Grace N Rivera
Biographic Data
| ID | 764052 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Grace N Rivera |
| GIVEN NAMES | Grace N |
| FAMILY NAME | Rivera |
| SIGNATURE | RIVERA G N |
| AFFILIATIONS | Texas A&M University |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-3352-7469 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 19 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 17 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 19 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2016 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Feeling small but still connected: Examining complex effects of Awe on self-compassion
Having a self-compassionate attitude is linked to positive psychological functioning, making it important to identify experiences that promote self-compassion. Several self-transcendent experiences and emotions (e.g., mindfulness), have been shown to predict self-compassion. As awe is considered a self-transcendent emotion, we examined awe as a potential elicitor of self-compassion. This investigation aligns with recent and rapidly growing intere…
Liking Predicts Judgments of Authenticity in Real-Time Interactions More Robustly Than Personality States or Affect
We conducted three studies involving small group interactions ( N = 622) that examined whether Big Five personality states, affect, and/or liking predict judgments of others’ authenticity. Study 1 ( n = 119) revealed that neither self -rated personality states nor affect predicted other-rated authenticity. Instead, other-rated liking was the only predictor of other-rated authenticity. Study 2 ( n = 281) revealed that other -rated personality stat…
Complex effects of awe on meaning in life and true self-knowledge
Lay-theories reflect, reproduce, deny, and acknowledge racism: Explaining Covid-19 racial health disparities in the United States
Lay-theories are sets of interconnected ideas people use to understand and explain their worlds. We used a reflexive thematic analysis to investigate participant-generated lay-beliefs about COVID-19 disparities between White and Black communities ( N = 150) and between White and Latinx communities ( N = 145) in the United States. Informed by Critical Race Psychology perspectives, we discuss how racism is reflected and reproduced in lay-beliefs ab…
A qualitative investigation of narratives of Black forgiveness through the lens of critical race theory
Through a Critical Race Theory perspective, we investigated how racial ideology, in particular colorblind ideology, was present in Black forgiveness narratives for racial violence. We collected United States news articles from two high profile cases of Black forgiveness ( N = 122), the shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and the killing of Botham Jean. We used a thematic analysis to address an overarching research question …
Authentic for Thee But Not for Me: Perceived Authenticity in Self-Control Conflicts
Is self-control authentic? Across several hypothetical scenarios, participants perceived impulsive actions as more authentic for others (Study 1a) but self-control as more authentic for themselves (Study 1b). Study 2 partially replicated this asymmetry. Study 3 accounted for behavior positivity because self-control was typically the more positive action in the previous studies. Study 4 minimized the influence of positivity by framing the same beh…
The Effect of True Self-Attributions on the Endorsement of Retributive and Restorative Justice
We examined how the attribution of criminal behavior to an individual’s “true” self influences justice preferences. In Study 1 ( N = 521), the extent to which undergraduates attributed a crime to a target’s true self positively predicted their endorsement of a retributive form of punishment and negatively predicted their endorsement of a restorative form of punishment. Study 2 ( N = 404) was preregistered and replicated these associations, even w…
When race trumps political ideology: Black teachers who advocate for social responsibility are penalized by both liberals and conservatives
Meritocracy is a prominent narrative embedded in America’s educational system: work hard and anyone can achieve success. Yet, racial disparities in education suggest this narrative does not tell the full story. Four studies ( N = 1,439) examined how applicants for a teaching position are evaluated when they invoke different narratives regarding who or what is to blame for racial disparities (i.e., individuals vs. systems). We hypothesized these e…
True-self-as-guide lay theory endorsement across five countries
A widespread lay theory in the United States suggests that the best way to make decisions is to follow who you “really are”, referred to as the “true-self-as-guide” (TSAG) lay theory of decision making. In this paper, we explore whether people from four less-WEIRD (i.e., Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) countries also explicitly endorse the TSAG lay theory, whether individual differences in horizontal/vertical individualis…
Genetic causal beliefs and developmental context: Parents' beliefs predict psychologically controlling approaches to parenting
We examined the association of parents' genetic causal beliefs and parenting behaviors, hypothesizing a positive association between parents' genetic causal beliefs and their use of psychological control. Study 1 ( N = 394) was a cross-sectional survey and revealed that parents' genetic essentialism beliefs were positively associated with their self-reported use of harsh psychological control, but only for parents who reported relatively high lev…
Is the Illusion of Authenticity Beneficial? Merely Perceiving Decisions as Guided by the True Self Enhances Decision Satisfaction
Many people endorse a “true-self-as-guide” (TSAG) lay theory of decision-making that suggests following one’s true self is an optimal strategy for making decisions. Across five studies ( N = 1,320), we test whether perceived use of the true self enhances decision satisfaction. Study 1 provides correlational evidence. Studies 2 and 3 provide experimental evidence that participants felt more satisfied with choices made under TSAG instructions, comp…
Meaning-Making, Psychological Distress, and the Experience of Meaning in Life Following a Natural Disaster
The purpose of this study was to examine the role of meaning-making in response to collective trauma. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, we recruited participants ( N = 570) to test the hypothesis that searching for meaning (vs. finding meaning) in the event would be associated with greater (vs. lower) levels of acute and post-traumatic stress symptoms. We further hypothesized that searching for (and finding) meaning in the event would predict…
Stuck in an Existential Quagmire: The Role of Perceived True Self-Knowledge in Client Stuckness
Introduction: Research suggests that perceived true self-knowledge is important for well-being. However, less discussion exists about how perceived true self-knowledge affects therapy outcomes. We suggest that perceived true self-knowledge may be important when attempting to address client stuckness (i.e., lack of progress in therapy; Beaudoin, 2008). We argue that when clients perceive a lack of true self-knowledge, they are unable to draw upon …
Exploring Relations between Beliefs about the Genetic Etiology of Virtue and the Endorsement of Parenting Practices
SYNOPSISObjective. We investigated associations between adults’ beliefs about the heritability of virtue and endorsements of the efficacy of specific parenting styles. Design. In Studies 1 (N = 405) and 2 (N = 400), beliefs about both the genetic etiology of virtuous characteristics and parenting were assessed in samples of parents and non-parents. In Study 3 (N = 775), participants were induced to view virtue as determined by genes or as determi…
Awe and meaning: Elucidating complex effects of awe experiences on meaning in life
Research on the experience of awe suggests that awe has positive impacts on outcomes like life satisfaction and belongingness. No published work, however, has reported effects of awe on the experience of meaning in life. We reasoned that awe might have complicated effects on meaning. On the one hand, many awe experiences likely contain a positive flavor that contributes to both awe and general positive affectivity (happiness). Positive affectivit…
Understanding the Relationship Between Perceived Authenticity and Well-Being
A central tenet of many prominent philosophical and psychological traditions is that personal authenticity facilitates psychological well-being. This idea, however, is at odds with numerous perspectives arguing that it is difficult, if not impossible, to really know one's self, or the true self may not even exist. Moreover, empirical findings suggest that reports of authenticity are often contaminated by positively valenced behavior, further pote…
A window to the true self: The importance of I-sharing in romantic relationships
This article examines the importance of I-sharing within romantic relationships. Results from four independent samples indicate that perceived frequency of I-sharing with one's romantic partner predicts relationship satisfaction and that this relationship is potentially mediated by perceptions that one's partner knows one's true self. These results fit with theories about increasing expectations on modern relationships to fulfill self-expression …
Following one's true self and the sacredness of cultural values
Does expertise matter in replication? An examination of the reproducibility project: Psychology
Awe and meaning: Elucidating complex effects of awe experiences on meaning in life
Research on the experience of awe suggests that awe has positive impacts on outcomes like life satisfaction and belongingness. No published work, however, has reported effects of awe on the experience of meaning in life. We reasoned that awe might have complicated effects on meaning. On the one hand, many awe experiences likely contain a positive flavor that contributes to both awe and general positive affectivity (happiness). Positive affectivit…
A window to the true self: The importance of I-sharing in romantic relationships
This article examines the importance of I-sharing within romantic relationships. Results from four independent samples indicate that perceived frequency of I-sharing with one's romantic partner predicts relationship satisfaction and that this relationship is potentially mediated by perceptions that one's partner knows one's true self. These results fit with theories about increasing expectations on modern relationships to fulfill self-expression …
Does expertise matter in replication? An examination of the reproducibility project: Psychology
A qualitative investigation of narratives of Black forgiveness through the lens of critical race theory
Through a Critical Race Theory perspective, we investigated how racial ideology, in particular colorblind ideology, was present in Black forgiveness narratives for racial violence. We collected United States news articles from two high profile cases of Black forgiveness ( N = 122), the shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and the killing of Botham Jean. We used a thematic analysis to address an overarching research question …
Exploring Relations between Beliefs about the Genetic Etiology of Virtue and the Endorsement of Parenting Practices
SYNOPSISObjective. We investigated associations between adults’ beliefs about the heritability of virtue and endorsements of the efficacy of specific parenting styles. Design. In Studies 1 (N = 405) and 2 (N = 400), beliefs about both the genetic etiology of virtuous characteristics and parenting were assessed in samples of parents and non-parents. In Study 3 (N = 775), participants were induced to view virtue as determined by genes or as determi…
Genetic causal beliefs and developmental context: Parents' beliefs predict psychologically controlling approaches to parenting
We examined the association of parents' genetic causal beliefs and parenting behaviors, hypothesizing a positive association between parents' genetic causal beliefs and their use of psychological control. Study 1 ( N = 394) was a cross-sectional survey and revealed that parents' genetic essentialism beliefs were positively associated with their self-reported use of harsh psychological control, but only for parents who reported relatively high lev…
Following one's true self and the sacredness of cultural values
Does expertise matter in replication? An examination of the reproducibility project: Psychology
Following one's true self and the sacredness of cultural values
Understanding the Relationship Between Perceived Authenticity and Well-Being
A central tenet of many prominent philosophical and psychological traditions is that personal authenticity facilitates psychological well-being. This idea, however, is at odds with numerous perspectives arguing that it is difficult, if not impossible, to really know one's self, or the true self may not even exist. Moreover, empirical findings suggest that reports of authenticity are often contaminated by positively valenced behavior, further pote…
A window to the true self: The importance of I-sharing in romantic relationships
This article examines the importance of I-sharing within romantic relationships. Results from four independent samples indicate that perceived frequency of I-sharing with one's romantic partner predicts relationship satisfaction and that this relationship is potentially mediated by perceptions that one's partner knows one's true self. These results fit with theories about increasing expectations on modern relationships to fulfill self-expression …
Stuck in an Existential Quagmire: The Role of Perceived True Self-Knowledge in Client Stuckness
Introduction: Research suggests that perceived true self-knowledge is important for well-being. However, less discussion exists about how perceived true self-knowledge affects therapy outcomes. We suggest that perceived true self-knowledge may be important when attempting to address client stuckness (i.e., lack of progress in therapy; Beaudoin, 2008). We argue that when clients perceive a lack of true self-knowledge, they are unable to draw upon …
Exploring Relations between Beliefs about the Genetic Etiology of Virtue and the Endorsement of Parenting Practices
SYNOPSISObjective. We investigated associations between adults’ beliefs about the heritability of virtue and endorsements of the efficacy of specific parenting styles. Design. In Studies 1 (N = 405) and 2 (N = 400), beliefs about both the genetic etiology of virtuous characteristics and parenting were assessed in samples of parents and non-parents. In Study 3 (N = 775), participants were induced to view virtue as determined by genes or as determi…
Awe and meaning: Elucidating complex effects of awe experiences on meaning in life
Research on the experience of awe suggests that awe has positive impacts on outcomes like life satisfaction and belongingness. No published work, however, has reported effects of awe on the experience of meaning in life. We reasoned that awe might have complicated effects on meaning. On the one hand, many awe experiences likely contain a positive flavor that contributes to both awe and general positive affectivity (happiness). Positive affectivit…
Is the Illusion of Authenticity Beneficial? Merely Perceiving Decisions as Guided by the True Self Enhances Decision Satisfaction
Many people endorse a “true-self-as-guide” (TSAG) lay theory of decision-making that suggests following one’s true self is an optimal strategy for making decisions. Across five studies ( N = 1,320), we test whether perceived use of the true self enhances decision satisfaction. Study 1 provides correlational evidence. Studies 2 and 3 provide experimental evidence that participants felt more satisfied with choices made under TSAG instructions, comp…
Meaning-Making, Psychological Distress, and the Experience of Meaning in Life Following a Natural Disaster
The purpose of this study was to examine the role of meaning-making in response to collective trauma. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, we recruited participants ( N = 570) to test the hypothesis that searching for meaning (vs. finding meaning) in the event would be associated with greater (vs. lower) levels of acute and post-traumatic stress symptoms. We further hypothesized that searching for (and finding) meaning in the event would predict…
The Effect of True Self-Attributions on the Endorsement of Retributive and Restorative Justice
We examined how the attribution of criminal behavior to an individual’s “true” self influences justice preferences. In Study 1 ( N = 521), the extent to which undergraduates attributed a crime to a target’s true self positively predicted their endorsement of a retributive form of punishment and negatively predicted their endorsement of a restorative form of punishment. Study 2 ( N = 404) was preregistered and replicated these associations, even w…
When race trumps political ideology: Black teachers who advocate for social responsibility are penalized by both liberals and conservatives
Meritocracy is a prominent narrative embedded in America’s educational system: work hard and anyone can achieve success. Yet, racial disparities in education suggest this narrative does not tell the full story. Four studies ( N = 1,439) examined how applicants for a teaching position are evaluated when they invoke different narratives regarding who or what is to blame for racial disparities (i.e., individuals vs. systems). We hypothesized these e…
True-self-as-guide lay theory endorsement across five countries
A widespread lay theory in the United States suggests that the best way to make decisions is to follow who you “really are”, referred to as the “true-self-as-guide” (TSAG) lay theory of decision making. In this paper, we explore whether people from four less-WEIRD (i.e., Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) countries also explicitly endorse the TSAG lay theory, whether individual differences in horizontal/vertical individualis…
Genetic causal beliefs and developmental context: Parents' beliefs predict psychologically controlling approaches to parenting
We examined the association of parents' genetic causal beliefs and parenting behaviors, hypothesizing a positive association between parents' genetic causal beliefs and their use of psychological control. Study 1 ( N = 394) was a cross-sectional survey and revealed that parents' genetic essentialism beliefs were positively associated with their self-reported use of harsh psychological control, but only for parents who reported relatively high lev…
Authentic for Thee But Not for Me: Perceived Authenticity in Self-Control Conflicts
Is self-control authentic? Across several hypothetical scenarios, participants perceived impulsive actions as more authentic for others (Study 1a) but self-control as more authentic for themselves (Study 1b). Study 2 partially replicated this asymmetry. Study 3 accounted for behavior positivity because self-control was typically the more positive action in the previous studies. Study 4 minimized the influence of positivity by framing the same beh…
A qualitative investigation of narratives of Black forgiveness through the lens of critical race theory
Through a Critical Race Theory perspective, we investigated how racial ideology, in particular colorblind ideology, was present in Black forgiveness narratives for racial violence. We collected United States news articles from two high profile cases of Black forgiveness ( N = 122), the shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and the killing of Botham Jean. We used a thematic analysis to address an overarching research question …
Feeling small but still connected: Examining complex effects of Awe on self-compassion
Having a self-compassionate attitude is linked to positive psychological functioning, making it important to identify experiences that promote self-compassion. Several self-transcendent experiences and emotions (e.g., mindfulness), have been shown to predict self-compassion. As awe is considered a self-transcendent emotion, we examined awe as a potential elicitor of self-compassion. This investigation aligns with recent and rapidly growing intere…
Liking Predicts Judgments of Authenticity in Real-Time Interactions More Robustly Than Personality States or Affect
We conducted three studies involving small group interactions ( N = 622) that examined whether Big Five personality states, affect, and/or liking predict judgments of others’ authenticity. Study 1 ( n = 119) revealed that neither self -rated personality states nor affect predicted other-rated authenticity. Instead, other-rated liking was the only predictor of other-rated authenticity. Study 2 ( n = 281) revealed that other -rated personality stat…
Complex effects of awe on meaning in life and true self-knowledge
Lay-theories reflect, reproduce, deny, and acknowledge racism: Explaining Covid-19 racial health disparities in the United States
Lay-theories are sets of interconnected ideas people use to understand and explain their worlds. We used a reflexive thematic analysis to investigate participant-generated lay-beliefs about COVID-19 disparities between White and Black communities ( N = 150) and between White and Latinx communities ( N = 145) in the United States. Informed by Critical Race Psychology perspectives, we discuss how racism is reflected and reproduced in lay-beliefs ab…
Psychology (18 works) · Social Psychology (18 works) · Social and Intergroup Psychology (10 works) · Social Psychology (8 works) · Cultural Differences and Values (5 works) · Epistemology (5 works) · Psychotherapist (5 works) · Behavioral Health and Interventions (4 works) · Developmental psychology (4 works) · Perception (4 works)