Social and Affective Science Lab
Lab Director
Gerald Young is the director of the Social and Affective Science Lab and an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Ohio University. He completed his Ph.D. at University of California, Berkeley.
Gerald investigates how social (e.g., social identity, social integration into groups) and affective (e.g., emotion regulation, emotion beliefs) processes influence one another and relate to mental health and well-being. He uses this knowledge to inform how to keep all people healthy and promote their thriving.
Gerald also loves to cook, spend time with family and friends, and watch sports and reality TV.
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Contact: geraldyoung@ohio.edu
Tayler Fusaro is a second year doctoral student in the SAS lab and the Experimental Psychology PhD program at Ohio University! She completed her undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Applied Communication Studies.
Tayler's current research examines how emotion experiences relate to emotion regulation and psychological well-being. She is also interested in decision making, social interaction and careless responding, to be explored at a later date.
In her free time Tayler likes to watch ice hockey (Go St. Louis Blues!!), cook, do puzzles, play games and spend time with her fiancé.
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Contact: tf478423@ohio.edu
Graduate Students
Ross Boley is a first year doctoral student in the Social and Affective Science Lab and the Experimental Psychology PhD program at Ohio University. He completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology at The Ohio State University and master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology at Xavier University.
His past research examined how people perceive others’ personality using the cues in their environments and employees’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility statements not fully implemented. His current research continues to investigate these social processes and how affect shapes them.
In his free time, Ross enjoys spending time with his wife, streaming TV shows and movies, and going on walks at local parks.
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Contact: rb324524@ohio.edu
Lauren Staigers is a senior undergraduate student pursuing a BA in Sociology-Criminology and Philosophy, and a BS in Psychology with a minor in Spanish and two certificates in Latin American Studies and Law, Justice, & Culture.
Lauren's past research has focused on political sociology and Latin American literature. Her current research focuses on the impact of adversary childhood experiences on social functioning within young adults emphasizing the importance of social learning theory.
She enjoys learning new ideas, disciplines, and cultures in her spare time, as well as hanging out with family and friends and participating in wellness and fitness activities.
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Contact: ls759221@ohio.edu
Research Assistants
Katelyn Morelock is an undergraduate freshman pursuing a BS in Psychology.
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Katelyn's research interests are continuing to develop through her experience working as a research assistant in the lab.
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In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking, creating ceramics, and spending time with family and friends.
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Contact: km192024@ohio.edu