Dr. Sharon Toffey Shepela

Professor of Psychology
Hillyer Hall 107C
860.768.4374
shepela@hartford.edu

Education:
Ph.D., Experimental Psychology, Cornell University
M.S., Experimental Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University
B.A., Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University


Research:
How do people make the decision to act in a dangerous/costly courageous way on behalf of others? What is the nature of courageous resistance? What does it take to do this?

Publications (selected):
"Courageous Resistance: A special case of altruism." Journal Article.
Courageous Resistance: the Power of Ordinary People. 2007. Palgrave Macmillan. "... a slim, potent book that examines why people risk their lives for others and what we can learn from their acts of altruism." National Catholic Reporter.

I advise students with interests in:
Psychology and social science majors with many applications; peace and conflict resolution; and those interested in applying their careers in areas that improve our world.

Why you enjoy teaching Hillyer students:
They challenge me to understand the logic and the assumptions underlying my field, so that I can teach those as well. I have been given teaching awards, and here I have to think more clearly in order to teach more effectively, and I have become a more effective teacher at Hillyer.