Stefanie M Sinno
Education
- Ph.D., University of Maryland
- B.S., Ursinus College
Teaching Interests
As a developmental psychologist, I teach child, adolescent, and aging developmental courses. I also teach interpersonal psychology, which is grounded in the development of self and relationships with others. I enjoy teaching introductory psychology as well as methodology courses.
My role of professor at Muhlenberg has many rewards and challenges. It is rewarding to watch my students make connections between the course objectives and everyday life circumstances. They often rise above and beyond my expectations. I find it important to continue to find new and interesting ways to present material. I believe that learning within a liberal arts setting is a process for both students and teachers and that by working together we can question, analyze and expand our knowledge and interest in psychology and in the world around us.
Research, Scholarship or Creative/Artistic Interests
My research training and expertise are in the area of social and moral development. I conduct research which examines inclusion and exclusion in social contexts and the influence of structural systems and life events on individual well being.
I also have a strong interest in the psychology of teaching and learning, the teaching of interpersonal skills in the classroom and the increased importance of information literacy in understanding psychological research and the representation (or misrepresentation) of psychology in the popular press.
- Aging & Development
- Child Development
- CUE: Advanced Research in Psychology
- Introductory Psychology
- Psychology Independent Study/Research - Chronic Absenteeism
- Psychology Independent Study/Research - Stigma Towards Autism
- Psychology Independent Study/Research: Chronic Absenteeism
- Research Apprenticeship - Research in Aging Adults
- 2023, Fall Recognition of Excellence in Teaching Award, Muhlenberg College
- 2023, Fall Student Research Assistantship Grant, Muhlenberg College
- 2021, Spring Antiracism Pedagogical Development Grant, Muhlenberg College
- 2020, Spring Faculty Center for Teaching Course Grant, Muhlenberg College
- Feng, W.* and Sinno, S. (2021. Belongingness and family support interweave: A cross-cultural comparison of parental influence on academic achievement and psychological well-being on Asian international students and American-born students in U.S. higher education. Undergraduate Journal of Psychology.
- Sinno, S., Block, L., Einstein, W., McCormack, C. & Lum, T. (2025). Chronic Absenteeism in Elementary School: Caregivers Know School Is Important but Underestimate the Impact of Absences. Poster presented at the APS Annual Convention. Washington, D.C.
- Sinno, S., Winegard, S.* & Reichelt, S.*(2024). Getting Kids to School: The Importance of a Positive Mindset and Resources for Parents Can Increase in-Person Attendance and Decrease Chronic Absenteeism. Poster presented at the APS Annual Convention. San Francisco, CA.
- Franco, M.* & Sinno, S. (2024). Patient-Provider Relationship & Invalidation: The Effects on Treatment Adherence for Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome & Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder Patients. Poster presented at the APS Annual Convention. San Francisco, CA.
- Franco, M.* & Sinno, S. (2023). Social Context and Individual Beliefs Impact the Perception of the Importance of Pronoun Use for Gender Affirmation. Poster presented at the APS Annual Convention. Washington, D.C.
- Logan, D.* & Sinno, S. (2020). Increasing adolescents’ sense of self through community-based research. Poster presented at APS Virtual Showcase.
- Sinno, S. (2020). Youth understanding of the detrimental effects of poverty. Poster presented at APS Virtual Showcase.
- Lombardo, J. * & Sinno, S. (2020). Coaching behavior and athlete success in collegiate sports.
APS Virtual Showcase. - Feng, W.* & Sinno, S. (2020). More support is needed for Asian international students studying in U.S. higher education. APS Virtual Showcase.
Denke,J., Jarson, J., & Sinno, S. (2020). Making the invisible visible: Enhancing information literacy and metacognition with a constructivist activity. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 14 (2), online. Found at https://doi.org/10.20429/ijsotl.2020.140207
Sinno, S. & Jarson, J. (2018). Moving beyond opinion and assumption: An information literacy activity to foster students’ critical thinking about popular press. Currents in Teaching and Learning, 10(1), online first.
Sinno, S. (2020). Book review of Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing as We Age. Psychology of Women Quarterly.
Sinno, S. (2020). Youth understanding of the detrimental effects of poverty. Poster presented at APS Virtual Showcase.
Rosenberg, A.*, Gates, A.*, Richmond, K., & Sinno, S. (2016). It’s not a joke: Masculinity and homophobic language. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, online first. doi.org/10.1037/men0000063
Sinno, S., Schuette, C. & Hellriegel, C.* (2015). The impact of family and community context on children’s understanding of parental roles. Journal of Family Issues, 38, 435-456.
Sinno, S. & Killen, M. (2011). Social reasoning about “Second-shift” parenting. Special Issue: Gender and Relationships. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 29, 313-329.
Sinno, S., & Killen, M. (2009). Moms at work and dads at home: Children’s evaluations of parental roles. Applied Developmental Science, 13(1), 16-29.
Sinno, S., Schuette, S., & Killen, M. (2013). Developmental social cognition about gender roles in the family and societal context. In H. Tenenbaum & P. J. Leman (Eds.), Gender and development (pp. 133-154). Hove, UK: Taylor & Francis, Ltd.
Horn, S. & Sinno, S. (2013). Gender, sexuality, and discrimination. In M. Killen & J. Smetana (Eds.) Handbook of Moral Development (Vol. 2, pp. 317- 339). Taylor & Francis, Ltd.
Sinno, S. (2014). Book review of The New Kinship: Constructing Donor-Conceived Families. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 38, 582-583.
Psychology
Contact: [email protected]