Molly Selover

Ph.D. Student 

Florida Atlantic University 

Department of Psychology 

Molly is a second-year Ph.D. student in Developmental Psychology. She is working in Dr. Brett Laursen's lab

Her research interests include peer relationships and friendships. 

Florida Atlantic University 

Ph.D., Developmental Psychology 

Anticipated 2028 

State University of New York at Cortland

B.S., Psychology (2023)

Peer Reviewed Publications 

Selover, M., Leggett-James, M. P., Kaniušonytė, G., & Laursen, B. (2025). School structure explains age group differences in friend selection similarity. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/01650254251314822

Conference Presentations

Selover. M., Leggett-James, M.P., Laursen. B. (2025, May) School structure explains age group differences in friend selection similarity. [Symposium Presentation]. Society of Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota.


Selover, M., Hojen, A., Trecca, F., Bleses. D.,&  Laursen., B. (2025, May). Solitary screen time exacerbates longitudinal associations from low language skills to heightened adjustment problems. [Poster Presentation]. Society of Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota.


Leggett-James. M.P., Yoho. M., Selover. M., Leclerc-Bedard. L., & Laursen. B. (2025, May) The wrong stuff: Characteristics of youth involved in enemy relationships. [Poster Presentation]. Society of Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota.


Leggett-James. M.P., Selover. M., Leclerc-Bedard. L., Altman. R., Sherrod. L., & Laursen. B. (2025, May) Loneliness as a precursor to adolescent withdrawal and peer difficulties. Society of Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota.


Guillont. M., Selover. M., Bakaityte. A., Kaniusonyte. G., Zukauskiene. R., & Laursen. B. (2025, May) Friend loss exacerbates adjustment difficulties among shy children. [Poster Presentation]. Society of Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota.


Sherrod. L., Madeira Borri. M., Selover. M., & Laursen. B. (2025, May) Who do you want to be friends with? The characteristics of those who make and receive desired friend nominations. [Poster Presentation]. Society of Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota.


Guillont. M., Selover. M., Madeira Borri. M., & Laursen. B. (2025, May) Higher-ranked friend nominations are mranked friend noore likely to beminations.[Poste reciprocated than lower-r Presentation]. Society of Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota.



Selover, M., Leggett-James, M. P., & Laursen, B. (2024, April 18-20). The rise of friend selection similarity across the transition into adolescence. [Poster Presentation]. Society for Research on Adolescence Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. https://www.s-r-a.org/2024- annual-meeting-portal


Leggett-James, M. P., Selover, M., Leclerc-Bedard, L.-A., & Laursen, B. (2024, April 18-20). More about being fun: Making friends to maximize social status. [Poster Presentation]. Society for Research on Adolescence Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. https://www.s-r- a.org/2024-annual-meeting-portal



Teaching Experience 

Spring 2025 

Intermediate Statistics Lab, Florida Atlantic University 


Teaching Assistantships

Fall 2024 

Psychology of Human Development, Florida Atlantic University 

Summer 2024 

Social Psychology, Florida Atlantic University 

Spring 2024 

Social Psychology, Florida Atlantic University  

Fall 2023 

Psychology of Women, Florida Atlantic University  

Awards & Certificates 

Fall 2024 

Susan T. Dewar Memorial Award, Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University ($250)

Professional Membership 

Society of Research on Adolescents, Student Membership 

American Psychological Association Division 7, Student Membership

Florida Atlantic University 

Department of Psychology 

3200 College Avenue 

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314


mselover2023@fau.edu 


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