Dr. Heidi Riggio has worked with more than 30 undergraduate students and 35 graduate students on psychology research projects since 2005. As a social psychologist, Dr. Riggio’s research focuses on attitudes, personal relationships and social identity. Students collaborate on various research projects, using mainly survey research and experimentation. Current projects in the lab include:
- Political party, strength of identification and knowledge of and attitudes toward U.S. Presidents.
- Religious group, strength of identification and knowledge of and attitudes toward the Bible.
- Religiosity, benevolent and hostile sexism, and self-esteem among Christian adults.
- Self-efficacy in romantic relationships and sexual outcomes.
- Sexual shame: measurement and links with sexual and relationship outcomes.
- Religiosity and sexual outcomes for heterosexual and LGBTQ individuals.
Most of Riggio’s graduate students worked with her on research projects as Cal State LA undergraduate students. The master’s program is mentor-based, meaning that faculty choose whether they will work with graduate students, and with whom. Undergraduate students’ work in a research lab develops their research skills and establishes relationships with Cal State LA faculty key to mentoring students entering the graduate program.
Riggio’s students present their research at the Cal State LA Student Research Symposium, at professional meetings of the Western Psychological Association, the Association for Psychological Science and the American Psychological Association. Riggio and her students have made more than 85 paper and poster presentations and published 13 empirical journal articles. Several of her students have pursued doctorates in various areas of psychology (clinical, social, counseling, organizational behavior). Several former students are now teaching, including in Cal State LA’s psychology department. Other students hold managerial positions in professional and government organizations and yet others have attained master’s in other areas, including counseling. Students’ research experiences with faculty are highly valued in graduate programs. Master of arts programs commonly have an empirical thesis requirement, essential for evaluation of MA degrees and admission into doctoral programs in psychology.