My primary research interests are in self and identity, especially motivational processes and the influence of culture and context on identity construction, as well as developing a better understanding of the relationship between individual and social representation processes.

A main focus of my current research is to develop an integrated theoretical model of identity motivation applicable to individual, relational and group levels of self-representation. The research involves using multilevel modelling to predict aspects of the organisation of multiple elements of identity content within participants’ subjective identity structures. Results suggest that a theoretical model of identity motivation should include motives to maintain and enhance self-esteem, continuity, distinctiveness, belonging, efficacy and meaning.

An additional interest is in cross-cultural and indigenous psychologies. In particular I am interested in describing and understanding the significance for identity and action of cultural representations of the person, the self and groups, both within and across nations and especially among non-student populations. One focus has been the motive for distinctiveness, often assumed to be specific to individualistic cultures. Against this assumption, my research focuses on the different ways in which a sense of distinctiveness may be constructed according to both cultural and contextual influences.