Ken Sheldon
Curator's Distinguished Professor
112 McAlester Hall
573-884-1547
sheldonk@missouri.edu
Faculty
Lab Information
368 McReynolds
About the Lab

We study goals, motivation, well-being, priming, personality, materialism, and values (and that's just the short list!).  Currently I have two Ph.D. students, Ryan Goffredi and Erica Holberg.  It is late in my career, and I will not be accepting new students.

Research Interests

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?"

Selected Publications

BOOKS:

Sheldon, K. M. (November 1, 2022).  Freely determined:  What the new psychology of the self teaches us about how to live.  Basic Books.

Sheldon, K. M. & Lucas, R. L. (Eds) (2014). Stability of happiness:  Theories and evidence on whether happiness can change.  Elsevier:  London. 

Sheldon, K. M. (2013).  Positive Motivation Workbook.  CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. 

Sheldon, K. M., Kashdan, T., & Steger, M. (Eds) (2011). Designing the future of positive psychology: Taking stock and moving forward. Oxford University Press.

Chirkov, V., Ryan, R. M., & Sheldon, K. M. (Eds) (2011). Personal autonomy in cultural contexts: Global perspectives on the psychology of agency, freedom, and people's well-being. Springer.

Sheldon, K. M. (Ed., 2009).  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., Williams, G., & Joiner, T. (2003). Self-determination theory in the clinic: Motivating physical and mental health. Yale University Press.

Schmuck, P. & Sheldon, K.M. (Eds) (2001). Life goals and well-being: Towards a positive psychology of human striving. Seattle, Toronto, Bern, Goettingen:  Hogrefe & Huber Publishers.

 

EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ARTICLES

Titova, L. & Sheldon, K.M. (2022).  Thwarted beneficence: Not getting to help lowers mood.  Journal of Positive Psychology, 17(1), 21-33.

Sheldon, K. M., Goffredi, R., & Corcoran, M. (2021).  The glow still shows:  Effects of facial masking on perceptions of Duchenne smiles.  Perception, 50, 720-727.

Sheldon, K.M., & Goffredi, R. (2021).  Self-determination theory shows that free will matters.  Motivation Science, 7, 119.

Sheldon, K.M., Corcoran, M., & Titova, L. (2021).  Supporting one’s own autonomy may be more important than feeling supported by others.  Motivation Science, 7, 176-186.

Sheldon, K. M., Corcoran, M., & Trent, J. (2021). The face of crime: Apparent happiness differentiates criminal and non-criminal photos, Journal of Positive Psychology, 16, 551-560.

Sheldon, K. M. & Lyubomirsky, S. (2021).  Revisiting the pie chart and sustainable happiness model:  Happiness can be successfully pursued.  Journal of Positive Psychology, 16, 145-154.

Sheldon, K. M., Corcoran, M. & Sheldon, M. S. (2021).  Duchenne smiles as honest signals of chronic positive affect.  Perspectives in Psychological Science, 16(3), 654-666.

Sheldon, K. M. (2020).  Going the distance on the Pacific Crest Trail:  The vital role of identified motivation.  Motivation Science, 6, 177-181.

Yu, S., Sheldon, K. M., Lan, WP, & Chen, JH. (2020).  Using social network sites to boost savoring: Positive effects on positive emotions.  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, 6407. 

Moller, A. & Sheldon, K.M. (2020).  Athletic scholarships are negatively associated with intrinsic motivation for sports, even decades later:  Evidence for long-term undermining.  Motivation Science, 6, 43-48

Sheldon, K. M., Holliday, G., Benson, C., & Titova, M. (2020).  Comparing Holland and Self-determination theory measures of career preference as predictors of career choice.  Journal of Career Assessment, 28, 28-42.

Sheldon, K.M., Sedikides, C., Ntoumanis, N., Corcoran, M., & Titova, L. (2020).  Narcissism and social motives: Successful pursuit of egosystem goals boosts narcissism.  Self and Identity, 19:7, 841-862.

Gordeeva, T., Sychev, O., Osin, E. N., & Sheldon, K. M. (2020).  Linking academic performance to optimistic attributional style: Attributions following positive events matter most.  European Journal of Psychology of Education, 35, 21-48.

Lynch, M. & Sheldon, K. M. (2020).  Conditional regard, self-concept, and relational authenticity: Revisiting some key Rogerian concepts cross-culturally, through multilevel modeling.  Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 60, 168-186.

Sheldon, K.M., Prentice, M., & Osin, E. (2019).  Rightly crossing the Rubicon:  Evaluating goal self-concordance prior to selection helps people choose more intrinsic goals.  Journal of Research in Personality, 79, 119-129.

Martela, F. & Sheldon, K.M. (2019).  Clarifying the concept of well-being: Psychological need-satisfaction as the common core connecting eudaimonic and subjective well-being.  Review of General Psychology, 23, 458-474.

Chen, C., Elliot, A. J., & Sheldon, K. M. (2019).  Psychological need support as a predictor of intrinsic and external motivation: The mediational role of achievement goals.  Educational Psychology, 39, 1090-1113.

Price-Blackshear, M., Sheldon, K. M., Corcoran, M., & Bettencourt, B. A.. (2019).  Individuating Information Influences Partisan Judgments.   Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 49, 426-447.

Sheldon, K. M. & Corcoran, M. (2019).  Comparing the current and long-term career motivations of artists and business-people:  Is everyone intrinsic in the end? Motivation and Emotion, 43(2), 218-31.

Sheldon, K. M. & Prentice, M. (2019).  Self-determination theory as a foundation for personality researchers.  Journal of Personality, 87, 5-14. 

Sedikides, C., Ntoumanis, N., & Sheldon, K. M. (2019).  I am the chosen one:  Narcissism in the backdrop of self-determination theory.  Journal of Personality, 87, 70-81. 

Sheldon, K.M., Corcoran, C., & Prentice, M. (2019).  Pursuing eudaimonic functioning versus pursuing hedonic well‑being: The first goal succeeds in its aim, whereas the second does not.  Journal of Happiness Studies, 20, 919-933.  

Titova, L., & Sheldon, K. M. (2019). Why do I feel this way? Attributional assessment of happiness and unhappiness. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 14, 549-562. 

Li, Y., Sheldon, K.M., Rouder, J.N., Bergin, D.A., & Geary, D.C. (2019).  Long-term prospects and college students’ academic performance.  Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 37, 358-371.

Yang, Y., Li, W., Sheldon, K. M., & Kou, Y. (2019). Chinese adolescents with higher social dominance orientation are less prosocial and less happy: A valueenvironment fit analysis. International Journal Of Psychology, 54, 325-332.

Hope, N. H., Holding, A. C., Verner-Filion, J., Sheldon, K. M., & Koestner, R. (2018). The path from intrinsic aspirations to subjective well-being is mediated by changes in basic psychological need satisfaction and autonomous motivation: A large prospective test. Motivation and Emotion, 232-241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-018-9733-z

Titova, L., Werner, K. M., & Sheldon, K. M. (2018). Translating positive psychology. Translational Issues in Psychological Science4(3), 211–214. https://doi.org/10.1037/tps0000170

Prentice, M., Kasser, T., & Sheldon, K. M. (2018).  Openness to experience predicts intrinsic value shifts after deliberating one’s own death.  Death Studies, 14, 205-215.

Sheldon, K. M., Gordeeva, T., Leontiev, D., Lynch, M., Osin, E., Rasskazova, E., & Dementiy, L. (2018).  Freedom and responsibility go together: Personality, experimental, and cultural demonstrations.  Journal of Research in Personality, 73, 63-74.

Sheldon, K. M., Sommet, N., Elliot, A. J., & Corcoran, M. (2018).  Feeling interpersonally controlled while pursuing materialistic goals: A problematic combination for moral behavior.  Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 44, 1330-1349.

Yang, Y., Zhang, Y., & Sheldon, K. M. (2018). Self-determined motivation for studying abroad predicts lower culture shock and greater well-being among international students: The mediating role of basic psychological needs satisfaction. International Journal Of Intercultural Relations, 63, 95-104. doi:10.1016/j.ijintrel.2017.10.005

Price-Blackshear, M. A., Kamble, S. V., Mudhol, V., Sheldon, K. M., & Bettencourt, B. A. (2017). Mindfulness practices moderate the association between intergroup anxiety and outgroup attitudes. Mindfulness8(5), 1172-1183.

Sheldon, K. M., Osin, E. N., Gordeeva, T. O., & Suchkov, D. (2017).  Evaluating the dimensionality of Self-determination theory’s relative autonomy continuum.  Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 43, 1215-1238.

Sheldon, K. M., Titova, M., Gordeeva, T., Osin, E., Lyubomirsky, S., & Bogomaz, S. (2017).  Russians inhibit the expression of happiness to strangers: Testing a display rule model.  Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 48(5), 718-733.

Sheldon, K.M., Weinland, A., Venhoeven, L.A., & Osin, E. (2016).  Understanding the motivation of environmental activists:  A comparison of Self-determination theory and Functional motives theory.  Ecopsychology, 8, 228-238.

Cordeiro, P., Paixao, P., Lens, W., Lacante, M., & Sheldon, K. (2016).  Factor structure and dimensionality of the balanced measure of basic psychological needs among Portuguese high school students:  Relations to well-being and ill-being. Learning and Individual Differences, 47, 51-60.

Rasskazova, E., Ivanova, T., & Sheldon, K. M. (2016).  Comparing the effects of low-level and high-level worker need-satisfaction: A synthesis of the self-determination and Maslow need theories.  Motivation and Emotion, 4, 541-555.

Schuler, J., Sheldon, K.M., Prentice, M., & Halusic, M. (2016).  Do some people need autonomy more than others? Implicit motive dispositions towards autonomy moderate the effects of felt autonomy on well-being.  Journal of Personality, 84, 5-20.

Li, Y., Sheldon, K. M., & Liu, R. (2015).  Dialectical thinking moderates the effect of extrinsic motivation on intrinsic motivation.  Learning and Individual Differences, 39, 89-95.

Krieger, L. & Sheldon, K. M. (2015).  What makes lawyers happy?  A data-driven prescription to redefine professional success.  The George Washington Law Review, 83, Number 2.

Rudy, D., Sheldon, K., Li, Y., Khamble, S., Bi, X., & Palermo, F. (2015).  Who chooses best? Explaining the interactive effect of culture and decision-maker on children’s intrinsic motivation.  Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 46, 471-488.

Sheldon, K. M. (2015).  Comment on Dunlop’s “Contextualized personality, beyond personality traits.”  European Journal of Personality

Sheldon, K. M., Prentice, M., Halusic, M., & Schuler, J. (2015).  Matches between assigned goal-types and both implicit and explicit motive dispositions predict goal self-concordance.  Motivation and Emotion, 39, 335-343.

Sheldon, K. M., Garton, B., Orr, R., & Smith, A. (2015).  Good college advisors are available, knowledgeable, and autonomy supportive.  Journal of College Student Development, 56, 261-273.

Sheldon, K. M., Prentice, M., & Halusic, M. (2015).  The experiential incompatibility of mindfulness and flow-absorption.  Social Psychological and Personality Science, 6, 276-283.

Sheldon, K. M. (2015).  Kennon M. Sheldon:  A pioneer in social indicators.  Applied Research in Quality of Life, 10, 197-199.

Sheldon, K.M., Jose, P. E., Kashdan, T. B. & Jarden, A. (2015).  Personality, effective goal-striving, and enhanced well-being:  Comparing 10 candidate personality strengths.  Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 4, 575-585.

Prentice, P. & Sheldon, K. M. (2014): Priming effects on cooperative behavior in social dilemmas: Considering the prime and the person.  The Journal of Social Psychology, DOI: 10.1080/00224545.2014.977763

Chen, B., Vansteenkiste, M., Beyers, W., Boone, L., Deci, E. L., Duriez, B. Lens, W., Matos, L., Mouratidis, A., Ryan, R. M., Sheldon, K. M., Soenens, B., Van Petegem, S., & Van der Kaap-Deeder, J., Verstuyf, J. (2014). Basic psychological need satisfaction, need frustration, and need strength across four cultures. Motivation and Emotion. doi:10.1007/s11031-014-9450-1

Sheldon, K. M. (2014).  Becoming oneself:  The central role of self-concordant goal selection.  Personality and Social Psychology Review, 18, 349-365.

Sheldon, K. M. & Krieger, L. (2014). Walking the talk:  Value importance, value enactment, and well-being.  Motivation & Emotion, 38, 609-619. DOI 10.1007/s11031-014-9424-3

Prentice, M., Halusic, M., & Sheldon, K. M. (2014).  Integrating theories of psychological needs-as-requirements and psychological needs-as-motives: A two process model. Social and Personality Compass, 8, 73-85.

Sheldon, K. M. & Krieger, L. (2014).  Service job lawyers are happier than money job lawyers, despite their lower income.  Journal of Positive Psychology, 9, 219-226.

White, M. & Sheldon, K. M. (2014).  The contract year syndrome in the NBA and MLB:  A classic undermining pattern.  Motivation and Emotion, 2, 196-205.

Hinsch, C. & Sheldon, K. M. (2013).  The impact of frequent social internet consumption: increased procrastination and lower life satisfaction.  Journal of Consumer Behavior, 6, 496-505.

Sheldon, K. M., Zhaoyang, R., & Williams, M. (2013).  Psychological need-satisfaction and basketball performance.  Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 14, 675-681. 

Schuler, J., Brandstatter, V., & Sheldon, K. M. (2013).  Do implicit motives and basic psychological needs interact to predict well-being and flow? Testing a universal hypothesis and a matching hypothesis.  Motivation and Emotion, 37(3), 480 - 495. doi 10.1007/s11031-012-9317-2

Ferguson, Y. & Sheldon, K. M. (2013).  Trying to be happier really can work:  Two experimental studies.  Journal of Positive Psychology, 8, 23-33.

Sheldon, K. M. & Hilpert, J. C. (2012).  The balanced measure of psychological needs (BMPN) scale:  An alternative domain general measure of need satisfaction.  Motivation and Emotion, 36, 439-451.

Sheldon, K. M. (2012).  The self-determination theory perspective on positive mental health across cultures.  World Psychiatry, 11, 101-102.

Sheldon, K. M. & Lyubomirsky, S. (2012).  The challenge of staying happier: Testing the hedonic adaptation prevention (HAP) model.  Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38, 670-680.

Sheldon, K. M., Gunz, A., & Schachtman, T. (2012).  What does it mean to be in touch with oneself?  Testing a social character model of self-congruence.  Self and Identity, 11, 51-70.

Sheldon, K. M. & Watson, A. (2011).  Coach’s autonomy support is especially important for varsity compared to club and recreational athletes.  International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 6, 109-123.

Sheldon, K. M. (2011).  Integrating behavioral-motive and experiential-requirement perspectives on psychological needs:  A two process perspective. Psychological Review, 118(4), 552-569.

Sheldon, K. M. & Schuler, J. (2011).  Needing, wanting, and having:  Integrating motive disposition theory and self-determination theory.  Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101, 1106-1123.

Cheng, C., Jose, P., Sheldon, K., Singelis, T., Cheung, M., Tiliouine, H., Alao, A., Chio, J., Chung, W., deZavala, A., Hakuzimana, A., Hertel, J., Jin-Tan, L., Onyewadume, M. & Sims, C. (2011).  Socio-cultural differences in self-construal and subjective well-being:  A test of four cultural models.  Journal of Cross Cultural Psychology, 42(5), 832-855.

Sheldon, K. M., Nichols, C. P., & Kasser, T. (2011).  Americans recommend smaller ecological footprints when reminded of traditional American values.  Ecopsychology, 3, 97-104.

Boehm, J. K., Lyubomirsky, S., & Sheldon, K. M. (2011).  A longitudinal experimental study comparing the effectiveness of happiness-enhancing strategies in Anglo Americans and Asian Americans.  Cognition and Emotion, 25(7), 1263-1272.  

Ciani, K.M., Sheldon, K. M., Hilpert, J. & Easter, M.A. (2011).  Antecedents and trajectories of achievement goals:  A self-determination theory perspectives.  British Journal of Educational Psychology, 82, 223-243.

Lyubomirsky, S., Dickerhoof, R., Boehm, J. K. & Sheldon, K. M. (2011).  Becoming happier takes both a will and a proper way:  An experimental longitudinal intervention to boost well-being.  Emotion, 11, 391-402. 

Sheldon, K.M., Abad, N., & Hinsch, C. (2011).  A two process view of Facebook use and relatedness need-satisfaction: Disconnectedness drives use and connectedness rewards it.  Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100, 766-775.

Sheldon, K. M., Cheng, C., & Hilpert, J. (2011).  Understanding well-being and optimal functioning:  Applying the Multilevel Personality in Context (MPIC) model.  Psychological Inquiry, 22, 1-16.

Sheldon, K. M. (2011).  Consilience in the biopsychosocial system.  Psychological Inquiry, 22, 52-65.

Sheldon, K. M., Cummins, R., & Khamble, S. (2010).  Life-balance and well-being:  Testing a two-pronged conceptual and measurement approach.  Journal of Personality, 78, 1093-1134.

Sheldon, K. M., Gunz, A., Nichols, C., & Ferguson, Y. (2010).  Extrinsic value orientation and affective forecasting: Over-estimating the rewards, under-estimating the costs.  Journal of Personality, 78, 149-178.

Sheldon, K.M., Abad, N., Ferguson, Y., Gunz, A., Houser-Marko, L., Nichols, C., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2010).  Persistent pursuit of need-satisfying goals leads to increased happiness: A 6-month experimental longitudinal study.  Motivation and Emotion, 34, 39-48.

Ferguson, Y., & Sheldon, K.M. (2010).  Should goal-strivers think about 'why' or 'how' to strive?  It depends on their skill level.  Motivation and Emotion, 34, 253-265.

Ciani, K. D. & Sheldon, K. M. (2010).  Evaluating the mastery-avoidance construct:  A study of elite college baseball players.  Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 11, 127-12.

Shigaki, C., Kruse, R., Mehr, D., Sheldon, K.M., Bin G.E., Moore, C., & Lemaster, J. (2010).  Motivation and diabetes self-management.  Chronic Illness, 6, 202-214. 

Schuler, J., Sheldon, K.M., & Frohlich, S. (2010).  Implicit need for achievement moderates the relationship between competence need-satisfaction and subsequent motivation.  Journal of Research in Personality, 44, 1-12.

Ciani, K. D., Middleton, M. J., Summers, J. J., & Sheldon, K. M. (2010). Buffering against performance classroom goal structures:  The importance of autonomy support and classroom community.  Contemporary Educational Psychology, 35, 88-99.

Ciani, K. D., & Sheldon, K. M. (2010).  A versus F: The effects of implicit letter priming on cognitive performance. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 80, 99-119.

Sheldon, K. M. (2009).  Providing the scientific background for positive psychology:  A multi-level conception of human thriving.  Psychological Topics, 18, 267-284.

Sheldon, K. M. (2009).  Personal goals and personality.  Revue québécoise de psychologie, 30, 15-30.

Sheldon, K. M., & Gunz, A. (2009).  Psychological needs as basic motives, not just experiential requirements.  Journal of Personality, 77, 1467-1492.

Sheldon, K. M., Abad, N., & Omoile, J. (2009).  Testing self-determination theory via Nigerian and Indian adolescents.  International Journal of Behavioral Development, 33, 451-459.

Cozzolino, P. J., Sheldon, K. M., Schachtman, T. R., & Meyers, L. S.  (2009). Limited time perspective, values, and greed: Imagining a limited future reduces avarice in extrinsic people. Journal of Research in Personality, 43, 399-408.

Kasser, T. & Sheldon, K. M. (2009).  Material and time affluence as predictors of subjective well-being.   Journal of Business Ethics, 84, 243-255.

Sheldon, K. M. & Nichols, C. (2009).  Comparing the values of Republicans and Democrats. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 39, 589-623.

Sheldon, K. M. & Filak, V. (2008).  Manipulating autonomy, competence, and relatedness in a game-learning context:  New evidence that all three needs matter.  British Journal of Social Psychology, 47, 267-283.

Filak, V. & Sheldon, K. M. (2008).  Teacher support, student motivation, student need satisfaction, and college teacher course evaluations: Testing a sequential path modelEducational Psychology, 28, 711-724.

Sheldon, K. M. & Kasser, T. (2008).  Psychological threat and goal striving.  Motivation and Emotion, 32, 37-45.

Sheldon, K. M. & Cooper, M. L. (2008).  Goal striving within agentic and communal roles:  Functionally independent pathways to enhanced well-being.  Journal of Personality, 76, 415-447.

Sheldon, K. M. (2008).  Assessing the sustainability of goal-based changes in well-being over a four-year period.  Journal of Research in Personality, 42, 223-229. 

Houser-Marko, L., & Sheldon, K. M. (2008).  Eyes on the prize or nose to the grindstone?  The effects of level of evaluation on mood and motivation.  Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 34, 1556-1569.

Ransom, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Jacobsen, P B. (2008). Actual change and inaccurate recall independently contribute to posttraumatic growth following radiotherapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76, 811-819.

O’Gorman, R., Sheldon, K. M., & Sloan-Wilson, D. S. (2008).  For the good of the group?  Exploring group-level evolutionary adaptations using multilevel selection theory.  Group Dynamics, 12, 17-26.

Routledge, C., Arndt, J., Vess, M., & Sheldon, K. (2008). The life and death of creativity: The effects of self vs. other-oriented behavior on creative expression after mortality salience. Motivation and Emotion, 32, 331 - 338.

Ciani, K. D., Summers, J. J., Easter, M. A., & Sheldon, K. M. (2008). Collaborative learning and positive experience: Does letting students choose their own groups matter? Educational Psychology, 28, 627-641.

Abad, N. & Sheldon, K. M. (2008).  Parental autonomy-support and ethnic culture identification among second-generation immigrants.  Journal of Family Psychology, 22, 652-657.

Nichols, C., Sheldon, K.M., & Sheldon, M.S. (2008).  Evolution and personality:  What should a comprehensive theory address, and how?  Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 2, 968-984.

Sheldon, K. M. (2007).  Gender differences in preferences for singles ads that proclaim extrinsic versus intrinsic values.  Sex Roles, 57, 119-129.

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. & Tan, H. (2007).  The multiple determination of well-being:  Independent effects of positive needs, traits, goals, selves, social supports, and cultural contexts. Journal of Happiness Studies, 8, 565-592

Sheldon, K. M., Sheldon, M. S., & Nichols, C. P. (2007).  Reply to Nettles:  Traits and trade-offs are insufficient for evolutionary personality psychology.  American Psychologist, 62, 1073-1074.

Sheldon, K. M., King, L. A., Houser-Marko, L., Osbaldiston, R., & Gunz, A. (2007).  Comparing IAT and TAT measures of power versus intimacy motivation.  European Journal of Personality, 21, 236-280. 

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. & Schachtman, T. R. (2007).  Obligations, motivational internalization, and excuse-making: Testing and extending the triangle model of responsibility.  Journal of Personality, 75, 359-382.

Rudy, D., Sheldon, K. M., Awong, T., & Tan, H. (2007).  Autonomy, culture, and well-being:  The benefits of inclusive autonomy.  Journal of Research in Personality, 41, 983-1007.

Turban, D., Tan, H., Brown, K., & Sheldon, K. M. (2007).  Antecedents and outcomes of perceived locus of causality: An application of self-determination theory.  Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 37, 2376-2404.  

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. (2006).  Catholic guilt?  Comparing Catholics' and Protestants' religious motivations.  International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 16, 209-224

Sheldon, K. M. & Lyubomirsky, S. (2006). Achieving sustainable happiness: Change your actions, not your circumstances. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7, 55-86.

Sheldon, K. M. & Lyubomirsky, S. (2006).  How to increase and sustain positive emotion: The benefits of expressing gratitude and visualizing best possible selves.  Journal of Positive Psychology, 1, 73-82.

Sheldon, K. M., Houser-Marko, L., & Kasser, T. (2006). Does autonomy increase with age?  Comparing the motivation and well-being of college students and their parents. Journal of Research in Personality, 40, 168-178.

Vansteenkiste, M. & Sheldon, K. M. (2006).  There is nothing so practical as a good theory: Integrating self-determination theory and motivational interviewing theory. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45, 63-82.

Houser-Marko, L., & Sheldon, K. M. (2006).  Motivating behavioral persistence:  The self-as-doer construct. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32, 1037-1049.

Sheldon, K. M., Kasser, T., Houser-Marko, L., Jones, T., & Turban, D. (2005).  Doing one’s duty:  Chronological age, felt autonomy, and subjective well-being.  European Journal of Personality, 19, 97-115.

Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9, 111-131.

Sheldon, K. M. (2005).  Positive value change during college:  Normative trends and individual differences.  Journal of Research in Personality, 39, 209-223.   

Arndt, J., Routledge, C., Greenberg, J., & Sheldon, K. M. (2005). Illuminating the dark side of creative expression: Assimilation needs and the consequences of creative action following mortality salience. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 31, 1327-1339.

Grouzet, F., Kasser, T., Ahuvia, A., Dols, J., Kim, Y., Lau, S., Ryan, R., Saunders, S., Schmuck, P., & Sheldon, K. M. (2005). The structure of goal contents across 15 cultures. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 89, 800-816.

Sheldon, K. M. (2004). The benefits of a sidelong approach to self-esteem need-satisfaction: A comment on Crocker and Park (2004). Psychological Bulletin, 130, 421-424.

Sheldon, K. M. & Krieger, L. (2004). Does law school undermine law students? Examining changes in goals, values, and well-being. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 22, 261-286.

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., Elliot, A. J., Ryan, R. M., Chirkov, V., Kim, Y., Wu, C., Demir, M., & Sun, Z. (2004). Self-concordance and subjective well-being in four cultures. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 35, 209-233.

Vansteenkiste, M., Simons, J., Lens, W., Sheldon, K.M., & Deci, E. (2004). Motivating processing, performance, and persistence: The synergistic role of intrinsic goal content and autonomy-supportive context. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87, 246-260.

Arndt, J., Solomon, S., Kasser, T., & Sheldon, K. (2004). The urge to splurge: A terror management account of materialism and consumer behavior. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 14, 198-212.

Arndt, J., Solomon, S., Kasser, T., & Sheldon, K. (2004). The urge to splurge revisited: Further reflections on applying terror management theory to materialism and consumer behavior. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 14, 225-229.

Routledge, C., Arndt, J., & Sheldon, K. (2004). Task engagement after mortality salience: The effects of creativity, conformity and connectedness on worldview defense. European Journal of Social Psychology, 34, 477-487.

Sheldon, K.M., Joiner, T., Pettit, J., & Williams, G. (2003). Reconciling humanistic ideals and scientific clinical practice. Clinical Psychology: Science and practice, 10, 302-315.

Sheldon, K.M., Joiner, T., Pettit, J., & Williams, G. (2003). The integration of self-determination principles and scientifically-informed treatments is the next tier. Clinical Psychology: Science and practice, 10, 318-319.

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.

Osbaldiston, R. & Sheldon, K. M. (2003). Promoting internalized motivation for environmentally responsible behavior: A prospective study of environmental goals. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 23, 348-356.

Dechenesne, M., Psycysynski, T., Arndt, J., Sheldon, K., & Ransom, S. (2003). Literal and symbolic immortality: The effect of evidence of literal immortality on self-esteem striving in response to mortality salience. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 722-737.

Lee, F. K., Sheldon, K. M., & Turban, D. B. (2003). Examining the relationship between personality and work outcomes: The influence of goal orientation and cognitive focus. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 88, 256-265.

Filak, V. & Sheldon, K.M. (2003). Student psychological need-satisfaction and college teacher-course evaluations. Educational Psychology, 23, 235-247.

Rogers, S. & Sheldon, K.M. (2002). The Web Motivation Inventory. Journal of Advertising Research, 42, 85-94.

Kasser, T. & Sheldon, K. M. (2002). What makes for a Merry Christmas? Journal of Happiness Studies, 3, 313-329.

Sheldon, K.M. & Bettencourt, B. A. (2002). Psychological needs and subjective well-being in social groups. British Journal of Social Psychology, 41, 25-38.

Sheldon, K.M., Kasser, T., Smith, K., & Share, T. (2002). Personal goals and psychological growth: Testing an intervention to enhance goal-attainment and personality integration. Journal of Personality, 70, 5-31.

Elliot, A.J., Chirkov, V., Kim, Y, & Sheldon, K.M. (2001). A cross-cultural analysis of avoidance (relative to approach) personal goals. Psychological Science, 12, 505-510.

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

Bettencourt, B. & Sheldon, K. M. (2001). Social roles as vehicles for psychological need satisfaction within groups. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81, 1131-1143.

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.

Sheldon, K. M. & Kasser, T. (2001). Goals, congruence, and positive well-being: New empirical validation for humanistic ideas. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 41, 30-50.

Sheldon, K.M., Sheldon, M.S., & Osbaldiston, R. (2000). Prosocial values and group-assortation within an N-person prisoner's dilemma. Human Nature, 11, 387-404.

Sheldon, K.M., Schmuck, P., & Kasser, T. (2000). Is value-free science possible? (commentary). American Psychologist, 10, 1152-1153.

Kasser, T. & Sheldon, K.M (2000). Of wealth and death: Materialism, mortality salience, and consumption behavior. Psychological Science, 11, 348- 351.

Reis, H.T., Sheldon, K.M., Gable, S.L., Roscoe, R., & Ryan, R. (2000). Daily well being: The role of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 26, 419-435.

Sheldon, K.M. & McGregor, H. (2000). Extrinsic value orientation and the "tragedy of the commons." Journal of Personality, 68, 383-411.

Sheldon, K.M. & Elliot, A.J. (2000). Personal goals in social roles: Divergences and convergences across roles and levels of analysis. Journal of Personality, 68, 51-84.

Sheldon, K.M. (1999). Learning the lessons of tit-for-tat: Even competitors can get the message. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77, 1245-1253.

Sheldon, K.M. & Elliot, A.J. (1999). Goal striving, need-satisfaction, and longitudinal well-being: The self-concordance model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76, 482-497.

Ryan, R.M., Chirkov, V., Little, T., Sheldon, K.M., Timoshina, E., & Deci, E. (1999). The American dream in Russia: Extrinsic aspirations in two cultures. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 25, 1509-1524.

Sheldon, K.M. & Kasser, T. (1998). Pursuing personal goals: Skills enable progress, but not all progress is beneficial. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 24, 1319-1331.

Sheldon, K.M. & Elliot, A.J. (1998). Not all personal goals are personal: Comparing autonomous and controlled reasons as predictors of effort and attainment. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 24, 546-557.

Sheldon, K.M. & Biddle, B.J. (1998). Standards, accountability, and school reform: Perils and pitfalls. Teachers College Record, 100, 164-180.

Elliot, A.J. & Sheldon, K.M. (1998). Avoidance personal goals and the personality-illness relationship. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 75, 1282-1299.

Sheldon, K.M., Ryan, R.M., Rawsthorne, L., & Ilardi, B. (1997). "True" self and "trait" self: Cross role variation in the big five traits and its relations with authenticity and well being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73, 1380-1393.

Elliot, A.J., Sheldon, K.M., & Church, M. (1997). Avoidance personal goals and subjective well being. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 23, 915-927.

Ryan, R.M., Frederick, C. M, Lepes, D., Rubio, N., & Sheldon, K.M. (1997). Intrinsic motivation and exercise adherence. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 28, 335-354.

Sheldon, K.M., Ryan, R.M., & Reis, H.R. (1996). What makes for a good day? Competence and autonomy in the day and in the person. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 22, 1270-1279.

Sheldon, K.M. (1996). The Social Awareness Inventory: Development and applications. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 22, 620-634.

Elliot, A.J. & Sheldon, K.M. (1996). Avoidance achievement motivation: A personal goals analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73, 171-185.

Sheldon, K.M., & Kasser, T. (1995). Coherence and congruence: Two aspects of personality integration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68, 531-543.

Sheldon, K.M., & Emmons, R.A. (1995). Comparing differentiation and integration within personal goal systems. Personality and Individual Differences, 18, 39-46.

Sheldon, K.M. (1995). Creativity and goal conflict. Creativity Research Journal, 8, 299- 306.

Sheldon, K.M. (1995). Creativity and self determination in personality. Creativity Research Journal, 8, 61-72.

Sheldon, K.M. (1994). Emotionality differences between artists and scientists. Journal of Research in Personality, 28, 481 491.

Sheldon, K.M., & Johnson, J.T. (1993). Forms of social awareness: Their frequency and correlates. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 19, 320-330.

 

BOOK CHAPTERS

Sheldon, K. M. (in press).  Duchenne Smiles:  A window into the Soul.  Handbook of Activities for Teaching Positive Psychology, ed. S. Pressman. 

Goffredi, R. J., Sanders, C. A., King, L. A., & Sheldon, K. M. (in press). Positive psychology interventions: Revisiting Seligman, Steen, Park, and Peterson (2005). In M. Tarrant & M. S. Hagger (Eds.), Health Psychology: Revisiting the Classic Studies. Sage.

Sheldon, K. M. & Goffredi, R. (in press).  The self-concordance model:  Using free will wisely.  Handbook of Research in Self-Determination theory

Sommet, N., Elliott, A. J., & Sheldon, K. M. (2021).  The what and why of achievement motivation:  Conceptualization, operationalization, and consequences of achievement goal complexes.  In  R. Robins (Ed.), Handbook of PersonalityPsychology  (4th Edition), p 104-121.  New York:  Academic Press.

Sheldon, K.M. & Schuler, J. (2019).  Needs, motives, and personality development: Unanswered questions and exciting potentials.  In D. P. McAdams, R. L. Shiner, & J. L. Tackett (Eds), Handbook of Personality Development (pp. 276-294).   New York:  Guilford Press.

Sheldon, K. M. (2018). Preserve the status quo, or move to Mexico? How to tell when a radical leap is really warranted. In N. Baumann, M. Kazén, M. Quirin, S. L. Koole, N. Baumann, M. Kazén, ... S. L. Koole (Eds.) , Why people do the things they do: Building on Julius Kuhl’s contributions to the psychology of motivation and volition (pp. 243-257). Boston, MA, US: Hogrefe Publishing.

Sheldon, K. M. (2017).  Understanding the good life:  Eudaimonic living involves well-doing, not well-being.  In J. Forgas & R. Baumeister (Eds.), Sydney Symposium 2017:  The social psychology of the good life.  Psychology Press.

Halusic, M. & Sheldon, K. M. (2016).  Self-Concordance Theory:  Why choosing the right goals can make all the difference.  In Paquet, P., Carbonneau, N., & Vallerand, R. J. (Eds.), Théorie de l’autodétermination: Aspects théoriques et appliqués.  Bruxelles:  De Boeck.

Sheldon, K. M. (2016).  Putting eudaimonia in its place.  In J. Vitterso (Ed.), Handbook of Eudaimonic Well-being, p. 531-542.  Switzerland:  Springer.   

Prentice, M. & Sheldon, K. M. (2015).  Evolutionary and social psychological perspectives on human cooperation.  In V. Zeigler-Hill, L. Welling, & T. K. Shackelford (Eds), Evolutionary perspectives on social psychology. (p. 267-277). Springer.

Sheldon, K. M. & Schuler, J. (2015).  Agency and its discontents:  A two process perspective on basic psychological needs and motives.  In M. Mikulincer, P. Shaver, L. Cooper, & R. Larsen (Eds), Handbook of personality processes and individual differences (pp. 167-187). Washington, D.C., U.S.A:  American Psychological Association. 

Sheldon, K. M. & Lucas, R. L. (2014).  Can well-being change?  Considering the issues.  In K. M. Sheldon and R. L. Lucas (Eds), The stability of happiness: Theories and evidence on whether happiness can change  (pp. 1-8). Elsevier. 

Armenta, C., Bao, K. J., Lyubomirsky, S., & Sheldon, K. M. (2014).  Is lasting change possible?  Lessons from the hedonic adaptation prevention model.  In K. M. Sheldon and R. L. Lucas (Eds), The stability of happiness: Theories and evidence on whether happiness can change  (pp. 57-74). Elsevier. 

Sheldon, K. M., Boehm, J., & Lyubomirsky, S. L. (2013).  Variety is the spice of happiness:  The hedonic adaptation prevention (HAP) model.  In I. Boniwell & S. David (Eds), Oxford Handbook of Happiness (pp. 901-914). Oxford, UK:  Oxford University Press.

Sheldon, K. M. (2013).  Self-determination theory, person-centered approaches, and personal goals: Exploring the links.  In M. Lux, R. J. Cornelius-White, R. Motschnig, & M. Lux (Eds), Interdisciplinary handbook of the person-centered approach (pp. 227-244).  New York, NY:  Springer.  

Sheldon, K. M. (2013).  Individual daimon, universal needs, and subjective well-being: Happiness as the natural consequence of a life well lived.  In A. Waterman (Ed.), The best within us:  Positive psychology perspectives on eudaimonic functioning (pp. 119-137).  Washington, D.C.:  American Psychological Association. 

Sheldon, K. M. (2013).  Internalized motivation in the classroom.  In J. Froh and A. Parks (Eds), Activities handbook for the teaching of positive psychology (pp. 155-160).  Washington, DC:  American Psychological Association. 

Sheldon, K. M. (2013).  The multiple determination of well-being: Independent effects of positive traits, needs, goals, selves, social supports, and cultural contexts.  In A. Delle Fave (Ed.), The exploration of happiness: Present and future perspectives (pp. 141-160).   New York, NY, US: Springer Science + Business Media.

Sheldon, K. M. (2012).  Is it possible to become happier?  The importance of changing one’s actions, not one’s circumstances.  In E. J. Bauer & U. Tanzer (Eds)., Auf der Such nach Gluck (pp. 69-82). WBG, Salzburg, Austria. 

Sheldon, K. M. (2011).  Conformity and Creativity. In M. Runco & S. Pritzker (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Creativity (2nd ed), pp 341-346.  San Diego:  Academic Press.

Sheldon, K. M. & Ryan, R.M. (2011).  Self-determination theory and positive psychology:  A natural interface.  In Chirkov, V., Ryan, R.M., & Sheldon, K.M. (Eds), Personal autonomy in cultural contexts: Global perspectives on the psychology of agency, freedom, and people's well-being (pp. 33-44). Springer. 

Sheldon, K. M. (2011).  What’s positive about positive psychology?  Reducing value-bias and enhancing integration within the field.  In Sheldon, K.M., Kashdan, T., & Steger, M. (Eds.), Designing the future of positive psychology: Taking stock and moving forward (pp. 421-429). Oxford Press.

Chirkov, V., Ryan, R. M., & Sheldon, K. M. (2011).  The struggle for happiness and autonomy in personal and cultural contexts: an overview.  In Chirkov, V., Ryan, R.M., & Sheldon, K.M. (Eds), Personal autonomy in cultural contexts: Global perspectives on the psychology of agency, freedom, and people's well-being. (pp. 1-30).  Springer.  

Sheldon, K. M., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2009). Change your actions, not your circumstances: An experimental test of the Sustainable Happiness Model. In A. K. Dutt, & B. Radcliff (Eds.), Happiness, economics, and politics: Toward a multi-disciplinary approach (pp. 324-342). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

Sheldon, K. M. (2009).  Defining and validating measures of life balance:  Suggestions, a new measure, and some preliminary results.  In Christiansen, C. & Matuska, K. (Eds), Life Balance:  Multidisciplinary theories and research (pp. 61-72).  Aota Press, Bethesda, Maryland USA.   

Sheldon, K. M. (2009).  Actualizing tendency.  In S. Lopez (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology (Volume I, p. 7-8).  Oxford UK:  Wiley-Blackwell.

Sheldon, K. M. (2009).  Authenticity.  In S. Lopez (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology (Volume I, p. 75-78).  Oxford UK:  Wiley-Blackwell.

Sheldon, K. M. (2009).  Goal-striving across the life-span:  Do people learn to select more self-concordant goals as they age?  In M.C. Smith & T.G. Reio (Eds.), The handbook of research on adult development and learning (pp. 553-569).  New York:  Routledge.

Sheldon, K.M. (2008).  The interface of motivational science and personology:  Self-concordance, quality motivation, and multi-level personality integration.  In J. Shah and W. Gardner (Eds.), Handbook of motivational science (pp. 465-476).  New York:  Guilford.

Sheldon, K. M. (2007).  Extrinsic motivation.  In R. F. Baumeister and K. D. Vohs (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Social Psychology.  Thousand Oaks, CA:  Sage.

Sheldon, K. M. (2007).  Intrinsic motivation.  In R. F. Baumeister and K. D. Vohs (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Social Psychology.  Thousand Oaks, CA:  Sage.

Sheldon, K. M. (2007).  Considering the optimality of personality: Goals, self-concordance, and multi-level personality integration. In B. Little, K. Salmelo-Aro, J. Nurmi, & S. Phillips (Eds.), Personal projects pursuit: Goals, action and human flourishing (pp. 355-374).  Mahway, NJ:  Lawrence Erlbaum & Associates.

Bettencourt, B. A., Molix, L., Talley, A. E., & Sheldon, K. M. (2006). Social roles within group memberships: Meeting needs for connectedness and authentic self-expression. In T. Postmes & J. Jetten (Eds), Individuality and the Group: Advances Social Identity (pp. 196-214).  Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Sheldon, K. M. (2006). Getting older, getting better? Recent psychological evidence. In M. Csikszentmihalyi (Ed.), A life worth living: Perspectives from positive psychology (pp. 215-229).  Washington, D.C.: Gallup.

Sheldon, K. M. & Vansteenkiste, M. (2005). Personal goals and time-travel: How are future places visited, and is it worth it? In A. Strathman & J. Joireman (Eds.), Understanding behavior in the context of time: Theory, research, and application (pp. 143-163).  Mahwah, NJ, US:  Lawrence Erlbaum. 

Caporael, L., Wilson, D.S., Hemelrijk, C., Orbell, J., & Sheldon, K.M. (2005). Groups from an evolutionary perspective. In Poole, M. S. & Hollingshead, A. B. (Eds), Theories of Small Groups: Integrative Perspectives (pp 369-396). Newbury Park, Sage.

Sheldon, K.M. (2004). Integrity/Honesty. In C. Peterson & M. Seligman (Eds.), Character strengths and virtues (pp 249-272).  Oxford University Press.

Sheldon, K. M. & Lyubomirsky, S. (2004). Achieving sustainable new happiness: Prospects, practices, and prescriptions (pp 127-145). In A. Linley & A. Joseph (Eds.), Positive psychology in practice. John Wiley & Sons.

Kasser, T., Ryan, R. M., Couchman, C., & Sheldon, K. M. (2004). Materialistic values: Their causes and consequences. In T. Kasser & A. Kanner (Ed.), Psychology and consumer culture: The struggle for a good life in a materialistic world (pp. 11-28). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association.

Kasser, T. & Sheldon, K.M. (2004). Non-becoming, alienated becoming, and authentic becoming: A goal-based approach. In J. Greenberg, S. Koole, & T. Pzcyzynski (Eds.), Handbook of experimental existential psychology (pp. 480-496). New York: Guilford.

Sheldon, K. M., Turban, D.V., Brown, K., Barrick, M., & Judge, T. (2003). Applying self-determination theory to organizational research (pp 357-394). Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management, Vol. 22.  Amsterdam:  Elsevier.

Sheldon, K.M. (2002). The self-concordance model of healthy goal-striving: When personal goals correctly represent the person. In E.L. Deci & R.M. Ryan (Eds.), Handbook of self-determination research (pp. 65-86). Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press.

Osbaldiston, R. & Sheldon, K. M. (2002). Social dilemmas and sustainable development: Promoting the motivation to "cooperate with the future." In P. Schmuck & W. Schultz (Eds.), The psychology of sustainability (pp. 37-58). Boston: Kluwer.

Sheldon, K.M. (2001). The self-concordance model of healthy goal-striving: Implications for well-being and personality development. In P. Schmuck & K. Sheldon (Eds.), Life goals and well-being: Towards a positive psychology of human striving (pp 17-35). Seattle, Toronto, Bern, Goettingen: Hogrefe & Huber Publishers.

Sheldon, K.M. & Schmuck, P. (2001). Conclusion: Suggestions for healthy goal striving. In P. Schmuck & K. Sheldon (Eds.), Life goals and well-being: Towards a positive psychology of human striving (pp 213-226). Seattle, Toronto, Bern, Goettingen: Hogrefe & Huber Publishers.

Schmuck, P. & Sheldon, K.M. (2001). Introduction: The frontiers of life-goals research. In P. Schmuck & K. Sheldon (Eds.), Life goals and well-being: Towards a positive psychology of human striving (p. 1-16). Seattle, Toronto, Bern, Goettingen: Hogrefe & Huber Publishers.

Sheldon, K.M. (1999). Conformity and Creativity. In M. Runco & S. Pritzker (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Creativity (pp 341-346). Academic Press.

Ryan, R.M., Sheldon, K.M., Kasser, T., & Deci, E.L. (1996). All goals are not created equal: The relation of goal content and regulatory styles to mental health (pp 7-26). In J.A. Bargh & P.M. Gollwitzer (Eds.), The psychology of action: Linking cognition and motivation to behavior. New York: Guilford.

Emmons, R.A., King, L.A., & Sheldon, K.M. (1993). Goal conflict and the self regulation of action. In D.M. Wegner & J.M. Pennebaker (Eds.) Handbook of mental control (pp. 528-551). Prentice Hall: Englewood Cliffs, NJ.