Jeanine Skorinko is a professor of psychology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies. She also is the director of the Psychological & Cognitive Science program. She received her PhD in social psychology at the University of Virginia.
Her research program attempts to understand how factors in our social environment, especially those factors we are unaware of, influence decisions and interpersonal interactions. She investigates how different types of external and internal influences (e.g., subtle contextual signs, stereotypes/stigmas, perceptions of others, the ability to perspective take, cultural orientation) affect perceptions, decisions, and self-views, especially in the legal and organizational domains.
She is excited to put these areas of expertise at work as the PI on WPI's ADVANCE Adaptation grant from the National Science Foundation (2018-2022). Professor Skorinko and four WPI colleagues (Chrys Demetry, Natalie Farney, Elizabeth Lingo, and Sue Roberts) are coordinating efforts to improve the promotion pathway from Associate-to-Full for all faculty. The ultimate goal of this work is to increase gender (and other) representation among the senior ranks of faculty.
She is also excited to use her areas of expertise as Co-PI on a grant with Professor Venkatasubramanian from the Massachusetts Disabled Person's Protection commission to develop assistive technologies for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities recognize, respond, and report abuse.
Professor Skorinko also enjoys teaching and mentoring students. At WPI, Professor Skorinko teaches PSY1400: Introduction to Psychological Science, PSY1402: Social Psychology, PSY2406: Cross Cultural Psychology, PSY2407: Psychology of Gender, PSY2504: Human Sexuality, PSY 3000: Psychology and Law, and PSY3500: Experimental Design and Analysis.
She also happily accepts students to work and volunteer in her SPI (Social Psychology Inquiry) Lab and encourages students to contact her if interested.
Please also check out a special issue Professor Skorinko guest edited with Professors Giuliano and Fallon on engaging undergraduates in publishable research: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/8637/engaging-undergraduates...
Research Interests
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Professional Highlights & Honors
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Media Coverage
Jeanine Skorinko, professor of psychology, was mentioned in The New York Times article. Skorinko said people's behavior in the new, COVID-19 normal will reflect what they perceive others to be doing. "If your group keeps social-distancing rules, talks quietly, and avoids sharing drinks, you’re likely to follow suit," for example.
The Boston Herald reported on the work that Krishna Venkatasubramanian, assistant professor of computer science, and Jeanine Skorinko, professor of social science and policy studies, are doing on an app to help people with intellectual or developmental disabilities report abuse.