Professor
Social Psychology
PhD (2000), University of North Carolina

Website: Dr. Davis' Teaching and Research

Research Interests

I have three research areas: close relationships, conservation psychology, and educational psychology. My first research interest is examining processes related to relationship maintenance, such as forgiveness and attitude alignment. My second research interest is examining antecedents and consequences of felt commitment to the natural environment. My third research interest is examining the psychology of teaching and learning.

• Might forgiving an offense by your partner increase or restore how meaningful you feel your life is?
• What leads people to perceive greater interdependence with the environment? How does their commitment to the environment predict pro-environmental behavior?
• How good are we at predicting our future happiness or sadness regarding hurtful offenses in our romantic relationships?
• Would you prefer to explore a modern art museum or wilderness trail by yourself or with your romantic partner? Your level of attachment anxiety or avoidance may predict your preference!

Select Publications

Goodman, R., Trapp, S., Park, E., & Davis, J. L. (2021). Opening minds by supporting needs: Autonomy and competence support facilitates mindfulness and academic performance. Social Psychology of Education.

Coy, A. E., Davis, J. L., Green, J. D., & Etcheverry, P. E. (2019). A dyadic model of investments: Partner effects on commitment. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36, 3471-3491.

Reid, C. A., Green, J. D., & Davis, J. L. (2018). Attitude alignment increases trust, respect, and perceived reasoning ability to produce attraction. Personal Relationships, 25, 171-189.

Davis, J. L., Le, B., Coy, A. E., Rickert, J., Regan, B., & Ridgeway, K. (2015). Commitment to the environment: The role of subjective norms in college and community samples. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 45, 568-583.

Davis, J. L., Le, B., & Coy, A. C. (2011). Building a model of commitment to the environment to predict ecological behavior and willingness to sacrifice. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 31, 257-265.

Recent Courses

• Interpersonal Relations (online and face-to-face), undergraduate level
• Social Psychology (online and face-to-face), undergraduate level
• Practicum in the Teaching of College Psychology, graduate level

Awards

• Outstanding Service Award, VCU Psychology Department, 2022
• Outstanding Teaching Award, VCU Psychology Department, 2014
• Outstanding Teaching Award, VCU Psychology Department, 2011