Our Team
Meet the dedicated researchers driving innovation in relationship science
Dr. James McNulty
Principal Investigator
My program of research investigates the stability and transformation of strong beliefs over time, particularly in close relationships. I examine how initially positive beliefs can deteriorate despite partners' motives to maintain them, challenging existing social psychological theories about belief maintenance. My work aims to identify the limits of belief preservation and explore strategies for promoting the resilience of initially satisfying beliefs about close relationships.
Email: mcnulty@psy.fsu.edu
Michael Irias, B.A.
Graduate Student
My research largely involves the intersection of relationship science and artificial intelligence, focusing on the social implications of advanced conversational AI agents, such as chatbots. I investigate how individuals engage with and perceive these agents, and their potential to foster social connections. Concurrently, I'm initiating a study on nonverbal communication—specifically, the impact of body language and facial expressions on conflict resolution and relationship satisfaction.
Email: irias@psy.fsu.edu
Austin Parker, B.A.
Graduate Student
Broadly, my research explores the bidirectional relationship between close relationships and health, examining how relationships can exacerbate or dampen the effects of stress on psychological and physiological functioning. Conversely, I investigate how health conditions shape partner attitudes and relationship dynamics, considering individual differences and their behavioral implications. My methodological approach integrates both longitudinal and experimental research designs.
Email: aparker@psy.fsu.edu
Lab Alumni
Levi Baker, Ph.D.|Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Ruddy Faure, Ph.D. (Visiting Scholar)|Assistant Professor at Radboud University
Lindsey Hicks, Ph.D.|Assistant Professor at Christopher Newport University
Anastasia Makhanova, Ph.D.|Assistant Professor at the University of Arkansas
Jessica Maxwell, Ph.D.|Assistant Professor at McMaster University
Michelle Russell, Ph.D.|Lecturer at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Jordan Turner, Ph.D.|Project Director at Downs & St. Germain Research