As an undergraduate at IUPUI (Indiana University – Purdue University, Indianapolis), I majored in psychology and minored in anthropology (Bachelor of Science, 1987).
I earned a Master of Science degree at IUPUI in Applied Social Psychology (1990) under Dr. Oliver C.S. Tzeng. I worked with Dr. Tzeng in the Osgood Laboratory for Cross-Cultural
Research from 1988-1991, primarily studying interethnic relationships and child abuse and neglect in the state of Indiana. I then went to Purdue University, earning a Ph.D. in
Personality and Social Psychology (1995). At Purdue I was mentored primarily by Drs. Janice Kelly, Eliot Smith, and Denise Driscoll. My research focused on intragroup cooperation
and problem-solving, and intergroup perceptions and discrimination. At Purdue, the methodological emphasis was decisively more experimental compared to IUPUI. Hence, I received
graduate training in both applied and basic research, a dual emphasis I still champion and maintain.
My first academic position was at Glenville State College (GSU) in Glenville, West Virginia. It was a great experience living in a one-stoplight town in a beautiful part of the country!
After a year at GSU, I spent a year at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before settling in at Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne in 1998
(IPFW became PFW in 2018). The courses I teach routinely at PFW are Introductory Psychology (PSY 120), Social Psychology (PSY 240), Personality Psychology (PSY 420), Advanced Research
in Personality and Social Psychology (PSY 441), and History of Psychology (PSY 540). My aim as an instructor is to clearly explain the principles, theories, methods, and applications
of psychology overall and in terms of specific domains of study (e.g., the social psychology of attitudes or the Big 5 model of personality).
I’m genuinely enthusiastic about psychology, the scientific study of behavior, thought and emotion. Nearly every problem we face as individuals, couples, group members, and a species has
a substantial psychological component. Since its inception as a science in 1879, psychology has continuously grown and demonstrated its value. Taking a scientific approach to understanding
human behavior, thought, and emotion has paid off and continues to do so. The application of psychologial theories and principles, established through basic scientific research, has saved
lives, aliviated suffering, reduced conflict, and has enhanced the well-being of individuals and groups along many dimensions (physical and mental well-being, productivity,
relationship satisfaction, cooperation, and happiness to name just a few). No wonder psychological principles have been widely integrated into other disciples, including engineering,
medicine, economics, architecture, education, business, politics, sports, neurology, robotics, military, computer science, aviation, space exploration...just to name a few! Psychology is a
relatively young discpline and our subject matter extraordinarily complicated. So while our knowledge is clearly limited, we continue to make exciting progress.
Since joining PFW I’ve maintained an active research lab: The Intergroup Relations Laboratory. I run the lab for two interrelated reasons. One, I want to contribute to our scientific
understanding of psychological issues. As the name of the lab suggests, I’m particularly interested in advancing our understanding of intergroup relationships (e.g., prejudice, stereotypes,
discrimination). The other reason is to provide students with the opportunity to work in an active lab. Through this experience, they can gain a deeper understanding of the research
process, develop a host of skills, and make a more informed decision about potential career paths. My research assistants -- all undergraduate students -- are given the opportunity to
engage in the full spectrum of the research process, from the development of theoretical propositions to the dissemination of empirical findings. My students routinely participate in the
Annual PFW Research Symposium and at the Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association in Chicago's Palmer House. For more information about my lab and being a research
assistant, please visit my lab page.
I also contribute to broader academic community at PFW and beyone through commitee work, and by serving as the Senior Associate Editor for Group Dynamics (a scientific journal
published by the American Psychological Association), Consulting Editor for Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, and routinely providing ad hoc reviews for a other scientific journals.
You can see a full listing of my teaching, research, and service activities in my curriculum vitae (top of this page). Please feel free to contact me with any questions, at jacksonj@pfw.edu.