Margaret Stevenson joined Kenyon’s faculty in 2021. Her research interests are aimed at exploring the experiences of marginalized populations within the justice system through methodologically rigorous research rooted in social psychological theory. In one branch of research, for instance, she has examined how juvenile offender and victim race influences legal decision-makers’ perceptions of juvenile offenders of violent and sexual crime. Her peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters focus on applying principles of social psychology toward understanding miscarriages of justice within the legal system that predominantly affect disadvantaged populations (i.e., racial minorities). Her recent Oxford University Press edited books, "Criminal Juries in the 21st Century: Psychological Science and the Law" and "The Legacy of Racism for Children: Psychology, Law, and Public Policy," address racial discrimination within the justice system.
Previously, Stevenson was a faculty member at the University of Evansville from 2008 until 2021, where she also served as director of the Honors Program. In 2020, she was elected president-elect of the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 37’s Section on Child Maltreatment.
Areas of Expertise
Social psychology; psychology and the law; stereotyping, racism, and prejudice
Education
2008 — Doctor of Philosophy from University of Illinois at Chic
2005 — Master of Arts from University of Illinois at Chic
2003 — Bachelor of Science from The Ohio State University
Courses Recently Taught
Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes. In this introductory course, we explore a variety of areas in which psychologists conduct research: the biological foundations of behavior, sensory and perceptual processes, cognition, learning and memory, developmental psychology, personality and social psychology, psychological disorders, and variability in behavior related to culture. This course is open only to first-year and sophomore students. This counts toward the foundations requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Offered every semester.
Social psychology is the systematic study of social behavior. In general, it examines how we are affected by our social environment: how we perceive and interpret the behavior of others and the social situation, how we respond to others and they to us, and the nature of social relationships. Application of social psychological theory and methodology is encouraged through participation in small-scale laboratory or field observational studies. This counts toward the person and society requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 110 or AP score of 5. Generally offered every year.
This course introduces students to the major topics represented in the field of psychology and law. Students examine how psychological research (across subdisciplines such as social, clinical, cognitive and community psychology) can contribute to a better understanding of the law or legal process, how the legal system can be informed by the results of psychological research, and how psychological research can be more reactive to legal issues. Topics include the reliability of eyewitness testimony; factors that affect jury decision-making; interrogation and confessions; the clinical determination of insanity, competence and future dangerousness; myths associated with “psychological profiling”; sexual victimization of adults and children; race and the law; and juvenile justice. This counts toward the person and society requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 110 or AP score of 5. Generally offered every year.
This course introduces students to psychological theory and research concerning stereotyping, prejudice, racism and the effects of social stigma on self and society. Students examine how stereotypes, prejudice and racism are formed, maintained and reduced. For instance, students explore research unpacking the psychological underpinnings of why we treat "out-group" members differently from "in-group" members ("in-group bias"), as well as the experiences of stereotyping for targets (e.g., stereotype threat). Class content includes a review of research focusing on prejudice toward different social groups, including those formed by racial and ethnic origins, gender identity, sexual orientation, and overweight and physically different individuals. Students leave this class with concrete, evidence-based, practical strategies and interventions to work toward eradicating prejudice and racism. This counts toward the person and society requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 250. Generally offered every year.\n
This is the first semester of the two-part sequence required for senior psychology majors. Each section has a different topic, but in every seminar, students read and discuss psychological literature, write and discuss critiques of research articles, review the literature and develop a research proposal on a topic related to the seminar's topic, and make a formal oral presentation to the class. This theoretical framework lays the groundwork for the execution of a project in the second half of the practicum. This counts toward the Senior Capstone requirement for the major. Prerequisite: senior standing and psychology major. Offered every fall.
This is the second semester of the two-part sequence required for senior psychology majors. This class features hands-on experience in creating and conducting research to allow students to learn by doing. We investigate the procedure of generating research from start to finish through the lens of theory learned in the first semester. This course strongly and equally emphasizes strengthening scientific writing skills, generating research designs and quantitative reasoning and application. Along the way we practice evaluating research designs and perfecting APA style. This course is designed to prepare students for a career in research in psychology. This counts toward the Senior Capstone requirement for the major. Prerequisite: senior standing, psychology major and PSYC 475. Offered every spring
