Geoffrey Navara
Assistant Professor

Research interests:

I have two general streams of research: 1) an examination of family dynamics, specifically the parent/child

relationship, through a cultural and cross-cultural lens; and, 2) the psychology of religion – specifically

issues of religious orientation as a predictor of behaviour. Currently, I am working on a project exploring

the parent/child dynamic of Jamaican-Canadian immigrant families living in the Greater Toronto Area,

specifically looking at issues of bi-directionality of influence, acculturation, and the transmission of cultural

values and beliefs. Another research project is examining the possible connection between various

religious orientations and ethnocentric attitudes, social desirability and comfort levels when interacting

with other cultural groups. In my research, I often utilize a combination of quantitative and qualitative

methodologies.

Teaching

PSYC 3560H-A FA PTBO:        Family Development  

PSYC 3560H-W WI PTBO:      Family Development (Webcourse)

PSYC 4531H-A WI PTBO:       Cross-cultural/Cultural Psychology and Family Development 

Selected publications

Burris, C.T., & Navara, G.S., (2002). Morality play - - or playing morality?: Intrinsic religious orientation and

   socially desirable responding. Self and Identity, 1, 67-76.

Kuczynski, L. & Navara, G.S., (2006). Sources of Innovation and Change in Socialization and Internalization. In

   Killen, M. & Smetana, J.G., (Eds) Handbook of Moral Development.  Lawrence Earlbaum Associates, Inc. New Jersey.

Navara, G.S., & James, S. (2005). Acculturative stress of missionaries: Does religious orientation affect religious

   coping and adjustment? International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 29 (1), 39-58.

Navara, G.S., & James, S., (2002). An investigation of missionary adjustment in Nepal. International Journal of

   Intercultural Relations, 26(6), 694-708.