Professor Dr. Megan Mccarthy

Biography

Megan McCarthy is an Associate Professor in the Teaching Stream and the Director of Arts at the University of Waterloo. She holds a BA from Brock University, an MA from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a PhD from the University of Waterloo. Her research interests lie in social psychology, focusing on how dispositional motivational factors shape relationship development and individual well-being. Specifically, she studies the personality predictors of trust, emotional expression, and conflict behavior in close relationships, as well as the variables that predict relationship outcomes and personal well-being. McCarthy is particularly interested in how personality and motivational variables interact to influence individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in relationships, including relationship initiation with regard to group boundaries. In addition to her research, she is passionate about undergraduate teaching and seeks to promote effective learning and well-being in her classrooms. Her current research examines the importance of belonging in learning environments, the development of friendships, and the mental health implications of teaching practices on students’ perceptions of belonging. She teaches a variety of courses related to Psychology and emphasizes writing and research skills in her seminars for Arts students.

Research Interests

Courses