Research

Psychology is complex. Our minds are shaped by the ongoing interaction of biological and environmental factors within the context of both our ontological (developmental) and phylogenetic (evolutionary) histories. My evolutionary psychological training provides an overarching framework for the incorporation of various levels of analysis and theoretical perspectives into my research. I am well versed in social, developmental and physiological theories. My integrated perspective provides a wide lens for examining affect, behavior and cognition across the lifespan. My academic background has equipped me to approach my research with both the breadth and depth needed to better describe, understand and predict psychological phenomena.

Projects

Psychology of Jealousy

In one line of research guided by evolutionary psychological theory, I examine the psychology of extreme jealousy in intimate partner relationships. Specifically, using data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Supplementary Homicide Reports, I analyzed intimate partner homicide brutality as a function of variables including the sex and sexuality of the partners. The results of my thesis project are published in Victims and Violence and I have several other related publications in which I explored domestic violence and hands-on killing methods in intimate partner homicides.

Jealousy in Infancy

For my dissertation work, I turned my focus to jealousy in mother-infant relationships.  I considered temperamental and psychophysiological factors related to infants’ responses to the loss of maternal attention to a “social rival” or to a non-social item. I have many presentations and manuscripts on my vitae related to my study of the development of jealousy. My current lines of research on this topic are focused on the longitudinal development of jealousy in infants and inclusion of fathers in the study.

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Emotion

The ability to accurately identify facial expressions is a crucial developmental skill because faces are the source of important social information revealing emotional states and intentions of others. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that involves social and emotional impairments. The goal of this pilot project is to examine facial emotion recognition (FER) abilities as a function of facial familiarity and oxytocin system genetics in children diagnosed with ASD and their typically-developing peers. This study is a collaborative project funded by Florida Atlantic University’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute 2021 Pilot Grant Awards.

Posterior Cortical Atrophy

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a progressive neurodegenerative syndrome that initially affects the visual perception system in the brain. Most cases are found to stem from Alzheimer’s disease. Over time, the atrophy can spread into other regions of the brain resulting in typical dementia symptoms (e.g. memory issues). Despite an international effort to establish consistent diagnostic criteria, the unusual presentation of the syndrome makes PCA difficult to diagnose. I am currently working with individuals living with PCA and their care-partners to raise awareness of the syndrome.

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Collaborative Research

My interdisciplinary approach allows me to effectively advise students on a variety of research projects. One of my primary teaching passions is mentoring students toward successfully developing their research interests into full-fledged projects that they can proudly turn into presentations or publications. Some of these student projects have focused on:

  • mindfulness meditation, mood and EEG changes in school-aged children
  • physiological and socio-emotional development of infants of depressed mothers as a function of a skin-to-skin (kangaroo care) intervention
  • social relationship quality (mother-infant touch interactions) as a function of maternal depression status and feeding method
  • empathy development in young children
New students continue to work on the above listed projects in collaboration with the WAVES Developmental Psychophysiology Lab at Florida Atlantic University.

Future Research

Although seemingly disparate, there is a common thread in my work.  I am intrigued with studying the possible correlates and determinants of emotional and social development across the lifespan. My future research interests include:

  • father-infant relationships and jealousy
  • sexuality and gender development
  • differential parental investment as a function of gender-typicality

Research Expertise and Interests

Developmental Psych.

Social Development

Emotional Development

Sexuality & Gender

Evolutionary Psychology

Mating Behaviors

Parental Investment

Jealousy

Social Psychology

Social Relationships

Social Competition

Aggression & Homicide

Autism

Depression

Brain Atrophy (PCA)

EEG

Oxytocin

Cortisol

Meditation

Kangaroo Care

Breastfeeding

Research Collaboration

The niche that I have created for myself over my academic career has prepared me to advance in a variety of research avenues; however I believe that collaboration makes my research even stronger. 

  • Funding organizations are increasingly favoring interdisciplinary research and publication opportunities also increase with collaboration.
  • Collaboration can present innovative and novel research opportunities.
  • Sharing resources widens the array of techniques that can be used in your research.
  • Collaboration presents new learning experiences as the individual researchers each bring their own perspectives to the table allowing for constructive criticism and debate.
  • Debating ideas facilitates creativity and with the combined intelligence of the group allows researchers to solve problems more efficiently and with less bias.

The Indian parable of the elephant and the six blind men speaks to the benefit of collaboration. Six blind men sought out an elephant in their quest to gain understanding of the animal. Each man touched a different part of the animal—tail, trunk, tusk, leg, side, or ear—and believed that he alone understood the concept of an elephant. After some time of arguing a wise man suggested that only through synthesis of each subjective experience could they gain a more complete understanding of the elephant’s appearance. Likewise, an integrative approach can provide an amalgamation of expertise that ultimately can offer a deeper understanding of psychology.

Painting by Devin M. Paul

Primary Collaborators

Nancy Aaron Jones

Developmental Psychophysiology Lab

Florida Atlantic University

Todd Shackelford

Evolutionary
Psychology Lab

Oakland University

David Bjorklund

Cognitive and Developmental Evolutionary Psychology Lab

Florida Atlantic University

Jillian Hardin

Developmental Psychophysiology Lab

Florida Atlantic University

Melannie Platt

Developmental Psychophysiology Lab

Florida Atlantic University

Nathaniel Shanok

Developmental Psychophysiology Lab

Florida Atlantic University

Student Collaborators

Camila Marques Cuoco
Angela Bernardo
Katy Brooks
Alexis Blau
Katie Marsh
Sarah Worch
Tami McGrudder
Brittnee McDole
Melanie Kelly

Chloe Barrera
Dayana Sanchez
Darcel Craft
Paul Alleva
Virginia Periss
Michelle Epstein
Amanda Almedia
Kate Ingo
Angelina Dubecky

Psychology will be based on a new foundation, that of the necessary acquirement of each mental power and capacity by gradation.
Charles Darwin
Naturalist