Raymond Shaw

Raymond Shaw is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Merrimack College, affiliated with the School of Arts & Sciences. He directs the Performance, Affective, Intangible, and Transformative Educational Research (PAINTER) Lab. His research focuses on three key areas: the impact of personal/social context on memory, assessment of student learning outcomes in higher education, and statistical methods in psychology. Shaw holds a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Toronto, with prior degrees from the same institution and Georgetown University.

Education:

• Ph.D., Cognitive Psychology, University of Toronto
• M.A., Psychology, University of Toronto
• B.S., Psychology, Georgetown University

Research Interests:

• Memory and Cognition: Studies age-related changes in cognitive functioning and contextual influences on memory.
• Student Learning Outcomes: Explores how professors define and measure intangible educational goals (e.g., critical thinking), with projects like the Dreams of Learning Survey.
• Statistical Methods: Advocates for rigorous statistical training in psychology curricula to align with career demands.

Publications Trends: Shaw’s work bridges cognitive psychology and educational assessment. Recent articles emphasize methodological rigor in educational change (e.g., 2021 taxonomy paper) and challenges in measuring intangible learning outcomes. Earlier studies (e.g., 2000s) focused on aging-related cognitive processes and memory mechanisms.

Awards:

• 2001: Honorary Member, Alpha Sigma Lambda (National Honor Society for Continuing Education)

Lab and Collaborations: Leads the PAINTER Lab, collaborating with the CAMP research group. Engages in interdisciplinary projects on educational outcomes and psychological methodologies. Active in initiatives like the Dreams of Learning Project, which surveys faculty and alumni.