About
Susan Marie Andersen is a Professor of Psychology at New York University (NYU) since 1994, leading roles include Coordinator of the Doctoral Program in Social Psychology (2005-2008) and Director of Graduate Studies in Psychology (1993-1997, 2001-2002). Her research spans social cognition, personality, and clinical psychology, focusing on how past relationships shape present interpersonal dynamics through transference. She holds a PhD from Stanford University (1981) and a BA from UC Santa Cruz (1977).
Research interests:
- Primary: Mental representations of significant others, transference processes in social cognition, and their impact on identity formation.
- Secondary: Role of internal thoughts and emotions in self-definition.
- Tertiary: Future suffering schemas in depression, and identity change through new relationships.
Awards & Honors:
- Recipient of NYU’s Distinguished Teaching Medal (1996-1997).
- Golden Dozen Award for teaching excellence (1993).
- Harold J. Plous Award for junior faculty achievement (1986).
Advising & Leadership: Oversaw NYU’s Clinical Training program (1997) and shaped policies for service learning’s impact on youth development. Editor roles at Psychological Review, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and others. Served on multiple National Institute of Mental Health review panels.
