Jennifer L. S. Borton

Jen Borton’s current research program involves understanding how people with defensive self-esteem cope with ego threat. Her research has been published in several journals, including the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, the Journal of Social Psychology and Self and Identity. Borton joined the Hamilton faculty in 1998. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and education from Dartmouth College and a doctorate in social psychology from the University of Minnesota.

Recent Courses Taught

Social Psychology
Self in Social Psychology (lab)
Research Design
Statistics and Research Methods in Psychology
Psychology of Prejudice

Research Interests

Fragile self-esteem (defensive self-esteem, contingent self-esteem, unstable self-esteem)
Thought suppression, both intrapersonal and interpersonal effects

Distinctions

• Hamilton College Class of 1963 Faculty Fellowship
• Hamilton College Hewlett Pluralism and Unity Grant
• Hamilton College Levitt Center for Public Policy research grant
• Hamilton College Kirkland Project for the Study of Gender, Society, and Culture research grant
• University of Minnesota doctoral dissertation fellowship
• University of Minnesota dissertation research funds award
• University of Minnesota departmental travel fellowships
• University of Minnesota Psychology Department fellowship
• Dartmouth College academic citation for excellence in a course
• Dartmouth College Lincoln Filene Undergraduate Fellowship in Human Relations
• Dartmouth College Irl H. Marshall Jr. 1949 Scholarship

Selected Publications

• Borton, J. L. S., Crimmins, A. E., Ashby, R. S., & Ruddiman, J. F. (2012). "How do individuals with fragile self-esteem cope with intrusive thoughts following ego threat?" Self and Identity, 11, 16 – 35.
• Borton, J. L. S., & Reiner, D. R., Vazquez, E. V., Ruddiman, J. F., & Anglin, S. M. (2011). "Does suppressing the thought of a self-relevant stigma affect interpersonal interaction?" Journal of Social Psychology, 151, 240–256.
• Borton, J. L. S., Oakes, M. A., Van Wyk, M. E., & Zink, T. A. (2007). "Using PsyScope to conduct IAT experiments on Macintosh computers." Behavior Research Methods, 39, 789 – 796.
• Borton, J. L. S., & Casey, E. C. (2006). "Suppression of negative self-referent thoughts: A field study." Self and Identity, 5, 230 – 246.
• Borton, J.L.S., Markowitz, L.J., & Dietrich, J. (2005). "Effects of suppressing self-referent thoughts on mood and self-esteem." Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 24, 172-190.

College Service

• Chair, Department of Psychology
• Human Subjects Committee, 2006-13, chair 2010-13  
• Member, Academic Council
• Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning Committee
• President, Hamilton College Chapter of Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society
• Vice president, Hamilton College Chapter of Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society
• Ad hoc committee on the first-year seminar program
• Hamilton College Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Board, chair in 2006-07
• Member of Executive Committee of Hamilton College Chapter of Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society
• Methodological and statistical consultant to Hamilton’s Mellon assessment grant committee
• Psychology department representative and member of the building committee for Science Center construction
• Summer stipend committee for science and mathematics
• New Faculty Orientation Committee (young faculty liaison to new faculty)

Professional Affiliations

American Psychological Association
American Psychological Society
Sigma Xi Scientific Honor Society
Society for Personality and Social Psychology

Appointed to the Faculty

Educational Background

Ph.D., University of Minnesota
A.B., Dartmouth College