Florida State University psychologist recognized with Rising Star Award by the Association for Psychological Science for groundbreaking research
Florida – David March, an assistant professor at Florida State University (FSU), has earned a prestigious early career honor from the Association for Psychological Science (APS). The Rising Star Award, which was presented to March this spring, recognizes individuals whose research has had a significant impact on the field of psychology. March is one of 57 psychologists worldwide to receive the award this year, celebrated for his innovative work exploring how people process and perceive threats.
March’s research is deeply focused on understanding the psychological processes that occur when individuals encounter threats. His work dives into how these threats can shape not only how we perceive information but also how we store and express that information. “My research focuses on the ways that threats uniquely influence how people perceive information, how they store information and how they express this information,” March explained. His studies have uncovered intriguing insights into biases, fears, and the psychological effects of perceived threats, challenging existing models in social psychology.
The Rising Star Award, established by APS in 1988, honors exceptional psychologists who are in the early stages of their careers but have already made substantial contributions to the discipline. In the selection process, the APS considers the significance of the scholar’s publications, major discoveries, and the broad impact of their research. March’s achievements clearly meet these criteria, as his work has not only provided valuable new perspectives on social cognition but has also sparked significant discussions within the academic community.
“Being recognized internationally by APS is particularly fulfilling because it means my research has broad appeal,” March said in response to receiving the award. “This award reinforces my belief that my research can be widely influential inside and outside the field of social psychology.” Indeed, his work has already begun to affect multiple areas of psychological research, shedding light on how threats are uniquely perceived compared to general negativity.
March’s academic journey began during his graduate studies at the University of Tennessee, where he developed a theoretical model that fundamentally changed the way we understand the dual-process models of evaluation. These traditional models often focused solely on the positive or negative values associated with stimuli, but March’s dual-implicit processing model delved deeper into the influence of threat and negativity. He observed that, although threats are always negative, not all negative experiences are inherently threatening. This distinction has led to more nuanced insights into how threats influence human behavior.
The impact of his research is also evidenced in the success of the March Research Laboratory, which is dedicated to further exploring how threat perception shapes human cognition. March’s studies examine how individuals express the information they perceive, with a particular emphasis on biases and fears that arise in threatening situations. This approach to understanding social psychology goes beyond mere evaluations of positive or negative stimuli, expanding the scope of research in unexpected and important ways.
March credits much of his success to the academic environment at FSU. He joined the university’s Department of Psychology in 2019 and has since flourished with the support of his colleagues. “Part of my success is accredited to the environment that has been fomented here at FSU and in FSU’s psychology department,” he shared. March emphasized the supportive faculty and collaborative research atmosphere that have helped him maintain his productivity and passion for research. “The faculty is fantastic and has been very supportive of my research, and this environment is very helpful in terms of staying productive. FSU is a great place to be a faculty member,” he added.
Brad Schmidt, the chair of FSU’s Department of Psychology and a distinguished research professor, praised March for his significant contributions to the field. “David is a remarkable young scholar who is doing important work in social psychology,” Schmidt said. “The Association for Psychological Science’s Rising Star Award is one of the top international awards in psychology, so this is an incredible honor and recognition of David’s impact on the field.”
The recognition from APS is not only a testament to March’s achievements but also a reflection of the quality of research being conducted at FSU. With the guidance of faculty members like Schmidt and others, March has been able to thrive in an environment that values innovative, impactful research. His award highlights the important role that emerging scholars play in shaping the future of psychological science.
For those interested in learning more about March’s groundbreaking research and the work being done in the FSU Department of Psychology, further information is available at psychology.fsu.edu. As March continues to advance his research, his contributions promise to deepen our understanding of how threat perception shapes human behavior, offering valuable insights into a fundamental aspect of human psychology.
In the years to come, it is clear that David March’s work will continue to have a lasting impact on the field, and this recognition marks only the beginning of what promises to be a highly influential career in social psychology.
