Cognitive Science Program

My research examines the interplay of emotion and cognition in understanding the ways in which media consumption affects us. In particular, I’m interested in how different discrete emotions (e.g., fear, hope, anger, happiness, guilt, etc.) evoked by media use then interacts with pre-existing beliefs, predispositions, and attitudes to shape subsequent behaviors related to health, the environment, and civic engagement. Most of my research utilizes experimental methodology (with the occasional survey) and quantitative statistics to investigate the psychological processes underlying media effects on our attitudes and behaviors.

• Assistant Professor, The Media School, Indiana University (2013 - present)