Jennifer L. S. Borton Associate Professor and Acting Chair of Psychology Science Center 3032 Phone: (315) 859-4693 Fax: (315) 859-4807 E-mail: jborton@hamilton.edu

  

Education:

Scholarly/Research Interests

I study the intra- and interpersonal effects of suppressing personally relevant negative thoughts. With respect to the former, I have found in both laboratory and field experiments that suppressing negative self-referent thoughts results in more depressed and anxious mood and lower state self-esteem. I am currently exploring the predictors of suppressing such thoughts; in particular, I am investigating whether individuals with fragile self-esteem are more likely to suppress negative thoughts about themselves than are individuals with secure self-esteem. With respect to the interpersonal effects of suppression, I have found that women who suppress negative stereotypes about women's abilities display decreased confidence in an interaction with a male confederate, especially when they are high in stigma consciousness.

Publications (Hamilton student co-authors in red type)

Borton, J. L. S., Oakes, M. A., Van Wyk, M. E., & Zink, T. A. (2007). Using PsyScope to conduct IAT experiments on Macintosh computers. Behavior Research Methods.

Borton, J. L. S., & Casey, E. C. (2006). Suppression of negative self-referent thoughts: A field study. Self and Identity, 5, 230 - 246.

Borton, J. L. S., Markowitz, L. J., & Dieterich, J. (2005). Effects of suppressing negative self-referent thoughts on mood and self-esteem. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 24, 172 - 190.

Borton, J. L. S. (2002). The suppression of negative self-referent thoughts. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping, 15, 31-44.

Markowitz, L. J., & Borton, J. L. S. (2002). Suppression of negative self-referent and neutral thoughts: A preliminary investigation. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 30, 271-277.

Manuscripts Under Review (Hamilton student co-authors in red type)

Borton, J. L. S., Reiner, D. R., Vazquez, E. V., Ruddiman, J. F., & Anglin, S. M. (2008). Does suppressing the thought of a self-relevant stigma affect interpersonal interaction? Manuscript submitted for publication.

Borton, J. L. S., & Sadowsky, J. (2008). Defensive self-esteem and intrusive thinking. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Conference Presentations (Hamilton student co-authors in red type)

Borton, J. L. S., Crimmins, A., Leon-Atkins, K., & Sadowsky, J. (February 2008). Negative correlates of suppressing and ruminating about a traumatic event. Poster presented at the 9th annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Albuquerque, NM.

Borton, J. L. S., Oakes, M., Van Wyk, M. E., & Zink, T. A. (January 2007). Thought suppression and self-esteem.  Poster presented at the 8th annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Memphis, TN.

Borton, J. L. S., Reiner, D. R., Coggins, E. M., & Ghimis, G. A. J. (January 2006). Does suppressing the thought of a self-relevant stigma affect interpersonal interaction? Poster presented at the 7th annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Palm Springs, CA.

Borton, J. L. S., & Casey, E. C. (January 2004). Suppression of negative self-referent thoughts: A field study. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Austin, TX.

Borton, J. L. S., & Williams, N. P. (February 2002). Does action identification mediate underperformance following stereotype threat? Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Savannah, GA.

Borton, J. L. S., Snyder, M., & Omoto, A. (June 2001). Importance of similarity between clients and volunteers in long-term helping relationships. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Society, Toronto.

Borton, J. L. S. , & Dieterich, J. (April 2001). Cognitive and emotional effects of suppressing and reappraising negative self-referent thoughts. Paper to be presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.

Markowitz, L. J., & Borton, J. L. S. (April 2001). Suppression of negative self-referent and neutral thoughts. Poster to be presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.

Borton, J. L. S., & Dieterich, J. (February 2001). Cognitive and emotional effects of suppressing negative self-referent thoughts. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Antonio, TX.

Borton, J. L. S. (May 1998). The suppression of negative self-referent thoughts. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Silverman (Borton), J. L., & Snyder, M. (May 1996). To ask or not to ask: Effect of helpers' perceived motives on help-seeking. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Silverman (Borton), J. L., Haney, B., Gonzales, M. H., Borgida, E., & Rudman, L. A. (July 1995). A longitudinal study of noncompliance with with medical regimens: The case of kidney transplantation. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Society, New York, NY.

Research Grants, Honors and Awards

• Hamilton College Hewlett Pluralism and Unity Grant, 2003
  
• Levitt Center for Public Affairs Grant, Hamilton College, 1998-1999
• Kirkland Project for the Study of Gender, Society, and Culture Grant; Hamilton College, 1998-1999
• University of Minnesota Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, 1996-1997
• University of Minnesota Dissertation Research Funds Award, 1997

 Links to Psychology-Related Websites

• American Psychological Association
• American Psychological Society
• Eastern Psychological Association
• Society for Personality and Social Psychology
• Social Psychology Network
• Online social psychology studies

 

 

Page last updated 9/5/08

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