Adabel Tan
Final Year Project Student (AY2024/25)
Adabel is a fourth-year Psychology undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Her passion for psychology began at a young age, driven by her curiosity to understand how people think, feel, and behave. This fascination led her to pursue a diploma in Psychology at Temasek Polytechnic (TP), where she delved deeper into the complexities of human behaviour and discovered the field of behavioural insights, which has since become her main area of interest. Adabel is particularly intrigued by how behavioural insights frameworks can be used to nudge behaviour, be it improving policies or enhancing user experience.
Due to her profound interest in psychology, Adabel decided to further her studies at NTU. Throughout her academic journey, her favourite area of psychology has been social psychology. She enjoys exploring cognitive biases and dual-process theories, which influence decision-making and drive human behaviour. These areas of study continue to fuel her passion for understanding human behaviour and applying psychological principles to real-world problems.
Currently, under the supervision of Dr Albert Lee, Adabel’s Final Year Project (FYP) explores cross-cultural superstitions and examines how cultural factors influence the formation and persistence of these beliefs. Through this research, she delves into the intersection of culture and psychology, investigating how these dynamics shape people’s perceptions and behaviours. She also explores how cognitive biases and dual-process models help explain why people believe in superstitions, which aligns closely with her interest in these concepts.
Research Projects:
- Final Year Project (NTU): Cross-cultural superstitions, cognitive biases
Chow Rou Yan
Final Year Project Student (AY2024/25)
Rou Yan is a fourth-year Psychology and Linguistics & Multilingual Studies undergraduate student at NTU. She is interested in the different fields of psychology, particularly in social psychology. She is intrigued by the dynamics between individuals and how they relate to one another, as well as the underlying cognitive processes in the way humans interpret and interact with the world around them. Hence, she aspires to apply psychological concepts in her daily life through her interactions with others to foster meaningful interpersonal experiences.
Rou Yan believes in enhancing self-awareness and introspection through various avenues. Beyond academics, she enjoys movies and books across diverse literary genres. Analyzing the different forms of media that she engages with offers cultural insights and new perspectives. As a free-thinker surrounded by different religious influences, she is keen to explore the multiple facets of religion and how they may shape one’s behaviors and thoughts.
Under the supervision of Dr. Albert Lee, Rou Yan’s FYP examines the anthropomorphism of God and its effects on beliefs in tempting fate.
Research Projects:
- Final Year Project (NTU): Anthropomorphism of God, Beliefs in tempting fate
Sylvia Chang
Final Year Project Student (AY2024/25)
Sylvia is a Final year Psychology Undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University. She has always been intrigued by the workings of the human mind and why people behave the way they do, particularly in the realms of criminal psychology and cultural dynamics. She is fascinated by how psychological principles can be applied to understand criminal behaviour and motivations, as well as how cultural contexts shape the thoughts, emotions and actions of individuals.
In her free time, she enjoys watching true crime documentaries and video podcasts that deepen her understanding of criminal behaviour and the legal systems of countries around the world. She also enjoys learning about different cultures and participated in a semester exchange to South Korea. The experience allowed her to connect with people from around the globe, enhancing her knowledge of Korean culture and providing diverse perspectives from friends from different countries and cities.
Under the supervision of Professor Albert Lee, Sylvia’s Final Year Project examines the cultural universal aspects and differences of superstitions around the world.
Research Project:
- Final Year Project (NTU): Cultural Universal Aspects and Differences of Superstitions
Crystal Goh
Final Year Project Student (AY2024/25)
Crystal is a Final Year undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University, pursuing a Double Major in Psychology and Linguistics & Multilingual Studies. She has always been fascinated by human behaviour, particularly how people interact and form relationships with one another. This curiosity has driven her academic journey, with a specific focus on understanding the cognitive and emotional development of children, which has inspired her to pursue a career as a child psychologist.
Crystal is currently an active volunteer working with children with special needs and has gained diverse experience working with children from various backgrounds in educational settings. These experiences, both in mainstream and special education, have deepened her passion for helping children overcome challenges and thrive, regardless of their circumstances. She finds great joy in supporting their growth, and her exposure to different learning needs has reinforced her commitment to making a positive impact on their lives.
Under the guidance of Professor Albert Lee and in collaboration with two project partners, Crystal’s Final Year Project examines the relationship between anthropomorphism of God and beliefs in tempting fate. This research allows her to explore the intersection of cultural beliefs and human cognition, adding a unique dimension to her understanding of how external factors influence behaviour and thought processes.
Research Project:
- Final Year Project (NTU): Anthropomorphism of God & Beliefs in Tempting Fate
Pei Ying
Final Year Project Student (AY2024/25)
Pei Ying is a final year Psychology & Linguistics undergraduate at NTU. Before enrolling into NTU, she earned a Diploma in Child Psychology and Early Education, which allowed her to gain valuable experience working with both typically developing children and children with special needs. Since completing her diploma, she has consistently taken on various ad-hoc roles in the early childhood sector.
Desiring to broaden her horizons beyond developmental psychology in NTU, Pei Ying explores other topics within the field of psychology, including her Final Year Project under the guidance of Prof. Albert Lee, which studies the effects of Anthropomorphism of God on beliefs in tempting fate.
As she works on her FYP project, Pei Ying also tries to understand her family’s endless list of superstitions through science. The best part? She realises that she acquiesces – maintaining her mother’s belief that eating the very tip of an ice cream cone will result in her coming in last place for her exams, even though she knows it’s not true.
Research Project:
- Final Year Project (NTU): Anthropomorphism of God & Beliefs in Tempting Fate