Jorge Peña

Education

• Ph.D., Communication, Cornell University, 2007
• M. S., Communication, Cornell University, 2004
• B. A., Social & Organizational Psychology, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, 2002

About

Jorge Peña specializes in computer-mediated communication, new media, communication in video games and virtual environments, and content analysis of online communication. He is a member of the editorial board of Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication and is Vice-Chair of the Game Studies Division at the National Communication Association.

Research Focus

Professor Peña investigates cognition, affect, and behavior in video games and virtual environments. He also studies priming effects in virtual contexts, along with impression formation and group communication in online settings. Professor Peña employs quantitative research methods such as experiments, content analysis, and automated linguistic analysis.

Publications

Peña, J., Huskey, R., Gong, X., Andrews, M. W., Weisman, W., Kee, R., Klein, V., Sarieva, S., Kang, R., Schmälzle, R., & Hancock, J. T. (2025). Media neuroscience on a shoestring 2.0: Using AR and mobile EEG hyperscanning to study cooperation. Journal of Media Psychology: Theories, Methods, and Applications, 37(2), 116-128. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000462   

Peña, J., Koebner, I., & Weisman, W. (2024). Using virtual art and attachment priming to reduce pain and social disconnection in individuals with chronic pain and loneliness: A randomized controlled trial with a web-based serious game. JMIR Serious Games. https://games.jmir.org/2024/1/e52294/

Peña, J., Craig, M., & Baumhardt, H. (2022). The effects of avatar customization and virtual human mind perception: A test using Milgram’s paradigm. New Media & Society. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448221127258

Pan, W., & Peña, J. (2021). A replication and expansion of the exposure effects of online model photos and social comparison goals on planned weight-loss behaviors. New Media & Society. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F14614448211055367

Navarro, J. Peña, J. Cebolla, A., & Baños, R. (2020). Can avatar appearance influence physical activity? User-avatar similarity and Proteus effects on cardiac frequency and step counts. Health Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1834194 

Teaching

Jorge Peña teaches courses in computer-mediated communication. He also teaches courses on the uses and social effects of video games and virtual environments.

Awards

• Awarded a $25,000 seed grant as 50% co-PI for a UC Davis Center for Advancing Pain Relief (CAPR) seed grant with Dr. Ian Koebner (spring 2021).
• Awarded a $63,000 Innovative learning technology initiative grant for the development of an UC systemwide online course examining the effects of video games and VR/AR on human cognition and behavior (fall 2018).