Diana J Leonard

PhD University of California, Santa Barbara 2012; BA Northwestern University 2004

• Psy 260: Social Psychology
• Psy 300: Psychology Methodology
• Psy 325: Social Influence
• Psy 390: Cross Cultural Psychology
• Psy 465: Advanced Social Psychology

Intergroup communication: Primarily, I study the ways in which the emotions we feel as a consequence of our social identities alter three processes: intergroup apology, perceived group victimization, and reactions to group disadvantage. Racial passing: In a new line of work, I have begun exploring moral judgments of racial passing behavior. That is, when people “transgress” boundaries of racial categorization, how do we as perceivers judge and, in some cases, denigrate these social actors and their behaviors? Roleplay studies: Finally, as a self-proclaimed “geek”, I have enjoyed applying classic models of small group dynamics to the study of conflict and change in live action roleplaying (larp) groups. 

Publications

• Usman, M., Leonard, D. J., & Hilman, I. (2026). Forged in the Dark and Into the Light: An exploration of indie games as tools of personal and social transformation. In S. Hedge (Ed.), Essays on Indie Tabletop RPGs. McFarland & Company, Inc.
• Schrier, K., Kowert, R., Leonard, D. J., & Porkka-Kontturi, T. (Eds.) (2024). Learning, Education, & Games Volume 4: 50 Games to Use for Inclusion, Equity, and Justice. Pittsburgh, PA: ETC Press.
• Leonard, D. J., Janjetovic, J., & Usman, M. (2021). Playing to experience marginalization: benefits and drawbacks of “dark tourism” in larp. International Journal of Role-playing, 11, 25-47. 
• Leonard, D. J. (2019). They’re a sorry bunch: Perceptions of outgroup entitativity shape the receipt of intergroup apology. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 22(4), 549-562.
• Leonard, D. J., & Thurman, T. (2018). Bleed-out on the Brain: The neuroscience of character-to-player spillover in larp. International Journal of Role-playing, 9, 9-15.
• Leonard, D. J. (2016). Conflict and Change: Testing a life-cycle derived model of larp group dynamics. International Journal of Role-playing, 7, 15-22.
• Leonard, D.J., & Arango, G. (2013). The Dynamic Life Cycle of Live Action Role-Play Communities. In Bowman, S.L. (Ed.), Wyrdcon Companion Book 2013, Academic Section.  
• Leonard, D. J., Mackie, D. M., & Smith, E. R. (2011). Emotional responses to intergroup apology mediate intergroup forgiveness and retribution. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 47, 1198-1206.
• Leonard, D. J., Moons, W. G., Mackie, D. M., & Smith, E. R. (2010). We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore: anger self-stereotyping and collective action. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 14, 99-111.
• Moons, W. G., Leonard, D. J., Mackie, D. M., & Smith, E. R. (2009). I feel our pain: antecedents and consequences of emotional self-stereotyping. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 45, 760-769.

While growing up in NYC, I became curious about the role of motivation and context in social judgments. Later, as part of my bachelors in Psychology at Northwestern University, I did an honors thesis examining the role of biracial identity in perception of other-raced faces. I went on to earn my PhD in Social Psychology at the University of California Santa Barbara, studying social identity and intergroup emotions with Dr. Diane Mackie. My research examined the role of emotions in shaping protest and intergroup apology. I also nourished my passion for teaching through UCSB’s rigorous teaching emphasis.

Since arriving at Lewis & Clark in 2012, I have continued to study group dynamics, and I share my enthusiasm for psychological science through teaching and mentoring undergraduates. I also use my expertise in intergroup dynamics as a member of the Ethnic Studies and E&D steering committees, as faculty fellow for Akin Hall (our multicultural engagement-themed living and learning community), and in workshops I conduct around issues of diversity and inclusion for staff, faculty and students at LC and in the greater Pacific Northwest. In recognition of this work, I have been honored with an Impact Award from our Department of Inclusion & Multicultural Engagement.