Research Interests
I am a PhD graduate from the Department of Psychology at York University in Toronto, Canada. My research is rooted in the fields of social and cultural psychology, with a particular interest in the following topics:
Minority Stereotypes
My doctoral dissertation examined racial stereotypes about East Asian minority groups and the psychological implications of these stereotypes for East Asians in Canada and the U.S. Common stereotypes regarding East Asian minorities are mixed, comprised of both positive aspects (related to the idea of the "model minority") and negative aspects (related to social attributes). I am interested in how minorities' perceptions and media representations of different aspects of these stereotypes can influence minority group members' self-concept (e.g., cultural identity), interpersonal relationships and interactions (e.g., perceived discrimination), and emotional and psychological outcomes (e.g., subjective well-being) across various populations and situations.
Bicultural Experience and Conflict
This ongoing line of research investigates the lived experience of bicultural individuals, who identify with two different cultures and whose thoughts and behaviours are guided by multiple sets of cultural norms and values. My work focuses on the issues for which one's heritage norms and the mainstream norms are conflicting, especially when the differences are rooted in opposing Eastern and Western cultural traditions. Specific topics of interest are interracial relationships, preferred mate attributes, autonomy (e.g., moving out of the family home), and intergenerational relations.
Biracial Identity and Conceptions of Self
The number of people who self-identify as biracial or multiracial is growing rapidly. Our research explores the diverse ways in which biracial and multiracial individuals view themselves racially; the cultural, social, and historical factors that can powerfully influence conceptions of the self; and the relationship between biracial/multiracial identity and psychological outcomes.
Multicultural Experiences and Creativity
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, interacting with different cultures is more common and easier than ever before. These direct and indirect experiences of encountering or interacting with the elements and/or members of other cultures have been referred to as multicultural experiences. Multicultural experiences provide opportunities to learn new ideas and adopt practices from other cultures and have been proposed to enhance individual creativity. Our research aims to identify the individual differences (e.g., personality traits) and social conditions (e.g., cultural distance) that may facilitate the creative benefits of multicultural experiences.
Minority Stereotypes
My doctoral dissertation examined racial stereotypes about East Asian minority groups and the psychological implications of these stereotypes for East Asians in Canada and the U.S. Common stereotypes regarding East Asian minorities are mixed, comprised of both positive aspects (related to the idea of the "model minority") and negative aspects (related to social attributes). I am interested in how minorities' perceptions and media representations of different aspects of these stereotypes can influence minority group members' self-concept (e.g., cultural identity), interpersonal relationships and interactions (e.g., perceived discrimination), and emotional and psychological outcomes (e.g., subjective well-being) across various populations and situations.
Bicultural Experience and Conflict
This ongoing line of research investigates the lived experience of bicultural individuals, who identify with two different cultures and whose thoughts and behaviours are guided by multiple sets of cultural norms and values. My work focuses on the issues for which one's heritage norms and the mainstream norms are conflicting, especially when the differences are rooted in opposing Eastern and Western cultural traditions. Specific topics of interest are interracial relationships, preferred mate attributes, autonomy (e.g., moving out of the family home), and intergenerational relations.
Biracial Identity and Conceptions of Self
The number of people who self-identify as biracial or multiracial is growing rapidly. Our research explores the diverse ways in which biracial and multiracial individuals view themselves racially; the cultural, social, and historical factors that can powerfully influence conceptions of the self; and the relationship between biracial/multiracial identity and psychological outcomes.
Multicultural Experiences and Creativity
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, interacting with different cultures is more common and easier than ever before. These direct and indirect experiences of encountering or interacting with the elements and/or members of other cultures have been referred to as multicultural experiences. Multicultural experiences provide opportunities to learn new ideas and adopt practices from other cultures and have been proposed to enhance individual creativity. Our research aims to identify the individual differences (e.g., personality traits) and social conditions (e.g., cultural distance) that may facilitate the creative benefits of multicultural experiences.