Her research focuses on the psychological drivers of consumers’ behavior. She is particularly interested in strategies that enhance consumers’ feelings of order and structure in an often chaotic, uncertain world. For example, she uncovers how consumption and certain belief systems (related to religion, personal control, culture, etc.) provide interchangeable sources of order and structure. Prior projects have also addressed branding issues and the role of emotion in consumer decision-making. Current projects continue to explore a variety of issues related to individuals’ abilities to navigate their environments, addressing the influence of resource constraints, religion and consumers’ physical appearance on behavior.