Research

My research expertise is in the area of Self and Self-processes. I am particularly interested in people’s expectations about the future and how expectations persevere and change in the face of challenging information. I also explore how people respond when they receive challenging information. My research specifically focuses on three areas: 1) optimism, risk perceptions and behavior, 2) fluctuations in future outlooks, and 3) maintaining desired self-views.

Optimism, Risk Perceptions & Behavior

People often display comparative optimism in their judgments, believing that they are less likely than others to experience negative events and more likely than others to experience positive events. Comparative optimism occurs for a variety of events including likelihood judgments for car accidents, illnesses, suicide, and having gifted children and a good first job. My research on comparative judgments addresses: 1) why people display comparative optimism, 2) what moderates comparative optimism, 3) how stable are comparative risk judgments across time and events, 4) does comparative optimism primarily reflect a distortion in personal estimates (personal optimism) or a distortion in target estimates (pessimism for others), and 5) what are the consequences of the comparative optimism for affect, cognition, motivation and behavior.

Fluctuations in Future Outlooks

Although people are generally optimistic about the future, my research shows that they will shelve their optimism when they anticipate a possible challenge to their optimistic outlook. The shift from optimism sometimes can reflect an adjustment in response to new information, but often reflects a response to the possibility that things may not turn out as hoped. Along with Pat Carroll and Kate Sweeney, I propose that both of these explanations for shifts in future outlooks serve the large goal of preparedness. Preparedness is an adaptive goal state of readiness to respond to uncertain outcomes. Preparedness can involve being equipped for setbacks should they occur, but also a readiness to capitalize on opportunity should it knock.

Maintaining Desired Self-Views

I have conducted a number of studies examining how people avoid, distort, and dismiss unwanted and threatening information. By so doing, they are able to sustain desired self-views. Most of my research in this area has examined strategies such as self-handicapping - the tendency to to proactively set up barriers to performance - and the self-serving bias - the tendency to claim personal responsibility for positive outcomes but not for negative outcomes. Currently I am examining how people will sometimes avoid potentially threatening information altogether. For example, people may delay or avoid getting a medical test and thereby can remain blissfully ignorant of possible medical problems.

Smoking Study

In collaboration with Dr. Isaac Lipkus at Duke University, I am conducting a study examining responses to genetic information about lung cancer risk. We are recruiting University of Florida smokers ages 18-21 to participate. This is NOT a smoking cessation study. We just want the thoughts of smokers. The survey has two parts.

Part 1 -- You complete an online survey that asks questions regarding your thoughts and feelings about smoking. It takes roughly 45 minutes and we will pay you $10 for your participation.

Part 2 -- You come to the psychology building and evaluate a brochure that talks about genetic risk factors. You then complete an online survey in which you evaluate the brochure. It takes roughly 60 minutes and we will pay you an additional $30 for your time.

If you are interested in participating in the smoking study, please click the link below.

LINK TO SMOKING STUDY

Undergraduates Interested in Working in My Lab

My research requires help from of a lot of people. Below are students currently working in my lab.

Top: James Shepperd, Jeffrey Jean, Rajen Andersen, Corinne Novell, Wendi Malone, Liz Zatz,

Jenny Howell. Bottom: Becky Cooperman, Elissa Chakoff, Amanda Garcia, Paige Espy,

Amanda Paige,Yoana Romagosa

Undergraduates

I recruit new students to work in my lab in October and in March. Undergraduates interested in working in my lab should send me an email either in no later than October 15 for a position starting in the spring, and not later than March 15 for a position starting in the fall. I have five criteria in selecting undergraduate research assistants:

1. Must be an upperclassman (sophomore or higher).

2. I require a two-semester commitment (Fall and Spring, or Spring and Fall).

3. Must be outgoing and extraverted.

4. Cannot have an outside job or commitment during the week.

5. Must have done well (B+ or better) in social psychology (sop3004).

Research assistants are responsible for running participants in studies, helping with the development of study materials, helping with piloting study materials, and entering and proofing data.

If you are interested in working in my lab, please download the application form, complete it and bring when we schedule an interview.

Application Form

Past Students

Undergraduate students working in my lab have gone on to lots of other places. In recent years I have had students from my lab enroll in...

Law schools (e.g., Boston University, Harvard, Columbia University, University of Florida)
Medical schools (e.g., University of Florida)
Masters programs in psychology (e.g., Eastern Tennessee University, Florida State University, Georgia State, Georgia Southern University, NYU, Tennessee State University, University of North Dakota, University of North Florida, Wake Forest University)
Clinical and Counseling Psychology Doctoral Programs (e.g., Penn State University, University of Florida, University of Mississippi, University of South Florida)
Doctoral programs outside of Psychology (e.g., Columbia University, Harvard University, University of Florida)
Social Psychology Doctoral Programs (e.g., Ohio University, Ohio State University, University of Chicago, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Houston, University of Wisconsin)

Graduate Students

I have three graduate students working in my lab. Jenny Howell is in her 1st year,

Corinne Novell is in her 2nd year, and Wendi Malone is in her 4th year.


Jenny Howell	Corinne Novell	Wendi Malone