Alexander Dodson

Alexander Dodson is majoring in Psychology at Eastern Washington University. He is the Treasurer and President-Elect of EWU’s chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Alexander has been a Dean’s List student for every quarter he has attended Eastern Washington University. He is also a research assistant for Dr. Phil Watkins studying gratitude. For his 2022 McNair Research Internship, Alexander studied impression formation and trait attribution in a social media context with Dr. Amani El-Alayli as his mentor. This summer Alex and Dr. El-Alayli expanded their research, drawing implications on relational impacts from social media presentations. He is particularly interested in social psychology. After graduation Alexander is planning to pursue his PhD with the goal of continuing research and ultimately a career as a professor of Psychology.

2023 EWU Faculty Research Mentor: Dr. Amani El-Alayli

Research Title: Political Orientation Moderates Pride and American Flag Effects on Person Perception

Abstract: The priming of American cues can increase negative judgments of others (Ferguson & Hassin, 2007), and people tend to prefer those with similar political ideologies (Chambers et al., 2013). Thus, we predicted that an American flag in a social media profile would induce negative perceptions, while the rainbow Pride flag would induce positive perceptions, especially among more liberal participants. Participants viewed a fake Twitter profile with a Pride and/or American flag background and then rated the person on various characteristics. The American flag significantly increased perceptions of aggressiveness and general prejudiced attitudes, especially for liberal participants. Also as predicted, the Pride flag increased perceptions of positive traits only among liberals. Additionally, the Pride flag caused liberals to like the target more, but conservatives to like them less. A 3-way interaction on perceived anti-gay attitudes illustrated that the Pride flag provided a strong buffer against the negative effects of the American flag among liberal participants. If incorrect, assumptions from social media profiles may unfairly impact potential relationships and employment opportunities.

2022 EWU Faculty Research Mentor: Dr. Amani El-Alayli

Research Title: Effects of Flags on Judgments of Others in a Social Media Context

EWU McNair Scholar Alexander Dodson Awarded the Frances B. Huston Medallion Award

06/11/2024

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Alexander Dodson. Alexander has been selected to receive a 2024 Frances B. Huston Medallion Award. Recipients of the Frances B. Huston medallion award must have established themselves as exceptionally capable individuals in both academic and extracurricular activities. The faculty and the administration of Eastern Washington University acknowledge their great pride in … Read more

EWU McNair Scholar Alexander Dodson Publishes with Dr. Watkins!

06/07/2024

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Alexander Dodson! Alexander is a contributing author for “Gratitude and Happiness: The Causes and Consequences of Gratitude,” with Dr. Philip Watkins and former EWU graduate student Michael Frederick. This is a chapter in the book Happiness and Wellness – Biopsychosocial and Anthropological Perspectives edited by Floriana Irtellli and Fabio Gabrielli. … Read more

EWU McNair Scholar Alexander Dodson Accepted to the University of Chicago’s Master in Social Sciences-Psychology Program

04/02/2024

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Alexander Dodson! Alexander has been accepted to University of Chicago’s Masters in Social Sciences–Psychology (MAPSS-Psychology). University of Chicago’s MAPSS is a: [..]one-year interdisciplinary graduate program, the Master of Arts in the Social Sciences (MAPSS) offers students unmatched access to the renowned faculty and rich research resources of the University of Chicago. … Read more

EWU McNair Scholar Alexander Dodson Accepted to Ball State University Master’s program in Social Psychology

03/14/2024

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Alexander Dodson! Alexander has been accepted to Ball State University’s Master of Social Psychology. Bell State University emphasizes social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in all course. Bell State University’s program is designed to prepare students for both research and doctoral studies. Additionally: We are the only program in the … Read more

McNair Scholar Alexander Dodson Attends The Society for Personality and Social Psychology’s Annual Convention

03/06/2024

McNair Scholar Alexander Dodson attended the 2024 Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) Annual Convention. SPSP’s annual event took place in San Diego, California from February 8th-10th. Alexander presented his research conducted summer of 2023 with Dr. Amani El-Alayli, “Political Orientation Moderates Pride and American Flag Effects on Person Perception“. The conference included “attendees from academia, non-profits, … Read more

Graduating McNair Scholars Irie Browning, Alexander Dodson, and Richard Murphy Invited for Campus Visits

12/05/2023

This Fall, McNair Scholars Irie Browning, Alexander Dodson, and Richard Murphy were honored with invitations to visit potential Graduate programs. Irie visited Yale University and Northwestern University, Irie and Alexander visited Ohio State’s Department of Philosophy and Department of Psychology, and Richard was invited to a small open house with UC Berkeley Irie noted excitement … Read more

EWU McNair Scholar Alexander Dodson Completes Summer Research Internship

11/07/2023

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Alexander Dodson for completing his McNair Summer Research Internship! Alexander worked with mentor Dr. Amani El-Alayli on his summer 2023 research, “Political Orientation Moderates Pride and American Flag Effects on Person Perception“. His research was presented August 16, 2023 at the McNair Summer Research Symposium. Alexander expanded his 2022 research, hypothesizing “an American … Read more

Alexander Dodson Selected as an EWU McNair Scholar and Awarded Summer Research Internship

07/05/2022

Congratulations to new McNair Scholar Alexander Dodson! Alexander was selected by the McNair Scholars’ selection committee on the basis of his passion for research, commitment to attaining a PhD, and overall potential for success in graduate school. The federally-funded TRIO Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program at EWU selects motivated and talented juniors and seniors … Read more

13 McNair Scholars Present at EWU’s 2022 Student Research & Creative Works Symposium

06/08/2022

On May 11, EWU held the 2022 Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. The Symposium has been held virtually for the last two years, and being back in person allowed for a different level of engagement as scholars discussed their research (both proposed and completed) with fellow students, faculty, and the EWU community. Many scholars … Read more