Current Projects
Evaluating and improving an inclusive syllabus template: including student Voices
This project aims to enhance a syllabus template grounded in best practices for inclusive teaching and universal design for learning. This initiative seeks to provide a valuable resource for instructors in the UofT psychology department and beyond. To ensure the template meets the diverse needs of all students, we are conducting focus groups to gather feedback from students of various backgrounds and identities. By incorporating student voices, we aim to create a more effective and inclusive teaching tool that will benefit both students and instructors, ultimately impacting hundreds of learners within and outside our department.
Student Roles:
Project Lead: Paniz Salehi
Student Roles:
- Programming Survey
- Recruiting participants and running focus groups
- Coding and analyzing data
- Reviewing literature
- Writing up findings
- Updating syllabus resources
Project Lead: Paniz Salehi
Enhancing Student Success & Well-Being: Supporting Basic Psychological Needs Through Second Year Learning Communities at UofT
The Second Year Learning Communities (SLC) program at the University of Toronto is designed to foster academic and personal growth among second-year students by creating a supportive environment for developing academic interests and networks. Our research investigates how participation in the SLC program impacts students' satisfaction of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), their motivation, and overall well-being, based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT). We aim to assess whether SLC participants experience greater need support, and, in turn, higher levels of intrinsic motivation, academic satisfaction, and well-being health compared to non-participants.
Project Lead: TBD
Student Roles:
Project Lead: TBD
Student Roles:
- Assisting with REB (Research Ethics Board) proposal
- Programming Survey
- Recruiting participants
- Coding and analyzing data
- Reviewing literature
- Writing up findings
Final-Year Student Burnout in Career Navigation: Applying the Demand-Resource Model
This project investigates the prevalence of and factors associated with burnout among final-year undergraduate students at the University of Toronto as they navigate job and graduate school applications. Utilizing the Demand-Resource Model, we aim to understand how various stressors (demands) and supports (resources) influence student burnout, motivation, well-being, and cognitive performance during this critical transition phase. By administering an online questionnaire, we will measure factors such as parental pressure, financial stress, time constraints, and social support, as well as personal traits like intolerance of uncertainty and hardiness.
Student Roles:
Project Lead: Dorothy Kwok & TBD
Student Roles:
- Assisting with REB (Research Ethics Board) proposal
- Recruiting participants
- Analyzing data
- Reviewing literature
- Writing up findings
Project Lead: Dorothy Kwok & TBD
Motivations for Wearing GAG & Well-Being
This project investigates how the reasons behind the choice to wear or not wear gender-affirming gear (GAG) affect the well-being of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals. We explore whether approach motivations such as seeking gender affirmation and euphoria are associated with higher well-being compared to avoidance-focused reasons such as avoiding negative reactions from others or minimizing discomfort. The study will also examine associations with feelings of authenticity and alignment with one's gender identity.
Student Roles:
Project Lead: Chris Wong
Student Roles:
- Recruiting participants
- Coding and analyzing data
- Reviewing literature
- Writing up findings
Project Lead: Chris Wong
Selected Publications
For a full list of my publications and presentations download my CV: w._ryan_cv_8.22.pdf
Leskinen, E. A., Horne, S. G., Ryan, W. S., & van der Toorn, J. (2024). The opportunities and limits of open science for LGBTIQ+ research. Journal of Social Issues, 80(3), 1000-1021.
van der Toorn, J., Bracco, S. E., Gaitho, W., Ryan, W. S., Horne, S. G., Anderson, J. R., & Leskinen, E. A. (2024). Inclusion and protection in tension: Reflections on gathering sexual orientation and gender identity data in the workplace. Journal of Social Issues, 80(3), 947-972.
Ryan, W. S., Moore, A. (2023). A Self-Determination Theory Perspective on Stigma and Prejudice, The Oxford Handbook of Self-Determination Theory, 1106-1129
Ryan, R.M., Duineveld, J. J., Di Domenico, S. I., Ryan, W. S., Steward, B. A., & Bradshaw, E. L. (2022). We know this much is (meta-analytically) true: A meta-review of meta-analytic findings evaluating self-determination theory. Psychological Bulletin, 148(11-12), 813–842.
Al-Khouja, M., Weinstein, N., Ryan, W.S., & Legate, N. (2022). Self-expression can be authentic or inauthentic, with differential outcomes for well-being: Development of the authentic and inauthentic expression scale (AIES). Journal of Research in Personality, 97, 104191.
Johnston, P. R.*, Volkov, A.E.*, & Ryan, W.S., & Lee, S.W.S. (2022). Planning, conducting, and analyzing a psychophysiological experiment on challenge and threat: A Comprehensive Tutorial. Behaviour Research Methods. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-022-01817-4
Psychological Science Accelerator Self-Determination Theory Collaboration (2022). A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/n3dyf
Jaremka, L.M., Ackerman, J.M., Gawronski, B., Rule, N.O., Sweeny, K., Tropp, L.R., Metz, M.A., Molina, L., Ryan, W.S., & Vick, S.B. (2020). Common academic experiences no one talks about: Repeated rejection, imposter syndrome, and burnout. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 15, 519-543
Lin, Y. J., Israel, T., & Ryan, W. S. (2019). Releasing internalized stigma for empowerment: Development of theory-driven interventions for sexual and gender minorities. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 13(4), 276-292.
Moors, A., Ryan, W. S., & Chopik, W. B., (2019). Multiple loves: The effects of attachment with multiple concurrent romantic partners on relational functioning. Personality & Individual Differences, 147, 102-110.
Ryan, W. S., & Ryan, R. M. (2019). Toward a social psychology of authenticity: Exploring within-person variation in self-disclosure, congruence, and genuineness using self-determination theory. Review of General Psychology, 23, 99-112.
Legate, N., Weinstein, N., Ryan, W. S., DeHaan, C. R., Ryan, R. M. (2018). Parental Autonomy Support Predicts Lower Internalized Homophobia and Better Psychological Health Indirectly through Lower Shame in Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Adults. Stigma & Health, no pagination specified.
Weinstein, N., Legate, N., Ryan, W. S., & Hemmy, L. (2018). Autonomous Orientation Predicts Longevity: New Findings from The Nun Study. Journal of Personality, 87, 181-193.
Cieslak, M., Ryan, W. S., Babenko, V., Erro, H., Rathbun, Z.M., Meiring, W., Kelsey, R., Blascovich, J., & Grafton, S. (2017). Quantifying rapid changes in cardiovascular state with a moving ensemble average, Psychophysiology, 1-17.
Ryan, W. S., Hunger, J. M., & Major, B. N. (2017). Applying Intergroup Relations to Understanding LGB Health Disparities Threat. Journal of Social Issues. 73(3), 477-492.
Ryan, W. S., Legate, N., Weinstein, N. & Rahman, Q. (2017). Autonomy support fosters lesbian, gay, and bisexual identity disclosure and wellness, especially for those with internalized homophobia. Journal of Social Issues, 73, 289-306.
Weinstein, N., Legate, N., Ryan, W.S., Cozzolino, P. J., & Sedikides, C. (2017). Autonomy support for conflictual and non-conflictual identities: Effects on ownership and Psychological Health. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 64, 584-599.
Ryan, W. S., Legate, N., & Weinstein, N. (2015). Coming out as Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual: The lasting impact of initial disclosure experiences. Self and Identity, 14, 549-569.
Cieslak, M., Ryan, W. S., Macy, A., Kelsey, R. M., Cornick, J. E., Verket, M., Blascovich, J., & Grafton, S. (2014). Simultaneous acquisition of functional magnetic resonance images and impedance cardiography. Psychophysiology, 52, 481-488.
Ryan, W. S., & Blascovich, J. (2014). Measures of attitudes towards sexual orientation: heterosexism, homophobia, and internalized stigma. In G. Boyle & D. Saklofske (Eds.), Measures of personality and social psychological constructs (pp. 719-751). London, United Kingdom: Academic Press. (contact me for PDF)
Weinstein, N., Ryan, W. S., DeHaan, C. R., Przybylski, A. K., Legate, N., & Ryan, R. M. (2012). Parental autonomy support and discrepancies between implicit and explicit sexual identities: Dynamics of self-acceptance and defense. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102, 815-832.
**All publications are intended for academic and educational use only**
Leskinen, E. A., Horne, S. G., Ryan, W. S., & van der Toorn, J. (2024). The opportunities and limits of open science for LGBTIQ+ research. Journal of Social Issues, 80(3), 1000-1021.
van der Toorn, J., Bracco, S. E., Gaitho, W., Ryan, W. S., Horne, S. G., Anderson, J. R., & Leskinen, E. A. (2024). Inclusion and protection in tension: Reflections on gathering sexual orientation and gender identity data in the workplace. Journal of Social Issues, 80(3), 947-972.
Ryan, W. S., Moore, A. (2023). A Self-Determination Theory Perspective on Stigma and Prejudice, The Oxford Handbook of Self-Determination Theory, 1106-1129
Ryan, R.M., Duineveld, J. J., Di Domenico, S. I., Ryan, W. S., Steward, B. A., & Bradshaw, E. L. (2022). We know this much is (meta-analytically) true: A meta-review of meta-analytic findings evaluating self-determination theory. Psychological Bulletin, 148(11-12), 813–842.
Al-Khouja, M., Weinstein, N., Ryan, W.S., & Legate, N. (2022). Self-expression can be authentic or inauthentic, with differential outcomes for well-being: Development of the authentic and inauthentic expression scale (AIES). Journal of Research in Personality, 97, 104191.
Johnston, P. R.*, Volkov, A.E.*, & Ryan, W.S., & Lee, S.W.S. (2022). Planning, conducting, and analyzing a psychophysiological experiment on challenge and threat: A Comprehensive Tutorial. Behaviour Research Methods. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-022-01817-4
Psychological Science Accelerator Self-Determination Theory Collaboration (2022). A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/n3dyf
Jaremka, L.M., Ackerman, J.M., Gawronski, B., Rule, N.O., Sweeny, K., Tropp, L.R., Metz, M.A., Molina, L., Ryan, W.S., & Vick, S.B. (2020). Common academic experiences no one talks about: Repeated rejection, imposter syndrome, and burnout. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 15, 519-543
Lin, Y. J., Israel, T., & Ryan, W. S. (2019). Releasing internalized stigma for empowerment: Development of theory-driven interventions for sexual and gender minorities. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 13(4), 276-292.
Moors, A., Ryan, W. S., & Chopik, W. B., (2019). Multiple loves: The effects of attachment with multiple concurrent romantic partners on relational functioning. Personality & Individual Differences, 147, 102-110.
Ryan, W. S., & Ryan, R. M. (2019). Toward a social psychology of authenticity: Exploring within-person variation in self-disclosure, congruence, and genuineness using self-determination theory. Review of General Psychology, 23, 99-112.
Legate, N., Weinstein, N., Ryan, W. S., DeHaan, C. R., Ryan, R. M. (2018). Parental Autonomy Support Predicts Lower Internalized Homophobia and Better Psychological Health Indirectly through Lower Shame in Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Adults. Stigma & Health, no pagination specified.
Weinstein, N., Legate, N., Ryan, W. S., & Hemmy, L. (2018). Autonomous Orientation Predicts Longevity: New Findings from The Nun Study. Journal of Personality, 87, 181-193.
Cieslak, M., Ryan, W. S., Babenko, V., Erro, H., Rathbun, Z.M., Meiring, W., Kelsey, R., Blascovich, J., & Grafton, S. (2017). Quantifying rapid changes in cardiovascular state with a moving ensemble average, Psychophysiology, 1-17.
Ryan, W. S., Hunger, J. M., & Major, B. N. (2017). Applying Intergroup Relations to Understanding LGB Health Disparities Threat. Journal of Social Issues. 73(3), 477-492.
Ryan, W. S., Legate, N., Weinstein, N. & Rahman, Q. (2017). Autonomy support fosters lesbian, gay, and bisexual identity disclosure and wellness, especially for those with internalized homophobia. Journal of Social Issues, 73, 289-306.
Weinstein, N., Legate, N., Ryan, W.S., Cozzolino, P. J., & Sedikides, C. (2017). Autonomy support for conflictual and non-conflictual identities: Effects on ownership and Psychological Health. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 64, 584-599.
Ryan, W. S., Legate, N., & Weinstein, N. (2015). Coming out as Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual: The lasting impact of initial disclosure experiences. Self and Identity, 14, 549-569.
Cieslak, M., Ryan, W. S., Macy, A., Kelsey, R. M., Cornick, J. E., Verket, M., Blascovich, J., & Grafton, S. (2014). Simultaneous acquisition of functional magnetic resonance images and impedance cardiography. Psychophysiology, 52, 481-488.
Ryan, W. S., & Blascovich, J. (2014). Measures of attitudes towards sexual orientation: heterosexism, homophobia, and internalized stigma. In G. Boyle & D. Saklofske (Eds.), Measures of personality and social psychological constructs (pp. 719-751). London, United Kingdom: Academic Press. (contact me for PDF)
Weinstein, N., Ryan, W. S., DeHaan, C. R., Przybylski, A. K., Legate, N., & Ryan, R. M. (2012). Parental autonomy support and discrepancies between implicit and explicit sexual identities: Dynamics of self-acceptance and defense. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102, 815-832.
**All publications are intended for academic and educational use only**
Research Interests |
Collaborators |
|
Self-Determination Theory
Stigmatized identities Sexual identity, sexuality, & sexual prejudice Workplace wellness & diversity Organizational Leadership Psychophysiological methods |
Jim Blascovich (University of California, Santa Barbara)
Matthew Cieslak (UPenn) Spike Lee (Mind Body Lab, Rotman School of Management, UofT) Nicole Legate (Illinois Institute of Technology) Geoff MacDonald (University of Toronto) Molly Metz (University of Toronto) Amy Moors (Chapman University) Thuy-Vy Nguyen (Solitude Lab, University of Durham) Richard Ryan (Self-Determination Theory) Netta Weinstein (University of Reading) |