Our Research Focus
The squid's elusive nature reflects the often hidden and difficult-to-detect aspects of deviant behavior. Known to symbolize the unconscious mind due to their mysterious and elusive behavior in the deep ocean, squid's resonate with our research into uncovering the hidden motives behind deviant behavior.
In the SQUID Lab, we study the predictors and consequences of deviance across various contexts, with a primary focus on organizational settings. Our research is organized into three broad streams:
1. Implicit Motives and Personality
2. Terrorism and Targeted Violence
3. Personnel Selection and Psychometrics.
Implicit Motives and Personality
The Squid Lab conducts research related to implicit motives and personality, with particular attention on maladaptive traits such as the motive to aggress. See below for selected research related to this stream:
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Sydney L. Reichin
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James M. LeBreton, Sydney L. Reichin, Jan te Nijenhuis, Myckel Cremers, & Kitty van der Heijden-Lek
Critically evaluating the use of dark trait measurement in selection.
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Sydney L. Reichin, Elizabeth M. Grimaldi, & James M. LeBreton
Clara Gesang-Gottowt, Fen-Fire, 2024
Terrorism and Targeted Violence
The Squid Lab conducts research related to threat and risk assessment, with particular attention on the evaluation of novel threats and risk assessment for soft targets. See below for selected research related to this stream:
Sydney L. Reichin, Kelsey R. Ciagala, Katherine Parsons, & Samuel T. Hunter
Physical security culture: The neglected foundation for effective security
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Kelsey R. Ciagala, Sydney L. Reichin, Katherine Parsons, & Samuel T. Hunter
TVTP Grant Program Formative and Outcome Evaluation Report​
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Matt Allen, Andrea Walker, Nicholas J. Arreola, Daniel Cook, Jeffrey Jones, Alice Jurkiewicz, Cynthia Kennedy, Charlie Maas, Erin G. Pleggenkuhle-Miles, Sydney Reichin, Noah Turner, Elle Ward, & John Wonderlich
Belinda Ireland, Pandora's box, 2025
Personnel Selection and Psychometrics
The Squid Lab conducts research related to personnel selection and psychometrics, with particular attention on faking in personnel selection and selection into defense and security roles. See below for selected research related to this stream:
Intentional response distortion during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Sydney L. Reichin, Danielle M. Tarantino, & Rustin D. Meyer
IT'S A TRAP! Faking and faking detection on conditional reasoning tests
Jeremy L. Schoen, Jaime L. Williams, Sydney L. Reichin, & Rustin D. Meyer
Sydney L. Reichin, Mark C. Frame, Alexander T. Jackson, & Michael Hein
Exploring the feasibility of assessing cultural competence in police officers
Sydney L. Reichin, Alexander T. Jackson, Mark C. Frame, & Michael Hein
Alexandra Djokic, People, 2020
Inside the SQUID Lab
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