RESEARCH OVERVIEW
The goal of this lab is to center broad socio-ecological changes related to modernity in the study of psychological processes. We use multi-method approaches—ranging from multi-level and structural equation modeling to experiments and qualitative analyses—to highlight how cultural embeddedness impacts everyday psychological processes. Our work focuses on the following question: How do processes related to modernization and globalization shape stress, wellbeing, and identity? In exploring these topics, I have found it useful to employ a multidisciplinary approach that draws upon ideas from both within psychology (e.g., Baumeister, 1987; Greenfield, 2016; Markus & Kitayama, 1991; Oishi, 2014; Shweder et al., 1997) and from other fields (e.g., sociology, Giddens, 1991).
Our research has tended to revolve around three main characteristics of modernization. (1) Modernization is associated with greater levels of reflexivity: the application of critical thought to the patterning of everyday life (Giddens, 1991). (2) Societies around the world have seen increases in the integration of advanced technologies into everyday life (e.g., Arnett, 2002). Finally, (3) the United States and many other parts of the world have observed increases in individualism over the last couple hundred years (e.g., Greenfield, 2013; Grossmann & Varnum, 2015). These three trends have undoubtedly had a profound impact on human experience, thus warranting research from a psychological perspective.
Several examples of current research projects are provided below.
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
EXPLORATIONS OF THE DRAMATURGICAL PERSPECTIVE IN RELATION TO CULTURE, GENDER, AND WELLBEING:
The dramaturgical perspective (DP) is the application of a theater metaphor to society and social roles (Sullivan, Landau, Young, & Stewart, 2014). For example, laypeople sometimes think about their social roles as being “masks they wear” or “performances that they enact” based on the social situation/position (or “stages”) they occupy. Several current projects are examining the DP as a potential manifestation of reflexive, social constructionist perspectives.
1. DP and culture: While this perspective may be available in a variety of cultural contexts (Palitsky, Young, & Williams, in press), the adoption of the DP in contemporary, individualistic is afforded by individualism, greater subjectivism/cultural relativism, and the precariousness of self-society relationships. One arm of the ongoing DP research is examining the DP in relation to cultural values/indicators and related social psychological constructs (e.g., self-presentation).
2. DP and gender: Another arm of DP research is examining the DP's relationship with modern, social constructionist views of gender. This research asks questions such as "Does endorsement of the DP promote more flexible performance of gender?" and "Do threats to one's gender prototypicality lead to greater endorsement of the DP?".
3. DP and academic/professional distress: The final arm of ongoing DP research is examining the DP's relationship with work/academic distress. On the one hand, the DP can protect individuals against self-threatening information (Sullivan et al., 2014). On the other hand, when measured dispositionally, the DP is consistently associated with symptoms of psychological distress. Current research aims to untangle this paradox.
ANALYSES OF THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY USE AND WELLBEING
In a relatively new branch of research, we are exploring the psychological correlates of modernization. Specifically, we are currently exploring the relationship between spreading access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) and subjective wellbeing. Inspired by an apparent contradiction between work that highlights ICT access as a mechanism for improving living conditions (Ganju et al., 2016) and research that highlights the deleterious effects of technology use in “technologically saturated” societies (e.g., Twenge, 2019), we are examining the relationship between ICT access and subjective wellbeing (e.g., happiness, life satisfaction, and optimism) in 23 low- to medium-wealth countries across the globe.