Rebecca Houston Headshot

Rebecca Houston

Associate Professor

Department of Psychology
College of Liberal Arts
rjhgss@rit.edu
585-475-5205
Office Hours
Fall 2023 Tuesdays and Thursday 2pm to 3:15pm And by appointment
Office Location
EAS-2354

Rebecca Houston

Associate Professor

Department of Psychology
College of Liberal Arts

Education

BS, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; MA, Ph.D., University of New Orleans, Louisiana

Bio

Dr. Houston joined the Psychology Department in the Fall of 2016. Prior to that she worked as a Senior Research Scientist at the Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. Her postdoctoral work was completed in the Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center.

Dr. Houston’s research focuses broadly on the psychophysiological and neuropsychological underpinnings of impulsivity and aggression, particularly in the context of substance abuse risk and treatment. Primary techniques used in Dr. Houston’s lab include event-related brain potentials (ERPs; derived from the EEG), heart rate variability, biobehavioral assessment (e.g., executive function, attention), structured clinical interviews, and self-report measures of behavior/mood/personality. Recent research has focused on impulsivity as a mechanism of change in alcoholism treatment, the application of heart rate variability biofeedback in alcohol use disordered individuals, influences of partner interactions on self-control, effects of binge drinking and aggression on executive cognitive function, effects of smoking and binge drinking on ERP correlates of impulsivity, effects of mental illness and substance use on intimate partner violence, and a laboratory examination of aggressive and impulsive behavior in athletes vs. non-athletes.

rjhgss@rit.edu
585-475-5205
Personal Links
Google Scholar

Select Scholarship

Journal Paper
Colton, Kassidy C., et al. "Alcohol Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Gender, Parenthood, Intimate Partner Violence, and Stress." AIMS Public Health 10. 2 (2023): 360-377. Web.
Blose, Brittany A., et al. "The Indirect Effect of Peritraumatic Dissociation on the Relationship Between Childhood Maltreatment and Schizotypy." Journal of Interpersonal Violence. (2022): 1-23. Web.
Levine, Jacob A., et al. "Development and Psychometric Evaluation of a Brief Approach and Avoidance of Alcohol Questionnaire." Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 43. 2 (2019): 353-356. Print.
Ge, Yan, et al. "A Standardised Database of Chinese Emotional Film Clips." Cognition and Emotion 33. 5 (2019): 976-990. Print.
Quigley, Brian M., et al. "Alcohol, Self-regulation, and Partner Physical Aggression: Actor-Partner Effects over a Three Year Time Frame." Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 12. (2018): 1-11. Web.
Houston, Rebecca J. and Nicolas J. Schlienz. "Event-related Potentials as an Index of Behavior Change in Substance Use Disorder Treatment." Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging 3. (2018): 30-40. Print.
Pudane, Mara, et al. "Agent Based Model of Anger Contagion and its Correlations with Personality and Interaction Frequency." International Journal of Education and Informational Technologies, 12. (2018): 7-12. Web.
Quigley, Brian M., et al. "Alcohol Use Moderates the Relationship between Symptoms of Mental Illness and Violence." Psychology of Addictive Behaivors 32. (2018): 770-778. Print.
Bauer, Lance O. and Rebecca J. Houston. "The Value of Instability: An Investigation of Intra-Subject Variability in Brain Activity Among Obese Adolescent Girls." International Journal of Obesity 41. 10 (2017): 1489-1495. Print.
Wan, Jingyan, et al. "Drinking and Driving Behavior at Stop Signs and Red Lights." Accident Analysis & Prevention 104. (2017): 10-17. Print.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Houston, Rebecca J. and Sorim Chung. "Big five and specific facets of impulsivity predict online consumer behavior." Association for Psychological Science. Association for Psychological Science. Washington, DC. 26 May 2023. Conference Presentation.
Allaby, Olivia B. and Rebecca J. Houston. "Cognitive Reserve Questionnaires Differentially Related to Age, Executive Functioning, and Everyday Memory." Eastern Psychological Association. EPA. Boston, MA. 3 Mar. 2023. Conference Presentation.
Cohen, Finn S., Rebecca J. Houston, and Joseph S. Baschnagel. "Cluster B Personality Disorder Symptoms Are Differentially Related to Emotion Regulation Difficulties." Eastern Psychological Association. EPA. Boston, MA. 3 Mar. 2023. Conference Presentation.
Horace, Romiere J. and Rebecca J. Houston. "Gender Differences in Relationships Between Moral Emotions and Trauma." Eastern Psychological Association. EPA. Boston, MA. 3 Mar. 2023. Conference Presentation.
Ramkissoon, Jeremiah E. and Rebecca J. Houston. "Internet-related behaviors: Associations between Facets of Impulsivity, Gender, and Socioeconomic Status." Eastern Psychological Association. EPA. Boston, MA. 4 Mar. 2023. Conference Presentation.
Monopoli, W. John, et al. "A Qualitative Exploration of College Students’ Emotion Socialization Experiences: The First Step in Measurement Development." Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. ABCT. Seattle, WA. 18 Nov. 2023. Conference Presentation.
Monopoli, W. John, et al. "Initial Exploration of the Structure of Emotion Socialization in College Students." Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. ABCT. Seattle, WA. 18 Nov. 2023. Conference Presentation.
Martin, Chase and Rebecca J. Houston. "Differential Associations between Cultural Perspective and Mental Health Symptoms." Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists. ABRCMS. Phoenix, AZ. 18 Nov. 2023. Conference Presentation.
Houston, Rebecca J. "Event-related Potentials as Biomarkers in Substance Use Disorders and Treatment." Stanford Pain Innovation Lab Speaker Series. Stanford University School of Medicine. Palo Alto, CA. 14 Jul. 2022. Guest Lecture.
Allaby, Oliva B., et al. "Early Pandemic Alcohol and Cannabis Use in Adults at High vs. Low Risk for COVID-19." Western New York Undergraduate Psychology Conference. University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. Buffalo, NY. 9 Apr. 2022. Conference Presentation.
Allaby, Olivia B. and Rebecca J. Houston. "Associations between Aging, Cognitive Reserve, and Alcohol Use Consequences." Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists. ABRCMS. Anaheim, CA. 11 Nov. 2022. Conference Presentation.
Horace, Romiere J. and Rebecca J. Houston. "Associations between Gender, Moral Emotions, and Delinquent Behavior." Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists. ABRCMS. Anaheim, CA. 11 Nov. 2022. Conference Presentation.
Ramkissoon, Jeremiah and Rebecca J. Houston. "Associations between ADHD Symptomatology, Impulsivity, and Internet-related Behaviors." Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists. ABRCMS. Anaheim, CA. 11 Nov. 2022. Conference Presentation.
Houston, Rebecca J. "Electrophysiology of Human Aggression." The Neurobiology and Toxicology of Aggression. American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Seattle, WA. 22 Feb. 2022. Lecture.
Cavanaugh, Cole, et al. "A Multimethod Assessment of Impulsivity in the Context of Alcohol Use." Eastern Psychological Association. EPA. New York, NY. 5 Mar. 2022. Conference Presentation.
Fors, Mikayla and Rebecca J. Houston. "Internalizing Disorder Symptoms in Tinnitus and Their Association With Perceived Stress and Quality of Life." Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students. ABRCMS. Washington, DC. 12 Nov. 2021. Conference Presentation.
Alicea, Ryan and Rebecca J. Houston. "Procrastination and time perspective within the context of problematic gaming." Association for Psychological Science. APS. Washington, DC. 27 May 2021. Conference Presentation.
Baschnagel, Joseph S., et al. "Locus of control, emotion dysregulation, stress, and health behavior related to COVID19." Association for Psychological Science. APS. Washington, DC. 27 May 2021. Conference Presentation.
Fors, Mikayla and Rebecca J. Houston. "Differential associations between tinnitus and mental health symptomatology." Undergraduate Research Symposium. Rochester Institute of Technology. Rochester, NY. 29 Jul. 2021. Conference Presentation.
Book Chapter
Houston, Rebecca J. and Matthew S. Stanford. "Psychophysiological Correlates of Psychopathic Disorders." International Handbook on Psychopathic Disorders and the Law. Ed. Alan Felthous and Henning Sass. New York, NY: Wiley-Blackwell, 2021. Chapter 14. Print.
Peer Reviewed/Juried Poster Presentation or Conference Paper
Godleski, Stephanie A., et al. "The Cascading Impact of COVID-19 on Parent Drinking." Proceedings of the Society for Research on Child Development, Virtual meeting, April 7-9, 2021. Ed. N/A. Virtual, USA: n.p..
Quigley, Brian M., et al. "Alcohol Use and Chronic Pain as Risk Factors for Partner Violence: An Actor Partner Interdependence Model Analysis." Proceedings of the Research Society on Alcoholism. Ed. Henry R. Kranzler. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.
Derrick, Jaye L, Rebecca J. Houston, and Denis Ethier. "Perceived Partner Responsiveness Moderates the Effect of Partner-specific Stressors on Alcohol Urge in an Experimental Study." Proceedings of the Research Society on Alcoholism. Ed. Henry R. Kranzler. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.
Gius, Becky K., et al. "Ambivalence Model of Craving and Pretreatment Change: Approach and Avoidance Inclinations in Patients Receiving Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder." Proceedings of the Research Society on Alcoholism. Ed. Henry R. Kranzler. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.
Levine, Jacob A., et al. "Development and Psychometric Evaluation of a Brief Version of the Approach and Avoidance of Alcohol Questionnaire." Proceedings of the Research Society on Alcoholism. Ed. Henry R. Kranzler. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.

Currently Teaching

PSYC-222
Biopsychology
3 Credits
Introduction to the field of behavioral neuroscience, the study of neurobiological basis of cognition and behavior. Topics include neuroanatomy and physiology, localization of function, brain injury, research methods in behavioral neuroscience, and biological basis of language, memory, emotion, conscious states, and sexual behavior, with an evolutionary perspective.
PSYC-250
Research Methods I
3 Credits
This course will serve as an introduction to research methods in psychology, with the goal of understanding research design, analysis and writing. Topics include examining the variety of methods used in psychology research, understanding research ethics, developing empirical hypotheses, designing experiments, understanding statistical concepts, interpreting results, and writing research and review papers in APA style. This is a required course for all psychology majors, and is restricted to students in the psychology program.
PSYC-412
Biological Bases of Mental Disorders
3 Credits
This course is intended for students in the biopsychology track. This course covers the biological underpinnings of psychiatric mental disorders such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and developmental disorders. Topics will include neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, genetics and biologically based treatments of mental disorders. Students will learn about biologically based research methods used to study mental disorders and to think critically about research findings in the field. Students will be expected to be able to write at an upper level using APA format.
PSYC-510
Senior Project in Psychology
3 Credits
This course is intended for students in the psychology major to demonstrate experimental research expertise, while being guided by faculty advisors. The topic to be studied is up to the student, who must find a faculty advisor before signing up for the course. Students will be supervised by the advisor as they conduct their literature review, develop the research question or hypothesis, develop the study methodology and materials, construct all necessary IRB materials, run subjects, and analyze the results of their study. This course will culminate in an APA style paper and poster presentation reporting the results of the research. Because Senior Project is the culmination of a student’s scientific research learning experience in the psychology major, it is expected that the project will be somewhat novel, will extend the theoretical understanding of their previous work (or of the previous work of another researcher), and go well beyond any similar projects that they might have done in any of their previous courses.
PSYC-540
Psychology Laboratory Research
1 - 4 Credits
This course is for students involved in a faculty-led laboratory research experience in psychology that can be considered original in nature. Note that this course cannot be used in place of the co-op requirement. This course is graded as pass/fail only. This course can be taken as 1-4 credits. Each credit is worth 37.5 hours of research during the semester (examples include testing human or animal subjects in the lab, participating in lab meetings, presenting research at conferences, working on a publication, etc.).
PSYC-718
Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
3 Credits
A graduate level introduction to the fields of clinical and experimental neuropsychology. Topics include the historical and theoretical underpinnings of modern neuropsychology and methods used to assess cognitive function including their selection, application, and interpretation. Disorders associated with damage to the brain and how they are assessed and managed will also be covered.
PSYC-751
Graduate Research Seminar
0 Credits
The guiding principle of Graduate Research Seminar is that it provides students the opportunity to begin examining potential thesis topics during the student's first semester in the program. The course will involve faculty presentations of their research offered weekly through the semester.
PSYC-752
Thesis Proposal
3 Credits
The Thesis courses will vary widely but will fulfill the work plan agreed by the student and the adviser. The guiding principles of the Thesis Proposal course are to initiate thesis research including selecting a thesis advisor, choosing and defining a topic, surveying relevant research literature, and planning the research. To complete the course, the student will successfully submit and defend a thesis proposal, which is a detailed and complete plan of the thesis research. The thesis proposal should include exhaustive review of relevant literature, statement of the student's thesis, formulation of hypotheses, operational definitions of independent and dependent variables, and a detailed procedure for carrying out the research. The proposal may also include a section on anticipated results with a detailed plan for analysis of data.
PSYC-753
Thesis
3 Credits
The Thesis courses will vary widely but will fulfill the work plan agreed by the student and the thesis adviser. The guiding principle of the Thesis course is to complete the thesis research proposed in Thesis Proposal. The Thesis course consists of carrying out the thesis research, including collection and analysis of data, and completion and public defense of the thesis document for partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree.
PSYC-754
Graduate Psychology Capstone
3 Credits
This is a project-based course for students enrolled in the MSc Experimental Psychology non-Thesis track focusing on discipline-specific scientific communication skills in the area of Psychology. The capstone course will provide students the opportunity to combine and incorporate knowledge and skills learned in prior coursework and experiences and demonstrate their ability to apply this knowledge in various assignments. A variety of written projects (white paper, focused literature review, and a resume) and an oral presentation will be required and should allow students to demonstrate proficiency in the Program.
PSYC-798
Advanced Research in Psychology
3 Credits
Practicum open to MSc Experimental Psychology students. This course gives the student first-hand experience in the field of Psychology. The experience may involve a specific research project or other relevant professional development projects independent of the student’s thesis research. Students are closely supervised by a faculty member and will develop skills and gain experience in relevant advanced research and professional development in Experimental Psychology.

In the News

  • August 21, 2023

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    RIT introduces new neuroscience BS program

    RIT is offering a new bachelor’s degree in neuroscience beginning this fall. The Bachelor of Science degree will focus on how the brain works and how to apply that knowledge to develop systems for new frontiers, such as advancing artificial intelligence, combating neurodegenerative diseases, and assisting those with learning disabilities.

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