Shari Young Kuchenbecker, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology

Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles

Professional Background

Dr. Kuchenbecker obtained her Ph.D. in Development Studies from UCLA and B.A. degree from Standford University including work at Standford's Bing Nursery School. She originally joined Chapman faculty while finishing her doctoral research at UCLA Lab School. She is also R.W. Research, Inc. Director, a private organization focused on prosocial interventions and has served as Department Chair at Mount St. Mary's. She received Chapman University's Teaching Excellence Award during her first tenure at Chapman as well as teaching awards at other institutions including the Loyola Marymount University Psi Chi Psychology Distinguished Faculty of the Year.

Research and Scholarship

Dr. Shari Kuchenbecker's research and publication areas include developing our understanding of positive psychology principals as applied across the life span specifically focusing on empathy mediation of prosocial behavior, development of empathy and helping people find can-do attitude and behaviors (self-efficacy). A line of this research with Standford Honor Women graduates looks at women's non-linear paths and how community service reciprocally benefits all. Specifically of current interest, 19 studies with Chapman students are exploring how positive emotional tones frame situations, challenges and help individuals discover more beneficial actions for both the individual and their environment. Our interconnected global community requires our individual and group commitment toward positive life long actions.

Her book, Raising Winners: A Parent's Guide to Helping Kids Succeed On and Off the Playing Field, published by Random House is currently distributed through League of Fans in Washington, D.C.. She is a member of American Psychological Association's media panel and regularly consults with publications including Parent, Parenting, Sports Illustrated for Women, Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and others. She has appeared twice or more on CNN and CBS Early Show on topics helping parents provide quality support for their child in sports and exercise activities.

Honors / Membership

American Psychological Association media panel, since 1991
Western Psychological Association conference review panel since 1990
Psy Chi Psychology Distinguished Faculty of the Year, Loyola  Marymount University
Teaching Excellence Award Chapman University
Los Angeles Times Rage in Youth Sports Expert Panel

Teaching, Workshops, and Licensure

Child Development
Life Span Development
Introduction to Psychology
Critical Thinking
Research Methods

Professional Workshops
Teachers in the trenches: 5 life boat survival kit essentials
Raising Real Winners: 3 lifelong success secrets
Raising Real Winners: Tips for teachers and coaches helping at-risk kids earn self-efficacy & life long success
Raising Real Winners: Professional collegiate coach guidelines motivating success among collegiate athletes
Rage in Youth Sports: Professional guidelines for working with parents and coaches.
Rage in Youth Sports: Professional guidelines for coaches, athletic directors, and parents.
Raising Winners: Building young women's self-efficacy across time.
Education Supervision
Research Supervision

Dr. Kuchenbecker regularly gives workshops for professionals, coaches, parents, women's and youth sports organizations in the U.S. on teaching responsibility and building individuals self efficacy.

Publications with students (since joining Chapman in 2007)

Professional Presentations (students in bold):

Newell, A., Pugh, D., Bashist, G., Soto, R., & Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Positive Role Models, Optimistic Attributions, Empathy and Sociocultural Change.  Poster presented in Division 8, Social Psychology, at the Annual Meeting of American Psychological Association, Boston, D.C., August 14-17, 2008.

Bradley, T. & Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Exercise and well-being:  Surfers, exercisers, athletes and non-exercisers.   Presentation  in Division 47, Sport and Exercise Psychology, at the Annual Meeting of American Psychological Association, Boston, D.C., August 14-17, 2008.

Poynter, Kellie, & Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008)  Positive, negative and neutral framing of standardized test instructions and student performance.  Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California.

Focht, A., Krugman, A., & Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Broaden & Build:  Effects of positive, negative and neutral Instructions on Preschoolers’ Participation.  Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California. 

Pugh, D., & Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Intelligence and Empathy:  Balancing Social and Academic Obligations.   Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California. 

Ulrich, B., & Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Framing challenges:  Staying down or getting up again. Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California. 

Jablonski, J. & Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008). Empathy and/or Personal Experience Related to Decreased Sexual Orientation Discrimination.  Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California. 

Grossi, D.  & Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  .Resilient Students:  Positive and Negative Perceived Teachers’ Influence on Student Motivation.  Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California. 

Brink, K. & Kuchenbecker, S. (2008).  Emotional self-regulation:  Self-efficacy. Empathy, and Perceived Life Satisfaction. Poster  presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California. 

Lau, C. & Kuchenbecker, S. (2008).  Self-wakers vs. Alarm Clock Dependent Individuals:  Enhanced Life Satisfaction and GPA. Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California. 

Nguyen, L. & Kuchenbecker, S. (2008).  Father vs. Mother Dominant Parent;  Social Involvement, Academic Success, Empathy and Life Satisfaction. Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California. 

Krajniak, R.  & Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Mood and music:  High Music Emotional Self-Regulators Show Enhanced Responding to Differing Music Genres. Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California. 

Braze, S., & Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  College students’ community service:  Feel Good, Do Good Awareness and Well Being. Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California. 

Soto, R., Bashist, G., & Kuchenbecker, S. (2008).  Positive Multicultural Framing:  Creative, academic and personal contribution willingness among Majority and Minority Group Members. Poster  presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California. 

Ward, K. & Kuchenbecker, S. (2008).  Birth Order Serendipity and Willingness to Try New Activities.   Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California. 

Choi, Y. and Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Exercise and Well-being:  Men’s Greater Body and Appearance Satisfaction and Reduced Stress. Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California. 

Smekal, A.,& Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Identity, Familial Curiosity and Well Being among Adopted and Non-Adopted Children.   Poster presented at the 88^th Annual Meeting of Western Psychological Association, Irvine, California.

Additional Presentations since joining Chapman (2007)