Jane Connor
I was born in Brooklyn, New York where I attended James Madison High School. I loved reading, helping my friends with their Math homework, and embarrassing my dad, who was a Physics teacher at my school. I left Brooklyn for Providence, Rhode Island where I studied at Brown University. Brown was not as prestigious or selective back then as it is now.
At Brown I majored in Mathematics, but found it a lonely activity. The guys would get together in the dorms to work on Math problems and I had to work alone. The dorms were segregated by gender in those days, and the only other woman in my math classes was married and lived off campus. Back then married women had to live off campus even if their husband was not in the area. I think they were afraid that the single women would be corrupted.
I fell in love with Psychology at Brown and decided that this is what I would study if I went to graduate school, but first I wanted to see some of the world. I got a job teaching Math at the American School in Guatemala and enjoyed traveling in Mexico and Central America. I recently returned to Guatemala after 30 years and couldn't believe how different it is. They now have Burger King, video games and a Spanish version of Sally Jessy Raphael. Isn't American culture great?
After graduate work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a stint at Vanderbilt University and Tennessee State University in Nashville, I came to Binghamton University in 1973 and have been a professor here ever since. (BU was not as prestigious then as it is now. I wonder if this is a pattern.)
The best part of my work is the continuous learning I get to do about Psychology, my students and myself. I still love to read, and I enjoy helping my students with their Statistics homework, and embarrassing my children (3) and grandchildren (2). My dogs don't seem to mind my antics and my partner tolerates them.
I have a broad interest in applications of Social Psychology to various psychological issues including, but not limited to, factors that maintain and reduce prejudice, the development of racial and gender identity, interpersonal communication, and health psychology.
Primary Interests:
- Communication, Language
- Culture and Ethnicity
- Gender Psychology
- Intergroup Relations
- Prejudice and Stereotyping
- Self and Identity
- Sexuality, Sexual Orientation
Research Group or Laboratory:
- Connor Laboratory
Books:
- Connor, J. M., & Killian, D. (2005). Connecting across differences: A guide to compassionate, nonviolent communication. New York: Hungry Duck Press.
Journal Articles:
- Blaine, B., DiBlasi, D., & Connor, J. (2003). The effect of weight loss on perceptions of weight controllability: Implications for prejudice against fat people. Journal of Applied Social Psychology.
- Connor, J. (2001). Studying racial bias: Too hot to handle? Journal of College Science Teaching, 30, September, 26-32.
- Connor, J. (2002). Making statistics come alive: Using space and students’ bodies to illustrate statistical concepts. Teaching of Psychology.
- Ocampo, C., Prieto, L., Whittlesley, V., So, H,. Connor, J., Janco-Gidley, J., Mannix, S., & Sare, K. (2003). A review of diversity research in Teaching of Psychology: Summary and recommendations. Teaching of Psychology.
Other Publications:
- Connor, J., & Cottingham-Thomas, A. (1998). Homophobia and heterosexism. In E. Amico (Ed.), Women's Studies Reader's Guide Encyclopedia. New York: Fitzroy, Dearborn.
- Connor, J., Ng, A., & Manning, R. (1998). Breastfeeding. In E. Amico (Ed.), Women's Studies Reader's Guide Encyclopedia. New York: Fitzroy, Dearborn.
- Cottingham-Thomas, A., & Connor, J. (1998). Women and AIDS. In E. Amico (Ed.), Women's Studies Reader's Guide Encyclopedia. New York: Fitzroy, Dearborn.
Courses Taught:
- Compassionate Communication
- Multicultural Psychology
- Narrative Psychology and Social Action
- Playback Theatre and Multicultural Perspective
- Prejudice and Racism
- Psychology and Sexual Orientation
Jane Connor
Department of Human Development
College of Community and Public Affairs
Binghamton University
Binghamton, New York 13902-6000
United States of America
- Phone: (607) 777-9210
- Fax: (607) 777-7587