Ryan Acuff

Research Interests

I am interested in applying organismic/humanistic theories of human development to models of interpersonal and intrapersonal relations. Some current projects in this line are examining the emotional and motivational consequences of different parental socializing strategies such as contingent regard compared to autonomy-support and investigating the emotional and motivational consequences of experiential approaches to self-regulation compared to cognitive self-control approaches.

Publications/Manuscripts

• Acuff, R. D., Roth, G., Moller, A., & Deci, E. L. (2006). Love and Mastery: Contingent Regard and the Compulsive Regulation of Mastery Goals. Manuscript in preparation.
• Acuff, R.D., Weinstein, N., & Deci, E.L. (2006). A Comparison of Cognitive and Experiential Approaches to Emotional Regulation. Manuscript in Preparation.

Presentations

• Acuff, R. D., Roth, G., Moller, A., & Deci, E. L. (2006). Love and Mastery: Contingent Regard and the Compulsive Regulation of Mastery Goals. Accepted for presentation at SPSP 2007.
• Acuff, R. D., Chiu, C. Y. (2005). The Upside to Looking on the Downside: Negative Thinking Improves Baseline Exams Scores. Poster presented the 6 th Annual Positive Psychology Summit. Washington, D.C.

Additional Information

Teaching Assistant, Psychology 181: Theories of Personality and Psychotherapy (Instructor: Dr. Richard Ryan)

Office Hours: Thursday 2-3, Meliora 469

Course Webpage: www.psych.rochester.edu/courses/181

Full curriculum vitae available upon request.