Brittany Harman

EDUCATION

PhD in Cognitive Science                                           
2017
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY                       
Advanced Graduate Certification in Cognitive Neuroscience
Dissertation:  Consequences of Exposure to Hyperbolic Utterances
Specialties:  Cognitive Processes Underlie the Effectiveness of Advertising Puffery and Exaggeration

MA in Psychology                                           
2014
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Thesis:  Exaggeration (And Minimization) Contagion:  Do Eyewitnesses Adopt Each Other’s Reporting Style?  

MS in Psychological Science                                   
2012
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, Shippensburg, PA
Thesis:  Differentiating Episodic and Semantic Encoding Strategies to Enhance Student Learning

BA in Psychology, Magna cum Laude                               
2010
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, Shippensburg, PA

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor of Psychology
Fall 2022 - present                                        
Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA

Courses:  
PSY110 Introduction to Psychology
PSY207 Learning Principles and Application
PSY218 Biopsychology
PSY331 Health Psychology
PSY335 Evolutionary Psychology
PSY341 Experimental Methods (+ Lab)
PSY380 Cognitive Psychology
PSY498 Senior Thesis I
PSY499 Senior Thesis II

Adjunct Professor of Psychology                            
Summer 2022
Allegany College of Maryland, online/remote
Course:  PSY101 General Psychology

Adjunct Professor of Psychology                                   
Fall 2021
Drexel University Graduate School, online/remote
Course:  PSY610 Data Analysis I

Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology                              
Fall 2017-Spring 2020
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, Shippensburg, PA
Courses:  
PSY101 General Psychology
PSY105 Research Design & Statistics I
PSY205 Research Design & Statistics II
PSY325 Psychology of Human Cognition
PSY374 Advanced Research I
PSY375 Advanced Research II

Recitation Instructor/Lab Instructor                               
Fall 2016
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Course:  PSY380 Human Cognition

Instructor                                        
Summer 2016
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Course:  PSY260 Survey in Perception & Cognition

Recitation Instructor/Lab Instructor                           
Spring 2016                                
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Course:  PSY310 Research & Writing in Psychology

Instructor                                        
Summer 2015
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Course:  PSY367 Memory

Recitation Instructor/Lab Instructor                           
Spring 2015   
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Course:  PSY201 Statistical Methods in Psychology

Recitation Instructor/Lab Instructor                           
Spring 2014   
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Course:  PSY310 Research & Writing in Psychology                

Teaching Assistant
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
PSY364 Judgment and Decision-Making                               
Fall 2015
PSY375 History and Systems in Psychology                               
Fall 2014
PSY367 Memory                                           
Fall 2013
PSY260 Survey in Perception & Cognition                           
Spring 2013

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Principal Investigator                                                  
Fall 2022-present
PSY498 Senior Thesis I & PSY499 Senior Thesis II                               
Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA

Research Supervisor                                         
Spring 2025
IREX Thomas Jefferson International Scholars Program
Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA

IRB—Research Ethics Training Certified                              
August 9, 2022
Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA

Advanced Data Analytics Lab Consultant                  
January 2021-October 2021
JLG Industries, Inc., An Oshkosh Corporation
Hagerstown, MD

Principal Investigator                                  
Fall 2017-Spring 2020
Faculty-student research in cognitive psychology
Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA

Doctoral Candidate                                 
Spring 2016-August 2017
Psycholinguistics/Narrative Processing Lab
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

Doctoral Student                                      
Fall 2012-Spring 2016                                    
Eyewitness Memory Lab
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

Graduate Assistant                                      
Fall 2010-Spring 2012                            
Department of Marketing & Management
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, Shippensburg, PA

PUBLICATIONS

Harman, B. A. (2026). When expectations fail: The effects of hyperbole, context, and speaker on language processing. North American Journal of Psychology, 28(1), 429-449.

Harman, B. A., & Strine, H. J. (2023). Quantifying hyperbole: Explicit estimates of exaggerated utterances. Psycholinguistics, 33(1), 167-189.

Sato, T., Harman, B. A., Adams, L. T., Evans, J. V., & Coolsen, M. K. (2013).  The cell phone reliance scale:  Validity and reliability.  Individual Differences Research, 11, 121-132.

Sato, T., Harman, B. A., Murray, C. A., & Grookett, C. M. (2011).  Sociotropy-autonomy and self-control.  In A. Durante & C. Mammoliti (Eds.), Psychology of Self-Control (pp. 69-96).  Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Harman, B. A., & Sato, T. (2011).  Cell phone use and grade point average among undergraduate university students.  College Student Journal, 45, 544-549.

Sato, T., Harman, B. A., Donohoe, W. M., Weaver, A., & Hall, W. A. (2010).  Individual differences in ego-depletion:  The role of sociotropy-autonomy.  Motivation and Emotion, 34, 205-213.

SERVICE TO PROFESSION

Manuscript Reviewer (2026) for North American Journal of Psychology (NAJP).

Manuscript Reviewer (2026) for the Cultural Sciences & Linguistics Panel of the Social Sciences & Humanities (SSH) Open Competition sponsored by the Dutch Research Council (NWO)

CONFERENCE & SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATIONS

DiGregorio, D., & Harman, B. A. (2025). The Impact of Racially Diverse Educators on Schools, Curriculum, Teachers, and Youth. Presented at the 2025 Conference for the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Multicultural Educators (PA-NAME), Kutztown, PA.

Harman, B. A. (2019).  Measuring the Mind: How to Quantify Attention, Memory, & Higher-Order Cognitive Processes.  Shippensburg University’s Center for Social Research.  Shippensburg, PA.

Harman, B. A. (2016).  Pragmatics of Hyperbole.  Stony Brook University’s Annual Second and Fourth Year Cognitive Science Graduate Student Research Symposium.  Stony Brook, NY.

Harman, B. A., & Franklin, N. (2015).  The Insidious Effects of Co-Witness Exaggeration.  Presented at the Graduate Memory Conference, Stony Brook Manhattan, NY.

Harman, B. A., & Franklin, N. (2015).  100 vs. 10,000 Matches to an Eyewitness’s Description:  Are Potential Jurors Sensitive to Base Rates?  Presented at the annual American Psychology-Law Society Conference, San Diego, CA.

Harman, B. A., & Franklin, N. (2014).  Exaggeration (And Minimization) Contagion:  Do Eyewitnesses Adopt Each Other’s Reporting Style?  Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Psychonomic Society, Long Beach, CA.

Harman, B. A., & Adams, L. T. (2012).  Differentiating Episodic and Semantic Encoding Strategies to Enhance Student Learning.  Presented at the annual PASSHE Graduate Research Symposium, Harrisburg, PA.

Harman, B. A., & Sato, T. (2012).  Cell Phone Use and Grade Point Average Among Undergraduate University Students.  Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Pittsburgh, PA.

Harman, B. A. (2011).  Is There a Correlation Between Cell Phone Use and Academic Performance?  Presented at the annual PASSHE Graduate Research Symposium, Harrisburg, PA.

Franson, R. P., & Harman, B. A. (2011).  Measuring the Conceptualization of Critical Thinking.  Presented at the annual PASSHE Graduate Research Symposium, Harrisburg, PA.

Harman, B. A., & Sato, T. (2010).  Ego-Depletion and Vulnerability to Depression.  Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York City, NY.

Harman, B. A., & Sato, T. (2010).  Individual Differences in Ego-Depletion:  The Role of Sociotropy-Autonomy.  Presented at the Celebration for Student Research Conference, Shippensburg, PA.

ADDITIONAL SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

Rzeigui, A., & Harman, B. A. (2025). Memory Offloading: Producing Digital Amnesia in the Research Lab. Presented at Wilson College’s Annual Student Research Day., Chambersburg, PA. 

Harman, B. A. (Spring 2025). I Can Always Just Google It Later: Is Digital Amnesia a Credible Threat to Learning and Memory? Presented for Wilson College Common Hour. Chambersburg, PA.

Harman, B. A. (Fall 2022 & 2024). Study Strategies Based on Memory Research. Guest lecture for Wilson College’s FYS100 First Year Seminar. Chambersburg, PA.

Harman, B. A. (Fall 2022 & 2024). Memory on Trial: The Reliability of Eyewitness Testimony.  Guest lecture for Wilson College’s CJ315 Gender, Crime, and Justice. Chambersburg, PA.

Harman, B. A. (Fall 2022). Study Strategies Workshop: Using Empirically Supported Memory Research to Increase Study Strategy Effectiveness. Presented to the Wilson College Psychology Club., Chambersburg, PA.

Harman, B. A. (Spring 2020).   Cognitive-Based Study Strategies: Getting More Bang for Your Buck. Presented to the Shippensburg University Student Instructor Program.  Shippensburg, PA.

Harman, B. A. (Fall 2018).  The Graduate School Application Process.  Presented to the Shippensburg University Psi Chi Members. Shippensburg, PA.

Harman, B. A. (Spring 2018).  Eyewitness Memory Research:  Bringing Cognition into the Courtroom.  Presented to the Faculty and Students of Shippensburg University’s Psychology Department.  Shippensburg, PA.

Harman, B. A. (Fall 2017).  Consequences of Exposure to Hyperbolic Utterances.  Shippensburg University Psychology Department Faculty Brown Bag Presentation.  Shippensburg, PA.

Harman, B. A. (Fall 2017).  What I Wish I Knew Before Graduate School.  Presented to the Faculty and Students of Shippensburg University’s Psychology Department.  Shippensburg, PA.

PSYCHOLOGY SENIOR THESIS PROJECTS SUPERVISED

Brookens, H. L., & Harman, B. A. (Spring 2024). Perceptions of Criminality and Mental Illness in 2024. Presented at Wilson College’s Annual Student Research Day. Chambersburg, PA.

Caprara, S. M., & Harman, B. A. (Spring 2024). Increased Susceptibility to False Memories Among Individuals with ADHD. Presented at Wilson College’s Annual Student Research Day. Chambersburg, PA.

Harris, M., & Harman, B. A. (Spring 2023). The Impact of Social Stigmas and the Academic Performance of Female Athletes. Presented at Wilson College’s Annual Student Research Day. Chambersburg, PA.

Menedis, D. R., & Harman, B. A. (Spring 2025). The Impact of Positive vs. Negative Message Framing on Consumer Purchase Intentions. Presented at Wilson College’s Annual Student Research Day. Chambersburg, PA.

Royal, T., & Harman, B. A. (Spring 2023). Does Parental Education and Involvement Influence Academic Success in College? Presented at Wilson College’s Annual Student Research Day. Chambersburg, PA.

Staley, R., & Harman, B. A. (Spring 2023). Attributes Associated with Perceptions of Conventional Attractiveness. Presented at Wilson College’s Annual Student Research Day. Chambersburg, PA.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS, HONORS, & AWARDS

Clubs & Committees
•    IRB Committee Chair, Wilson College, Fall 2025-present
•    Barsy-Colgan Student Research Day Committee Chair, Wilson College, Fall 2024-Spring 2026
•    Barsy-Colgan Student Research Day Funding Committee, Wilson College, Spring 2024 & Spring 2025
•    Allies LGBTQ+ Club Faculty Advisor, Wilson College, Spring 2024-Spring 2025.
•    Psychology Club Co-Advisor, Wilson College, Fall 2022-present
•    IRB Committee Member, Wilson College, Fall 2022-present
•    Barsy-Colgan Student Research Day Committee Member, Wilson College, Fall 2022-Spring 2026
•    Graduate Committee, Cognitive Science Area Representative, Stony Brook University, 2015
•    Department of Marketing & Management Hiring Committee, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, 2013

Honors & Awards
•    Paul Swain Havens Research Scholars Award, Spring 2024
•    Stony Brook University Psychology Department Research Grant, Fall 2016
•    Stony Brook University GWISE Scientist of the Month, October 2015
•    Stony Brook University Psychology Department Travel Grant, Fall 2014
•    Shippensburg University Research Travel Grant, 2011-2012
•    National Cancer Survivor Federation Education Grant, 2012

Other Professional Development Activities
•    Teaching with Artificial Intelligence online course, The Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning at Auburn University, Spring 2025
•    Vector LMS: Higher Education Edition Training online certifications, Allegany College of Maryland, December 20, 2024
•    Phoenix Ally Safe Zone Training, Wilson College, December 17, 2024
•    Open House Faculty-Panel Integrative Sciences Representative, Wilson College, October 28, 2023
•    Moderating the Student Discussion Following the Documentary, Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine, Recognizing the 25th Anniversary of the Murder of Matthew Shepard, Wilson College, Fall 2023
•    Co-development of the Integrative Neuroscience Concentration for Psychology Majors, Wilson College, Fall 2022-present
•    45 Continuing Education Credits for completing Preparing for the Online Environment, an online professional development course designed and presented by Allegany College of Maryland, Summer 2023

Community Outreach & Recruitment Activities
•    Adventures in Learning Psychology Presenter, Wilson College, Summer 2023- Summer 2026
•    Greencastle-Antrim School Visit Psychology Presenter, Wilson College, Spring 2025
•    “Psychology Day” Admissions Event, Wilson College, Spring 2025 & Spring 2026
•    Franklin County Science Fair Judge, Waynesboro Middle School, Friday, March 24, 2023