EDUCATION

1998 Bachelor's of Arts (Psychology): Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

2002 Master's of Arts (Experimental Psychology): New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM

2005 Ph.D. (Social Psychology): New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM

EMPLOYMENT

2022-current      Dean, Office of International Programs

2018-current      Professor, Psychology, The University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL

2016-2022         Director, International Programs Office, The University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL

2014-2022         Dean, College of Liberal Arts, The University of West Alabama

2011-2018         Associate Professor, Psychology, The University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL

2008-2014         Chair, Department of Behavioral Sciences, The University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL

2008-2010         Graduate School Faculty, Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

2005-2011         Assistant Professor, Psychology, The University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

JAPAN-AMERICA SOCIETY OF ALABAMA: Board of Directors (2023-Current).

EDITORIAL BOARD: Studia Psychologia: Theoria et Praxis (2023-Current)

UWA Diversity and Inclusion Committee: International Programs senior representative (2019-current).

ALABAMA-KOREAN EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP: Board of Directors (2018-current).

ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Frontiers in Psychology: Evolutionary Psychology (2017-current)

INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP FELLOW: St. George’s House, Windsor Castle, UK (2016-current)

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON: First World Congress on the Facial Expression of Emotion held October 9-11, 2014 in Oporto, Portugal.

SOCIETY VICE PRESIDENT: Vice President for the International Society on Facial Expression of Emotion. (2014-2016)

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT:  Elected as the Southeast Regional Vice President for The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (2012-2014).

SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION ON COLLEGE AND SCHOOLS COMMISSION ON COLLEGES: Reaffirmation subcommittee chair: Institutional Effectiveness 3.3.1. (2011-2012)

DEAN, Office of International Programs

As the chief officer for the Office of International Programs, I oversee a $500,000 budget. UWA strongly supports international education, benefits from international students, and the benefits of study abroad opportunities. The Office of International Programs focuses on diversifying and stabilizing our partnership portfolio with universities throughout the world, working with UWA academic Deans and the university Admissions Office to increase the international student population on our campus. We have over thirty-five countries represented on our small campus.  The international population grew from 3% to 8% over the four years prior to COVID. We have sustained about a 6-7% international population during the pandemic.      

• Acquired Erasmus+ funding.  Erasmus+ Staff Mobility for Teaching Project in association with the Uniwersytet Rzeszowski, Poland.
• Acquired Erasmus+ funding.  Erasmus+ Credit Mobility (ICM) Project in association with the University of Rennes 1, Rennes France.
• Established 20+ new partner universities from Australia, France, China, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, England, Netherlands, and Germany.
• Oversee international student recruitment
• Initiated formal exchange programs. 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research line investigates emotional reactions to threat and the behaviors those emotions motivate.  Specifically, I am interested in the emotional experience, the physiology of emotions, how those emotions vary as a function of social variables, and how those emotions influence mental and physical health.  My recent research utilizes psychophysiological measures and social psychological theories to study emotions produced from intergroup interactions.

CURRENT RESEARCH

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:

• Language accents as a symbolic intergroup threat
• Social acceptance and social rejection’s role in depression
• Relationships and The Dark Triad
• Ghosting and The Dark Triad

PROFESSIONAL AND HONORARY AFFILIATIONS

• Japan-American Society of Alabama
• Alabama-Germany Partnership
• Alabama-Korean Education and Economic Partnership
• Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology
• Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, Past Southeast Regional Vice President
• UWA Phi Kappa Phi Great Minds Award (2019)

SKILLS AND TRAINING

• Methamphetamine abuse prevention and treatment (Matrix Institute)
• Microexpression certification
• Facial action coding system
• Electromyography, cardiovascular impedance & skin conductance
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (Commission on College): Summer Training Institute
• Council of Undergraduate Research: Institute on Initiating and Sustaining Undergraduate Research Programs
• National Science Foundation: Grant Training Workshop (Nashville, TN)
• National Institute of Health: Grant training webinar series

GRANTS

• Biology Opportunities and Scholarships for success II.  The National Science Foundation S-Stem Program, October 2021-September 2026.  $1,500,000. Co-PI.
• Erasmus+ Credit Mobility (ICM) Project in association with the University of Rennes 1, Rennes, France.  Award period: August 1^st, 2019 to July 31^st, 2022. 
• US Department of Education: Co-author and Course Development Faculty Partner: UWA CARES (Center for Achievement, Retention, and Enrichment Services). PR Award # P382A150030. Total award - $2,299,730.  Award period – 2015 – 2020.
• U.S. Department of Justice: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.  Methamphetamine Rural Initiative Grant (2008-2011, CKWX0528) ($187,060).

PUBLICATIONS

Freitas-Magalhães, A. & Davis, M. (2022). Brain, Face and Emotion (Vol.1, pp.111-122). Porto: FEELab Science Books.

Laidler, P., & Davis, M. (2022). Emotion and Criminal Sentencing.In A. Freitas-Magalhães, & Davis, M. (Eds.), Brain, Face and Emotion (Vol.1, pp.101-110). Porto: FEELab Science Books.

Scalf, K., & Davis, M. (2022). Emotion and Criminal Sentencing.In A. Freitas-Magalhães, & Davis, M. (Eds.), Brain, Face and Emotion (Vol.1, pp.111-122). Porto: FEELab Science Books.

Stephens, L., & Davis, M. (2022). Amygdala Functionality and Sociocultural Learning Influence Emotional Recognition in Autism.In A. Freitas-Magalhães, & Davis, M. (Eds.), Brain, Face and Emotion (Vol.1, pp.123-133). Porto: FEELab Science Books.

Chapman, C. & Davis, M.D. (2022). Psychopathy and Emotion: Impact on Spontaneous Facial Expressions. Handbook on Facial Expression of Emotion (Vol. 5). Porto: FEELab Science Books.

Gadberry, A. & Davis, M.D. (2022). Exercise and Effect on Positive Emotions. Handbook on Facial Expression of Emotion (Vol. 5). Porto: FEELab Science Books.

Gerhart, G. & Davis, M.D. (2022). Emotional Development in Children. Handbook on Facial Expression of Emotion (Vol. 5). Porto: FEELab Science Books.

Young, K. & Davis, M.D. (2022). Emotion and Depression. Handbook on Facial Expression of Emotion (Vol. 5). Porto: FEELab Science Books.

Jonason, P.K., Kaźmierczak, I., Campos, A.C., & Davis, M.D. (2022). The Dark Triad traits and ghosting in sexual and romantic relationships. Acta Psychologica, 220, 103425.

Daniel, A.F. & Davis, M.D. (2021). The role of emotions in child abuse. Handbook on Facial Expression of Emotion (Vol. 4). Porto: FEELab Science Books.

Guthery, S. L. & Davis, M.D. (2021). Psychopathy and emotions: A new neural theory. Handbook on Facial Expression of Emotion (Vol. 4). Porto: FEELab Science Books

Petrarca, V.N. & Davis, M.D. (2021). The role of emotions in cult dynamics. Handbook on Facial Expression of Emotion (Vol. 4). Porto: FEELab Science Books

Jonason, P.K., Koehn, M., Bulyk, R. A., Davis, M.D. (2020).  Standing out and not fitting in: The Dark Triad traits and social values.  Journal of Social Psychology, https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2019.1623162

Koehn, M.A., Jonason, P.K., & Davis, M.D. (2019).  A person-centered view of prejudice: The Big Five, Dark Triad, and prejudice.  Personality and Individual Differences, 139, 313-316.

Jonason, P.K. & Davis, M. D. (2018). A gender role view of the Dark Triad traits.  Personality and Individual Differences (125), 102-105.  DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2018.01.004

Amerg, H. & Davis, M. D. (2017). Language and emotions. A. Freitas-Magalhães, (Ed.) (pp. 214-227). Emotional expression: The brain and the face (Vol. 9). Porto, Portugal: FEELab Science Books. ISBN: 978-989-8766-44-1.

Jones, A., Dickhaus, J., & Davis, M. (2017). Role Models or Criminals? The Effects of Race and Severity of Criminal Activity on Audience Perceptions of Professional Athletes. In Billings, A. & Brown, K. (Eds.), Evolution of the Modern Sports Fan. Lexington, KY: Lexington Books.

Freitas-Magalhães, A., Coelho-Moreira, A., Alves, D., Campus, A.C., & Davis, M.D. (2016). Handbook on Facial Expression of Emotion (Vol. 2). Porto: FEELab Science Books. ISBN:  9789898766052.

Williford, G. & Davis, M.D. (2016). Psychopathy and emotion: A review of the literature.  In A. Freitas-Magalhães, A. Coelho-Moreira, D. Alves, A. C. Campos, & M. Davis (Eds) (pp. 67-88). Handbook on Facial Expression of Emotion (Vol. 2). Porto: FEELab Science Books.

Patterson, K, & Davis, M.D. (2016). Microexpressions and deception detection. In A. Freitas-Magalhães, A. Coelho-Moreira, D. Alves, A. C. Campos, & M. Davis (Eds) (pp. 177-188). Handbook on Facial Expression of Emotion (Vol. 2). Porto: FEELab Science Books.

Mata, R., Davis, M.D., & Beutler, E. (2016).  Emotions: A review and an integrative theory proposal.  In A. Freitas-Magalhães, A. Coelho-Moreira, D. Alves, A. C. Campos, & M. Davis (Eds) (pp. 234-260). Handbook on Facial Expression of Emotion (Vol. 2). Porto: FEELab Science Books.

Pivik, K, Williams, C. C., & Davis, M. D. (2015). Toward a More Comprehensive View of Prejudice via Empathy and Facial Expression Mimicry. A. Freitas-Magalhães, (Ed.), Emotional expression: The brain and the face (Vol. 7). Porto, Portugal: Edições Universidade Fernando Pessoa. ISBN: 978-989-8766-10-6.

Davis, M.D. (2015).  Reducing Misanthropic Memory through self-awareness: Reducing bias.  American Journal of Psychology, 128 (3), 347-354. DOI: 10.5406/amerjpsyc.128.3.0347

Davis, M.D. (2014).  Electromyographic analysis of responses to third person intergroup threat. Journal of Social Psychology. DOI: 10.1080/00224545.2014.972311.

Freitas-Magalhães, A. Bluhm, C., & Davis, M.D. (2013). Handbook on Facial Expression of Emotion. Porto: FEELab Science Books.

Davis, M. D. (2013).  The Classical Theories of Emotion and New Modern Approaches.  In A. Freitas-Magalhães, C. Bluhm & M. Davis (Eds). Handbook on facial expression of emotion (pp.66-93) Porto: FEELab Science Books.

Davis, M.D. & Murray, S.C. (2012). Facial reactions to social threat: An investigation of the comprehensive theory of emotional reactions to social threat.  IN A. Freitas-Magalhães (ed), Emotional Expression: The Brain and the Face (Vol. 3)(pp. 173-192).  University of Fernando Pessoa Press.

Davis, M.D. & Stephan W.G., (2011).  Emotional reactions to intergroup threat. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 41 (1), 196-218.

Davis, M.D. & Murray, S (2010).  Threat and emotions: Development of a comprehensive theory. Diversidades, 13 (26), 44-49.

Stephan, W.G., Renfro, C.L., & Davis, M.D. (2009).  The role of threat in intergroup relations.  In U. Wanger, L. Tropp, G. Finchilescu, & C. Tredoux (Eds) Improving intergroup relations: Building on the legacy of Thomas F. Pettigrew. Boston, MA: Blackwell Publishing.

Ketelaar, T., Preston, B., Russell, D. C., Davis, M. & Strosser, G. (2007). EMOTLAB: Software for studying Emotional Signaling in Economic Bargaining Games. Behavioral Research Methods, 14, 959-972.

RECENT PRESENTATIONS:

Davis, M.D. (2022). The Face of Psychopaths: Brain and Emotion.  Keynote Presentation.  Face Summit 2022 Online, Porto Portugal.

Rawson, D., Naidoo, S., Davis, M.D., & Matthews, A. (2020).  Distance learning design and effectiveness. Panel presentation.  Eurasian Higher Education Summit, Istanbul, Turkey.

Campos, A, C., Davis, M.D., & Jonason, P.K. (2019, March). Ghosting and the Dark Triad: The Relationship of Ghosting, Emotion, and Personality.  Poster presented at the 3^rd International Conference on Psychological Science.  Paris, France.

Bluhm, C., Blandin, K., Davis, M. D., & Smiley, M. (2017, July). Face Transplantation and Facial Expression of Emotion: A Qualitative Study on Emotional Intelligence. Poster presented at the 6^th International Congress on Emotional Intelligence.  Porto, Portugal.

Davis, M. D., Bluhm, C., & Warlick, C.A., (2017, July).  Religion, emotion, and threat: The effect of religious leaders’ images on perceptions of intergroup threat. Poster presented at the 6^th International Congress on Emotional Intelligence.  Porto, Portugal.

Davis, M.D., Warlick, C. (2017). Religion, Emotion, and Threat:  The effect of religious leaders’ images on perceptions of intergroup threat.  Poster presented at the 2^nd International Conference on Psychological Science.  Vienna, Austria.

Warlick, C.A., Ingram, P.B., Ternes, M.S., Krieshok, T.S., & Davis, M.D. (2016, August). Development and Initial Validation of an Integrated Scale to Assess Religious Fundamentalism.  Poster presented at the American Psychological Association annual convention in Denver, CO.

Warlick, C.A., Ingram, P.B., Ternes, M.S., Krieshok, T.S., & Davis, M.D. (2016, August). Attitudes and Values as an Integrative Framework for Vocational Decision Making.  Poster presented at the American Psychological Association annual convention in Denver, CO.

Ingram, P.B., Warlick, C.A., Ternes, M.S., Krieshok, T.S., & Davis, M.D. (2015, August).  Validation of the Integrated Hope Scale.  Poster presented at the American Psychological Association annual convention in Toronto, Canada.

Warlick, C.A., Ingram, P.B., Ternes, M.S., Krieshok, T.S., & Davis, M.D. (2015, August).  Incorporating hope into Vocational Psychology.  Poster presented at the American Psychological Association annual convention in Toronto, Canada.

Davis, M.D., Freitas-Magalhães, A., Pivik, K. (2015, March). Emotional reactions to accent: An investigation of language accent’s influence on cognition and emotion.  Poster presented at the International Conference of Psychological Science in Amsterdam, NL.

Davis, M.D. & Pivik, K. (2015, February). An investigation of emotional reactions to ethnic, religious, and sexual orientation images.  Poster presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conference in Long Beach, CA.

Davis, M.D. (2014, October).  The role of emotion in intergroup relations.  Keynote address given at the 1^st World Congress on Facial Expression of Emotion, Porto, Portugal.

Davis, M.D. (2014, October).  The role of emotion in social rejection.  Oral presentation given at the 1^st World Congress on Facial Expression of Emotion, Porto, Portugal.

Davis, M.D., & Pivik, K. (2014, June). An investigation of language accent’s influence on psychological and emotional reactions.  Presentation at the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Portland, OR.

Davis, M.D., Pivik, K., Hewitt, A., Hudson, A., Black, K.B., Senkbeil, J., & Warlick, C. (2014, February).  An investigation of language accent’s influence on emotional reactions and perceptions of intelligence.  Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Austin, TX.

Davis, M.D. (2014, February).  Psychopathy: The contribution of forensic neuroscience. Invited lecturer: University Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal.

Davis, M.D. (2013, November).  Facial expression of emotion: The classical theories and new approaches.  Invited lecturer: University Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal.

Davis, M.D., Hewitt, A.C., Warlick, C., & Pivik, K. (2013, January).  An investigation of language accent as a symbolic intergroup threat. Society for Personality and Social Psychology, New Orleans, LA.

Davis, M.D. (2012, November).  Facial expression of emotion: The classical theories and new approaches.  Invited lecturer: University Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal.

Davis, M.D., & Jones, A. (2012, June). Does color matter? Audience perceptions of criminally convicted athletes.  Presentation at the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Charlotte, NC.

Davis, M.D., Warlick, C., Murray, S.C., Pivik-Kelly, K., & Jowers, A. (2012, January).  Reduction of explicit negative attitudes to stereotype-based comedy.  Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Diego, CA.