My Interests

My research interests are in the areas of Close Relationships and Social Cognition. My dissertation research has examined how people’s approach and avoidance goals for engaging in pro-relationship behaviors (such as sacrificing for one’s romantic partner) influence expectations of reciprocity and relationship evaluations. In a separate line of research I have examined how people’s need to feel certain about their romantic relationship underlies positive illusions. I have also examined the ways in which positive illusions sustain relationship satisfaction.

My Publications

Murray, S.L., Pinkus, R., Holmes, J.G., Harris, B., Gomillion, S., Aloni, M., Derrick, J.L. & Leder, S. (2011). Signaling When (and When Not) to Be Cautious and Self-Protective: Impulsive and Reflective Trust in Close Relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, march 28. 

Murray, S.L., Griffin, D.W., Derrick, J.L., Harris, B., Aloni, M. & Leder, S. (2011).
Tempting fate or inviting happiness? Unrealistic idealization prevents the decline of marital satisfaction. Psychological Science, 22, 619-626. 

Murray, S. L., Aloni, M., Holmes, J. G., Derrick, J. L., Anthony, D., & Leder, S. (2009). Fostering partner dependence as trust insurance: The implicit contingencies of the exchange script in close relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 96, 324-348. 

Murray, S. L., Holmes, J. G., Aloni, M., Pinkus, R., Derrick, J. L., & Leder, S. (2009). Commitment-insurance: Compensating for the autonomy costs of interdependence in close relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 97, 256-278. 

Aloni, M. & Bernieri, F. J. (2004). Is love blind? The effects of experience and infatuation on the perception of love. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior.