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Washington State University
College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology

Kimber Saville

Kimber Saville

Assistant Professor, Career Track

Ph.D.

Contact Information

Email: Kimber.Saville@wsu.edu
Office: VCLS 208M (Vancouver Campus)
Phone: (360) 546-9716

 

Classes Taught

  • Psychology 265: Biopsychological Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs
  • Psychology 311: Statistics in Psychology
  • Psychology 324: Psychology of Gender
  • Psychology 350: Social Psychology

 

 

Benjamin Ladd

Benjamin Ladd

Associate Professor

Ph.D. University of New Mexico, 2013

Contact Information

Email: benjamin.ladd@wsu.edu
Office: VCLS 208P
Phone: (360) 546-9723

More Information…

Classes Taught

  • Psychology 110: Introduction to Addiction Studies
  • Psychology 328: Self Control
  • Psychology 311: Statistics in Psychology
  • Psychology 390: Alcohol Use and Abuse

Research Interests

  • Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Prevention
  • Mechanisms of Behavior Change
  • Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Cannabis Use

My various research interests focus on improving prevention and early intervention techniques for promoting and motivating health behavior change. Specifically, I am interested in process research with the goal of better understanding and identifying effective elements of therapeutic interventions, particularly Motivational Interviewing, in order to reduce the impact of substance abuse and problems. Additionally, I am interested in understanding the risks and/or benefits of cannabis use across various populations. This includes refining the measurement of cannabis consumption and problems and investigating the role of cannabis in specific populations (e.g., chronic pain).

Dr. Ladd will be considering graduate student applications for Fall 2024 admission to the Clinical and Experimental Psychology PhD Programs.

Recent Publications:

Garrison, E., Gilligan, C., Ladd, B.O., & Anderson, K.G. (2021). Social anxiety, cannabis use motives, and social context’s impact on willingness to use cannabis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 4882.

Ladd, B.O., Murphy, J.G. & Borsari, B. (2020). Integration of motivational interviewing and behavioral economic theories to enhance brief alcohol interventions: Rationale and preliminary examination of client language. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology. Advance online publication. DOI: 10.1037/pha0000363.

Magnan, R.E. & Ladd, B.O. (2019). “It’s all good”: Perceived benefits but not perceived risks or worries among adult marijuana users. Cannabis, 2, 112-119. DOI: 10.26828/cannabis.2019.02.001

Fales, J.L., Ladd, B.O., & Magnan, R.E. (2019). Pain-relief as a motivation for cannabis use among young adult recreational users with and without chronic pain. Journal of Pain, 20, 908-916. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.02.001.

Ladd, B.O., Garcia, T.A., & Anderson, K.G. (2018). Towards an understanding of self-directed language as a mechanism of behavior change: A novel strategy for eliciting change talk under laboratory conditions. Addictive Behavior Reports, 7, 1-7. DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2017.11.002.

Alumni

Alumni and Friends

Welcome Alumni and Friends! We are very excited that you have taken the time to visit the Department of Psychology web page. This site will be used to strengthen and maintain our communication with our graduates, their parents and friends of the university.

Faculty

Faculty

FacultyContactResearch Interest
chris-barry-thumbChris Barry
Professor
chris.barry@wsu.edu
(509) 335-4906
Johnson Tower 316, Pullman
Currently considering graduate students for the Clinical Psychology PhD Program.
Research Interests:
• Adolescent Narcissism and Self-Esteem
• Psychopathy
• Social Media Behavior
• Assessment of Child Conduct Problems
• Risk/Protective Factors for Youth Behavioral Problems
tammy_barry_thumb_2Tammy Barry
Professor
tammy.barry@wsu.edu
(509) 335-1583
Johnson Tower 348, Pullman
Research Interests:
• Child externalizing behaviors
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Aggression and disruptive behavior disorders in children and adolescents
stephanie_bauman-ThumbStephanie Bauman
Associate Professor
sbauman@wsu.edu
(509) 372-7363
CIC 202D, Tri-Cities
In the area of health psychology, my research interests include the quality of life of cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers across the lifespan. In the area of multicultural psychology, my research interests include risk and resiliency of diverse students in educational and career contexts.
art%20blume-thumbArthur Blume
Professor
art.blume@wsu.edu
(360) 546-9414
VCLS 208L, Vancouver
My current research is at the intersection of Indigenous psychology, strategies to diversify psychology and the academy, and health, particularly related to addictive behaviors.
leonard_burns-ThumbG. Leonard Burns
Professor
glburns@wsu.edu
(509) 335-8229
Johnson Tower 212, Pullman
I am currently using latent variable modeling procedures (e.g., confirmatory factor analysis, structural regression analysis, latent growth analysis, item response theory) to study ADHD, Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, and ODD within and across countries.
Elizabeth Canning
Assistant Professor
elizabeth.canning@wsu.edu
(509) 335-9127
Johnson Tower 210, Pullman
Currently considering graduate students for the Experimental Psychology PhD Program.
Research Interests:
• Achievement motivation
• Social inequality and diversity
• Social-psychological interventions in education and organizations
carrie-cuttlerCarrie Cuttler
Associate Professor
carrie.cuttler@wsu.edu
(509) 335-0681
Johnson Tower 211, Pullman
Currently considering graduate students for the Experimental Psychology PhD Program.
Research Interests:
My research focuses on elucidating the potentially beneficial and detrimental effects of chronic cannabis use and acute cannabis intoxication on mental health, stress, and cognition.
Lee-Daffin-ThumbLee William Daffin Jr.
Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies, Associate Professor, Career Track
ldaffin@wsu.edu
(509) 335-2802
Johnson Tower 207, Pullman
As the director of the online psychology degree, I split my time between teaching and administrative duties for the Department of Psychology
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/514/2022/02/Duell.small_-e1644531700384.jpgBlythe Duell
Associate Professor, Career Track
blythe_duell@wsu.edu
(509) 335-5547
Johnson Tower 315, Pullman
Research Interests:
• Effective teaching and learning strategies
• Social dilemmas
• Environmental behavior
• Human Sexuality
jessica_fales-ThumbJessica Fales
Associate Professor
jessica.fales@wsu.edu
(360) 546-9717
VCLS 208E, Vancouver
Currently considering graduate students for the Experimental Psychology PhD Program.
Research Interests:
• psychosocial risk and protective factors for youth with chronic pain
• individual and family-based cognitive-behavioral interventions for pain
• the impact of persistent pain on social development and functioning in adolescence
lisa_fournier-ThumbLisa R. Fournier
Professor
lfournier@wsu.edu
(509) 335-4415
Johnson Tower 214, Pullman
Research Interests:
• Visual attention
• Memory
• Perception
• Action
masha_gartstein-ThumbMaria (Masha) Gartstein
Professor
Department Chair
gartstma@wsu.edu
(509) 335-4651
Johnson Tower 233E, Pullman
Research Interests:
• Child temperament
• Developmental psychopathology
• Biological underpinnings of temperament
• Cross-cultural differences
HenricksAngela Henricks
Assistant Professor
angela.henricks@wsu.edu
(509) 335-8946
Johnson Tower 313, Pullman
Research Interests:
• Substance use disorder and co-occurring mental illness
• Impact of early life stressors on brain development
• Sex differences and hormonal influences
• Neural circuit dynamics and machine learning
Lucas Huckaby
Assistant Professor-Career Track
lucas.huckaby@wsu.edu
(509) 335-4634
Johnson Tower 213, Pullman
Research Interests:
• Prejudice against Atheists
• Sexual and Gender Minorities
• Religion and Spirituality
• Forgiveness/Self-forgiveness
• Romantic Relationships
• Multicultural Psychology
conny-kirchhoff-thumbCornelia Kirchhoff
Clinical Associate Professor
c.kirchhoff@wsu.edu
(509) 335-3935
Johnson Tower 367, Pullman
As associate director of the Psychology Clinic, I divide my time between teaching, supervision, and administrative duties.
Research interests:
• Temperament and Personality
• Cross-cultural differences
Benjamin Ladd
Associate Professor
benjamin.ladd@wsu.edu
(360) 546-9723
VCLS 208P, Vancouver
Currently considering graduate students for the Experimental and Clinical Psychology PhD Programs.
Research Interests:
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Prevention
• Mechanisms of Behavior Change
• Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Cannabis Use
Hsin-Ya Liao
Associate Professor
hsinya.liao@wsu.edu
(509) 335-0680
Johnson Tower 353, Pullman
Currently considering graduate students for the Clinical Psychology PhD Program.
Research Interests:
• Culture, Diversity, and Intergroup Relations
• Cross-Cultural Assessment
• Stigma and Help-Seeking
• Vocational Interests
Chang Liu
Assistant Professor
c.liu@wsu.edu
(509) 335-4633
Johnson Tower 233D, Pullman
Currently considering graduate students for the Clinical Psychology PhD Program.
Research interests:
• Maternal-Child Health Inequities
• Child Social-Emotional Development
• Developmental Psychopathology
• Childhood Obesity
• Research Methods (Dynamic System Approach; Behavioral Genetics Approach)

renee_magnan-ThumbRenee E. Magnan
Associate Professor
Director of Experimental Training
renee.magnan@wsu.edu
(360) 546-9403
VCLS 208R, Vancouver
Currently considering graduate students for the Experimental Psychology PhD Program.
Research Interests:
• Cognitive versus affective predictors of health behaviors (physical activity, tobacco use, cannabis use…)
• Perceptions of harms, benefits, and knowledge about ambiguous health behaviors such as e-cigs and cannabis use
• Communicating risk information (e.g., cigarette graphic warnings)
• Health decision-making
david_marcus-ThumbDavid Marcus
Professor, Director of Clinical Training
david.marcus@wsu.edu
(509) 335-7750
Johnson Tower 209, Pullman
Research Interests:
• Psychopathy and other dark personality traits (e.g., Machiavellianism, sadism)
• Latent structure of psychological disorders and related constructs
• The psychology or spite and spitefulness
• Conceptual and methodological issues in psychotherapy and assessment research (e.g., allegiance effects, dodo bird hypothesis)
Allison Matthews
Associate Professor, Career Track
almatthews@wsu.edu
(509) 372-7146
CIC 125B, Tri-Cities
Research Interests:
• Decision making and reasoning, including the role of working memory, the influence of affective information, impact of bias, and the use of heuristics
• Alternatives to suspension for substance-use violations in schools
• Student and faculty engagement and retention
• Curriculum-embedded undergraduate research experiences
• Misconceptions in academic settings about psychology
Kim Meidenbauer
Assistant Professor
k.meidenbauer@wsu.edu
(509) 335-3508
Johnson Tower 319, Pullman
Currently considering graduate students for the Experimental Psychology PhD Program.
Research interests:
• Effects of heat stress on cognitive function, affective states, and aggression
• The role of environmental racism in creating and perpetuating physical and mental health inequities
• Effects of environmental factors (greenspace access, park qualities, heat exposure, air quality) on violent crime and mental health outcomes in urban areas
• Developing methods to bridge lab-based experiments with computational models of large-scale environmental effects
• Using mobile neuroimaging (functional NIRS) to measure neural activity in naturalistic settings
Morgan-ThumbMichael M. Morgan
Professor
mmmorgan@wsu.edu
(360) 546-9726
VCLS 208G, Vancouver
Research Interests:
• Neural Mechanisms of Pain Modulation
• Animal models of opioid withdrawal
Janet_Peters-ThumbJanet Peters
Associate Professor, Career Track
janet.peters@wsu.edu
509-372-7431
CIC 125D, Tri-Cities
Research Interests:
• Student, Employee, and Faculty Engagement
• Innovative Instruction and High Engagement Pedagogy
• Student Leadership Development
• Student Attitudes Towards Statistics
Dee_Posey-thumbDonelle “Dee” C. Posey
Professor, Career-Track
deeposey@wsu.edu
(509) 335-8427
Johnson Tower 233C, Pullman
Research Interests:
• Self-Regulated Learning
• Rubric Development
• Guided Notes Design and Implementation
• Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Training
• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
tahira_probst-ThumbTahira M. Probst
Professor
probst@wsu.edu
(360) 546-9746
VCLS 208K, Vancouver
Currently considering graduate students for the Experimental Psychology PhD Program.
Research Interests:
• Occupational Health, Well-Being and Safety
• Economic Stress and Job Insecurity
• Organizational Safety Climate
• Accident Under-reporting
karen-schmaling-thumbKaren Schmaling
Professor
karen.schmaling@wsu.edu
(360) 546-9412
VCLS 208D, Vancouver
Research Interests:
• Clinical research on depressive disorders and other chronic conditions; health disparities
• Peer review
• Diversity in higher education
Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe
Regents Professor
schmitter-e@wsu.edu
(509) 335-0170
Johnson Tower 312, Pullman
Research Interests:
• Clinical and Cognitive Neuropsychology
• Everyday Functioning
• Memory and Executive Abilities
• Rehabilitation
• Smart and Assistive Technologies
• Aging and Cognitively Impaired Populations (e.g., MCI, AD, PD and TBI)
walt-scott-thumbWalt Scott
Professor
walter.scott@wsu.edu
(509) 335-3588
Johnson Tower 364, Pullman
Currently considering graduate students for the Clinical Psychology PhD Program.
Research Interests:
•Social Cognitive Approaches to Personality/Psychopathology
•Applications of Personality Science to Personality Assessment
Alexander Spradlin
Assistant Professor, Career Track
a.spradlin@wsu.edu
(360) 546-9354
VCLS 208 B, Vancouver
Research Interests:
• Cannabis, stress, and coping
• Interpersonal relationships and technology
• Empathy and prosocial behavior
Strand_Paul-ThumbPaul S. Strand
Professor
pstrand@wsu.edu
(509) 372-7177
CIC 125S, Tri-Cities
Research Interests:
• Emotional and social development in cultural context
• Truancy assessment and intervention
• Attachment and culture
samantha_swindell-ThumbSamantha Swindell
Professor, Career Track
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies. College of Arts and Sciences
sswindell@wsu.edu
(509) 335-3715
Johnson Tower 339, Pullman
I have a 20% faculty appointment in the Department of Psychology and an 80% administrative appointment as the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies. College of Arts and Sciences. As a faculty member, I coordinate Psych 105: Introductory Psychology on the Pullman campus and routinely teach Psych 505: Teaching introductory Psychology, which psychology graduate students take prior to their appointments as primary instructors in Psych 105.
sarah_tragesser-ThumbSarah L. Tragesser
Associate Professor
sarah_tragesser@wsu.edu
(509) 372-7388
CIC 125Q, Tri-Cities
Research Interests:
• Personality
• Personality Disorders
• Substance Use
paul_whitney-ThumbPaul Whitney
Professor
pwhitney@wsu.edu
(509) 335-2541
Bryan Hall 301, Pullman
Currently considering graduate students for the Experimental Psychology PhD Program.
Research Interests:
• Memory, Affect, and Decision Making
• Sleep Deprivation Effects on Cognition

Elizabeth Soliday

Elizabeth Soliday

Associate Professor
Clinical Child/Pediatric Psychologist

Ph.D. University of Kansas

Contact Information

Email: esoliday@wsu.edu
Office: (Vancouver Campus)
Phone: (360) 546-9727

More Information…

Classes Taught

  • Psychology 230: Human Sexuality
  • Psychology 320: Health Psychology
  • Psychology 328: Self Control
  • Psychology 361: Principles of Developmental Psychology
  • Psychology 444: Helping Skills
  • Psychology 464: Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents

elizabeth_soliday-Thumb

Tahira M. Probst

Tahira M. Probst

Professor

Ph.D. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1998

Contact Information

Email: probst@wsu.edu
Office: VCLS 208K (Vancouver Campus)
Phone: (360) 546-9746
Lab Website: Coalition for Healthy and Equitable Workplaces

Vita

Classes Taught

  • Psychology 310: Work, Stress, and Health
  • Psychology 311: Statistics in Psychology
  • Psychology 412: Psychological Testing and Assessment
  • Psychology 529: Occupational Health Psychology

Research Interests

  • Occupational Health, Well-Being and Safety
  • Economic Stress and Job Insecurity
  • Organizational Safety Climate
  • Accident Under-reporting

Dr. Probst will be considering graduate student applications for Fall 2024 admission to the Experimental Psychology PhD Program.

Selected Publications

Bettac, E., & Probst, T. M. (in press).  Work-family conflict, sleep, and health: A comparison of traditional and self-employed workers. International Journal of Manpower.

Hu, S., Jiang, L., Probst, T. M., & Liu, M. (in press). The relationship between qualitative job insecurity and subjective well-being in Chinese employees: The role of work–family conflict and work centrality. Economic and Industrial Democracy.

Petitta, L., Probst, T. M., Ghezzi, V., & Barbaranelli, C. (in press). The impact of emotional contagion on workplace safety: Investigating the roles of sleep, health, and production pressure. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01616-8

Probst, T. M., Bazzoli, A., Jenkins, M. R., Jiang, L., & Lopez-Bohle, S. (in press). Coping with job insecurity: Employees with grit create I-Deals. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology.

Austin, C., & Probst, T. M. (2021). Masculine gender norms and adverse workplace safety outcomes: The role of sexual orientation and risky safety behaviors. Safety, 7(3), 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety7030055

Bazzoli, A., Probst, T. M., & Lee, H. J. (2021). Economic stressors, COVID-19 attitudes, worry, and behaviors among US working adults: A mixture analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 2338. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052338

Bettac, E., Rice, S., & Probst, T. M. (2021). Job performance: Comparing differences among self- and organizationally-employed workers. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 34 (1), 55-76.

Debus, M., Unger, D., & Probst, T. M. (2021). Dirty work on the COVID-19 frontlines: Exacerbating the situation of marginalized groups in marginalized professions. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 14(1-2), 144-148. https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2021.33

Lavaysse, L. M., & Probst, T. M. (2021). Pregnant employees and occupational safety: The impact of stereotype threat. Work & Stress, 35, 93-109.

Petitta, L., Probst, T. M., Ghezzi, V., & Barbaranelli, C. (2021). Emotional contagion as a trigger for moral disengagement: Their effects on workplace injuries. Safety Science, 140, 105317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105317

Probst, T. M., & Lee, H. J., Bazzoli, A.,  Jenkins, M. R., & Bettac, E. L. (2021). Work and non-work sickness presenteeism: The role of workplace COVID-19 climate. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 6(8), 713-718. https://doi.org/10.1097/jom.0000000000002240

Rice, S. P. M., Probst, T.M., & Lopez, S. (2021). Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of psychological capital, grit, and gratitude in selected samples from Chile and the USA. Journal of Well-Being Assessment. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41543-021-00039-3

Sinclair, R., Probst, T.M., Watson, G., & Bazzoli, A. (2021). Caught between Scylla and Charybdis: How economic stressors and occupational risk factors influence workers’ occupational health reactions to COVID-19. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 71, 85-119.

Benson, W. L., Probst, T. M., Jiang, L., Olson, K. J., & Graso, M. (2020). Insecurity in the ivory tower: Direct and indirect effects of pay stagnation and job insecurity on faculty performance. Economic and Industrial Democracy, 41, 693-708.

Ghezzi, V., Probst, T. M., Petitta, L., & Barbaranelli, C. (2020). Multilevel job demands and resources: Cross-level effects of organizational safety and production pressure climates on the relationship between workload and risky safety behaviors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, 3496.

Ghezzi, V., Probst, T. M., Petitta, L., Ciampa, V., Ronchetti, M., Di Tecco, C., Iavicoli, S., & Barbaranelli, C. (2020). The interplay among age and employment status on the perceptions of psychosocial risk factors at work. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, 3611.

Petitta, L., Probst, T. M., Barbaranelli, C., & Ghezzi, V. (2020). Economic stress, emotional contagion and safety outcomes: A cross-country study. Work, 66, 421-435.

Probst, T. M., Lee, H. J., & Bazzoli, A. (2020). Economic stressors and the enactment of CDC-recommended COVID-19 prevention behaviors: The impact of state-level context. Journal of Applied Psychology, 105(12), 1397-1407. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/apl0000797

Probst, T. M., Chizh, A., Hu, S., Jiang, L., & Austin, C. T. (2020). Explaining the relationship between job insecurity and creativity: A test of cognitive and affective mediators. Career Development International, 25(3), 247-270.

Probst, T. M., Jiang, L., & Lopez-Bohle, S. (2020). Job insecurity and impression management: Which is the horse and which is the cart when it comes to job performance? Career Development International, 25(3), 306-324.

Probst, T. M., Petitta, L., Barbaranelli, C., & Austin, C. (2020). Safety-related moral disengagement in response to job insecurity: Counterintuitive effects of perceived organizational and supervisor support. Journal of Business Ethics, 162, 343–358.

Reuter, M., Wahrendorf, M., Di Tecco, C., Probst, T. M., Chirumbolo, A., Ritz-Timme, S., Barbaranelli, C., Iavicoli, S., Dragano, N. (2020). Precarious employment and self-reported experiences of unwanted sexual attention and sexual harassment at work: An analysis of the European Working Conditions Survey. PLoS ONE, 15(5): e0233683.

Shoss, M., Brummel, B., Probst, T.M., & Jiang, L. (2020). The joint importance of secure and satisfying work: Insights from three studies. Journal of Business and Psychology, 35, 297-316.

Sinclair, R. R.*, Allen, T., Barber, L., Bergman, M., Britt, T., Butler, A., Ford, M., Hammer, l., Kath, L., Probst, T. M., & Yuan, Z. (2020). Occupational health science in the time of COVID-19: Now more than ever. Occupational Health Science, 4, 1-22. *Authorship following first author is alphabetical.

Jiang, L., Lavaysse, L., & Probst, T. M. (2019). Safety climate and safety outcomes: A meta-analytic comparison of universal versus industry-specific safety climate predictive validity. Work & Stress, 33, 41-57.

Jiang, L., & Probst, T. M. (2019). The moderating effect of trust in management on consequences of job insecurity. Economic and Industrial Democracy, 40, 409-433.

Morgan, J., Reidy, J., & Probst, T.M. (2019). Age group differences in household accident risk perceptions and intentions to reduce hazards. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(12) n° 2237; doi:10.3390/ijerph16122237.

Petitta, L., Probst, T.M.P, Ghezzi, V., & Barbaranelli, C. (2019). Cognitive failures in response to emotional contagion: Their effects on workplace accidents. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 119, 165-173.

Probst, T. M., Goldenhar, L., Byrd, J., & Betit, E. (2019). Development and validation of the Safety Climate Assessment Tool (S-CAT): A rubric-based self-assessment for the construction industry. Journal of Safety Research, 69, 43-51.

Reuter, M., Wahrendorf, M., Di Tecco, C., Probst, T. M., Ruhle, S., Ghezzi, V., Barbaranelli, C., Iavicoli, S., & Dragano, N. (2019). Do temporary workers more often decide to work while sick? Evidence for the link between employment contract and presenteeism in Europe. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16, n° 1868; doi:10.3390/ijerph16101868.

 

Michael M. Morgan

Michael M. Morgan

Professor

Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles, 1989

Contact Information

Email: mmmorgan@wsu.edu
Office: CLS 208G (Vancouver Campus)
Phone: (360) 546-9726

More Information…

Classes Taught

  • Psychology 265: Biopsychological Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs
  • Psychology 372: Biological Basis of Behavior
  • Psychology 401: Historical Development of Psychology
  • Psychology 504: History of Psychology: Theoretical and Scientific Foundations

Research Interests

  • Neural Mechanisms of Pain Modulation
  • Animal models of opioid withdrawal

Pain is the most costly medical problem in the United States. Pain treatments are limited by poor analgesic efficacy or severe side effects (e.g., opioid dependence). My lab uses behavioral pharmacological approaches to address this problem in three ways: First, we are developing new ways to assess pain in animals such as measuring depression of activity (e.g., decreases in wheel running) to more closely mimic the effects of pain in people. Second, we are studying how the midbrain periaqueductal gray contributes to opioid analgesia and tolerance. Third, we are developing novel methods to assess spontaneous opioid withdrawal in rats in order to create a better model of opioid withdrawal in humans. Our primary goal is to lay the groundwork for the development of more effective treatments for pain and opioid withdrawal. 

Current Publications

Morgan, M.M. & Ataras, K. (2021). Morphine restores and naloxone-precipitated withdrawal depresses wheel running in rats with hindpaw inflammation. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, & Behavior, 209:173251. PMID: 34363827

Stickney, J.D. & Morgan M.M. (2021). Comparative benefits of social housing and buprenorphine on wheel running depressed by morphine withdrawal in rats. Psychopharmacology, 238(10), 2895-2903. PMID: 34247265

Dunford, J., Lee, A. T., & Morgan, M. M. (2021). Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exacerbates inflammatory bowel disease in adolescent and adult female rats. Journal of Pain, 22:1040-7. PMID: 33727159

Morgan, M. M., Peecher, D. L, & Streicher, J. M. (2021). Use of home cage wheel running to assess the behavioural effects of administering a mu/delta opioid receptor heterodimer antagonist for spontaneous morphine withdrawal in the rat. Behavioural Brain Research, 397:112953. PMID: 33031872

Stickney, J. S. & Morgan, M. M. (2021). Social housing promotes recovery of wheel running depressed by inflammatory pain and morphine withdrawal in male rats. Behavioural Brain Research, 396:112912. PMID: 32949642

Renee E. Magnan

Renee E. Magnan

Associate Professor
Director of Experimental Training

Ph.D. North Dakota State University, 2008

Contact Information

Email: renee.magnan@wsu.edu
Office: VCLS 208R
Phone: (360) 546-9403
Lab Website: WSU Health and Social Psychology Research

More Information…

Classes Taught

  • Psychology 320: Health Psychology
  • Psychology 312: Experimental Methods in Psychology
  • Psychology 350: Social Psychology
  • Psychology 523: Health Psychology (Graduate Seminar)
  • Psychology 550: Social Psychology (Graduate Seminar)

Research Interests

  • Cognitive versus affective predictors of health behaviors (physical activity, tobacco use, cannabis use…)
  • Perceptions of harms, benefits, and knowledge about ambiguous health behaviors such as e-cigs and cannabis use
  • Communicating risk information (e.g., cigarette graphic warnings)
  • Health decision-making

I apply social psychological theory to address issues in preventive health behaviors and health behavior promotion. Specifically, much of the research in my lab focuses on understanding the role that affect (e.g., worry) plays on health decisions and behavior (e.g., smoking cessation, exercise, cannabis). I am interested in both how one’s feelings about health behaviors may influence their decisions to engage in health behavior and also how health behaviors may influence one’s feelings. Both perspectives can provide important insight to identify targets for interventions to prevent negative health consequences and promote wellness.

Dr. Magnan will be considering graduate student applications for Fall 2024 admission to the Experimental Psychology PhD Program.

Selected Publications

Magnan, R.E., Gibson, L.P., & Bryan, A.D. (2021). Cognitive and affective risk beliefs and their association with protective health behavior in response to the novel health threat of COVID-19. Journal of Behavioral medicine, 44, 285-295  https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kaaa071

Magnan, R.E., Hamilton, W.K., Shorey-Fennell, B.R., & Cameron, L.D. (2020). Experimental test of the educational impact of the newly proposed FDA graphic cigarette warnings among U.S. adults. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Advance online publication.  https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kaaa071

Shorey Fennell, B.R., & Magnan, R.E. (2019). Reactance to anti-binge drinking messages: Testing cognitive and affective mechanisms among noncollege emerging adults. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 42, 984-990. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-019-00018-3

Magnan, R.E., & Ladd, B.O. (2019). “It’s all good”: Perceived benefits but not perceived risks or worries among adult marijuana users. Cannabis, 2, 112-119. https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis.2019.02.001

Magnan, R.E. (2017). Comparisons of health-related and appearance-related smoking risk perceptions and worry on motivation to quit. Health Psychology Open, 4. doi: 10.1177/20551029177295411. PMID: 29379619.

Magnan, R.E., & Cameron, L.D. (2015). Do young adults perceive that cigarette graphic warnings provide new knowledge about the harms of smoking? Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 49, 594-604. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-015-9691-6

Magnan, R.E., Köblitz, A. R., McCaul, K. D., & Dillard, A., J. (2013). Self-monitoring effects of ecological momentary assessment on smokers’ perceived risk and worry. Psychological Assessment, 25, 416-423. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031232

Magnan, R. E., Kwan, B. M., & Bryan, A. D. (2013). Effects of current physical activity on affective response to exercise: Physical and social-cognitive mechanisms. Psychology and Health, 28, 418-433. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2012.733704

Magnan, R.E., Nilsson, R., Marcus, B.H., Ciccolo, J.T., & Bryan, A.D. (2013). A transdisciplinary approach to the selection of moderators of an exercise promotion intervention: baseline data and rationale for Colorado STRIDE. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 36, 20-33.

 

Stephen Lakatos

Stephen Lakatos

Associate Professor

Ph.D., Stanford University, 1993

Contact Information

Email: lakatos@wsu.edu
Office: VCLS 208A (Vancouver Campus)
Phone: (360) 546-9743

More Information…

Classes Taught

  • Psychology 105: Introductory Psychology
  • Psychology 311: Elementary Statistics in Psychology
  • Psychology 312: Experimental Methods in Psychology
  • Psychology 384: Sensation and Perception
  • Psychology 401: History of Psychology
  • Psychology 466: Environmental Psychology
  • Psychology 490: Cognition and Memory

Research Interests

  • Problem-based learning applied to research methods and statistics in Psychology
  • Perception of complex environmental sounds

Stephan Lakatos