Ross B. Steinman

Ross B. Steinman serves as Professor of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences at Widener University, specializing in the intersection of psychology and business. His expertise spans consumer behavior, brand transgression analysis, and implicit attitude measurement methodologies.

Education:

• PhD in Consumer Psychology/Industrial, Temple University, 2004

Research Focus: Dr. Steinman investigates how consumers respond to brand transgressions through variables like brand personality, ethnocentrism, and cultural identity. His secondary research explores automatic consumer decision-making using indirect measurement instruments such as the Breadth-based Adjective Rating Task (BART), revealing subconscious components of brand relationships and cross-cultural behavioral patterns. This dual focus bridges industrial-organizational psychology with marketing science.

Publication Trends: His 2009-2012 publications demonstrate consistent exploration of brand transgression dynamics and implicit measurement techniques. Key themes include the mediating role of brand personality in consumer responses, cross-cultural differences in brand-country associations, and the development of novel instruments for assessing automatic consumer attitudes beyond conscious awareness.

Scientific Recognition:

• Widener University College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching (2013-2014)
• Widener University College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Award for Excellence in Research (2012-2013)
• Pi Gamma Mu Faculty Appreciation Award (2007-2008)

Academic Engagement: An enthusiastic educator who tailors instruction to diverse learning styles, Dr. Steinman is frequently consulted by major media outlets including USA Today, NBC Select, and CNN. His 2025 media appearances address contemporary consumer trends such as Gen X spending patterns, tariff impacts on purchasing behavior, and economic indicators in retail markets.