Dr. Megan Vendemia
Areas of Study:
Communication Technology
Mediated Communication
Research Interests:
Self-Presentation
Body Image
Social Influence
Dr. Vendemia is broadly interested in
the social and psychological implications of communication technology and
new media. She primarily uses quantitative experimental methods to
investigate how individuals perceive features of communication
technologies (e.g., social media) and their subsequent psychological
effects on users’ self-concepts and well-being (e.g., body image).
Specifically, her work has focused on better understanding the cues and
strategies people use to detect the authenticity of various forms
of user-generated content, including social media imagery,
online business reviews, grassroots political campaign messages, and
direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertisements. Her findings
advance theoretical understanding of the uses and effects of communication
technologies and offer practical guidance for promoting healthier, more
authentic mediated interactions.
Education:
B.S., Youngstown State University
M.B.A., Bowling Green State University
M.A., The Ohio State University
Ph.D., The Ohio State University