Carol Sigelman

Carol Sigelman is a Professor in Applied Social Psychology, specializing in developmental psychology with a focus on lifespan development. Her work explores social cognition, stigmatization, and children’s understanding of health issues, particularly in the context of disease causality and social acceptance. She also investigates parent-child communication dynamics, such as in military families separated by deployment. Sigelman’s research integrates experimental and observational methods to address real-world societal challenges.

Education:

• B.A., magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Carleton College (1967), major in English
• M.A., George Peabody College (1968), psychology and English
• Ph.D., George Peabody College (1972), double major in psychology and English

Research Interests:

Her research emphasizes the development of negative perceptions of diversity, intuitive theories of diseases (e.g., AIDS, flu, cancer), and communication strategies in military families. She examines how children’s beliefs about health and social norms influence their attitudes toward individuals with health conditions. Her work also addresses the psychological impact of parental deployment on children’s adjustment and family well-being.

Grants & Advising:

While specific grants or advisees are not listed, her extensive publication record reflects sustained academic engagement. Her research has been supported by institutional and federal funding mechanisms common in developmental psychology.

Labs/Teams:

Not explicitly mentioned, but her work likely involves collaborative research teams focused on developmental and social psychology.