Professor Emeritus
Psychological Science
CCSU Institutional Review Board, Chairperson (1990-2014; 2018)
Contact
Office
Marcus White Hall
Available for virtual meetings by appt.
Biography
My primary research interests are in media psychology. My perspective is embedded in developmental psychology. As an Emeritus Professor, I am not currently teaching classes and I do not hold regular on-campus office hours. However, I continue my research activities with students and colleagues. I am available for consultation with students on projects related to media psychology. Feel free to send me an email (waite@ccsu.edu) to set up a (virtual) meeting. In the Media Psychology Lab, we study the impact of electronic media and technology use on individuals. We examine connections among media use, multitasking and psychological dimensions such as cognition and learning, attention, distractibility, and aggression. We also examine social (and other) media use as related to emotional, social and health outcomes. I am interested in working with students on projects examining impacts of media and technology broadly defined (whether you are hypothesizing positive or negative effects). If you are interested, let’s talk! Virtual Office Hours Available - email me for an appointment.
Education
Areas of Expertise
Selected Theses Advised (MA Psychology, except as noted)
Here is a sampling of theses that I have advised, for your review.
Anderson, Magen (2015). Romance in the Technological Age: Social Media and Smartphone Usage and Relationship Satisfaction. Unpublished undergraduate honors thesis. Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT
Ayers, Jennifer E. (2010). Video Game Violence, Character Identification, and Aggression. Unpublished master’s thesis. Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Booker, Sara (2005). Lessons from Temptation Island: A Reality Television Content Analysis. Unpublished master’s thesis. Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Bracken, Madison (2017). Smartphone Health App Use, Self-Efficacy and Achievement of Health-related Goals. Unpublished master’s thesis. Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Crosby, Erin (2013). Texting and Academic Task Performance: Does Skill Level, Frequency of Use and Length of Experience Influence Ability to Multitask with Technology? Unpublished master’s thesis. Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Galica, Victoria. (2017). Employing Mobile APPS for Health with Children. Unpublished master’s thesis, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT. (Note: Co-advisor with Dr. Rebecca Boncoddo).
Lindberg, Rachel (2015). Online Discussions, Social Connectedness and Academic Performance of Research Methods Students. Unpublished master’s thesis, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Luna, Melissa. (2020). Daily Media Use: Is it Problematic and Does it Fit Criteria for Possible Addiction Diagnosis? Unpublished master’s capstone project. Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
McKay, Elizabeth (2007). School Belonging, Attachment and Academic Motivation. Unpublished master’s thesis, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Nazario, Karinna. (2021). Connections among Social Media Use, Fear of Missing Out, Depression, Anxiety, Self-Esteem and Life-Satisfaction: Does a Gratitude Intervention Help? Unpublished master’s thesis, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Patel, Chetan (2014). Ideal Male Media Images and Men's Body Esteem: Moderation by Drive for Muscularity and Social Comparison Tendency. Unpublished master’s thesis, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Pettepit, Elyssa (2000). Television and Internet Addiction. Unpublished master’s thesis, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Phelps, Donald C, Jr. (1995). A Profile of Loneliness and Daily Behavior of Forensic Patients: An Experience Sampling Analysis. Unpublished master's thesis, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Poynton, Troy. (2022). Does Playing a Rewarding Video Game Improve Cognitive Performance? Unpublished master’s thesis, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Sanders, Kelly. C. (2001). Susceptibility and Emotional Reactions to the Media: Anxiety Sensitivity, Neuroticism and Depression. Unpublished master's thesis, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Sironen, Jacqueline (2012). Learning and Sense of Community in Online and Onground Classes with College Student Organization Leaders. Unpublished master's thesis, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Starkey, Brianna (2021). Problematic Smartphone Use: Do Age of First Phone, Parenting Style, Fear of Missing Out and Social Anxiety Matter? Unpublished master's thesis, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Taranovich, Rachel (2018). The Relationship between Social Media Use, Self-esteem, and Body Image. Unpublished undergraduate honors thesis, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
Doctoral Dissertation Committees
Dumais, Charles (2015). Social Media Engagement of Connecticut Superintendents and Its Perceived Impact on Implementation of the ELCC Standards. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Department of Educational Leadership, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.
McKay, Elizabeth (2021). Influence of Smartphone Salience on Academic and Cognitive Performance in Secondary School Students. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.
Publications, Research & Presentations
Belamkar, V., Salafia, C., Waite, B. M, & Bowman L.L. (2023, October 21). Smartphone Use Measurement: Comparing Self-report and Internal Phone Use Tracking Data. Presented at the New England Psychological Association Annual Meeting, Worcester, MA.
Poynton, T., & Waite, B. M. (2023, October 21). Does Playing a Rewarding Video Game Improve Cognitive Performance? Presented at the New England Psychological Association Annual Meeting, Worcester, MA.
2022
Starkey, B. L. & Waite, B. M. (2022, May 29). Problematic Smartphone Use in Young Adults: Psychological Distress, Personal History and Metacognitions. Presented at the Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.
2021
Salafia, C., Belamkar, V., Waite, B. M, & Bowman L.L.. (2021, May 26-27). Predictors of Protective Health Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Presented at the 2021 Association for Psychological Science Virtual Convention.
Villar, L. & Waite, B. M. (2021, May 26-27). Traditional and Social Media Consumption, Post-Traumatic Stress and Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Presented at the 2021 Association for Psychological Science Virtual Convention.
Bracken, M. & Waite, B. M. (2020). Self-efficacy and nutrition related goal achievement of MyFitnessPal users. Health Education & Behavior, 47(5), 1-5. (Online First, June 2020). https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198120936261
Bracken, M. & Waite, B. M. (2020, February). Online Social Support and Achievement of Physical Activity Goals. Presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA.
Waite, B. M., Belamkar, V., Bailey, N., Figueroa, V., Salafia, C. C., Byrne, K. & Bowman, L. (2020, May). Media Multitasking, Mind-Wandering, Divergent Thinking and Learning of College Students. Accepted for presentation at the 32nd Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL. (Conference canceled/pandemic)
2019
Belamkar, V., Waite, B. M., Bailey, N., Figueroa, V., & Bowman, L. L. (2019, May). Multitasking via Social Media Disrupts Quiz Performance for Concurrent Information Only. Presented at the 31st Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.
Bracken, M., Waring, M., & Waite, B.M. (2019, May). Use of MyFitnessPal App Social Features and Achievement of Physical Activity Goals. Presented at the UConn Center for mHealth and Social Media 3rd Annual Conference: Social Media and Health, Storrs, CT.
Levine. L. E., Waite, B. M., Bowman, L. L., & Kachinsky, K. (2019). Mobile media use by infants and toddlers. Computers in Human Behavior, 94, 92–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.12.045
2018
Bowman, L. L., Waite, B. M., Stafford, S., Belamkar, V., & Bailey, N. (2018, May). Multitasking Preference and Media Use Relate to GPA but not Reading Fluency or SAT-Verbal scores. Presented at the 30th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco.
Bracken, M. L. D., & Waite, B. M. (2018, May). Smartphone Health App Use, Self-Efficacy and Achievement of Health-Related Goals. Presented at the 30th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco.
Nazario, K., Waite, B. M., & Kelemen, A. (2018, May). Fake News?: Political Affiliation Moderates the Impact of News Source. Presented at the 30th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco.
Waite, B. M., Lindberg, R., Ernst, B., Bowman, L. L., & Levine, L. E. (2018). Off-task multitasking, note-taking and lower- and higher-order classroom learning. Computers & Education, 120, 98-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.01.007
2017
Galica, V., Boncoddo, R. A, & Waite, B. M. (2017, May). Parents of Adolescents Attitudes and Use of Technology when Engaging in Physical Activity. Presented at the 29th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Boston.
Horowitz, S. W., Mirando, T., Lipman, A., Edmonds, J., &Waite, B. M. (2017, May). Psychophysiology of Violent Open-World Video Game Play. Presented at the 29th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Boston.
2016
Galica, V., Waite, B. M., & Boncoddo, R. A. (2016, May). Use of Screen Technologies and Apps by Families and Young Children. Presented at the 28th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago.
Levine. L. E., Bowman, L. L., Kachinsky, K., Sola, A , & Waite, B. M. (2016, May). Are Smartphones the New Pacifiers? Mobile Media Use by Infants and Toddlers. Presented at the 28th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago.
Lindberg, R., & Waite, B. M. (2016, May). Online Enhancements to an On-ground Course: Discussions, Learning and Social Connectivity. Presented at the 28th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago.
Waite, B. M., Lindberg, R., Ernst, B. Bowman, L. L., & Levine, L. E. (2016, August). Media Multitasking Decreases both Fact Learning and Higher-Order Learning. Presented at the 124th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Denver, CO.
2015
Anderson, M. L., Waite, B. M., & Conway, J. (2015, May). Romance in the Technological Age: Is Media Use Damaging Romantic Relationships? Presented at the 27th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, New York.
Bowman, L. L., Waite, B. M., Levine, L E. (2015). Multitasking and attention: Implications for college students. In L. D. Rosen, N. Cheever, & L. M. Carrier (Eds.), Handbook of Psychology, Technology and Society. Wiley Blackwell.
Horowitz, S.W., Montalvo, K., Moffitt, M., & Waite, B. M. (2015, May). Psychophysiological Reactions to Video Game Events: The Role of Gaming Experience. Presented at the 27th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, New York.
Levine, L. E., Bowman, L. L., Kachinsky, K., Sola, A., & Waite, B. M. (2015, May). Infants, Toddlers, and Mobile Media Use. Presented at the 27th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, New York.
Waite, B. M., Lindberg, R., Ernst, B., Bowman, L. L., Levine, L. E., Harwood, E., Gladden, B., & Cool, R. (2015, May). Multitasking via Texting Disrupts Performance on Academic Tasks Requiring Lower-Order Cognition. Presented at the 27th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, New York.
2014
Bowman, L. L., Waite, B. M., Levine, L E. (2014). A cross-cultural comparison of media multitasking in American and Malaysian college students. The International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning, 4(3), 1-17.
Reis, V., Fallon, M., & Waite, B. M. (2014). Own-gender bias in change detection for gender-specific images. Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research, 19(2), 71-75.
Waite, B. M., Lindberg, R., Radu, T. G., Levine, L. E., & Bowman, L. L. (2014, May). Social Media Use Gratifications: More Narcissism and Less Neurosis. Presented at the 26th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.
2013
Crosby, E. E., Radu, T. G., & Waite, B. M. (2013, May). Texting and Academic Task Performance in the Classroom: Does Texting Skill Matter? Presented at the 25th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.
Horowitz, S.W., Macri, G., Murawski, D., Allegretti, M., Waite, B. M., & Gendron, M. (2013, May). Unique Emotion During First-Person Shooter Video Game Play. Presented at the 25th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.
Levine, L E., Waite, B. M., & Bowman, L. L. (2013). Use of instant messaging predicts self-report but not performance measures of inattention, impulsiveness and distractibility. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 16(12), 898-903. doi:10.1089/cyber.2012.0504
Sironen, J. E., & Waite, B. M. (2013, May). College Student Organization Leaders Report Lower Sense of Community with Online Training. Presented at the 25th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.
Waite, B. M. (2013, May). Emotional Aggression following Daily Violent Video Gaming: A Field Experiment. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, May 2-4, 2013.
Waite, B. M., Levine, L. E., Bowman, L. L., & Radu, T. G. (2013, May). Measuring Connectedness to Technology: Development of the Attitudes toward Mobile Media Scale. Presented at the 25th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.
2012
Bowman, L. L., Waite, B. M., & Levine, L. E. (2012, May). Context of Electronic Multitasking Behaviors in Malaysian and American Students. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago.
Holt, S. A., Fallon, M., Sikorski, J., Waite, B. M., & Wood, R. M. (2012, May). Differences in Perceptions of Academic Experiences between Internship Participants and Nonparticipants. Presented at the 19th Annual APS – STP Teaching Institute at the 24th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago.
Levine, L E., Waite, B. M., & Bowman, L. L. (2012). Mobile media use, multitasking and distractibility. The International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning: Special Issue on Mobile Computing Behavior, 2(3), 15-29.
Levine, L E., Waite, B. M., & Bowman, L. L. (2012). Cyber-media use, multitasking and academic distractibility. In Z. Yan (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Cyber Behavior (pp. 342-353). Hershey, PA: IGI Global.
2011
Bowman, L. L., Waite, B. M., & Levine, L. E. (2011, May). Multitasking in Malaysia: A Cross-Cultural Comparison with American College Students. Presented at the 23rd Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.
2010
Bowman, L. L., Levine, L. E., Waite, B. M., & Gendron, M. (2010). Can students really multitask? An experimental study of instant messaging while reading. Computers & Education, 54(4), 927-931. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2009.09.024
Bowman, L. L., Waite, B. M., & Levine, L. E. (2010, August). Electronic Multitasking and Efficiency During Academic Work: Inattention, Impulsiveness and Distractibility. Presented at the 118th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, San Diego, CA.
Waite, B. M., Vickery, H. R., & Pugliese, J. J. (2010, May). Video Game Play and Gender: Dance, Dance, Violence and Fun! Presented at the 22nd Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Boston, MA.
2009
Ayers, J. E., & Waite, B. M. (2009, May). Violent Video Gaming and Aggression in Daily Life: An Experiment in Situ. Presented at the 21st Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco.
Levine, L. E., Waite, B. M., & Bowman, L. L. (2009, May). Texting the Night Away: Electronic Multitasking, Inattention and Distractibility in College Students. Presented at the 21st Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco.
Waite, B. M., Levine, L. E., & Bowman, L. L. (2009). Instant messaging and multitasking: Impulsiveness, distractibility, and media use of college youth. American Journal of Media Psychology. 2(3-4), 126-146.
2008
Bowman, L. L., Levine, L. E., Waite, B. M., & Gendron, M. (2008, August). Instant Messaging Impacts Academic Reading Time, but Not Test Performance. Presented at the 116th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Boston, MA, August 14–17, 2008.
McKay, E., Conway, J. M., & Waite, B. M. (2008, August). School Belonging Mediates the Relationship between Attachment and Academic Motivation. Presented at the 116th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Boston, MA, August 14–17, 2008.
2007
Levine, L. E., Waite, B. M., & Bowman, L. L. (2007). Electronic media use, reading and academic distractibility in college youth. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 10(4), 560-566.
Levine, L. E., Waite, B. M., & Bowman, L. L. (2007, August). Electronic Media Use and Multitasking Predict Distractibility and Impulsiveness. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco.
2006
Waite, B. M., Bowman, L., & Levine, L. (2006, May). College Students’ Use of Instant Messaging Relates to Distractibility and Impulsiveness. Presented at the 18th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, New York.
2005
Booker, S., & Waite, B. M. (2005, May). Humilitainment? Lessons from 'The Apprentice': A Reality Television Content Analysis. Presented at the 17th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Society, Los Angeles.
Hillbrand, M., Waite, B. M., Rosenstein, M., Harackiewicz, D., Lingswiler, V. M., & Stehney, M. (2005). Serum Cholesterol Concentrations and Non-Physical Aggression in Healthy Adults. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 28(3), 295-299.
Levine, L., Waite, B. M., & Bowman, L. L. (2005, May). Reading, Electronic Media Use and Distractibility in Traditionally Aged College Students. Presented at the 17th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Society, Los Angeles.
2004
Waite, B. M., Bendezu, J., & Booker, S. (2004, May). Why do we like Reality Television? A personality analysis. Presented at the 16th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Society, Chicago.
Waite, B. M., & Bowman, L. L. (2004). Assessment of a web-based "subject pool" system for introductory and advanced psychology courses. In P. Lemma (Ed.), Effective Teaching: Systematic Reflections on the Scholarship of Teaching, Vol. 1. New Britain, CT: Central Connecticut State University.
2003
Bowman, L. L., & Waite, B. M. (2003). Volunteering in research: Student satisfaction and educational benefits. Teaching of Psychology, 30(2), 102-106.
Bowman, L. L., & Waite, B. M. (2003, May). Assessment of a Web-Based "Subject Pool" System for Introductory and Advanced Psychology Courses. Presented at the CCSU Teaching Innovations Session of the 2003 Excellence in Teaching Symposium. New Britain, CT.
Waite, B. M., & Bowman, L. L. (2003, April). Web-based experiment scheduling and tracking: Applications of Experimetrix to a psychology department subject pool. Presented at the 17th Annual CSU Academic Computing Conference, SCSU, New Haven, CT.
Waite, B. M., & Craig, R. (2003, August). College Students’ Media Use and Social Interactions: A Diary Study. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Division 8, Toronto, Canada.
2002
Bowman, L. & Waite, B. M. (2002, April). Volunteering in Research: More on Student Satisfaction and Educational Benefits. Presented at the Connecticut State University Faculty Research Conference, New Haven, CT.
Levine, L. E., & Waite, B. M. (2002). Television and the Life of the American Child. Clio's Psyche: Understanding the "Why" of Culture, Current Events, History, and Society, 9 (1), 24-26.
Sanders, K. C., & Waite, B. M. (2002, August). Personality Characteristics and Emotional Reactions to Media. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Division 8, Chicago.
2001
Hillbrand, M., Waite, B. M., Rosenstein, M., Harackiewicz, D., Lingswiler, V. M., & Stehney, M. (2001, August). Serum cholesterol concentrations and psychological aggression in healthy adults. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
Pettepit, E. G., & Waite, B. M. (2001, August). Television and internet dependence and the Big Five personality factors. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
2000
Bowman, L., & Waite, B. M. (2000, August). Volunteering in research: Student satisfaction and educational benefits. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
Hillbrand, M., Waite, B. M., Miller, D.S., Spitz, R. T., & Lingswiler, V. M. (2000). Serum cholesterol concentrations and mood states in violent psychiatric patients: An experience sampling study. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 23 (6): 519-529.
Huston, A.C. & Waite, B. M. (2000). Anti-homosexual attitudes in college students: Predictors and classroom interventions. Journal of Homosexuality, 38(3), 117-133.
Levine, L.,& Waite, B. M. (2000). Television viewing and attentional abilities in fourth and fifth grade children. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 21(6), 667-679.
Awards & Grants
- Bradley M. Waite Research Award (established April 2021). Recognized for my contributions to the promotion of research at CCSU across my career through the establishment of the Bradley M. Waite Research Award (April 2021). Now awarded annually as a campus wide honor at Central Connecticut State University.
- Professor of the Year (1996). Central Connecticut State University. Psi Chi award.
- Graduate Student Teaching Award (1984). Kent State University. - Campus wide honor for outstanding teaching.
Memberships & Affiliations
- Association for Psychological Science
- Eastern Psychological Association
- Midwestern Psychological Association
- New England Psychological Association
- PRIM&R: Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research
- Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
Courses Taught
Central Connecticut State University
- Introduction to Psychology
- Adolescent Psychology
- Child and Adolescent Development
- Lifespan Developmental Psychology
- Media Psychology (undergraduate and graduate level)
- Psychology Capstone Seminar
- Seminar in Developmental Psychology (graduate level)
- Research Methods in Psychology I
- Research Methods in Psychology II
- Reading and Research in Psychology
- Internship in Psychological Applications
- Television and Behavior
Wright State University
- Introductory Psychology I & II
- Lifespan Developmental Psychology
- Advanced Topics in Developmental Psychology
- Advanced Topics in Personality Psychology
- Television and Behavior
Kent State University
- General Psychology, including the All-Campus Honors sections
- Child Psychology
- Developmental (Lifespan) Psychology
- Adolescent Psychology
- Sensation and Perception Laboratory/Experimental Methods
- Telecourse Learning Manager for Experimental General Psychology. This was a distance-learning course conducted in conjunction with the local Public Broadcasting System affiliate.