DrChristina Anthony

Dr Christina I. Anthony is a lecturer and consumer psychologist in the Discipline of Marketing at the University of Sydney Business School. She studies the psychology of social and marketplace interactions, with a particular focus on how consumers and brands engage in deception, and how emotions and emotion regulation shape decision-making and behavior.

Her research expertise includes:

• Consumer psychology
• Interpersonal deception
• Emotions and affect
• Emotion regulation
• Experimental research methods via the "Lie Lab"

Deception in the Marketplace ("The Business of Lying")

Christina studies deception in marketplace interactions, including both consumer and brand lying. Her research examines when and why consumers lie—for example, in situations involving negotiations, requests for refunds or compensation, attempts to gain material, professional, or social advantages, or when creating or sharing misleading content—whether in personal interactions, professional contexts, or on social and digital platforms. and how these behaviors affect satisfaction with the oucomes obtained, personal and interpersonal dynamics, and memory for the lies told. She also investigates deceptive behavior by brands, exploring how misleading communications, false claims, or moral violations impact consumers’ perceptions, trust, and emotional responses. Across both domains, her work examines the emotional and social consequences of deception, including responses to moral violations and engagement in reparative behavior.

Through my work on deception, she aim to contribute to responsible management and ethical practice by generating evidence that helps individuals and organizations recognize, prevent, and respond to misleading behavior. Using experimental designs in both laboratory and field settings, her research investigates the conditions and processes that give rise to deception and its consequences. This work seeks to inform policies and practices that promote transparency, accountability, and trust, ultimately supporting greater financial, emotional, and social well-being.

Emotions and Emotion Regulation

Christina studies how people experience, express, and regulate emotions in social and marketplace interactions. She investigates the strategies individuals use to manage their emotions, influence others, and navigate interpersonal dynamics. Using experimental methods in both laboratory and field settings, her research illuminates the psychological mechanisms underlying emotion and emotion regulation, with implications for enhancing financial, emotional, and social well-being.

Motivation and Goal Pursuit

Another key area of Christina’s research examines the role of emotions in motivation and goal-directed behavior, with a particular focus on gambling and other high-stakes contexts. She studies counterfactual thinking—how people reflect on how an outcome could have been better or worse—and how these thoughts and emotions influence persistence, risk-taking, and decision-making. Her work provides insight into why individuals continue to pursue goals or take risks despite setbacks, contributing to a deeper understanding of behavior in gambling, competitive, and high-pressure situations.