Claudia C. Torres

I am a fifth-year PhD candidate at the University of Notre Dame. My research examines how people cognitively engage with their work and workplace relationships. Drawing on my background in neuroscience, I investigate the mental processes that shape behavior to advance our understanding of workplace dynamics. My work spans three research areas—play at work, trust, and meaning—using cognitive engagement as a lens to address key theoretical questions across each domain.

Papers Under Review

Sharma, S., Colquitt, J. A., & Torres, C. C. (revise and resubmit). Why do jokes foster trust?: Cognitive versus affective explanations for the leader humor to trust in leader connection. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes.

Colquitt, J. A., Torres, C. C., & McClain, J. T. (revise and resubmit). Moving beyond the target: An existential meaning-based explanation for justice effects on work behavior. Academy of Management Review.

McClain, J. T., Colquitt, J. A., & Torres, C. C. (revise and resubmit). Meaning in life and work: An integrative meta-analysis of general and dimensional effects. Psychological Bulletin.

Colquitt, J. A., Boncoeur, O. D., & Torres, C. C. (under review). Giving the benefit of the doubt: Relational hope as an additional lens for explaining trust dynamics between coworkers. Organization Science.

Papers In Progress

Torres, C. C., & Colquitt, J. A. (data collection). Pretending the odds are against them: The effects of underdog emulation on work motivation. Target: Academy of Management Journal.

Torres, C. C. (data collection). Identity play at work: A measure validation for use in quantitative studies. Target: Journal of Applied Psychology.

Boncoeur, O. D., & Torres, C. C. (research design). Trust and loneliness: An approach-avoid examination of their within-person connection. Target: Journal of Applied Psychology.

Torres, C. C., Colquitt, J. A., & McClain, J. T. (research design). Making fairness happen: Justice proactivity as a tool for fostering meaning amid uncertainty. Target: Organization Science.

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