Professor
Ph.D. University of California-Los Angeles
Area: Developmental

Contact Information

Email: ward@umich.edu
Psychology Office: 2028 East Hall
Psychology Phone: 734-764-0430

Research and Teaching Interests

My research interests center on children’s and adolescents’ developing conceptions of both gender and sexuality, and on the contribution of these notions to their social and sexual decision-making. I am particularly interested in how children interpret and use the messages they receive about male-female relations from their parents, peers, and the media. One current line of research investigates the role of the media in the process of sexual socialization. Do media portrayals shape adolescents’ attitudes and expectations about dating and sexual relationships, which in turn inform their sexual decision-making? A second line examines how adolescents incorporate sexual communication from their parents with input from other sources. My work also explores the intersections between gender ideologies, body image, race, and sexuality.

 

Representative Publications

• Ward, L. M. (2003). Understanding the role of entertainment media in the sexual socialization of American youth: A review of empirical research. Developmental Review, 23, 347-388.
• Ward, L. M., Hansbrough, E., & Walker, E. (2005). Contributions of music video exposure to Black adolescents’ gender and sexual schemas. Journal of Adolescent Research, 20, 143-166.
• Ward, L. M., & Friedman, K. (2006). Using TV as a guide: Associations between television viewing and adolescents’ sexual attitudes and behavior. Journal of Research on Adolescence. 16, 133-156.
• Ward, L. M., Merriwether, A., & Caruthers, A. (2006). Breasts are for men: Media use, masculinity ideology, and men’s beliefs about women’s bodies. Sex Roles, 55, 703-714.