Dr. Gabriele Oettingen, PhD

Dr. Gabriele Oettingen is a revered Professor of Psychology at both New York University and the University of Hamburg. Her academic journey commenced with a PhD in psychology from the University of Munich, followed by a tenure as a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin from 1989 to 1999. She then transitioned to New York University as a Visiting Associate Professor between 1999 and 2002, and has been a Professor of Psychology at the University of Hamburg since 2000 and at New York University since 2002​​.

Renowned for her research in motivation and goal-setting, Dr. Oettingen's work delves into how individuals envision their future and the ensuing impact on cognition, emotion, and behavior​. She is credited for the development of the WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) motivational strategy, a practical, evidence-based framework that aids individuals in goal realization and habit alteration across various life spheres​.

With an extensive publication portfolio of over 150 articles and book chapters, Dr. Oettingen's scholarly contributions extend beyond academia, enriching the discourse on the interplay between future thinking, motivation, and goal attainment​.