Psychology professor to 'rock' audience with metal music data during next Bergren Forum
2/03/15
The Alfred University’s (AU) Bergren Forum continues Thursday, Feb. 12, at 12:10 p.m. in Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center with Dr. Steve Byrne, assistant professor of counseling, who will present “The Psychology of Metal Music.”
Byrne will reveal why some people find the most aggressive and extreme music genres appealing. The program is free and open to the public.
During his tenure at AU, Byrne has taught an honors course, “Soundtrack to Rebellion: Metal, Punk, and Hardcore,” which focused on the study of rock music as it has evolved and the psychological effects it has on the metal-head mind. Byrne routinely teaches a variety of graduate-level counseling courses.
Byrne has published work on more than 19 separate occasions, most recently in “Counselor Education and Supervision” and in “Psychological Reports,” both relating to his areas of concentration, which include: narcissism, trauma, counseling outcome and process and relationships.
He holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Boston College, and a master’s degree in psychology and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Marywood University, Scranton, PA.
The Bergren Forum is sponsored by the Division of Human Studies, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Provost’s Office. Guests are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch; coffee and tea will be provided.
The series known as the Bergren Forum was begun by Rick Bergren, who taught at the University in the ’70s, when he was inspired by learning of the gathering that (AU) students in the 19th century were known to conduct in Alumni Hall to discuss community issues. After Bergren’s death in 1974, the University decided to continue the tradition in his name. Various faculty members have taken on the coordinator duties since that time. William S. Dibrell, professor of philosophy, is the current coordinator.