James A. Graham (psychologist)


James A. Graham, is a professor at The College of New Jersey, in the Department of Psychology. He is a developmental psychologist whose work explores the social-cognitive aspects of children’s relationships.

Education

From grades 7 to 12, he studied drama at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio. After high school graduation in 1988, he pursued undergraduate studies at Miami University in Oxford, OH. He received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology in 1992. In 1994, he completed a Master of Science in Psychology from the University of Memphis. In 1997, he was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of Memphis.

Research

His scholarship focuses on the social-cognitive aspects of peer relationships among school children from both molar and molecular perspectives.
There are 3 interdependent dimensions to his research program. One branch examines populations that are typically understudied, conceptually limited, and methodologically constrained in social science research. His research fills these voids by engaging researchers and students across a variety of fields in critical discourse about the sparse and limited work on the topic, and by presenting a more balanced discussion of the challenges and resilience in the lives of these groups of children. His scholarship moves beyond a deficit view of child development to a holistic account of the historical, cultural, economic, and social factors that influence developmental outcomes. A second branch of his research program centers on children’s development of empathy and prosocial behavior with peer groups and friends across childhood. An additional focus of his work establishes developmental science in the context of community-engaged research partnerships.
He has published articles on the roles of race and gender in children’s friendships, children’s evaluations of social situations, children’s relationship to media, and program evaluation. In 2007, he co-authored a textbook with Yvette R. Harris, . In 2009 and 2010, he co-authored two additional books: the textbook and the edited text .

Teaching

At TCNJ, he teaches courses in child development, research methods, and development across the lifespan. In addition, he teaches developmental seminars in children's social and personality development, ethnic and racial diversity among US children; cross-cultural child development; and children and the media. For the past decade, he has taught graduate Education and Psychology summer courses in Johannesburg, South Africa through TCNJ’s Graduate Global Program.