Interview with Bob delMas

Abstract

RD: At age 18, I was in my first and second years of college as an undergraduate at the University of Minnesota. I always had a strong interest in science and an aptitude for mathematics. I was someone that my fellow classmates in grade school and high school sought out for help in these areas, so I also demonstrated an ability to explain and guide in understandable ways. When I considered going to college, I initially intended to major in a science area that combined my academic interests, such as biochemistry. However, I came to realize that I was very much interested in a type of epistemological question: Why do I and others seem able to learn science and mathematics, whereas others find these disciplines challenging? This led me to declare Psychology as a major as a first-year student, and then switch to Child Development in my sophomore year, a decision that set the stage for my academic future.