Dr. Pamela Regan

Pamela-Regan-Outstanding Professor Award photo
College of Natural & Social Sciences
Department of Psychology
Office KHD3071

INTRODUCTION

I am a social psychologist and statistician. I am particularly interested in aspects of sexual and romantic attraction (sexual desire; passionate, companionate, compassionate, and other types of love; romanticism; mate preference; etc.). My area of statistical expertise is multivariate analysis. I enjoy collaborating with students and colleagues; this has allowed me to conduct research in diverse areas (eating disorders, cancer screening, helping behavior, stereotyping, jury decision-making). Currently, I am working as part of a multi-campus research team exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on various life outcomes and experiences among undergraduate students; my own particular interest is students' social connection and interpersonal relationship outcomes during the pandemic.


TEACHING INTERESTS

I truly enjoy teaching, and so my interests are quite varied. Over the years, I've been fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach a wide array of courses for the Psychology Department here at Cal State LA. However, most of my assigned coursework falls in my areas of training and expertise - (1) statistics and methodology (PSY 3020 Statistics in Psychology, PSY 3040 Research Methods, PSY 4910 Multivariate Statistics, PSY 5910 Advanced Multivariate Statistics), (2) social and personality psychology (PSY 3220 Social Psychology, PSY 3180 Psychology of Personality, PSY 5220 Seminar: Social Psychology), and (3) close relationships and human sexuality (PSY 4150 Interpersonal Relationships, PSY 4160 Human Sexuality). 


RESEARCH

My primary research interest is in the area of close relationships - specifically, romantic relationships.  I am particularly interested in attraction - desire, passion, love, and related phenomena. I typically approach research questions from both a social psychological and evolutionary perspective. I am an active scientist/scholar, and have published a number of peer-reviewed journal articles, chapters and encyclopedia entries, and books. Copies of most of these publications are available (free download) at my webpage on ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pamela_Regan).


PUBLICATIONS

Many of the articles and chapters listed below are available for free download at my ResearchGate webpage (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pamela_Regan).

BOOKS

2019

Berscheid, E., & Regan, P. (2019). 人际关系心理学 [Interpersonal relationships]. Shanghai Educational Publishing House/Routledge.

2019

King, B. M., & Regan, P. C. (2019). Human sexuality today (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

2017

Regan, P. C. (2017).  The mating game: A primer on love, sex, and marriage (3rd ed.).  Thousand Oaks, CA: S

2011

Regan, P. (2011).  Close relationships.  New York, NY: Taylor & Francis/Routledge.

2005

Berscheid, E., & Regan, P.  (2005).  The psychology of interpersonal relationships.  Mahwah, NJ:  Prentice-Hall.

1999

Regan, P. C., & Berscheid, E.  (1999).  Lust: What we know about human sexual desire.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES AND CHAPTERS

2023

Regan, P., Michikyan, M., Subrahmanyam, K., Bartholomew, J. B., Bessaha, M. L., et al. (2023). “I haven’t been in the right mind:” The experiences of first-generation and continuing-generation university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. College Student Journal, 57, 23-44.

*Student co-authors!

2022

Regan, P. C., Rostholder L., Osorio-Flores, I., Subrahmanyam, K., & Michikyan, M. (2022). Mental health during COVID-19: The experiences of first- and continuing-generation university students. Proceedings of the 5th Global Public Health Conference, 5:1, 1-6.

*Student co-authors!

2022

Regan, P. C., Osorio-Flores, I., Rostholder, L., Subrahmanyam, K., & Michikyan, M. (2022). Social connection during COVID-19: The experiences of first- and continuing-generation university students. Proceedings of the 5th Global Public Health Conference, Vol. 5:1, 60-67.

*Student co-authors!

2018

Sprecher, S., Christopher, F. S., Regan, P., Orbuch, T., & Cate, R. M. (2018). Sexuality in personal relationships. In A. L. Vangelisti & D. Perlman (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of personal relationships (2nd ed., pp. 311-326). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

2017

Regan, P. C., Cachelin, F. M., & Minnick, A. (2017). Initial treatment seeking from professional health care providers for eating disorders: A review and synthesis of potential barriers to and facilitators of “first contact.” International Journal of Eating Disorders, 50, 190-209.

*Student co-author!

2016

Regan, P. C. (2016). Loving unconditionally: Demographic correlates of the agapic love style. Interpersona, 10, 28-35.

2016

Sprecher, S., Regan, P., & Orbuch, T. (2016). Who does the work? Partner perceptions of the initiation and maintenance of romantic relationships.  Interpersona, 10, 13-27.

2016

Regan, P. C.  (2016).  Sexual instinct and sexual desire.  In A. Wong, M. Wickramasinghe, R. Hoogland, & N. A. Naples (Eds.), The Wiley-Blackwell encyclopedia of gender and sexuality studies.  Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell. DOI:10.1002/9781118663219.wbegss301

2015

Regan, P. C., & Durvasula, R. S. (2015).  A brief review of intimate partner violence in the United States: Nature, correlates, and proposed preventative measures.  Interpersona, 9, 127-134.

2015

Regan, P. C. (2015). Attraction in close relationships. Oxford bibliographies online: Psychology. DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199828340-0158.

2015

Regan, P. C. (2015).  Infidelity.  In P. Whelehan & A. Bolin (Eds.), The international encyclopedia of human sexuality (1st ed., pp. 588-591).  Hoboken, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

2015

Regan, P. C. (2015).  Sexual desire.  In P. Whelehan & A. Bolin (Eds.), The international encyclopedia of human sexuality (1st ed., pp. 291-293).  Hoboken, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

2015

Regan, P. C. (2015). Sexual desire: Conceptualization, correlates, and causes. In W. Hofmann & L. F. Nordgren (Eds.), The psychology of desire (pp. 347-368). New York, NY: Guilford Publications, Inc.

2015

Durvasula, R., & Regan, P. (2015). Personality and sexual risk in HIV-positive gay men. In D. Chhabra (Ed.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology (pp. 124-131). Singapore: Global Science and Technology Forum.

2013

Regan, P. C. (2013).  Sexual desire in women.  In D. Castañeda (Ed.), The essential handbook of women’s sexuality (Vol. 1, pp. 3-24).  Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.

2012

Regan, P. C. (2012).  Love, college style.  In R. D. McAnulty (Ed.), Sex in college: The things they don’t write home about (pp. 119-142).  Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.

2012

Regan, P. C., Lakhanpal, S., & Anguiano, C. (2012). Relationship outcomes in Indian-American love-based and arranged marriages. Psychological Reports, 110, 915-924.

*Student co-authors!

2011

Regan, P. C. (2011). Cinderella revisited: Women’s appearance modification as a function of target audience sex and attractiveness. Social Behavior and Personality, 39, 563-576.

2010

Regan, P. C., & Anguiano, C. (2010). Romanticism as a function of age, sex, and ethnicity. Psychological Reports, 107, 972-976.

*Student co-author!

2009

Regan, P. C.  (2009).  Love, companionate and passionate.  In H. T. Reis & S. K. Sprecher (Eds.), Encyclopedia of human relationships (Vol. 2, pp. 1007-1011).  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

2009

Regan, P. C.  (2009).  Love, unreciprocated.  In H. T. Reis & S. K. Sprecher (Eds.), Encyclopedia of human relationships (Vol. 2, pp. 1018-1019).  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

2009

Regan, P. C.  (2009).  Lust.  In H. T. Reis & S. K. Sprecher (Eds.), Encyclopedia of human relationships (Vol. 2, pp. 1019-1022).  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

2009

Cachelin, F. M., & Regan, P. C.  (2009).  Binge eating: What we can learn from multi-ethnic community samples.  In N. Chambers (Ed.), Binge eating: Psychological factors, symptoms and treatment (pp. 13-22).  Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

2008

Regan, P. C., & Durvasula, R. S.  (2008).  Predictors of breast cancer screening in Asian and Latina university students.  College Student Journal, 42, 1152-1161.

2008

Durvasula, R. S., Regan, P. C., Ureño, O., & Howell, L.  (2008).  Predictors of cervical cancer screening in Asian and Latina university students.  College Student Journal, 42, 243-253.

*Student co-authors!

2007

Regan, P. C., Shen, W., Gosset, E., & De La Peña, E.  (2007).  ‘Fireworks exploded in my mouth’: Affective reactions before, during, and after the very first kiss.  International Journal of Sexual Health, 19, 1-16.

*Student co-authors!

2007

Regan, P. C.  (2007).  Companionate love.  In R. Baumeister & K. D. Vohs (Eds.), Encyclopedia of social psychology (Vol. 1., pp. 158-159).  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

2007

Regan, P. C.  (2007).  Matching hypothesis.  In R. Baumeister & K. D. Vohs (Eds.), Encyclopedia of social psychology (Vol. 2, pp. 545-546).  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

2006

Cachelin, F. M., Striegel-Moore, R. H., & Regan, P. C.  (2006).  Factors associated with treatment seeking in a community sample of European American and Mexican American women with eating disorders.  European Eating Disorders Review, 14, 422-429.

2006

Durvasula, R. S., & Regan, P. C.  (2006).  Style and substance: Twelve tips for a better job talk.  The Observer, 19, 18-19.

2006

Durvasula, R. S., Regan, P. C., Ureño, O., & Howell, L.  (2006).  Frequency of cervical and breast cancer screening rates in a multi-ethnic female college sample.  Psychological Reports, 99, 418-420.

*Student co-authors!

2006

Regan, P. C.  (2006).  Love.  In R. D. McAnulty & M. M. Burnette (Eds.), Sex and sexuality. Vol. 2.  Sexual function and dysfunction  (pp. 87-113).  Westport, CT:  Praeger.

2006

Regan, P. C., & Atkins, L.  (2006).  Sex differences and similarities in frequency and intensity of sexual desire.  Social Behavior and Personality, 34, 95-102.

*Student co-author!

2006

Cachelin, F. M., & Regan, P. C.  (2006).  Prevalence and correlates of chronic dieting in a multi-ethnic U.S. community sample.  Eating and Weight Disorders, 11, 91-99.

2006

Regan, P. C., & Cachelin, F. M.  (2006).  Binge eating and purging in a multi-ethnic community sample.  International Journal of Eating Disorders, 39, 523-526.

 

Regan, P. C., & Gutierrez, D. M.  (2005).  The effect of participants’ sex and targets’ perceived need on supermarket helping behavior.  Perceptual and Motor Skills, 101, 617-620.

*Student co-author!

2004

Qaqiesh, E., & Regan, P. C.  (2004).  Attitudes toward extrarelational sex as a function of participant’s and third party’s gender.  Psychological Reports, 95, 965-968.

*Student co-author!

2004

Regan, P. C.  (2004).  Sex and the attraction process:  Lessons from science (and Shakespeare) on lust, love, chastity, and fidelity.  In J. Harvey, A. Wenzel, & S. Sprecher (Eds.), The handbook of sexuality in close relationships (pp. 115-133).  Mahwah, NJ:  Lawrence Erlbaum.

2004

Regan, P. C., Durvasula, R., Howell, L., Ureño, O., & Rea, M.  (2004).  Gender, ethnicity, and the developmental timing of first sexual and romantic experiences.  Social Behavior and Personality, 32, 667-676.

*Student co-authors!

2003

Joshi, A., Ferris, J. C., Otto, A. L., & Regan, P. C.  (2003).  Parenting styles and academic achievement in college students.  Psychological Reports, 93, 823-828.

*Student co-author!

2003

Regan, P. C.  (2003).  Marital sex.  In J. J. Ponzetti, Jr. (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Marriage and Family (2nd ed., vol. 3, pp. 1078-1085).  New York: Macmillan Reference USA.

 

Regan, P. C., & Joshi, A.  (2003).  Ideal partner preferences among adolescents.  Social Behavior and Personality, 31, 13-20.

2003

Regan, P. C., Lyle, J. L., Otto, A. L., & Joshi, A.  (2003).  Pregnancy and changes in female sexual desire: A review.  Social Behavior and Personality, 31, 603-612.

2002

Regan, P. C.  (2002).  Functional features: An evolutionary perspective on inappropriate relationships.  In R. Goodwin & D. Cramer (Eds.), Inappropriate Relationships:  The unconventional, the disapproved, and the forbidden (pp. 25-42).  Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

2002

Regan, P. C., & Llamas, V.  (2002).  Customer service as a function of shopper’s attire.  Psychological Reports, 90, 203-204.

*Student co-author!

2002

Sprecher, S., & Regan, P. C.  (2002).  Liking some things (in some people) more than others: Partner preferences in romantic relationships and friendships.  Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 19, 463-481.

2001

Regan, P. C., Medina, R., & Joshi, A.  (2001).  Partner preferences among homosexual men and women: What is desirable in a sex partner is not necessarily desirable in a romantic partner.  Social Behavior and Personality, 29, 625-633.

*Student co-author!

2000

Regan, P. C.  (2000).  Love relationships.  In L. T. Szuchman & F. Muscarella (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on human sexuality (pp. 232-282).  New York:  John Wiley & Sons.

2000

Regan, P. C.  (2000).  The role of sexual desire and sexual activity in dating relationships.  Social Behavior and Personality, 28, 51-60.

2000

Regan, P. C., Levin, L., Sprecher, S., Christopher, F. S., & Cate, R.  (2000).  Partner preferences: What characteristics do men and women desire in their short-term sexual and long-term romantic partners?  Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality, 12, 1-21.

*Student co-author!

2000

Regan, P. C., & Ramirez, C.  (2000).  Decisions on child care: Do sex and sexual orientation matter?  Psychological Reports, 86, 922-924.

*Student co-author!

2000

Sprecher, S., & Regan, P. C.  (2000).   Sexuality in a relational context.  In C. Hendrick & S. S. Hendrick (Eds.), Close relationships: A sourcebook  (pp. 217-227).  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

1999

Regan, P. C.  (1999).  Hormonal correlates and causes of sexual desire: A review.  The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 8, 1-16.

1999

Regan, P. C., & Dreyer, C. S.  (1999).  Lust? Love? Status? Young adults' motives for engaging in casual sex.  Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 11, 1-24.

*Student co-authior!

1999

Regan, P. C., Jerry, D., Narvaez, M., & Johnson, D.  (1999).  Public displays of affection among Asian and Latino heterosexual couples.  Psychological Reports, 84, 1201-1202.

*Student co-authors!

1998

Metts, S., Sprecher, S., & Regan, P. C.  (1998).  Communication and sexual desire.  In P. A. Andersen & L. K. Guerrero (Eds.), Handbook of communication and emotion:  Research, theory, applications, and contexts (pp. 353-377).  Orlando, FL:  Academic Press.

1998

Regan, P. C.  (1998).  Minimum mate selection standards as a function of perceived mate value, relationship context, and gender.  Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 10, 53-73.

1998

Regan, P. C.  (1998).  Of lust and love:  Beliefs about the role of sexual desire in romantic relationships.  Personal Relationships, 5, 139-157.

1998

Regan, P.  (1998).  Romantic love and sexual desire.  In V. C. de Munck (Ed.), Romantic love and sexual behavior: Perspectives from the social sciences (pp. 91-112).  Westport, CT:  Praeger.

1998

Regan, P. C.  (1998).  What if you can’t get what you want?  Willingness to compromise ideal mate selection standards as a function of sex, mate value, and relationship context.  Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 24, 1288-1297.

1998

Regan, P. C., & Baker, S. J.  (1998).  The impact of child witness demeanor on perceived credibility and trial outcome in sexual abuse cases.  Journal of Family Violence, 13, 187-195.

*Student co-author!

1998

Regan, P. C., Kocan, E. R., & Whitlock, T.  (1998).  Ain’t love grand!  A prototype analysis of the concept of romantic love.  Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 15, 411-420.

*Student co-authors!

1998

Sprecher, S., & Regan, P. C.  (1998).  Passionate and companionate love in courting and young married couples.  Sociological Inquiry, 68, 163-185.

1998

Sprecher, S., Regan, P. C., & McKinney, K.  (1998).  Beliefs about the outcomes of extramarital sexual relationships as a function of the gender of the “cheating spouse.”  Sex Roles, 38, 301-311.

1997

Kovera, M. B., Gresham, A. W., Borgida, E., Gray, E., & Regan, P. C.  (1997).  Does expert testimony inform or influence juror decision making?  A social cognitive analysis.  Journal of Applied Psychology, 82, 178-191.

1997

Regan, P. C.  (1997).  The impact of male sexual request style on perceptions of sexual interactions:  The mediational role of beliefs about female sexual desire.  Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 19, 519-532.

1997

Regan, P. C., & Berscheid, E.  (1997).  Gender differences in characteristics desired in a potential sexual and marriage partner.  Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 9, 25-37.

1997

Sprecher, S., Regan, P. C., McKinney, K., Maxwell, K., & Wazienski, R.  (1997).  Preferred level of sexual experience in a date or mate:  The merger of two methodologies.  The Journal of Sex Research, 34, 327-337.

1996

Berscheid, E., & Regan, P. C.  (1996).  Love.  In B. B. Wolman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of psychiatry, psychology, and psychoanalysis (1st ed., pp. 317-318).  New York:  Henry Holt & Co.

1996

Regan, P. C.  (1996).  Rhythms of desire:  The association between menstrual cycle phases and female sexual desire.  The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 5, 145-156.

1996

Regan, P. C.  (1996).  Sexual outcasts:  The perceived impact of body weight on sexuality.  Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 26, 1803-1815.

1996

Regan, P. C.  (1996).  The search for family:  Adolescent males’ motives for joining gangs.  Free Inquiry in Creative Sociology, 24, 1-3.

1996

Regan, P. C., & Berscheid, E.  (1996).  Beliefs about the state, goals, and objects of sexual desire.  Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 22, 110-120.

1996

Sprecher, S., & Regan, P. C.  (1996).  College virgins:  How men and women perceive their sexual status.  The Journal of Sex Research, 33, 3-15.

1995

Regan, P. C., & Berscheid, E.  (1995).  Gender differences in beliefs about the causes of male and female sexual desire.  Personal Relationships, 2, 345-358.

1995

Regan, P. C., Snyder, M., & Kassin, S. M.  (1995).  Unrealistic optimism:  Self-enhancement or person positivity?  Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 21, 1073-1082.

1995

Regan, P. C., & Sprecher, S.  (1995).  Gender differences in the value of contributions to intimate relationships.  Sex Roles, 33, 221-238.

1995

Regan, P. C., & Sprecher, S.  (1995).  Marital sex.  In D. Levinson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of marriage and the family (pp. 456-461).  New York:  Macmillan.

 


 

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

B.A. English Literature, 1988

  • Williams College, Williamstown, MA

Ph.D. Psychology, Ph.D. Minor Statistics

  • University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

HOBBIES!

I have a ton of outside interests - reading, cooking shows and cooking, gardening, walking, spending way too much time "shopping" for houses on Zillow (I pick some random town, and then I look around - it's a stress reliever for me!).

My primary hobby, though, is dogs, dogs, and dogs.  I'm a huge animal/dog lover and I'm a judge with the American Kennel Club.  I have been training and showing dogs my whole life, and if you work in my lab or take one of my classes, I will no doubt mention my dogs repeatedly over the course of the semester (apologies in advance!).  Phoebe, my older dog, is a Belgian Tervuren with tons of trick, stunt, obedience, agility, and other titles, and she was honored in 2020 with a national award called the Paw of Courage for her community work during the Covid-19 pandemic.  I am so proud of her!  You can read about the award (and Phoebe) here if you're interested: 2020 Paw of Courage Award.
 
Dr. Regan and her dog Phoebe
 
Recently, we added a new addition to our pet pack - Kip! Kip is also a Belgian Tervuren, and he is just starting out on his training career. He's a lot of work, and a lot of fun (but Phoebe does not agree!).
Here he is with his best friend in the whole world, Indy the Golden Retriever.
 
Two puppies playing together