News
Led by Devon Carter, an adjust assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, the Recognize Education and Learning Mentorship Program connects college and high school students.
Department of Psychology professor Laura Wagner has co-edited a new journal issue about the impact of federal funding cuts on undergraduate research experiences in the sciences.
The 2026…
This new profile series spotlights the fantastic staff members who help keep the department running!
This month, meet Financial Operations Analyst Renee Alexander.
A new paper published by professor Vladimir Sloutsky suggests immature working memory enables ‘learning to be human.'
Psychology Assistant Professor Jeremy Grant and student Meseret Alemu spoke about the transformative experience of the university's Summer Research Opportunities Program, now in its 40th year.
Associate Professor Jasmeet Hayes recently spoke on Ideastream Public Media about the neurological and physiological impacts of chronic stress.
In this new podcast episode, professor Kristen Lindquist discusses her research on what emotions are and how the brain creates them.
Professor Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan was quoted in a recent New York Times article about reduced childhood independence.
C-SPAM affiliate and post-doctoral researcher Danica Dillion was recently interviewed for an Axios story about the Ohio State fair poster contest, which an AI entrant won this year.
“Will AI save or destroy us?” was the central question for a public panel on July 21, hosted by the Department of Psychology and the Collaborative on the Science of Polarization and Misinformation…
Scientists and AI industry leaders will convene at Ohio State this month to explore effective ways of aligning artificial intelligence with human values and well-being.
Simply playing organized youth sports does not reduce the likelihood of committing violence in one’s lifetime, according to a new study led by psychology graduate Emily Nothnagle.
The latest issue of ASCENT highlights the work of Dr. Richard Petty, a leading expert on how people form and change their beliefs.
As a summer policy intern in Washington, D.C., Rajeev Rai ’26 was asked to evaluate a perplexing issue: Why did many recipients of WIC nutritional assistance abandon their benefits after two years…
Marilynn Brewer, professor emerita and Ohio Eminent Scholar in the Department of Psychology, has been selected for the 2026 class of the prestigious institution.
Dr. Kentaro Fujita was recently a guest on Dr. Andrew Huberman's well-known podcast, where he spoke about the science of self-control and overcoming procrastination.
Issued by C-SPAM, one of the department's interdisciplinary research collaboratives, the awards will support projects in political science and behavioral health.
Recipients of the 2025-2026 endowed and college-wide honors include Dr. Peter Kvam, Dr. Russell Fazio, Dr. Jay Myung, Dr. Trisha Van Zandt, Dr. Kathryn Lenz, Ashley Sweaney and Tinu Oduloye.
Nine students nominated the Psychological Services Center director for the award, which recognizes individuals that meaningfully support student mental health and wellbeing.
Anti-establishment feeling may be shaping a new dimension of politics, Joseph Uscinski suggested during a C-SPAM colloquium.
Two doctoral students and two research lab managers in the Ohio State Department of Psychology have received the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, one of the most…
Department of Psychology students received top awards at Ohio State research showcases this spring.
Grace Amadon and Olivia Horn, both clinical psychology graduate students, received first…
Dr. Justin Palmer, a postdoctoral scholar in Dr. Scott Hayes’ Buckeye Brain Aging Lab (B-BAL), has received the Ohio State President’s Postdoctoral Scholars Program fellowship.
The…
Recently published research by graduate student Jillian Graham used an advanced nonlinear modeling technique to study how cardiorespiratory fitness relates to cortical thickness in adults.
In a recent episode of Voices of Excellence, Dr. Kurt Gray discusses his research on morality, political division, beliefs and polarization, as well as possible ways to bridge gaps between…
Professor Kristen Lindquist has been elected as one of six inaugural fellows of the Social Affective Neuroscience Society (SANS). New in 2026, the fellowship recognizes scholars who have made…
Ohio State psychology professor Josh Smyth has received the 2026 Distinguished Scientist Award from the Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine. The honor – the society’s highest –…
A recently published study suggests that fathers' early parenting behaviors may significantly impact children's health. Dr. Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan cautioned against overinterpreting the findings.…
Erica Howard, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Psychology’s clinical psychology graduate program, has received the Brain Injury Association of America’s Dissertation Grant.
A fifth…
Jasmeet Hayes, a Scarlet and Gray Associate Professor in The Ohio State University Department of Psychology, has received a $3 million grant from the National Institute on Aging to study…
In a recent episode of Voices of Excellence, Dr. Laura Wagner discusses the unique setup of her lab at COSI, which allows visitors to participate in and observe language research.
Dr. Kurt Gray was recently quoted in a New York Times story about false allegations of fraud against Ohio Somalis and social media's role in the spread of this misinformation.
A recent study by social psychology professor Patrick Carroll suggests that doubt in one's uncertainties can boost confidence.
On 89.7 NPR News' All Sides with Amy Juravich, Dr. Ruchika Prakash discusses a new interactive exhibit at COSI and its goal to help museum visitors better understand the human brain.
On 89.7 NPR News' All Sides with Amy Juravich, Dr. Kentaro Fujita explains why New Year's resolutions often fade quickly and how to come up with goals that last.
In a recent episode of the Voices of Excellence podcast, Dr. Schoppe-Sullivan discusses her research on father-child relationships, co-parenting, and the transition into parenthood.
In answers to alumni questions, Dr. Jeremy Grant discusses what we can do to prevent, or at least slow down symptoms of, neurodegenerative diseases.
The Ohio State University Department of Psychology has been named one of the top psychology programs nationally and worldwide.
The 2025 ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Global Academic…
Professor Kurt Gray's "Outraged: Why We Fight about Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground" has been named one of Greater Good Magazine's favorite books of 2025.
Emma Hovanec, a senior psychology major, is a participant in the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program and studies how parental emotional availability affects the well-being of emerging…
A new interactive exhibit at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) uses research by Ohio State psychology faculty to highlight the vast abilities of the human brain.
On display for the…
Ohio State psychology professor Jolynn Pek has been appointed as President of American Psychological Association (APA) Division 5: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods.
As president, she…
Three Department of Psychology doctoral students received awards for their presentations at the Autumn 2025 Graduate Student Research Forum, held Nov. 10 in the Psychology Building.
Emma…
An assessment co-created by developmental psychology professor John Gibbs has now been translated into at least six languages—including, most recently, Urdu.
First published in 2001 by…
Psychology professor Kristen Lindquist has been installed as the new Robert K. and Dale J. Weary Chair in Social Psychology at The Ohio State University. Her appointment to the endowed position…
Ohio State social psychology professor Kurt Gray has received the SESP Career Trajectory Award for his pioneering research in the field. Announced by the Society of Experimental and Social…
Nearly 2,000 Ohio State community members donned conical party hats and broke records in an event co-sponsored by the Department of Psychology.
A new study by doctoral student Kelly Hiersche, Associate Professor Zeynep Saygin and Assistant Professor David Osher shows a link between brain…
Developmental Psychology doctoral student F. Kübra Aytaç-DiCarlo was one of 35 Presidential Fellows named by the Ohio State University Graduate School during the 2024-2025 academic year. With…
Led by Alan Davis, an affiliated faculty member of the Department of Psychology, a new study suggests psychedelic-assisted therapy has long-term benefits.
Clinical psychology professor Barbara Andersen and other Ohio State researchers expand understanding of the links between mental and physiological health in cancer patients.
In an interview with Spectrum News, Professor Kurt Gray discussed people's divisive reactions to recent video footage of a violent fight in Cincinnati.
In a new Voices of Excellence Episode, Professor Ken Fujita explores how motivation and cognition intersect to affect decision-making and behavior, such as the influence of thinking patterns on…
Three social scientists affiliated with The Ohio State University Department of Psychology have received the prestigious Frontiers of Knowledge Award from the BBVA Foundation in Bilbao, Spain.
…
New research suggests a synergy between depression and inflammation in lung cancer patients, according to clinical psychology professor Barbara Andersen, one of the study's authors.
A new study led by Philip Mazzocco, associate professor of social psychology Ohio State Mansfield, finds that most people imagine they are better at overcoming pressure to violate their own…
Honored for his work on beliefs, attitudes and behaviors, Richard Petty receives one of the highest honors in the sciences.
The social psychology professor is among 120 members and 30 national members recently chosen "in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research."
Jean Carfagno remembers the morning the sun disappeared.
Shortly after wildfires began devouring large swaths of Southern California on Jan. 7, 2025, she watched thick smoke obscure the…
Psychology alumna Dr. Ariana Hoet, '11, has received the College of Arts and Sciences' 2025 Emerging Leader Award. Given at a campus ceremony on April 4, the annual honor recognizes alumni who…
For people who are not fluent in American Sign Language, is the meaning of the “eat” sign easier to guess than that of related words in other languages, such as delicioso, Portuguese for …
The 2025 Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching recognizes the Marion campus professor's excellence and impact in the classroom.
The Columbus Dispatch highlights clinical psychology professor Jennifer Cheavens' continuing research on human kindness.
A new study conducted by Dr. Megha Shegal reveals that human brains create physical connections between memories that occur close in time.
Patson, a professor at the Ohio State Marion campus, will use the $10,000 award to research whether people remember language-related inferences over time.
Daddis, an associate professor at Ohio State's Marion campus, will use the $10,000 seed grant to research the relationship between school misbehavior and the ways that youth think about its…
A new study co-authored by affiliated faculty member Nicole Sintov suggests that people with minority views may change their actions to follow the majority.
For Scarlet Munoz, the issue of mental health is close to home. When the Ohio State University sophomore was growing up in Sunbury, Ohio, the area was not the wealthy, thriving place it is now,…
Richard Petty, a professor in The Ohio State University Department of Psychology, has received the 2024 Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions from the American Psychological Association…
Drawing on studies published in the Lancet, Professor Hayes explains modifiable variables that can delay or prevent dementia, such as air pollution and physical inactivity.
The department seeks up to four postdoctoral scholars interested in examining the psychology of extremism, polarization, misinformation and/or morality.
In a new paper, Amy Brunell, a professor of psychology at The Ohio State University's Mansfield campus, suggests people need to be aware of the signs of narcissists entering their lives.
Commenting on a recent neo-Nazi march in Columbus, Professor Richard Petty shares insights from his research on the origins of extreme attitudes and behaviors.
The Ohio State University is working to advance and diversify its research partnerships with the United States Air Force. This autumn, a program sponsored by the Enterprise for Research,…
In a story about crying on airplanes, Professor Cheavens explains how air travel can heighten emotional vulnerability.
Associate Professor Jasmeet Hayes discusses a new study with the Ohio Domestic Violence Network that will examine the impact of intimate partner violence on survivors' brains.
Elizabeth D. Kirby, an associate professor in The Ohio State University Department of Psychology, has helped launch a groundbreaking digital textbook on behavioral neuroscience. Published online…
Vladimir Sloutsky, a professor of developmental psychology in The Ohio State University Department of Psychology, has received a $3 million award from the National Institutes of Health to conduct…
Associate Professor Dylan Wagner speaks with Scientific American about “parasocial relationships”: the connections people feel with celebrities, social media stars and fictional…
Ohio State psychology alumnus Austin Lucas leads suicide prevention programming, training, events and education for the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation.
Leading moral psychology expert Kurt Gray has been appointed to head The Ohio State University’s new Collaborative on the Science of Polarization and Misinformation (C-SPAM) starting in autumn…
Could persuading people to brush their teeth more hold the key to preventing insurrection?
From abortion clinic bombings to violent protests and coup attempts, extremism has played a…
The MINDSET Lab at Ohio State studies the diverse causes of head injuries and how to best recover from them.
A new study co-authored by professor Vladimir Sloutsky brings scientists closer to understanding why children "over-explore."
A new study co-authored by doctoral alumnus Joseph Siev and professor Richard Petty suggests that people go to violent extremes to compensate for attitudinal discomfort.
A new study by associate professor Scott Hayes finds possible value in class exercise breaks.
A new study by doctoral student Whitney Whitted finds that subtle differences in messaging can impact beliefs about treatment.
A new study by doctoral alumna Briana Brownlow finds that at the same symptom severity, the risk of arrest is higher for Black individuals.
New research by professor Russell Fazio suggests that people whose negative attitudes tend to dictate their behavior are more likely to procrastinate about tasks at hand.
A new study led by associate professor Jasmeet Hayes suggests that stress-management techniques could reduce biological risk.
In lonely people, the boundary between real friends and favorite fictional characters gets blurred in the part of the brain that is active when thinking about others, a new study by co-authored…
The AAAS Fellowship, recognizing scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications, is one of the most prestigious honors a U.S. scientist can receive…
Dr. Charles Emery received the Cynthia D. Belar Award for Excellence in Health Psychology Education and Training from APA Division 38 (the Society for…
Laurence Coutellier is awarded a 3-year grant from the Whitehall Foundation to study the adolescent maturation of neural circuit underlying social behaviors.
Dr. Barbara Andersen recently received the Leadership in Science Advocacy Award from the American Psychological Association (APA) during the Advocacy Summit on Addressing the Impact of Climate…
The Department of Psychology would like to congratulate Dr. Katy Lenz and Dr. Benedetta Leuner. They were recently awarded a new 4-year grant from NSF titled ‘Neuroimmune Contributions to Maternal…
Jolynn Pek will receive the Anne Anastasi Distinguished Early Career Contributions Award from Division 5 (Quantitative and Qualitative Methods) of the American Psychological Association during the…
Ian Krajbich has been awarded a new 3-year grant from The National Science Foundation titled ‘The Dynamics of Unique Decisions.’
Congratulations Ian!
Congratulations to Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate, Briana Brownlow on her TEDx Ohio State University talk on "How Racism Gets Under the Skin."
The Department of Psychology would like to congratulate Dr. Katy Lenz and Dr. Benedetta Leuner on being awarded The Ohio State University Addiction Innovation Initiative Seed Grant.
The…
Professor Tracy Tylka reflects on eight ways to to manage body anxiety after lockdown in her most recent article with Ohio State News and The Conversation.
Scott Hayes has recently been awarded a new 5-year, NIA R01, 'Contributions of modifiable physical attributes to cognitive and brain aging', with total costs over $3 million.
Dr. Price, Clinical Assistant Professor at Loyola University Chicago's School of Continuing and Professional Studies & Author with Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House, graduated from OSU…
Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan has received the 2021 Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring award from the office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry. Sarah was nominated by an…
Rosalee Meyer is the recipient of the 2021 Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer. This is the most prestigious teaching recognition for lecturers at OSU, awarded to no more than…
Laura Wagner is the recipient of the 2021 Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching. This is the most prestigious teaching recognition for tenure-track faculty at OSU, awarded to no more than 10…
Jacob received his BA in psychology from OSU and went on to complete a MA in Clinical Psychology at Roosevelt University, Chicago in 2016. He currently works as a Project Manager for the American…
Ally, from Sylvania, OH, almost didn’t become part of the Buckeye family. “I never thought about OSU until my mom made me visit because we were in the area.” However, after seeing the beauty of…
If you count yourself among those who lose themselves in the lives of fictional characters, scientists now have a better idea of how that happens.
Researchers found that the more immersed…
The Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP), Division 2 of the American Psychological Association, has announced that Dr. Melissa Beers is the recipient of the 2021 STP Mentorship of Teachers…
Professor Paul De Boeck has been awarded the 2021 Career Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Psychometric Society. This award honors individuals whose publications, presentations, and…
Timothy, from Sandusky, OH, started attending OSU as a high school student through the Academy Program. He became further immersed in the buckeye experience while attending Buckeye Student…
Roger Ratcliff, Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Psychology, ranks among the top 1% worldwide in career-long citations across all scientific disciplines,…
Dr. Elizabeth Kirby has been awarded a $5000 grant from ALX to support her time working on the open access textbook that she is coordinating.
Telling a distressed friend or family member something as simple as “I understand why you feel that way” can go a long way toward helping loved ones feel better, new research by Jennifer…
Human brains pre-wired for words is coolest science story of 2020
The polls have closed, the ballots have been counted, and when it comes to the coolest Ohio State science story of the year, we’re…
Maggie Hart, from Dayton, OH, comes from a family of Buckeyes and chose Ohio State, in part, to be part of that legacy. She was also drawn to our renowned psychology program, knowing right from…
Tao Jiang, a graduate student in Jenny Crocker's lab, has been awarded a Presidential Fellowship by the Graduate School. The Presidential Fellowship is the most prestigious award given by the…
Nancy Betz, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, is recipient of the 2020 APA Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Applied Research. Congratulations Nancy! This…
"Being open to positions that don’t seem like typical ‘psychology’ careers” is what led Kalee to her current position. Kalee is a Student Financial Services Specialist, and loves being part of the…
"Making a difference in others' lives, opportunities to solve problems creatively, [and] great opportunities for continuing education and growth" are a few of things Eric loves about his career as…
Jay Myung, Professor, Department of Psychology | Was named 2020 AAAS Fellow for distinguished applied and basic research on computational cognition, Bayesian…
Dr. Ian Krajbich has recently been recognized for his sabbatical research, supported by the APS Cattel Fund.
Dr. Ian Krajbich and his research
Dr. Jolynn Pek and an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Ohio State has been awarded grant funding for a recent project.
Dr. Pek, along with PI JaNelle Ricks, Deena Chisolm and Anna…
Arian, from Haugesund, Norway, was drawn to Ohio State because of its world-renowned scientists and cutting-edge facilities both on campus and at the Wexner Medical Center. He states, “Being…
Halley is a school counselor at Columbus Preparatory Academy, a K-11 charter school in Columbus, Ohio. She completed her B.A. Psychology degree in 2015 and her M.A. Counselor Education degree in…
Dr. Benedetta Leuner, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, has been named director of the Undergraduate Neuroscience Major program, effective September 1. The Undergraduate…
Dr. Melissa Beers, program director for Psychology 1100, was interviewed by the College of Arts and Sciences to discuss her ALX grant and what this means for the course content of Introduction to…
Courtney L. Benjamin Wolk Ph.D., was recently named the 2020 recipient of the Judy E. Hall Early Career Psychologist Award.
The annual award is given to a National Register psychologist…
Dr. Kathryn Lenz is recipient of the 2020 College of Arts and Sciences Early Career Faculty Excellence Award. This award recognizes the top candidate for promotion to Associate Professor in Social…
Courtney L. Benjamin Wolk Ph.D., an undergraduate alumni of the Psychology Department, was recently named the 2020 recipient of the Judy E. Hall Early Career Psychologist Award.
The annual…
After earning a BA in Psychology, Brian continued his education at OSU to pursue his MHA in Health Services Management & Policy. Brian then worked at Akron Children’s Hospital, gaining experience…
After earning a BA in Psychology, Mike attended Nova Southeastern University where he would obtain a Master and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology. Mike then completed a Predoctoral Internship at the…
As a Division I athlete, Emily, from Hershey, PA, chose Ohio State because it provided the best avenue for her to pursue both athletics and her education. This spring, Emily will graduate from OSU…
Psychology 1100, under the direction of Dr. Melissa Beers, was one of nine courses at Ohio State to receive a grant through Ohio State's Affordable Learning Exchange to incorporate a racial…
Andy Leber, Associate Professor of Psychology, has received a 3-year, $548,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, titled "Developing a comprehensive profile of attentional control…
The Administration for Children and Families has approved grant funding for Dr. Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan, Professor of Developmental Psychology, at Ohio State.
The project is titled
After graduating from Ohio State in 2009 with a BA in Psychology, Liz earned her Masters in Higher Education Administration from Texas A&M. Liz accepted a job at Florida Gulf Coast University…
After graduating with a BA in Psychology in 2013, Lexie accepted a temporary position as a marketing automation specialist. Although this was not the career path she planned, she learned valuable…
A study co-authored by professor of psychology Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan in which men interacted with a doll depicting their soon-to-be child predicted the quality of their parenting…
Roger Ratcliff has made vast contributions to the field of cognitive psychology, and his research focuses on modeling application and methodology for rapid decision-making. His diffusion model of…
Dr. Jolynn Pek, Assistant Professor of Quantitative Psychology, has been named an American Psychological Association Fellow for Division 5: Quantitative and Qualitative methods. Fellows are…
Jiyeon Denninger, MD/PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Kirby Lab, has received a 2020 Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award from the Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry Office…
After graduating from both OSU’s undergrad (2011) and PhD (2017) programs in psychology, DeWayne accepted a position as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, Irvine. His current…
After receiving a B.A. in Psychology at The Ohio State University in 2009, Drew went on to earn his Masters of Public Health from the Medical University of Toledo in 2011. For 8 years, Drew worked…
Shelly, from Dayton, OH, is part of the Young Scholars Program (YSP) here at Ohio State. YSP inducted her in 6th grade and she has been a buckeye ever since. Psychology was an easy choice for her…
Dr. Gary Berntson, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, has been selected as recipient of the 2020 Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychophysiology from the Society for Psychophysiological…
A new article from Dr. Brittany Shoots-Reinhard, a Research Assistant Professor, has been published by The Conversation. The article is entitled "Americans still trust doctors and…
A new publication from Dr. Benedetta Leuner, an Associate Professor of Behavioral Neuroscience, has been published by Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology. The article is entitled "Pregnancy,…
A new publication from Dr. Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan, Professor of Developmental Psychology, has been released in the Journal of Marriage and Family. The article is titled "Transactional…
The Kirby Lab has recently published a paper in eNeuro examining the utility of common transgenic model system for testing cell autonomous gene function. Ligand-dependent Cre recombinases, such as…
Dr. Trish Van Zandt, Professor of Quantitative Psychology, has been selected as a Purdue University Distinguished Woman Scholar for 2020. This award is intended to recognize the doctoral alumnae…