About the Activation Science Research Group

Who We Are

The Activation Science Research Group is a small, independent research group dedicated to bridging the persistent gap between behavioral science research and real-world application. We operate at the intersection of motivation science, behavioral psychology, and positive psychology, with a specific focus on translating validated findings from these disciplines into frameworks that non-clinical populations can actually use.

Our work is grounded in a straightforward observation: the behavioral sciences have produced decades of rigorous, replicable findings about what drives sustained human motivation and wellbeing. Yet remarkably little of this knowledge has made its way into the tools and experiences available to the general public. Most people encounter behavioral science through oversimplified pop-psychology books or commercial wellness products that cherry-pick findings to support predetermined conclusions. We believe there is a better path -- one that takes the science seriously while making it genuinely accessible.

Our Mission

Our mission is to synthesize validated findings from motivation science, behavioral psychology, and positive psychology into accessible, evidence-based frameworks for non-clinical populations. We pursue this through three core activities:

Research Synthesis. We conduct narrative reviews and meta-analytic summaries of peer-reviewed literature across relevant disciplines. Our goal is not to produce original empirical research but to identify convergent findings across research traditions that have practical implications for framework design.

Framework Development. Drawing on synthesized evidence, we develop integrated behavioral frameworks that combine individually validated components into coherent applied systems. We are transparent about the distinction between the evidence supporting individual components and the evidence (or lack thereof) supporting their integration.

Public Communication. We publish our research summaries, methodology, and frameworks openly, with full citations and appropriate hedging language. We believe that the public deserves access to behavioral science that accurately represents what the literature does and does not support.

Core Team

Dr. Sarah Chen, Ph.D. in Behavioral Psychology, University of Michigan [PLACEHOLDER] Dr. Chen specializes in self-determination theory and autonomous motivation, with particular interest in how values-alignment processes influence long-term behavioral persistence. She leads the group's research synthesis efforts and oversees the accuracy of all published literature reviews.

Dr. James Harlow, Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Arizona State University [PLACEHOLDER] Dr. Harlow brings clinical experience in behavioral activation and cognitive-behavioral interventions, with a research focus on adapting clinical techniques for non-clinical populations. He leads framework development and is responsible for ensuring that applied recommendations remain within the boundaries of the supporting evidence.

Dr. Maria Torres, Ph.D. in Social Psychology, University of California, Berkeley [PLACEHOLDER] Dr. Torres specializes in prosocial behavior, social connection, and wellbeing. Her research has focused on the bidirectional relationship between other-oriented action and personal psychological health. She oversees the group's work on the social and prosocial components of the Activation Science framework.

Our Approach

We hold ourselves to several methodological commitments:

Cite primary sources. We reference the original peer-reviewed studies, not secondary summaries or popular press accounts. Every claim on this site can be traced to its source.

Distinguish levels of evidence. We are careful to differentiate between findings supported by randomized controlled trials, longitudinal studies, cross-sectional designs, and theoretical frameworks. Not all evidence is created equal, and we say so.

Acknowledge limitations. Where the evidence is mixed, where effect sizes are small, where generalizability is uncertain -- we say that too. Overstating the science does not serve anyone.

Separate components from integration. The individual components of the Activation Science framework (values elicitation, micro-habits, attentional training, self-compassion, prosocial behavior) each have independent empirical support. The integrated framework as a whole has not yet been tested in controlled trials. We are explicit about this distinction throughout our work.

Transparency & Disclosure

Independence Statement The Activation Science Research Group operates independently and is self-funded. Our research synthesis activities are not contingent on or directed by any commercial entity.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure The research group has a commercial relationship with Scottsdale Yacht Club, whose products are built on the Activation Science framework. All research summaries on this site accurately represent the cited peer-reviewed literature regardless of this relationship. We believe that transparency about this relationship, rather than concealment of it, is the appropriate standard.

Methodology Disclosure Our research summaries and meta-analytic reviews synthesize existing peer-reviewed literature. The Activation Science framework itself has not yet undergone independent randomized controlled trial evaluation. We are transparent about this distinction throughout our publications.

Contact For inquiries regarding our research or methodology, contact research@activationscience.edu