WELCOME TO DR. GORE'S LAB  SITE!

(last updated 6-6-07)

CURRENT PROJECTS

Psychologists studying human motivation have found that our success depends on the reasons, or motives, we have for pursuing our goals. Although many people argue you should “do it for yourself,” Dr. Gore’s research suggests otherwise. He defines relationally-autonomous reasons (or RARs) as reasons for pursuing goals that reflect the interest of oneself and a close other (i.e., pursuing this goal for “us”). The results of his previous work have shown that people work harder and therefore attain what they have been striving for simply by considering how their goals are in the interest of their current relationships, which can include their friends, family and/or romantic partner.

Currently, Dr. Gore and his research lab are investigating how pursuing goals for “us” can lead to the attainment of self-improvement goals. We believe that these findings have direct implications for psychotherapy, as well as for rehabilitation and exercise programs. In the Spring semester of 2007, three undergraduate research assistants from his lab presented some of their findings at the Student Conference for the Kentucky Psychological Association (KPA) in Lexington, and at the Undergraduate Presentation (UP) Showcase at Eastern Kentucky University. All three of these posters, along with others, are available to view as PDF files below.

We are also investigating regional differences in Kentucky from a cross-cultural perspective. Several theories have developed from cross-cultural research between nations, especially between the United States and Japan. The most widespread theory describes the difference between individualistic cultures (in which members emphasize personal achievement and choice) and collectivistic cultures (in which members emphasize group harmony and connections with others). We believe that these differences can also exist within a country, and even within a state.

Due to the socioeconomic differences between Eastern and Western regions of Kentucky, we expect to find differences between these two regions that correspond to the same differences that exist in Eastern and Western cultures. Our first program of research has started to examine the differences in school systems between the two regions, and the societal and cultural reasons for these differences.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Denny, M. J., Trew, S. E., & Gore, J. S. (April 2007). Develop better study habits! The role of gender and attachment style in academic goal pursuit. Presented at the 6^th annual Undergraduate Presentation Showcase, Richmond, KY. (PDF)

Runyon, A. C., & Gore, J. S. (April 2007). Be All You Can Be: Personality and motivation factors that predict self-improvement. Presented at the 6^th annual Undergraduate Presentation Showcase, Richmond, KY. (PDF)

Runyon, A., & Gore, J. S. (March 2007). Feeling sexy: The many faces of body esteem and how it’s effected by advertisements. Presented at the 2007 Student Mentoring Conference of the Kentucky Psychological Association, Lexington, KY. (PDF)

Gore, J. S., & Cross, S. E. (January 2007). It’s not what you do, it’s what you call it: The interaction between self-construal and task label. Presented at the 8^th annual convention of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology, Memphis, TN. (PDF)

Gore, J. S. & Cross, S. E. (January 2006). Relational self-construal, goal integration and well-being. Presented at the 7^th annual convention of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology, Palm Springs, CA. (PDF)

PICTURES

Allison Runyon at KPA (2007)

Jill Denny & Sharon Trew presenting their UPS poster (2007)

A little lunch break at KPA (2008)

Clockwise from left: Sharon Trew, Jill Denny, Jessika Vance, Christina Hoover, Everett Sambrook, Katherine Flege

Dr. Jonathan Gore, Angela Haynes, Kristina Wilburn, Jennifer McGowan, Kristen Combs, Tyler Schnieders

LINKS

Back to Dr. Gore’s Faculty website

EKU Psychology Department