Research Posters and Presentations

Our research explores the psychological and behavioral mechanisms underlying close relationships, with a focus on attachment, caregiving, and sexual mating systems. Over the years, we have examined how enhancing attachment security influences prosocial behaviors, altruistic and sexual attitudes, and attentional strategies.

Currently, we are investigating how attachment priming influences physiological responses, how attachment styles impact cognitive performance, and whether AI can function as an attachment figure. Our graduate students are also leading innovative research projects that delve into pressing questions in relationship science, including: the role of ambivalence in predicting romantic relationship outcomes, such as commitment and breakups; the strategies to reduce cognitive dissonance surrounding singlehood allowing individuals cultivate positive attitudes and well-being while navigating societal expectations; and the effects of empathic accuracy (the ability to accurately understand a partner’s emotions) and empathic concern (the motivation to care for a partner’s well-being) on forgiveness in dyadic relationships. 

References for Other Recent Presentations

1. Haj-Mohamadi, P. & Gillath, O. (2016, May) Examining factors influencing stress and relationship quality in interracial relationships. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, IL
2. Lee, J., & Gillath, O. (2017, April). Increased Urination Urgency Exacerbates Sexual Risk-Taking. Talk presented in a symposium entitled “The Dark Side of Sex in Romantic Relationships,” chaired by Juwon Lee, at the 2017 annual conference of the Society of Australasian Social Psychologists, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
3. Ai, T., Murrugarra, E., Brockert, D., & Gillath, O. (2017, April). Love songs as stress buffers: Experimental investigation. Poster presented at the 8th Annual Symposium for Undergraduate Psychology Engagement and Research, Lawrence, KS.
4. Tan, Y. R., & Gillath, O. (2017, April). Tinder Use and Objectification. Poster presented at the 8th Annual Symposium for Undergraduate Psychology Engagement and Research, Lawrence, KS.​
5. Wedderspoon, M., & Gillath, O. (2017, April). Relational Mobility and Objectification. Poster presented at the 8th Annual Symposium for Undergraduate Psychology Engagement and Research, Lawrence, KS.
6. Exploring individual and dyadic mechanisms for buffering stress in interracial relationships Haj-Mohamadi, P. & Gillath, O. (2016, May) Examining factors influencing stress and relationship quality in interracial relationships. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, IL.
7. Gillath, O. (2016, July). Generalizing Disposability: Residential Mobility and the Willingness to Dissolve Social Ties. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Association for Relationship Research (IARR), Toronto, Canada.
8. Haj-Mohamadi, P. & Gillath, O. (2016, July) Exploring individual and dyadic mechanisms for buffering stress in interracial relationships. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, IL.
9. Lee, J., & Gillath, O., (2016, July). Inhibitory Spillover and Risky Sexual Decision Making. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Association for Relationship Research (IARR), Toronto, Canada.
10. Haj-Mohamadi, P., Gillath, O., Atchley, R., Lepping, R. J., Quattlebaum, P., & Martin, L. E. (2016, November). Effects of Attachment Security Priming on Performance in Trust Games: An fMRI Investigation. Paper presented at the annual 39th meeting of the Society of Southeastern Social Psychologists. Asheville, NC.
11. Gillath O., Miller, A., Gregersen, S., & Atchley, R. (2017, January). Using ERP to Study Generalized vs. Personalized Attachment Security Cues. Poster presented at the 18th annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Antonio, TX.
12. Haj-Mohamadi, P., & Gillath, O. (2017, January). Who Pretends Orgasms and Why They Do It. Poster presented at the 18th annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Antonio, TX.
13. Lee, J., & Gillath, O., Kimbrough, A., & Guadagno, R. (2017, January). Development and Validation of Helping in Gaming Scales. Poster presented at the 18th annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Antonio, TX.
14. Lee, J., & Gillath, O. (2017, April). Increased Urination Urgency Exacerbates Sexual Risk-Taking. Talk presented in a symposium entitled “The Dark Side of Sex in Romantic Relationships,” chaired by Juwon Lee, at the 2017 annual conference of the Society of Australasian Social Psychologists, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
15. Ai, T., Murrugarra, E., Brockert, D., & Gillath, O. (2017, April). Love songs as stress buffers: Experimental investigation. Poster presented at the 8th Annual Symposium for Undergraduate Psychology Engagement and Research, Lawrence, KS.
16. Tan, Y. R., & Gillath, O. (2017, April). Tinder Use and Objectification. Poster presented at the 8th Annual Symposium for Undergraduate Psychology Engagement and Research, Lawrence, KS.
17. Wedderspoon, M., & Gillath, O. (2017, April). Relational Mobility and Objectification. Poster presented at the 8th Annual Symposium for Undergraduate Psychology Engagement and Research, Lawrence, KS.
18. Ai, T., Gillath, O., & Landau, M. (2020 February). Nostalgia for Ex-partners and Perceived Current Relationship Quality. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychologists. New Orleans, LA.