Psychology students and faculty present research findings at professional meetings

Hannah Christian discusses her research on narcissism and cosmetic use
Hannah Christian discusses her research on narcissism and cosmetic use

Faculty members from the Department of Psychology and several Psychology majors presented their research at the annual meetings of the New England Psychological Association (NEPA) and the Northeast Conference for Teachers of Psychology (NECTOP) in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The meetings attract faculty and students from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Hannah Christian (’20) presented research on the role of narcissism and interpersonal rejection in women’s willingness to purchase cosmetics. The research was conducted with Mackenzie Deveau (’19) and Allie Symonds (’18).

In addition, Christian, Deveau, Kana Colarossi (’20), Lacey Durkee (’18), and Jill Cassazza (’17) presented research on the role of gender and narcissism on college students’ engagement with social media.

Both projects were conducted in the lab of Julie Longua Peterson, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and program director of Women’s and Gender Studies.

Ellie Leighton (’19), Nicole Martin (’21), and Courtney Parent (’19) presented their work on individual preferences and comprehension skills when using electronic readers for fiction and non-fiction texts. Their work was conducted with Jennifer Stiegler-Balfour, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology.

Trish Long, Ph.D., clinical professor of psychology and affiliated faculty in Women and Gender Studies, presented research on individual’s perceptions of men who respond appropriately after sexist remarks are made by others. The work was conducted in Long’s lab with Julia Beebe (’19), Kristin Macek (’19), Olivia Kudas (’21), Savannah Van Duyn (’22), Jade Glidden (’17), Abigail Beaulieu (’17), Ben Katz (’17), and Jacob Barry (’17).

Long also presented research on the effectiveness of the Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique in enhancing students’ preparation for and success in undergraduate coursework.

Funding for these research projects was provided by the Center for the Enrichment of Teaching and Learning and the College of Arts and Sciences Summer Research Experience.

Funding for students’ conference registration and travel was made possible by the Office of Research and Scholarship.

NEPA is dedicated to the advancement of psychology as a science, profession and means of promoting human welfare through a peer review process.

NECTOP provides a forum in which psychologists can discuss important issues in psychology, learn from experienced teachers and enhance their abilities to help students master the world of psychology.

Courtney Parent, Nicole Martin and Ellie Leighton discuss their research on e-readers
Courtney Parent, Nicole Martin and Ellie Leighton discuss their research on e-readers
SWAGÊÓƵ students Nicole Martin, Courtney Parent, Ellie Leighton, Aubrey Sahouria and clinical professor Trish Long (middle) at NEPA
SWAGÊÓƵ students Nicole Martin, Courtney Parent, Ellie Leighton, Aubrey Sahouria and clinical professor Trish Long (middle) at NEPA