Jennifer Beer

Dr. Jennifer Beer is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts. She holds roles in the Imaging Research Center and the Institute for Neuroscience. Her PhD is from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on social neuroscience, exploring self-processes, emotion regulation, and social cognition. Using methods like neuroimaging (fMRI) and behavioral observation, her lab investigates how self-perceptions and emotions influence social interactions. Recent work examines age-related dynamics in romantic relationships, linguistic patterns in social rejection, and the neural underpinnings of self-knowledge. Courses taught include advanced research methods and professional development in academic psychology. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding human social behavior.

Research highlights include studies on emotional capital in marriage, the impact of apologies in rejection scenarios, and motivational biases in social evaluations. She advocates for open science practices and has contributed to discussions on reproducibility in psychological research. Her lab, the Self Regulation Lab, integrates cognitive neuroscience and behavioral science to address questions about self-regulation and social functioning.

Publications span topics from conflict communication in aging couples to the role of medial prefrontal cortex in self-evaluation. While no specific awards are listed, her prolific output reflects sustained contributions to psychological science. Teaching responsibilities include seminars on grant writing and research ethics, emphasizing practical skills for academic careers.