HighlightsKenneth Tan’s work bridges theoretical innovation and applied relevance, advancing understanding of commitment, well-being, and social influence in relationships; his research informs interventions for relationship health, addresses societal stigma, and contributes to policy on marriage and parenthood, with a strong emphasis on methodological rigor and cross-cultural perspectives.
Focused research areas include Mechanisms of commitment and dissolution in close relationships; effects of relationship status and commitment readiness on psychological well-being; singlehood, stigma, and societal perceptions; paradox mindset and ambivalence in romantic relationships; mindfulness interventions in entrepreneurship; life history approaches to social behavior.
- Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 1 Grant for "Primal world beliefs on singlehood well-being and relationship receptivity" (2024).
- Singapore Social Science Research Council (SSRC) Graduate Research Fellowship for "Distinguishing general and problem-targeted visible support: Their effectiveness depends on socioeconomic status".
- National Population and Talent Division (Prime Minister's Office) Marriage and Parenthood Fund for "Utilizing implementation intentions and growth mindsets to boost dating behavior and romantic relationship formation in Singapore" (2023).
- Singapore Management University School of Social Sciences Research Funding for "Commitment regulation" (2023).
- Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 1 Grant for "The role of paradox mindset on ambivalence in romantic relationships" (2022).
Showing up to 6 latest publications from the past 5 years.
- YJ Yang, J Nguyen, K TanSelf and Identity, 1-17, 2026
- K Tan, CY Cheng, GJ Lai, D HoInternational Journal of Psychology 61 (1), e70149, 2026
- FYX Quek, K Tan, D ChanApplied Psychology: Health and Well‐Being 17 (4), e70055, 2025
- K Tan, YHM SeeResearch Handbook on Social Influence, 313-328, 2025
- LKL Tan, NP Li, K TanEvolution and Human Behavior 45 (4), 106581, 2024
- K Tan, D Ho, CR AgnewJournal of Happiness Studies 24 (8), 2563-2581, 2023
Dr Kenneth Tan is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the School of Social Sciences at Singapore Management University. He obtained his BS and MA from the National University of Singapore, and his PhD from Purdue University (USA). He was also the recipient of the Singapore Ministry of Education Early Career Award. His field of research is in social-personality psychology, with a focus on examining cognition, emotion, motivation and behavior in the context of close, interpersonal relationships. Specifically, his research interests revolve around commitment, relationship receptivity, singlehood, and relationship dissolution, with the long-term goal to understand how individuals can overcome emotional and motivational challenges to support positive relationships and enhance wellbeing. He has published his research in journals such as Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Social Psychological and Personality Science, and Journal of Family Psychology, amongst others.
Qualifications
- PhD, Purdue University, 2016
- MA, National University of Singapore, 2012
- BS, National University of Singapore, 2009
Research Interests
- Interpersonal and Close Relationships
- Interdependence and Relational Commitment
- Self and Other-regulation
- Emotions, Health and Well-Being
Research Advisor/Co-Research Advisor To
Course(s) Taught in SMU
- Social Psychology