Karla Murdock

Among Murdock’s courses are Introduction to Clinical Psychology and Developmental Psychopathology. Her research program examines associations between technology use and indicators of health, well-being and cognitive performance.

Karla Murdock

Karla Murdock

Jo M. and James M. Ballengee Professor of Cognitive and Behavioral Science

On Sabbatical Leave 2024-2025

Curriculum VitaeWebsite

Education

  • Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, University of Georgia, 1997
  • Clinical Internship, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 1995-96
  • M.S. Clinical Psychology, University of Georgia, 1995
  • B.A. Psychology, Indiana University (Minors in Sociology & Classical Studies), 1990

Research

Professor Murdock’s research investigates psychological correlates of technology use, including sleep quality, affective functioning, and cognitive processing. Her collaborative lab with cognitive psychologist Wythe Whiting, the Technology, Health and Cognition (THaC) Lab, has explored developmentally-specific effects of cellphone-related auditory distractions (i.e., notification sounds) on cognitive performance. They are currently investigating constructs related to affect valuation and rumination as they relate to well-being. The lab utilizes a range of methodologies including behavioral (e.g., sleep self-monitoring, cellphone use tracking), psychophysiological (e.g., EEG, skin conductance), cognitive (e.g., response time, attentional capture), and self-report measures.

Teaching

  • Introduction to Clinical Psychology (CBSC 210)
  • Developmental Psychopathology (CBSC 325)
  • Applications of Cognitive and Behavioral Science (CBSC 301)
  • The Pursuit of Happiness (CBSC 225)
  • Exploring Happiness (Spring Term Study Abroad – Copenhagen; CBSC 296)

Selected Publications

  • Whiting, W.L. & Murdock, K.K. (2021) Notification alert! Effects of auditory text alerts on attention and heart rate variability across three developmental periods. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 74, 1900-1913.

  • Adams, S.K., Murdock, K.K., Daly-Cano, M., & Rose, M. (2020). Sleep in the social world of college students: Bridging interpersonal stress and fear of missing out with mental health. Behavioral Sciences, 10, 1-10.

  • Murdock, K.K., Carlucci, L., & Balsamo, M. (2019). A cross-cultural investigation of co-rumination via cellphone among emerging adults. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 38, 671-703.

  • Murdock, K.K., Adams, S., Crichlow-Ball, C., Horissian, M., & Roberts, M. (2019). Nighttime notification and compulsivity illuminate the link between  emerging adults’ cellphone use and sleep-related problems. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 8, 12-21.

  • Murdock, K.K., Horissian, M., & Crichlow-Ball, C. (2017). Emerging adults’ text message use and sleep characteristics: A multi-method, naturalistic study. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 15, 228-241.