Patricia Bruininks, Author at SpokaneFāVS

Patricia Bruininks

Patty Bruininks grew up in northeast Tennessee. She left the South to attend college in Michigan and graduated from Hope College. She pursued her doctoral work in social psychology at the University of Oregon, becoming a lifelong Ducks fan. Before moving to Spokane, she taught for five years at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. Now at Whitworth, she teaches courses on the psychology of poverty and consumerism as well as a course on love and forgiveness. She also studies and conducts research on the emotion of hope. Dr. B (as her students call her) is married to Mr. B (Jim); she has two grown sons, two daughters-in-law, one granddaughter, and a rescue dog. Her hobbies include camping, photography, and spinning. She is in her 13th year at Whitworth University as a Professor of Psychology.

[Don’t] Reach Out and [Don’t] Touch Someone

June 5, 2020 Commentary 0

Ironically, technology has been a blessing in that it has allowed us to maintain a degree of normality during the pandemic.

Patience During the Pandemic

April 13, 2020 Commentary 0

All we can really do besides following the “stay home, stay safe” order from our governor is to be patient.

What the World Needs Now is Intimacy

January 31, 2020 Commentary 0

If we no longer see the other as truly human, we will have no need to consider their perspective or listen to their arguments.

We Need Justice and Forgiveness

October 11, 2019 Commentary 1

First, forgiveness and seeking justice are not the same thing. While they are both other-regarding and virtuous, there are important differences.

From competition to community

February 16, 2018 News 0

Thompson founded the studio as part of her journey from competitive athletics to a philosophy of inclusive fitness, one where people from all fitness backgrounds can workout together, challenging and encouraging each other to live a healthy life.

Surprised and Thrilled by Hope at Standing Rock

December 11, 2016 Commentary 0

I end the class by stating that if we are ever to move forward as a country, we must recognize that we (European Americans) committed the largest mass genocide in history, and we must ask for forgiveness. There is a sense of agreement among the students to this statement, as impossible of a reality as it may seem. Enter Standing Rock.