Jennifer Tickle

Associate Professor of Psychology

On Sabbatical 08/01/2023 - 08/01/2024
Jennifer Tickle

Biography

Research Interests

Media and health.

This research uses social cognitive and traditional social psychological methodologies to better understand factors that mediate the relationship between exposure to portrayals of health behaviors in popular media and their initiation and maintenance in adolescents and college students. This research includes structural equation modeling of the theoretical basis for media-attitude relationships using content analysis data and adolescent longitudinal surveys of health behaviors and media, and laboratory research examining the perceptual and information processing components of viewing health behaviors in film.

Communication technology and psychology.

This research explores the effects of communication technology (email, instant messaging, social media) on psychological outcomes in college students. It also explores the applicability of traditional social psychological theories of self-presentation and relationship management within online social networks.

Areas of Research Specialization

  • Social Psychology
  • Media Psychology

Areas of Teaching Specialization

  • Statistics and Research Methods
  • Psychology of Gender

Education

  • B.A. in Psychology and Interdisciplinary Women's Studies at University of Virginia, 1996
  • Ph.D. in Psychological and Brain Sciences at Dartmouth College, 2002

Spotlight

  • Health Behaviors and MPAA Ratings

    Tickle, J. J., Beach, M. L., & Dalton, M. A. (2009). Tobacco, alcohol, and other risk behaviors in film: How well do MPAA ratings distinguish content? Journal of Health Communication, 14 (8), 756-767.