Dr. Tammy Sonnentag

BACKGROUND

Dr. Sonnentag is a developmental psychologist with broad interest in moral psychology and specific interest in the factors that affect individuals’ willingness to stand up for their beliefs and values despite the behavior of others. Dr. Sonnentag earned her Ph.D. from Kansas State University.

TEACHING 

Courses Dr. Sonnentag regularly teaches:

Psyc 210 – Statistical Techniques

Psyc 221 & 223 – Research Methods & Design I (with Lab)

Psyc 222 & 224 – Research Methods & Design II (with Lab)

Psyc 608 – Integrative Lifespan Psychology I

Psyc 609 – Integrative Lifespan Psychology II

PUBLICATIONS

Selected Recent Publications:

Deamer, S. K., Sonnentag, T. L., & Wadian, T. W. (In Press). Effects of morally reframed messages on White individuals’ attitudes toward White Privilege. Psychological Reports, https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941241265316

Schweitzer, S., & Sonnentag, T. L. (2024). Role of the sibling relationship to reduce the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on wellbeing in adulthood. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 185(4), 256-271. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221325.2023.2284900

Pettis, S., & Sonnentag, T. L. (2024). Is knowledge of (normative) racial identity development necessary? White transracial adoptive parents' intentions to promote Black adoptees’ racial identity. Social Development, 33(1), e12705. http://doi.org/10.1111/sode.12705 

Sonnentag, T. L., Wadian, T. W., & Wolfson, M. J. (2023). Role of moral identity in activating the prescriptive and proscriptive systems of moral self-regulation. Ethics & Behavior. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2023.2236260.

Sonnentag, T. L., & Wadian, T. W. (2022). Moral rebels: Measuring individuals’ tendency for principled resistance to morally compromising situations. Personality and Individual Differences, 184, 111210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.111210

Liddle, M. R., & Sonnentag, T. L. (2021). Effectiveness of adaptive care plans for children with developmental disabilities during outpatient clinic appointments. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51, 3028-3038. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04764-1

Sonnentag, T. L., McManus, J. L., Wadian, T. W., & Saucier, D. A. (2019). Prioritizing morality in the self and consistent moral responses despite situational pressures to respond immorally. Journal of Moral Education, 48, 412-422. .

Sonnentag, T. L., Wadian, T. W., Barnett, M. A., Gretz, M. R., & Bailey, S. M. (2018). Characteristics associated with individuals’ caring, just, and brave expressions of the tendency to be a moral rebel. Ethics & Behavior, 28, 411-428. 

Sonnentag, T. L. & Barnett, M. A. (2016). Role of moral identity and moral courage characteristics in adolescents’ tendencies to be a moral rebel. Ethics & Behavior, 26, 277-299. 

Recently Mentored Dissertations:

Wolfson, M. (In Progress). Moral identity: A consistent predictor of individuals’ actual moral behavior.

Hamilton. (In Progress). Morally reframing political arguments to promote college students’ receptivity to opposing views.

Jakary, J. (2025; Defended). Examining if White parents’ beliefs in meritocracy predict their (and their emerging adult children’s) explanations for race-related income inequality.

Welch. J. (2024; Defended). Impact of internalizing sexual stigma from religious/spiritual sources on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual individuals’ identity self-discrepancies

Schweitzer, S. (2022; Defended). Does the quality of sibling relationships moderate the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on wellbeing in adulthood?

Pettis, S. (2021; Defended). Is knowledge of (normative) racial identity development necessary?: White transracial adoptive parents' intentions to promote Black adoptees’ racial identity.

Rudy, S. (2021; Defended). The effects of morally reframed messages on white individuals’ attitudes toward white privilege.

Professional Interests

Moral Psychology; Moral Judgment; Moral Virtues and Character Traits; Moral Rebellion; Moral Defiance; Moral Non-Conformity

Professional Interests

Moral Psychology, Character Development, Development and Expression of Prosocial Emotions and Behaviors, Moral Rebellion and Moral Non-Conformity