I am primarily an experimental social psychologist focusing on the interface between social cognition and close relationship processes. However, I am increasingly adopting an interdisciplinary perspective, paying particular attention to evolutionary psychology. My theoretical and research interests are tied to one central theme -- the understanding of lay social theories, or knowledge structures, and how these are causally related to cognition, emotion, and interpersonal behaviour. Current (collaborative) research projects include the study of bias and accuracy of judgments in relationships, regulation and communication in intimate relationships, and judgments and sex differences in the very early stages of mate selection.

Primary Interests:

Causal Attribution
Close Relationships
Evolution and Genetics
Interpersonal Processes
Personality, Individual Differences
Social Cognition

Causal Attribution
Close Relationships
Evolution and Genetics

Interpersonal Processes
Personality, Individual Differences
Social Cognition

Books:

Fletcher, G. J. O. (2002). The new science of intimate relationships. Malden, MA: Blackwell.
Fletcher, G. J. O. (1995). The scientific credibility of folk psychology. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Fletcher, G. J. O., Simpson, J. A., Campbell, L., & Overall, N. C. (forthcoming). The science of intimate relationships. Cambridge: Wiley-Blackwell.

Journal Articles:

Boyes, A. D., & Fletcher, G. J. O. (2007). Meta-awareness of bias in intimate relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 286-306.
Boyes, A. D., Fletcher, G. J. O., & Latner, J. D. (2007). Risk factors for eating disorders: The role of intimate relationships. Journal of Family Psychology, 21, 764-768.
Fletcher, G. J. O., & Kerr, P. S. G. (2010). Through the eyes of love: Reality and illusion in intimate relationships. Psychological Bulletin, 136, 627-658.
Fletcher, G. J. O., & Kerr, P. S. G. (2009). Why dispositions won’t go away. Behavior and Philosophy, 37, 119-125.
Lackenbauer, S. D., Campbell, L., Rubin, H., Fletcher, G. J. O., & Troister, T. (2010). Seeing clearly through rose-coloured glasses: The unique and combined benefits of being perceived accurately and in a positively biased manner by romantic partners. Personal Relationships, 17, 475-493.
Overall, N. C., & Fletcher, G. J. O. (2010). Perceiving regulation from intimate partners: Reflected appraisal processes in close relationships. Personal Relationships, 17, 433-456.
Overall, N.C., Fletcher, G. J. O., & Simpson, J.A. (2010). Helping each other grow: Romantic partner support, self-improvement, and relationship quality. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 11, 1496-1513
Overall, N. C., Fletcher, G. J. O., & Simpson, J. A. (2009). Regulating partners in intimate relationships: The costs and benefits of different communication strategies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 96, 620-639.
Overall, N. C., Fletcher, G. J. O., & Simpson, J. A. (2006). Regulation processes in intimate relationships: The role of ideal standards. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91, 662-685.

Other Publications:

Fitness, J., Fletcher, G. J. O., & Overall, N. (2007). Interpersonal Attraction and Intimate Relationships. In M. Hogg & J. Cooper (Eds.). Updated and revised version for the Concise Student Edition of the Sage handbook of social psychology (pp. 219-240). London: Sage.
Fletcher, G, J, O., & Overall, N. C. (2010). Intimate Relationships. In (Eds.) R. Baumeister and E. Finkel. Advanced Social Psychology (pp 461-494), NY: Oxford University Press.
Fletcher, G. J. O., & Overall N. C. (2007). The self in intimate relationships: A social evolutionary account. In J. Forgas, M. Haselton, & W. V. Hippel (Eds.), The evolution of the social mind: Evolutionary psychology and social cognition (pp. 195-209). Cambridge University Press.

Courses Taught:

Multivariate Statistics and Methodology
Social Psychology
The Science of Intimate Relationships

Multivariate Statistics and Methodology
Social Psychology

The Science of Intimate Relationships

Garth Fletcher
Department of Psychology
P.O. Box 600
Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

Work: +64 4 4721000, ext. 67
Mobile: 021 2307439
Email: Garth.Fletcher@vuw.ac.nz