Last Updated: October, 2025
Zhixu (Rick) Yang, Ph.D.
Baruch College, City University of New York
Department of Psychology
One Bernard Baruch Way
New York, NY 10010
Mobile Phone: +1(765)746-9027
E-mail: zhixu.yang@baruch.cuny.edu
Baruch College, CUNY, Assistant Professor in Psychology August 2025 - Present
Purdue University, Ph.D. I-O Psychology May 2022 - August 2025
Dissertation: The Experience of Mechanistic Dehumanization of Asian Workers in the US:
A Mixed-Methods Scale Development Study
Committee: Franki Y. H. Kung (chair), Sang E. Woo, Xiang Zhou, David Rollock
Purdue University, M.S. I-O Psychology August 2020 - May 2022
Thesis: Individuals’ Preferences in Multiple Goal Pursuit: Revisiting the Conceptualization and Measurement of Multitasking Preferences
Committee: Franki Y. H. Kung (chair), Louis Tay, Carolyn Jagacinski
Zhejiang University, B.S. Psychology August 2016 - June 2020
University of New South Wales, Sydney (Study Abroad) July 2018 - November 2018
Journal Articles (*equal contributions)
Yang, Z. R., Kung, F. Y. H., & Schneider, D. (2025). Individual preferences in multiple goal pursuit: Reconsidering the conceptualization and dimensionality of polychronicity. Applied Psychology, 74(1), e12575. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12575
Yang, Z. R. & Kung, F. Y. H. (2024). Toward a culturally sensitive perspective on silence in organizations. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 17(3), 366–370. https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2024.24
Yang, Z. R., Kung, F. Y. H., Brienza, J., & Chao, M. M. (2024). Bridging social divides: The role of wise reasoning in improving intergroup relations. Translational Issues in Psychological Science, 10(1), 69–81. https://doi.org/10.1037/tps0000389
Huang, H. C. B.*, Yang, Z. R.*, & Kung, F. Y. (2023). Employees’ mindset matters: Leveraging cultural mindset to harness the benefits of organizational polyculturalism. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 16(3), 408-412. https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2023.34
Tierney, W., Hardy, J. H., III., Ebersole, C., Viganola, D., Clemente, E., … & Uhlmann, E. L.(2021). A creative destruction approach to replication: Implicit work and sex morality across cultures. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 93, 104060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2020.104060 [Consortium project with 240 authors: Member of Culture & Work Morality Forecasting Collaboration]
Lai, W., Yang, Z., Mao, Y., Zhang, Q., Chen, H., & Ma, J. (2020). When do good deeds lead to good feelings? Eudaimonic orientation moderates the happiness benefits of prosocial behavior. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(11), 4053. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17114053
Book Chapters
Kung, F. Y. H., Yao, Z., Yang, Z. R., Woodson, A., Bruno, D., Scholer, A. A., & Diekman, A. B. (forthcoming). Toward an inclusive motivation science. Handbook of Motivation and Social Psychology
Yang, Z. R. & Kung, F. Y. H. (2025). How individuals navigate and mitigate intergroup conflicts: Current insights and future directions. In S. D. Stern (Eds.) Handbook of Experimental Social Psychology. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035310661.00029
Li, S., Yang, Z. R., & Kung, F. Y. H. [Mechanistic Dehumanization of Asian Workers]. Invited revision at Journal of Vocational Behavior.
Yang, Z. R. [A Journal Club Article]. Invited submission at Nature Reviews Psychology.
Yang, Z. R. & Kung, F. Y. H. “Goal Conflict Management Strategies” (Working paper)
Yang, Z. R., Kunstman, J., & Kung, F. Y. H. “Socioemotional Predictors of Asian Workers’ Well-being Outcomes” (Working paper)
Yang, Z. R., Kung, F. Y. H., & Kim, H. “A Mixed-Methods Investigation of How Asian Workers Experience Mechanistic Dehumanization” (Working paper)
Palmeri, A., Dai, X., Yang, Z. R., Leung, A., Kung, F. Y. H., & Tay, L. “Paradox Mindset and Well-being” (Working paper)
Yang, Z. R., Kim, H., & Kung, F. Y. H. “Antecedents of the Mechanistic Dehumanization of Asian Workers” (Working paper)
Yang, Z. R., Kung, F. Y. H., & Chao, M. M. “Wise Reasoning and Conflict Communication” (Data analysis)
Yao, Z., Yang, Z. R., & Kung, F. Y. H. “Lay Theories of Performance and Diversity Goal Conflict in Organizations” (Data collection)
Purdue University, Center for Intercultural Learning, Mentorship, Assessment and Research (CILMAR) Seed Research Grant (2024). The Experience of Mechanistic Dehumanization of Asian Workers in the U.S.: A Mixed-Methods Scale Development Study. Principal Investigator. Award: $2,000.
Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Student Travel Award 2025
Midwestern Psychological Association Diversity Travel Award 2025
Purdue University Department of Psychological Sciences Lawshe Award 2025
Dr. William H. Hendrix Industrial-Organizational Psychology Graduate Student Research Excellence Award at Purdue University 2024
Purdue Employee Recognition Award for High-Profile Projects 2024
Ross-Lynn Research Scholar Fund at Purdue University 2021
Outstanding Graduates of Zhejiang University 2020
Zhejiang Province Student Scholarship 2017, 2019
Scholarship for Outstanding Students of Zhejiang University 2017-2019
International Exchange Scholarship at Zhejiang University 2018
Chaired Symposia and Panels (Peer Reviewed)
Yang, L. & Yang, Z. R. (2025, April). Beyond the model minority: Challenges and barriers impacting Asian workers’ outcomes [Symposium]. Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Annual Conference, Denver, CO, United States.
Yang, L. (Co-Chair), Yang, Z. R. (Co-Chair), Yang, L.-Q., Kung, F. Y. H., Ashby Jr., J., & Sachdeva, A. (2025, April). Breaking through the bamboo ceiling: Asian American leadership in the modern workforce [Panel discussion]. Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Annual Conference, Denver, CO, United States.
Tran, A. & Yang, Z. R. (2024, April). Novel Perspectives on Stereotypes about and Experiences of Asians in the U.S. Symposium at the 97th Annual Conference of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL, United States.
Mitchell, T. D. & Yang, Z. R. (2024, August). Identity and Individual Differences in Workplace Negotiations. Symposium at the 84th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Chicago, IL, United States.
Le, P. Q. & Yang, Z. R. (2024, April). Challenges, Consequences, and Strategies for Discussing Interpersonal and Social Issues. Symposium at the 96th Annual Conference of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL, United States.
Yang, Z. R. & Büchner, A. (2024, February). Navigating Conflicts in Goal Pursuit: A Multidimensional Perspective. Symposium at the 26th Annual Convention of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Diego, CA, United States.
Yang, Z. R. A Dual-Engagement Framework and Measure of Goal Conflict Management Strategies. Presented at Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), December 2023.
Yang, Z. R. Juggling Conflicting Goals: How to Achieve More and Feel Better. Presented at Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center (AAARCC) of Purdue University, November 2023.
Yang, Z. R. Individual Differences in Multiple Goal Pursuit: Reconsidering the Conceptualization and Dimensionality of Polychronicity. Presented at Purdue University Cognitive Psychology Colloquium, September 2022.
Yang, Z. R., Kunstman, J., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2025, April). Mechanistic dehumanization and social pain minimization as vulnerability factors for well-being among Asian workers in the U.S. In Yang, L. & Yang, Z. R. (2025, April), Beyond the model minority: Challenges and barriers impacting Asian workers’ outcomes [Symposium]. Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Annual Conference, Denver, CO, United States.
Yang, Z. R., Kung, F. Y. H., & Chao, M. M. (2024, August). Wise Reasoning and Subjective Values in Conflict Communication. In Mitchell, T. D. & Yang, Z. R. (2024, August). Identity and Individual Differences in Workplace Negotiations. Symposium at the 84th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Chicago, IL, United States.
Yang, Z. R., Kung, F. Y. H., & Chao, M. M. (2024, April). Wise Reasoning and Subjective Values in Conflict Communication. In Le, P. & Yang, Z. R. Challenges, Consequences, and Strategies for Discussing Interpersonal and Social Issues. Symposium Talk at the 96th Annual Conference of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL, United States.
Yang, Z. R. & Kung, F. Y. H. (2024, April). How do Asian workers in the U.S. experience mechanistic dehumanization? A Qualitative Investigation. In Tran, A. & Yang, Z. R. (2024, April). Novel Perspectives on Stereotypes about and Experiences of Asians in the U.S. Symposium at the 97th Annual Conference of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL, United States.
Li, S., Yang, Z. R. & Kung, F. Y. H. (2024, February). People, Not Robots: Mechanistic Dehumanization of Asian Americans and Its Workplace Implications. In Lu, J. Understanding Asians’ Unseen Diversity, Experiences, and Challenges, Symposium at the 26th Annual Convention of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Diego, CA, United States.
Yang, Z. R. & Kung, F. Y. H. (2024, February). A Dual-Engagement Framework and Measure of Goal Conflict Management Strategies. In Yang, Z. R. & Büchner, A. Navigating Conflicts in Goal Pursuit: A Multidimensional Perspective. Symposium at the 26th Annual Convention of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Diego, CA, United States.
Yang, Z. R. & Kung, F. Y. H. (2019, November). Individuals’ Preferences in Pursuing Multiple Goals. Oral Presentation at the Applied Psychology Forum 2019, Beijing, China.
Yang, Z., Chen, Y., Zhuo, H., & Ma, J. (2019, October). Belief in a Just World and Prosocial Behaviors: Differences between BJW for Self and for Others in Different Domains. Oral Presentation at the 22nd National Academic Congress of Psychology, Hangzhou, China.
Lai, W., Yang, Z. & Ma, J. (2019, October). The Relationship between Eudaimonic and Hedonic orientations and Prosocial Behavior. Oral Presentation at the 22nd National Academic Congress of Psychology, Hangzhou, China.
Palmeri, A., Dai, X., Yang, Z. R., Leung, A., Kung, F. Y. H., & Tay, L. (2024, April). Does Having a Paradox Mindset Lead to Well-Being and Performance? Poster Presentation at the 39th Annual Convention of the Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Chicago, IL, United States.
Yang, Z. R., Chao, M. M., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2023, February). Wise Reasoning and Subjective Value in Negotiation. Poster Presentation at the 25th Annual Convention of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Atlanta, GA, United States.
Yang, Z. R. & Kung, F. Y. H. (2023, February). Individual Preferences in Multiple Goal Pursuit. Poster Presentation at the 25th Annual Convention of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Atlanta, GA, United States.
Yang, Z. R. & Kung, F. Y. H. (2022, May). A Dual-Concern Framework and Measurement of Goal Conflict Management Strategies. Poster Presentation at the 14th Annual Meeting of Society for the Science of Motivation, Chicago, IL, United States.
Yang, Z. R., Chao, M. M., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2022, April). Wise Reasoning and Interpersonal Negotiation Outcomes. Poster Presentation at the 37th Annual Convention of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Annual Conference, Seattle, WA, United States.
Yang, Z. R. & Kung, F. Y. H. (2022, February). Lay Theories of Multitasking and Implications for Multiple Goal Pursuit. Poster Presentation at the 24th Annual Convention of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Francisco, CA, United States.
Yang, Z. R. & Kung, F. Y. H. (2021, April). Development and Validation of the Goal Conflict Management Strategies (GCMS) Scale. Poster Presentation at the 36th Annual Convention of the Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Virtual.
Yang, Z. R. & Kung, F. Y. H. (2021, February). Goal Conflict Management Strategies: Conceptualization, Measurement, and Implications. Poster Presentation at the Motivation Science Pre-conference of the 23rd Annual Convention of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Virtual.
Yang, Z. R. & Kung, F. Y. H. (2020, February). Multitasking vs. One Thing at a Time? Testing the Nature of the Polychronicity Dimensions. Poster Presentation at the Motivation Science Pre-conference of the 22nd Annual Convention of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, New Orleans, United States.
Presentations by Undergraduate Mentees (Peer Reviewed)
(Undergrad mentees’ names are underlined)
Kim, H. J., Yang, Z. R., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2024, July). Racial Differences in Perceived Passion and Motivation: Exploring Antecedents for Asian and Asian American Dehumanization at Work. Poster Presentation at the 2024 Purdue Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Johnson, R., Vineeth, N., Yin, Q., Kim, M., Yao, Y., Woltz, B., Lucio, P.T., Linneweber, L., Yang, Z. R., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2024, April). Facilitating Constructive Dialogue: Wise Reasoning in Sociopolitical Conflict Communication. Poster Presentation at 22nd Annual Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference, Purdue University, IN, United States
Yao, Z., Yang, Z. R., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2023, July). Organizational Goal Conflict Perception and Implications. Oral Presentation at the 2023 Purdue Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Ross, R., Zuniga, A., Yang, Z. R., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2023, July). Student Team Goals and Experiences (Part 1). Poster Presentation at the Purdue Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)
Zuniga, A., Ross, R., Yang, Z. R., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2023, July). Student Team Goals and Experiences (Part 2). Poster Presentation at the Purdue Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)
O'Neal, H., Kim, M., Yang, Z. R., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2023, April). A Comprehensive Literature Review of Lay People’s Beliefs about Multitasking. Poster Presentation at 21st Annual Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference, Purdue University, IN, United States
Linneweber, L., Myers, H., Yin, Q., Yang, Z. R., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2023, April). A Literature Review of Recent Studies on Intergroup Conflict Resolution. Poster Presentation at 21st Annual Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference, Purdue University, IN, United States
Yao, Z.*, O’Neal, H.*, Yang, Z. R., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2022, November). A Comprehensive Literature Review on the Relationship between Multitasking and Intrinsic Motivation. Poster Presentation at The 2022 Fall Undergraduate Research Expo at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.
Bauer, K., Yang, Z. R., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2022, May). Increasing Your Own Happiness Through Motivating Others. Poster Presentation at the 14th Annual Meeting of Society for the Science of Motivation, Chicago, IL, United States.
Bauer, K., Yang, Z. R., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2022, April). The Hidden Benefit of Motivating Others on Personal Well-being. Poster Presentation at 20th Annual Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference, Purdue University, IN, United States.
Denny, A., Showalter, E., Yang, Z. R., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2022, April). Lay Theories of Multitasking Impact. Poster Presentation at 20th Annual Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference, Purdue University, IN, United States.
Bauer, K., Yang, Z. R., & Kung, F. Y. H. (2022, April). The Hidden Benefit of Motivating Others on Personal Well-being. Poster Presentation at College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) Spring Research Event, Purdue University, IN, United States.
Courses Taught
Applied Statistical Analysis (graduate level)
Introduction to Industrial-Organizational Psychology (undergraduate level)
Research Supervision
Graduate Student: Julie Wu
Honors Thesis Students:
Ziqi Yao (Organizational Goal Conflict Perception and Implications)
Katelin Bauer (The Hidden Benefit of Motivating Others on Personal Well-being)
Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP):
Hannah Kim (Racial Differences in Perceived Passion and Motivation: Exploring Antecedents for Asian and Asian American Dehumanization at Work)
Rainah Ross & Alexandra Zuniga (Student Team Goals and Experiences)
Research Assistants:
Ryan Sauter, Javier Camarillo, Charlotte Albrecht, Ryan Greaser, Katelin Bauer, Hannah Myers, Haley O'Neal, Emma Showalter, Ziqi Yao, Lilly Linneweber, Brianna Woltz, Paulina Tangassi, Wen Yin, Minjae (Jason) Kim, Raechel Johnson, Firesola (Desirée) Osobajo, Vineeth Narra, Iris Yao, Noah Wilson, Adelyn Karst, Rebecca Schwartz, Katherine Odom, Nilakshi Sarkar, Aima Maqsood
Journal Ad Hoc Reviewer
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General
Motivation and Emotion
Scientific Reports
Translational Issues in Psychological Science
BMC Psychology
Conference Program Reviewer
Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Professional Organizations
Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology (SIOP) LGBTQIA+ committee
Mentorship Programs
Purdue Psychology Mentorship Program (committee member)
Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) Peer Mentoring Program
Pre-Grad Mentor for Project Short
Application Statement Feedback Program (ASFP) for psychology PhD applications
The Next-Gen Psych Scholars Program (NPSP)
Mentor Matching Engine (Illinois Science and Technology - Education)