Biographical Text
Professor Emerita of Psychology Joyce Crouch (December 25, 1925-) was born in Riverton, Tennessee. She graduated with highest distinction from Tennessee Technological University, receiving her B.S. degree in secondary education, with English as her academic area, in 1954. In 1959, she received her M.A. degree in curriculum and instruction from Tennessee Technological University, again with English as her academic area. She attended the NDEA Institute in English, linguistics, and semantics at George Peabody College for Teachers in 1964, and, in August 1968, earned her Ed.D. degree in educational psychology and guidance from the University of Tennessee. Crouch began her career in education as an elementary teacher at Fentress County schools in Jamestown, Tennessee, where she taught third, fourth, and fifth grades from 1954 to 1959. From 1959 to 1966, she served as an English teacher and guidance counselor at the Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute in Jamestown, Tennessee. Crouch joined the staff of Appalachian State University in 1967 as an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology. In 1968, she was promoted to associate professor and in 1975 earned the rank of full professor, a position she held until her retirement as professor emerita in 1990. Crouch served as an administrative intern for Affirmative Action in 1973-74 where she did a simply outstanding job. She held the position of chair of the Department of Psychology from 1975 to 1987. Considering affiliation with professional organizations to be one way of demonstrating commitment to the goals of the profession and of keeping abreast of vital issues facing the profession, Crouch maintained membership in the American Psychological Association, Division Thirty-five, of the American Psychological Association (Psychology of Women); in the Southeastern Psychological Association; the Society for Research in Child ; Development; in the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (of which she served as president from 1972 to 1974); in Phi Kappa Phi (of which she served as president from 1981 to 1983); Psi Chi, in Rho Chi Sigma (life member), and in the North Carolina Association of Women Deans, Administrators, and Counselors. She also served the latter organization as a member of the research committee from 1984 to 1990 and president of that committee from 1987 to 1989. Crouch was licensed as a practicing psychologist in the state of North Carolina but considered teaching to be her primary professional responsibility. She taught eleven undergraduate courses, including general, developmental, and education psychology; introductory and intermediate statistics; principles of learning; and psychology of difference, a course that she initiated in 1974. As a member of the graduate faculty, Crouch also taught four graduate courses on a regular basis. These included child, adolescent, and advanced developmental psychology and research problems. She also served on numerous thesis committees, encouraging thesis students to work toward publication of their research findings. During her tenure at Appalachian State University, Crouch served on several committees with responsibilities for university business. She served on the task force on equal employment opportunity in 1972-73. She chaired the university academic freedom and tenure committee in 1975-76. She was a member of the board for Watauga Youth Network from 1986 to 1988. From 1978 to 1980, she was a member of the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Practicing Psychologists. During her term as chair of this committee, the first hearing of a complaint regarding the violation of academic freedom was conducted in the university under the committee's leadership. She was a member of the Appalachian faculty senate from 1971 to 1975, serving as the secretary in 1972-73 and as the chair of the committee on faculty welfare in 1973-74. From 1972 to 1977, Crouch was a delegate from Appalachian to the University of North Carolina Faculty Assembly. She was guest editor of Research News during the spring of 1986. From 1986 to 1990, she was a member of the advisory council for the Counseling and Psychological Services Center, and from 1987 to 1990, she served as faculty advisor to Sigma Kappa sorority. Crouch's efforts in the area of research, publications, and presentations have been prolific. Among them are: • "Deidentification in Two Child Families," Journal of Adolescent Research, July 1990. (With Rosa D. Neaves). • "Effects of Running and Other Activities on Moods," Perceptual and Motor Skills, 67:43-50,1989. (With John B. Dyer III). • "Perceived Child-Rearing Dimensions and Assertiveness," Adolescence, 93:179-191, 1989. (With Patricia B. Neilson). • "From Traditionalist to Playboy: Sex Attitude Change in the College Years," NCPGA Journal, December 1971. (With Mary L. Powell). Crouch also led a workshop with Mary L. Powell which focused on career development for university secretaries. Dr. Crouch has been in private practice (solo) sine her retirement, and, with continued good health, she plans on a couple of years more before she "closes the books." Sources: Appalachian State University files and long association. -Dr. Richard D. Howe
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