We study psychological traits in decision-making, meta-cognition/reasoning, cognitive fitness and well-being, especially under uncertainty, to improve adaptation, selection, and performance. We also develop novel tools and methods for research and applied use.
We research psychological traits underlying cognitive fitness and peak performance, focusing on decision-making (individual and in teams), adaptation/resilience and recovery, and how extreme and uncertain conditions affect them. Ultimately, our work seeks to inform selection processes, training, and team composition strategies, supporting the development of high-functioning individuals and teams capable of thriving in challenging conditions. By understanding the complexity of the human element behind performance, we contribute to mission readiness and the well-being of those operating in complex, uncertain environments.
Project: We are the first team to establish individual differences and systematic tendencies in how people give up during problem-solving activities.
Results demonstrate that deciding to give up on solving a problem can be an adaptive, strategic response rather than a failure, reflecting an individual’s metacognitive awareness of limits and efficient allocation of cognitive resources. Findings show that this behaviour varies across individuals in time taken to give up (fast and slow) and frequencies (often and rarely), and can serve as a useful indicator of meta-reasoning and cognitive control.
Key Researchers: Dr M K.H. Law, Prof Kleitman, Prof V. Thompson, Prof L. Stankov
Projects: In a series of studies, we investigated the human traits and habitual tendencies that predicted susceptibility to deception, including phishing, lie detection and misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results: There are robust, albeit different, traits and habits that predict susceptibility to different types of deception. We are currently leading a new project on susceptibility to cognitive warfare, developing and validating the CognAttack Susceptibility Tool and software. The project integrates behavioural metrics of information-processing, bio-markers and machine learning methods to predict individual vulnerability.
Key Researchers: Prof Kleitman, Prof J Kay, A/Prof M Goldwater; Dr M K.H. Law, Dr S.A. Jackson,
Project: Our collaborations focused on developing and validating a novel simulation-embedded cognitive assessment to measure cognitive resilience, adaptability and peak performance under challenging conditions and investigating the cognitive/metacognitive basis of individual and team-based peak performance and decision-making.
Results: We developed and validated a simulated ‘training’ exercise for drivers of emergency vehicles like ambulances or police cars. The novel simulation-embedded metrics predicted resilience/adaptability reported in a low-stakes situation, and helped capture team dynamics. We also evaluated self-report and performance-based assessment of adaptability and resilience in an academic context.
Key Researchers: Prof S Kleitman, Prof E Aidman, Dr S.A. Jackson, D. Fullerton, L. Zhang
Project: This project examines factors influencing team performance.
Results: Forming effective teams, in part, depends on the right combination of individuals, the quality of their communication, operational conditions and individual psychological traits.
Key Researchers: M. Blanchard, Prof S Kleitman, Prof E Aidman.
Project: Our collaborations examined the effects of sleep deprivation on Executive Functioning, Cognitive Abilities, Metacognitive Confidence, and Decision-Making.
Conclusions: Fatigue does not exert a blanket effect on all cognitive functions and it may influence cognitive and metacognitive performance via multiple and distinct pathways.
Key Researchers: Prof S Kleitman, Prof E Aidman, Dr S.A. Jackson,
A collaborative (nationally and internationally) interdisciplinary research program focused on the psychology of complex choices associated with different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results had a high societal impact, being featured in numerous media stories throughout 2021-2022, as well as invited talks and solicited reports (e.g., Guardian, Cosmos Magazine, in PSyPost and newsGP), with more than 100 mainstream media stories covering the research results, being a top Google story in the UK and getting 35.8K upvotes on the Reddit science post covering this study, striking a nerve and, at times, provoking anger amid dangerous protests during lockdowns.
Given the impact of this research, it is listed as part of the Sydney University response: “How our experts shaped the COVID-19 response” (What psychology says about COVID non-compliers)
Key Researchers: Prof S Kleitman, Prof M. King, D. Fullerton, M. Blanchard, Dr M K.H. Law, M L. Zhang. Prof L. Stankov, Prof V. Thompson
Research program focused on the evidence-based research unpacking the popular psychological construct of Imposter Phenomenon. The results had been featured in various media stories (e.g., ABC TripleJ; ABCnews)
Key Researchers: Dr K Mak, Prof S Kleitman, Dr D. Costa
A new research program addressing an urgent need to develop contemporary and valid ways to capture moral decision-making preferences instead of outdated dilemmas.
Key Researchers: Ni BK, Prof S Kleitman, Burns BD
