Doreen Arcus

Doreen Arcus, Ph.D.

Associate Professor Emerita

College
College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Department
Psychology
Email
doreen_arcus@uml.edu
Links

Expertise

Development of children and youth: Disability and individual differences; family and school; foster care and adoption; basic mechanisms in autism and other developmental disorders; sibling relationships among children with autism; school-to-prison pipeline.

Research Interests

Research methods and human development.

Doreen Arcus, Ph.D., is interested in the social development of children and youth in the contexts of family, school and community. Her earlier studies of the interaction of infant temperament and maternal style as predictors of social behavior were among the first research findings using observational data to support nature-nurture interactions in children. More recently, she has focused on the development of children with disabilities through school transitions, the beliefs of educators about these children, and the experience of parents in negotiating this development. She also works closely with the MA Department of Social Services on issues related to the well being of children in foster care, especially those aging out of care.

Education

  • Ph.D.: Psychology, (1991), Harvard University - Cambridge, MA
  • Other: Psychology, (1988), Harvard University - Cambridge, MA
  • MA: Speech Pathology, (1977), Western Michigan University - Kalamazoo, MI
  • BA: Psychology & Speech Pathology, (1976), St. Xavier College - Chicago

Biosketch

Doreen Arcus, Ph.D. studies the development of children and youth, with particular interests in disability and trauma and the way these factors contribute to the experiences of children with different temperaments in the important social contexts of families and schools. She has consulted and published in the areas of child development, parenting, adoption, foster care, child abuse, and children with learning and mental health needs at home and in school. She has experience working with youth in the foster care system and with support groups for families of children who have experienced trauma and abuse.

Her current research addresses basic processes and mechanisms in developmental disorders, sibling relationships among children on the autism spectrum, social-cognitive profiles in juvenile justice involved youth, and the role of bias in the School-to-Prison pipeline. She has advised the MA Department of Education on the unmet needs of children with disabilities in the schools, and the National Collegiate Honor Society on the inclusion of students with disabilities in post-secondary honors education.

Arcus holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Harvard University, and is a member of the American Psychological Association, Association for Psychological Science, and International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. She received the 2010 University of Massachusetts President’s Award for Public Service.

Selected Awards and Honors

  • President's Public Service Award (2010) - University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Teaching Excellence Award (2001), Teaching - University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Associate Faculty Member, Center for Adoption Research and Policy (1998) - University of Massachusetts Medical School
  • National Research Service Award (1993), Scholarship/Research - NIMH
  • John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Post-doctoral Fellowship (1991) - John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
  • American Association of University Women American Fellowship (1989) - American Association of University Women American
  • Distinguished Academic Achievement (1976) - St. Xavier College Award
  • HEW (1976) - Office of Rehabilitation Traineeship

Selected Publications

  • Arcus, D. (2014). Healthy Development Among Youths in Foster Care (pp. 1174-1184). Springer US
  • Arcus, D., Mason, N., Diaz, J. (2014). Healthy Development in Children of Adoptive Parents (pp. 673-683). Springer US
  • Arcus, D., Chambers, P. (2008). Childhood Risks Associated with Adoption (pp. 117-142). Family influences on childhood behavior and development: Evidence-based prevention and treatment approaches.
  • Arcus, D., Milewski, T. (2003). Adoption, Childhood. Encyclopedia of Primary Prevention and Health Promotion,71(2) 153.
  • Arcus, D. (2002). School Shooting Fatalities and School Corporal Punishment: A Look at the States. Aggressive Behavior,28(3) 173-183.
  • Arcus, D. (2001). Behavioral Inhibition In Childhood. Temperament in context, 38.
  • Arcus, D. (2001). Inhibited and uninhibited children: Biology in the social context (pp. 43-60). Temperament in context.
  • Arcus, D., Woodward, S.A., Lenzenweger, M.F., Kagan, J., Snidman, N. (2000). Taxonic Structure of Infant Reactivity: Evidence from a Taxometric Perspective. Psychological Science,11(4) 296-301.
  • Arcus, D., Kagan, J., Snidman, N. (1998). Childhood Derivatives of High and Low Reactivity in Infancy. Child development,69(6) 1483-1493.
  • Arcus, D., Kagan, J., Snidman, N. (1998). The Value of Extreme Groups (pp. 65-82). Methods and models for studying the individual.
  • Arcus, D., Aftuck, C., Agronick, G., Andrick, G., Beals, S., Bell, R., Gardner, S., Edward Shackleford, C. (1998). Transgression Behavior and Heart Rate by Temperament and Birth Order. Infant Behavior and Development,21 267.
  • Arcus, D. (1998). When is Maternal SES not Really Maternal SES? Infant Behavior and Development,21 268.
  • Arcus, D., Gardner, S., Andrick, G., Bell, R. (1996). Temperament and Environment in Infancy: Sibling Contributions to the Development of Fearfulness. Infant Behavior and Development,19 303.
  • Arcus, D., Kagan, J., Snidman, N., Peterson, E., Steinberg, D., Rimm-Kaufman, S. (1995). Asymmetry of Finger Temperature and Early Behavior. Developmental psychobiology,28(8) 443-451.
  • Arcus, D., Kagan, J., Snidman, N., Rimm, S.E. (1995). Asymmmetry of Forehead Temperature and Cardiac Activity. Neuropsychology,9(1) 47-51.
  • Arcus, D., Kagan, J. (1995). Temperament and Craniofacial Variation in the First Two Years. Child development,66(5) 1529-1540.
  • Arcus, D., Kagan, J., Snidman, N. (1995). The Role of Temperament in Social Development (pp. 485-490). Stress: Basic mechanisms and clinical implications.
  • Arcus, D., Stern, H.S., Kagan, J., Rubin, D.B. (1995). Using Mixture Models in Temperament Research. International Journal of Behavioral Development,18(3) 407-423.
  • Arcus, D. (1994). Biological Mechanisms and Personality: Evidence from Shy Children. Advances,10(4) 40-50.
  • Arcus, D., Kagan, J., Snidman, N., Reznick, J.S. (1994). Galen's Prophecy: Temperament in Human Nature.
  • Arcus, D., Kagan, J., Snidman, N., Feng, W.Y., Hendler, J., Greene, S. (1994). Reactivity in Infants: A Cross-national Comparison. Developmental psychology,30(3) 342-345.
  • Arcus, D., Stern, H., Kagan, J., Rubin, D.B. (1994). Statistical Choices in Infant Temperament Research. Behaviormetrika,21(1) 1-17.
  • Arcus, D., Kagan, J., Snidman, N. (1993). On the Temperamental Categories of Inhibited and Uninhibited Children (pp. 19-28). Social withdrawal, inhibition, and shyness in childhood.
  • Arcus, D., Kagan, J., Snidman, N. (1993). The Idea of Temperament: Where do we go from here? (pp. 197-210). Nature, nurture & psychology.
  • Arcus, D., Kagan, J., Snidman, N. (1992). Initial Reactions to Unfamiliarity. Current Directions in Psychological Science,1(6) 171-174.
  • Arcus, D. (1991). The Development of Behavioral Inhibition: Infant Temperament and Maternal Style.
  • Arcus, D. (1989). Vulnerability and Eye Color in Disney Cartoon Characters (pp. 291-297). Perspectives on behavioral inhibition.
  • Arcus, D., McCartney, K. (1989). When Baby makes Four: Family Influences in the Stability of Behavioral Inhibition (pp. 197-218). Perspectives on behavioral inhibition.
  • Arcus, D. (1987). Temperamental Stability as a Function of Change in Birth Order Status.

Selected Contracts, Fellowships, Grants and Sponsored Research

  • Understanding the Mental Health Needs for Incarcerated Youth (2012), Grant - Seed Grant
    Arcus, D.
  • First Jobs Academy: Program Fidelity (2011), Grant - Casey Family Services
    Arcus, D.
  • First Jobs Academy: Pilot Study (2010), Grant - Casey Family Services
    Arcus, D.
  • A proposal to Improve Access and Achievement of Students with Disabilities at Belmont High School (2009), Contract - Foundation for Belmont Education
    Arcus, D.
  • Faculty Resources for Teaching in the Honors Program (2009), Grant - Council on Teaching and Learning
    Arcus, D.
  • Virtual Interactive Parent (2009), Grant - Charles River Analytics, Cambridge, MA
    Arcus, D.
  • University Honors Program (2007), Grant - Annual Honors Fellows Fundraiser (Chaired Organizing Committee)
  • Foster Care Awareness Day (2008), Grant - Building 19 Foundation (In-kind)
    Arcus, D.
  • University Honors Program (2007), Grant - Orientation & Guidebook Sponsors
    Arcus, D.
  • Other Children in the Family (2006), Grant - Council of Diversity & Pluralism Research & Service Grants
    Arcus, D.
  • Separate is not Equal: Students with disabilities continue (2004), Grant - Council of Diversity & Pluralism Research & Service Grants
    Arcus, D.
  • A Mentor Center for MUMMY (2002), Grant - Public Service Endowment Grant
    Arcus, D.
  • Child Care and Aggression (2002), Grant - Joseph P. Healey Award
    Arcus, D.
  • Enhancing the research experience: Access to real world data (2002), Grant - Council on Teaching and Learning
    Arcus, D.
  • HIV/AIDS Education for Sustainable Development (2002), Grant - Council on Industrial Theory and Assessment
    Arcus, D.
  • LEP-SPED: One Category, two needs? (2002), Grant - Council of Diversity & Pluralism Research & Service Grants
    Arcus, D.
  • MUMMY/Mentoring the Mentors (2002), Grant - Public Service Endowment Grant
    Arcus, D.
  • Parents of Children with Down Syndrome (2002), Grant - Faculty Student Collaborative Research
    Arcus, D.
  • Children and Sustainability (2001), Grant - Council on Industrial Theory and Assessment
    Arcus, D.
  • Individual Differences Among Infants with Down Syndrome (2001), Grant - Joseph P. Healey Award
    Arcus, D.
  • MUMMY: Matching Umass Mentors to Youth (1999), Grant - In-kind donations
  • MUMMY: Matching Umass Mentors to Youth (1999), Grant - Nellie Mae Foundation
  • University Scholar in the City/Schools Award (1998), Grant - Community Outreach Partnership Center
  • Baby Bridges (2000), Grant - Public Service Endowment Grant
    Arcus, D.
  • Infant Temperament in diverse Families (2000), Grant - Joseph P. Healey Award
    Arcus, D.
  • The Heroes Project (2000), Grant - Council of Diversity & Pluralism Research & Service Grants
    Arcus, D.
  • Child Development Materials for the Khmer Community (1999), Grant - Council of Diversity & Pluralism Research & Service Grants
    Arcus, D.
  • Infant Temperament Reports by Mothers and Fathers (1999), Grant - Faculty Student Collaborative Research
    Arcus, D.
  • MUMMY: Matching UMass Mentors to Youth (1999), Grant - Public Service Endowment Grant
    Arcus, D.
  • MUMMY: Matching Umass Mentors to Youth (1999), Grant - Targeted Cities Program Initiative Grant
    Arcus, D.
  • Variation in Infants by Ethnicity and Socioeconomic Status (1999), Grant - Joseph P. Healey Award
    Arcus, D.
  • Improving the Climate of Learning in the Psychology Department (1998), Grant - Council on Teaching and Learning
    Arcus, D.
  • Supporting Working Women through Child Care (1998), Grant - Council on Industrial Theory and Assessment
    Arcus, D.
  • Technology and Outreach to Children and Families (1998), Grant - Council of Communications and Information Technology
    Arcus, D.
  • Temperamental Variation in Infants (1998), Grant - Research Foundation NSF Seed Grant
    Arcus, D.
  • Child and Family Resources on the World Wide Web (1997), Grant - Council of Communications and Information Technology
    Arcus, D.