Specialist Research Laboratory

Experimental Social Psychology Laboratory

Our research deals with three major areas. First, we are concerned with emotional, motivational, and behavioural consequences of self-regulatory processes. We are specifically interested in the impact of a number of factors on these outcomes, including the structure of self-knowledge, the exact nature of the reference values for self, and the source of the relevant reference value. Our second area of research examines the propositions of relational discrepancy theory (Robins & Boldero, 2003), including the impact of discrepancies in the extent to which relational partners believe they are fulfilling relational guides on emotions and on relational conflict and stability. We are also examining the consequences of relational guide discrepancies. Finally, we are using implicit measures to examine the impact of a range of characteristics of the self on self-regulatory outcomes.

Current Areas of Research

• The role of the "other" in self-regulation.
• The consequences of self-regulating with regard to goals and standards
• The emotional impact of relational discrepancies
• The consequences of relational guide discrepancies
• The implicit assessment of characteristics of the self

Research Staff:

Associate Professor Jennifer Boldero

Research assistant:

• Yu Zhao

Lab Facilities:

The Laboratory is well equipped for research in the broad field of experimental social psychology. Specialist facilities include 4 P4 PCs.

Funding & Grants:

Current Research Students:

Warwick Hosking, Alexandra Parker, Natalie Samball