Susan Harter

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University of Denver
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
Psychology
ProfessorAppointed: 1978

Mailing Address

University of Denver
Denver, Colorado 80208
United States

Contact Information

Phone: (303) 871-3790
Fax: (303) 871-4747
sharter@cassandra.cair.du.edu

Qualifications

Ph.D., Yale University, 1966.
M.S., Yale University, 1963.
B.A., Oberlin College, 1961.

Expertise and Research Interests

My current research interests and areas of expertise are as follows:Development and empirical examination of a model of the determinants and mediational role of self esteem across the life span, including extension of our model of self-esteem to depression and suicidal ideation among adolescents;Affective and cognitive correlates of depression in children, a profile approach, focusing on 1)affect/mood, 2)energy/interest, 3)self-worth, 4)self-blame, 5)hopelessness, and 6) suicidal ideation;Construction of psychometrically sound measures to assess self-concept, motivation and personality factors in children, to be utilized to test theoretical models as well as for educational and clinical dignostic purposes;A domain specific approach to the self-concept which emphasizes a profile of scores across five domains (scholastic competence, athletic competence, social acceptance, and behavioral conduct), as well as general self worth;Self-concept in special groups, e.g. learning disabled, mentally retarded, asthmatic, and physically disabled;The emergence of intrapsychic conflict caused by opposing traits within the self among adolescents.;The developmental emergence of self-affects: pride and shame;A developmental approach to children's understanding of the simultaneity of emotions;Developmental and individual differences in children's intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation for school learning among normal children, as well as special groups, e.g. learning disabled, rearded, and the gifted;Conditionality of support and true/false self behavior among adolescents;Autonomy and connectedness as dimensions of relationship styles in adults;Links between appearance and self-worth, across the life span.

Keywords

COS Keywords:

Adolescent Psychology, Adolescents, Child Development, Child Psychology, Depression, Sociology.

Additional Terms:

Adolescence, Child Development, Depression, Emotional Development, Gender Differences, Motivation, Self-esteem, Social Support.

Languages

(Reading, Writing, Speaking)

French: (Basic, Basic, Basic)

Memberships

American Psychological Association
Phi Beta Kappa
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
Society for Research in Child Development

Previous Positions

1983-present, University of Denver, Director of Developmental Psychology Graduate and Post-Doctoral Programs
1974-1977, University of Denver, Associate Professor
1966-1974, Yale University, Department of Psychology, Child Study Center, Chief Psychologist
1966-1974, Yale University, Assistant-Associate Professor

Publications

  • Harter S, Waters PL, Whitesell NR, Kastelic D, Level of voice among female and male high school students: relational context, support, and gender orientation., Developmental Psychology, 34(5), 892-901, September 1998 Abstract
  • Harter S, Waters P, Whitesell N R, Relational self-worth: differences in perceived worth as a person across interpersonal contexts among adolescents., Child Development, 69(3), 756-66, June 1998 Abstract
  • Harter S, Bresnick S, Bouchey H A, Whitesell N R, The development of multiple role-related selves during adolescence., Development and Psychopathology, 9(4), 835-53, 1 Oct 1997 Abstract
  • Whitesell N R, Harter S, The interpersonal context of emotion: anger with close friends and classmates., Child Development, 67(4), 1345-59, August 1996 Abstract
  • Harter S, Marold D B, Whitesell N R, Cobbs G, A model of the effects of perceived parent and peer support on adolescent false self behavior., Child Development, 67(2), 360-74, April 1996 Abstract
  • Harter S, Marold DB, Psychosocial risk factors contributing to adolescent suicidal ideation., New Dir Child Dev, 71-91, 1 1994 Abstract
  • Harter S, Visions of self: beyond the me in the mirror., Nebraska Symposium On Motivation, 40, 99-144, 1992 Abstract
  • Harter, S. (1993). Causes and consequences of low self esteem in children and adolescents. In R.F. Baumeister (Ed.), Self-esteem: The puzzle of low self regard. New York: Plenum
  • Harter, S. (1990). Adolescent self and identity development. In S. Feldman and G. Elliot (Eds.), At the Threshold: The Developing Adolescent. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University
  • Harter, S. (1983). Developmental perspectives on the self-esteem. In M. Heatherington (Ed.), Handbook of Child Psychology: Social and personality development (vol. 4). New York: Wiley.
  • Harter, S. (1982). The percieved competence scale for children. Child Development, 49, 788-799

Profile Details

Last Updated: 3/16/1999

COS Expertise ID #300086
Reference this profile directly: http://myprofile.cos.com/harters86