Research
Current Projects
Individual Differences in the Impostor Phenomenon
Our experts: Karina Mak, A/Prof Sabina Kleitman
Expected completion: 2024
Project description: The first stage of Karina’s PhD research investigates individual differences in the Impostor Phenomenon (IP) using data from university students. The project aims to determine potential dimensions in personality, intelligence and cognition, as well as cultural factors, that are predictors for IP traits. Particular focus is placed on individual differences in intuitive judgements in decision making under the dual-processing model of cognition, and the HEXACO model of personality. The second stage of Karina’s PhD research examines the relationship between the IP and perfectionism at the item-level. Her research is ongoing while participating in the Westpac STEM PhD Program and various media engagements.
Transformational Leadership and Leadership Diversity in Australia
Our experts: Iain Crossing, A/Prof Sabina Kleitman
Expected completion: TBA
Project description: Investigating cultural (ethnicity) and gender differences in leadership and how they relate to leadership diversity in the workplace is the main focus of Iain’s PhD research.
There is a well-established phenomenon of proportionally low representation of women and people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in senior business roles in Australia. Iain believes there is a clear moral and civic case for improving this situation – and there are well established commercial benefits for doing so as well.
Great leadership requires some universally effective skills and some that need to vary with context. Iain’s research investigates the assumptions, expectations, and self-beliefs that define success where culture, organisational culture, and leadership intersect. His research uses the model of Transformational Leadership, the best empirically validated model in the literature, as a yardstick to dispel unhelpful myths about leadership and stereotypes about women and CALD leaders.
Team Decision Making and Performance
Our experts: Matthew Blanchard, A/Prof Sabina Kleitman
Expected completion: 2024
Project description: This research will investigate how individual constructs (i.e., cognitive ability, metacognitive confidence, and metacognitive control) combine when people work together in teams, and how these constructs relate to team performance. In doing so, this research seeks to identify the characteristics that predict team performance to aid the selection of more effective teams.
Individual Differences in the Uncertainty Response: Metacognition in Uncertainty by Opting Out
Our experts: Dr Marvin Law, Gigi Kuang, Sakura Bamba, Halley Tan, A/Prof Sabina Kleitman
Expected completion: 2024
Project description: This combined Honours project aims to examine individual differences in trait uncertainty during problem-solving and how this relates to a comprehensive selection of psychological traits, including cognitive ability, different metacognitive processes, motivation, optimism, and resilience/adaptability. By examining how individuals opt out of responding during problem-solving, this research examines critical aspects of decision-making and optimal performance marked by efficient time allocation and self-regulation.
Completed Projects
Adaptable Cognition and Decision Making
Our experts: A/Prof Sabina Kleitman, Dr Simon Jackson, Lisa Zhang, Matthew Blanchard
Collaborators: Dr Eugene Aidman, Defence Science and Technology Group, Commonwealth of Australia.
Funding: $351,061.00 from the Defence Science and Technology Group, Commonwealth of Australia
Project description: This research programme is investigating how people adapt to changing circumstances, and how their ability to do so can be improved. The project makes use of cutting-edge virtual-reality simulation technologies, and psychometric techniques, for assessing and training adaptable cognition and behaviour. These simulations presently involve team-based emergency-vehicle driving scenarios, and the project outcomes will be of relevance to a range of sectors (emergency vehicle training, civilian driving assessment and safety, adaptable military decision-making, etc). This programme is fully funded, and done in collaboration with, the Defence Science and Technology Group, Commonwealth of Australia.
The Psychology of Choices During the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Impact on Daily Lives
Our experts: A/Prof Sabina Kleitman, Dayna Fullerton, Lisa Zhang, Matthew Blanchard, Dr Marvin Law, Honorary Professor Lazar Stankov, Prof Jihyun lee, Prof Emerita Madeleine King
Project description: This research investigated different choices people made during emergency stages of the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., compliance with COVID-19 rules and recommendations, vaccination choices, and mask-wearing behaviours). We also examined the negative and positive impacts of the pandemic on people’s lives, and factors that influenced recovery post-lockdown.