Figen Karadogan, Ph.D.

Ph.D., Experimental Psychology
Social Judgment and Decision Making
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 2010

M.S., Experimental Psychology
Social Judgment and Decision Making
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 2005

B.S. in Psychology
Middle East Technical University, Türkiye, 1998
Graduated with Honors

Dr. Figen Karadogan is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Governors State University and Interim Director of the Honors College. Her academic background is in cognitive psychology, concentrating on social judgment and decision making.

Her research examines the role of emotions in decision making, with a particular focus on the experience of regret. Although regret is generally viewed as a negative emotion, it may also have positive value by motivating personal growth and constructive changes in behavior. Her work has explored the factors that influence the intensity of regret and whether this emotion can motivate corrective action and improve future decisions. More recently, her research has expanded to include mindfulness, spirituality, and self-regulation, exploring the role these factors may play in post-decisional emotions.

Dr. Karadogan directs the Judgment and Decision Making (JDM) Research Lab, where she works with undergraduate and graduate students on research projects spanning a variety of topics in psychology. Students participate in every stage of the research process, from developing research questions and designing studies to collecting and analyzing data and presenting their work at regional, national, and international conferences. She also co-coordinates the Research and Development (RAD) Program in the College of Education, supporting students as they pursue research within their respective fields.

Her work with students extends to the Honors College, where she leads curriculum development and oversees program assessment, collaborating with faculty across disciplines to strengthen the Honors experience. She also advises Honors students as they pursue research opportunities, graduate education, and prestigious scholarships and fellowships.

Dr. Karadogan welcomes applications from undergraduate students interested in joining the Judgment and Decision Making Research Lab as research assistants during the 2026–2027 academic year. Interested students are encouraged to contact her for more information.

Selected Publications 

Note: An asterisk (*) indicates an undergraduate student co-author. 

Ulutas, O. K., Karadogan, F., Akgul*, S., & Yildiz*, Z. G. (2024). Assessing the safety and efficacy of DIY-homemade sunscreens with natural, aromatic and herbal ingredients. Phytochemistry Letters, 59, 101–107.

Karadogan, E., & Karadogan, F. (2019). Simulation-based learning modules for undergraduate engineering dynamics. Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 27, 846–862. https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.22114

Xu, P., Gonzalez-Vallejo, C., Weinhardt, J., Chimeli, J., & Karadogan, F. (2018). Use of the familiarity difference cue in inferential judgments. Memory & Cognition, 46(2), 298–314. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13421-017-0765-5

Karadogan, E., Williams, R. L., & Karadogan, F. (2016). Evaluation of haptic modules for the undergraduate mechanics. Proceedings of the ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, 5C. https://doi.org/10.1115/DETC2015-46060

Beike, D. R., Markman, K. D., & Karadogan, F. (2009). What we regret most are lost opportunities: A theory of regret intensity. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 35, 385–397.

Markman, K. D., Karadogan, F., Lindberg, M. J., & Zell, E. (2009). Counterfactual thinking: Function and dysfunction. In K. D. Markman, W. M. P. Klein, & J. A. Suhr (Eds.), The handbook of imagination and mental simulation (pp. 175–194). Psychology Press.

Manuscripts Under Review

Karadogan, F., Shepard*, A., & DeSantis*, S. (2026). Mindfulness beyond perfection: Soothing the sting of regret [Revised manuscript submitted for publication].
 

Selected Conference Presentations

Shepard*, A., DeSantis*, S., & Karadogan, F. (2026). Taming the inner critic: Mindfulness mitigates regret for perfectionists [Poster presentation]. Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention, Barcelona, Spain.

DeSantis*, S., Zahorik*, C., Popovic*, E., & Karadogan, F. (2026). The role of spirituality in coping with past decisions[Poster presentation]. Midwestern Psychological Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.

Zahorik*, C., DeSantis*, S., Jeziorczak*, O., & Karadogan, F. (2026). From feelings of belonging to academic success at GovState [Poster presentation]. National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Richmond, VA.

Zahorik*, C., DeSantis*, S., & Karadogan, F. (2025). From regret to equanimity: The mindful path [Poster presentation]. National Collegiate Honors Council Annual Conference, San Diego, CA.

Karadogan, F., & DeSantis*, S. (2025, October). The economics of sense of belonging: How student perceptions shape institutional success [Keynote address]. 6th International Congress on Tourism, Economic and Business Sciences, Bandırma, Balıkesir, Türkiye.

Research Grants

2025 — Institutional Engagement and Excellence Mini-Research Grant, Governors State University. Belonging at GovState: How Student Perceptions Align with Institutional Values and Success. Principal Investigator, $5,000.

2025 — Psi Chi International Honor Society Faculty Research Grant. Mindfulness Beyond Perfection: Soothing Regret. Principal Investigator, $2,000.

2021 — GSU Intellectual Life Grant, Governors State University. Resolving Regret Through Mindfulness and Self-compassion. Co-Principal Investigator, $500.

Honors and Awards

2026 — McClellan Faculty Research Excellence Award, College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, Governors State University.

2024 — McClellan Faculty Research Excellence Award, College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, Governors State University.

2024 — Award for Keynote Contribution, International Congress of Hygiene Research in Hospitality Industry, Kocaeli, Türkiye.