Rodica Damian

  Rodica Damian

Graduate Student
M.A., PhD Candidate
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Curriculum Vitæ...

My research focuses on the cognitive, affective, and motivational processes underlying achievement, particularly creative achievement, as well as the socio-cultural contexts in which creativity flourishes. Specifically, I am pursuing two main lines of inquiry: (a) What role does the emotion of pride play in fueling creativity and problem solving, and (b) How do diversifying experiences, such as being exposed to a new culture or any other unusual or unexpected events or situations, influence creative achievement? In both lines of research, I conduct experimental studies to understand the underlying causal processes and longitudinal and historiometric studies to understand creative achievement in real-world contexts. My research program involves a wide range of statistical procedures, including hierarchical linear modeling, structural equation modeling, and multinomial modeling, as well as multiple measures and data sources. Among the measures I use are behavioral tasks and performance measures (e.g., Stroop Test; Unusual Uses Test), measures of implicit processes (e.g., Picture Story Exercise; Implicit Associations Test; Evaluative Priming), self-report scales, biographical data, content coding, and linguistic analysis. I study social and situational influences as well as individual differences, and I aim to delineate an overarching theoretical perspective to guide my continuing research.