My research focuses broadly on questions pertaining to the self, motivation, well-being, and interpersonal outcomes. 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 various domains—undermines motivation, well-being, and relationships; (b) how concerns about belonging—due to being sensitive to rejection or a member of a marginalized group—produce negative outcomes which can be alleviated through interventions; and (c) how lay theories—of happiness, motivation, feedback—shape people’s goal pursuits, interest, and well-being.

Funding from the National Science Foundation has supported our work examining how cues in the environment—such as receiving different types of instructor feedback—affect students’ self-perceptions, motivation and performance in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

Overall, my research advances knowledge and understanding of how people’s experience of themselves and perceptions of cues in the environment shape motivation, well-being, and relationships, and tests interventions to improve important societal outcomes, such as broadening participation in STEM.

Selected Publications

Park, L. E., Ward, D. E., Naragon-Gainey, K., Canning, E. A., Koefler, N., Panlilio, Z., Vessels, V., & Pascuzzi, G. (in press). Perceptions of safety and threat in the environment: The STEP scale. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
Hehman, E., Neel, R., Park, L. E., & Christophe, K. (in press). A taxonomy of discriminatory behavior. Psychological Review.
Park, L. E., Ward, D.E., & Koefler, N. (2026). Camera on or off? Appearance-based rejection sensitivity in virtual classroom and work settings. Self and Identity, 25(5), 601-622.
Park, L. E., Ward, D. E., Moore-Russo, D., Rickard, B., Vessels, V., & Hundley, J. (2026). Positive feedback as a lever to boost student outcomes in STEM.Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 52(1), 176-197.
Park, L. E., Chaney, K., Koefler, N., Lee, H. E., & Pereira-Jorge, I. (2025). How to thrive in times of threat and uncertainty. Social Psychological and Personality Compass, 19(8), e70076, 1-10.
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., 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., 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., 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.