Jennifer Freyd Teachers Make a Difference - Roger Shepard

The transcript recounts the experiences of a graduate student at Stanford in 1979 with Roger Shepard, a renowned cognitive psychologist. Despite his shyness, Shepard became a supportive mentor, especially in a male-dominated field. He encouraged creativity and respected new ideas, teaching the importance of staying true to one's intellectual passions and being respectful to others.

What was the speaker's initial impression of Roger Shepard?

• He was shy but eager to mentor.

• He was strict and unapproachable.

• He was very outgoing and talkative.

• He was uninterested in mentoring.

How did Roger Shepard communicate his desire to talk to the speaker?

• He asked his assistant to schedule meetings.

• He left notes on the door.

• He walked by the speaker's office multiple times.

• He sent emails.

What was the environment like for women in the speaker's field at Stanford?

• There were many women professors.

• Women were the majority in the department.

• It was male-dominated with few women professors.

• Women were well-represented and respected.

How did Roger Shepard differ from most mentors according to the speaker?

• He discouraged new ideas.

• He stifled creativity.

• He encouraged trying new ideas even if he doubted their success.

• He was indifferent to the speaker's ideas.

What key lesson did the speaker learn from Roger Shepard?

• To avoid taking risks in research.

• To focus solely on traditional methods.

• To prioritize personal success over others.

• To be true to one's intellectual passions and respect others.