Interim Assistant Dean of Faculty / Associate Professor of Psychology / Department Co-Chair
Department Chair
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
Internal Affiliations
External Affiliations
Education
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B.A. in Psychology and Interdisciplinary Women's Studies at University of Virginia, 1996
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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.