James Kim

James Kim is an interdisciplinary social psychologist and University of Waterloo Provost Interdisciplinary Scholar. His research lies at the intersection of relationship science and sexuality, focusing on how people navigate their romantic and sexual needs across diverse contexts, and in ways that enhance relationship and sexual well-being. He employs multiple methodological approaches and quantitative methods in his work to investigate relationship perceptions, motivations, and behaviors, with the aim of fostering healthier environments for connection and intimacy. His current research at St. Jerome’s/Waterloo focuses on understanding the sources and outcomes of modern misogynistic ideologies, and elucidating their links with gender-based violence.

Selected publications:

Kim, J. J., Reis, H. T., Maniaci, M. R., Joel., S. (2023). Half empty and half full? Biased perceptions of love in relationships and effects of dyadic complementarity. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 01461672231171986.

Amar, O., Joel, S., & Kim, J. J. (2023). The role of attachment style and threat on information-seeking behaviour in new romantic relationships. Western Undergraduate Psychology Journal, 11(1), 61-73.

Dobson, K., Kim, J. J., Impett, E. A. (2022). Perceptual accuracy for sexual rejection in heterosexual relationships. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 51(1), 491-503.

Kim, J. J., Muise, A., Barranti, M., Mark, K. P., Harasymchuk, C., Rosen, N. O., & Impett, E. A. (2020). Are couples more satisfied when they match in sexual desire? New insights from response surface analyses. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 12(4), 487-496.

Kim, J. J., Muise, A., Sakaluk, J. K., Rosen, N. O., & Impett, E. A. (2020). When tonight is not the night: Sexual rejection and satisfaction in romantic relationships. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 46(10), 1476–1490.

Sakaluk, J. K., Kim, J. J., Campbell, E. A., Baxter, A., & Impett, E. A. (2019). Self-esteem and sexual health: A multilevel meta-analytic review. Health Psychology Review, 14(2), 269-293.

Kim, J. J., Muise, A., Sakaluk, J. K., & Impett, E.A. (2019). Sexual rejection scale. In Milhausen, R., Sakaluk, J. K., Fisher, T., Davis, C.M. & Yarber, W. (Eds). The Handbook of Sexuality-Related Measures (4th ed.). Routledge.

Kim, J. J., Horne, R. M., Muise, A., & Impett, E. A. (2019). Development and validation of the responses to sexual rejection scale. Personality and Individual Differences, 144, 88-93.

Kim, J. J., Visserman, M., & Impett, E. A. (2019). Power in close intimate relationships. In C. R. Agnew & J. J. Harman (Eds). Advances in Personal Relationships: Power in close relationships. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Selected Grants, Fellowships, and Awards:

UW Provost Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Fellowship

UCLA Expanding the Frontiers of Relationship Science Grant

SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship

Ontario Graduate Scholarship

SSHRC CGS Doctoral Award