RISC Lab
Research in Social Cognition Laboratory
Welcome to the Research in Social Cognition (RISC) Laboratory! As the director of the RISC Lab, I guide research investigations on a variety of basic and applied topics in social cognition, intergroup processes, and decision-making. The RISC Lab uses scientific methods common in social psychology, such as behavioral and survey experiments with various populations. We also employ non-experimental methods, including meta-analysis, archival methods, big data analysis, quantitative text analysis, historical analysis, web scraping, and secondary data analysis. Some of the recent research questions explored in the lab include:
- What factors, such as warmth and competence, influence how people perceive and evaluate risk-taking?
- What theories do everyday people use to understand risk-taking and do these ideas influence their own willingness to take risks?
- Are social biases, such as those based on age, gender, and ethnicity, evident in the behavior of contestants on popular reality television competition shows, such as The Circle and Big Brother?
- Do Black medical students at historically Black colleges and universities feel more belonging and confidence about their career goals than Black medical students at predominantly white institutions?
- Does priming foreignness, compared to Americanness, influence anti-Asian and anti-Hispanic attitudes? Does political orientation matter in foreignness priming?
There are several ways students can join the RISC Lab, including enrolling in the lab course I instruct called Psychology Apprenticeship for course credit, conducting an honors research thesis or an independent research project under my supervision, or volunteering as a research assistant. If interesting in joining the RISC Lab to become more familiar with the research process in social psychology or to prepare for graduate school, I warmly welcome you to reach out to me to discuss available opportunities.
Lab Members
Research Assistant
My name is Stephanie Benitez and my hometown is Van Buren, Arkansas. I am a recent graduate from the University of Central Arkansas. I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology and minored in addiction studies. I hope to eventually get my Ph.D. in counseling psychology and work as a mental health counselor. I primarily want to work with Spanish speaking clients as it is a population within Arkansas that goes underserved due to limited bilingual professionals. In my free time I like to read, spend time with loved ones, and I’ve taken a recent interest in learning how to dance salsa and bachata.
Honors Student
My name is Skylar Brooks, and I am a sophomore! I am a psychology major with a sociology minor. My hometown is Bella Vista, Arkansas, and my research interests include discrimination, stereotyping, and ethnic/racial inequality. My tentative career goals are to go to graduate school and hopefully get a Ph.D. Fun facts about me are that I taught myself how to play the guitar, I’ve broken both my ankles and dislocated my elbow, I am adopted and was born in China, and I have two cats named Mojito and Zoey!
Apprenticeship II
My name is Hannah Scott, and I am a psychology major with a FACS minor. My goal for my future in psychology is to go through the School Psychology graduate program next year at UCA and start my career with young children. Starting from working as a toddler teacher in my freshman year, I have found a passion for helping young children and want to incorporate my passion for psychology in it as well. I am from Batesville, Arkansas, and I am also learning Spanish in school. Overall, my hobbies include crocheting and playing video games.
Apprenticeship II
I'm a senior with a minor in Family and Consumer Science. I currently play an active leadership role in our Psi Chi chapter where I'm able to exercise my interest in fostering personal and professional growth within myself and others. My love for psychology has led me to pursue graduate school after graduation in December to continue my studies. In any free time I can find I like to take pictures, read, socialize, and spend time in nature.
Apprenticeship I
I am a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminology. I was born in Pakistan but have lived in the USA all my life. I am a first-generation student who can speak/understand multiple South Asian languages. As the Puppy Sitter Chairman of an RSO on campus called Living Unleashed, I help puppy raisers train future service dogs. After graduating with a BS from UCA I plan to pursue a master's degree in forensic psychology. My goal is to help analyze criminal behavior to minimize time and errors in catching offenders.
Apprenticeship I
My name is Sarah Stacks and I'm majoring in psychology with a minor in family and consumer science. My hometown is Paragould, Arkansas and I majored in psychology mainly for my interest in abnormal psychology. I hope to get my master's degree and go on to work as a mental health counselor! I also enjoy reading and playing video games. I also have two dogs named Roxy and Tater Tot!
Graduate Student
My name is Elena Lainez, and I am a graduate student in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Central Arkansas. I am from Honduras and my dream was to come to college in the United States, an opportunity I am so grateful I had! After graduating, I would like to provide counseling to adults, especially to the Hispanic population. I am interested in several types of therapy, including dialectical behavior therapy and solution-focused. I also love playing the piano, baking, reading, and playing video games!
Members Not Pictured
- Adrianna Benjamin
- Lark Burress
- Syd Degollado
- Noah Galway
- Kelsey Hulbert
- Taylor Roberts
- Dagan Terry
- Claire Watts
- Brayden White
Former Lab Members
- Maddie Tichenor, research assistant, Fall 2022
- Madison Yarbrough, RML student, Fall 2021
- Niyah Lane, RML student, Fall 2021
