Cynthia Fekken

Research Interests

Dr. Fekken obtained her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (1978), Master of Arts (1980) and Ph.D. (1983) degrees in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario. She joined Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario in 1983 and has since become a tenured Full Professor in the Department of Psychology. Since 2001, Dr. Fekken has held a variety of administrative positions, including Associate Dean (Studies), Associate Dean at-large, and Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Arts and Science and Associate Vice Principal (Research) for Queen’s University.

Dr. Fekken's research interests focus on personality theory and psychological assessment. She has published numerous book chapters and empirical papers in refereed journals. Her recent work has evaluated the subclinical aspects of personality known as the “Dark Triad”. Much of her research has evaluated the degree to which people's questionnaire responses can be trusted. Dr. Fekken has been a registered psychologist with the Ontario College of Psychologists since 1989 and has consulted about psychological assessment issues with numerous professional, governmental and community organizations.

Selected Publications

Stead, R. & Fekken, G. C. The central role of Agreeableness in the Dark Triad. Submitted for publication.

Criger, B., & Fekken, G. C. Attitudes toward self-enhancement via smart drugs. Presented at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Psychological Association, Vancouver, June 2014. Canadian Psychology, 55, 2a, p. 57 #32.

Plouffe, R., & Fekken, G. C. Effects of sanctions on academic dishonesty. Presented at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Psychological Association, Vancouver, June 2014. Canadian Psychology, 55, 2a, p. 62 #87.

Stead, R., Plouffe, R., Kay, A., & Fekken, G. C. The Dark Triad of personality and social desirability: Lying to oneself or lying to other people? Presented at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Psychological Association, Vancouver, June 2014. Canadian Psychology, 55, 2a, p. 63 #98.

Bryan, A., & Fekken, G. C. (2013). The role of the Dark Triad and specific personality traits in academic integrity. Presented at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Psychological Association, Quebec City, June 2013. Canadian Psychology, 54, 2a, p.115 #19.

Criger, B., & Fekken, G. C. (2013). Factor congruence in essentialist conceptions of human nature. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Psychological Association, Quebec City, June 2013. Canadian Psychology, 54, 2a, p.115 #25.

Stead, R., & Fekken, G. C. (2013). The central role of Agreeableness in the Dark Triad. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Psychological Association, Quebec City, June 2013. Canadian Psychology, 54, 2a, p.122 #104.

Criger, B. & Fekken. G. C. (2013). Human germline engineering: A study of attitudes among Canadian university students and the American public. International Journal for the Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(8), 148-159.

Stead, R., Fekken, G. C., Kay, A., & McDermott, K. (2012). Conceptualizing the Dark Triad of personality: Links to social symptomatology. Personality and Individual Differences, 53(8), 1023-1028.

Stead, R., McIntyre, M. & Fekken, G. C. (2012). Academic integrity in university: The role of personality traits and motivation. Canadian Psychology, 53, 2a.

Wong, P. B. Y., Van Coeverden De Groot, P., Fekken, G. C., Smith, H., Pages, M., & Boag, P. T. (2011). Interpretations of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) tracks by Inuit hunters: Inter-rater reliability and inferences concerning accuracy. Canadian Field Naturalist, 125, 1-14.