Ruth Crocker is an energetic professional and educator who focuses on creativity and on “other ways of knowing” (e.g., divination, intuition) from the perspective of pagan and neo-pagan beliefs and practices. Her expertise in research and education involve a variety of psychological perspectives in lifespan development, social psychology, cognition, problem solving, psychology of gender, the psychology of creativity, intuition and insight, and the psychology of religion, which collectively bring a unique perspective that promotes PSYmore’s research goals in human consciousness.
Current Work
Currently, Ruth is an adjunct instructor with the School of Psychology at Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She instructs and evaluates graduate learners in an on-line environment and teaches graduate level courses in social psychology, cognitive psychology, and in the psychology of social change. Ruth also mentors doctoral level learners and chairs thesis and dissertation committees at Walden University.
Background
Ruth’s professional, academic, and research experience also include achievements in a number of computer software related to instruction creation and management, such as Blackboard, Learning Space, Courseroom (WebCT), eCollege, MyDropBox, TurnItIn, and Endnote. Prior to achieving her doctorate in psychology, Ruth achieved an advanced professional library management certificate and an M.L.S. in library science.
Her research interest centers on creativity and problem solving especially through the lens of gender. Additionally, her research interests include gender, the interaction of creativity and religion, indigenous religions, divination, the cognitive unconscious (“knowing without awareness”), the relationship of the creative individual to society, and new religious movements that include New Age beliefs, feminist spirituality, and neo-paganism.
Ruth is a multi-faceted artist and is in the process of renovating her studio. Among other artistic expressions, her recent design work involves creating unique rune sets for divination and textile artistry for the packaging of and use of the rune symbols.
Education
Ph.D. (Psychology), 2003, Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center, San Francisco, California
M.S. (Media Technology), 1982, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin
M.L.S. (Library Science), 1979, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
B.S. (Psychology), 1974, St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Indiana
Ruth also completed a B.F.A. equivalent (48 credit hours) in painting and drawing during 1983−1991 from three universities (St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, Minnesota; University-La Crosse in La Crosse, Wisconsin; University of Wisconsin-Janesville in Janesville, Wisconsin).
Educational or Professional Honors and Association Memberships
Current
American Psychological Association (APA)
American Psychological Association, Division 2 (Teaching of Psychology)
American Psychological Association, Division 10 (Creativity and the Arts)
American Psychological Association, Division 35 (Psychology of Women)
National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA)
Past
“Outstanding Dissertation Award Runner Up” Award, 2004, Saybrook Graduate School, San Francisco, California
“Rudy Melone Scholarship” Award, 2002, Saybrook Graduate School, San Francisco, California Co-Chair of Saybrook Independent Scholars Student Group, 1997−2003
Other Professional Activities
Ad hoc reviewer, Journal of American Society for Psychical Research.
Published Work
Crocker, R. A. (2003). In the cards: A qualitative and quantitative investigation of divination practice and creativity within the feminist spirituality movement. Dissertation Abstracts, 64(7), 3579B. (UMI No. AAT 3098828)
Crocker, R. A. (2002). Dog gone: Exceptional psychical experiences and animals. Exceptional Human Experience, 17, 81-84. (a peer reviewed journal; ceased publication 2002).
Unpublished Manuscripts
Crocker, R. A. Book review: The way back to paradise (author, J. M. Felser). Unpublished manuscript, in preparation as an invited article for the Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research.
Methodological Expertise
Content Analysis
Descriptive Statistics
Correlation Analysis
Atlas.ti software for qualitative data analysis
Statview software for quantitative data analysis
Other Certifications or Expertise
Completed the Human Participants Protection Education for Research Teams online course, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), November 19, 2005
Completed Basic CITI Course in Protection of Human Research Subjects, September 2004.
Past Presentations
“The Diviner and Society.” Workshop presentation at the Kaleidoscope Gathering, Whispering Pines Campground, Plantagenet, Ontario, Aug. 4, 2007
“The Tarot Reader and Society: A Look at the Past, Present, and Future.” Workshop presentation at the Wisconsin Area Tri-State Tarot Symposium, Watertown, WI, July 13, 2007
“Stereotypes, Stigmas, and Empathy: Providing Effective Therapy for Pagan Clients.” Workshop presentation by K. Moore, R. Crocker, and K. Harris, at the “Counseling with Pagans Symposium” of the 4th Annual Mid-Year Conference on Religion and Spirituality, sponsored by the American Psychological Association, Division 36 and the Department of Pastoral Counseling at Loyola College, Columbia, Maryland, March 3−4, 2006.
“Intuition, Empathy, and Gender” presentation to Second Annual Goddess Scholars Symposium on Goddess Studies, sponsored by the Women’s Thealogical (sic) Institute, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, May 13, 2005.
“Ways of Knowing: What Research Tells us About Creativity, Intuition, and Spirituality.” Presentation to 3rd Annual East Coast HSP [Highly Sensitive Persons] Gathering Retreat, Honesdale, Pennsylvania, April 22, 2005.
“Intuition.” Presentation to general public, April Special Event, The Healing Place, Hokah, Minnesota, April 11, 2005.
“Psychotherapy with Pagans: Religiously-sensitive Therapy with Followers of 'the Old Religion.” Presentation by K. A. Harris, K. E. Moore, A. K. Wagner, M. A. Cacialli, and R. Crocker, at the “Implications for Counseling” symposium conducted at the 3rd Annual Mid-Year Conference on Religion and Spirituality, sponsored by the American Psychological Association, Division 36 and the Department of Pastoral Counseling at Loyola College, Columbia, Maryland, April 2, 2005.
“Paganism.” Poster session presented by K. A. Harris, K. E. Moore, A. K. Wagner, M. A. Cacialli, and R. Crocker, at the 3rd Annual Mid-Year Conference on Religion and Spirituality, sponsored by the American Psychological Association, Division 36 and the Department of Pastoral Counseling at Loyola College, Columbia, Maryland, April 1-2, 2005.
“Divination Practice, Intentional Intuition, and Creativity in the Feminist Spirituality Movement: A Socio-cultural History of Fear and a Future of hope.” Paper presented at the 2004 “Women and Spirituality” Conference, sponsored by the University of Minnesota, Mankato, Minnesota,
October 2004.
“What is Feminist Spirituality?” Panel discussion by R. Crocker, S. Martin, and M. Wise, “July Special Event,” sponsored by The Healing Place, Hokah, Minnesota, July 6, 2004.
“In the Cards: A Qualitative and Quantitative Investigation of Divination Practice and Creativity within the Feminist Spirituality Movement.” Paper presented at the panel presentation of outstanding dissertations, Saybrook Graduate School Annual Residential Conference, San Mateo, California, June 2004.
“Object Relations, Personal Mythology, and Intentional Intuition: The Voice of Inspiration?” Paper presented at the 2004 Goddess Scholars Symposium on Goddess Studies, sponsored by the Women’s Thealogical (sic) Institute, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, May 2004.
“Creativity, Divination, and Culture.” Presentation to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of La Crosse, Wisconsin, November 2, 2003.
“Women’s Spirituality, Divination, and Talking to God.” Presentation to the adult education group, Grace Presbyterian Church, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, September 14, 2003.
“Women’s Spirituality.” Presentation to the Southeastern Wisconsin Association of Holistic Healers Wellness Fair, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, September 13, 2003.
Ruth resides in Houston, Minnesota with her husband. She may be contacted at
rcrocker@psymore.org or rcrocker@acegroup.cc.
Ruth resides in Houston, Minnesota with her husband. She may be contacted at rcrocker@psymore.org or rcrocker@acegroup.cc.
