Professor 112 McAlester Hall (573) 884-1547 sheldonk@Missouri.edu http://web.missouri.edu/~sheldonk/ Lab: Sheldon Motivation lab

I primarily study goals, motivation, and psychological well-being. I am active in the "positive psychology" movement. Research questions include, "is it possible for people to become happier, and if so, how?" "Why do people pursue overly materialistic goals, and how can they be helped to select more satisfying goals?" "What is the nature of optimal motivation and optimal functioning?"

Sheldon, K. M., Kashdan, T., & Steger, M.(Eds; in preparation). Designing the future of positive psychology: Taking stock and moving forward. Oxford University Press.

Sheldon, K. M. (Ed; in press). Current Directions in Psychological Science: Reader in Motivation and Emotion. Pearson.

Sheldon, K. M. (2004). Optimal human being: An integrated multi-level perspective. New Jersey: Erlbaum.

Sheldon, K. M. & Lyubomirsky, S. (2007). Is it possible to become happier? (And if so, how?) Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 1, 129-145.

Sheldon, K. M. & Krieger, L. K. (2007). Understanding the negative effects of legal education on law students: A longitudinal test of self-determination theory. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 33, 883-897.

Sheldon, K. M., & Niemiec, C. (2006). Its not just the amount that counts: Balanced need-satisfaction also affects well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91, 331-341.

Sheldon, K. M., Ryan, R., Deci, E., & Kasser, T. (2004). The independent effects of goal contents and motives on well-being: It's both what you pursue and why you pursue it. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30, 475-486.

Sheldon, K.M., Arndt, J., & Houser-Marko, L. (2003). In search of the organismic valuing process: The human tendency to move towards beneficial goal choices. Journal of Personality, 71, 835-869.

Sheldon, K.M. & Kasser, T. (2001). Getting older, getting better? Personal strivings and personality development across the life-course. Developmental Psychology, 37, 491-501.

Sheldon, K.M. & King, L.K. (2001). Why positive psychology is necessary. American Psychologist, 56, 216-217.

Sheldon, K.M., Elliot, A.J., Kim, Y., & Kasser, T. (2001). What's satisfying about satisfying events? Comparing ten candidate psychological needs. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 325-339.

Sheldon, K.M. & Houser-Marko, L. (2001). Self-concordance, goal- attainment, and the pursuit of happiness: Can there be an upward spiral? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 152-165.