Rusty McIntyre

A photo of Rusty McIntyre

Associate Professor

Psychology

301N Science Complex

734.487.2406

[email protected]

Education

Dr. McIntyre received his Ph.D. and MS degrees from Texas Christian University. He completed his bachelor's degree at Northern Michigan University. His training areas were in social psychology, statistics, and experimental design.

Interests and Expertise

My research examines social cognition, primarily focusing on role models and on stereotype threat. One goal of my research is to understand who is a role model, and what makes a role model influential. Part of that research has investigated why role models are inspirational, and how ability perceptions affect role model identification. The results indicate that role models are most effective when their success is attributed internally, and the role models are perceived as relevant to the targeted audience. I also use this research to improve the lives and experiences of individuals.

Another goal of mine is to understand how and why stereotype threat causes deficits in decision making and intellectual test performance. This research has investigated how stereotype threat affects cognitive resources leading to underperformance or skewed decisions in women, racial minorities, athletes, and individuals from disadvantaged economic backgrounds. The research has also demonstrated that threat impairs performance through extra-task negative thinking.

Publications and Presentations

  • Lin, P. S., Kennette, L. N., van Havermaet, L. R., Frank, N. M., and McIntyre, R. B. (2012). Priming ability-relevant social categories improves intellectual test performance. Current Research in Social Psychology.
  • McIntyre, R. B., Paulson, R. M., Taylor, C., Morin, A., and Lord, C. G. (2011). Effects of role model deservingness on overcoming performance deficits induced by stereotype threat. European Journal of Social Psychology, 41, 301–311.
  • Taylor, C., Lord, C. G., McIntyre, R. B., and Paulson, R. M. (2011). The Hillary Clinton effect: When the same role model inspires or fails to inspire improved performance under stereotype threat. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 14, 447–459.
  • Gresky, D. M., Ten Eyck, L. L., Lord, C. G., and McIntyre, R. B. (2005). Effects of salient multiple identities on women's performance under mathematics stereotype threat. Sex Roles, 53, 703–716.
  • McIntyre, R. B., Lord, C. G., Gresky, D. M., Ten Eyck, L. L., Frye, G . D. J., and Bond, C. F. (2005). A social impact trend in the effects of role models on alleviating women's mathematics stereotype threat. Current Research in Social Psychology, 10 (9), 116–136.
  • McIntyre, R. B., Paulson, R. M., and Lord, C. G. (2003). Alleviating women's mathematics stereotype threat through positive group achievements. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 39, 83–90.

Additional Information

Lab Contact and Relevant Information
  • Lab, 360F Science Complex
  • Graduate members: Mike Bartosek, Kyle Moxley
  • Undergraduate Members: Troy Deskins, Angela Blay, Mitch Minito