Faculty Bio
Dr. Erin Shanahan
Assistant Professor, Psychology
Phone: 825-509-6794
Email: erin.shanahan@stmu.ca
I obtained my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (with Honours) at Brock University. My undergraduate thesis work, and the resulting publication, explored the ways in which cultural life scripts influence individuals’ beliefs about how their life satisfaction would unfold over time. I obtained my PhD in Psychology, with a focus on social psychology, at Wilfrid Laurier University. During my graduate studies I was fortunate to receive funding for my research from provincial and national funding bodies including the Ontario Graduate Scholarship and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC - CGS-D). With this funding, I conducted multiple projects examining the ways in which individuals’ beliefs about the controllability of their lives, shape their pursuit of a more satisfying future. In completing my PhD, I also expanded my research interests to investigate how societal narratives such as the American Dream may shape individuals’ thoughts and behaviour in the context of socioeconomic success. Specifically, my dissertation examined individuals’ explanations for successful vs. unsuccessful attempts to be upwardly mobile and the ways in which these explanations may reinforce belief in the American Dream and reduce support for economic redistribution. Upon successfully defending my dissertation in 2021 I received the Wilfrid Laurier University Medal for Academic Excellence and the Governor General’s Academic Medal.
During my graduate studies, I also collaborated with researchers at multiple institutions as well as industry partners to examine factors the promote sustained engagement in regular exercise. As a member of this collaborative team, I was a part of two successful grant applications, a SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant (student research) and an Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP; co-applicant).
After receiving my PhD, I worked for a short time at a market research firm, providing guidance on how to apply psychological and behavioural science principles to understand consumer behaviour. I also spent time working in institutional research, applying my research skills to support new program development. Although both fields were fascinating, I missed teaching and mentoring students and decided to return to academia. I moved to Alberta and joined St. Mary’s in 2023 and am extremely grateful to be a part of such a vibrant and welcoming community. I strive to provide all of my students with an engaging and supportive learning environment where they can share their ideas, actively participate, and development important practical skills.
Specialization/Research Interest
Social Mobility Beliefs; Attributions; Cultural Narratives; Well-being; Life Satisfaction; Implicit Theories; Goal Pursuit; Motivation; Social Cognition
Education
PhD Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier university
BA Psychology (Honours), Brock University
- Sabey, A.K., Shanahan, E., Strahan, E. J., Lafrance, A. (in press). From fear towards confidence: Understanding change in clinical concerns and self-efficacy in couple and family therapy students. Psychotherapy Research.
- Shanahan, E., & Wilson, A. E. (2025). Is it just a dream? How attributions for successful and unsuccessful social mobility attempts maintain the myth of the American Dream. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 55(5), 322-342.
- Shanahan, E., Lefebvre, J. P., Chauhan, P. K, & Wilson, A. E. (2024). In my grasp or out of my hands? Belief about where life satisfaction comes from predicts motivation to seek it. Journal of Happiness Studies, 25(1/2), 1-37.
- Shanahan, E. (2021). Is it just a dream? How attributions for successful and unsuccessful social mobility attempts maintain the myth of the American Dream. Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive), 2399.
- Wilson, A. E. & Shanahan, E. (2020). Temporal comparisons in a social world. In J. Suls (Ed.). Social Comparison in Judgment and Behavior. Oxford Press.
- Shanahan, E., & Busseri, M. A. (2019). A systematic review of the relationship between life script event age and valence across the lifespan. Psychology and Aging, 34, 698-708.
- Evans, M. B., Shanahan, E., Leith, S., Litvak, N., & Wilson, A. E. (2019). Living for today or tomorrow? Self-regulation amidst proximal and distal exercise outcomes. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-being, 11(2), 304-327.
- Shanahan, E., & Busseri, M. A., (2016). Life gets better and better: Cultural life script theory and subjective life satisfaction trajectories among young adults. European Journal of Personality, 30(6), 564-579
- Forthcoming Publication: Shanahan, E., & Wilson, A. E. Is it just a dream? How attributions for successful and unsuccessful social mobility attempts maintain the myth of the American Dream. Manuscript Under Review. Preprint available
- Forthcoming Publication: Shanahan, E., Busseri, M. A., & Wilson, A. E. Self-fulfilling futures: Implicit theories, engagement in well-being supportive behaviors, and satisfaction over time. Manuscript in Preparation.