Dr Crocker joins the department as Professor and Ohio Eminent Scholar in Social Psychology. She studies self-esteem, contingencies of self-worth, and the costs of pursuing self-esteem as a goal. Dr Crocker joins the department after serving as the Claude Steele Collegiate Professor of psychology at the University of Michigan.

Selected Publications

Abelson, J. L., Erikson, T. M., Mayer, S., Crocker, J., Briggs, H., Lopez-Duran, N. L., & Liberzon, I. (2014).  Brief cognitive intervention can modulate neuroendocrine stress responses to the Trier Social Stress Test: Buffering effects of a compassionate goal orientation.  Psychoneuroendocrinology, 44, 60-70. 

Canevello, A., Granillo, M. T., & Crocker, J. (2013).  Predicting change in relationship security: The roles of compassionate and self-image goals.  Personal Relationships.

Crocker, J., & Canevello, A. (2012).  Consequences of self-image and compassionate goals.  In P. G. Devine & A. Plant (Eds.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, pp 229-277.  New York: Elsevier.

Canevello, A., & Crocker, J. (2011). Interpersonal goals, others’ regard for the self, and self-esteem: The paradoxical consequences of self-image and compassionate goals.  European Journal of Social Psychology, 41, 422-434.  DOI: 10.1007/s12646-011-0064-

Niiya, Y., Brook, A. T., & Crocker, J. (2010). Contingent self-worth and self-handicapping: Do contingent incremental theorists protect self-esteem? Self and Identity, 9, 276-297.

Canevello, A., & Crocker, J. (2010). Creating good relationships: Responsiveness, relationship quality, and interpersonal goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 99, 78-106.

Crocker, J., Canevello, A., Breines, J. G., & Flynn, H. (2010). Interpersonal goals and change in anxiety and dysphoria: Effects of compassionate and self-image goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98, 1009-1024.

Moeller, S. J., Crocker, J., & Bushman, B. (2009). Creating hostility and conflict: Effects of entitlement and self-image goals. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 45, 448-452.

Moeller, S. J., & Crocker, J. (2009). Drinking and desired self-images: Path models of self-image goals, coping motives, binge drinking, and alcohol problems. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 23, 334-340.

Crocker, J., Olivier, M.-A., & Nuer, N. (2009). Self-image goals and compassionate goals: Costs and benefits. Self and Identity, 8, 251-269.

Crocker, J., & Canevello, A. (2008). Creating and undermining social support in communal relationships: The role of compassionate and self-image goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95, 555-575.

Niiya, Y., & Crocker, J. (2008). Mastery goals and contingent self-worth: A field study. International Review of Social Psychology, 21, 135-155.

Crocker, J., Niiya, Y., & Mischkowski, D. (2008). Why does writing about important values reduce defensiveness? Self-affirmation and the role of positive, other-directed feelings. Psychological Science, 19, 740-747. PMID 18727791

Garcia, J. A., & Crocker, J. (2008). Coping with the stigma of depression: Egosystem and ecosystem goals. Social Science and Medicine, 67, 453-462.

Breines, J. G., Crocker, J., & Garcia, J. A. (2008). Self-objectification and well-being in women’s daily lives.Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 34, 583-598.

Crocker, J., Brook, A. T., Niiya, Y., & Villacorta, M. (2006). The pursuit of self-esteem: Contingencies of self-worth and self-regulation. Journal of Personality, 74, 1749-1771.

Sargent, J. T., Crocker, J., & Luhtanen, R. K. (2006). Contingencies of self-worth and symptoms of depression in college students. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 25, 628-646.

Park, L. E., & Crocker, J. (2005). The interpersonal costs of seeking self-esteem. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 31, 1587-1598.

Crocker, J., & Knight, K. M. (2005). Contingencies of self-worth. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14, 200-203.

Luhtanen, R. K., & Crocker, J. (2005). Alcohol use in college students: Effects of level of self-esteem, narcissism, and contingencies of self-worth. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 19, 99-103.

Niiya, Y., Crocker, J., & Bartmess, E. (2004). From vulnerability to resilience: Learning orientations buffer contingent self-esteem from failure. Psychological Science, 15, 801-805.

Crocker, J., & Park, L. E. (2004). The costly pursuit of self-esteem. Psychological Bulletin, 130, 392-414. PMID 15122925

Crocker, J., & Nuer, N. (2004). Do people need self-esteem? Comment on Pyszczynski, et al. (2004). Psychological Bulletin,130, 469-472 .

Crocker, J., Karpinski, A., Quinn, D. M., & Chase, S. (2003). When grades determine self-worth: Consequences of contingent self-worth for male and female engineering and psychology majors. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85, 507-516. PMID 14498786

Crocker, J., Luhtanen, R. K., Cooper, M. L., & Bouvrette, S. (2003). Contingencies of self-worth in college students: Theory and measurement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85, 894-908. PMID 14599252

Crocker, J., Sommers, S., & Luhtanen, R. (2002). Hopes dashed and dreams fulfilled: Contingencies of self-worth in the graduate school admissions process. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 28, 1275-1286.

Crocker, J., & Wolfe, C. T. (2001). Contingencies of self-worth. Psychological Review, 108, 593-623. PMID 11488379