Christine Reyna | Laboratory of Social Science Research

(from left to right): Katrina Traxler, Or'Shaundra Benson, Lauren Winczewski, Dylan Damrongvachiraphan, Geoffrey Wetherell, Nikki Ezem, Kwabena Okyere, Katlyn Heath , Jaspaul Gill, Jennifer Zimmerman, Laura Brady, Jasmine Ahmad, Jim Davis, Ryan Puhrmann, Christine Reyna, Mark Brandt, Baby Malachi, Sarah Butler

Graduate Students

Jasmine Ahmad (MS Program):

Or'Shaundra Benson (PhD Program): I am interested in studying the following and their direct and indirect effects on attributions, perceptions, and social and political policies: stereotypes and prejudices, colorism, intergroup relations, interracial romantic relationships, and infrahumanization.

Mark Brandt (PhD Program): My research examines the structure and function of ideological beliefs, including religious fundamentalism, stereotypes, and political ideologies. This has lead me to examine the role of attributional stereotypes in the justification of prejudice, discrimination, and dehumanization; the role of the need for closure and prejudice in religious fundamentalism; and conservatives and liberals differential processing of onset and offset controllability information. Currently I am examining the embodiment of dehumanization, egocentric and theocentric reasoning about religious beliefs, and the (potential) differences between religious and moral attitudes. [website]

Sarah Butler (PhD Program): Broadly, my research interests center on cultural norms, social influence, and social perception. My current projects focus on the study of sex education. Specifically I am interested in looking at how sex education influences knowledge and attitudes about sexuality, especially in regards to people's ability to communicate with others about sexual topics. Additionally, I am interested in studying program effectiveness, and identifying which teaching methods are best for use in sex education classes.

Jim Davis (PhD Program):

Ryan Puhrmann (MS Program):

Geoffrey Wetherell (PhD Program): I am interested in the attributional content of stereotypes. Specifically, I am interested in how stereotypes can convey perceptions of value violations, group deservingness, and how this affects support for public policy that would benefit others. Recently, I have also become interested (1) in how people use God (or other authority figures) to justify their actions and (2) how ideology and motivation affect whether or not people are willing to update attriubtions they have made towards others.

Jennifer Zimmerman (PhD Program): My research interests include stereotyping, prejudice, status issues, and impression formation/maintenance. My dissertation explores the nuances of system justification theory. In my free time I enjoy reading fiction, biking along the lake, and spending time with family.


	Laboratory of Social Science Research Home \| Curriculum Vitae \| Courses \| Research \| Lab \| Links (from left to right): Katrina Traxler, Or'Shaundra Benson, Lauren Winczewski, Dylan Damrongvachiraphan, Geoffrey Wetherell, Nikki Ezem, Kwabena Okyere, Katlyn Heath , Jaspaul Gill, Jennifer Zimmerman, Laura Brady, Jasmine Ahmad, Jim Davis, Ryan Puhrmann, Christine Reyna, Mark Brandt, Baby Malachi, Sarah Butler Graduate Students Jasmine Ahmad (MS Program): Or'Shaundra Benson (PhD Program): I am interested in studying the following and their direct and indirect effects on attributions, perceptions, and social and political policies: stereotypes and prejudices, colorism, intergroup relations, interracial romantic relationships, and infrahumanization. Mark Brandt (PhD Program): My research examines the structure and function of ideological beliefs, including religious fundamentalism, stereotypes, and political ideologies. This has lead me to examine the role of attributional stereotypes in the justification of prejudice, discrimination, and dehumanization; the role of the need for closure and prejudice in religious fundamentalism; and conservatives and liberals differential processing of onset and offset controllability information. Currently I am examining the embodiment of dehumanization, egocentric and theocentric reasoning about religious beliefs, and the (potential) differences between religious and moral attitudes. [website] Sarah Butler (PhD Program): Broadly, my research interests center on cultural norms, social influence, and social perception. My current projects focus on the study of sex education. Specifically I am interested in looking at how sex education influences knowledge and attitudes about sexuality, especially in regards to people's ability to communicate with others about sexual topics. Additionally, I am interested in studying program effectiveness, and identifying which teaching methods are best for use in sex education classes. Jim Davis (PhD Program): Ryan Puhrmann (MS Program): Geoffrey Wetherell (PhD Program): I am interested in the attributional content of stereotypes. Specifically, I am interested in how stereotypes can convey perceptions of value violations, group deservingness, and how this affects support for public policy that would benefit others. Recently, I have also become interested (1) in how people use God (or other authority figures) to justify their actions and (2) how ideology and motivation affect whether or not people are willing to update attriubtions they have made towards others. Jennifer Zimmerman (PhD Program): My research interests include stereotyping, prejudice, status issues, and impression formation/maintenance. My dissertation explores the nuances of system justification theory. In my free time I enjoy reading fiction, biking along the lake, and spending time with family.