Posts by Erin Smith

Erin Smith

Dr. Erin I. Smith (Ph.D.) is a professor of psychology and the Fletcher Jones Foundation Endowed Professor of Research at California Baptist University. Her specialization is in developmental psychology, where she studied the development of religious and scientific cognition. Her current research interests focus on the psychological and cultural influences on the science/religion dialogue and the distinct role of church in children’s development, especially for children who have experienced adverse life experiences. As part of a Templeton Religious Trust Grant to Liz Hall, Erin has created “Faithful Reasoning,” a free online resource that includes a leader guide and participant workbook to help Christians think through controversial scientific topics.

• Winsome Conviction

  Episode 129: The Psychology Of Myside Bias

  Liz Hall, Timothy Muehlhoff, Erin Smith — August 18, 2025

  Psychologists Liz Hall (Ph.D.) and Erin Smith (Ph.D.) are back on the podcast to speak with Tim about myside bias, a prevalent phenomenon that also goes by the name of confirmation bias. While myside bias has been around for awhile, cultural conditions seem to to be exacerbating this type of bias. What cost does myside bias exact on our critical thinking, disagreements, and relationships with others?

• Winsome Conviction

  Episode 127: Emotional Awareness When Engaging Scientific Technologies

  Liz Hall, Timothy Muehlhoff, Erin Smith — July 21, 2025

  On today’s episode, Tim speaks with psychologists Liz Hall (Ph.D.) and Erin Smith (Ph.D.) on how emotions shape perspectives on science, including new scientific technologies. Hall and Smith point to research that indicates emotions are some of the main features causing problems in dialogues between science and religious beliefs and values, and gaining understanding around emotions might help to address some of the uneasy tensions Christian experience between faith and controversial scientific topics.