Sara D. Hodges
Sara is a professor at the University of Oregon. Sara studies how people construct judgments of their social world. She is interested in the “building blocks” that people use to form attitudes and make decisions about the people and things around them, and how this information is organized.
Current Graduate Students
Murat Kezer, Doctoral Student
My research lies at the intersection of social cognition, data science, and media studies, where I investigate how people perceive and infer thoughts, feelings, and traits in both face-to-face and video-mediated interactions. I focus on understanding empathic accuracy and perspective-
taking, leveraging machine learning and NLP models to analyze interpersonal perception in
social and digital contexts.
Research Interests: Empathic accuracy, Perspective taking, Interpersonal perception, Data Science, Social Media
Murat’s Website
Zach Schroeder, Doctoral Student
I am a PhD candidate in the Social Cognition lab. I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology at Northwestern University where I also completed a dual degree in Theatre Management. After graduation, I worked briefly as a K-12 teacher before beginning my PhD at the University of Oregon. My research mixes dyadic behavioral paradigms with NLP modeling to examine how language use impacts our perception of others’ thoughts and feelings during social interactions. Outside of the lab, I enjoy backpacking with my dog, classical music, and Malört.
Eliott K. Doyle, Doctoral Student
I am a doctoral candidate studying how internal social-cognitive processes shape identity. Specifically, I focus on: The interplay of self-perception with perceptions of other people as either competitors or parts of an extended self; how narratives — both our own and those told by others — serve as cognitive tools for understanding identity in different situations; and the role of parasocial relationships in social cognition.
Google Scholar | LinkedIn | Bluesky
Erika S. Davis, Doctoral Student
Broadly, my research interests include how we relate to fiction, and how reading and writing can influence the narratives we tell about ourselves. I’m also interested in the meaningfulness of literature and endings of stories, particularly how giving away the ending of a story can impact an audience’s perception.
Current Research Assistants
Maycie Thaut
I am a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminology. I am particularly interested in pursuing clinical forensic psychology, with a research focus on forensic assessments, reentry programs, and investigating risk factors of crime. Currently, I am completing my Clark Honors College thesis on defining success in post-incarceration reentry programs in Oregon.
Cole Benventano
I am interested in clinical psychology, with a particular focus on supporting older individuals facing depression, anxiety, and dementia.
Joshua Fowler
My current research interests are around consumer decision-making processes and the dynamics of intent in personal relationships, particularly exploring the differences between perceived and actual intent.
Lauren Prior
I am currently majoring in psychology with a minor in business administration and will continue my work in a master’s program once I graduate.
Nalin Sayvongsa
Ally Mccarthy
Khoa Nguyen
Leo Kapocias
Nick Stice
Shreeya Shrestha
Tabby Harrison
Lab Alums (under development)
Doctoral Alums
(in progress!)
- Colton Christian
- Brian Clark (in memoriam)
- Kathryn Denning
- Kristi Kiel
- Adam Kramer
- Karyn Lewis
- Sean Laurent
- Mike W. Myers
- Tamara Niella
Masters Alums
- Anna Bell
- Patty Bruininks
- Tom Hollenstein
- Nicole Lawless
- John Myers
- Ernest Park
- Vivien Pong
- Nate Scott
- Charlotte Tate
- Darya Veach
Honors Thesis Alums
- Renee Ahnert
- Anna Bell
- Barbara Cichosz
- Sadie Concepcion
- Cara Dick
- Brooke Hallinan
- Chris Hansen
- Amy Hudkins
- Linda Ivy
- Andy Kohnen
- Caleb Kowarsky
- Irina Kuzmina
- Bethany Lassetter
- Blake Locher
- Sara Loitz
- Dan MacLellan
- Molly Martini
- Tim Matthews
- Nicole McElhaney
- Hadley Morotti
- John Myers
- Camilla Nermoen
- Brian Ooi
- Elise Peltier
- Carissa Sharp
- Si-hyun Shim
- Alex Stanton
- Kim Tucker
- Chris Valentine
- Kevin Wiles