Susan W. Langdon

Susan W. Langdon serves as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology at Bates College, where she contributes to the Psychology Department through teaching and interdisciplinary research. Her academic appointments focus on developmental and social psychology within undergraduate education.

Her educational credentials include a Doctor of Education in Developmental Studies and Counseling from Boston University (1992), a Master of Science in Sport Psychology from Purdue University (1989), and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brandeis University (1986).

Professor Langdon's research program spans three interconnected domains: First, she investigates conceptualizations of respect and their relationship to interpersonal peer dynamics across developmental stages. Second, she examines body image issues with particular attention to modern and ballet dancers, exploring connections between physical identity and psychological well-being. Third, she analyzes school climate factors influencing bullying behaviors and student intervention patterns in middle and high school settings, with recent work focusing on how perceptions of respect mediate anti-bullying actions. Her substance use research extends this framework to prescription stimulant misuse among college populations.

Her publication record demonstrates consistent focus on adolescent and young adult psychology through mixed-methods approaches. The research trajectory reveals evolving methodological sophistication from thematic analysis of respect concepts (2007) to multi-factor examination of bullying dynamics (2008) and comprehensive behavioral modeling of prescription drug misuse (2009), all centered on social-cognitive mechanisms in developmental contexts.

She maintains active mentorship of undergraduate researchers, exemplified by her collaboration with student Judson, R. on the 2009 prescription stimulant study published in Psychology, Health, and Medicine. Her teaching portfolio reflects this research integration through courses spanning foundational psychology, statistics, developmental psychology, health psychology, sport psychology, and adolescent diversity studies.