Rachael Reavis, Ph.D.

About me

I am a psychologist with a special focus on developmental psychopathology. I regularly involve students in my research projects, like The Peer Lab, a research lab of undergraduate students that works under my supervision. These collaborations have led to publications and presentations at scholarly meetings.

I found my experience at a small liberal arts school to be rewarding and beneficial, and I wanted to spend my career in a similar environment. Earlham’s focus on teaching quality and its broader values (Principles & Practices) closely match my own values. Two of my close friends attended Earlham as undergraduates and enjoyed their experiences. Once I decided to pursue college teaching as a career, I put Earlham on my short-list of ideal places to teach. As luck would have it, a job opened in my last year of graduate school, and I was able to join the faculty here.

My department has allowed me to follow my interests and to teach classes that I’m passionate about. They have also encouraged my interest in new areas and in developing new courses. This approach benefits students in a number of ways. As I pursue new avenues of scholarship, I involve students in the process and show them that learning is a life-long process and that I am as much learner as I am teacher. Students in the classroom benefit from passionate and engaged professors who expose students to recent and cutting-edge developments. Teaching at Earlham has been and continues to be a rewarding experience.

As for personal hobbies, I enjoy reading and tend to read more non-fiction than fiction and particularly enjoy off-beat topics. Mary Roach is one of my favorite authors. I also enjoy spending time outdoors and camping, but I don’t do it nearly as often as I would like. Watching TV — current and past — is something I do with more frequency than I probably should. Mad Men, Breaking Bad and The Sopranos are among my favorite shows. Finally, doing crafts with my family is also a favorite Saturday activity.

Education

• Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Greensboro
• M.A., University of North Carolina, Greensboro
• B.A., Connecticut College

Professional memberships

• Society for Research in Child Development
• Association for Psychological Science
• Society for Teaching of Psychology (APA Division 2)
• Developmental Psychology (APA Division 7)
• Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science (SIPS)

Research projects

My research and clinical training were shaped by a developmental psychopathology framework, which emphasizes diverse developmental pathways and the necessity of understanding both normative and non-normative developmental processes. I have an eclectic research program. My main interests are in bullying/peer-victimization, friendship, social cognition, and fixed/growth mindset (how people think about abilities and effort).

Collaborative student research experiences
Each semester, I have 5-8 students in my research lab. We have two main projects ongoing.

One project examines attention to and memory for ambiguous provocation situations. For example, if someone dumps their lunch tray on you, did they do that on purpose or did they trip and it was an accident? People’s interpretation of these situations can be related to both past and future bullying experiences. We are using eye-tracking technology and survey methodology to understand what people are paying attention to in these situations, what they remember, and how that relates to their own experiences.

Another project aims to increase information about women psychologists and neuroscientists on Wikipedia. Our lab has added several prominent psychologists: Marion Underwood, Cynthia García Coll, and Kerry Kawakami. We add more women each semester.

My lab also conducts smaller projects based on changing student and professor interests. Students have helped author a manuscript examining the effect of a psychological intervention on parents’ intent to vaccinate. Students have also worked on a project that examined the role of siblings in delaying gratification, among other projects.

Projects that are now completed include the Fixed Mindset studies, which we completed in partnership with the Joseph Moore Museum on Earlham’s campus. We investigated the effects of praise on mindset, enjoyment, and persistence in adults and children. Many students presented results at regional and national conferences and two students helped co-author a paper that appeared in the Journal of Genetic Psychology.

We also completed the Peer Project, which examined the role of friends and bystanders in peer victimization. Two students helped co-author a paper in the journal of Social Development.

The Thoughtful Friends Study examined the overlap between cognitive development and friendship in 7- to 9-year-old children and college-age adults. We examined executive functioning (the ability to plan and control attention), theory of mind (the ability to recognize other’s perspectives), friendship quality, and conflict resolution skills. The results of this study were published in Merrill-Palmer Quarterly.

Finally, we concluded a program evaluation for Parents as Teachers program at Birth to Five, a local organization serving young children and their families. The Parents as Teachers program encourages literacy and kindergarten readiness using home visitors. We found that families participating in the program read to their children much more than the national average.

Published works

Publications (Undergraduate co-authors are marked by an asterisk.)

Miller, S., Avila, B., & Reavis, R. (2020). Thoughtful friends: Executive function relates to social problem solving and friendship quality in middle childhood. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 181(2-3), 78-94. doi: 10.1080/00221325.2020.1719024

Reavis, R. (2019, April 28). Indiana must address its foster care crisis. The Palladium-Item, pp. B1.

Reavis, R., & Thomas, M. (2019). Building a scaffolded research experience for undergraduates. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 524. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00524

Welle, V., Alston, N., & Reavis, R. (2018). Laboratory exercises for Abnormal. In R. Miller (Ed.) Promoting psychological science: A compendium of laboratory exercises for teachers of high school psychology. Electronic book. Retrieved from: http://teachpsych.org/resources/Documents/ebooks/LabExercisesEbook.pdf

Reavis, R., Miller, S., Grimes, J.*, & Fomukong, A.* (2018). Effort as person-focused praise: “Hard worker” has negative effects for adults after a failure. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 179(3), 117-122. doi: 10.1080/00221325.2018.14411801

Miller, S., Reavis, R., & Nielsen, B. (2018). Associations between theory of mind, executive function, and friendship quality in middle childhood. Merrill Palmer Quarterly, 64(3), 397-426. doi: 10.13110/merrpalmquar1982.64.3.0397

Reavis, R.(2018). Using a daily diary approach to understand children’s emotional responses to negative peer experiences. In SAGE Research Methods Cases. doi: 10.4135/9781526436382

Reavis, R., Ebbs, J.*, Onunkwo, A.*, & Sage, L.M.* (2017). A self-affirmation exercise does not improve intentions to vaccinate among parents with negative vaccine attitudes (and may decrease intentions to vaccinate). PLoS ONE, 12(7), e0181368.

Reavis, R., Donohue, L.*, & Upchurch, M.* (2015). Friendship, negative peer experiences, and daily positive and negative mood. Social Development 24(4), 833-851. doi: 10.1111.sode12123  

Reavis, R., Keane, S., & Calkins, S. (2010). Trajectories of peer victimization: The role of multiple relationships. Merrill Palmer Quarterly, 56(3), 303-332.   

Graziano, P., Reavis, R., Keane, S., & Calkins, S. (2007). The role of emotion regulation and the student-teacher relationship in children’s academic success. Journal of School Psychology, 45, 3-19.   

Reavis, R., & Zakriski, A. (2005). Are home-schooled children socially at-risk or socially protected? Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Newsletter, 21(9), 1-5.

Conference presentations (Undergraduate co-authors are marked by an asterisk.)

Miller, S., Reavis, R., & Avila, B. (October, 2019). Executive function relates to social problem solving and friendship quality in middle childhood. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Cognitive Development Society, held in Louisville, October, 2019

Perkins, E.*, Park, S.*, Estrada, L.*, & Reavis, R. (April, 2019). Adults’ preference for praise. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, held in Chicago, April, 2019.

Ki, S.*, Khalifeh, L.*, Maganga, L.*, Perkins, E.*, Ross, M.*, Vieira, R.*, Wilson, A.*, & Reavis, R. (April, 2018). Person-focused praise (“hard worker”) does not influence growth mindset. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, held in Chicago, IL, April 2018.

Reavis, R., Miller, S., Khalifeh, L.*, Oxford-Jordan, K.*, Udo-Inyang, I.*, Fomukong, A.*, McConnell Rogers, M. (April, 2017). The role of praise in fixed and growth mindset. Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, held in Austin, TX.

Miller, S., Avila, B., & Reavis, R. (May, 2016). The role of cognition in friendship quality. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, in Chicago, IL.

Reavis, R., Miller, S., Kasikci, K.*, Webb, A.*, Galperin, O.*, Kenny, S.*, Hampp, A.*, & Flores, L.* (October, 2015). Sibling relationships and delay of gratification. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Cognitive Development, held in Columbus, OH, October 2015.

Neilsen, B., Miller, S., & Reavis, R. (October, 2015). Thoughtful friends: The relationship between friendship quality, executive function, and responses to friendship transgressions. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Cognitive Development, held in Columbus, OH, October 2015.

Galperin, O.*, Reavis, R., Miller, S., Lewis, G.*, Tierney, M.*, & Nielsen, B. (March, 2015). Gender differences in Theory of Mind and peer relationships. Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, held in Philadelphia, March 2015.

Nielsen, B., Welch, C., Miller, S., & Reavis, R. (March, 2015). The relationship between executive function, friendship quality, and responses to friendship transgressions. Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, held in Philadelphia, March 2015.

Reavis, R., Sage, M.*, Onunkwo, A.*, & Ebbs, J.* (February, 2015). Self-affirmation and vaccine safety messages. Poster presented at the 2015 biennial meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Long Beach, California.

Reavis, R., & Keane, S. (April, 2013). Withdrawal, aggression, and gender predict trajectories of peer-reported peer victimization across elementary school. Presented at 2013 meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, Seattle, Washington.

Reavis, R., Donohue*, L., & Berke-Williams*, E. (May, 2012). Daily experiences of negative peer treatment, peer help, and emotion. Poster presented at the 2012 meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.   

Gomez*, C., Jiménez*, J., & Reavis, R. (May, 2011). Who is a friend? Associations between friendship classification and socioemotional adjustment. Poster presented at the 2011 meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.   

Reavis, R., Keane, S., & Calkins, S. (March, 2010). Predicting changes in responses to peer provocation from childhood to pre-adolescence. Poster presented at the 2010 meeting of the Society for Research on Adolescence, Philadelphia, PA.   

Mendes*, A., Reavis, R., Kelleher, R., Keane, S., & Calkins, S. (March, 2010).  Predicting aggression: Moderating effects of maternal AD/HD and vagal regulation.  Poster presented at the Undergraduate  Research Expo at The University of North Carolina Greensboro.     

Zdravkovic, A., Reavis, R., Moore, J., Keane, S., & Calkins, S. (November, 2009). The combined effects of negative parenting and peer victimization on child hostile attribution bias. Poster presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy Annual Conference in New York City, NY.   

Mendes*, A., Reavis, R.,  Keane, S., & Calkins, S. (November, 2009). Predicting ODD/CD: Moderating and mediating effects of maternal depression, emotion regulation, and peer rejection.  Poster presented at the Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium at The University of North Carolina Wilmington.    

Dixon*, B., & Reavis, R. (May, 2009). AD/HD, academic achievement, and social maladjustment: Role of informant. Paper presented at the 2009 UNCG Research Excellence Conference.    

Reavis, R., Shuey, E., & Keane, S. (April, 2009). Peer victimization, friendship, and the self: Views from children and their friends. Poster presented at the 2009 meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Denver, CO.   

Reavis, R., Shuey, E., Keane, S., & Calkins, S. (May, 2008).  Trajectories of peer nominated aggressive behavior: The role of peer victimization and friendship.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science.   

Shuey, E., Reavis, R., Keane, S., & Calkins, S. (May, 2008). Trajectories of externalizing and peer liking across early elementary school.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.   

Graziano, P., Moore, J., Reavis, R., Keane, S., & Calkins, S. (April, 2008).  Temperament and children’s academic competence: The moderating role of socioeconomic status.  Poster presented at the biannual Conference on Human Development, Indianapolis, IN.   

Reavis, R., Zdravkovic, A., Shuey, E., Keane, S., Calkins, S., & O’Brien, M. (April, 2008).  Peer victimization and hostile attributions: The protective role of friendships.  Paper presented at the biannual Conference on Human Development, Indianapolis, IN.   

Shuey, E., Lawson, E., Reavis, R., Keane, S., & Calkins, S. (April, 2008).  Self-perceived competence with peers, peer liking, and problem behaviors.  Paper presented at the biannual Conference on Human Development, Indianapolis, IN.   

Reavis, R., Graziano, P., Keane, S., & Calkins, S. (May, 2007).  The role of the student-teacher relationship in promoting emotion regulation and decreasing maladaptive behavior.  Presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.   

Shuey, E., Keane, S., Reavis, R., & Calkins, S. (March, 2007).  Maternal responses to children’s negative emotions, parenting style, and kindergarten peer acceptance.  Presented at the 2007 meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Boston, MA.   

Reavis, R., Shuey, E., Keane, S., & Calkins, S. (April, 2006).  Predicting change in peer rejection.  Poster presented at the Conference on Human Development, Louisville, Kentucky.   

Reavis, R., & Keane, S. (September, 2005). Predicting early peer acceptance from toddler peer behavior. Paper presented at the 2005 Graduate Research Colloquium at UNCG.    

Graziano, P., Reavis, R., Keane, S., & Calkins, S. (August, 2005). The role of emotion regulation and the student-teacher relationship in children’s academic success. Presented at the 2005 meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.   

Reavis, R., & Zakriski, A. (April, 2005). Peer relations of home-schooled and traditionally schooled children. Presented at the 2005 meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Atlanta, GA.