Jeffrey Sinn

Biography

Dr. Sinn graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., in 1991 with a deep appreciation for teaching excellence and the intellectual adventures possible in the liberal arts. He then obtained a Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology, anticipating a career in organizational consulting; however, he so enjoyed his teaching and research activities that he changed paths and pursued an academic career. Since coming to Winthrop in 1997, Sinn has taught statistics, and for reasons that defy logic, still enjoys it immensely, primarily in seeing students tackle a difficult subject and grow in the process. He also enjoys teaching "The Human Experience" and "Ecological Psychology," both courses he helped conceptualize and design. Sinn’s current research focus is the psychology of ideology, attempting to understand why and how people come to understand themselves as conservative or liberal, and how that identification shapes different values and choices, especially as it relates to concern for the environment. He works closely with department colleague Matt Hayes, and together they mentor students as junior colleagues in the research process. Sinn also has strong interests in the environment, specifically in efforts to rethink our relationship to the natural world. His "Ecological Psychology" class supports the Environmental Studies/Science Major, and he works in various ways to support that major, doing committee work and attending conferences on environmental studies. Among other issues, he teaches and studies how human psychology enacts and reflects complex environmental systems related to housing (e.g., suburban sprawl), agriculture, and consumption. His teaching, writing, and research reflect a strong interest in systems theory, a means of conceptualizing and intervening in dynamic, emergent, complex organizations.

Research Interest

Ecological Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Political Theory, Systems Theory, Environmental Studies.