The RANDM Lab conducts research on the basic psychology of risk and decision making as well as their application to work-related topics such as employee selection, employment interview, and performance. As of more recent, we have also begun conducting research in AI. Specifically, we are AI risks in the workplace and people's attitudes toward AI. Some of our research topics include:
- Measurement foundations of risk preferences.
- Motives for risk taking in the workplaces.
- Risk taking and happiness in life.
- Science communication in organizational settings
- Unorthodox job interviews
Our research employs a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches. We are open to studies using experimental, archival, qualitative, survey, and as of more recent, machine learning and NLP methods.
Representative Publications
Below are just some representative work. A full list can be found on my Google Scholar page.
Zhang, D.C., Highhouse, S., & Nye. (2019), Development and validation of the general risk propensity scale (GRiPS). Journal of Behavioral Decision Making.
Highhouse, S., Wang, Y., & Zhang, D. C. (2022). Is risk propensity unique from the big five factors of personality? A meta-analytic investigation. Journal of Research in Personality, 98, 104206.
Zhang, D. C., Barratt, C. L., & Smith, R. W. (2023). The Bright, Dark, and Gray Sides of Risk Takers at Work: Criterion Validity of Risk Propensity for Contextual Work Performance. Journal of Business and Psychology, 1-20.
Zhang, D.C., Highhouse, S., Brooks, M.E. & Zhang, Y. (2018), Communicating the validity of structured interviews with graphical visual aids. International Journal of Selection and Assessment. 26(2-4), 93-108
Zhang, D. C. (2022). Horse-sized ducks or duck-sized horses? Oddball Personality Questions are likable (but useless) for organizational recruitment. Journal of Business and Psychology, 37(1), 215-233.
Zhang, D. C., & Kausel, E. E. (2023). The illusion of validity: how effort inflates the perceived validity of interview questions. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 32(2), 256-271.