Research

People involved in social interactions influence each other’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Personality traits, interpersonal behavior, and interpersonal perceptions of interaction partners may be important antecedents of emotional experiences and their social consequences. Extending previous research, our objective is to investigate the interpersonal dynamics of personality and emotions in social interactions. We claim that emotional experiences in dyadic interactions and their social outcomes can never be fully understood without analyzing the perspectives of both individuals. In order to account for the interpersonal dynamics, the PESI project utilizes a dyadic design and social interactions, and a multimethod assessment of the study variables, i.e., self- and partner-reports from both interaction partners and video-based analyses.

German Research Foundation (DFG; 2017-2021, PI: K. Rentzsch)

Literature:
Rentzsch, K., Giese, A.-K., Hebel, V., & Lösch, T. (2023). Personality and Emotions in Social Interactions – the PESI project. Personality Science, 4, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.5964/ps.8241
Lange, J., Hagemeyer, B., Lösch, T., & Rentzsch, K. (2020). Accuracy and bias in the social perception of envy. Emotion, 20(8), 1399-1410. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000652

Contact: Katrin Rentzsch, katrin.rentzsch(at)ku.de

go to top

Self-Evaluations Across LiFe (SELF)

In our research on the development of self-evaluations, we are interested in various dimensions of self-esteem, which can vary depending on the domain (such as professional performance or social contacts). For example, a person may rate themselves positively in the performance domain (“I am satisfied with my professional performance”) but negatively in the social domain (“I feel uncomfortable in contact with others”). Current research attributes a special role to domain-specific self-evaluations for well-being, academic performance, social interaction, and health. In our research, we are interested in changes in the person or the environment that have an effect on domain-specific self-esteem and vice versa. In this context, the stability and development of domain-specific self-esteem is being investigated using our own longitudinal study. The target group is participants between the ages of 18 and 88. The longitudinal project examines the course of the development of self-evaluations and which factors (such as age, health, income) moderate this development.

Literature:
Rentzsch, K., & Schröder-Abé, M. (2022). Top down or bottom up? Evidence from the longitudinal development of global and domain-specific self-esteem in adulthood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 122(4), 714–730. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000393

Erz, E., & Rentzsch, K. (2022). Stability and change in dispositional envy: Longitudinal evidence on envy as a stable trait. European Journal of Personality. Advance online publication https://doi.org/10.1177/08902070221128137

Contact: Katrin Rentzsch, katrin.rentzsch(at)ku.de

go to top

Personality and cultural context

Although theories of personality psychology have emphasized the relevance of cultural influences, the cultural context has often been neglected in empirical research to date. The majority of previous studies are based on WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) samples and focus on a narrow range of personality dimensions. This research practice not only carries the risk of limited transferability to other cultural contexts, but also the danger of misguided conclusions with potentially problematic social and practical consequences. Against this background, we pursue the central question: Which aspects of personality are universal, which are culture-specific? Our research approach aims to critically review existing models of personality structure and develop them further in a culturally sensitive manner. The goal of this research is to capture the cultural contingency of personality in a differentiated way, to enable empirically grounded statements about the cultural universality or contextuality of specific traits, and thus to contribute to a globally relevant personality psychology.

Literature:
Kura, M., Rentzsch, K. & Thalmayer, A. G. (2025). Big six personality traits in the Africa Long Life Study. Journal of Research in Personality, 104603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2025.104603

Kura, M., & Rentzsch, K. (2025). Context effects on the personality network—Exploring differences between East and West Germans. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000569

Contact: Katrin Rentzsch, katrin.rentzsch(at)ku.de

go to top

Situational perception in romantic relationships: a daily diary study

A dyadic diary study is being conducted to investigate the relationship between personality traits and relationship outcomes (such as relationship satisfaction) among partners in a relationship. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of underlying mechanisms. For example, we examine the extent to which similarity in personality traits of both partners is associated with relationship satisfaction. In addition, we investigate distinct relationships between agentic and antagonistic forms of narcissism and relationship satisfaction mediated by cognitive processes of situation perception.

Literature:
Rentzsch, K., Columbus, S., Balliet, D. P., & Gerlach, T. M. (2022). Similarity in situation perception predicts relationship satisfaction. Personality Science, 3(e8007). https://doi.org/10.5964/ps.8007

Rentzsch, K., Wieczorek, L. L., & Gerlach, T. M. (2021). Situation perception mediates the link between narcissism and relationship satisfaction: Evidence from a daily diary study in romantic couples. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 12(7), 1241-1253. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550620987419

Contact: Katrin Rentzsch, katrin.rentzsch@ku.de

go to top

Replicability of psychological research

The replicability of scientific studies is a key element of scientific progress. Replication studies can be used to investigate the extent to which previous research results stand up to further scrutiny. For example, psychological studies should produce the same results when repeated under the same conditions. In this context, we participate in international replication studies such as the Pre-Registered Replication Report of the Ego-Depletion Effect and the Many Labs 5 project.

Literature:
Ebersole, C. R., Mathur, M. B., ..., Rentzsch, K., …, & Nosek, B. A. (2020). Many Labs 5: Testing pre-data collection peer review as an intervention to increase replicability. Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science, 3(3), 309-331 https://doi.org/10.1177/2515245920958687

Hagger, M. S., Chatzisarantis, N. L. D., Alberts, H., Anggono, C. O., Birt, A., Brand, R., … Rentzsch, K., … Zweinenberg, M. (2016). A multi-lab pre-registered replication of the ego-depletion effect. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 11(4), 546-573. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691616652873

Contact: Katrin Rentzsch, katrin.rentzsch@ku.de

go to top

Individual differences in stress reactivity in relation to momentary exhaustion

Acute stressors (e.g., time pressure) can cause a reduction in heart rate variability (HRV). However, the extent of individual stress reactivity varies greatly from person to person, with excessive stress reactivity being associated with adverse outcomes (e.g., emotional exhaustion). Previous studies have primarily focused on emotional stress reactivity, which was induced in the laboratory and recorded once. The aim of this project is to operationalize physiological stress reactivity as a person-specific contingency based on repeated field measurements within the framework of an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) with continuous ECG measurement and to investigate its effects on everyday strain outcomes.

Contact: regina.schmid(at)ku.de

go to top

Domain specificity of procrastination

Research in recent years has postulated the domain specificity of procrastination (e.g., Klingsieck, 2013). Procrastinators rarely tend to put off tasks equally in all areas of life. Rather, there are areas such as work, relationships, or leisure time in which procrastination occurs to varying degrees and in different ways. The aim of the project is to quantitatively assess the extent of procrastination and to identify qualitative differences in domain-specific forms of procrastination. This includes considering the subjective and objective consequences of procrastination, the subjective assessment of one's own procrastination, and the significance of situational and personal determinants of procrastination.

Contact: christof.zoelch(at)ku.de

go to top

Working memory development in three- to six-year-old children

This project develops new operationalizations of short-term memory and processing tasks for younger kindergarten children aged three to four years. Since the retrieval of temporarily stored information interferes with the retention and availability of serial information, the forms of retrieval of whole and partial reproduction are contrasted in this context. This makes it possible to investigate fundamental processes with regard to the functioning of working memory in younger children in a developmentally appropriate manner. This links the question of the architecture of working memory in younger children to the question of the developmental specificity of memory and control processes (cf. Zoelch & Mähler, 2012).

Contact: christof.zoelch(at)ku.de

go to top

Pre-crastination

Precrastination refers to the behavioral tendency to complete new tasks immediately, regardless of their possible low importance or urgency. Immediate completion can compromise the quality of the task at hand. Furthermore, precrastination can cause stress by postponing other important or more urgent tasks. Currently, questionnaires on work-related precrastination are being developed and tested in this project. In a next step, these scales will be used to jointly investigate precrastination with personality variables and aspects of self-regulation.

Contact: christof.zoelch(at)ku.de

go to top

Success factors in vocational rehabilitation and integration processes – an analysis of individual cases in vocational training centers (BRIV)

The project focuses on the increasing discontinuity in qualification measures and makes a practical contribution to increasing the effectiveness of services for participation in working life (LTA) in vocational training centers. Vocational rehabilitation is seen as a process of adaptation by participants to their new life situations. The aim is to address the breaks and critical points in the complex processes in order to develop measures tailored to the respective situation of the participants to strengthen their resilience. During the five-year project, a mixed-methods approach will combine qualitative and quantitative methods as well as retrospective and prospective approaches. The research project is being carried out in cooperation with the OVGU Magdeburg and the BFW Birkenfeld and Koblenz.

Funded by: DRV Bund, DRV Rheinland-Pfalz
Prioject duration: 2022-2026
Funding amount: 298.500,- (Anteil KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt)
PI: Dr. Regina Weißmann, Prof. i.R. Dr. Joachim Thomas

go to top

BfA – Creating and sharing conditions for successful utilization (BfA-Gelingt)

The project examines the conditions necessary for people with disabilities to successfully transition into the general labor market with the help of the Budget for Work (BfA). A qualitative interview study identified various factors that promote or hinder participation in the program. Together with the interviewees (people with disabilities, WfbM specialists, politicians, and social workers), the researchers also identified possible solutions. The results were translated into a counseling service for (potential) budget recipients and interested employers, as well as recommendations for action for WfbM specialists. At the heart of the project is an approach to supporting (potential) budget recipients in the transition phase using the method of ambulatory monitoring and coaching, in order to take into account the important success factor of low-threshold follow-up support.

Publications:
Köse, B. & Beyer, T. (2023). Budget für Arbeit bei Berufserfahrung außerhalb der WfbM. Anmerkung zu SG Nürnberg, Urteil vom 24. November 2021 – S 22 SO 59/19. In: br – Behinderung und Recht. Fachzeitschrift für Inklusion, Teilhabe und Rehabilitation.62(7), 192-198. 

Schmid, R. F., Orlandt, S., Weißmann, R., Köse, B., Bartosch, C., & Thomas, J. (2023). Using smartphone-based daily diaries and coachings to support vocational inclusion of people with disabilities. Communities in New Media. https://doi.org/10.25368/2024.7

Köse, B., Weißmann, R., Schmid, R., Bartosch, C. & Thomas J. (in Druck). Förder- und Hemmfaktoren des BfA aus Sicht der Menschen mit Behinderung. Die Teilhabe. Fachzeitschrift der Lebenshilfe. 

Weißmann, R. & Thomas, J. (in Druck). Arbeit auf dem allgemeinen Arbeitsmarkt. Eine qualitative Befragung zu Wünschen und Erfahrungen von Menschen mit geistiger Behinderung. In P. Schlögl (Hrsg.). Krise und Nachhaltigkeit. Herausforderungen für berufliche Bildung. wbv  

Weißmann, R., Köse, B., Schmid, R.F., Bartosch, C., Michele, A., & Thomas, J. (in Druck). Die Nutzung des Budgets für Arbeit (BfA) zur Überwindung des Arbeits- und Fachkräftemangels in Deutschland – Implikationen für die Beratung von Arbeitgeber: innen. In P. Buck, S. Ixmeier & D. Münk (Hrsg.). Chancen für Alle durch (berufliche) Bildung: Inklusion und Teilhabe für Menschen mit gesundheitlicher Beeinträchtigung. Wbv

Funded by: Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS)
Project duration: 2020-2023
Funding amount: 1.811.863,- (Gesamtvolumen)
PI: Prof. i.R. Dr. Joachim Thomas
Contact: regina.weissmann(at)ku.de, regina.schmid(at)ku.de

go to top

RehaConnect: Analysis and optimization of interfaces in vocational rehabilitation for people with alcohol dependency

The “RehaConnect” research project is dedicated to optimizing support measures for people with alcohol dependency, especially during the transition from inpatient withdrawal/detoxification treatment to vocational rehabilitation and reintegration into social and working life. As part of this multicenter project, retrospective data analyses are being conducted to map individual access pathways for patients and rehabilitation patients. In addition, prospective data is being collected using electronic questionnaire progress measurements and interviews in acute care clinics, inpatient rehabilitation clinics, and a vocational training center. The aim is to identify important bio-psycho-social and environmental factors and to determine the need for support and intervention. The findings from these studies will form the basis for a Delphi survey to further optimize interface management.

Funded by: Deutsche Rentenversicherung Mitteldeutschland (DRV MD)
Project period: 2022-2024
Funding amount: 280.741
PI: Prof. i.R. Dr. Joachim Thomas, Prof. DDr. Janusz Surzykiewicz, Dr. Fanny Loth

Contact: verena.kakuschke(at)ku.de, joachim.thomas(at)ku.de

go to top