faculty portrait if available
Jack Palmer
Professor
School of Behavioral & Social Sci
STRS 339
318-342-1345
ULM logo

Jack A Palmer, PhD
Professor, Psychology

Education

Ph D

1989, Psychology
University of Georgia

MS

1987,
University of Georgia

BS

1974, zoology, animal behavior
Clemson University

Biographical Sketch

Faculty Information

Dr. Jack A. Palmer has been a professor with the University of Louisiana at Monroe since 1989. He primarily teaches Neuropsychology, Physiological Psychology, Evolutionary Psychology, Positive Psychology, and Introductory Psychology, Developmental Psychology and History and Systems. He has developed cutting edge courses in Positive Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology that have helped bring national recognition to ULM's undergraduate psychology program. The online graduate Neuropsychology course that he developed and teaches has helped make ULM's program the 10th highest ranked online Master's in Psychology in the United States.

Professor Palmer received his undergraduate degree in zoology from Clemson University where he developed a keen interest in ethology. He received his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Georgia in 1989. His studies at the University of Georgia and at nearby Yerkes Primate Research (Field) Center focused on physiological and comparative psychology with a particular emphasis on primatology and cognition.

When not busy with his research, teaching, and university services, Dr. Palmer enjoys weight training, whitewater canoeing, outdoor camping, fiction writing, organic gardening, vegetarian cooking, and spending time with his family. He also enjoys snorkeling and rappelling, and he is a licensed scuba diver. Professor Palmer is married to eitor and author Linda K. Palmer. Together they have a daughter who is a graduate of Southern Oregon University.

 

 

 

 

 

Research Interests

Dr. Palmer has an active interest in human psychological research, particularly as it relates to evolution, and has carved his niche as a synthesizer of new ideas. His evolutionary psychology textbook, Evolutionary Psychology: The Ultimate Origins of Human Behavior (2002), weaves data and theories from diverse scientific disciplines into a unified and expansive view of evolutionary psychology.

He is also the science and technical editor of the book, Science, Wisdom, and the Future: Humanity’s Quest for a Flourishing Earth published in 2012.

In addition to serving as technical editor for the book, Dr. Palmer wrote three chapters:

“Power and Restraint: The Question of Human Genetic Engineering” provides an objective rationale for where the limits to human genetic engineering should be drawn.

“The Wisdom of Virtue: A Scientific Exploration of Honesty, Humility, and Love presents empirical support demonstrating that incorporation of virtues enhances wellbeing

 “Positive Psychology: Promise of a New Perspective” is a brief introduction to the cutting edge field of Positive Psychology.

Dr. Palmer teaches Positive Psychology, Physiological Psychology, Neurophysiology, and Evolutionary Psychology. His writings are dedicated to helping others understand the complexities of scientific psychology and the ways in which humanity can optimize its potential through this knowledge.

His current research focuses on investigating altruism and empathy and determining which variables have the greatest influence on critical decision making.

 

Recent Publications

Palmer, J. A., Palmer, L. K. (2022). Predicting Altruistic Behavior by the Benefactor-Beneficiary Relationship. Evolutionary Psychology.
Palmer, J., Tackett, S. (2018). An Examination of the Dark Triad Constructs with Regard to Prosocial Behavior. Acta Psychopathologica.
Palmer, J. A., Hill, W. T. Affective Responses to Music without Recognition: Beyond the Cognitivist Hypothesis. The New School Psychology Bulletin.
Palmer, J. A. Positive Psychology: Promise of a New Perspective. In Science, Wisdom, and the Future.
Palmer, J. A. Power and restraint: The question of human genetic engineering. In Science, Wisdom, and the Future.
Palmer, J. A. Science, Wisdom, and the Future: Humanity’s Quest for a Flourishing Earth. San Francisco, CA: Collins Foundation Press..
Palmer, J. A., Garvey, K. J., Hale, L., Ting, R. The Dominant Role of Kinship in Human Altruistic Behavior.
Palmer, J. A. The Wisdom of Virtue: A Scientific Exploration of Honesty, Humility, and Love. In Science, Wisdom, and the Future.
Palmer, J. A., Palmer, L. K., Palmer, N. F. (2010). Vision for the Future: The Wisdom of a Plant-Based Diet for Humans.
Hill, W. T., Palmer, J. A. (2010). AFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO A SET OF NEW MUSICAL STIMULI1 (pp. 8). Missoula, Montana: Psychological Reports.
Palmer, J. A., Palmer, L. K. (2009). Transcending cultural indoctrination: Separating the wheat from the chaff. In Evolutionary Epic: Science’s Story and Humanity’s Response. (pp. 265-270). San Francisco, CA: Collins Foundation Press.
Palmer, J. A., Palmer, L. K. (2002). Evolutionary psychology: The ultimate origins of human behavior (pp. 319). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon..
Palmer, J. A., McCown, W. (1999). Commentary on the law and bioeconomics of ethnic cooperation and conflict in plural societies of Southeast Asia: A theory of Chinese merchant success by Janet Landa. Journal of Bioeconomics.
Palmer, J. A., McCown, W. (1999). The law and bioeconomics of ethic cooperation and conflict in plural societies of southeast Asia: A theory of Chinese merchant success: Comment (pp. 285-288). AH Dordrecht: Journal of Bioeconomics, Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Palmer, J. A., Palmer, L. K., Williamson, J. D., Michiels, K., Thigpen, B. (1995). Childhood abuse as a factor in attrition from drug rehabilitation. (pp. 879-882). Psychological Reports.
Palmer, J. A., Palmer, L. K., Michiels, K., Thigpen, B. (1995). Effects of types of exercise on depression in recovering substance abusers. (pp. 523-530). Perceptual & Motor Skills;.
Palmer, J. A., Palmer, L. K. (1994). Light mediation of circadian predatory behavior in the young alligator (pp. 27-37). Christchurch: International Journal of Comparative Psychology;.

Research Grants

Palmer, P. A. (Principal), "Validating the Accuracy of Self-Report Measures of Altruism Using a Real Commodity" (Funded), Sponsored By Research HUB Mini-Grant Program, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $900.00. (January 15 2014 - November 15 2015).

Awards & Honors

Who'sWho in Science and Engineering Millenium Edition.

Who'sWho in America, 55th Edition.

Who's Who in Education (WWE).

April 2021 Undergraduate Posters 2nd place.

April 2021 Graduate Orals 1st Place.

April 2021 People’s Choice Award: Savannah Quinn.

April 2019 ULM Student Research Symposium 1st Place Prize Undergraduate (podium), ULM. (April 3 2019)..

April 2019 ULM Student Research Symposium 1st Place Prize Graduate (podium) April 3, 2019.

April 2019 ULM Student Research Symposium 2nd Place Prize Undergraduate (poster), ULM. (April 2 2019).

April 2018 ULM Student Research Symposium 1st Place Prize Graduate (poster), ULM. (April 13 2018)..

April 2018 ULM Student Research Symposium 1st Place Prize Graduate (podium), ULM. (April 13 2018)..

April 2018 ULM Student Research Symposium 1st Place Prize Undergraduate (poster), ULM. (April 13 2018)..

April 2017 ULM Student Research Symposium 2nd Place Prize Graduate (poster), ULM. (April 11 2017)..

April 2017 ULM Student Research Symposium 1st Place Prize Undergraduate (poster), ULM. (April 11 2017)..

April 2017 ULM Student Research Symposium 1st Place Prize Undergraduate (podium), ULM. (April 11 2017). 05/01/2017 - 1.

April 2017 ULM Student Research Symposium 1st Place Prize Graduate (podium).

April 2017 ULM Student Research Symposium 1st Place Prize Graduate (poster).

March 2016 ULM Student Research Symposium 1st Place Prize Graduate (podium).

March 2016 ULM Student Research Symposium 1st Place Prize Graduate (poster).

March 2015 ULM Student Research Symposium 1st Place Prize Undergraduate.

March 2015 ULM Student Research Symposium 1st Place Prize Graduate.

February 2015 Foundation Awards for Excellence for Faculty in Research College Nomination.

February 2014 ULM Graduate Research Symposium 1st Place Prize.

February 2013 ULM Graduate Research Symposium 1st Place Prize.

April 2012 Poster Selection forUniversity of Louisiana System Academic Summit.

April 2012 Oral Selection forUniversity of Louisiana System AcademicSummit.

April 2012 ULM Graduate Research Symposium 1st Place Prize.

August 2011 Research/Scholarship Award,College of Education and Human Development.

May 2011 Research/Scholarship Award, Department of Psychology.

April 2008 ULM Graduate Research Symposium 2nd Place Prize.

April 2008 ULM Research Symposium 1st Place Prize.

April 2007 ULM Graduate Research Symposium 1st Place Prize.

2006 ULM Graduate Research Symposium 1st Place Prize.

2005 ULM Graduate Research Symposium 2nd Place Prize.

2003 ULM Graduate Research Symposium 1st Place Prize.

September 2000 Visiting Professor at Willamette University, Salem, Oregon.

January 2000 Sabbatical (2000-2001.

2000 Outstanding Professor of the Year, 2000.

May 1999 Outstanding Professor of the Year, Psychology Department.

May 1995 Researcher of the Year, Psychology Department.

August 1988 University of Georgia, Honorable Fellowship, 1988-1989.

Courses Taught

FRYS 1001Freshman Year Seminar, 1 course(s)

HONR 3001Honors Social Science, 1 course(s)

PSYC 2001INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY, 26 course(s)

PSYC 2078DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY, 18 course(s)

PSYC 3003PHYSIOLOGICAL, 62 course(s)

PSYC 3060POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, 45 course(s)

PSYC 4001ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY, 7 course(s)

PSYC 4007HISTORY AND SYSTEMS, 22 course(s)

PSYC 4010Health Psychology, 2 course(s)

PSYC 4011ADVANCED TOPICS, 6 course(s)

PSYC 4050EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY, 20 course(s)

PSYC 4099ADV GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY, 10 course(s)

PSYC 5029DIRECTED STUDY, 22 course(s)

PSYC 5061NEUROPSYCHOLOGY, 30 course(s)

PSYC 5097INDEPENDENT RESEARCH, 6 course(s)

PSYC 5099THESIS, 6 course(s)