Cynthia Vinney

Cynthia vinney

Psychology Expert

Education

Ph.D., Psychology, Fielding Graduate University

M.A., Psychology, Fielding Graduate University

B.A., Film Studies, Cornell University

Introduction

  • Psychology writer and scholar specializing in media psychology 
  • Research Fellow, Institute for Social Innovation
  • Co-author of Finding Truth in Fiction: The Benefits of Getting Lost in a Story

Experience

Dr. Vinney is a scholar and writer who focuses on topics in psychology and popular culture. Her research focuses on how audiences understand, engage with, and respond to popular media. She has published two books and numerous academic articles in peer-reviewed journals, including Psychology of Popular Media Culture and Social and Personality Psychology Compass. Her latest book, Finding Truth in Fiction, is forthcoming from Oxford University Press. 

Education

Dr. Vinney earned a Ph.D. and M.A. in psychology with an emphasis in media psychology from Fielding Graduate University. Her dissertation investigated how the strength of an individual’s personal identity as a fan impacts one’s meaningful cognitive and affective responses to a favorite television show. She received her B.A. in film studies from Cornell University.

Publications

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