Dr. April Horstman Reser, Social Psychologist

E-mail: A.Horstman.Reser@MCLA.edu
Office: Berkshire Tower A, room 312
Spring 2008 office hours are:
Mondays & Wednesdays, 1-2pm, and
Tuesdays 11am-12pm

Degrees:

Ph.D. Psychology, University of Kansas 2007
M.A. Psychology, University of Kansas 2003
B.A. Psychology, Metropolitan State College of Denver 1999
B.A. Design & Architecture, University of Northern Iowa 1994

Teaching style:

I am a somewhat informal instructor and my students usually tell me they enjoy my having a sense of humor in class. I try to engage students as much as possible during class time: in my classes you'll see demonstrations, watch brief video clips, use remote clickers, and participate in group exercises, along with the lecture. It is important to me that students “get” the relevance of a course, that we’re not just discussing a topic, but that we are discussing them.

Areas of Research Interest:

My research interests lie in the areas of the status quo and Terror Management Theory. My research students and I are examining how reminders of mortality salience affect people’s reactions to the status quo. When people are threatened with reminders of their own death, they show an exaggerated preference for the status quo. I am also interested in the areas of social justice, retribution and in how one’s political ideology changes one’s perspective on current events and in research in the areas of prejudice and stigma. With respect to prejudice, I am interested in how people construct and maintain beliefs in themselves as non-prejudiced individuals.

Courses taught at MCLA:

Introductory Psychology, Social Psychology, Terror Management Theory, Research Topics in Psychology, Psychology of Culture

Hobbies and Interests:

I am a lifelong runner, love reading, cooking, good design, and spending time with my family.