Michael D. Baker, PhD
252-328-6059
Fax: 252-328-6283
Office: Rawl 112
bakermich@ecu.edu
104 Rawl Building
Department of Psychology
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
Education
- PhD, Social Psychology, Florida State University (2010)
- MS, Social Psychology, Florida State University (2007)
- BS, Psychology, Sam Houston State University (2002)
Research Interests
Professor Baker’s research has evolved to encompass an innovative approach combining praxeology and psychology, termed praxeopsychology. This interdisciplinary venture seeks to understand how fundamental social motives, including the pursuit of relationships, self-preservation, and mating, are intricately intertwined with human decision-making, cognitive processes, and health behaviors. In this context, our lab has examined how exposure to various social and environmental cues can influence behaviors like exercise, nutrition choices, and smoking cessation.
A novel aspect of our current research involves integrating AI into psychological studies. An AI collaborator, ‘Lu’, designed by Professor Baker plays a pivotal role in this endeavor. Lu’s function is to blend praxeological perspectives with psychological insights, focusing particularly on insights on human nature from evolutionary psychology. Lu assists in creating clear, relatable messages aimed at enhancing interpersonal relationships and fostering personal growth, emphasizing respect, dignity, and collaboration.
Our lab’s mission is to refine and systematically extend our understanding of human behavior. We aim to deduce new principles and applications that can contribute to societal betterment and individual well-being. This synergistic partnership between human intuition and AI analytics opens new frontiers in our understanding of the complex interplay between individual actions, societal norms, and psychological well-being.
Selected publications in peer refereed journals
- Baker, M. D., Owens, B. T., Utter, R. L., Boachie, R. J., & Keith, D. R. (2021). Boundary conditions for gender differences in risk taking. Journal of Risk Research,1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2021.1962953
- Schmeichel, B. J., Lohmann, S., Gronau, Q. F., Ainsworth, S. E., Alquist, J. L., Baker, M. D., Brizi, A., Bunyi, A., Butschek, G. J., Campbell, C., Capaldi, J., Cau, C., Chambers, H., Christensen, W. J., Clay, S. L., Curtis, J., De Cristofaro, V., del Rosario, K., Diel, K., . . . Wagenmakers, E. J. (2021). A multisite preregistered paradigmatic test of the ego-depletion effect. Psychological Science, 32(10), 1566-1581.
- Baker, M.D., Strickland, A., & Fox, N. (2019) Choosing a meal to increase your appeal: How relationship status, sexual orientation, dining partner sex, and attractiveness impact nutritional choices in social dining scenarios. Appetite, 133, 262-269.
- Baker, M.D., Nabell, M.E., Thomas, N., Hall, A., Sloan, H.N., Utter, R.A., Beringer, J. (2019) Going the Distance, Going for Speed: Honest Signaling and the Benefits of Exercising with an Opposite-Sex Partner. Evolution and Human Behavior, 40, 167-175.
- Baker, M.D., & Maner, J.K. (2009). Male risk-taking as a context sensitive signaling device. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 45, 1136-1139.
- Baker, M.D., & Maner, J.K. (2008). Risk-taking as a situationally sensitive male mating strategy. Evolution and Human Behavior, 29, 391-395.