Meliksah Demir, PhD
Assistant Professor
BA Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, 2002
MA Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, 2004
PhD Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, 2007
E-mail: meliksah.demir@nau.edu
Professional interests
Dr. Demir’s main research focuses on the relationship between friendship quality and happiness in different age groups (e.g., emerging adults). Dr. Demir is also interested in understanding how certain best friendships become an attachment bond over the years.
His other research interests include: identity formation, personality, attachment, romantic relationships, perceived mattering, friendship motivation and need satisfaction in close relationships.
Recent publications
- Demir, M., Birkett, M., Miller, M., & Dickson, L. (2012). Psychological science in action: Applying psychology to everyday issues. Cognella Academic Publishing: San Diego, CA.
- Demir, M., Ozen, A, & Procsal, A. (in press). Friendship and happiness. In A. Michalos (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Quality of Life Research. Springer.
- Demir, M., Dogan, A., & Procsal, A. (in press). I am so happy 'cause my friend is happy for me: Capitalization, friendship, and happiness among U.S. and Turkish college students. Journal of Social Psychology.
- Demir, M., & Simsek, O. F., & Procsal, A. (in press). I am so happy 'cause my best friend makes me feel unique: Friendship, personal sense of uniqueness and happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies.
- Demir, M., & Davidson, I. (in press). Toward a better understanding of the relationship between friendship and happiness: Perceived responses to capitalization attempts, feelings of mattering, and satisfaction of basic psychological needs in same-sex best friendships as predictors of happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies.
- Demir, M., Ozen, A., & Dogan, A. (2012). Friendship, perceived mattering and happiness: A study of American and Turkish College Students. Journal of Social Psychology, 152(5), 659-664.
Undergadaute/Graduate Courses
Dr. Demir will be teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in developmental psychology and introductory psychology.