Jan. 22
• Fulton Montgomery community College: Jan. 22
• Hudson Valley Community College: Jan. 22
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Jan. 22
• Sage Colleges (Troy and Albany campuses): Jan. 22
• Schenectady County Community College: Jan. 22
• Siena College: Jan. 22
• Skidmore College: Jan. 22
• SUNY Adirondack: Jan. 22
• University at Albany: Jan. 23
Thomson Reuters and Jackson Wang contributed to this report. Have an education tip? swaldman@timesunion.com • 518-454-5080 • @518Schools