He received his BA in psychology from UCLA, his MA in experimental psychology from California State University Northridge, and a MA and doctorate from UCLA (2000) with an emphasis in social psychology and a minor in measurement. He runs an active lab where each year students present their research at the Western Psychological Conference. The focus of the lab is on social influence/social power, attribution theory, social cognition, and forgiveness. The lab has recently been shifting to a social neuroscience orientation. His teaching responsibilities include social psychology, psychology of prejudice, and advanced social psychology. In addition to being faculty advisor to Psi Chi, he also serves as faculty advisor to the Psychology Club, and the Wilderness Protection Club.