James Youniss

Dr. Youniss is a James and Wylma R. Curtin Professor of Psychology. He continues to study ways in which young people become politically engaged.

One path he looks at is community service, which is done through established cause-oriented non-profit associations. They become sources of knowledge of political traditions and encourage youth to become virtual members. This allows youth to understand their service as something more than its immediate material action. For example, serving food to homeless people at a soup kitchen can become an act of social justice in a Biblical sense or a political statement. Therein lies the potential of service to arouse political and moral interest and provide nourishment to youth's developing identities.

This work has led Dr. Youniss to the broader study of civic development and he is presently co-editing a book that is focused on policies which can enhance the civic engagement of young people. The authors of the chapters include political scientists, civic educators, developmental psychologists, and sociologists.

Contact Information

Email address: Youniss[at]cua.edu
Phone: (202) 319-5958
Department: Department of Psychology