Ștefania Cihodaru-Ștefanache

I have been a member of the Laboratory of Cognitive Clinical Sciences (LSCC) since 2021, and since then, I have been actively involved in promoting psychology as a science and exposing pseudoscience. In my research, I focus on the interdisciplinary investigation of the Uncanny Valley phenomenon, with an emphasis on its implications in human-computer interaction.

As a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, I combine practical expertise with scientific approaches, aiming to optimize mental health and improve people's quality of life.

My professional goal is to contribute to the development of innovative technological solutions that support psychological well-being.

Activity

2021 - Present

Doctoral studies at the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School (ISDS-UB)

Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Bucharest

2019 - 2021

Master's in Clinical Psychology, psychological counseling, and psychotherapy

Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca

2016 - 2019

Bachelor's in Psychology

Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca

Conferences

A systematic review of the Uncanny Valley Effect in the interaction between humans and embodied conversational agents”, under the coordination of Conf. Univ. Dr. Ioana Podina, at the European Conference on Digital Psychology (ECDP – 2024)

“Exploring the Impact of Technology-Related Anxiety on the Relationship Between Video Gaming and Watching Films Featuring Humanoid Robot”, under the coordination of Conf. Univ. Dr. Ioana Podina at the International Conference of Scientific Communications (XGEN - 2024)

“A systematic review of the predictors, mediators, and moderators of the Uncanny Valley Effect in human-embodied conversational agent interaction”, under the coordination of Conf. Univ. Dr. Ioana Podina at the International Conference on Multimedia and Human-Computer Interaction (MHCI - 2023)

“Interacting with an embodied conversational agent in the educational field: proposal for psychological intervention to promote mental health”, under the coordination of Conf. Univ. Dr. Ioana Podina at eLearning and Software for Education (eLSE - 2023)

Research Interests

Psychological mechanisms in the human-virtual agent interaction: Exploring the Uncanny Valley Effect

Factors Affecting Resilience and Psychopathology

Technological Interventions for Improving Mental Health

The Laboratory of Cognitive Clinical Sciences

Location: Bulevardul Iuliu Maniu, nr. 1-3, Corp A, et. 5, camera 522, sector 6, București.

Email Address labstiintecognitiveclinice@gmail.com

Politică de Confidențialitate