Skip to Content

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Search UTC.edu:

Campus & People

Resources:

I-O FACULTY

We are the I-O program faculty. Feel free to e-mail any of us if you have questions about our research or courses. Click on our pictures below for the detailed summary of each of these fine fellows. Scroll down for a briefer summary of each of us.

Mike Biderman      Brian O'Leary      Bart Weathington & "the boy"       Chris Cunningham

Mike Biderman (Ph.D., University of Iowa, 1972)

Mike Biderman's teaching interests include the introductory and intermediate statistics courses, sensation and perception, and the graduate research methods sequence in the I/O program. His current research interests involve the study of structural equation models applied to faking of personality tests and the study of factors available at time of selection to turnover in organizations. His out-of-class interests involve twice daily walks of the Biderman dogs. For more information about Dr. Biderman, click here.

Recent publications

  • Biderman, M. D., Nguyen, N. T., & Sebren, J. (2008). Time-on-ask mediates the conscientiousness - performance relationship.Personality and Individual Difference, 44, 887-897.
  • Nguyen, N. T., & Biderman, M. D. (2008). Studying ethical judgments and behavioral intentions using structural equations: In press. Journal of Business Ethics.
  • Nguyen, N. T., Biderman, M. D., & McDaniel, M. A. (2005). Effects of response instructions on faking a situational judgment test. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 13, 250-260.
  • Cofer, J., Biderman, M. D., Lewis, P. L., Potts, J. R., Laws, H. L., O'Leary, J. P., & Richardson, J. D. (2001). Quality of surgical residency applicants: Is it deteriorating? Results of a national survey. The American Journal of Surgery, 181, 44-49.
  • Helton, G., Ray, B., & Biderman, M. (2000). Responses of school psychologists and special education teachers to administrative pressures to practice unethically: A national survey. Special Services in the Schools, 16(1,2), 111-134.

Top

Brian O'Leary (Ph.D., Tulane University , 2005)

Brian O'Leary's research relates primarily to racial diversity and its effects on group process and performance but also branches out to form collaborative efforts with students and other faculty on a variety of topics. He is currently focusing on race-based differences in perceptions of justice and how those differences can be used to explain the positive and negative effects of racial diversity in work teams and to help develop effective interventions. Brian's background is rather unique. He began doctoral studies in Organizational Behavior at Tulane University after a 14 year career with AT&T in which he held a variety of supervisory and non-supervisory positions in government contracting, accounting, and project management. His hobby is running - mostly 5 and 10Ks, and, after completing the Kona half-marathon in 2004, still has visions of running a marathon "some day" (should his knees hold out). He enjoys playing basketball, softball, and, when in need of severe irritation, golf. His passion is Notre Dame football and, while he is famous for his availability to students, it is probably best to avoid him on football Saturdays. For more info on Dr. O'Leary, click here.

Recent publications

  • O’Leary, B. J., & Turillo, C. J. (2008). Focusing on the Goal of Research. Industrial and Organizational Psychology Perspectives on Science and Practice, 1(4), 420-422.
  • O’Leary, B. J. (2008). Say it ain’t so (average) Joe! Academy of Management Perspectives, 22(3), 6-7.
  • O'Leary, B. J., Durham, C. R., Weathington, B. L., Cothran, D. L., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2009). Racial Identity as a Moderator of the Relationship between Perceived Applicant Similarity and Hiring Decisions. The Journal of Black Psychology, 35(1), 63-77.
  • Maun, L J., & O’Leary, B. J. (2008). Same but different: Understanding Asians’ attitudes toward affirmative action. Modern Psychological Studies, 13(3), 42-56.
  • O’Leary, B. J., Van de Walle, H., & Weathington, B. (2008). Sweeping Up: The line between can and can’t in series competition. Athletic Insight, (10)1, 55-65.
  • Trumpeter, N. N., Watson, P. J., O’Leary, B. J. & Weathington, B. L. (2008). Self-functioning and perceived parenting: Relationships of parental empathy and love inconsistency with narcissism, depression, and self-esteem. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 169(1), 51-71.
  • Watson, P. J., Simmons, N. M., Weathington, B. L., O’Leary, B. J., & Culhane, S. E. (2008). Psychometric analysis and tentative shortening of survey of personal beliefs. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, OnlineFirst, published on May 24, 2008 as doi:10.1007/s10942-007-0077-y.

Top

Bart Weathington (Ph.D., University of Houston , 2004)

Bart’s primary teaching responsibilities are for the job analysis and personnel selection courses in the I-O program. Bart followed a nontraditional route into academe and before joining UTC spent several years working as a management consultant planning, designing, and delivering organizational performance solutions and helping organizations meet human resource challenges. Continuing this trend, Bart’s research interests fall primarily on the “I” side of I-O psychology. Specifically, he is interested in issues regarding employee selection, discipline, and compensation. Recently he has also become interested in sport psychology. Outside of psychology Bart is an avid fencer (although he took several years off while in graduate school and working). He is currently coach of the UTC fencing club. For more info on Dr. Weathington, click here.

Recent publications

  • Amos, E.A. & Weathington, B.L. (2008). An Analysis of the Relationship between Employee-Organization Value Congruence and Employee Attitudes. The Journal of Psychology, 142, 615-631.
  • Burke, L.A. & Weathington, B.L. (2008). Health insurance and job lock: Proposed consequences. Employee Benefit Plan Review, 63(2), 23-25.
  • Cunningham, C.J.L., Weathington, B.L., & Burke, L.A. (2008). Riding the Wellness Wave: Implications for Organizations. Employee Benefit Plan Review, 63(4), 7-9.
  • Hoiness, A.R., Weathington, B.L., & Cotrell, A.L. (2008). Perceptions of Female Athletes Based on Observer Characteristics. Athletic Insight, 10(1), 43-54.
  • O’Brien, R.S., Smithson, J.N., Weathington, B.L., & Booher, L.R. (2008). Big Five Personality Characteristics and Commitment Levels in Romantic Relationships. Modern Psychological Studies, 13, 110-125.  
  • O’Leary, B.J., Vande Walle, H.A., & Weathington, B.L. (2008). Series Sweeps in Competitive Situations: The Line between Can and Can’t. Athletic Insight, 10(1), 55-65.
  • O'Leary, B. J., Durham, C. R., Weathington, B. L., Cothran, D. L., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2009). Racial Identity as a Moderator of the Relationship between Perceived Applicant Similarity and Hiring Decisions. The Journal of Black Psychology, 35(1), 63-77.
  • Trumpeter, N.N., Watson, P. J., O’Leary, B. J., & Weathington, B.L. (2008). Self-Functioning and Perceived Parenting: Relationships of Parental Empathy and Love Inconsistency with Narcissism, Depression, and Self-Esteem. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 169, 51-71.
  • Watson, P. J., Simmons, N. M., Weathington, B. L., O’Leary, B. J., & Culhane, S. E. (2008). Psychometric analysis and tentative shortening of survey of personal beliefs. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, OnlineFirst, published on May 24, 2008 as doi:10.1007/s10942-007-0077-y.
  • Weathington, B.L. (2008). Income Level and the Value of Non-Wage Employee Benefits. Employee Responsibilities and Right Journal, 20, 291-300.
  • Weathington, B.L. & Moldenhauer, H.A. (2008). Gender Role and Personality as Predictors of Peer and Self Leadership Evaluations. E-Journal of Applied Psychology, 4(1), 7-14.

Top

Christopher J. L. Cunningham (Ph.D., Bowling Green State University, 2007)

Chris Cunningham is actively engaged with research that integrates I-O and occupational health psychology. Currently this means that he studies issues such as decision making and recovery from stressful work, the complex interface between work and nonwork roles, and the influence of individual differences in personality and fitness on the stress process. Within the UTC I-O program Chris teaches organizational psychology, organization development, and research methods courses with a smattering of special electives related to occupational health. Apart from his academic career, Chris has also worked as a residence hall/life advisor, child mental health care counselor, anger management workshop facilitator, data entry “specialist”, semi-industrial construction worker, tennis instructor, and hotel guest service worker. He has also had multiple I-O consulting/contract opportunities with public and private, for-profit and non-profit organizations. Aside from his interests in I-O, Chris is an accomplished jazz trumpeter and if he is not in his office he is probably out trying to lead an active lifestyle. For more info on Dr. Cunningham, click here.

Recent publications

  • Ghorbani, N., Watson, P. J., Shamohammadi, K., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (in press). Post-critical beliefs in Iran: Predicting religious and psychological functioning. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion.
  • O'Leary, B. J., Durham, C. R., Weathington, B. L., Cothran, D. L., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2009). Racial Identity as a Moderator of the Relationship between Perceived Applicant Similarity and Hiring Decisions. The Journal of Black Psychology, 35(1), 63-77.
  • Cunningham, C. J. L. (2008). Keeping work in perspective: Work-nonwork considerations and applicant decision making. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal. First published online, DOI: 10.1007/s10672-008-9095-x
  • Cunningham, C. J. L., Weathington, B. L., Burke, L. A. (2008). Riding the wellness wave: Implications for organizations. Employee Benefit Plan Review, 63(5), 7-9.
  • Schwetschenau, H., O’Brien, W., Cunningham, C. J. L., & Jex, S. M., (2008). Barriers to physical activity in an on-site corporate fitness center. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 13(4), 371-380.
  • Cunningham, C. J. L., & De La Rosa, G. (2008). Proactive personality as a complex moderator in the stress process. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 13(3), 271-282.
  • Whinghter, L. J., Cunningham, C. J. L., Wang, M., & Burnfield, J. (2008). Goal orientation as a factor in who thrives and who simply survives in graduate school. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 13(3), 283-291.
  • Cunningham, C. J. L., De La Rosa, G., & Jex, S. M. (2008). The dynamic influence of individual characteristics on employee well-being: A review of the theory, research, and future directions. In K. Näswell, J. Hellgren, & M. Sverke (Eds.), The individual in the changing working life (pp. 258-283). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Schwetschenau, H., O’Brien, W., Cunningham, C. J. L., & Jex, S. M., (in press). Barriers to physical activity in an on-site corporate fitness center. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology.
  • Cunningham, C. J. L., & De La Rosa, G. (2008). Proactive personality as a complex moderator in the stress process. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 13(3), 271-282.
  • Cunningham, C. J. L., De La Rosa, G., & Jex, S. M. (2008). The dynamic influence of individual characteristics on employee well-being: A review of the theory, research, and future directions. In K. Näswell, J. Hellgren, & M. Sverke (Eds.), The individual in the changing working life (pp. 258-283). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Whinghter, L. J., Cunningham, C. J. L., Wang, M., & Burnfield, J. (2008). Goal orientation as a factor in who thrives
    and who simply survives in graduate school. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 13(3) 283-291.

Top