Faculty Bio

Dr. Alisa McArthur

Associate Professor, Psychology

Phone: 403-254-3768
Email: alisa.mcarthur@stmu.ca

After completing my undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan, I moved to Calgary where I received my Master and PhD from the University of Calgary, specializing in Cognition and Aging. My research has evolved over the years and my lifelong love of animals, and in particular dogs, has led me to branch into animal-assisted activities. Along with my colleague, Dr. Corinne Syrnyk, I have examined the role of animals in our lives. This research has involved dogs and horses, and ranges from the role of animals in children’s reading and stress levels, to post-secondary students’ well-being, stress levels, and burnout. I am also interested in the overall lifelong well-being of adults and how people perceive older adulthood and aging.



I am the former Chair of the Brain and Cognitive Sciences section of the Canadian Psychological Association and former Chair of the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT) Psychology articulation committee.



I am passionate about teaching the students at St. Mary’s University. I love to challenge students and help them to think critically about the world they live in. I am particularly passionate about the application of psychology to everyday life; from interpreting information on social media, to critically thinking about research presented in the public domain. I teach Introductory Psychology and Statistics, as well as courses on Aging, Sensation and Perception, Cognition, and Neuropsychology. 



When not at St. Mary’s, you’ll find me watching one of my three boys playing soccer, playing tennis, or hiking with my family.

Specialization/Research Interest

animal-assisted activities, adulthood and aging

Education

PhD Psychology, University of Calgary
MSc Psychology, University of Calgary
BA Psychology, University of Saskatchewan

  • McArthur, A., Makowsky, M., & Syrnyk, C. (in press).  Post-secondary students’ resilience and canine companion attachment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Society & Animals. 
  • McArthur, A., Boucher, A., & Syrnyk, C. (2024). Brief report: Impact of a horseback riding lesson on youth well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Equine Rehabilitation, 2, 100009.
  • Syrnyk, C., Williams, E., & McArthur, A. (2024). A pilot study of academic burnout and stress in undergraduate students: The role of canine-assisted interventions. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 48(7), 671–682. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2024.2385402 
  • Psychology Professor Studies the Effect of Exercise on Aging
  • Syrnyk, C., McArthur, A., Zwack, A., & Makowsky, M. (2023). Reading to dogs at home: A pilot study. Early Childhood Education Journal. doi:10.1007/s10643-023-01482-y
  • Syrnyk, C., McArthur, A., Zwack, A., & Handelsman, A. (2022). Supporting young readers: A mixed-methods study of their literacy, behaviour, and perceptions when reading aloud to dogs or adults. Early Childhood Education Journal. doi: 10.1007/s10643-022-01392-5
  • Syrnyk, C. & McArthur, A. (2021). The characteristics and motivations of human volunteers of animal-assisted interventions. Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin, 10 (2), 99-114.
  • McArthur, A. D., & Syrnyk, C. (2018). On-campus animal-assisted therapy events: Post-secondary students’ reactions and mood. Society & Animals, 26, 616-632.
  • McArthur, A.D., Sears, C. Scialfa, C., & Sulsky, L.M. (2015). Aging and the inhibition of competing hypotheses during visual word identification: Evidence from the progressive demasking task. Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition, 22, 220-243.
  • McArthur, A.D. (2011). Teaching Psychology: Reaching students through the lens. Psynopsis, 33 (3), 7.
  • Lahar, C. J., Isaak, M. I., & McArthur, A.D. (2001). Age differences in the magnitude of the attentional blink. Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition, 8, 149-159.