Justin L. Matthews

Justin L. Matthews is a Professor of Psychology at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. He specializes in experimental psychology with extensive expertise in social cognition, experimental design, research methods, and statistics, teaching courses including Introduction to Research Methods and Advanced Psychological Statistics.

Dr. Matthews earned his PhD in Cognitive & Information Sciences from UC Merced (2011-2014), following an MS in Social & Cognitive Science from the same institution (2006-2011), and both MA and BA in Psychology from California State University, Fresno (2002-2005 and 2000-2002). As a first-generation college graduate from California's central San Joaquin Valley, he brings unique perspective to his academic work.

His research consistently explores the intersection of spatial and social cognition, examining how concepts like friendship influence physical distance perception, how virtual experiences affect bodily descriptions of artifacts, and how media representations shape perceptions of gender and status. His work bridges theoretical cognitive psychology with practical applications in education, digital heritage preservation, and social justice issues.

Dr. Matthews' scholarly output demonstrates sustained productivity across multiple domains, with recent publications focusing on forensic psychological assessment, writing skills in psychology education, and virtual reality applications in cognitive research. His methodological approach combines experimental design with innovative technological applications.

• CSUMB Faculty Senate Award for Outstanding Teaching - Immediate Impact (2024)
• Fresno State Psychology Department Alum of the Year Award (2024)
• CSUMB Faculty Senate Award for Excellence in Professional Application (2020)

He has served on the Monterey County Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights Advisory Commission (2016-2021) and is an active advocate for LGBTQIA+ visibility in STEM as part of the @500QueerSci community. His commitment to science communication and inclusive education is evident throughout his professional activities and public engagement.