Existential Social Psychology
Research Lab
Principal Investigator
I received my B.A. and M.A. in experimental psychology from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. I completed my Ph.D. in social psychology with a minor in research methods and statistics at the University of Missouri. Working from the terror management theory (TMT) perspective that the pursuit of meaning and value in one’s life protects the individual from deeply rooted anxiety, my research has examined such topics as parental and interpersonal attachment, disgust and attitudes toward the body, the evaluation of women, and health intentions and behavior. For more information on terror management theory, check out: www.tmt.missouri.edu; Google citation index
Current Graduate Students
Hi! I am a fifth-year graduate student in the Cox Lab. My current research draws from evolutionary and existential perspectives to further our understanding of how interpersonal and environmental stressors influence our ways of thinking, feeling, and interacting with the world around us. I am especially interested in understanding how we navigate threats of isolation, both interpersonal (e.g., rejection and exclusion) and existential, within different contexts, such as within group settings, romantic relationships, and among strangers. I am also particularly interested in how our social experiences relate to our mental and physical well-being, especially for those individuals from underrepresented and marginalized groups.
Outside the lab, I love teaching and mentoring students. My hobbies include reading graphic novels, visiting the botanical gardens for a morning walk, listening to my favorite podcasts, and stress baking (I make far too much banana bread). I’m always open to learning about new and exciting topics, so please feel open to reach out if you have anything you’d like to chat about!
Hi! I am a first-year PhD student in Experimental Psychology at the Cox Lab. I graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and minors in Political Science and Literature. My research interests involve investigating fiction and fandom and their relationship with the formation of our social processes and interpersonal relationships. In my free time, I love to read, peruse bookstores, cry over my favorite fictional characters, run, and explore coffee shops.
Howdy! I am a first-year PhD student in the Experimental Psychology program at the Cox Lab. I graduated from the University of Houston with a Psychology B.S. and a Philosophy minor. I love conducting existential psychology research related to time perspective, meaning-in-life, metaphors, religion, and female objectification. In my free time, I like to caffeinate, read, draw, listen to music, and spend time with my favorite people!
Former Graduate Students
Jieming Xiao, (2024)
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Private Sector
Julie Swets Ph.D. (2022)
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Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
Eastern Washington University at Bellevue College
Bellevue, Washington
Robert Arrowood, Ph.D. (2020)
Research Scientist
Cook Children's Hospital
Fort Worth, Texas
Mike Kersten, Ph.D. (2017)
Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho
Erin Van Enkevort, Ph.D. (2016)
Assistant Professor
Geisinger Medical Center
Danville, Pennsylvania
Arielle Cenin, M.S. (2020)
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ALex Darrell, M.S. (2018)
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Notable Lab Alumni
Lexie Bryant (2020)
Current Position: Criminal Justice MS student at University of Pennsylvania
Anita Pai (2020)
Honors Thesis: Associations Between Nostalgia and Attitudes towards Intimate Partner Violence
Current Position: Industrial-Organizational Psychology PhD student at Central Michigan University
Maddie Weinstock (2019)
Honors Thesis: Understanding the Need for Existential Meaning Amongst Those With Eating Disorders
Current Position: Counseling Psychology PhD student at Virginia Commonwealth University
Karen Ji (2019)
Honors Thesis: The Effects of Meaning in Life on Academic Achievement
Current Position: Educational Specialist (EdS) - School Psychology student at Baylor University
Former Lab Members
Jordan Adair, Kiely Alfieri, Kristi Allain, Sandra Alvarez, Caroline Angell, Renate Beck, Caiden Berry, Hope Bentley, Ashley Brewer, Emily Brown, Erin Brown, Lexie Bryant, Kendall Chambers, Paul Chapell, Kylie Corson, Adam Damadzic, Gabriella D’Ambra, Alex Darrell, Delaney Davis, Nathania Davis, Christian Del Pozo, Sam Douglass, Sara Eaton, Kathryn England, Katrina Fazelmanesh, Natalie Flora, Hannah Freeman, Katherine French, Scotty Giberson, Dylan Gulbronson, Hanna Hefner, Jill Hoffman, Lacey Hood, Ashley Hurst, Karen Ji, Lorin Kellam, McKenna Kondratiuk, Mackenzie Koss, Katie Kruse, Chris Lamoureux, Austin Lemke, Tierra Ledet, Bryn Lohrberg, Lynlee Maroney, Claire Martinez, Elise Martinez, Jasmine Martinez, Maddie McAleenan, Wesley McCoy, Paulina Mozo, Tyrani Murray, Ana Padgett, Anita Pai, Grace Palmer, Caroline Pope, Taryn Quinn, Aqsa Rao, Katie Rebeil, Ramon Romero, Ryan Schimdt, Dee Scobbie, Michael Smith, Jordan Stables, Dana Stalewski, James Stanphill, Evan Stelly, Tracy Strazzini, Christian Sullivan, Kaitlin Sutherlin, Trevor Swanson, Abby Till, Natalia Vilcek, Taylor Way, Lindsay Weaver, Maddie Weinstock, Grace White, Shawn Williamson, & Evan Wilson.
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