Megan McCarty

Education

• B.A. in Psychology from Bowdoin College
• M.S. and Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Purdue University

License/Certifications

• Certificate in Psychological Statistics from Purdue University

About Me

I am a social psychologist and teach courses in social psychology, the psychology of gender, and research methods.

I have two primary areas of expertise. I study the psychology of gender and diversity as well as small group dynamics. My psychology of gender and diversity research investigates how violating stereotypes affect individuals’ own thoughts, emotions, and behavior, as well as the reactions of others. My small group dynamics research focuses on issues of exclusion and emotional experiences in groups. Much of my current research combines these areas to explore how small group processes can perpetuate stereotypes and group differences.

I enjoy collaborating with students on this work. If you are interested in getting involved in my Diversity Issues in Groups Lab please email me for more information.

What I Teach

• PSYC 203 Research Methods in Psychology (with lab)
• PSYC 220 The Psychology of Gender
• PSYC 248 Social Psychology

Research/Special Projects

Broadly, my research is motivated by a desire to understand processes that allow us to have positive and productive group interactions without feeling pigeon-holed by our social identities. I conduct research on the psychology of gender and diversity as well as small group dynamics. Much of my research integrates these two areas, investigating the ways in which group processes contribute to the persistence of stereotypes and group differences. In general, my work demonstrates that group processes such as exclusion and group-fit are key forces that discourage participation in gender counter-stereotypic activities, such as women’s interest in both leadership positions and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). I am increasingly interested in issues of diversity broadly, and have ongoing projects regarding sexuality, race, and gender non-binary individuals. I employ a multi-method approach to studying these issues, using a combination of lab, field, and online paradigms.

Publications/Presentations

Iannone, N. E., McCarty, M. K., Branch, S. E., & Kelly, J. R. (2018). Tweet tweet: How and why people use twitter. The Journal of Social Psychology, 158, 491-495. doi: 10.1080/00224545.2017.1385445

McCarty, M. K., Iannone, N. E., Jones, E. E., & Kelly, J. R. (2018). Ignorance can be bliss: The role of valence in moderating the effects of being in the loop. The Journal of Social Psychology, 158, 93-108. doi: 10.1080/00224545.2017.1314247

Iannone, N. E., McCarty, M. K., & Kelly, J. R. (2017). With a little help from your friend: Transactive memory systems in best friendships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 34, 812-832. doi: 10.1177/0265407516659565

Kelly, J. R., Iannone, N. E., & McCarty, M. K. (2015). Emotional contagion of negative emotions is automatic: An evolutionary explanation. British Journal of Social Psychology, 55, 182-191. doi: 10.1111/bjso.12134

Carlston, D. E., McCall, T. C., McCarty, M. K., & Tay, L. (2015). On being judged by the company you keep: When associates' behaviors lead to misremembering, discounting and transference. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 60, 173-182. doi: 10.1016/j.jesp.2015.06.001

McCarty, M. K., & Kelly, J. R. (2015). Perceptions of dating behavior: The role of ambivalent sexism. Sex Roles, 72, 237-251. doi: 10.1007/s11199-015-0460-6

McCarty, M. K., & Kelly, J. R. (2015). When door holding harms: Gender and the consequences of non-normative help. Social Influence, 10, 1-10. doi: 10.1080/15534510.2013.869252

Iannone, N. E., McCarty, M. K., Kelly, J. R., & Williams, K. D. (2014). Friends with each other but strangers to you: Source relationship softens ostracism’s blow. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 18, 349-356. 

McCarty, M. K., Monteith, M. J., & Kaiser, C. R. (2014). Communally constrained decisions in workplace contexts. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 55,175-187. doi: 10.1016/j.jesp.2014.07.007

McCarty, M. K., Kelly, J. R., & Williams, K. D. (2014). The cognitive costs of the counter-stereotypic: Gender, social presence, and emotion. The Journal of Social Psychology, 154, 447-462. doi: 10.1080/00224545.2014.933160

McCarty, M. K., Iannone, N. E., & Kelly, J. R. (2014). Stranger danger: The role of perpetrator and context in moderating reactions to sexual harassment. Sexuality & Culture, 18, 739-758. doi: 10.1007/s12119-013-9215-0.