Dr. Hannah Wolfe

My research investigates age similarities and differences in emotion regulation. I use eye-tracking, cognitive tests, and self-report measures to study emotion regulation and affect in younger (18-25 yrs), middle-aged, and older adults (65+ yrs). I am particularly interested in acceptance as a regulatory strategy, and have studied situation-focused and emotion-focused acceptance across various contexts and in relation to current events. Additionally, I am continuously interested in how emotions interact with cognitive processes including attention and memory, and how these interactions may evolve across the lifespan. My research team collects data from Stockton students, but also from older adults in the local community.

1. Wolfe, H. E., & Isaacowitz, D. M. (2021). Aging and emotion regulation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aging & Mental Health, 26(5), 890-897. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2021.1910797

2. Wolfe, H. E., & Isaacowitz, D. M. (2022). Aging and emotion regulation during the historical events of 2020. The Gerontologist, 77(9), 1603–1614. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnac106

3. Wolfe, H. E., Livingstone, K. M., & Isaacowitz, D. M. (2022). More positive or less negative? Emotional goals and emotion regulation tactics in adulthood and old age. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 77(9), 1603–1614. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbac061

Research responsibilities can encompass a number of different tasks, including: participant recruitment and scheduling, subject running (running someone through an experiment), data cleaning, literature review, coding of qualitative data, and more! Responsibilities will be assigned based on student interest and on the current status/needs of a research project. Through working in my lab, you will grow skills related to data collection, interacting with participants and local community members, eye-tracking technology, and data analysis.

If you work with me for over 1 year, I will try my best to get you involved in research presentations, including poster presentations at academic conferences. I am also excited to advise students in projects for distinction if you decide that would fit your schedule and goals at Stockton.

Working in this lab is a great opportunity if you think you might be interested in graduate school or a career in research, and I’m happy to also mentor you through those paths while you’re working in the lab.

  • Above all else, students must be dependable, as we recruit and schedule community members to come to campus and participate in our research.
  • All research assistants must commit to a minimum on one full year in the lab to be involved. No student will be accepted for a single-semester experience (it simply takes too long to train on eye-tracking, and I want you to be able to get fully trained and put your skills to practice).
  • Students will be expected to commit 5-10 hours each week to research activities. Course credit is available for interested students.
  • Students must be detailed-oriented, a team player, comfortable working with older adults, and highly motivated.
  • Preference will be given to Psychology majors and Gerontology minors and students who plan to pursue graduate or professional programs in Psychology.

Introduction to Psychology is required. Statistics and Experimental Psychology will really help you succeed in this lab. Additionally, some courses in Gerontology are desired but not required.

Please send an email of interest to Hannah.Wolfe@stockton.edu. Your email should include the following:

  • Your complete name, Z number, program of study, and anticipated graduation date.
  • Relevant coursework and experiences to date.
  • Tell me why you are interested in becoming a research assistant and what your goals are for this research experience

I will follow up and schedule a time for us to meet over Zoom to make sure you seem like a good fit for the lab, and I can tell you more about the specific project you’d be joining. I prefer students to start at the beginning of a semester (Fall/Spring). Additionally, if you’d be interested in summer research, let me know and we can work together to see if that is possible (and could get you course credit).