A Selection of Current Projects
TelEMA: This project investigates how social anxiety relates to a variety of constructs in a naturalistic environment and over time. The first major goal is to investigate whether social anxiety is related to an unstable self-structure, primarily through measuring self-relevant constructs such as self-esteem and self-complexity [in a naturalistic environment over time]. The second major goal is to test the utility and efficiency of automated telephone calls as a way of conducting ecological momentary assessments.
Speech Anxiety Intervention
Study: We have begun collecting data examining a speech anxiety
intervention. The proposition is that the efficiency of exposure can be
increased with a specific intervention. We are currently recruiting
participants from the community to participate in this study.
Participation involves two experimental sessions and participation in a
workshop designed to reduce participants’ speech anxiety.
Happiness Study: This on-going project began in the Spring of 2012. This project concerns the relationship between various mood states over time. We are interested in how the induction of certain mood states (e.g., negative affect) may impact the activation of other subsequently inducted mood states (e.g., positive affect). We will explore whether social anxiety and paranoia levels influence these relationships.
Personality and Behavior over Time: We are collecting data examining personality and behavior over time. As an adjunct to this study some participants may be invited to carry an Android telephone device that can assess daily personality and behavior.
Daily Habits: We are testing if negative social evaluation fears predict daily habits, such as eating and exercise.
DCS for Food Anxiety: We are testing if d-cycloserine (a medication that has been shown to enhance the effects of exposure therapy for anxiety disorders) is efficacious for patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa who have high levels of food anxiety.
Additional current projects include several collaborations with researchers in the School of Medicine and two projects concerning the dot probe task as a possible treatment tool.
Please click here for a list of previous studies.