James A. Graham, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Developmental Focus, Coordinator

Department of Psychology
The College of New Jersey
P.O. Box 7718
Ewing, NJ 08628

Office Location: 122 SSB

Developmental Lab:  10 B & C SSB
Office Phone Number: 609.771.2638
Office Fax Number: 609.637.5178

Academic Schedule

   
EDUCATION

Ph.D., The University of Memphis

M.S., The University of Memphis

B.A., Miami University (OH)

TEACHING

I view teaching as a transformative learning process for both the teacher and student. The interrelationship between an educator and an apprentice is bidirectional; that is, they continually modify each other’s knowledge. As a teacher/scholar, I provide the bridge between teaching and scholarship for students. Through my teaching, I impart an understanding of the theoretical, contextual, ethical, and conceptual issues inherent in psychological research into all of my courses.

Undergraduate Courses 
  • Child Development
  • Developmental Research Methods
  • Development across the Lifespan
Undergraduate Seminars
  • An Analysis of Ethnic and Racial Diversity among US Children
  • Cross-cultural Child Development
  • Children's Peer Relationships and Friendships
  • Children and the Media
Graduate Courses
  • Introduction to Research
  • Advanced Child Growth and Development
SCHOLARSHIP

My scholarship focuses on the social-cognitive aspects of  peer relationships among school children (K - 5) from both molar (peer group) and molecular (dyads) perspectives. The overarching theme of my research is to foster prosocial behaviors and cognitions among children. I have 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.  I am the co-author of two books, Developmental Science: An Introductory Approach (Harris and Graham, 2009); and The African American Child: Development and Challenges (Harris and Graham, 2007).  Furthermore, I am the editor of a book entitled Children of Incarcerated Parents: Theoretical, Developmental and Clinical Implications (Harris, Graham, and Oliver Carpenter, Forthcoming 2010).

Research Interests
  • Peer Relationships
  • Racial/Ethnic Identity Development
  • Friendships
  • Social Cognition and Relational Schemas
  • Media/Technology and Children
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Books

Harris, Y.R., Graham, J.A., & Oliver Carpenter, G. (in press). Children of Incarcerated Parents: Theoretical, Developmental and Clinical Implications. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

Harris, Y.R., & Graham, J.A. (2009). Developmental Science: An Introductory Approach. Dubuque, IA. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, ISBN: 9780757565519.

Harris, Y.R., & Graham, J.A. (2007). The African American Child: Development and Challenges. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, ISBN10: 0826127568, ISBN13: 9780826127563.

Journal Articles and Chapters

Graham, J.A., Harris, Y.R., & Oliver Carpenter, G. (in press). The changing landscape of the American prison population: Implications for children of incarcerated parents. Children of Incarcerated Parents: Theoretical, Developmental and Clinical Implications. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

Oliver Carpenter, G., Graham, J.A., & Harris, Y.R., and (in press). Research and intervention: Issues for moving forward. Children of Incarcerated Parents: Theoretical, Developmental and Clinical Implications. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

Harris, Y.R., Harris, V., Graham, J.A., & Oliver Carpenter, G. (in press). The challenge of family reunification. Children of Incarcerated Parents: Theoretical, Developmental and Clinical Implications. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

Sarafino, E.P., & Graham, J.A.  (2006). Development and psychometric evaluation of an instrument to assess reinforcer preferences: The Preferred Item and Experiences Questionnaire (PIEQ).  Behavior Modification, 30(6), 835-847.

Bledsoe, K.L., & Graham, J.A.  (2005). The use of multiple evaluation approaches in program evaluation. American Journal of Evaluation, 26(3), 302 - 319.

Cox, M., Garrett, E., & Graham, J.A. (2004). Death in Disney films: Implications for children's understanding of death. Omega - Journal of Death and Dying, 50(4),  257 - 280.

Graham, J.A., & Sell, M. A.  (2001).  Episodes of pragmatic behaviors in parent-child interactions.  Psychological Reports, 89, 513-519.

Ray, G., Graham, J.A., & Cohen, R. (2001). The importance of relationship information for children's evaluations of peers and social situations.  Advances in Psychology Research, Vol. V, Nova Science Publishers, 209-230.

Graham, J.A., Cohen, R, Zbikowski, S. M., & Secrist. M.E. (1998). A longitudinal investigation of race and sex as factors in children's friendship choices. Child Study Journal, 28, 245-266.

Graham, J.A., & Cohen, R. (1997). Race and sex as factors in children's sociometric ratings and friendship choices.  Social Development, 6, 355-372.

Published Research Reports

Graham, J. A. (2001). Relational schemas and friendship quality in inner-city school children.  Education Resources Information Center.

Graham, J.A., Gangluff, A., Kollock, K, & Pizza, J. (2000). Relational schemas and children’s friendship dyads as a function of peer group status. Education Resources Information Center.

Graham, J.A., Cohen, R., & MacDonald, C. (1997). Longitudinal effects of awareness of liking on children’s peer relationships.  Education Resources Information Center.

Graham, J.A., & Sell, M. A.  (1996). Episodes of pragmatic behaviors in parent-child interactions.  Education Resources Information Center.

Community Based Research Reports

Graham, J.A. (2008). Children’s Outcomes and Program Quality at the Kidsbridge Museum. Research Brief, Kidsbridge, 2007 – 2008.

Bledsoe, K. L., and Graham, J. A. (2004). Evaluation of the Fun with Books Program, The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey.

PROFESSIONAL LINKS
CURRICULUM VITAE