The Social Environment as a Source of Stress

I was trained as an experimental Social Psychologist and as such, was afforded rigorous training in experimental methodology. I am interested in examining a variety of Social Psychological phenomenon using psychophysiological methods. Psychophysiology provides a fascinating way to examine on-line, objective responses to social factors.

I have used cardiovascular reactivity measurement as a means of examining the functionality of attitudes in decision making, the effect that an audience has on performance, the use of self-handicapping as a coping mechanism, and the relationship of personality and cognitive appraisals to stress responses in adolescents. My research examining blood pressure regulation and perceptions of racism in African Americans calls upon the extensive social psychological literature on prejudice, racism & discrimination.