IDEA Lab Members
Dr. Crystal Oberle, a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Texas State University (TXST), earned her PhD in Cognitive Psychology from Arizona State University. Her research investigates various cultural, individual, and environmental factors that influence prosocial behaviors and attitudes (e.g., upstander behaviors and support for affirmative action), social and cognitive biases (e.g., explicit and implicit prejudice), and health-related behaviors (e.g., healthy and disordered eating and exercise behaviors).
Dilan Arreguin, a Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at TXST, earned her MA in Psychological Research from TXST. Her research explores the impacts of audism (bias towards D/deaf individuals), linguisticism (pressure to engage in the language of the hearing culture), and language deprivation (lack of exposure to sign language) as they relate to social injustices, family trauma, relationships, mental health, education, and professional development in the D/deaf community.
Kylah Wilson, a first-year student in the MAPR program, is dedicated to better understanding the lived experiences of neurodivergent adults. She is particularly interested in how neurodivergence intersects with race and culture, and how these intersectional identities (i.e., being neurodivergent and a person of color) influence perceptions by other people, discrimination and social exclusion by other people, and their own overall mental and physical health outcomes.
Dr. Ariel McField, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at TXST, earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Prairie View A&M University. Her research is focused on understanding how sociocultural factors influence well-being and psychopathology (e.g., suicidal ideations and behaviors). Additionally, she engages in research that examines the impact of structural marginalization, such as racism, discrimination, and stigma, on mental health outcomes and intergroup relations.
Alexandria Viltz, a second-year student in the Master of Arts in Psychological Research (MAPR) program, is interested in researching the effects of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on the mental health of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) individuals. For her capstone project, she is exploring the impacts of DEI bans within public Texas universities on BIPOC students’ perception of school climate, sense of belonging, and overall well-being.
Tonya Hill, a first-year student in the MAPR program, enjoys exploring adultification (children being treated as older and more mature than what is typically expected for their age) and parentification (children being expected to take on adult roles that include caregiving). For her capstone project, she is examining whether these constructs relate to hyper-independence and hyper-sexualization, and whether race moderates those relationships.