Ciara Atkinson

I am passionate about making psychological science accessible, engaging, and relevant for all students. I believe psychology truly comes alive when students can connect it to their everyday experiences, including understanding themselves, navigating relationships and making sense of the world around them. In my courses, we bring theory and research to life through hands-on activities and demonstrations, drawing meaningful connections between psychological science and real-world applications. My goal is to empower students to think like psychologists by encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and the use of scientific evidence to inform understanding and decision-making. 

I earned my Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Arizona in 2022. Following graduate school, I’ve worked as a research analyst and program evaluator with several campus units, including the Community Research, Evaluation and Development Team in the Norton School, Student Affairs, and the UA Cancer Center. Broadly, my research explores how societal expectations shape the roles and identities people pursue, and how these dynamics contribute to inequalities in helping-oriented occupations. 

Research Interests:

Selected Publications:

• Atkinson, C., Sandstrom, G. & Croft, A. (2023). People overestimate backlash against helpers who violate gender stereotypes: Experimental examination of a prosociality paradox. Sex Roles, 88, 268–289. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-023-01354-0
• Atkinson, C., Buie, H., Sandstrom, G., Aknin, L., & Croft, A (2021). Testing the GRIP: An empirical examination of the gender roles inhibiting prosociality model. Sex Roles, 85(7), 440-464. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-021-01229-2
• Croft, A., Atkinson, C., Sandstrom, G., Orbell, S., & Aknin, L. (2021). Loosening the GRIP (gender roles inhibiting prosociality) to promote gender equality. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 25(1), 66–92. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868320964615
• Croft, A., Atkinson, C., & May, A. M. (2021). Promoting gender equality by supporting men’s emotional flexibility. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 8(1), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1177/2372732220984491

Courses Taught: 

• PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology  (2026)
• PSY 150 – The Structure of Mind and Behavior (2025)
• PSY 290A – Research Methods (2026)
• PSY 360 - Social Psychology (2025)
• PSY 381 – Abnormal Psychology (2026)
• PSY 496 - Topics in Social Psychology (2023)

Updated: 08/08/25