Stephanie Shields | Penn State University (original) (raw)
Papers by Stephanie Shields
American Psychologist, 1975
The conceptual distinction between emotion and nonemotion subjective states was investigated in a... more The conceptual distinction between emotion and nonemotion subjective states was investigated in a series o f three studies. Three questions were addressed. First, is there high agreement among people in identifying labels for subjective states as either emotion or nonemotion? Second, in judgments' of the similarity of subjective states is the emotion-nonemotion distinction more or less salient than other properties of experience? Third, what criteria are used to distinguish conceptually between emotion and nonemotion states? Results indicated that, for many feeling states, there is no substantial agreement as to whether the state shouM be considered emotion or nonemotion, that the affective dimension of experience is not as salient as are other specific properties o f experience (physiological arousal, activity level valence), and that, in general people express their individual judgment of emotion-nonemotion on the basis of some nonspecific combination o f physiological arousal...
Psychology of Women Quarterly
Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy
Psychology of Women Quarterly
Using intersectionality to change how psychologists think about the demographic profile of their ... more Using intersectionality to change how psychologists think about the demographic profile of their participants is one readily available change that psychologists across the discipline can implement to improve psychological science. In this article, we aim to provide a guide for psychologists who are not already engaged with feminist practices and/or are unsure of how an intersectional approach to participants applies to their research. We argue that by engaging with four perspective shifts of intersectional thinking: multidimensionality, dynamic construction, structural power, and outcomes of systemic disadvantage and advantage, psychologists can more accurately represent the “person” that psychology, as a discipline, seeks to understand. We suggest changes at the researcher, journal, and grant-making agency levels to support an intersectional reconceptualization of participants. As psychology continues to change, in order to foster reproducible science practices and research with re...
Psychology of Men & Masculinity
Psychology of Women Quarterly, 2015
Important turning points in the history of feminist psychology can sometimes be traced to particu... more Important turning points in the history of feminist psychology can sometimes be traced to particular moments—specific publications or situations in which an individual or group sparked advancement of the field. Just as there are national milestones (e.g., formation of the American Psychological Association’s Division 35, the Society for the Psychology of Women and formation of the Association for Women in Psychology), there are also transformational moments with a local flavor, that is, events specific to a city, college/university, or specialization within psychology that play a role in the development of our field. In this article, I report the initial findings of a project aimed at collecting feminist psychologists’ first-person accounts of local events or activities (late 1960s to the present) that contributors believe have influenced, or are influencing, the development of feminist psychology, especially the scholarship of feminist psychology. Thus, this ongoing project focuses...
Psychology of Women Quarterly, 2016
Else-Quest and Hyde (2016) describe three epistemological perspectives that are commonly differen... more Else-Quest and Hyde (2016) describe three epistemological perspectives that are commonly differentiated by feminist theorists and that are relevant to research in psychology. They explore how each of these perspectives might inform quantitative research approaches to intersectionality theory. As we explain in detail elsewhere (Warner, Settles, & Shields, in press), one debate among scholars who study intersectionality is whether intersectionality is best conceptualized as a theory, as a framework, or as an approach to social activism. ElseQuest and Hyde distinguish intersectionality as a critical theory in contrast to a falsifiable ‘‘grand theory.’’ We refer to intersectionality as a theory here to be consistent with ElseQuest and Hyde’s framing of intersectionality as a critical theory in the context of discussing epistemology. We appreciate their focus on epistemology, because in psychology researchers do not typically articulate the theory of knowledge that underlies their scholarship. One exception is feminist scholars who reject positivist traditions, as their perspective and assumptions about knowledge and reality are at odds with the predominant viewpoint within the field. Dominant research in psychology, that is, ‘‘mainstream’’ research published in outlets that are granted high status and legitimacy in the field, operates under one of the two epistemic perspectives: (1) positivist epistemology, which assumes that there is an objective reality and truth that is discoverable, and that science is value neutral and without an opinion on the reality and the truth it seeks to find and (2) post-positivist (which includes feminist empiricism) epistemology, which asserts that bias can enter into research at any number of points in the process, but if bias is reduced or eliminated, science can discover reality. This latter perspective allows for scientists to attach values to the topics they study, for example, to note that sexism and racism are aversive social problems that should be eliminated (Campbell & Wasco, 2000; Eagly & Riger, 2014), as long as the scientific practice itself is not subverted by the intrusion of the scientist’s values. ElseQuest and Hyde go beyond epistemologies rooted in positivism to discuss ways of knowing that are more attuned to the questions raised by an intersectionality perspective, including social constructionism and standpoint epistemology. We argue below that Else-Quest and Hyde’s discussion of these three epistemological positions must be expanded to effectively show how intersectionality relates to each in psychological research. At a general level, it is important for researchers to be clear about their epistemic position. When position is left unstated, communication is made more difficult because researchers may have fundamentally different assumptions about knowledge, for example, whether research reveals ‘‘one truth’’ or how different people experience different realities. Further, there is a tendency to devalue scholarship that is different from a discipline’s dominant epistemological perspective. In psychology, intersectionality, which often employs social constructionist epistemologies, would fall into this group. A danger is that research undertaken outside the dominant epistemological perspective, such as intersectionality and other feminist scholarship, is dismissed as ‘‘bad science’’ because dominant assumptions about knowledge— how to know, who is the knower, and so on—place nondominant epistemological perspectives in the margin. In other words, dominant epistemological perspectives influence whether researchers view intersectionality and feminist scholarship as valuable; when these perspectives are not made explicit, however, what gets communicated is that this scholarship is weak or poorly constructed. Intersectionality, which challenges knowledge production that marginalizes people and their lived experiences (Cho, Crenshaw, & McCall, 2013), is susceptible to marginalization. In addition, by not articulating their own epistemic position, even if they occupy a favored position within the dominant framework, researchers may be unable or unwilling to see the ways in which their values and biases enter the research process; they may come
Feminist Perspectives on Building a Better Psychological Science of Gender, 2016
What does it mean to be emotional? And how might perceptions of emotionality be gendered? In this... more What does it mean to be emotional? And how might perceptions of emotionality be gendered? In this chapter, we discuss the importance of considering systems of power when conducting research on gender and emotion. We argue that two themes, namely intersectionality of social identities and hierarchies of power and status, provide the way forward for research on gender and emotion. To begin, we take a step back and summarize where investigation of the links between gender and emotion has brought us so far. Then, we discuss the research potential of intersectionality and power and offer suggestions for avenues of future study. Last, we provide concluding thoughts on other promising research strategies and methods that could advance the study of gender and emotion.
Group Dynamics and Emotional Expression, 2007
Authors' Note Portions of this chapter were presented in a poster at the meeting of the Inter... more Authors' Note Portions of this chapter were presented in a poster at the meeting of the International Society for Research on Emotions in Cuenca, Spain, in July 2002. We thank Randy Cornelius, Ursula Hess, and Pierre Philippot for their valuable comments on the manuscript. We also thank the undergraduate research assistants involved in collecting data: Susie Balazik, Maegan Dillman, Traci Lynn Frye, Lauren Kleha, and Dan Petrosky. We are grateful to Alice Eagly for providing access to her data on national stereotypes. Correspondence regarding this chapter should be addressed to Leah R. Warner, Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802. Email: lrw138@psu.edu. Cell phones. You never know what news a call might bring. And in a public place it can be difficult to get a handle on the roller-coaster of emotions that ensues. Chris is upset. News of the divorce is surprising, yet not totally unexpected. Making matters worse, the phone call comes at a restaurant while Chris sits with friends at the table, surrounded by a roomful of strangers. The news is too much. And then it happens – along with the growing anger, tears well up in Chris's eyes. Adults' tears can be powerful elicitors of concern and sympathy. Tears can also elicit scorn or suspicion regarding the crying person's motives. Crying prompts others to pay attention, which makes tears a powerful form of persuasion.
Journal of Travel Research
This study examines the patterns of change in tourists’ use of emotion regulation strategies (ERS... more This study examines the patterns of change in tourists’ use of emotion regulation strategies (ERSs) during a vacation, and their interactions with sociodemographic characteristics. Data were collected using an online survey and travel daily diaries. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that 152 participants exhibited significant differences in their use of five ERSs with positive emotions and two ERSs with negative emotions during their travel experience, suggesting use of ERSs varies over different stages of a vacation. In addition, some sociodemographic characteristics were found to play a significant role in explaining patterns of change in tourists’ use of ERSs with positive and negative emotions. These findings, which extend current emotion-based research in tourism, must be acknowledged by and incorporated into future research. Further, tourism professionals should account for the change in tourists’ use of ERSs during a vacation when planning travel itineraries and p...
American Psychologist, 1975
The conceptual distinction between emotion and nonemotion subjective states was investigated in a... more The conceptual distinction between emotion and nonemotion subjective states was investigated in a series o f three studies. Three questions were addressed. First, is there high agreement among people in identifying labels for subjective states as either emotion or nonemotion? Second, in judgments' of the similarity of subjective states is the emotion-nonemotion distinction more or less salient than other properties of experience? Third, what criteria are used to distinguish conceptually between emotion and nonemotion states? Results indicated that, for many feeling states, there is no substantial agreement as to whether the state shouM be considered emotion or nonemotion, that the affective dimension of experience is not as salient as are other specific properties o f experience (physiological arousal, activity level valence), and that, in general people express their individual judgment of emotion-nonemotion on the basis of some nonspecific combination o f physiological arousal...
Psychology of Women Quarterly
Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy
Psychology of Women Quarterly
Using intersectionality to change how psychologists think about the demographic profile of their ... more Using intersectionality to change how psychologists think about the demographic profile of their participants is one readily available change that psychologists across the discipline can implement to improve psychological science. In this article, we aim to provide a guide for psychologists who are not already engaged with feminist practices and/or are unsure of how an intersectional approach to participants applies to their research. We argue that by engaging with four perspective shifts of intersectional thinking: multidimensionality, dynamic construction, structural power, and outcomes of systemic disadvantage and advantage, psychologists can more accurately represent the “person” that psychology, as a discipline, seeks to understand. We suggest changes at the researcher, journal, and grant-making agency levels to support an intersectional reconceptualization of participants. As psychology continues to change, in order to foster reproducible science practices and research with re...
Psychology of Men & Masculinity
Psychology of Women Quarterly, 2015
Important turning points in the history of feminist psychology can sometimes be traced to particu... more Important turning points in the history of feminist psychology can sometimes be traced to particular moments—specific publications or situations in which an individual or group sparked advancement of the field. Just as there are national milestones (e.g., formation of the American Psychological Association’s Division 35, the Society for the Psychology of Women and formation of the Association for Women in Psychology), there are also transformational moments with a local flavor, that is, events specific to a city, college/university, or specialization within psychology that play a role in the development of our field. In this article, I report the initial findings of a project aimed at collecting feminist psychologists’ first-person accounts of local events or activities (late 1960s to the present) that contributors believe have influenced, or are influencing, the development of feminist psychology, especially the scholarship of feminist psychology. Thus, this ongoing project focuses...
Psychology of Women Quarterly, 2016
Else-Quest and Hyde (2016) describe three epistemological perspectives that are commonly differen... more Else-Quest and Hyde (2016) describe three epistemological perspectives that are commonly differentiated by feminist theorists and that are relevant to research in psychology. They explore how each of these perspectives might inform quantitative research approaches to intersectionality theory. As we explain in detail elsewhere (Warner, Settles, & Shields, in press), one debate among scholars who study intersectionality is whether intersectionality is best conceptualized as a theory, as a framework, or as an approach to social activism. ElseQuest and Hyde distinguish intersectionality as a critical theory in contrast to a falsifiable ‘‘grand theory.’’ We refer to intersectionality as a theory here to be consistent with ElseQuest and Hyde’s framing of intersectionality as a critical theory in the context of discussing epistemology. We appreciate their focus on epistemology, because in psychology researchers do not typically articulate the theory of knowledge that underlies their scholarship. One exception is feminist scholars who reject positivist traditions, as their perspective and assumptions about knowledge and reality are at odds with the predominant viewpoint within the field. Dominant research in psychology, that is, ‘‘mainstream’’ research published in outlets that are granted high status and legitimacy in the field, operates under one of the two epistemic perspectives: (1) positivist epistemology, which assumes that there is an objective reality and truth that is discoverable, and that science is value neutral and without an opinion on the reality and the truth it seeks to find and (2) post-positivist (which includes feminist empiricism) epistemology, which asserts that bias can enter into research at any number of points in the process, but if bias is reduced or eliminated, science can discover reality. This latter perspective allows for scientists to attach values to the topics they study, for example, to note that sexism and racism are aversive social problems that should be eliminated (Campbell & Wasco, 2000; Eagly & Riger, 2014), as long as the scientific practice itself is not subverted by the intrusion of the scientist’s values. ElseQuest and Hyde go beyond epistemologies rooted in positivism to discuss ways of knowing that are more attuned to the questions raised by an intersectionality perspective, including social constructionism and standpoint epistemology. We argue below that Else-Quest and Hyde’s discussion of these three epistemological positions must be expanded to effectively show how intersectionality relates to each in psychological research. At a general level, it is important for researchers to be clear about their epistemic position. When position is left unstated, communication is made more difficult because researchers may have fundamentally different assumptions about knowledge, for example, whether research reveals ‘‘one truth’’ or how different people experience different realities. Further, there is a tendency to devalue scholarship that is different from a discipline’s dominant epistemological perspective. In psychology, intersectionality, which often employs social constructionist epistemologies, would fall into this group. A danger is that research undertaken outside the dominant epistemological perspective, such as intersectionality and other feminist scholarship, is dismissed as ‘‘bad science’’ because dominant assumptions about knowledge— how to know, who is the knower, and so on—place nondominant epistemological perspectives in the margin. In other words, dominant epistemological perspectives influence whether researchers view intersectionality and feminist scholarship as valuable; when these perspectives are not made explicit, however, what gets communicated is that this scholarship is weak or poorly constructed. Intersectionality, which challenges knowledge production that marginalizes people and their lived experiences (Cho, Crenshaw, & McCall, 2013), is susceptible to marginalization. In addition, by not articulating their own epistemic position, even if they occupy a favored position within the dominant framework, researchers may be unable or unwilling to see the ways in which their values and biases enter the research process; they may come
Feminist Perspectives on Building a Better Psychological Science of Gender, 2016
What does it mean to be emotional? And how might perceptions of emotionality be gendered? In this... more What does it mean to be emotional? And how might perceptions of emotionality be gendered? In this chapter, we discuss the importance of considering systems of power when conducting research on gender and emotion. We argue that two themes, namely intersectionality of social identities and hierarchies of power and status, provide the way forward for research on gender and emotion. To begin, we take a step back and summarize where investigation of the links between gender and emotion has brought us so far. Then, we discuss the research potential of intersectionality and power and offer suggestions for avenues of future study. Last, we provide concluding thoughts on other promising research strategies and methods that could advance the study of gender and emotion.
Group Dynamics and Emotional Expression, 2007
Authors' Note Portions of this chapter were presented in a poster at the meeting of the Inter... more Authors' Note Portions of this chapter were presented in a poster at the meeting of the International Society for Research on Emotions in Cuenca, Spain, in July 2002. We thank Randy Cornelius, Ursula Hess, and Pierre Philippot for their valuable comments on the manuscript. We also thank the undergraduate research assistants involved in collecting data: Susie Balazik, Maegan Dillman, Traci Lynn Frye, Lauren Kleha, and Dan Petrosky. We are grateful to Alice Eagly for providing access to her data on national stereotypes. Correspondence regarding this chapter should be addressed to Leah R. Warner, Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802. Email: lrw138@psu.edu. Cell phones. You never know what news a call might bring. And in a public place it can be difficult to get a handle on the roller-coaster of emotions that ensues. Chris is upset. News of the divorce is surprising, yet not totally unexpected. Making matters worse, the phone call comes at a restaurant while Chris sits with friends at the table, surrounded by a roomful of strangers. The news is too much. And then it happens – along with the growing anger, tears well up in Chris's eyes. Adults' tears can be powerful elicitors of concern and sympathy. Tears can also elicit scorn or suspicion regarding the crying person's motives. Crying prompts others to pay attention, which makes tears a powerful form of persuasion.
Journal of Travel Research
This study examines the patterns of change in tourists’ use of emotion regulation strategies (ERS... more This study examines the patterns of change in tourists’ use of emotion regulation strategies (ERSs) during a vacation, and their interactions with sociodemographic characteristics. Data were collected using an online survey and travel daily diaries. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that 152 participants exhibited significant differences in their use of five ERSs with positive emotions and two ERSs with negative emotions during their travel experience, suggesting use of ERSs varies over different stages of a vacation. In addition, some sociodemographic characteristics were found to play a significant role in explaining patterns of change in tourists’ use of ERSs with positive and negative emotions. These findings, which extend current emotion-based research in tourism, must be acknowledged by and incorporated into future research. Further, tourism professionals should account for the change in tourists’ use of ERSs during a vacation when planning travel itineraries and p...