Dr. James Benjamin
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Dr. James Benjamin's Passion for Psychology
Written By: Ian Silvester
Since arriving at the University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith in 2010, Dr. James Benjamin, an associate professor of psychology, has never felt more at home. In fact, Fort Smith has been where he calls home, the longest of any one place in his entire life.
Benjamin has lived on both coasts and in Hawaii, Texas, and the Midwest, totaling nearly a dozen cities across nine states. During Benjamin鈥檚 formative years, his dad, a master-level physicist, worked in the aerospace industry with experimental airplanes. As contracts expired, the family packed up and headed to the next job. Instead of dwelling on the frequent changes, Benjamin said he enjoyed it because 鈥渢here鈥檚 always something interesting anytime you land someplace new.鈥�
It's been an enjoyment he has carried with him everywhere he鈥檚 been and something he encourages all students to remember.
Benjamin鈥檚 family spent a few years near Sacramento, California, while he was in high school. There, he discovered his passion for psychology.
鈥淭he thing that hooked me was when we got to the chapter on social psychology, and we started going through the Milgram (Shock) Experiment,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t captured my imagination, and I wanted to know more because it helped answer a question: Why do people hurt each other.鈥�
With no qualms about trying something new, Benjamin took his newfound interest in psychology to California State University, Fullerton, and ran with it. He earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree as a double major in psychology and philosophy there. He continued his education there, receiving his master鈥檚 degree in experimental psychology with an emphasis in industrial-organizational psychology.
Yet, he still wanted to know more about the psychology of why people hurt each other. Since he was comfortable moving, Benjamin packed up and headed east to the University of Missouri.
鈥淭he big draw there for me was that they had a couple of aggression researchers,鈥� he explained. 鈥淥ne of the things that you learn very quickly in social psychology, especially in the 1990s, is that the really interesting programs were all up in the Midwest.鈥�
Benjamin graduated from the University of Missouri with his Ph.D. in social psychology, specifically looking into aggression.
In his 25 years as a full-time instructor since then, Benjamin has dived into the research and data of social psychology, or as he jokes, 鈥渁ll the nerdy stuff that most people say isn鈥檛 fun.鈥�
After about a decade of teaching at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Benjamin, his wife of 28 years, and their three children moved to Fort Smith after he accepted his position at 黑料不打烊.
鈥淲hen I saw the job posting for (his current role), I thought, 鈥楲et鈥檚 give it a shot; see what happens.鈥� I fell in love with the city immediately,鈥� Benjamin said.
Having saved the best move for last, Benjamin loves being right where he needs to