People
Chad E. Forbes, Associate Professor
Chad E. Forbes (Ph.D., University of Arizona) is an Assistant Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Delaware. With a background spanning from molecular biology to complex social processes, Dr. Forbes utilizes behavioral methodologies as well as electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), lesion studies and genetic approaches to investigate social phenomena. Dr. Forbes is currently funded by the National Science Foundation to develop a model that outlines how and why minorities and women are more likely to leave academics and STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) fields respectively, how negative feelings can be transmitted to others in STEM groups, as well as how these phenomena can be reversed. He has numerous publications on these topics in a wide array of journals, including Annual Reviews of Neuroscience, Cerebral Cortex, and the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and was recently recognized as a “Rising Star” by the American Psychological Association.
Current Post Doc
Irmak Okten
Irmak’s research mainly focuses on processes of person perception and memory –how people learn about others and infer different characteristics from others’ behaviors and use this information to make predictions about them and adjust their own behaviors. I investigate impression formation as a dynamic process by considering variety and changes in impressions over time. I use both implicit and explicit measures in measuring impressions and perceptions of others. I also examine biases in perceiving others and self during cross-race and cross-gender interactions and work on developing interventions for such biases that affect the qualities of interpersonal interactions as well as performance in such settings.
Current Graduate Students
Adam Magerman
Eric Splan
Rachel Amey
Rachel’s research interests focus on how individuals identities can change over time, with a specific focus on how identity changes in self-threatening contexts. She takes a unique approach fusing both traditional social psychology theories with more modern neuroscience methodology.
Twitter: @rameyamey
Robert Backer
Robert’s interests are inspired by identity, as it interacts with dynamic psychological processes, having implications for performance and well being. He meditates regularly, and has a passion for Eastern culture.
Alumni
Mengting Liu
Mengting is currently working on prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome in neonates, using neuroimaging techniques, such as computational imaging and machine learning at USC.
email: mliu@ini.usc.edu
Jordan Leitner