Norman LI

Norman LI is a Professor of Psychology and PGR Coordinator for the PhD Psychology Programme at Singapore Management University's School of Social Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology (Arizona State University, 2003), an MBA in Finance (University of Michigan, 1988), and a B.A. in Economics (Northwestern University, 1986). His career includes prior positions at the University of Texas at Austin.

LI's research integrates evolutionary theory, economics, and experimental psychology to study mate preferences, human well-being, and evolutionary mismatch—exploring how modern environments clash with evolved psychological mechanisms. His seminal work uses budget-allocation paradigms to reveal gender differences in mate selection, showing women prioritize status/resources while men value attractiveness. He also investigates pandemic responses, digital-age adaptations, and cross-cultural moral judgments.

Recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Fellowship for Research Excellence (2011), LI has published 90+ articles in journals like Psychological Review and Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. His lab explores topics from sexual signaling to religion's evolutionary roots. He advises multiple PhD students and teaches courses in social psychology, evolutionary psychology, and human mating.

His public outreach includes media features in The Straits Times, New Scientist, and podcasts discussing how evolutionary principles apply to modern happiness and relationships.