Rebecca Shiner
Department/Office Information
Psychological and Brain SciencesMy research lies at the intersection of personality, clinical, and developmental psychology. I study personality development in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood and have investigated stability and change in personality traits and the influence of personality on positive life outcomes and psychological disorders. I have written extensively on the assessment, causes, and consequences of personality disorders in youth.
In addition to my work on personality development, I currently investigate "existential traits": individual differences in how people navigate the existential challenges inherent in being human. These existential traits include variations in maximizing (exerting effort to make optimal choices), intolerance of uncertainty (responding to life's inevitable uncertainties with distress and dysfunction), and regret. These traits have important implications for mental health and wellness.
I am trained as a clinical psychologist and have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. I completed a clinical psychology internship at the University of Rochester Medical Center. My clinical experience has an important influence on my teaching and research.