معرفی
John Houser is a Teaching Assistant Professor and Academic Advisor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). He holds a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology (Developmental) from the University of Oklahoma (2011), an M.S. from the same program (2008), and a B.A. in Psychology from SUNY Albany (2005). His expertise centers on adolescent peer relationships, particularly the interplay between peer status (preference vs. popularity), aggression, and risk-taking behaviors. Prior to UNR, he spent five years at Northern Arizona University as a lecturer teaching lifespan development and research methods.
- Education: Ph.D. Experimental Psychology (2011), M.S. Experimental Psychology (2008), B.A. Psychology (2005)
Research interests include the differentiation of social acceptance and popularity constructs, the role of relational aggression in peer networks, and the understudied dynamics of popularity beyond high school. Though currently inactive in direct research, his work has explored fraternities/sororities and mutual antipathies in adolescent groups. He teaches courses on adolescent psychology, psychology & public policy, and visual language analysis.
Publications span undergraduate research pedagogy and peer dynamics, including work published in Journal of Youth and Adolescence and a chapter in the Popularity in the Peer System anthology. Mentoring undergraduate researchers has been a consistent focus throughout his career.
