Episode 5, Part 2 Why should we teach Epigenetics in Intro Psych? Many Intro Psych faculty feel like teaching epigenetics takes them outside of their comfort zone, but this podcast not only makes a case for why we need to teach it but also how someone unfamiliar with genetics can come up to speed quickly. Epigenetics helps us explain why psychologists no longer say nature VERSUS nurture, but rather talk about nature and nurture as constantly interacting. Engaging examples of epigenetics, such as the effects of the plastic additive BPA, can help make this topic resonate with students. Guest Biography: Laura A. Freberg (Ph.D., UCLA) is Professor of Psychology at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she teaches courses in Introductory Psychology, Biological Psychology, and Sensation and Perception. Laura's teaching career began when she taught her first college course at Pasadena City College at the age of 23. To better understand the needs of the online education community, she also teaches a variety of psychology courses for Argosy University Online. Laura has received Faculty Member of the Year recognition from Cal Poly Disabilities Resource Center three times (1991, 1994, and 2009) for her work with students with disabilities. She enjoys using technology and social media in the classroom, and is a Google Glass Explorer. Laura serves as the Content Expert Writer for Psychology for Answers.com and as the Bylaws and Archives Committee Chair for the Society for Social Neuroscience. She is a member of the editorial board for Leadership Quarterly. With John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago, she is the co-author of two editions of Discovering Psychology: The Science of Mind (Cengage Learning).