Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz
Dr. Behm-Morawitz is Professor and Chair in the Department of Communication. Her expertise is in media effects, media psychology, and emerging technologies. She explores this research across multiple platforms, including video games, films, social media, virtual reality, and AI technologies, examining identity, cognition, and behavior. Specifically, her research examines how people process and respond to mediated messages and experiences. Her research team's current projects include the study of: mediated counter-narratives, human-AI interaction, VR processing and effects, social media messages, and video game avatars.
Dr. Behm-Morawitz teaches several undergraduate and graduate courses related to media, new technologies, and research methods.
- Outstanding Faculty Award, Department of Communication, University of Missouri
- Outstanding Contributions to Graduate and Postdoctoral Education Award, The Graduate School, University of Missouri
- Outstanding Service Award, The Mass Communication Division, National Communication Association
- Outstanding Graduate Advisor Award, Department of Communication, University of Missouri
- Teacher of the Year Award, iCOM (student club), University of Missouri
- Honorary Inductee of the Lambda Pi Eta (Chi Beta chapter), Department of Communication, University of Missouri
Select List of Publications
Schroeder, M., & Behm-Morawitz, E. (2025). Digitally curated beauty: The impact of slimming beauty filters on body image, weight loss desire, and anti-fat attitudes. Computers in Human Behavior, 165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2024.108519
Behm-Morawitz, E., & Shin, H. (2023). Using VR for science communication: Presence, message perception, and pro-environmental effects. Science Communication, 46(1), 36–64. https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470231217535
Behm-Morawitz, E., Aubrey, J. S., Pennell, H., & Kim, K-B. (2019). Examining the effects of MTV’s 16 and Pregnant on adolescent girls’ sexual health: The implications of character affinity, pregnancy risk factors, and health literacy on message effectiveness. Health Communication, 34, 180-190. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29125323/
Behm-Morawitz, E., Lewallen, J., & Miller, B. (2016). Real Mean Girls? Reality television viewing, social aggression, and gender-related beliefs among female emerging adults. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 5, 340-355. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000074
Behm-Morawitz, E., Lewallen, J., & Choi, G. (2016). A second chance at health: How a 3D virtual world can improve health self-efficacy for weight loss management among adults. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 19, 74-79. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2015.0317