Arlen C. Moller

  • Associate Professor of Psychology

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Arlen Moller is an Associate Professor and Director of Undergrad Programs in the Department of Psychology at Illinois Institute of Technology. He completed his bachelor's degree in psychology from Cornell University (2000) and his Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Rochester (2007) with specializations in motivation science and health. After spending time as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Gettysburg College (2007-2009) and the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine (2009-2013), Dr. Moller joined Illinois Tech's Department of Psychology in 2013. 

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At Illinois Tech, Dr. Moller serves as Director of the Motivation Science and Digital Health Lab, supervising undergraduate and graduate students in multiple degree programs, including:

Active lines of research involve developing and testing tools to promote mental and physical health using behavioral science and digital technologies (wearable monitors, video games, and XR). This includes leveraging theories related to intrinsic motivation, game design, self-determination, social identities (e.g., masculinity and sports fandom), and more. We seek to understand behavioral health and wellness as determined by many different factors operating at multiple levels (from individual-level to system-level factors), using multiple research methods (qualitative and quantitative), and integrating multiple disciplinary perspectives (i.e., integrative play and team science). 

Individuals (current students and prospective students) interested in joining the Motivation Science and Digital Health Lab can apply HERE. 

Current Lab Members

  • Sarah Coates, Ph.D. candidate Clinical Psychology (5th year)
    • Research Focus: When and why do wearable fitness tracking devices increase risk for compulsive exercise behaviors?
  • Eddie Silver, Ph.D. candidate Clinical Psychology (3rd year)
    • Research Focus: Exploring the acceptability and feasibility of using digital tools (VR, generative AI, gamification) to deliver exposure therapy to people with OCD.
  • Brennan Harris, Ph.D. candidate Clinical Psychology (2nd year)
    • Research Focus: Designing and testing digital learning tools to support peer-to-peer mental health support on college campuses.

Education

Ph.D., University of Rochester (2007)
B.A., Cornell University (2000)

Research Interests

Motivation Science

Intrinsic Motivation

Behavioral Science

Games Design

Digital Health

Occupational Health

Human Computer Interaction (HCI)

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Center for Self-Determination Theory (Editorial Board, Intrinsic Motivation Section)

Society of Behavioral Medicine 

University of Lisbon, PANOS*SR Research Group

Illinois Tech Center for Ethics in the Professions

Illinois Tech Center for Sports Innovation

Illinois Tech Camras Scholar Program (Faculty Advisor, 2019-2024)

Volunteer Canoe Guide, Friends of the Chicago River

Publications

SELECT RECENT PUBLICATIONS


Digital Behavioral Medicine

Moller, A. C., Kornfield, R., Lu, A. S. (2024). Competition in digital game design: A self-determination theory perspective. Interacting with Computers, Special Issue on Self-Determination Theory in Human Computer Interaction. https://doi.org/10.1093/iwc/iwae023

Moller, A. C., Caio V. S., Lee, K. J., Alon, D., & Lu, A. S. (2023). A comprehensive systematic review and content analysis of active video game intervention research. Digital Health.https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231171232

Moller, A. C., Caio V. S., Lee, K. J., Alon, D., & Lu, A. S. (2023). Active video game interventions targeting physical activity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research: Serious Games. https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e45243

 Keeny, J. Schneider, K., & Moller, A. C. (2019). Lessons learned during the development of an asynchronous, active video game intervention: Moving fantasy sports from sedentary to active. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 41, 200-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.12.003

Moller, A. C., Merchant, G., Conroy, D., West, R., Hekler, E., Kuglar, K., & Michie, S. (2017). Applying and advancing behavior change theories and techniques in the context of digital health interventions. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 40, 85-98. 

Moller, A. C., Majewski, S., Standish, M., Agarwal, P., Podowski, A., Carson, R., Eyesus, B., Shah, A., & Schneider, K. L. (2014). Augmented fantasy sports: Rationale and feasibility of leveraging online fantasy sports to promote physical activity. Journal of Internet Medical Research Serious Games, 4, e13. https://doi.org/10.2196/games.3691

 

Physicians Occupational Health
Moller, A. C., Olafsen, A. H, Jager, A. & Kao, A. C., & Williams, G. C. (2022). Motivational mechanisms underlying physicians’ occupational health: A self-determination theory perspective. Medical Care Research & Review, 79, 255-266. 

Moller, A. C., Jager, A. J., Williams, G. C., & Kao, A. C. (2019). U.S. physicians' work motivation and their occupational health: A national survey of practicing physicians. Medical Care, 57, 334-340.

Kao, A. C., Jager, A., Koenig, B., Moller, A. C., Tutty, M., Williams, G. C., Wright, S. (2018). Physician perception of pay fairness and its association with work satisfaction, intent to leave current practice, and personal health. Journal of General Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-017-4303-8

 

Financial Incentives for Health Behavior Change

Moller, A. C., Ntoumanis, N., & Williams, G. C. (2019). Financial incentives may influence health behaviors, but do we end up with less than we paid for? A self-determination theory perspective. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 53(11), 939–941. https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kaz038

Moller, A. C., Buscemi, J., McFadden, H. G., Hedeker, D., & Spring, B. (2014). Financial motivation undermines potential enjoyment in an intensive diet & activity intervention. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 37, 819-827.  PMID: 24142187, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-013-9542-5

Moller, A.C., McFadden, H. G., Hedeker, D., Spring, B. (2012). Financial motivation undermines maintenance in an intensive diet and activity intervention. Journal of Obesity, 2012, 1-8, https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/740519

 

FULL RECORD OF PUBLICATIONS SEE: 

 

Recent Media Appearances: 

Patents

“Incorporating objective assessments of fantasy-team-owners physical activity into fantasy sport platforms” (Serial No. 14/088,632). https://www.google.com/patents/US9474960

Media Appearances

Associate Dean Carly Kocurek: In Board Games, Players Find Fun, Challenge and Each Other

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Play can help cultivate strategic thinking (there’s a reason chess is the top-selling game of all time), provide additional structure for social interactions or an outlet for creativity and self-expression. Playing games does more than fill time: In the relatively safe constraints of a game, we can access bigger worlds, other times and even other versions of ourselves. That kind of freedom — to explore, to grow, to experiment — is a profound experience to find in a cardboard box.

Associate Psychology Professor Arlen Moller Discusses the Real-Life Health Effect of Fantasy Sports

American Heart Association News

Arlen Moller, an associate professor in the psychology department at the Illinois Institute of Technology, said it's important to distinguish between types of fantasy sports. "Some are more oriented towards gambling and playing with strangers. But the foundational versions of the season-long game are usually played between friends and family," said Moller, who studies the motivations behind healthy behavior and has examined using fantasy sports to promote health.