Research Description

My primary research interests are extending and applying social psychological work to improve the design and implementation of health-promotion programs. As such, I am a social health psychologist, who has extensive training in both laboratory and field methodologies. This integration of social and health psychology has allowed me, in collaboration with my advisor and several talented undergraduate students, to combine the rigorously controlled situations of the laboratory while also using field methods and tools to analyze the efficacy of health-promotion interventions. My passion is investigating the motivational mechanisms underlying health behavior change, and using this information to design the most effective programs possible to promote long-term health.

Education

• M.S., University of Florida

Webpages

• Social Action Lab

Recent Publications

Albarracin, D., Durantini, M. R., & Earl, A. (2006). Empirical and theoretical conclusions of an analysis of outcomes of HIV-prevention interventions. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15, 73-78.

Albarracin, D., Durantini, M.R., Earl, A., Gunnoe, J.B., & Leeper, J. (2008). Beyond the most willing audiences: A meta-intervention to increase exposure to HIV prevention interventions by vulnerable populations. Health Psychology, 26, 496-506.

Albarracin, D., Gillette, J.C., Earl, A., Glasman, L.R., Durantini, M.R., & Ho, M.H. (2005). A test of major assumptions about behavior change: A comprehensive look at the effects of passive and active HIV-prevention interventions since the beginning of the epidemic. Psychological Bulletin, 131, 856-897.

Earl, A., & Albarracin, D. (2007). Nature, decay, and spiraling of the effects of fear-inducing arguments and HIV counseling and testing: A meta-analysis of the short and long-term outcomes of HIV-prevention interventions. Health Psychology, 26, 496-506.

Earl, A., Albarracin, D., Durantini, M.R., Gunnoe, J.B., Leeper, J.H., & Levitt, J.H. (2009). Participation in counseling programs: High-risk participants are reluctant to accept HIV-prevention counseling. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77, 668-679.