Research Description

My primary interest involves the behavioural, perceptual, and emotional consequences of insecurity (e.g., low self-esteem; negative models of self or other, insecure attachment). In the majority of my work, I focus on investigating the consequences (and perhaps the sources) of insecurity in relationships. Most of my research takes a Person x Situation interactionist perspective whereby I investigate traits (e.g., insecurity) in the contexts that seem to elicit different behaviours, perceptions, and/or emotions from people scoring high vs. low on these trait dimensions. The context that I most frequently investigate involves the communication of emotions to significant others. In my research, I have also taken a special interest in the measurement of insecurity, especially the models of self and other.

In some recent research projects, I have begun to investigate self-esteem stereotypes. Is low self-esteem stigmatized in Western society? Are the virtues of high self-esteem real? How does the lay population think and feel about "self-esteem"?

Teaching Description

PSYC3630 (Measurement and Assessment)

PSYC2390 (Psychology of Women)

PSYC4540 (Security)

PSYC7310 (Security)

PSYC4540 (Person x Situation Interactionism)

PSYC7310 (Person x Situation Interactionism)

PSYC4520 (Honours Seminar)