Dr. Steven Smith's research lab is located in the McNally Building, Saint Mary's University.

Research Lab

Lab Manager

Katelynn Carter-Rogers

Hello Everyone, my name is Katelynn. I completed my undergraduate degree with Honours in Psychology and a Major in Criminology here at Saint Mary’s University in 2012. I have been working in the Social Attitudes Psychology Lab since 2008, completed my honours through SMU and now will continue with my Masters in Psychology and Law under Dr. Steven Smith, PhD. Currently most of the research that I have been involved in include decision making, first impressions, and facial perception through the court system. I am interested in pursuing research into false confessions, police interrogations, and psychopaths in the criminal justice system.

After my Masters at SMU, I want to continue into a PhD program where I can continue learning and doing research.

When not in school, I am normally reading a good novel or playing soccer, but the majority of my life revolves around research and working in the lab.​



Research Assistants

Brandon Pratt

Brandon Pratt originates from Nassau, Bahamas. He has completed a (BSc.) Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management from The College of the Bahamas COB, a Diploma in Eco-Management, and now is in his senior year at Saint Mary's University completing studies in Psychology and a Certification program in Human Resources.

In his personal life he serves as a Licensed Minister. In this role he helps to ensure that persons who are the sick, shut ins, seniors, hospitalized, and bereaved maintain a close relationship with the community of faith. He believes this is done by “Reviving the Saints, Restoring the Fallen, and Reaching the Lost” Brandon has served as a Leader in 2010 for “A Christian Ministry in the National Parks” ACMNP an international non-profit organization that brings ministry to those in national parks around North America.

He has been a Research Assistant in the Social Attitudes Psychology Lab for over a year now and he enjoys also being a Teacher’s Assistant in Psychology Department in Human Development Course.

His pastimes are in politics, research, and gym time.

His interests are in the area social psychology research on deviant human behaviors inside religion and science and why some personality deviances thrive in “perfect” settings. His interests also includes psychology research in what are the ethical benchmark of socially acceptable attitudes of people working in customer services in corporate and non for profit organizations.



Shannon Rasmussen

My name is Shannon Rasmussen and I am currently in my 4th year of my Undergraduate Degree. I am a Biology major, Psychology minor and I am also enrolled in the Forensic Science Diploma Program here at Saint Mary’s University. I have had the opportunity to volunteer in the Social Attitude Psychology Lab since September 2011 and have truly enjoyed the experience. I have a wide range interests including human anatomy and physiology, pathology of disease, forensic science and the techniques used in the field as well as forensic psychology. Psychology has always been an intriguing topic to me as human behavior is very complex. There are always new things to learn and unanswered questions that can be studied and analyzed. Being involved in the Social Attitudes lab has exposed me many different interesting studies and has really expanded my knowledge in psychology research. I am looking forward to year 2012-2013 in the SAP lab!

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Chloe Zinck

Hi everyone, my name is Chloe Zinck and I am a student at Saint Mary’s doing my 200m victory half-lap! I will be graduating with my Honours in Psychology with a Minor in English, in January 2013.

I love psychology because it allows you to analyze the emotional, physical, and physiological motivations behind your own behaviour. My specific psychology related interests include sport and recreation as a way to promote and improve the quality of life among people with disabilities, illnesses, and social and physical disadvantages. I am also interested in ways to promote positive health and well-being through sport as a proactive approach to mental illness at the community level.
As a member of the Social Attitudes Lab, I have been involved in all aspects of the research process. What I like most about this lab is that despite everyone having their own research on the go, we all work together to make sure everything within the lab is accomplished on time.
Outside of school I am extremely passionate about volunteering, being involved in sport and the community, and travelling. This will be my third year as head coach for the Halifax Osprey, and I also volunteer at the IWK Children’s Hospital, SHINE Academics, and Habitat for Humanity.
Looking forward to this year in the lab with my fellow saplings!



​Kaleigh Cole

My name is Kaleigh Cole. I am in my fifth year as an honour (thesis) Psychology and Criminology student. I am currently writing my honours thesis on different types of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, under the supervision of Professor Darren Fowler. I am also working on an alternative research project also under his supervision. I have been a Teaching Assistant for two years, for courses such as Positive Psychology and Personality, both of which are forth year courses at Saint Mary’s.

Once a week I volunteer in classrooms of 1st and 5th graders and in the resource centre at Ash Lee Jefferson Elementary School in Fall River. There I have the opportunity to work one on one with students who face a variety of challenges in different areas of the curriculum. I also tutor Math and English twice a week. This year I intend volunteer as a Hants East Rural High alumnus with the musical production to help students understand the importance of developing effective communication skills, public speaking, and why it is important to learn these skills early on as they move up their educational ladder.

This year I was privileged to have the opportunity to work as a Research Assistant in Dr. Steven Smith’s Social Attitudes Psychology lab, Dean of Science. I hope to assist in a variety of research projects and gain further insight into the broad spectrum of research available at this University. This experience will help me considerably as I continue to further my education in hopes of completing a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology. My career goal is to become a Registered Psychologist and work in the Stadacona Military Hospital and specialize in post-traumatic stress disorder and operational stress injury. I am enthusiastic about an Intensive Dynamic Psychotherapy framework and can see myself employing this type of therapy in the future.

To those of you just beginning your journey in Psychology, I encourage you to get involved. Take every opportunity that comes your way. You should start planning…now! :)



Dana Jakeman 

My name is Dana Jakeman. I have recently graduated from Saint Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Psychology. I plan on returning to the academic world, again in 2013, to complete my MSc in Psychology. I am currently working as a Research Assistant, in Dr. Steven Smith’s lab. In addition, to working in Dr. Smith’s lab, I am currently employed by Capital Health as a Research Assistant in the Department of Psychiatry, as well as, at a small options home in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and at a long term care facility in Eastern Passage . In my spare time I volunteer in the QEII Emergency Department as Hospitality Assistant and spend as much time as possible with my long hair Chihuahua, Chilli Jakeman.



David Chafe

Hello! My name is David (Davey) Chafe and I am doing my Honors in Psychology here at Saint Mary’s with a minor in Sociology. I am currently in my 4th year and will be returning for a 5th to complete my Honors degree and do my thesis. This is my first year working in the Social Attitudes Psychology research lab but had my first experience with doing research last year under Dr. Veronica Stinson. That research project looked into the experience of pro se litigants and their views of fairness and satisfaction with the trial process. My research interests are pretty broad but am more interested in social and abnormal psych. My goal after completing my undergrad and gaining more research experience is to get into a PhD program in Clinical Psychology. Originally, my plan for a career was to be a practicing psychologist in a mental health setting; however, the more involved I get with the university the more interested in research and the academic side of psychology I become. Therefore, my career path is not yet set in stone. I look forward to working with Dr. Steve Smith and the research team in the SAP lab and hope to gain some valuable experience and work with great new people!



Jacqueline Boss

Jacqueline is one of our Research Assistants who has been with the lab for over a year. She is currently enrolled at SMU completing her thesis in the Honours Equivalency program in psychology. Jacqueline obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Guelph in 2010, and looks forward to pursuing a career in clinical psychology. She is employed as a Psychology Assistant working in Private Practice with a clinical psychologist, and as a Teaching Assistant at SMU. In her spare time she volunteers at Ronald McDonald House.