Richard Mattson

Professor, Director of Undergraduate Program

Psychology

Background

My lab researches processes, perceptions, and attitudes relevant to communication in intimate dyads across a wide range of important domains; including social support, conflict, intimate partner violence, sexual consent, intimate touch, and sexual and relationship satisfaction. Recent work has focused on: (a) biological factors associated with social support communication, relationship functioning, and relationship quality; and (b) situational and characterological factors relevant to perceptions of partner violence and perceived sexual consent as it relates to sexual violence. I am also interested in the intersection of these phenomena with gender roles, sexual orientation, and substance use. My lab uses a range of experimental, correlational, and descriptive approaches to produce basic scientific insights with translation applications to intervention, policy and public discourse. Currently, I am extending my interest in the intersection of physiological and communication processes in close dyads to the study of psychotherapy interactions.

Education

PhD, MA, ��ñ��
BA, State University of New York at Geneseo

Research Interests

Communication processes in intimate dyads
Sexual consent and assault
Intimate partner violence
Gender and gender norms

Teaching Interests

Behavior disorders
Data management and analysis
Psychotherapy techniques
Clinical supervision

More Info

Representative Publications

Mattson, R. E., Parker, M. M., McKinnon, A. M., Massey, S. G., Merriwether, A. M., Hardesty, M., & Young, S. R. (2022). Just say yes? A cluster analytic approach to evaluating college students’ understandings of affirmative consent. Archives of sexual behavior, 51(6), 3197-3209.

Bibby, E. S., McKinnon, A. M., Shaw, M., & Mattson, R. E. (2022). Accurately detecting happy facial expressions associates with perceptions of flirtatiousness. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 02654075221128259.

Ashkinazi, M., Wagner, S. A., Cunningham, K., & Mattson, R. E. (2022). Body image satisfaction and body-related partner commentary link to marital quality through sexual frequency and satisfaction: A path model. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice.

Hardesty, M., Young, S., McKinnon, A. M., Merriwether, A. M., Mattson, R. E., Massey, S. G. (2021). Indiscrete: How typical college student sexual behavior troubles affirmative consent’s demand for clear communication. Sexuality Research and Social Policy.

Wagner, S. A., Mattson, R. E., Davila, J., Johnson, M. D., & Cameron, N. M. (2020). Touch me just enough: The intersection of adult attachment, intimate touch, and marital satisfaction. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 37(6), 1945-1967.

Parker, M. M., Mattson, R. E., Alexander, E. F., & McKinnon, A. M. (2020). Does perceived injury explain the effects of gender on attributions of blame for intimate partner violence? A factorial vignette analysis. Journal of family violence, 1-11.

Mattson, R. E., Cameron, N., Middleton, F. A., Starr, L. R., Davila, J., & Johnson, M. D. (2019). Oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) links to marital quality via social support behavior and perceived partner responsiveness. Journal of Family Psychology, 33(1), 44.

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