Headshot of Kim Epting

Kim Epting

Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Department of Psychology

Department: Psychology

Office and address: Psychology & Human Service Stu, office 125-I 2337 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244

Phone number: (336) 278-5595

Professional Expertise

language, linguistic framing, behavioral principles/analysis, writing/revision, cognitive sex/gender differences

Brief Biography

I am an experimental psychologist interested in learning, language, and cognition. I currently conduct research in the areas of linguistic framing and writing, human-nonhuman interaction, and animal (human and nonhuman) learning. My research on writing has spanned studies of variables that affect the writing and editing process, student perceptions of literacy activities, and student perceptions and interaction with certain rhetorical constructions. My research on linguistic framing has considered framing effects on charitable donations and responses to feminist concepts. I also have conducted research on the role of behavioral principles in language and human and nonhuman learning, and in the scholarship of teaching and learning. I received B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in Psychology and a Ph.D. from Auburn University in Experimental Psychology. I teach classes in general psychology, learning/behavior analysis, cognition, language, and research methods.

    Education

    Ph.D., Experimental Psychology, Auburn University

    M.A., General/Experimental Psychology, University of North Carolina, Wilmington

    B.A., Psychology, University of North Carolina, Wilmington

    Courses Taught

    Psychology of Learning (PSY 3320)

    Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1000)

    Cognitive Psychology (PSY 2300)

    Psychology of Language (PSY 3310)

    Empirical Research Senior Seminar (PSY 4970)

    Sex and Gender (WGS 1100)

    Elon College Fellows sophomore & junior seminars (ECF 2130 & ECF 3130)

    Mentoring and supervision of undergraduate research projects

    Leadership Positions

    Within Elon University

    Chair, Elon College Fellows Advisory Committee, 2019 - 2023

    Center for Writing Excellence Faculty Fellow, 2017 - 2018

    Director, Social Sciences, Elon College Fellows, 2016 - 2024

    Coordinator, Women's, Gender, & Sexualities Studies, Interdisciplinary Minor Program, 2013 - 2017

    Vice Chair, Elon Institutional Review Board (IRB), 2010 - 2013

     

    Research

    Psychological science of language and behavior interests:

    • connection between language and thought
    • factors that influence self-editing/revision in writing
    • student perceptions of writing and language
    • linguistic framing (e.g., how it affects charitible donations, feminism, etc.)
    • behavioral principles in language
    • scholarship of teaching and learning
    • human-nonhuman interaction and learning
    • behavioral principles underlying concept formation

    WGSS-related interests:

    • Science of cognitive sex differences and/or cognitive gender differences (real, perceive, or purported)
    • Gender differences in perceptions of literacy, academics, and intellectualism