Research

The primary focus of my research program is the investigation of basic cognitive, affective, and social processes relevant to self-regulation. This research program comprises two streams. One primarily involves controlled laboratory experiments and focuses on the psychological resources that allow for successful self-regulation. The other primarily involves correlational and field research and focuses on personality and social variables associated with failures of self-regulation as they manifest in problem behavior. A secondary focus of my research program is applied quantitative methods. Currently, this work is focused on the application of latent variable models to the study of partialed effects. I am developing an approach to modeling partialed variables in such a way that they can be independently validated, a critical evaluation that, to date, has not been possible. Particular focus on measurement and design issues relevant for models that include mediated and moderated effects.

Recent publications reflecting these interests include:

vanDellen, M. R., Hoy, M. B., & Hoyle, R. H. (in press). Contingent self-worth and social information processing: Cognitive associations between domain performance and social relations. Social Cognition.

McKenzie, K. S., & Hoyle, R. H. (2008). The Self-Absorption Scale: Reliability and validity in non-clinical samples. Personality and Individual Differences, 45, 726-731.

vanDellen, M. S., & Hoyle, R. H. (2008). Possible selves as behavioral standards in self-regulation. Self and Identity, 7, 295-304.

Hoyle, R. H. (2007). Applications of structural equation modeling in personality research. In R. Robins, C. Fraley, & R. Krueger (Eds.), Handbook of research methods in personality psychology (pp. 444-460). New York: Guilford Press.

Hoyle, R. H. (2007). Latent variable models of social research data. In P. Alasuutari, J. Brannen, & L. Bickman (Eds.), Handbook of social research methods (pp. 395-413). London, UK: Sage Publications.

Hoyle, R. H. (2006). Personality and self-regulation: Trait and information-processing perspectives. Journal of Personality, 74, 1507-1525.

Hoyle, R. H., & Sherrill, M. R. (2006). Future orientation in the self-system: Possible selves, self-regulation, and behavior. Journal of Personality, 74, 1673-1696.

Hoyle, R. H. (2006). Self-esteem and self-knowledge. In M. H. Kernis (Ed.), Self-esteem issues and answers: A sourcebook on current perspectives (pp. 208-215). New York: Psychology Press.

Some older publications relevant to these themes:

Fejfar, M. C., & Hoyle, R. H. (2000). Effect of private self-awareness on negative affect and self-referent attribution: A quantitative review. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 4, 132-142.

Hoyle, R. H. (2000). Personality processes and problem behavior. Journal of Personality, 68, 953-966.

Hoyle, R. H., & Robinson, J. I. (2003). Mediated and moderated effects in social psychological research: Measurement, design, and analysis issues. In C. Sansone, C. Morf, & A. T. Panter (Eds.), Sage handbook of methods in social psychology (pp. 213-233). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Teaching

I teach courses in applied quantitative methods, primarily at the graduate level, and an occasional seminar on self and identity.

In addition, I mentor graduate students in the social psychology PhD program; postdoctoral fellows interested in quantitative methods and/or prevention science; and Duke undergraduates interested in a hands-on experience doing research with normal young adults in a laboratory setting.

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