Toby E. Jayaratne, Ph.D.

Assistant Research Scientist, Health Behavior & Health Education

Visiting Faculty, Combined Program in Education and Psychology, School of Education

3830 SPH I      
1415 Washington Heights
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2029

(734) 763-0051; Fax: (734) 763-7379

E-mail: tjayarat@umich.edu

Professional Summary

Toby Jayaratne is an Assistant Research Scientist in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education in the School of Public Health and is affiliated with the Combined Program in Education and Psychology in the School of Education. She received her Ph.D in Developmental Psychology from the University of Michigan and has taught courses in the Residential College at the University. Originally trained in survey research at the Institute for Social Research, Dr. Jayaratne has directed or coordinated several national surveys. Currently, she is the P.I. on an NIDDK (NIH) funded study called HealthView, a survey examining beliefs about health and wellness  nationwide, with a focus on beliefs about what causes diseases and the actions individuals take to prevent disease. 

HONORS AND AWARDS

1995 Reuben-Hill Award, National Council on Family Relations

1985 Barbara Oleshansky Memorial Prize, Psychology Department, University of Michigan

Education

Ph.D., Developmental Psychology, University of Michigan, 1989
M.S., Developmental Psychology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, 1981
B.A., Psychology, University of Michigan, 1974

Selected Publications

Search PubMed for publications by Toby Jayaratne >>

Jayaratne, T. E., Gelman, S., Feldbaum, M., Sheldon, J. P., Petty, E. M. & Kardia, S. L. R. (2009). The perennial debate: Nature, nurture, or choice? Black and White Americans' explanations for individual differences. Review of General Psychology, 13, 24-33.

Jayaratne, T. E., Thomas, N. G., & Trautmann, M. T. (2003). An intervention program to keep girls in the science pipeline: Outcome differences by ethnic status. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 40(4), 393-414.

Lanie, A. D., Jayaratne, T. E., Sheldon, J. P., Kardia, S. L. R., & Petty, E. M. (2004). Exploring the public understanding of basic genetic concepts. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 13(4), 305-320.

Segar, M., Jayaratne, T., Hanlon, J., & Richardson, C. R. (2002). Fitting fitness into women's lives: Effects of a gender-tailored physical activity intervention. Women's Health Issues, 12(6), 338-347.

Professional Affiliations

American Psychological Society