• PhD, University of Michigan

My research focuses broadly on questions pertaining to the self, motivation, well-being, and interpersonal processes. Using cross-sectional, experimental, and daily diary methods, I investigate: (a) how the pursuit of self-esteem via contingencies of self-worth – the desire to protect, maintain, and enhance self-esteem in specific domains – undermines motivation, well-being, and relationships; (b) how concerns about belonging – due to being sensitive to rejection or a member of an underrepresented group lead to negative effects, which can be alleviated through interventions; and (c) how people’s lay theories of happiness shape their goal pursuits and well-being. 

Funding from the National Science Foundation has supported our work examining how features of the social environment affect self-perceptions, motivation, and performance among members of underrepresented groups in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

Overall, my research advances knowledge and understanding of how people’s experience of themselves affects motivation, well-being, and relationships, and identifies interventions to improve important societal outcomes, such as broadening participation of underrepresented groups in STEM.

• Park, L.E., Aknin, L.B., Gaither, S.E., Impett, E.A., & Whillans, A.V. (2024). Starting and sustaining fruitful collaborations in psychology. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 18(4), 1-16.
  
• Park, L. E., Ward, D. E., Naragon-Gainey, K., Fujita, K., & Koefler, N. (2024). I’m still spending: Financial contingency of self-worth predicts financial motivational conflict and compulsive buying. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 50(2), 2232-252. 
• Park, L. E., Naidu, E., Lemay, E.P., Canning, E.A., Ward, D.E., Panlilio, Z.A., & Vessels, V. (2023). Social evaluative threat across individual, relational, and collective selves. In B. Gawronski (Ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology (Vol.68, pp.139-199). Cambridge, MA: Academic Press. 
• Park, L. E., Fujita, K., Naragon-Gainey, K., Radsvick, T., Jung, H., Xia, J., Ward, D. E., Paravati, E., Weng, J., Italiano, A., & Valvo, A., (2023). Happiness – to enjoy now or later? Consequences of delaying happiness and living in the moment beliefs. Emotion, 23(1), 138-162.
• Park, L.E., Lin, G-X., Chang, Y., O'Brien, C., & Ward, D.E. (2022). Burning the candle at both ends: The role of financial contingency of self-worth and work-family conflict on job and parental well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 199, 1-6.
• Murphy, M. C., Mejia, A. F., Mejia, J., Yan, X., Cheryan, S., Dasgupta, N., Destin, M., Fryberg, S. A., Garcia, J. A., Haines, E. L., Harackiewicz, J. M., Ledgerwood, A., Moss-Racusin, C. A., Park, L. E., Perry, S. P., Ratliff, K. A., Rattan, A., Sanchez, D. T., Savani, K., Sekaquaptewa, D., Smith, J. L.,... Diekman, A. B., & Pestilli, F. (2020) Open science, communal culture, and women's participation in the movement to improve science. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 117 (39), 24154-24164. 
• Ward, D. E., Park, L.E., Naragon-Gainey, K., Whillans, A.V., & Jung, H. (2020). Can't buy me love (or friendship): Social consequences of financially contingent self-worth. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 46, 1665-1681.
• Park, L. E., Kondrak, C., Ward, D. E., & Streamer, L. (2018). Positive feedback from male authority figures boosts women's math outcomes. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 44, 359-383.
• 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 everyday romantic goal pursuit on women’s attitudes toward math and science. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 37, 1259-1273.
• 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., & 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. (2007). Appearance-based rejection sensitivity: Implications for mental and physical health, affect, and motivation. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 33, 490-504.
• Crocker, J., & Park, L.E. (2004). The costly pursuit of self-esteem. Psychological Bulletin, 130, 392–414.