Oregon State University - Cascades Campus' annual "It's in the Bag" lecture series presents its final lecture for the academic year on Wednesday, June 2 with a presentation titled "Why Not Gross National Happiness? Contemporary Obstacles to Psychological Well-Being".

The lunchtime lecture will be given by Christopher Wolsko, Ph.D., a research associate who teaches for the University of Oregon’s psychology program at OSU-Cascades.

Against the background of the country’s recent economic woes, Wolsko will question how our measurement of happiness -- and what makes us happy -- might have changed.   He will explore how psychologists have long questioned the use of financial indicators as measures of a success and provide an overview of his and other research on the psychology of well-being, focusing on the problems of materialism and alienation from nature, and suggests alternative ideals.

Before coming to OSU-Cascades, Wolsko taught and conducted research at the University of Alaska and Ohio State University.  He received his Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Colorado in 2001. His research is focused in the areas of stereotyping and prejudice, cross-cultural conceptions of psychological well-being, and ecopsychology. Wolsko leads classes in statistics, research methods, and personality theory.

"It's in the Bag" lectures are free and no reservation is needed. Complimentary beverages will be available. Audience members are asked to pick-up a free parking pass from the main office before parking.  For more information visit http://www.osucascades.edu/lunchtime-lectures or contact 541-322-3100 or info@osucascades.edu.