Sarah Murnen is a social psychologist who studies gender-related issues from a feminist, socio-cultural perspective. Specifically, Murnen examines how the status difference between women and men in American society might be developed and maintained through various gender-related behaviors.
Murnen has conducted research on the relationship between the male gender role and the perpetration of sexual violence and how the female gender role is related to body dissatisfaction. She is currently interested in Objectification Theory, which states that the ubiquitous treatment of women as bodies in society, combined with a very unrealistically thin body ideal for women, leads some women to internalize objectification and become preoccupied with their appearance. This can lead to body-related problems including eating disorders.
In much of her research, Murnen uses meta-analysis to statistically combine results across a large number of studies on a topic. Her teaching interests include statistics…
Read More
Sarah Murnen is a social psychologist who studies gender-related issues from a feminist, socio-cultural perspective. Specifically, Murnen examines how the status difference between women and men in American society might be developed and maintained through various gender-related behaviors.
Murnen has conducted research on the relationship between the male gender role and the perpetration of sexual violence and how the female gender role is related to body dissatisfaction. She is currently interested in Objectification Theory, which states that the ubiquitous treatment of women as bodies in society, combined with a very unrealistically thin body ideal for women, leads some women to internalize objectification and become preoccupied with their appearance. This can lead to body-related problems including eating disorders.
In much of her research, Murnen uses meta-analysis to statistically combine results across a large number of studies on a topic. Her teaching interests include statistics, psychology of women, research methods to study gender, and seminar on sexual violence. In addition to conducting research with students, Murnen collaborates with colleagues Linda Smolak and Michael Levine.
Areas of Expertise
Statistics, research methods, gender and social issues, sexuality.
Education
1988 — Doctor of Philosophy from SUNY Center Albany
1984 — Bachelor of Science from Bowling Green St Univ Bwlng Gr, Phi Beta Kappa
Courses Recently Taught
AMST 493
IS: Women of Legend of Zelda
AMST 493
Individual study is an exceptional opportunity available to junior or senior majors who find that the ordinary course offerings at Kenyon do not meet their needs for the major. Individual study may be taken only for 0.5 units of credit. Students must have the approval of the department chair in order to apply to enroll in an individual study. Students must present a detailed reading list and syllabus, including a schedule of assignments/projects and due dates, to the American studies faculty member with whom they choose to work. The faculty member who agrees to supervise and direct the individual study will confirm the syllabus and schedule in writing to the director of the program. The student project must culminate in a public presentation. The overall evaluation is a combination of student self-evaluation and faculty assessment of the student’s performance, both of which will be reported to the department chair along with the final grade assigned in the course. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar’s deadline.
PSYC 150
Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
PSYC 150
In this course students will learn the basics of research in psychology. Students will participate in research projects conducted across different areas of psychology, which might involve observation and interviewing, psychological tests and measures, physiological measures, and computerized tasks. Students will learn about issues of reliability and validity in psychological research, as well as ethical issues associated with psychological research. Students will learn techniques for descriptive statistical analysis of their data, and they will communicate their research findings both orally and in writing, using the writing style of the American Psychological Association. This course is designed for first-year and sophomore students planning to major in psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 110 or AP score of 5. Typically offered every semester.
PSYC 200
Statistical Analysis in Psychology
PSYC 200
This course is for psychology majors (or intended majors). Students will learn to conduct a variety of statistical tests that are commonly used in psychological research. The course also builds the skills of choosing the appropriate statistical tests for particular research designs and writing and interpreting the results of statistical analyses. The computer statistical package SPSS will be used. This counts toward the foundations requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 110 or AP score of 5. Generally offered every semester.
PSYC 344
Human Sexual Behavior
PSYC 344
This course examines the biological, psychological and social bases of human sexuality. Topics include the physiology of sex functions, variations of sexual behavior, nature and treatment of sexual malfunctions, sexual identity and attitudes, differences in sexual behavior and the social dynamics of sexual interaction. This counts toward the sociocultural perspectives requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 110 or AP score of 5. Generally offered every year.
PSYC 346
Psychology of Women
PSYC 346
Psychological research about women is examined critically in this course. Topics such as gender differences, gender stereotypes, eating disorders, and violence against women will be addressed with particular attention to the effects of sociocultural factors. The class will use a variety of learning tools, such as conducting projects, analyzing research articles, engaging in discussion and taking exams. This counts toward the sociocultural perspectives requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 110 or AP score of 5. Generally offered every year.
PSYC 425
Advanced Research Methods to Study Gender
PSYC 425
Science is a valuable tool for understanding the world, but when dealing with the issue of gender, it has often been applied in flawed ways. A feminist critique of science has helped us understand both the limits and the possibilities of examining issues related to gender from a scientific perspective. In this course we will consider the application of feminist theories and methods to understanding psychological issues related to gender. You will critically analyze various research articles, conduct two class research projects and prepare written reports of the results, and develop your own proposal for a piece of independent psychological research related to gender. This counts toward the advanced research requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 250 and one of the following: PSYC 323, 325, 326, 346 and WGS 111. Offered occasionally.
PSYC 450
Advanced Research in Psychology Laboratory
PSYC 450
Students conducting advanced research in psychology will work with a faculty member and possibly a small group of students to conduct research in the faculty member’s research area. Students will critically analyze published research in the topic area and collect, analyze and write reports on data they have collected with a small group of students. Students will be expected to work independently and collaboratively and the course will emphasize effective written and oral communication. Students who enroll in two semesters of advanced research on a particular topic can substitute this experience for a research methods course on that topic (e.g., two semesters of advanced research in personality counts the same as the one-semester research methods in personality course). This course is offered only on a credit/no credit basis. When taken for two semesters, this counts toward the advanced research requirement for the major. Permission of instructor required.Prerequisite: PSYC 150, 250 and related intermediate level study.
PSYC 475
Psychology Senior Seminar
PSYC 475
The psychology senior seminar is a required course for senior psychology majors. Each section will have a different topic, but in every seminar students will read and discuss psychological literature, write and discuss critiques of research articles, develop a review paper on a topic in psychology develop a research proposal on a topic in psychology, and make a formal oral presentation to the class. This counts toward the senior capstone requirement for the major. Prerequisite: senior standing and psychology major. Offered every fall.
PSYC 493
Individual Study
PSYC 493
Individual study in psychology allows students the opportunity to pursue research on a topic of special interest. The course is designed in consultation with a faculty mentor. The level of credit can range from 0.25 to 0.5 unit of credit and students may take more than one semester of individual study. Typically, only juniors or seniors may pursue this option. To enroll, a student must first identify a member of the psychology department who is willing to mentor the project. The student must give the department chair a written description of the project, including the nature of the proposed work and a list of references. The project should include reading and reviewing scientific literature and will likely entail a research project in which original data are collected. The student and faculty member are expected to meet, on average, once a week. The final project will likely be a paper written in the style of the American Psychological Association. Additional assignments may be required as well &emdash; for example, a public presentation. The amount of work required for the individual study should approximate that required of other 300-level psychology courses. It is possible for students to pursue a group project but more work will be expected for the completed project, and each student will write her or his own individual paper. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar’s deadline.
PSYC 497Y
Senior Honors
PSYC 497Y
This is a program for senior candidates for honors in psychology, culminating in a senior honors thesis. The course will consist of a research project in some area of psychology. A student who wishes to conduct an honors project must meet each of the following three criteria: (1) the student must have a GPA of 3.5 in psychology and an overall GPA of 3.3; (2) the student must have participated in a psychology department-approved research experience (which might be research in a research methods course, independent study or summer lab work); and (3) the student must have completed a minimum of 4 units in psychology and have taken the appropriate core courses for the proposal before the senior year. Students enrolled in this course will be automatically added to PSYC 498Y for the spring semester. Permission of instructor and department chair required.
PSYC 498Y
Senior Honors
PSYC 498Y
This is a program for senior candidates for honors in psychology, culminating in a senior honors thesis. The course will consist of a research project in some area of psychology. A student who wishes to conduct an honors project must meet each of the following three criteria: (1) the student must have a GPA of 3.5 in psychology and an overall GPA of 3.3; (2) the student must have participated in a psychology department-approved research experience (which might be research in a research methods course, independent study or summer lab work); and (3) the student must have completed a minimum of 4 units in psychology and have taken the appropriate core courses for the proposal before the senior year. Permission of instructor and department chair required.
WGS 111
Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies
WGS 111
This course will introduce students to the interdisciplinary field of women’s and gender studies. It will provide students with critical frameworks for thinking about the social construction of gender at the personal and institutional levels. Emphasis will be placed on diverse women’s significant contributions to knowledge and culture; to other areas of gender studies, including men’s studies, family studies and the study of sexuality; and to the intersections of various forms of oppression both within and outside of the U.S. The course will include both scholarly as well as personal texts, visual as well as written text. This counts toward the introductory requirement for the major. Offered every semester.
WGS 150
Gender and Race in Popular Culture
WGS 150
In this class we will examine how popular culture (e.g., media) represents gender through making observations, reading background theory, examining content analysis research and conducting our own research. We will examine the extent to which popular culture depicts gender-stereotyped behavior, the content of the gender stereotypes, the possible reasons why stereotypes are portrayed and the likely effects of these stereotypes on the behavior of individuals and the structure of society. To the extent that it is possible, we will examine the intersection of stereotypes about gender with those associated with race/ethnicity, social class, age and sexuality. This course satisfies the quantitative reasoning requirement because students will learn about descriptive statistics and put them to use by conducting their own content analysis (in a small group) and presenting and writing about the results of their research. In a service-learning component to the course students will develop a media literacy lesson for high school students based on what they learn about their topic. This course is designed for first-year students. This counts toward the introductory requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Offered occasionally.
WGS 493
IS: Gendered Halloween Costume
WGS 493
Individual study enables students to examine an area not typically covered by courses regularly offered in the program. The course can be arranged with a faculty member in any department but must conform to the usual requirements for credit in the program: gender is a central focus of the individual study, and the course draws on feminist theory and/or feminist methodologies. The amount of work should be similar to that in any other 400-level course. Individual Study courses may be used toward the major or concentration. To enroll, a student should first contact a faculty member and, in consultation with that professor, develop a proposal. The proposal, which must be approved by the program director, should provide: a brief description of the course/project (including any previous classes that qualify the student), a preliminary bibliography or reading list, an assessment component (what will be graded and when) and major topical areas to be covered during the semester. The student and faculty member should plan to meet approximately one hour per week or the equivalent, at the discretion of the instructor. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar’s deadline.
WGS 493
IS: Self-Sexualization Study
WGS 493
Individual study enables students to examine an area not typically covered by courses regularly offered in the program. The course can be arranged with a faculty member in any department but must conform to the usual requirements for credit in the program: gender is a central focus of the individual study, and the course draws on feminist theory and/or feminist methodologies. The amount of work should be similar to that in any other 400-level course. Individual Study courses may be used toward the major or concentration. To enroll, a student should first contact a faculty member and, in consultation with that professor, develop a proposal. The proposal, which must be approved by the program director, should provide: a brief description of the course/project (including any previous classes that qualify the student), a preliminary bibliography or reading list, an assessment component (what will be graded and when) and major topical areas to be covered during the semester. The student and faculty member should plan to meet approximately one hour per week or the equivalent, at the discretion of the instructor. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar’s deadline.
WGS 493
IS: Adv Research in Sexuality
WGS 493
Individual study enables students to examine an area not typically covered by courses regularly offered in the program. The course can be arranged with a faculty member in any department but must conform to the usual requirements for credit in the program: gender is a central focus of the individual study, and the course draws on feminist theory and/or feminist methodologies. The amount of work should be similar to that in any other 400-level course. Individual Study courses may be used toward the major or concentration. To enroll, a student should first contact a faculty member and, in consultation with that professor, develop a proposal. The proposal, which must be approved by the program director, should provide: a brief description of the course/project (including any previous classes that qualify the student), a preliminary bibliography or reading list, an assessment component (what will be graded and when) and major topical areas to be covered during the semester. The student and faculty member should plan to meet approximately one hour per week or the equivalent, at the discretion of the instructor. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar’s deadline.
WGS 493
IS: Girl's Empowerment
WGS 493
Individual study enables students to examine an area not typically covered by courses regularly offered in the program. The course can be arranged with a faculty member in any department but must conform to the usual requirements for credit in the program: gender is a central focus of the individual study, and the course draws on feminist theory and/or feminist methodologies. The amount of work should be similar to that in any other 400-level course. Individual Study courses may be used toward the major or concentration. To enroll, a student should first contact a faculty member and, in consultation with that professor, develop a proposal. The proposal, which must be approved by the program director, should provide: a brief description of the course/project (including any previous classes that qualify the student), a preliminary bibliography or reading list, an assessment component (what will be graded and when) and major topical areas to be covered during the semester. The student and faculty member should plan to meet approximately one hour per week or the equivalent, at the discretion of the instructor. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar’s deadline.
WGS 493
IS: The GLOW Program
WGS 493
Individual study enables students to examine an area not typically covered by courses regularly offered in the program. The course can be arranged with a faculty member in any department but must conform to the usual requirements for credit in the program: gender is a central focus of the individual study, and the course draws on feminist theory and/or feminist methodologies. The amount of work should be similar to that in any other 400-level course. Individual Study courses may be used toward the major or concentration. To enroll, a student should first contact a faculty member and, in consultation with that professor, develop a proposal. The proposal, which must be approved by the program director, should provide: a brief description of the course/project (including any previous classes that qualify the student), a preliminary bibliography or reading list, an assessment component (what will be graded and when) and major topical areas to be covered during the semester. The student and faculty member should plan to meet approximately one hour per week or the equivalent, at the discretion of the instructor. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar’s deadline.
WMNS 493
Individual Study
WMNS 493
Individual study enables students to examine an area not typically covered by courses regularly offered in the program. Typically, such students are juniors or seniors who have sufficient research and writing skills to work very independently. The course can be arranged with a faculty member in any department but must conform to the usual requirements for credit in the program: gender is a central focus, and the course draws on feminist theory and/or feminist methodologies. The amount of work should be similar to that in any other 400-level course. To enroll, a student should first contact a faculty member and, in consultation with that professor, develop a proposal. The proposal, which must be approved by the program director, should provide: a brief description of the course/project (including any previous classes that qualify the student), a preliminary bibliography or reading list, an assessment component (what will be graded and when), and major topical areas to be covered during the semester. The student and faculty member should plan to meet approximately one hour per week or the equivalent, at the discretion of the instructor. Proposals should be planned well in advance, preferably the semester before the proposed project.
Academic & Scholarly Achievements
In Press
Murnen, S. K., & Smolak, L. (in press). "I'd rather be a famous fashion model than a famous scientist." The rewards and costs of internalizing sexualization. In E. Zurbriggen and T.A. Roberts (Eds.). The Sexualization of Girls and Girlhood. Oxford University Press.
2012
Graff, K.*, Murnen, S. K., & Smolak, L. (2012). Too sexualized to be taken seriously? Perceptions of a girl in childlike vs. sexualizing clothing. Sex Roles, 66, 764-775.
2012
Murnen, S. K., & Smolak, L. (2012). Social considerations related to adolescent girls' sexual empowerment: A response to Lamb and Peterson. Sex Roles, 66, 725-735.
2012
Murnen, S. K. & Seabrook, R.* (2012). Feminist perspectives on body image and physical appearance. In T. Cash (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Body Image and Human Appearance, Vol. 1, pp. 438-443. San Diego: Academic Press.
2012
Murnen, S. K. & Don, B. P.* (2012). Body image and gender roles. In T. Cash (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Body Image and Human Appearance, Vol. 1, pp. 128-134. San Diego: Academic Press.
2011
Goodin, S. M.*, Van DenBurg, A.*, Murnen, S. K., & Smolak, L. (2011). "Putting on" sexiness: A content analysis of the presence of sexualizing characteristics in girls' clothing. Sex Roles, 65, 1-12.
2010
Clarke, P. M,* Murnen, S. K., & Smolak, L. (2010). Development and psychometric evaluation of a quantitative measure of ''fat talk.'' Body Image, 7, 1-7
2009
Murnen, S. K., & Smolak, L. (2009). Are feminist women protected from body image problems? A meta-analytic review of relevant research. Sex Roles, 60, 186-197.
2007
Murnen, S. K., & Kohlman, M. H. (2007). Athletic Participation, Fraternity Membership, and Sexual Aggression among College Men: A Meta-Analytic Review. Sex Roles, 57,145-157.
*indicates Kenyon student