Psychology Department
Dr. Nancy Gee

Dr. Nancy Gee

Research

In recent years my research has explored the emerging area of human-animal interaction, with specific emphasis on the effectiveness of dogs in the development of cognitive and motor skills in preschool children. I train and handle two therapy dogs that have become integrated into the curriculum of the Youngerman Preschool.

Through this collaboration I examine the circumstances under which the presence of a dog has an influence on the performance of a variety of cognitive and motor tasks. The research conducted in my lab has demonstrated that the presence of a real dog can be motivational, it can serve as a model for appropriate task performance, it increases adherence to instructions in both gross motor skills and a basic cognitive task (object recognition), and the presence of the dog may help children to relax when performing a more complex cognitive task (object categorization) because they tend to make fewer errors on the task. 

Teaching

I generally teach Statistics (PSY 200), a course I love and which is vital to the evaluation and understanding of psychological research.  I also enjoy teaching Cognitive Neuroscience (PSY 361), which investigates the fascinating biological basis of cognition, and Theories of Memory (PSY 454) which presents the various theories that attempt to explain our experiences with memory successes and failures.  At present I am developing a course on human-animal interaction for the College Honors program; I’ve previously taught on a variety of topics related to memory (HONR 205, 208, 226) for the Honors program. I have also taught Computer Applications in Psychology (PSY 390), Research Methods (PSY 210), and Cognitive Psychology (PSY 244).

Department, University and Community Service

At present I am responsible for the Psychology Department newsletter, I serve on the Middle States committee, and I am the coordinator of the Daniel Krawczyk Exemplary Award.  Over the past year I served on the campus Information Security Committee, and was the team leader for its education/training subcommittee.  In the community, I take my therapy dogs (Louie and Nikki) to visit the Youngerman Preschool on campus on a weekly basis, as well as on invited visits to other local schools and institutions.

Discipline of Psychology Service

Through my research into canine assisted interventions with preschool children I have become involved with the American Psychological Association Division 17’s new Animal-Human Interaction Section, as co-chair of the Human-Animal Bond Interest Group.  In August 2009 I delivered an invited presentation at the APA Convention in Toronto.  I was also invited to present a recorded APA continuing education course, with proceeds donated to Division 17. 

Selected Student - Faculty Collaboration

Publications

Gee, N. R., Sherlock, T. R., Bennett, E. A., & Harris, S. L. (2009).  Preschoolers' adherence to instructions as a function of the presence of a dog, and motor skills task.  Anthrozoös, 22, 267 - 276. 

Gee, N. R., Harris, S. L., & Johnson, K. L. (2007).  The role of therapy dogs in speed and accuracy to complete motor skills tasks for preschool children.  Anthrozoös, 20, 375 - 386. 

Poster Presentations

Crist, E., Carr, D., & Gee, N.R. (2009, April). Memory performance and adherence to instructions for preschool children in the presence of a co-collaborator. Poster presented at the SUNY-Fredonia Student Research and Creativity Exposition, Fredonia, NY, and at the Western Pennsylvania Undergraduate Psychology Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.

Gould, J. K., Swanson, C. C., & Gee, N.R. (2009, April).  Categorization performance of preschool children based on animation, category, child classification, and the presence of a co-collaborator.  Poster presented at the SUNY-Fredonia Student Research and Creativity Exposition, Fredonia, NY, and at the Western Pennsylvania Undergraduate Psychology Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.

Hyman, W., Powell, A., & Gee, N.R. (2009, April). Preschool children's performance of color naming and adherence to instruction in the presence of a co-performer. Poster presented at the SUNY-Fredonia Student Research and Creativity Exposition, Fredonia, NY, and at the Western Pennsylvania Undergraduate Psychology Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.

Gee, N. R., Harris, S. L., Bennett, E. A., & Sherlock, T. R. (2008, August).  The presence of a therapy dog can help preschool children to follow instructions.  International Society for Anthro-Zoology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Bennett, E., Harris, S. L., & Gee, N. R. (2008, April).  Facilitators of motor skills in preschool children.  Poster presented at the Student Research and Creative Endeavors Exposition, Fredonia, NY, and at the Western Pennsylvania Undergraduate Psychology Conference, Erie, PA. 

Altobelli, C., Church, M., & Gee, N. R. (2008, April).  Object categorization in preschool children.  Poster presented at the Student Research and Creative Endeavors Exposition, Fredonia, NY, and at the Western Pennsylvania Undergraduate Psychology Conference, Erie, PA. 

Ward, K., Magliocco, S., & Gee, N. R. (2008, April).  The effect animal assisted therapy has on recognition tasks of preschool children.  Poster presented at the Student Research and Creative Endeavors Exposition, Fredonia, NY, and at the Western Pennsylvania Undergraduate Psychology Conference, Erie, PA. 

Ross, A., Guidarelli, K., & Gee, N.R. (2007, April). A cross-cultural analysis of ambiguous words. Poster presented at the SUNY-Fredonia Student Research and Creativity Exposition, Fredonia, NY.
 
Sherlock, T., Bennett, E., & Gee, N.R. (2007, April). Facilitators of motor skills in preschool children. Poster presented at the SUNY-Fredonia Student Research and Creativity Exposition, Fredonia, NY.