Getting to Know Dr. Charlton

Introduction

My path to UCA started in southeastern Idaho (near potato fields, though I never worked in one) and wound its way through the mountains of Utah, the streets of Chile and the beaches of California before landing here in the Natural State. After growing up in Idaho, I attended Utah State University, majoring in psychology and minoring in Spanish. The Spanish minor was the result of a two-year stint in Santiago, Chile, between my freshman and sophomore years. I returned to USU to complete my undergraduate degree with a flawed Chilean accent and a love for empanadas and pastel de choclo. My quest for knowledge and ocean views led me to the University of California, San Diego. There, I earned my master’s and Ph.D. in experimental psychology, studying choice behavior in pigeons and undergraduates (not simultaneously, I assure you). Here at UCA, I aim to blend Idaho charm, Utah humor, Chilean zest, and California zen into my teaching and research.

Where did you get your degrees?

Ph.D. – UC, San Diego (Experimental Psychology)
M.S. – UC, San Diego (Experimental Psychology)
B.A. – Utah State University (Psychology; minor in Spanish

What year did you start working in the department?

January of 2007.

What classes do you regularly teach?

PSYC 1310: Applications of Psychology

PSYC 4301/2: Psychology Apprenticeship

PSYC 4354: Judgment & Decision-Making

Do you have any hobbies, interests, or unique facts you would like to share?

For 21 years, my main “hobby” was keeping up with our three children—a role I’ve loved! As they’re discovering their new paths, I’m rediscovering some of my old passions: Reading: Fantasy, sci-fi, leadership, and science writing. My bookshelves are overflowing with books I’ve collected over the years…some of which I’ve read, many of which I can’t wait to read. Racquetball: Chasing a ball at high speeds around an enclosed room? I’m in. Pickleball is on my list for when Conway gets indoor and air conditioned courts. Sports: Enthusiastic watcher, occasional player. Basketball is my favorite, but I will watch almost anything that isn’t baseball. We are big supporters of our UCA basketball and volleyball teams. Traveling: Exploring new places, collecting stories. There is so much to see in the world and time spent in nature and exploring new places just energizes me.

What are your scholarly and/or applied interests?

My research focuses on the future of undergraduate psychology in the United States, including:

Enhancing the undergraduate psychology curriculum so that it serves students going to graduate school and direct to the workforce
Integrating technology – including AI – into the teaching of psychology
Creating flexible learning paths for non-traditional students The science, application, and technology of psychology offers powerful tools to address individual, social, and global problems. We need to make certain the design of our undergraduate psychology programs match the needs of our students and communities.

Dr. Charlton’s Recent Publications

Charlton, S., Sobel, K., Sobel, S. (4th ed., 2024, 3rd ed., 2023, 2nd ed., 2019, 1st ed., 2018; Early Release, 2017; Class Test Edition, 2016; UCA edition, revised, 2015, UCA edition, 2015). Psychology: The Science of Who We Are. Macmillan Publishers.

Charlton, S. R., Sobel, K. V., & *Rowe, J. M. (2024). Graduate admissions in psychology before and after the pandemic: GRExit comes to psychology. Teaching of Psychology, Advance Online Publication.

Sabey, C. V., Charlton, C., & Charlton, S. R. (2018). The “Magic” Positive-to-Negative Interaction Ratio: Benefits, Applications, Cautions, and Recommendations. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1177/1063426618763106

*Wood, R. S., Charlton, S. R., *Goodman, L. B., & *Thompson, S. R. (2018). The Effects of Perceived Attractiveness on Expected Opening Gambit Style. Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research, 23(3).

*Mills, S., Charlton, S. R., Rowley, B. M. (2016). Evaluation of Education and Other Influential Factors on the Perceptions of Influenza Vaccinations. Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, 70, 167 – 172.

Varghese, F. P., Charlton, S. R., **Wood, M., & *Trower, E. (2014). Temporal discounting and criminal thinking: Understanding cognitive processes to align services. Psychological services, 11(2), 171 – 178.