The Social Psychology Program

Student Research Interests

James J. Hodge

	Broadly, my research explores stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination.
	In conjunction with Carol Miller and Sondra Solomon, I am currently examining the various experiences of those living with HIV/AIDS, the social, physical and psychological burdens they face, and the various ways in which they cope with these adversities.
	Another line of current work, in conjunction with Carol Miller, examines third party (i.e., an observer) reactions to gender discrimination. Pointedly, we are interested in how women who merely witness an act of discrimination perceive the perpetrator, whether they choose to confront the perpetrator, and what predicts and influences these outcomes.
	Another avenue I am pursuing is to understand how people perceive those who are diagnosed with a mental illness. I am particularly interested in exploring the consequences of labeling on first impressions.
	Finally, I am interested in pursuing research that involves the "stereotype threat" framework. Using this framework as a theoretical guide, I strive to understand the disparity between men and women in performance and occupational domains related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Particular emphasis involves examining the various ways in which experiencing stereotype threat can create these disparities, and how changing the situation to minimize stereotype threat can alleviate them." View my CV here

Joanne Kalisz

Joanne Kalisz is currently collecting data for her dissertation project titled "Teen-ageism?: An Investigation of the Effects of Negative Beliefs About Teens on Adolescents." The purpose of this investigation, comprised of two separate studies, is to explore the negative beliefs that adolescents have about teens in general and themselves, as well as how such beliefs are linked to their psychological adjustment. The first study examines relations among the following variables: endorsement of negative stereotypes (both general and target), endorsement of storm and stress ideology (both general and target), age-based stigma consciousness, age-based discrimination experience, expectations for prejudice, and psychological adjustment. The second study examines whether adolescents who are exposed to negative beliefs about teenagers may act in a way that self-fulfills negative beliefs.

• Kalisz, J. M., Cilwik, P. L., Selkirk, L. C., Varni, S. & Bouchey, H. A. (2007). Do parents and their adolescents see "eye-to-eye" in how they view the teen years? Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Science 19th Annual Convention, Washington, D.C.
• Bouchey, H. A., Kalisz, J. M., Selkirk, L. C., Cilwik, P. L., & Varni, S. (2007). Wild, rude, emotional, and confused? Moderators of adolescents' views of the teen years. Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Science 19th Annual Convention, Washington, D.C.
• Kalisz, J. M., & Bouchey, H. A. (2006). Stigmatization and discrimination of adolescents: Prevalence and links with psychological adjustment. Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Science 18th Annual Convention, New York, NY.
• Bouchey, H. A., & Kalisz, J. M. (2006). Social support and age-based discrimination during adolescence. Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Science 18th Annual Convention, New York, NY.
• Kalisz, J. M. (2005). Wild, rude, emotional, and confused? To what extent do adolescents endorse these stereotypical beliefs about the teenage years? Presentation given at Graduate College Research Day, University of Vermont.
• Kalisz, J. M., & Bouchey, H. A. (2005). The insider perspective: Adolescents' negative stereotypes about the teenage years. Poster presented at the American Psychological Society 17th Annual Convention, Los Angeles, CA.
• Vujanovic, A. A., Kalisz, J. M., Bouchey, H. A., & Bronstein, P. (2004). Longitudinal pathways to psychological adjustment and academic success in middle school. Poster presented at Gender Development Research Conference, San Francisco, CA.
• Kalisz, J. M., Egan, S. K., & Watson, S. (2003). Does self-concept and gender identity predict conformity among children and adolescents? Poster presented at the Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting, Tampa, Florida.
• Kalisz, J. M, & Egan, S. K. (2003). Fear of consequences of academic success as a predictor of scholastic competence and academic self-efficacy. Poster presented at the Eastern Psychological Association Annual Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland.
• Egan, S., Kalisz, J. M., & Tobin, D. (2003). Self-efficacy in school: Relations of age, sex, and gender identity. Poster presented at Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting, Tampa, Florida.
• Egan, S. K., Tobin, D., & Kalisz, J. M. (2002). Sex, gender identity, and academic self-efficacy: A developmental analysis. Poster presented at the meeting of the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development, Ottawa, Canada

Nolan M. Rampy

My research interests primarily focus on issues in existential psychology (e.g. problems of death, meaninglessness, isolation, and freedom). I came to the University of Vermont to work with Dr. Elizabeth Pinel and become involved in her research on I-sharing, which addresses existential isolation. My work involves combining I-sharing with other lines of research, such as terror management theory and infrahumanization. In addition, I have a side interest in neuroscience and I recently gave a talk on how the methodology used in terror management research could be applied to research on split-brain patients.

Jennifer Zangl

My research interests primarily center around romantic relationships. I am particularly interested in how an individual's sensitivity to social rejection can influence their relationships with romantic partners. In conjunction with Carol Miller, I am currently examining how stigma influences the romantic relationships of people living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, I am also interested in how individuals utilize the internet to fulfill romantic relationship needs.

Last modified March 26 2012 10:40 AM