Kristina Wald

Kristina Wald
  • Lecturer

Contact Information

Research Interests: impression management; trust; communication; social interaction

Links: CV, Personal Website

Overview

Kristina Wald is a postdoctoral lecturer and researcher in the Operations, Information, and Decisions department at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She studies impression management, trust, and communication, with the goal of improving interpersonal and organizational outcomes. Some of her main research examines the role perceived self-awareness in social perception and trust formation. In other work, she has examined other facets of social perception, such as how we evaluate others’ failures and emotional displays, as well as various aspects of communication and conversations, such as how to effectively engage with those who disagree with us. Kristina’s work has been published in academic journals such as Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Psychological Science, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Kristina also teaches Negotiations to undergraduates at Wharton. Prior to Wharton, she received a PhD in Behavioral Science from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, and a B.A. in Psychology and Economics from Columbia University. Outside of work, Kristina enjoys doing mindfulness meditation, watching dating-themed reality TV shows, and trying her hand at improv.

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Teaching

All Courses

  • LGST2910 - Negotiations

    This course examines the art and science of negotiation, with additional emphasis on conflict resolution. Students will engage in a number of simulated negotiations ranging from simple one-issue transactions to multi-party joint ventures. Through these exercises and associated readings, students explore the basic theoretical models of bargaining and have an opportunity to test and improve their negotiation skills.

  • MGMT2910 - Negotiations

    This course examines the art and science of negotiation, with additional emphasis on conflict resolution. Students will engage in a number of simulated negotiations ranging from simple one-issue transactions to multi-party joint ventures. Through these exercises and associated readings, students explore the basic theoretical models of bargaining and have an opportunity to test and improve their negotiation skills.

  • OIDD2910 - Negotiations

    This course examines the art and science of negotiation, with additional emphasis on conflict resolution. Students will engage in a number of simulated negotiations ranging from simple one-issue transactions to multi-party joint ventures. Through these exercises and associated readings, students explore the basic theoretical models of bargaining and have an opportunity to test and improve their negotiation skills.

Knowledge at Wharton

What the Reconciliation Bill Means for U.S. Households

Faculty director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model breaks down the projected effects of the reconciliation bill on national debt, GDP, and low-income households.…Read More

Knowledge @ Wharton - 7/11/2025
Automatic Enrollment, Tax Fears, and the 401(k) Surge

Professor and director of the Pension Research Council at the Wharton School breaks down new data on rising 401(k) contributions, the influence of automatic enrollment, and the savings behaviors of younger generations.…Read More

Knowledge @ Wharton - 7/9/2025
How Minimum Wages and Taxes Can Combat Income Inequality

The ideal way to reduce income inequality is to use minimum wages and income taxes in a complementary way instead of one substituting the other, according to new Wharton research.…Read More

Knowledge @ Wharton - 7/8/2025