Erica Hepper
My research concerns the interplay between the individual and relational self in terms of everyday processes and individual differences. For example, how does nostalgia arise in interpersonal interactions? How do individual differences in self-concept (e.g., narcissism) moderate relational processes? Conversely, how do individual differences in relationship orientation (e.g., attachment anxiety and avoidance) moderate the regulation of the self?
Current work focuses on: the operation of, and individual differences in, self-evaluation motives - particularly the motives to self-enhance and self-improve; intrapersonal and interpersonal functioning among individuals with high versus low narcissism; the definition, functions, and experience of nostalgia; and adult attachment and close relationships, including sexual functioning and self-views and interpersonal closeness motivation.
Primary Interests:
- Close Relationships
- Emotion, Mood, Affect
- Interpersonal Processes
- Personality, Individual Differences
- Self and Identity
Research Group or Laboratory:
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Journal Articles:
- Carnelley, K. B., Hepper, E. G., Hicks, C., & Turner, W. (2011). Perceived parental reactions to coming out, attachment, and romantic relationship views. Attachment and Human Development, 13, 217-236.
- Gregg, A. P., Hepper, E. G., & Sedikides, C. (in press). Quantifying self-motives: Functional links between dispositional desires. European Journal of Social Psychology.
- Hepper, E. G., & Carnelley, K. B. (2012). The self-esteem roller coaster: Adult attachment moderates the impact of daily feedback. Personal Relationships, 19(3), 504-520.
- Hepper, E. G., & Carnelley, K. B. (2010). Adult attachment and feedback-seeking patterns in relationships and work. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 448-464.
- Hepper, E. G., Gramzow, R. H., & Sedikides, C. (2010). Individual differences in self-enhancement and self-protection strategies: An integrative analysis. Journal of Personality, 78, 781-814.
- Hepper, E. G., Hart, C. M., Gregg, A. P., & Sedikides, C. (2011). Motivated expectations of positive feedback in social interactions. Journal of Social Psychology, 151, 455-477.
- Hepper, E. G., Ritchie, T. D., Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2012). Odyssey’s end: Lay conceptions of nostalgia reflect its original Homeric meaning. Emotion, 12(1), 102-119.
- Sedikides, C., & Hepper, E. G. (2009). Self-improvement. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 3, 899-917.
Other Publications:
- Hepper, E. G., & Carnelley, K. B. (2011). Attachment and romantic relationships: The role of models of self and other. In M. Paludi (Ed.), The psychology of love: Vol. 3: Emotion and romance. New York: Praeger.
- Hepper, E. G., & Sedikides, C. (2012). Self-enhancing feedback. In R. Sutton, M. Hornsey, & K. Douglas (Eds.), Feedback: The handbook of praise, criticism, and advice (Ch. 4, pp. 43-56). London: Peter Lang.
Courses Taught:
- Applied Research Methods
- Developmental Psychology
- Personality, Intelligence and Psychopathology
- Psychology of Social and Individual Wellbeing
- Social Psychology
- The Self and Relationships
- Voluntary Research Assistant Scheme
Erica Hepper
School of Psychology
University of Surrey
Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH
United Kingdom
- Phone: 01483 686888
