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Areas of Research
* Faculty research mentors for entering MA students only.
** Faculty research mentors for entering MS students only.
*** Faculty research mentors for both MA and MS students.
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Personality Measurement Lab - This research group examines the measurement of various personality dimensions and how they are related to work and health outcomes. For example, research in this lab assesses a variety of temporal and personality characteristics including Big 5 dimensions, time urgency, polychronicity (preference for multitasking), and time management behaviors and relates them to work and health outcomes in employees in a variety of different organizations and industries.
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Research on Organizational and Leadership Effectiveness (ROLE) Lab - This research examines a number of issues related to organizational and leadership effectiveness in organizations, including the following topics: organizational citizenship behavior (e.g., group norms for citizenship, gender stereotypes), services management (e.g., service climate, emotional labor), leadership (e.g., follower preferences for leadership, diversity and leadership), stress (e.g., stress in nurse managers, helping and stress), and groups and teams (e.g., group mood, safety climate, climate strength). |
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Culture, Work Values, and
Organizational Behavior -
This research examines the influences of culture on core work values, and the role of culture in moderating effects of values on attitudes and behavior. Most of this research is multilevel in nature, meaning that we examine not only the influences of national culture on the values and behavior of individuals, we also examine work value and attitude constructs at the national level of analyses and examine their joint effects on outcomes at the national level. |
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Training Effectiveness and Motivation
(the TEAM lab) -
Our lab is studying factors that influence the effectiveness of non-traditional workplace training. For example, what motivates an employee to actively participate in diversity training? We are also interested in another motivational theory, self-efficacy ( i.e., confidence), and how that theory can be applied to a number of workplace issues (e.g., leadership, performance). |
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Cognitive Ergonomics Research Facility
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Currently, this lab has several research projects that focus on how individuals interact with and learn from computer displays. In some of the research, the subjects are Navy officers responding to simulated events in the Persian Gulf. In other research, the subjects are university students performing a variety of different tasks. Eye tracking equipment is used to analyze patterns of eye gaze by subjects as they interact with computer displays. |
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Measurement and Evaluation Research Group (MERG) -
The Measurement and Evaluation Research Group (MERG) conducts evaluations and meta-analyses of health, education and human services programs. MERG is also engaged in research on cognitive aspects of survey responses, particularly innovative strategies to improve the validity of reported health and social behaviors. Moreover, MERG provides consultation on research design, measurement, and data analysis. Graduate and undergraduate students are involved at all levels of research. |
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Stress and Coping Lab -
This research lab examines how individuals perceptions of stressful events (e.g., appraisals, attributions) influence the coping methods that they employ to diminish the negative emotion associated with the stressful event and/or eliminate the stressor altogether. We are interested in the role that personality dimensions (e.g., neuroticism, openness) and culture/ethnicity play in shaping these perceptions and the possible positive growth that one can realize from successfully coping with a stressor. |
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SDSU Youth Violence Prevention Lab - Research in this lab focuses on the study of physical and sexual violence in the context of a romantic relationship and the use of scientific findings toward the development, implementation, and evaluation of dating violence prevention programs. The lab will also be implementing a campus-wide sexual health survey.
Psychology Student Outcomes Assessment - This lab focuses on the tracking and outcome assessment of SDSU psychology students. Students in this lab will assist in the collection, design, and analysis of data. Opportunities for independent projects exist. |
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Social Relationships and Health Lab - This research focuses on two broad areas: social relationships and health. We look at a variety of social relationships (family, friends, and significant others) at a variety of stages within those relationships (new relationships and transitions such as marriage). We look at mental and physical health in this lab, including cardiovascular functioning (blood pressure and heart rate). Research in this lab will include experimental studies in the lab as well as experience sampling using daily diaries. |
Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience
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Alcohol Sensory Processing
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Primary interests are in studying the physiological mechanisms of action of ethanol on the nervous system that regulate behavioral ingestion of the drug. Goals are to identify specific substrates with which ethanol interacts that are involved in controlling intake and to determine how variation in those substrates leads to excessive consumption. Research utilizes pharmacological and genetic manipulations combined with quantitative measures of ingestive behavior and in vivo electrophysiology to address these issues.
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Aging and Dementia
-My primary research interests focus on how memory processes supported by temporal and frontal lobe neurons are affected by age, disease, and brain damage. I am particularly interested in the use of model systems and human participants to study memory impairments associated with healthy aging, Alzheimer's disease, and other cortical and subcortical dementias. As a result, my research uses a multi-faceted approach to examine brain-behavior relationships related to learning and memory. |
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Alcohol Research Lab
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Several ongoing studies are investigating the influence of prenatal alcohol exposure on changes in brain and behavior. Prenatal alcohol exposure is considered the leading known cause of mental retardation, most severly Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). We study neuropsychological, cognitive, and behavioral problems seen in children with FAS and less severe manifestations. There are ample and varied research opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate students interested in neuropsychology, Behavioral Teratology, Physiological Psychology, and/or Neuroscience.
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Cognitive Sex Differences - Organizational and activational influences of sex steroids on cognitive sex differences in humans and animals. |
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Brain Development Imaging Lab -
We study brain functional plasticity in normal and abnormal human development. Research applies magnetic resonance imaging techniques (especially functional MRI) in healthy children and adults, as well as in patients with brain damage and with developmental disorders. Federally funded projects include: Imaging studies on the development of language networks (syntax, semantics) in healthy children, adolescents and adults, as well as plastic changes after focal brain lesion; imaging studies of the functional organization for auditory and language processing in patients with autism. |
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Life-Span Human Senses Lab
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The Life-Span Human Senses Laboratory pursues biomedical research projects, funded by the NIH, in the following areas: life-span aging of the senses, particularly taste and olfaction; sensation, perception and cognition in Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias using psychological, neuro-psychological, event-related potential and neuroimaging techniques. Students are integrated into the research at all levels, including testing human subjects, data reduction and analysis, presentations to the laboratory group and (when appropriate) at regional and national conferences. |
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Behavioral Teratology -
Ongoing research projects examine the effects of drugs of abuse (alcohol and nicotine) on brain and behavioral development. Several studies focus on the consequences of developmental alcohol treatment such as examining mechanisms by which alcohol causes CNS damage, factors that influence vulnerability to alcohol's adverse effects and potential treatments for reducing the severity of fetal alcohol effects. Students are integrated into all levels of research and gain experience with behavioral testing and histological evaluation.
Alcohol Research Lab - Several ongoing studies are investigating the influence of prenatal alcohol exposure on changes in brain and behavior. Prenatal alcohol exposure is considered the leading known cause of mental retardation, most severly Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). We study neuropsychological, cognitive, and behavioral problems seen in children with FAS and less severe manifestations. There are ample and varied research opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate students interested in neuropsychology, Behavioral Teratology, Physiological Psychology, and/or Neuroscience. |
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Behavioral Teratology - Ongoing research projects examine the effects of drugs of abuse (alcohol and nicotine) on brain and behavioral development. Several studies focus on the consequences of developmental alcohol treatment such as examining mechanisms by which alcohol causes CNS damage, factors that influence vulnerability to alcohol's adverse effects and potential treatments for reducing the severity of fetal alcohol effects. Students are integrated into all levels of research and gain experience with behavioral testing and histological evaluation.
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Clinical
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Center for Understanding and Treating Anxiety
- The primary emphasis in the lab is studying information-processing biases that may lead to the maintenance, and possibly the development of, anxiety disorders. We use various paradigms that examine cognitive disturbances (e.g., attentional bias, implicit and explicit memory bias, interpretation bias) in anxious patients and normal individuals with elevated trait anxiety. Currently work is being conducted to apply the findings from experimental psychopathology and information processing to devise interventions for these disorders. |
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Eating Disorders and Body Image -
Eating disorders and body image, including cultural and familial contributions to eating disorders; resilience and promotion of mental and physical wellbeing; the utilization of self-efficacy theory in psychological treatment; and mental-health issues pertaining to Latinos, women, and individuals from lower socioeconomic statuses.
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Psychosocial Factors in Coronary Heart Disease Risks and Outcomes -
This research focuses on psychological and social factors in the etiology and course of cardiovascular diseases in three general domains 1) Psychosocial factors and interpersonal experiences in cardiovascular stress responses 2) Psychosocial factors and outcomes in cardiac patient populations and 3) Gender, ethnic, and cultural factors in psychosocial risk processes.
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Tobacco Research, Cultural Diversity, and Health -
Tobacco research, cultural diversity. Specifically: youth access to tobacco; tobacco-control policies; role of acculturation, gender/ethnic discrimination, segregation, and violence in smoking and morbidity; ethnic-minority health; women's health.
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Longitudinal Studies in Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN)
- Research in this lab focuses on identifying developmental pathways in children who have been maltreated. As part of a 20-year federally funded multi-site project, current studies are examining factors (e.g., protective, risk) that result in adaptive (e.g., resilient) or maladaptive functioning. The ultimate goal of this research is to identify and develop appropriate interventions for these children.
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Psychosocial, Medical, & Multicultural Aspects of Adjustment to Chronic Illness
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Research in this lab focuses on understanding psychosocial adjustment to chronic illness in patients, & their family members. Ongoing studies include: 1) evaluating problem-solving therapy for improving quality of life in men with prostate cancer and their spouses; 2) describing and treating fatigue in African-American cancer survivors; 3) examining the effects of healing environments on pediatric cancer patients; and 4) quality of life in patients with systemic sclerosis and spouses. Other studies focus on children's and adults' beliefs about physical illness and psychological disorders.
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Active Living and Healthy Eating Laboratory -
Several funded studies are examining how environments and psychosocial factors work together to shape physical activity and dietary behaviors, as well as obesity. These studies are being conducted with all ages, with one study being international in scope. Active Living Research is a granting program for The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that supports studies to prevent childhood obesity and promote active communities. We work to use our research to change policy and practice.
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Child and Adolescent Anxiety
and Mood Program (ChAAMP)
- Research in this lab focuses on the development of effective and efficient interventions for youth anxiety and depression. The lab is also interested in probing the mechanisms of action of these psychosocial interventions. Current projects include a series of studies aimed at developing 'practice friendly' cognitive-behavioral therapy for youth anxiety and depression. |
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Child and Adolescent Mental Health Lab -
Research in this lab involves mental health services delivery for children, with particular interests in cross-cultural issues, school referrals and services, adapting efficacious treatments for culturally diverse populations, and Asian American populations.
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Child Language and Emotion Laboratory -
Studies in this laboratory focus on two major aspects of child development: emotion understanding and language comprehension. Students at the undergraduate and graduate level work cooperatively on a variety of projects to assess infants' and young children's developing understanding of these two forms of communication. Student involvement can include basic laboratory support, participation in writing, research presentation, and student-initiated research depending upon the student's motivation and training.
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Brain and Spatial Cognitive Development in Children - Brain and spatial cognitive development in typically developing children and children with perinatal brain injury. Magnetic resonance-based neuroimaging methods to study brain function and structure in typical and atypical pediatric populations.
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Social Development Lab -
Students will learn about methods for examining developmental change and recent empirical research in the areas of cognitive, affective, and social development. Students will also be given opportunities to develop competencies in interviewing children and their families, in conducting observations of social interactions, and in data preparation, aggregation and analyses.
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The Development Laboratory for Language and Cognitive Studies -
Our lab is concerned with the study of language acquisition and its relation to emotional development in children, and the developing neural bases for these two communicative systems. Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the research process, from designing experiments and creating stimuli to testing children, to analyzing and writing up data and presenting their findings at national conferences. |
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Culture and Cognitive Development Laboratory - In this lab we investigate cultural differences in cognitive development across the lifespan and seek to explain differences by identifying the particular worldviews, cultural activities, and language practices that are causally connected to specific concepts and mental models. The primary focus is on studying intuitive understandings of nature and science. Research includes fieldwork, structured interviews, and experimental studies, and students will have the opportunity to use a variety of tools to explore the questions that they find interesting.
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Learning and Cognition
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Health Outcomes Studies - In these studies we develop, implement, and evaluate interventions designed to increase the health and well being of people with chronic diseases. In addition we develop interventions designed to increase cancer screening and prevent cancer. We also focus on ethnic disparities in health care and in other multicultural issues. We assess both psychological and physical health and conduct cost-benefit analyses of interventions. There are several research opportunities for students (undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate) interested in health psychology.
Project PREVENT - This program of research focuses on increasing cancer screening among low-income minority populations. Currently, we are focusing on colorectal cancer. Students are provided with a broad range of opportunities to obtain experience in working in the community as well as in the laboratory.
Project USE - This is a research program aimed at evaluating the effects of social support and education on the health and well-being of people with chronic diseases.
COR Scholars Program - The Career Opportunities in Research (COR) Program provides financial support (stipends, travel, books, and tuition) for minority students interested in pursuing careers in the field of mental health research. Mental health is very broadly defined. The program is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health Research.
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Categorical Distortions - Mental representations of similar categories (e.g., men and women) often overemphasize features that distinguish one category from the other. A series of experiments investigates the mechanisms that engender such mental caricatures. A related line of research examines the contrast between explicit (e.g., self-report) and implicit (e.g., reaction time) measures of categorical representations.
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CRMSE - Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education -
The Center for Research in Mathematics & Science Education (CRMSE) brings together researchers interested in studying how individuals acquire knowledge in mathematics and science. Facilitating and encouraging collaboration among faculty members from College of Sciences' departments of Mathematical Sciences, Physics, Biology and Psychology, and from the College of Education's School of Teacher Education faculty, CRMSE is engaged in activities designed to investigate issues of fundamental importance to teaching and learning.
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Memory and Cognition Lab - This lab focuses on working memory, which is the active part of the mind. Our working memory model examines factors that facilitate and factors that debilitate short term working memory. Research is underway to find ways of enhancing working memory, and to develop systematic methods of expanding short term working memory to a long term working memory system, such as that which occurs in chess masters and experts in any field. A second line of research applies a particular method of thinking used by lawyers and judges, know as legal analysis, to disciplines outside of law. For example, efforts are under way to apply this methodology to medical diagnosis so as to greatly increase the reliability of diagnostic decisions and to sensitize psychiatrists, physicians, and psychologists as to what facts to gather in making a diagnosis as well as how to support and communicate diagnostic conclusions.
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Marital Satisfaction and Mental Health Lab - Research in this lab focuses on how marital satisfaction is related to anxiety and depression among Mexican American and European American couples; how the relationship between marital satisfaction and mental health changes over time; and how the marital satisfaction of one partner affects that of the other. We look at ethnic differences; how acculturation and acculturative stress may influence marital satisfaction and mental health among Mexican American couples; and how various factors such as premarital cohabitation, children, and religiosity influence marital satisfaction.
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Intergroup Relations Laboratory -
Research in this lab focuses on issues related to social identity, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. We explore how attitudes and beliefs about self and social groups operate outside of conscious awareness or control. For example, some of our work reveals that ethnic minorities (African, Asian, Latino, or Native Americans) are implicitly conceived of as being less American than White/European Americans. We are also investigating the influence of socio-cultural realities on the implicit academic self-concept of underrepresented groups. Finally, we conduct research on emotional responses occurring in intergroup contexts. Students are involved in all steps of research; they gain experience in designing studies, collecting and analyzing data, as well as interpreting results.
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Decision Making, Probability Theory, Social Phenomena, Sports Psychology
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Threat, Emotions, and Stereotyping Lab (the TEST lab) -
Our lab focuses on several aspects of social cognition including stereotypes, social comparison processes, attention, and information processing. More specifically, we examine the experience of stereotype threat, defined as the situational pressure posed by the prospect of being seen or treated through the lens of a negative group stereotype as well as ways to reduce the negative effects of stereotype threat. Members of the lab are involved in all steps of research from designing experiments to analyzing the results. |
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Social Influence and Group Dynamics Laboratory. Groups, especially those in the minority, influence others for various reasons. For example, others' support may be instrumental toward other goals (e.g., getting elected), or it may be a goal in itself (e.g., getting accepted). How do motives that drive social influence affect targets' reactions to influence. How do successful groups (e.g., minorities that become majorities) react to their success depending on what motivated their efforts to influence others? This research focuses on motivated social influence and group dynamics in the aftermath of successful social influence that restructures numerical positions, power, and status within a group (minority <---> majority, powerless <---> powerful, low status <---> high status).
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Stereotyping and Emotions (STEM) Lab - Areas of interest include category differentiation and inter-group evaluative bias, the formation of stereotyping and prejudice in groups and the implications for information processing. Dr. Sadler has studied emotions, attributions and policy endorsement in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Her current research involves investigation of cognitive control and unconscious racial biases in decision-making in police officers.
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Differences Among Generations -
This research explores how generations differ in personality traits and attitudes through meta-analysis (using statistics to analyze existing data from journal articles). Current projects explore changes in alienation, interpersonal trust, and psychiatric symptoms; virtually any psychological trait can be studied with this method.
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© 2004 SDSU Department of Psychology - All Rights Reserved
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