Maureen A. Coyle, PhD

Affiliated Programs

• Psychology (BA)
• Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies (BA)

Education

• PhD, Basic & Applied Social Psychology (2022)
  The Graduate Center, City University of New York (NY)
• MA, General Psychology (2015)
  The New School for Social Research (NY)
• BA, Psychology (2013)
  Pace University (NY)

About Me

I am a first-generation college student who was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I have always been curious about how individuals influence others' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which is why I ultimately pursued my PhD in social psychology. As an educator, I strive to share this curiosity with my students and inspire them to see the vast and dynamic world of psychology as both intellectually engaging and deeply relevant to their everyday lives.

My teaching philosophy centers on student-centered learning that equips students with transferable skills in communication, scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and cultural competency. Rather than teaching students what to think, I teach them how to think: how to ask meaningful questions, evaluate evidence, consider alternative perspectives, and develop informed conclusions. I incorporate cross-cultural perspectives throughout my courses and encourage students to critically examine the Western-centric assumptions that have shaped many psychological theories, methods, and research findings.

Whenever possible, I connect course material to current and foundational research by engaging students with peer-reviewed articles. Together, we examine the theoretical frameworks, methodologies, and findings underlying psychological research, while also considering its broader implications and limitations. I encourage students to draw on empirical evidence to support their arguments and to approach research with both curiosity and healthy skepticism. In doing so, students learn not only how psychological knowledge is generated, but also how to evaluate and apply that knowledge thoughtfully.

I am equally committed to creating an inclusive classroom in which students feel welcomed to contribute perspectives shaped by their diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences. I believe students learn best when they are active participants in the learning process and can recognize connections between course concepts and their own lives. By fostering an environment where multiple perspectives and ideologies are valued, I aim to help students develop a deeper understanding of themselves, others, and the social world around them. Ultimately, my goal is for students to leave my courses with a greater appreciation for psychology, stronger critical-thinking skills, and the confidence to engage thoughtfully with scientific evidence and diverse perspectives.

Research Interests

Broadly, my research examines how media and technology shape interpersonal and romantic relationships, with a particular emphasis on how people navigate uncertainty and ambiguity in digital interactions. I study how computer-mediated communication influences person perception, relationship development, intimacy, and perceptions of partner responsiveness. A central focus of my current research is ghosting (the increasingly common experience of having communication abruptly and unexpectedly end without explanation). I examine how being ghosted, particularly in online dating contexts, shapes people’s interpretations of social interactions, expectations about future relationships, and willingness to pursue potential partners. Ultimately, my research seeks to understand how emerging technologies are transforming the ways people form connections, communicate intimacy, navigate rejection, and build and maintain relationships.

Media Expertise

• Computer-Mediated Communication
• Online Dating
• Social Media
• Close Relationships
• Social Psychology
• Social Influence
• Technology & Social Behavior

Publications

• Carmichael, C.L., Goldberg, M.H., Coyle, M.A. (2020). Security Based Difference in Touch Behavior and its Relational Benefits. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 12(4), 550-560.
• Coyle, M.A., Carmichael, C.L. (2019). Perceived Responsiveness in Text Messaging: The Role of Emoji Use. Computers in Human Behavior, 99(1), 181-189.
• Carmichael, C.L., Schwartz, A.M., Coyle, M.A., & Goldberg, M.H. (2019). A Classroom Activity for Teaching Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development. Teaching of Psychology, 46(1), 80-86.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

• American Psychological Association Division 2: Teaching of Psychology
• American Psychological Association Division 8: Personality & Social Psychology
• American Psychological Association Division 46: Society for Media Psychology & Technology
• International Association for Relationship Research (IARR)
• Psi Chi Honor Society
• Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP)

Awards

• Golden Brain Award (Psychology Professor of the Year), Seton Hall University (2022)
• Doctoral Student Research Grant, City University of New York (2020)
• PSC CUNY Research Award, City University of New York (2017)