Hochman, Alissa

Associate Professor

Education

B.A., Brandeis University
Ph.D. University of Massachusetts Boston
Dissertation Title: Dismantling an Intervention Aimed at Increasing White People’s Knowledge and Understanding of Racial Justice Issues

Courses Taught

Multiculturalism & Feminism in Counseling Psychology
Social Justice and Advocacy
History & Systems
Externship
Advanced Developmental Psychology

Teaching Focus/Philosophy

When it comes to teaching, I see myself as a facilitator, helping students recognize the knowledge they bring to topics and empowering them to engage actively in learning. I strive to create a classroom culture that is both rigorous and collaborative, challenging students to be critical thinkers. Multiculturalism and equity are integral to my teaching, both in content and process. I aim to ensure that all students feel supported, understood, and empowered to succeed in their own way.

Recent Presentations/Publications

Parigoris, R., Hochman, A.L., Hayes-Skelton, S., & Suyemoto, K. L. (2024). Addressing the White problem critically: A latent profile analysis of racial attitudes. Journal of Social Issues, 80, 670–698. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12616
Hochman, A. L., Suyemoto, K. L., Donovan, R. A., Kim, G. S. (2022) Resisting oppression: Developing as an ally and advocate. In Unraveling Assumptions: A Primer for Understanding Oppression and Privilege. Routledge Press.
Suyemoto, K. L., * & Hochman, A. L. * (2021). "Taking the Empathy to an Activist State”: Ally Development as Continuous Cycles of Critical Understanding and Action. Research in Human Development. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427609.2021.1928453
Hochman, A. L., & Suyemoto, K. L. (2020). Evaluating and dismantling an intervention aimed at increasing White people’s knowledge and understanding of racial justice issues. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000506
Suyemoto, K. L., Hochman, A. L., Donovan, R. A., & Roemer, L. (2020). Becoming and fostering allies and accomplices through authentic relationships: choosing justice over comfort. Research in Human Development, 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427609.2020.1825905
Levitt, H. M., Surace, F. I., Wu, M. B., Chapin, B., Hargrove, J. G., Herbitter, C., ... & Hochman, A. L. (2020). The meaning of scientific objectivity and subjectivity: From the perspective of methodologists. Psychological Methods. https://doi.org/10.1037/met0000363

Additional Information

Awards and Honors

Phi Beta Kappa
Psi Chi

Licensure

Licensed Psychologist in New Jersey
PSYCHPACT Member

Research Interests

My research centers around processes for engagement in social justice action. I am especially interested in the development of allies/accomplices, cross-race coalition building, and in creating and studying interventions to engage White people in racial justice work. The broader goal of this work is to engage institutions and organizations in increasing their equitable treatment of the people they serve by understanding systems of oppression. I utilize both qualitative and quantitative methods in the research to build and test theory.