Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Psychology
About
Additional Research Interests: Media effects
My research interests center on children’s and adolescents’ developing conceptions of both gender and sexuality, and on the contribution of these notions to their social and sexual decision-making. I am particularly interested in how children interpret and use the messages they receive about male-female relations from their parents, peers, and the media. One current line of research investigates the role of the media in the process of sexual socialization. Do media portrayals shape adolescents’ attitudes and expectations about dating and sexual relationships, which in turn inform their sexual decision-making? A second line examines how adolescents incorporate sexual communication from their parents with input from other sources. My work also explores the intersections between gender ideologies, body image, race, and sexuality.
Field(s) of Study
- Media Psychology
- Gender and the Media
