Tori Peña, Ph.D.
Stony Brook University (2023) PRODiG+ Fellow / Lecturer
Social & Health / Cognitive Science
|
Contact: Psychology B 144
Phone: (631) 632-7806
|
Research Interests:
My research aims to uncover the socio-cognitive processes that are activated when we remember the past and project the future in social contexts. I consider a variety of social interactions – ranging from small collaborative groups to online interactions.
Current Research:
We often reminisce about the past with friends and family as well as plan for the future with our loved ones as a means of social connection. Our social contexts can have profound influences on both our memories and future projections. The goal of my research program is to understand the multitude of ways in which we can influence each other’s memories and future projections. My research questions include how does collaborating in small groups may shape cognition as well as social contexts such as social media.
PUBLICATIONS: Book Chapters
Rajaram, S., Greeley, G.D., Peña, T. (2024). Collaborative memory: A selective review. In: John H. Byrne (Ed.), Learning and Memory: A Comprehensive Reference (3rd edition). Oxford: Academic Press.
Rajaram, S., Peña, T., Greeley, G.D. (2022). How collective memories emerge: A cognitive
psychological perspective. In H.L. Roediger & J. Wertsch (Eds.), Constructing National
Identity: Conflicting Memories and Narratives. Oxford: Academic Press, pp. 409—433.
PUBLICATIONS: Journal Articles
Peña, T. & Rajaram, S. (2025). Do emotional and social primers change the pessimism
in collective future thinking?: Testing the robustness of the collective negativity bias.
Manuscript under revision after invitation from editor.
Peña, T., Pepe, N.W., Rajaram, S. (2025). How social is social memory?: Isolating
the
influences of social versus nonsocial cues on recall. Manuscript under revision after
invitation from editor.
Burchett, C.O., Peña, T., Monahan, C., Bermejo, R., Sarwana, M., London, B. (2025).
The
crucial role of campus representation and sense of belonging of undergraduates in
science, technology, engineering, and math. Advance online publication in
Journal for STEM Education Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41979-025-00148-1
Greeley, G.D., Peña, T., Pepe, N.W., Choi, H.-Y., Rajaram, S. (2025). Fluency tasks
and
collective memory: Leveraging network analysis for a richer understanding of collective
cognition. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology / Revue Canadienne de Psychologie
Expérimentale, 79(1), 61–73. https://doi.org/10.1037/cep0000353
Thorpe, D., Mirhashem, R., Peña, T., Smokoski, J., Bernard, K. (2024). Exposure to community violence and parenting behaviors: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 150(6), 666—693. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000435
Burnett, L.K.*, Peña, T.*, Rajaram, S., Richmond, L.L. (2023). Personal and national
mental time travel across the adult lifespan during COVID-19. Psychology & Aging, 38(5),
374-–388. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pag0000758
* joint first authors
Peña, T.,* Maswood, R.*, Chen, M., Rajaram, S. (2023). Memory for tweets versus headlines:
Does message consistency matter? Applied Cognitive Psychology, 37(4), 768-–784. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.4068
* joint first authors
Pepe, N.W., Moyer, A., Peña, T., Rajaram, S. (2023). Deceitful hints: A meta-analytic review of the part-list cuing impairment in recall. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 30(4), 1243-–1272. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-023-02263-9
Greeley, G.D.*, Peña, T.*, Rajaram, S. (2022). Social remembering in the digital age:
Implications for virtual study, work, and social engagement. Memory, Mind & Media,
1–24. https://doi.org/10.1017/mem.2022.3
* joint first authors
Jozefowiez, J., Berruti, A.S., Moshchenko, Y., Peña, T., Polack, C.W., Miller, R.R.
(2020).
Retroactive interference: Counterconditioning and extinction with and without biologically
significant outcomes. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning & Cognition,
46(4), 443. https://doi.org/10.1037/xan0000272