Paul Nesselroade ’89, Ph.D.

Professor of Psychology
Chair of Psychology Department
Director, Honors Program

Department: Psychology

Office: Reasoner Hall 317C

Phone Extension: (859) 858-3511, x2224

Phone Number: (859) 858-5224

Biographical Information

Dr. Paul Nesselroade is entering his 22nd year at Asbury University. He graduated from Asbury in 1989 with a bachelor’s in chemistry education. He received his M.A. (1993) and Ph.D. (1998) in Experimental Psychology at the University of Louisville. Dr. Nesselroade took his first professor position in 1996 at Simpson University in northern California. In 2002, he came back to Asbury to join the Psychology Department.

Currently, Dr. Nesselroade serves as the Chair of the Psychology Department as well as the Director of the Asbury University Honors Program (see here for AUHP webpage).

Dr. Nesselroade has previously published research on self-extensions, in-group biases, self-other perceptions, and mindfulness. He recently began working on topics related to (mis)use of scientific imagery and authority in regard to the intrinsic value of humans. This area of exploration has resulted in a couple new courses, including The Psychology of the Holocaust.

Recently, a documentary film made by Asbury students was created about this study abroad experience. It can be found here: Don’t Forget Us.

Furthermore, Dr. Nesselroade was recently interviewed by the “This is Asbury” podcast about how he approaches the topic of the Holocaust with today’s students. It can be found here: This is Asbury.

Dr. Nesselroade has also recently co-authored a statistics textbook and is currently working on the next edition of that text. Additionally, he is working on a book that draws from his experiences of traveling with students to Holocaust-memorial sites in Germany and Poland over the past decade (Working title is, Shadow Walking: The Holocaust in Physical and Ideological contexts).

Dr. Nesselroade and his wife, Cheryl, have three grown children (Andrew, Sarah, and Lisa) and two sons-in-law, Austin (Sarah), and Sam (Lisa).

Visit his personal website at paulnesselroade.com.

As indicated above, Dr. Nesselroade annually takes students to various Holocaust-related locations in Germany and Poland. Below are a few pictures of past experiences.

group of students posing for a photo in a plaza in Europe

Education

Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, University of Louisville (1998)
M.A.in Experimental Psychology, University of Louisville (1993)
B.A. Chemistry Education, Asbury University (1989).

Courses Taught:

Social Psychology
Psychology of the Holocaust
History and Systems of Psychology
Statistics for Behavioral Science
Human Dignity and the Social Sciences
Holocaust Studies Tour

Recent Publications and Presentations:

Nesselroade, Jr. K. P. (2023, Sept). [Book Review]. TheoPsych: A Psychological Science Primer for Theologians. Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, 75, 2, pp. 145-147.
Nesselroade, K. P., & Grimm, L. G. (2019). Statistical Applications for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. 2nd Ed., Hoboken, NJ: Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Stratton, S. P., Dean, J. B., & Nesselroade, K. P. (2015, April). Physician, tend thyself: Self-care among CAPS members. Workshop presentation at the 2015 International Conference of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Denver, CO.
Dean, J. B., & Nesselroade, K. P. (2015). Webster County Citizens’ Attitudes Regarding Smoking in Public Places. Owensboro, KY: Green River District Health Department.
Dean, J. B., & Nesselroade, K. P. (2015). Bullitt County Citizens’ Attitudes Regarding Smoking in Public Places. Shepherdsville, KY: Bullitt County Health Department.
Stratton, S. A.; Dean, J. B., & Nesselroade, Jr., K. P. (2015). Physician, Tend Thyself: Self-Care Among CAPS Members. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Denver, CO, 2015.
Nesselroade, Jr., K. P. (2015). Eugenics, the Holocaust, and What it Means to be Human. Viaticum, Vol. 7.
Stratton, S. A.; Dean, J. B., Nesselroade, Jr., K. P., & Davis, W. (2014). Counselor Self-Care and Lovingkindness Meditations. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Atlanta, GA, 2014.
Nesselroade, Jr. K. P. (2013, Spring). [Review of the book True competition: A guide to pursuing excellence in sport and society, by D. L. Shields & B. L. Bredemeier]. Journal of Coaching Education, 6(1), 120.
Dean, J. B., & Nesselroade, K. P. (2013). Jessamine County Citizens’ Attitudes Regarding Smoking in Public Places. Nicholasville, KY: Jessamine County Health Department.
Stratton, S. P., Dean, J. A., Nesselroade, Jr., K. P., Kraal, T., & Camacho, J. (2011.) The Effects of Prayer-Based Contemplative Forms for Christian Samples: Differentiating Prayer and Meditation. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Indianapolis, IN, 2011.
Winston, Y. L., Strang, S. E., Brown, D. R., Smith, R., Silcox, D. S., Li, S., Baldridge, B. R., Nesselroade, K. P., Jr., & Randall, D. C. (2010). Atomoxetine Changes Rat’s HR Response to Acute Stress from Tachycardia to Bradycardia, Autonomic Neuroscience.
Williams, J. K., Nesselroade, K. P., & Nam, R. K. (2007). When dissonance intervenes: Effects of perceived moral weight and issue opinion on self-enhancement of opinion objectivity. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 26, 227-235.
Nesselroade, K. P., Jr., & Williams, J. K. (2006, March). Self-enhancement of opinion objectivity: Some initial studies. Paper presented at the annual meeting for the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Cincinnati, OH.
Nesselroade, K. P., Jr., Williams, J. K., Nam, R. K. & McBride, D. M. (2006). Self-enhancement of opinion objectivity: Effects of perceived moral weight. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 25, 27-33.
Williams, J. K., Nesselroade, K. P., Jr., & Nam, R. K. (2005). Self-enhancement of opinion objectivity: When cognitive dissonance intervenes. Poster presented at American Psychological Society, Los Angeles, CA.

Recent Leadership, Activities, and Awards:

Organized/hosted the Fall ’23 conference for the Christian Scientific Society (Theme: The Impact of Technology on Human Flourishing), at Asbury University (Oct. 2023)
Elder Member of Leadership Board, First Alliance Church, Lexington (2021 – present)
Appointed Director of the Asbury University Honors Program (2020 – present)
Human Dignity Tour of Central Europe, Leader (2014 – 2024) – taken over 100 Asbury University students to Germany and Poland to visit Holocaust-related sites (e.g., Sachsenhausen, Brandenburg, Wannsee House, Ravensbrück, Płaszów Concentration Camp, Auschwitz Concentration Camp and Auschwitz-Birkenau Extermination Center)
Prepared 7th Edition of Instructor’s Manual for Franzoi’s “Social Psychology” textbook (2015)
Prepared 7th Edition of Study Guide for Franzoi’s “Social Psychology” textbook (2015)
Prepared 7th Edition of PowerPoint slides for Franzoi’s “Social Psychology” textbook (2015)
Liberal-Arts Seminar leader; Engaging the Liberal Arts (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
Sponsor for “Sacred Life Club” at Asbury University (2013 – 2021)
Editorial Subcommittee member for Soccer Journal, the primary publication of the United Soccer Coaches organization (2012 – present)