Welcome to the Behavior and Motivation (BAM) Laboratory! As the director of the BAM Lab, I lead research exploring how psychological factors shape motivation, persistence, and success in academic and everyday contexts. The BAM Lab focuses on key areas such as general self-efficacy, academic motivation, procrastination, fear of failure, and related personality traits. Drawing from frameworks in motivation science and personality psychology, our work aims to better understand how individuals’ beliefs about their abilities influence their behaviors, goal pursuit, and overall performance. 

The BAM Lab uses a range of scientific methods commonly employed in psychological research, including behavioral and survey-based studies with college student populations. We also incorporate quantitative analyses to examine relationships among motivational and personality variables, with the goal of producing both theoretically meaningful and practically applicable findings. Some of the recent research questions explored in the lab include: 
 

If you are interested in getting involved with the Behavior and Motivation (BAM) Laboratory, I welcome motivated and curious students who are eager to gain hands-on research experience. Students in the BAM Lab have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research projects, assist with data collection and analysis, develop their own research ideas, and present their work at conferences. Whether you are new to research or looking to further develop your skills, the lab is designed to support your growth in psychological science and professional development. 

To express interest in joining the lab, please reach out via email ([email protected]) with a brief introduction, your academic background, and your research interests. You may also include a résumé or CV if available. From there, we can discuss potential opportunities and determine how your interests align with current projects in the lab.