Dr. Jessica B. Clevering

Dr. Jessica Clevering is fascinated by the effects that groups can have on individuals and that individuals can have on groups. “I was always interested in the field of psychology in general, but living and traveling abroad gave me a desire to learn about the intricate ways in which human lives and cultures are connected,” Clevering says. She wants her students to be able to think Christianly about their careers, their social settings, their conversations with their family and friends, and their daily choices.

What drew her to Trinity:

She was drawn to the College because of its foundation in Christianity. “I can actively live out my faith on campus and challenge my students to do the same.”

Research interests:

Clevering’s research interests include identity, social identity theory, religiosity, and prejudice. “I research how being a member of a certain social group can affect how you see yourself, how you act, your attitudes, and your emotions. To understand these relationships is to understand yourself better and to also understand the implications of your social group membership.”

When she’s not teaching:

When not teaching, Clevering is often playing with her daughter, watching superhero or sci fi movies with her husband, cooking, or reading.

Clevering, J. & Wolff, K. (2023, April). The effect of powerlessness on perceived stability and system justification. Presentation at the Midwestern Psychological Association conference, Chicago, IL.

Clevering, J. (2023, April). Grading on the ability to understand another’s perspective. Presentation at the Midwestern Psychological Association conference, Chicago, IL.

O’Connor, K., Perez, B., Gorman, S., Clay, C., & Clevering, J. (2022, May 26-30). An examination of quality points in interteach in a college course. In C. M. Gayman (Chair), Interteaching: What we can learn from recent research in higher education [Symposium]. Association for Behavioral Analysis International 48^th Annual Convention, Boston, MA, United States.

Clevering, J. & Wolff, K. (2019, June). Challenging institutional racism: System Justification Theory and perceptions of change. Presentation at the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues annual conference, San Diego, CA.

Wolff, K., & Clevering, J. (2019, April). This is fine: System Justification Theory and perceived immutability. Presentation at the Midwestern Psychological Association conference, Chicago, IL.

Wolff, K., & Clevering, J. (2018). System justification theory and multicultural training in counselor education. Journal of Counseling in Illinois, 5 (1).

Clevering, J., Wolff, K., Rosario, R., & Lemkuil, E. (2018, April). Emotional reactions to racism: Definitions and social dominance orientation matter. Presentation at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL.

Wolff, K., Clevering, J., Fazekas, A., Otte, O., & Van Der Pol, J. (2018, April). The relationships among rejection of racism, colorblindness, guilt, and empathy. Presentation at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL.

Clevering, J. & Wolff, K. (2017, June). Speaking of racism: Differing reactions to differing terms. Poster presented at the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues annual conference, Albuquerque, NM.

Wolff, K. & Clevering, J. (2017, March). How to belong when you don’t fit in: Exploring Paths to a sense of belonging among racially diverse students at predominantly White, Christian college.  Presentation at Christian Association for Psychological Studies conference, Lombard, IL.

Clevering, J. (2016, April). Introduction to Attachment. Presentation at the Psychology Renewed Conference, Palos Heights, IL.

Clevering, J. Wolff, K., Coffey, C. Roberts, A. (2015, April). Where do I fit? The relationship between achievement goals and student identity. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Sandbulte, N., Clevering, J., & Christians, M. (2011, April). Mission-driven learning in psychology. Paper presented at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies International Conference, Indianapolis, IN.

Clevering, J., Mashek, D., DeFord, S., & Yamamura, T. (2011). Help seeking attitudes–not behaviors–predict academic performance in college. In D. Mashek & E. Hammer (Eds.), Empirical Research in Teaching and Learning: Contributions from Social Psychology. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell      

Clevering, J. (2009, June). Review of the book Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection. Pro Rege, 37(4).

Clevering, J. (2009). The beholder’s eye: Vision and perception in afterimage studies of attitude change. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 3, 339-350.

Mahajan, N., Clevering, J., & Turcotte, D. C. (2007, August). Celebrity gossip consumption as a form of downward social comparison. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco.

Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS)
Midwestern Psychological Association