Publications
Popular press
Lopez, A. M., Major, B. C., Khanna, M., Rosanbalm, K., Gavin-Evans, K., & DiMarco, I. D. (2022). Career possibilities with your doctorate in Psychology: Stories from inspiring leaders. In M. J. Prinstein (Ed.), The portable mentor: Expert guide to a successful career in Psychology (pp. 496-513). Cambridge University Press.
Major, B. C. (2018). How to increase (and sustain) political engagement. Behavioral Scientist. Retrieved from http://behavioralscientist.org/how-to-increase-and-sustain-political-engagement/
Major, B. C. (2017, November 22). 252 days of resistance: What we’ve learned about calling behaviors over time [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@CitizenBe/252-days-of-resistance-what-weve-learned-about-calling-behaviors-over-time-3405dbfc9ab1
Major, B. C. (2017, October 6). What really drives political participation? [Blog post] Retrieved from https://medium.com/@CitizenBe/what-really-drives-political-participation-ec7d767fd7eb
Major, B. C. (2017, September 15). How Democrats can learn from the past and win Virginia [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@CitizenBe/how-democrats-can-learn-from-the-past-and-win-virginia-a43487f5ab12
Hill, S. E., DelPriore, D., & Major, B. C. (2013). An evolutionary psychological perspective on happiness. In S. A. David, I. Boniwell, & A. Conley Ayers (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of happiness (pp. 875-886). New York, NY, US: Oxford University Press.
Academic
Major, B. C., Lundberg, K.B., & Fredrickson, B. L. (in prep). A micro-intervention to promote wellbeing: Cultivating positivity resonance in social connections.
Major, B. C., Le Nguyen, K.D., Lundberg, K.B., & Fredrickson, B. L. (in press). Well-being correlates of perceived positivity resonance: Evidence from trait and episode-level assessments. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
Major, B. C., McRae, K., & Waugh, C. E. (revision invited). The influence of positive emotions on different stress regulation strategies. Submitted to Cognition and Emotion.
Major, B. C. (2010). The effects of gratitude on perseverance. TCU Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity, 4(1), 74-78.
Presentations
Conference and invited talks
Major, B.C., Lundberg, K.B., Fredrickson, B.L. (July, 2017). Cultivating positivity resonance in social interactions: The effects of a positive social engagement intervention on wellbeing. Individual podium talk delivered at the 5th World Congress on Positive Psychology, Montreal, Canada.
Major, B.C. (April, 2017). Positive psychology training: Using micro-interventions to promote health and wellbeing in the classroom. Invited talk delivered at the Carolina Center for Educational Excellence – Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools, Carrboro, NC.
Major, B.C., Lundberg, K.B., Fredrickson, B.L. (September, 2015). The effects of positive social engagement on health and wellbeing. Invited talk delivered at the Seminar in Self-Regulation at Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC.
Major, B.C., Lundberg, K.B., Fredrickson, B.L. (June, 2015). Cultivating positivity resonance in social interactions: The effects of positive social engagement on health and wellbeing. Symposium talk delivered at the World Congress on Positive Psychology, Orlando, FL.
Major, B. C., & Waugh, C. & McRae, K. (January, 2013). The additive effects of positive emotions and cognitive reappraisal on the regulation of negative emotions. Data blitz talk delivered at the SPSP Self-Regulation Pre-Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Major, B. C. (April, 2010). The effects of gratitude on perseverance. Formal talk delivered to the TCU John V. Roach Honors College, Fort Worth, TX.
Poster presentations
Major, B.C., Lundberg, K.B., Fredrickson, B.L. (January, 2016). Cultivating positivity resonance: The effects of positive social engagement on health and wellbeing. Poster presentation at the annual conference of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology, San Diego, CA.
Major, B.C., & Waugh, C. & McRae, K. (June, 2015). The conditions under which positive emotions facilitate recovery from stress. Poster presentation at the 4th World Congress on Positive Psychology, Orlando, FL.
Major, B.C., & Waugh, C. & McRae, K. (February, 2015). The conditions under which positive emotions facilitate recovery from stress. Poster presentation at the annual conference of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology, Long Beach, CA.
Major, B.C., & Waugh, C. & McRae, K. (February, 2014). Effect of positive emotions on facilitating the cognitive regulation of emotion. Poster presentation at the annual conference of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology, Austin, TX.
Major, B.C., & Waugh, C. & McRae, K. (January, 2013). The additive effects of positive emotions and cognitive reappraisal on the regulation of negative emotions. Poster presentation at the annual conference of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology, New Orleans, LA.
Major, B. C., Waugh, C. & McRae, K. (October, 2012). The additive effects of positive emotions and cognitive reappraisal on the regulation of negative emotions. Poster presentation at the 34th annual Society of Southeastern Social Psychologists Conference, Gainesville, FL.
Major, B. C. (April, 2010). The effects of gratitude on perseverance. Poster presentation at the annual Student Research Symposium of Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX.
Grants
Lead researcher on UNC Graduate School Dissertation Completion Fellowship, 2016 – 2017. Project title: “Do daily thoughts about social experiences promote health and wellbeing?” ($18,000)
Lead researcher on Mind and Life Institute 1440 Award for Real-World Contemplative Research, 2014 – 2017. Project title: “How do thoughts about social closeness promote health and well-being?” ($15,000)
Lead researcher on TCU Undergraduate Student Research and Creative Activity Grant, 2009 – 2010. Project title: “The effects of gratitude on perseverance.” ($1,250)
Awards & Honors
Dissertation Completion Fellowship, UNC Graduate School (2016 – 2017)
1st place poster award, Society of Southeastern Social Psychology Conference (2012)
Summer Research Support Scholarship, Wake Forest University (2012)
Phi Beta Kappa (2010)
Class of 2010 Senior Legacy Award, Texas Christian University (TCU; 2010)
Kearns Leadership Award, Outstanding Senior Project, TCU (2010)
International Study Award, TCU (2009)
Alan Bedford Award for Outstanding Leadership, Student Government Association (2008)
Pillar University Leadership Award, TCU (2008)
Brachman International Study Grant, TCU (2008)
John V. Roach Honors College, TCU (2006 – 2010)
Dean’s Scholarship, TCU (2006 – 2010)
Volunteer & Campus Involvement
Principles Project Core Member, University of North Carolina (2013 – 2015)
- Assisted in planning, development, and implementation of a program which used Appreciative Inquiry to identify a set of principles for exemplary scientific practice in the Social Area of the UNC Psychology Department
Student Body Vice President, TCU (2008 – 2009)
- Supervised the internal workings of the Student Government Association, served as chair of Campus Advancement Committee, presented on behalf of the student body to the TCU Board of Trustees
Bike & Build rider (2010)
- Rode 3800 miles across the US on a bike, raised and donated $70,000 to affordable housing organizations nationwide, made nightly presentations about affordable housing in communities across the US