Erika J. Koch
My specific area of interest is the Self. Much of my research has, in some way, involved the concept of self-esteem. My current interests lie in three areas.
First, I have conducted research on the phenomenon of STTUC: Sensitivity about being the Target of a Threatening Upward Comparison. I am interested in predictors of STTUC (such as a sense of deservingness), as well as how STTUC experiences influence state self-esteem. In the long term, I would like to examine whether desires to avoid STTUC predict withdrawal in academic endeavors.
Second, I am interested in anticipated regret, which is what people experience when they imagine wishing they had decided to act differently. I am particularly interested in how anticipated regret predicts health behaviors.
Third, I have long been interested in how particular “self” variables (e.g., self-complexity) predict responses to interpersonal rejection. I recently became interested in self-compassion, which involves treating the self with kindness rather than criticism. I have begun to explore whether self-compassion predicts relatively less maladaptive responses to rejection.
Primary Interests:
- Health Psychology
- Interpersonal Processes
- Personality, Individual Differences
- Self and Identity
- Social Cognition
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Journal Articles:
- Koch, E. J. (2020). Remembering that “Everybody Hurts”: The role of self-compassion in responses to rejection. Basic and Applied Social Psychology. doi: 10.1080/01973533.2020.1726748
- Koch, E. J. (2014). How does anticipated regret influence health and safety decisions? A literature review. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 36(5), 397–412. doi:10.1080/01973533.2014.935379
- Koch, E. J. (2002). Relational schemas, self-esteem, and the processing of social stimuli. Self and Identity, 1, 271-279.
- Koch, E. J., & Metcalfe, K. P. (2011). The bittersweet taste of success: Daily and recalled experiences of being an upward social comparison target. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 33, 47-58.
- Koch, E. J., & Shepperd, J. A. (2008). Testing competence and acceptance explanations of self-esteem. Self and Identity, 7, 54-74.
- Koch, E. J., & Shepperd, J. A. (2004). Is self-complexity linked to better coping? A review of the literature. Journal of Personality, 72, 727-760.
- Koch, E. J., & Totton, S. F. M. (2015). “What’ve I done to deserve this?” The role of deservingness in reactions to being an upward comparison target. Journal of Personal and Social Relationships. doi: 10.1177/0265407515619043
Other Publications:
- Koch, E. J. (2006). Examining the role of self-esteem in psychological functioning. In M. H. Kernis (Ed.), Self-esteem issues and answers: A source book of current perspectives (pp. 260-266). New York: Psychology Press.
- Leary, M. R., Koch, E. J., & Hechenbleikner, N. R. (2001). Emotional responses to interpersonal rejection. In M. R. Leary (Ed.), Interpersonal rejection (pp. 145-167). New York: Oxford University Press.
Courses Taught:
- Advanced Social and Personality Psychology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Personality Psychology
- Psychology of the Self
- Research Methods II: Research Design and Analysis
- Social Psychology
Erika J. Koch
Department of Psychology
St. Francis Xavier University
P.O. Box 5000
Antigonish, Nova Scotia B2G 2W5
Canada
- Phone: (902) 867-3950
- Fax: (902) 867-5189