Skip to main content

Sung Hee Kim

Research Interests:
Intra-negotiation
Awe
Social emotions
Research

My research interests include intra negotiation, self-regulation, awe, and social emotions.

One project examines the role of self-negotiation in self-regulation skills. Much research on negotiation has focused on exclusively on interpersonal and intergroup negotiations at bilateral and multi-lateral levels. What is missing from the existing negotiation literature is the work on negotiation with the self.  Indeed, recent work by economists and philosophers suggests failed negotiation with the self (rather than a flawed character) is a main cause for perpetual procrastination, poor academic performance, substance abuse, obesity, lack of savings, and so on. Understanding negotiation with the self should shed light on how to curb these behaviors.  For example, one of my studies examines the link between how to address oneself (“I” vs. “You”) in self-negotiation and how successful the negotiation outcomes are, depending on which pronoun was used in self-negotiation. As self-regulation skills often involve self-negotiation, the results of this line of research may contribute not only to filling in empirical gap in the conflict literature but also to provide evidence-based strategies in helping students with academic difficulties.

Another research project focuses on the role of awe in motivating people to care more about their future selves. It is likely that many self-negotiations involve self-regulatory attempts aimed at achieving a desired future self. Indeed, it may be that it is partly having the idea of desired future self in mind that promotes a successful self-negotiation, and, thus successful self-regulation. Research on temporal discounting shows that the greater self-continuity between our current and future selves we feel, the more likely we delay gratification and make wise decisions. In addition to exploring the link between awe and goose bumps, with an undergraduate student and a graduate student, I have been examining the role of awe in caring for one’s future self. We presented results at conferences. I am in an early stage of writing up the results of the two studies for publication.

Graduate Training
Ph.D. Tufts Univ., 1991
Selected Publications:

Kim. S. H. (2017). Failing to receive “thank you” replies from advisees: Asource of advisor job dissatisfaction. The National Teaching & Learning Forum. Spring Issue.

Kim, S. H. (2015). Proverbs and parables: Advice that sticks. The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal, August 26, 2015.

Kim, S. H. (2014). Evidence-based (simple but effective) advice for college students:Microaction and macrochange. The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal, February 26, 2014.

Schurtz, R. D., Blincoe, S., Smith, R. H., Powell, C. A. J., & Combs, D. J. Y., & Kim, S. H.(2012). Exploring the social aspects of goose bumps and their role in awe and envy. Motivation and Emotion36, 205-217.

Smith, R .H., & Kim, S. H. (2008). An introduction to the study of envy.  In R. H. Smith (Ed.), Envy: Theory and research. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Smith, R. H., & Kim, S. H. (2007). Comprehending envy. Psychological Bulletin, 133, 46-64.

Pruitt, D., Kim, S. H. (2004). Social conflict: Escalation, stalemate and settlement (3rd edition). New York: McGraw-Hill.