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Department of Psychology News

The Department of Psychology offers students a broad foundation in fundamental psychological concepts. We also provide opportunities for students to take specialty courses and be involved in research and various applied settings. Our curriculum meets the needs of students intending to pursue advanced training in psychology, education, medicine, or other related fields.

Current Psychology News

spring flowers
Campus News |

The rosiest headlines and highlights featuring the students and faculty of UNLV.

Dustin Hines standing in front of white wall
People |

Neuropsychiatric disorder researcher finds success by setting goals just out of reach and sharing the journey to achieve them.

A UNLV student studies with the Strip in the distance.
Campus News |

Headlines and highlights featuring the students and faculty of UNLV.

Rochelle Hines smiling and sitting on couch
People |

Psychology professor's research helps provide a more thorough understanding of autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and developmental epilepsies.

Student looking down at laptop with LV Strip in background
Campus News |

University’s online nursing master’s programs, bachelor’s degree in psychology earn top 25 rankings in publication’s annual list of nation’s best online degree programs. 

A rear view of UNLV students, dressed in red caps and gowns, filtering into the Thomas & Mack Center with the stage in the background
Campus News |

An enduring UNLV end-of-semester tradition is to highlight exceptional students who embody the academic, research, and community impact of the graduating class.

Psychology In The News

Nevada Independent

The new federal administration has moved quickly and recklessly to fire large numbers of recently hired government employees and prevent congressionally appropriated funds from being spent. These actions have been felt especially acutely by scientists and health care workers across the nation and in other countries as well, because the administration has fired large numbers of employees who work for agencies such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.

Newsweek

A viral TikTok trend is captivating users as they analyze their facial features to determine if they achieve "facial harmony"—a balance where no single feature dominates, creating an overall attractive appearance. But why does this concept resonate so strongly?

Science Mag

Eating disorders represent a critical concern on college campuses, as they are increasingly recognized as one of the most pervasive mental health challenges among undergraduate students. Recent studies show a dramatic rise in the incidence of eating disorders, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated pre-existing mental health issues. Researchers at the University of Kansas have embarked on a groundbreaking initiative designed to address this urgent need. Their program, known as BEST-U, aims to leverage technology to improve the accessibility of treatments for students suffering from eating disorders, significantly increasing their chances of recovery.

Tes Magazine

“Students’ regular attendance at school and punctuality improved between 2018 and 2022 by two to five percentage points,” according to analysis of countries in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Marijuana Moment

In December 2020, Ben Strahan thought he’d lost the will to live. It had been a long, isolating year for the Reno-based wildland firefighter. The COVID pandemic was still in full swing, and that year’s fire season had been extreme.

Marijuana Moment

In December 2020, Ben Strahan thought he’d lost the will to live. It had been a long, isolating year for the Reno-based wildland firefighter. The COVID pandemic was still in full swing, and that year’s fire season had been extreme.

Psychology Experts

An expert on child psychology, anxiety, and school absenteeism
An expert in clinical psychology, psychopathy, emotions and personality traits.
An expert in depression, mHealth, and mental health of older adults.
An expert on eating disorders.
An expert in psychology, particularly the relationship between inner experience and mental health. 
An expert on the mental health of the LGBTQ population and HIV/AIDS research.

Recent Psychology Accomplishments

Kaelyn Griffin and Shane Kraus (both Psychology) and colleagues recently published three works as part of ongoing research collaborations through the UNLV Behavioral Addictions Lab.  The first paper, "An examination and validation of a short form of the Spiritual Abuse Questionnaire," was published in Spirituality in Clinical…
Joel Snyder (Psychology) and colleagues from around the world have published a Comment article in Nature Neuroscience titled, "What makes a theory of consciousness unscientific?" It is accompanied by replies from two other groups of authors and relates to an ongoing debate about the scientific merits of the integrated information theory of…
Daniel Allen (Psychology) was awarded $399,662 from Nevada Department of Health and Human Services and SAMHSA for the CHARGE UP program which provides coordinated specialty care treatment services to adolescents and young adults who are at high risk for developing a schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder.
Daniel Allen (Psychology) was awarded $1,297,604 from Nevada Department of Health and Human Services for the POWER program which provides coordinated specialty care services for adolescents and adults who have recently begun to experience symptoms of bipolar and related disorders.
Rakshitha Mohankumar, Katie T. Singsank, Brenna N. Renn (all Psychology) and Samantha E. John (Brain Health) recently published a chapter entitled "Mental Status Examination" in the text "Diagnostic Interviewing (6th Edition)." This guide for emerging and seasoned clinicians centers on clinical description and the pragmatics of “how to” conduct…
Kara Christensen Pacella (Psychology) was named a 2025 Association for Psychological Science Rising Star. According to APS, “this designation recognizes researchers whose innovative work has already advanced the field and signals great potential for their continued contributions.”