Faculty member Ashley Votruba, assistant professor of psychology, Law-Psychology and Social and Cognitive Programs, recently joined the psychology department. We got in touch with Ashely to learn more about her.
Where did you complete your training?
I received my B.S., M.A., and Ph.D. (social) in psychology from Arizona State University. I also completed a J.D. at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of law in Arizona.
What do you study?
My research examines how cognitive biases, heuristics, and culture influences policy and legal decision-making in the areas of tort law, criminal law, and family law. For example, some of my past work has examined how culturally-derived lay beliefs affected endorsements of child custody policies. I have also examined how heuristic processing influences the persuasiveness of policy recommendations from expert groups on politically controversial topics. Currently, I am focused on how cultural variables—such as attributional tendencies, tightness/looseness, and collectivism—affect assessments of responsibility and punishment in tort law and criminal law cases.
What are you teaching at UNL?
This semester I am teach a graduate level Research Methods in Social and Personality Psychology course. I will also be teaching Social Psychology at the undergraduate level Spring 2019.
What is one interesting thing about yourself?
I am a big fan of endurance sports and complete a few triathlons every year. I really enjoy the diversity of training for triathlons (a mixture of running, cycling, swimming, and strength training) and the opportunity to spend time outdoors. I always enjoy finding new locations for triathlons, and have participated in events in Austin, TX, San Diego, CA, Santa Cruz, CA, and throughout Arizona. This year I am going to add to that list by competing in an Ironman distance race in Madison, WI.
