
Self-Expansion
A majority of my work examines self-expansion, a motivation to enhance the self’s capabilities through the accumulation of knowledge, experience, identity and other resources, largely through relationships. Thus, my research program examines self-expansion and self processes in several facets of relationships: relationship initiation, attraction, relationship maintenance, susceptibility to infidelity, and break-up.

Dr. Lewandowski discusses self-expansion with the Millionaire Matchmaker.
Relationship Processes
Other relationship research focuses on how learning about someone’s personality influences perceptions of their physical attractiveness, the experience of personal growth and positive outcomes following relationship dissolution, including strategies to promote positive outcomes.
Selected Articles (*=Undergraduate Co-Author)
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Lewandowski, G. W., Jr., Mattingly, B. A., & Pedreiro, A.* (2014). Under pressure: The effects of stress on positive and negative relationship behaviors. Journal of Social Psychology, 154, 463-473. doi: 10.1080/00224545.2014.933162
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Lewandowski, G. W., Jr., & Nardone, N.* (2012). Self-concept clarity's role in self-other agreement and the accuracy of behavioral prediction. Self and Identity, 11, 71-89. doi: 10.1080/15298868.2010.512133
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Lewandowski, G. W., Jr., Ciarocco, N., Pettenato, M.*, & Stephan, J.* (2012). Pick me up: Ego depletion and depletion and receptivity to relationship initiation. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 29, 1071-1084. doi: 10.1177/0265407512449401
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Lewandowski, G. W., Jr. (2009). Promoting positive emotions following relationship dissolution through writing. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 4(1), 21-31. doi:10.1080/17439760802068480
Self & Identity
Another major line of research focuses on self-processes. Specifically I have focused on the benefits of self-concept clarity, or how clearly and confidently one defines the self, on how accurately a person's knows their self. The main line of inquiry, however, explores the nature and benefits of self-expansion outside of relationships. These benefits include increased effort, increased self-efficacy, and increased job satisfaction and commitment.
Selected Articles (*=Undergraduate Co-Author)
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McIntyre, K. P., Mattingly, B. A., Lewandowski, G. W., Jr., & Simpson, A.* (2015). When “we” changes “me”: The two-dimensional model of relational self-change and relationship outcomes. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 32, 857–878. doi: 10.1177/0265407514553334.
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McIntyre, K. P., Mattingly, B. A., Lewandowski, G. W., Jr., & Simpson, A.* (2014). Workplace self-expansion: Implications for job satisfaction, commitment, self-concept clarity and self-esteem among the employed and unemployed. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 36, 59-69. doi: 10.1080/01973533.2013.856788
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Mattingly, B. A., & Lewandowski, G. W., Jr. (2013). An expanded self is a more capable self: The association between self-concept size and self-efficacy. Self and Identity, 12, 621-634.. doi:10.1080/15298868.2012.718863
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Mattingly, B. A., & Lewandowski, G. W., Jr. (2013). The power of one: Benefits of individual self-expansion. Journal of Positive Psychology, 8, 12-22. doi: 10.1080/17439760.2012.746999
Research Assistants

Brittany D'Annunzio
Lab Director
Brittany is a senior. Her main interests within psychology include relationships, positive psychology, trauma and addiction. After earning her undergraduate degree in psychology, Brittany plans on getting her PhD in psychology.

Elizabeth Roderick
Liz is a junior and her main interests of study are how relationships affect the self, and social influence. She hopes to one day add to the literature concerning the formation of the self. Liz also plans to attend graduate school upon her completion of undergraduate study.
Lab Alumni
2003 Crystal White MS, LPC Case Manager I/Intake Worker at Monmouth Medical Center
2005 Robert Ackerman Ph.D. Michigan State University; Assistant Professor U-Texas Dallas
2005 Lynne (Canberg) Fasanella Masters Marriage Family Therapy Drexel U, Master's Nutrition Montclair State U
2005 Rebecca (Hampson) McFadden Assistant Vice President, Learning at L'Oréal USA
2005 Dani Faith Sahner Law School, Boston University
2006 Nikki (DiBenedetto) Bizzoco Ph.D. Political Science Rutgers University
2006 Kathrine Evans-Giampapa Masters, Marriage Family Therapy Drexel University, Therapist/Supervisor at Robins' Nest Inc.
2007 Samantha Harrington Masters Forensic Psychology John Jay College
2007 Lauren Korcz Master’s, Sport and Exercise Psychology, Barry University
2007 Natalie Nardone Ph.D., Social Psychology, Stony Brook University; Project Manager at UCSF
2007 Alanna Raines Master's Columbia University
2007 Tara Scarponi MBA, Management & Entrepreneurial Studies Farleigh Dickinson University
2008 Leigh-Ann Javas Master's Social Work San Diego State University
2008 Erin Sammon Master’s, Alcohol & Drug Abuse, Kean University
2008 Fortune Shababo Master's, Psychological Counseling, Columbia University
2008 Susan (St Amour) Orecchio Master's The College of New Jersey, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs TCNJ
2009 Leilani Chin Buyer at HBO
2009 Jessica Stephan Master’s, School Psychology, Georgian Court University
2010 Michele Petenatto Master's, Psychological Counseling, Monmouth University
2010 Kaitlin Weldon Psy.D., Immaculate University, Mental health therapist at Moorestown VNA and hospice
2011 Emma Higgins Psy.D., Immaculata University
2011 Stephanie Kocsik Master's Oxford University; Lab Manager Stanford University
2011 Gina Radice Psy.D., Xavier University
2012 Jackie Abate Psy.D., University of Indianapolis
2012 Miranda Bobrowski Ph.D., University of Buffalo
2013 Victoria Drake Analyst, Digital Ad Sales Research, Nickelodeon/Viacom; Master's New York University
2013 Jeff Viaud Ph.D., University of Memphis
2014 Amanda Branick Protocol and Data Management Coordinator Naval Medical Center San Diego
2014 Veronica Ozog Master's, Columbia University, Ph.D. Adelphi University
2014 Colleen Thomas Associate Scientist, L'Oreal USA; Master's University of South Carolina
2015 Lauren Acri Masters, Social Psychology, New York University
2016 Erin Hughes Masters, Social Psychology, Villanova University; Ph.D. Northeastern University