Research Interests: Attributions and stereotypes; stereotypes as legitimizing ideologies; the influence of stereotypes on political decision-making; the use of stereotypes to convey identity; attributions and social justice; the influence of social goals on impression formation strategies; developing a cognitive model of implicit attitudes.

Christine Reyna was born in Pasadena, CA the day after Christmas some undisclosed number of years ago (this proved to be a particularly bad day to celebrate birthdays). Christine had a strong sense of social justice at an early age and attended her first rally (an anti-fur rally) at the ripe age of 11. She went on to spend many exciting years throughout junior high and high school getting involved in socio-political issues ranging from animal rights, political and corporate exploitation of developing countries and their people, and environmental protection. She explored many outlets for affecting positive social change including (but not limited to) participating in political demonstrations, running an underground school newspaper, playing drums and shouting in a punk band (the “positivity” of which was a matter of opinion), and community outreach. In college she realized that science could be the most powerful tool for social advancement and pursued a career in social psychology. She received her Ph.D. (and her BA and MA) from UCLA (go Bruins!). After graduation, she was hired at DePaul University (go Demons!) where she now spends her time doing two of her favorite things—science and teaching. When she is not at DePaul, she spends her time with her three favorite people: her partner Chuck, and her two children, Charlie and Cassandra (note Name-Letter effect). When she has the time and energy for other interests, they tend to include playing adventure sports (rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking), playing with adventurous friends, exploring museums, and eating really good sushi.

Associate Professor of Psychology