Jennifer Henderlong Corpus

Jennifer Henderlong Corpus is a Professor of Psychology at Reed College, where she has served since 2001. She is renowned for her innovative research on academic motivation, particularly focusing on how praise and reward systems influence intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in educational contexts.

• Education: B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan (1995), Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Stanford University (2000), Postdoctoral Fellow at UCLA (2000-2001).
• Academic Positions: Assistant Professor (2001-2007), Associate Professor (2007-2013), Professor (2013-present), Kenan Professor of Psychology (2025-present).

Her research integrates Self-Determination Theory and developmental psychology to study how praise, perceived cost, and contextual factors shape motivation from childhood through college. She leads the Academic Motivation Lab, which combines experimental research with school-based surveys to examine motivational processes in real-world educational environments.

Recent publications highlight her focus on intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation in college students, bilingual children, and Hispanic students, often applying mixed-methods approaches and longitudinal studies. Notably, her work bridges classroom practices with broader psychological theories, emphasizing the interplay between intrinsic motivation and external pressures.

• Scientific Awards:
  • 2014 Oregon Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching