Neil Hauenstein

Neil Hauenstein is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech, where he has served since 1989. He directs the Social Cognitive and Industrial Psychology program and is a core member of the Industrial/Organizational psychology doctoral training program. His work bridges social cognitive theories with organizational contexts, emphasizing how individual perceptions shape workplace behavior and judgment.

Education:

• B.A. with honors in Psychology, Ohio Northern University
• M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, University of Akron
• Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, University of Akron

Research Interests: Hauenstein focuses on
- Application of social cognitive models (CAPS, KAPA, Regulatory Fit) to work environments
- Psychometric rigor of social judgments (performance appraisals, interview assessments)
- Equal opportunity/diversity initiatives, including training evaluation and adverse impact detection
- Motivational dynamics in individual and team performance

Recent Scholarship Trends: Recent work emphasizes diversity measurement (e.g., East Asian American situational judgment tests), surgical team workflow safety, and personality assessment validity. His 2017-2025 publications reflect continued focus on rater training efficacy, bias detection, and motivational frameworks.

Affiliations & Impact: Collaborates with the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI), developing diversity assessments and evaluating training programs. Active in military and healthcare contexts through studies on ranger attrition and surgical team dynamics.