YANG Hwajin
Full-time Faculty
Professor of Psychology; Associate Dean (Research); Lee Kong Chian Fellow; ResWORK Fellow
Qualifications
- PhD in Cognitive/Experimental Psychology, Cornell University, 2006
- BA in Psychology, Yonsei University, 2000
Research Interests
- Regulation of Executive Functions
- Bilingualism and Cognitive Development
- Healthy Ageing and Well-being
- Emotion and Motivation
- Impact of Technology on Cognitive and Socioemotional Development
- Creativity and Individual Differences
Research Advisor/Co-Research Advisor To
Course(s) Taught in SMU
- Capstone Seminar
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognition & Development
- Psychology of Cognitive Control
- Cognitive Psychology
Related Links
http://mysmu.edu/faculty/hjyang/
Research Video:
Executive Functions: Bilingualism in Early Childhood
Research Areas and Areas of Expertise
Strategic Priorities
HighlightsHwajin Yang is an internationally recognized developmental and cognitive psychologist whose research bridges bilingualism, executive functions, media use, and socioemotional development across the lifespan.
Pioneered research on the cognitive and socioemotional effects of bilingualism and digital media use, with significant applied impact on educational and developmental policy; integrates experimental rigor with real-world relevance; recognized for mentoring award-winning students and advancing understanding of executive functions in diverse populations; frequent media coverage and international invited talks.
Focused research areas include Multifaceted effects of bilingualism and media use (e.g., smartphones, social media) on cognitive, linguistic, and socioemotional development; executive functions across the lifespan; attentional control and flexibility; creativity; the interplay of affect, motivation, and cognition; technology's impact on children and older adults.
Pioneered research on the cognitive and socioemotional effects of bilingualism and digital media use, with significant applied impact on educational and developmental policy; integrates experimental rigor with real-world relevance; recognized for mentoring award-winning students and advancing understanding of executive functions in diverse populations; frequent media coverage and international invited talks.
Focused research areas include Multifaceted effects of bilingualism and media use (e.g., smartphones, social media) on cognitive, linguistic, and socioemotional development; executive functions across the lifespan; attentional control and flexibility; creativity; the interplay of affect, motivation, and cognition; technology's impact on children and older adults.
Areas of Expertise
Executive functionsAI & metacognitionAgeing and wellbeingTechnology useLanguage learning
Past Awarded Grant
- Singapore Ministry of Education AcRF Tier 3 Grant Co-PI (total $9.9 million) "Dynamic and holistic monitoring of the well-being of older Singaporeans"
- Singapore Ministry of Education AcRF Tier 1 Grant Principal Investigator (awarded $132,303) "Effects of bilingual interactional context on cognitive, linguistic, and behavioral development"
- Research Capacity Building Fund, Singapore Management University (awarded $30,000)
- Research Capacity Building Fund, Singapore Management University (awarded $30,000)
- Air Traffic Management Research Institute, Singapore Co-PI (awarded $100,000) "Understanding public acceptance of drone in urban environment"
Latest Publications
Showing up to 6 latest publications from the past 5 years.
- WQ Ng, H YangComputers in Human Behavior Reports 21, 100917, 2026
- CYH Lau, H YangCurrent Psychology 44 (1), 302-318, 2025
- GYQ Tng, H YangCognitive Development 72, 101516, 2024
- WX Toh, H YangTrends in Psychology 32 (2), 525-540, 2024
- GYQ Tng, H YangBehaviour & Information Technology 43 (5), 956-969, 2024
- H Yang, S Yang, Y Yang, QYJ TanJournal of Children and Media 18 (2), 178-197, 2024
This highlights are AI-generated content using the faculty's CV.
Qualifications
- PhD in Cognitive/Experimental Psychology, Cornell University, 2006
- BA in Psychology, Yonsei University, 2000
Research Interests
- Regulation of Executive Functions
- Bilingualism and Cognitive Development
- Healthy Ageing and Well-being
- Emotion and Motivation
- Impact of Technology on Cognitive and Socioemotional Development
- Creativity and Individual Differences
Research Advisor/Co-Research Advisor To
Course(s) Taught in SMU
- Capstone Seminar
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognition & Development
- Psychology of Cognitive Control
- Cognitive Psychology
