Prospective Students Interested in Working with Dr. Madon

 

I am an Associate Professor in the social area. My research examines targets' susceptibility to confirming perceivers' beliefs and expectations. Currently, I am is most interested in examining the conditions under which targets confirm perceivers’ target-based expectations via self-fulfilling prophecies.

 

Students applying to doctoral program in social psychoogy at ISU who wish to work with me should indicate this in their personal statement. Although my publication record includes studies on stereotypes, this is not my main line of research and I do not accept new students with these interests. I only accept new students who are interested in studying self-fulfilling prophecies. If you are interested in self-fulfilling prophecies, or think you might be, take a look at some of my published work (see links below). I also encourage you to contact me personally via email (madon@iastate.edu) to let me know of your plans to apply.

 

The social program at ISU is highly competitive. Most of our students have GRE scores (Verbal + Quant) that exceed 1200. Our students also have a record of good academic achievement in college, with GPA's of 3.6 and above. Many of our Ph.D. students (although not all) had extensive experience in research at their undergraduate institutions prior to coming to ISU. Research experience is an added benefit that strengthens one's application.

 

Students who graduate from our doctoral program are qualified to work at colleges and universities conducting research and teaching at the graduate and undergraduate level. Almost all of our graduates have been successful at getting academic jobs. A Ph.D. in social psychology also qualifies one for more applied work (e.g., market research), although we do not specifically train students for such jobs.

 

 

Examples of my research on self-fulfilling prophecies

 

Self-fulfilling prophecy effects of mothers’ beliefs on children’s alcohol use: Accumulation, dissipation, and stability over time

 

Self-fulfilling prophecies: The synergistic accumulate effect of parents' beliefs on children's drinking behavior

 

The self-fulfilling effect of parent expectations on children's underage drinking

 

In search of the powerful self-fulfilling prophecy

 

Self-fulfilling prophecies versus self-verification