Clarkson Psychology Professor Delivers Keynote Address At International Self-Determination Theory Conference
Lisa Legault, associate professor of psychology at Clarkson University, was recently invited to deliver a keynote address at the 8th International Self-Determination Theory Conference held in Orlando earlier this month. Legault is a leading scholar of self-determination theory, and she presented her research examining the effects of motivational messages across a range of domains and behaviors, including health behavior, proenvironmental behavior, prosocial behavior, and antiracist behavior. Her work identifies motivational messaging and communication strategies that promote positive social and environmental attitudes and actions.
About 750 scholars from around the world attended the conference. These scholars all use self-determination theory, a macro theory of human motivation and personality development, to understand and promote human flourishing.
Two of Legault’s undergraduate students also attended the conference and both presented their research as well.
Riley Page, who just graduated in May, presented her senior thesis on antiracist communication, showing that empathic communication strategies are more effective than other types of prejudice reduction.
Paige Palmer, a rising senior majoring in psychology and civil engineering, and the only undergraduate student to give a talk at the conference, gave a rapid talk of her senior thesis examining the role of autonomous functioning in promoting positive racial attitudes. Her work demonstrates that when people feel more self-determined and agentic in their daily lives, they also exhibit more prosocial and egalitarian attitudes and behaviors.
