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. Alexander continued his work in Dr. Watkins’ lab, and collaborated with additional students and Dr. Watkins on the research and preparation for two subsequent conference presentations, “Exploring the cognititve context of gratitude to God: The importance of positive spiritual appraisals,” and “Gratitude sticks: How grateful memories maintain their positive impact.” They have also submitted a chapter for another book and are waiting to hear back!Alexander will be graduating this June with a major in Psychology and minors in Sexuality and Queer Studies and Anthropology. In addition to his work in Dr. Watkins’ lab, Alexander worked in Dr. Amani El-Alayli’s research lab both independently and collaboratively to design several novel, replication, and extension studies in person perception, stereotyping, and prejudice. Dr. El-Alayli served as Alexander’s mentor for his 2022 and 2023 McNair Summer Research Internships. Alexander presented his 2022 research, Effects of American and pride flags on our judgements of others, at the 2023 Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) conference, and his 2023 research, Political orientation moderates pride and American flag effects on person perception, at the SPSP conference in 2024. Alexander also presented a prospectus of his 2022 research at the 2023 EWU Research and Creative Works Symposium.
Alexander exemplifies making the most of his undergraduate experience. In addition to being a McNair Scholar, working in two professor’s labs, and presenting at multiple conferences, he has worked as a PLUS tutor in psychology, guest lectured on psychology and social psychology, acted as both president and treasurer of EWU’s Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology club, and volunteered as an Eagle Ambassador. Alexander was accepted by two Master’s programs: Ball State University’s Master’s program in Social Psychology and the University of Chicago’s Master in Social Sciences program. EWU McNair is so proud of Alexander and all of his accomplishments!
