Research Focus Motivational Psychologie

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Research Focus

We investigate the influence of thinking about the future and self-regulation on changes in cognition, emotion, and behavior. We investigate these topics in diverse life domains such as achievement, interpersonal relationships, fitness, and physical and mental health. We use methods that reach from controlled laboratory experiments to observational field studies to randomized control interventions. Recently, we also investigate the psychological underpinnings of fanatical thinking, acting, and feeling.

Current research projects:

Interpersonal relationships

empathy and perspective taking
taking responsibility
helping behavior
interpersonal conflicts
romantic relationships
processes of idealization

Academic/Professional Performance

regulation of performance (individual and in groups)
regulation of emotions (fear, anger, rejection sensitivity)
regulation of well-being (team spirit, job satisfaction, stress)

Physical and mental health

prevention (exercise, nutrition, sleep, dealing with stressors)
rehabilitation (self-management, adherence, coping)
patient-provider relations (regulating interactions, diversity, cultural influences)

Further research projects:

interplay of conscious and nonconscious goals
nonconscious projection of goals onto others
nonconscious competition
fanatical thinking, acting, and feeling

DFG-Projects

the mental connection between future and reality as a mediator of mental contrasting effects on energization and behavior
alcohol and gambling behavior

Research internships

By completing an internship in our lab, you will gain insight into experimental research as well as field studies. You will be involved in creating, coordinating and implementing experiments on thought, affect, and behavior and learn how to analyze, interpret, write up, and publish the data. It is possible to complete the internship full-time or part-time, and you may also do your internship at New York University in New York.

Application:

If you are interested, please send your application, consisting of a letter showing your motivation to join our lab, a curriculum vitae with relevant certificates to Kerstin Wagner (sekretariat-fsmp"AT"uni-hamburg.de). Please include the time span you would like to join our group.