Rodney Schmaltz

Dr. Rodney Schmaltz is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at MacEwan University, Edmonton, Canada. His research bridges scientific skepticism, productivity, and critical thinking, focusing on how people evaluate extraordinary claims and navigate workplace misconceptions. He is an award-winning educator, recognized for integrating evidence-based teaching into real-world applications.

• Expertise: Scientific skepticism, pseudoscience, productivity, self-regulation, science communication.
• Teaching: Courses include Scientific Skepticism, Psychology of Productivity, Consumer Behavior, Science Communication, and The Science of Work.

His work explores psychological mechanisms behind belief in pseudoscience, cognitive biases in decision-making, and debunking myths through psychology methodology and social psychology. He also investigates productivity in uncertain environments, with recent publications on creativity, habit formation, and work-readiness.

Dr. Schmaltz co-authored the textbook Psychology: From Inquiry to Understanding (6th Canadian Edition), emphasizing critical thinking. He has delivered keynote talks at TEDx and international conferences, addressing topics like managing misinformation, workplace stress, and media literacy. His Distinguished Teaching Award (2019) highlights his innovative classroom strategies.

Key areas of his publications include:

• Belief Systems: Paranormal experiences, pseudoscientific claims, and historical case studies (e.g., the Little Albert experiment).
• Productivity & Creativity: Habit formation, self-control, and creativity under uncertainty.
• Education & Communication: Critical thinking pedagogy, effective presentation design, and science communication.