Social Psychology Network

Maintained by Scott Plous, Wesleyan University

Lora Park

Lora Park

  • Media Contact

My research program focuses broadly on questions pertaining to the self, motivation, and interpersonal processes. Specifically, my research examines how aspects of the person (e.g., self-esteem, contingencies of self-worth, rejection sensitivity, social roles) interact with situations to affect outcomes such as motivation, performance, interpersonal functioning, and well-being. One line of research (funded by NSF) examines how the pursuit of romantic goals affects women’s interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) – fields in which women are typically underrepresented – and examines the types of contexts that boost motivation and interest in STEM. Additional projects examine the consequences of basing self-worth in valued domains and self-threats; the effects of being sensitive to rejection based on physical appearance; and the impact of sociocultural factors in shaping psychological experience.

Primary Interests:

  • Interpersonal Processes
  • Motivation, Goal Setting
  • Self and Identity
  • Social Cognition

Research Group or Laboratory:

Journal Articles:

  • Crocker, J., & Park, L.E. (2004). The costly pursuit of self-esteem. Psychological Bulletin, 130, 392-414.
  • Park, L. E. (2010). Responses to self-threat: Linking self and relational constructs with approach and avoidance motivation. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 4, 201-221.
  • Park, L. E. (2007). Appearance-based rejection sensitivity: Implications for mental and physical health, affect, and motivation. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 33, 490-504.
  • Park, L. E., Calogero, R. M., Young, A. F., & DiRaddo, A. (2010). Appearance-based rejection sensitivity predicts body dysmorphic disorder symptoms and cosmetic surgery acceptance. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 29, 489-509.
  • Park, L. E., & Crocker, J. (2008). Contingencies of self-worth and responses to negative interpersonal feedback. Self and Identity, 184-203.
  • Park, L. E., & Crocker, J. (2005). Interpersonal consequences of seeking self-esteem. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 11, 1587-1598.
  • Park, L. E., Crocker, J., & Kiefer, A. K. (2007). Contingencies of self-worth, academic failure, and goal pursuit. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 33, 1503-1517.
  • Park, L. E., Crocker, J., & Mickelson, K. D. (2004). Attachment styles and contingencies of self-worth. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30, 1243-1254.
  • Park, L. E., DiRaddo, A., & Calogero, R. M. (2009). Sociocultural influence and appearance-based rejection sensitivity among college students. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 33, 108-119.
  • Park, L. E., Eastwick, P. W., Young, A. F., Troisi, J. D., & Streamer, L. (2016). Desirable but not smart: Preference for smarter romantic partners impairs women’s STEM outcomes. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 46, 158-179.
  • Park, L. E., & Harwin, M. J. (2010). Visible versus non-visible rejection: Consequences of appearance-based rejection sensitivity. Journal of Research in Personality, 44, 128-132.
  • Park, L. E., Kondrak, C., Ward, D. E., & Streamer, L. (in press). Positive feedback from male authority figures boosts women's math outcomes. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
  • Park, L. E., & Maner, J. K. (2009). Does self-threat promote social connection? The role of self-esteem and contingencies of self-worth. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 96, 203-217.
  • Park, L. E., & Pinkus, R. T. (2009). Interpersonal effects of appearance-based rejection sensitivity. Journal of Research in Personality, 43, 602-612.
  • Park, L. E., Sanchez, D. T., & Bryndilsen, K. (2011). Maladaptive responses to relationship dissolution: The role of relationship contingent self-worth. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 41, 1749-1773.
  • Park, L. E., Streamer, L., Huang, L., & Galinsky, A. D. (2013). Stand tall, but don’t put your feet up: Universal and culturally-specific effects of expansive postures on power. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 49, 965-971.
  • Park, L. E., Troisi, J. D., & Maner, J. K. (2011). Egoistic versus altruistic concerns in communal relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 28, 315-335.
  • Park, L. E., Ward, D. E., & Naragon-Gainey, K. (2017). It’s all about the money (for some): Consequences of financially contingent self-worth. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 43, 601-622.
  • Park, L. E., Young, A. F., & Eastwick, P. W. (2015). (Psychological) distance makes the heart grow fonder: Effects of psychological distance and relative intelligence on men’s attraction to women. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 41, 1459-1473.
  • Park, L. E., Young, A. F., Troisi. J. D., & Pinkus, R. T. (2011). Effects of romantic goal pursuit on women's attitudes toward math and science. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 37, 1259-1273.

Courses Taught:

  • Advanced Social Psychology
  • Introduction to Social Psychology
  • Self and Self-esteem

Lora Park
Department of Psychology
University at Buffalo, Park Hall
Buffalo, New York 14260-4110
United States of America

Send a message to Lora Park

Note: You will be emailed a copy of your message.

Psychology Headlines

From Around the World

News Feed (35,797 subscribers)