Social Psychology Network

Maintained by Scott Plous, Wesleyan University

Cynthia J. Najdowski

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As an associate professor in the University at Albany Department of Psychology, my research centers on understanding how social psychological phenomena shape criminal justice interactions in ways that produce miscarriages of justice for disadvantaged and victimized populations, including minorities, children, and women. My overarching goals are to advance the science of psychology while also translating my findings to improve criminal justice policy and practice.

I also enjoy serving as a mentor for graduate students who want to begin their own careers in research, as well as undergraduate students who want to learn about research and prepare for graduate school.

Primary Interests:

  • Applied Social Psychology
  • Attitudes and Beliefs
  • Causal Attribution
  • Culture and Ethnicity
  • Intergroup Relations
  • Interpersonal Processes
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Law and Public Policy
  • Neuroscience, Psychophysiology
  • Nonverbal Behavior
  • Prejudice and Stereotyping

Research Group or Laboratory:

Books:

Journal Articles:

  • Najdowski, C. J. (2017). Legal responses to nonconsensual pornography: Current policy in the United States and future directions for research. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 23, 154-165.
  • Najdowski, C. J. (2011). Stereotype threat in criminal interrogations: Why innocent Black suspects are at risk for confessing falsely. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 17, 562-591.
  • Najdowski, C. J. (2010). Jurors and social loafing: Factors that reduce participation during jury deliberations. American Journal of Forensic Psychology, 28(2), 39-64. Reprinted in American Journal of Forensic Psychiatry, 31(3), 49-76.
  • Najdowski, C. J., & Bottoms, B. L. (2015). Effects of jurors’ gender and attitudes toward intellectual disability on judgments in cases involving disabled juvenile defendants. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 26, 407-424.
  • Najdowski, C. J., & Bottoms, B. L. (2012). Understanding jurors’ judgments in cases involving juvenile defendants: Effects of confession evidence and intellectual disability. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 18, 297-337.
  • Najdowski, C. J., Bottoms, B. L., & Goff, P. A. (2015). Stereotype threat and racial differences in citizens’ experiences of police encounters. Law and Human Behavior, 39, 463-477.
  • Najdowski, C. J., Bottoms, B. L., Stevenson, M. C., & Veilleux, J. C. (2015). A historical review and resource guide to the scholarship of teaching and training in psychology and law and forensic psychology. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 9, 217-228.
  • Najdowski, C. J., Bottoms, B. L., & Vargas, M. C. (2009). Jurors’ perceptions of juvenile defendants: The influence of intellectual disability, abuse history, and confession evidence. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 27, 401-430.
  • Najdowski, C. J., Cleary, H. M. D., & Stevenson, M. C. (2016). Adolescent sex offender registration policy: Perspectives on general deterrence potential from criminology and developmental psychology. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 22, 114-125.
  • Najdowski, C. J., & Ullman, S. E. (2011). The effects of revictimization on coping and depression in female sexual assault victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 24, 218-221.
  • Najdowski, C. J., & Ullman, S. E. (2009). PTSD and self-rated recovery among adult sexual assault survivors: The effects of traumatic life events and psychosocial variables. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 33, 43-53.
  • Najdowski, C. J., & Ullman, S. E. (2009). Prospective effects of sexual victimization on PTSD and problem drinking. Addictive Behaviors, 34, 965-968.
  • Salerno, J. M., Najdowski, C. J., Bottoms, B. L., Kemner, G.,* Dave, R., & Harrington, E. (2015). Excusing murder? Conservative jurors’ acceptance of the gay panic defense. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 21, 24-34.
  • Stevenson, M. C., Najdowski, C. J., Salerno, J. M., Wiley, T. R. A., Bottoms, B. L., & Sorenson, K. M. (2015). The influence of a juvenile's abuse history on support for sex offender registration. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 21, 35-49.
  • Stevenson, M. C., Najdowski, C. J., & Wiley, T. R. A. (2013). Knowledge of juvenile sex offender registration laws as a predictor of adolescent sexual behavior. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 22, 103-118.
  • Stevenson, M. C., Najdowski, C. J., & Wiley, T. R. A. (2013). Knowledge of juvenile sex offender registration laws as a predictor of adolescent sexual behavior. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 22, 103-118.
  • Thompson, R., Dancy, B. L., Wiley, T. R. A., Najdowski, C. J., Perry, S. P., Wallis, J., Mekawi, Y., & Knafl, K. (2013). African American families' expectations and intentions for mental health services. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 40, 371-383.
  • Ullman, S. E., Najdowski, C. J., & Adams, E. (2012). Women, Alcoholics Anonymous, and related mutual aid groups: Review and recommendations for research. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 30, 443-486.

Courses Taught:

Cynthia J. Najdowski
Department of Psychology
University at Albany, SUNY
1400 Washington Avenue, SS 399
Albany, New York 12222
United States of America

  • Phone: (518) 591-8786

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