Research

Publication

"From Adam Smith to Artificial Intelligence: An Experimental Exploration of Emotion in Humanomics" 

with Xiangdong Qin, Siyu Wang and Xuechun Feng   Public Choice, 2025

Abstract:  

This study examines whether individuals can effectively express their emotions or “fellow feelings” to a machine, an impartial observer, or individuals who have caused them harm, and the effects of these emotional expressions on behavior. Our findings indicate that the impartial observer is the most preferred outlet for emotional expression, with neither the machine nor the offending party being able to adequately fulfill this role. Negative emotions are more commonly expressed to an impartial observer and a machine, whereas positive emotions are more often directed toward the offending party. Additionally, our findings indicate that emotional expression cannot replace costly punishment and that communication channels do not affect the behavior of the offending party. By exploring the nuanced ways emotions are conveyed, our study offers valuable insights into the evolving discourse on the impact of emotions on human-AI interactions. 

“Is It What You Say, or How You Say It?”  

 with Xiangdong Qin and Siyu Wang   Experimental Economics, 2024

Abstract:  

This study investigates the mechanisms driving the effectiveness of free-form communication in promoting cooperation within a sequential social dilemma game. We hypothesize that the self-constructing nature of free-form communication enhances the sincerity of messages and increases the disutility of dishonoring promises. Our experimental results demonstrate that free-form messages outperform both restricted promises and treatments where subjects select and use previously constructed free-form messages. Interestingly, we find that selected free-form messages and restricted promises achieve similar levels of cooperation. We observe that free-form messages with higher sincerity increase the likelihood of high-price and high-quality choices, thereby promoting cooperation. These messages frequently include promises and honesty, while threats do not promote cooperation. Our findings emphasize the crucial role of the self-constructed nature of free-form messages in promoting cooperation, exceeding the impact of message content compared to restricted communication protocols. 

Working paper

“Wings of Growth: A Mindset Intervention in Rural China” (Job Market Paper) 

with Juliana Silva Goncalves, Elif Incekara-Hafalir, Erte Xiao and Hui Xu

Abstract:  

We evaluate the impact of a six-week growth mindset intervention conducted in 18 disadvantaged middle schools in rural China. In the short term, the intervention improved students’ socio-emotional skills, including strengthened growth mindset, stronger internal locus of control and moderately enhanced grit. However, we find no significant effects on academic performance or aspirations. At the six-month follow-up, the medium-term effects remained largely sustained, although weakened in size. Short-term benefits were more pronounced among male students, those with better baseline academic performance, and those who received more parenting. In the medium term, treatment effect heterogeneity disappeared across gender, persisted for baseline academic performance, while weakened for parenting .

Presentations: 

25th China Economics Annual Conference (2025)†, 39th annual Australian PhD Conference in Economics and Business  (2025)†, Sydney Experimental and Behavioural Research Group Seminar Series (2025)†, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2025)†, Villanova University (2025), George Mason Univeristy- ICES Brown Bag Lectures (2025)†, AYEW - Season 11 (2025), Purdue Univeristy-Experimental Lunch (2025), ESA North America-Tuson (2025),  AFE Conference (2025), 18th ANZWEE Workshop (2025), ESA world meeting-Beijing (2025), ACE (2025)**, 1st Annual Workshop on Economics of Education (Guangdong) (2024)**, Lyon University (2024)**  

** Talk given by coauthors  † Scheduled Presentation

Awards: 

Best Paper Award for 1st Annual Workshop on Economics of Education (Guangdong)