Psych Profs Rhetorically Manipulating the Psych of Psych Profs

Katie Johnson already posted an excellent breakdown of what it is like to be a teacher in front of a class and how delivery and style are utilized to keep students attentive and learning. Even though her post was for English teachers, doing a similar post for psychology professors would just be repetitive. Luckily for those reading these posts, a professor's job is not restricted to solely teaching. Sometimes a professor, or a teacher, has to appear in board meetings.

Professor Goodapple showed up for her board meeting ten minutes early, wanting to talk to Professor Strait A. Student about any updates concerning the proposed MRI machine purchase that would be the highlight of the day's meeting. Some of the psychology professors and board members felt as though the machine would be too costly to consider purchasing for the department. Goodapple was confident that she would be able to persuade them as to the necessary of the machine.

The meeting started and logistical business was taken care of. Professor Goodapple was presented with the Psychology Professor of the Year Award; which she was pleased to realize would serve to boost her ethos in the upcoming debate. When financials were being discussed she brought up the issue of the new MRI machine. Of course Professor Wormycore objected to the idea of upsetting the currently balanced budget of the department. However. Professor Goodapple had done her research and knew exactly how to handle his objections.

She confidently presented the floor with information regarding the unsafe condition of the current equipment, emphasizing the students' health and inability to complete many of the university's recommended studies for psychology students. By presenting this issue first she was able to make her cause the valiant and just one, while subtly making her opposition seem uncaring and uncompassionate towards student wellbeing and success. She then discussed the need for functional research equipment for professors and graduate students, appealing to the frustrations that other professors have had doing their research with insufficient equipment. Since the board meeting was for the Psychology department she did not need to bore them with explanations of how important this piece of equipment would be; they all could have supplied many reasons. However, she did imply that there were many reasons and let the audience use their imaginations and personal experiences supply them. Then, in the rebuttal of Wormycore's argument, she focused on the success of last year's fundraiser, predicting similar results for this year, which allowed her to end her argument on a topic that left the listeners in a sentimental and uplifted mood. She delivered these three points with a thoughtful and professional demeanor, appearing capable but not aloft. She then sat down, calmly forcing herself not to smile at the enthusiastic chatter from her audience.

There was a rush of agreement and conversation that spread over the board members seated at the table as they recounted times when it would have been extremely useful to have an MRI machine. The president of the board endured the chatter for just a minute before calling the room to a vote. Even Professor Wormycore approved the change to the budget in favor of the new equipment.