Biography
Mengzhen (MZ) Lim, PhD, is a Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Central Florida and a former Japanese Government (MEXT) scholar. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from University Putra Malaysia (UPM).
Research: His research examines sensitive societal topics, not limited to corruption, bribery, sexual behavior, pornography use, and romantic relationships, through the lens of cross-cultural differences and the theory of social representation. He frequently speaks at international conferences, collaborates with researchers from Lancaster University, the University of Oxford, and Sunway University, and his work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals, received media coverage, and his edited book was recognized among the top Malaysian titles of the year. Students are welcome to work with him on research through either the Honors Undergraduate Thesis (HUT) or PSY4912 Directed Independent Research.
Teaching: He has taught at universities in the United States, Japan, and Malaysia, and views psychology students not just as consumers but as future producers of psychological science. His teaching emphasizes research, collaboration, renewable assessment, and cross-cultural insights in a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment, preparing students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and make meaningful contributions in a diverse and changing world.
Outside the Classroom: He has been a community builder dedicated to promoting mental health and real-world learning. He led students in organizing Sidewalk, a free listening project where volunteers provided nonjudgmental support to anyone who wanted to talk, helping students develop empathy and understand real-life mental health experiences. He also co-hosted the Breakup Exhibition, a psychology-focused event allowing individuals to share emotionally heavy stories with the public, fostering awareness and dialogue around mental well-being. Students are welcome to consult him on applying psychological theories to community service projects.
Recent Publications
Mengzhen, L., Borsje, T., Pangburn, D., Yoshida, K., Berezina, E., & Benjamin, J. (2025). Romantic Relationships in Japan: A Lens for Social Policy Recommendation: L. Mengzhen et al. Sexuality & Culture, 29(5), 2470-2489. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-025-10379-4
Mengzhen, L., Berezina, E., Mathew Hugues D. Gill, C., & Nor, N. F. M. (2025). What Is Corruption and Bribery? A Social Representations Study From the Views of Young Adults. SAGE Open, 15(3), 21582440251363749. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251363749
Mengzhen, L., van Oosten, S., & Wan Jaafar, W. M. (2025). Type of primary school attended influences bribe-giving intentions. Public Integrity, 27(4), 471-482. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10999922.2024.2353710
Mengzhen, L., Wu, S. L., Yap, C. C., Low, K. S., & Tan, Y. T. (2025). The decline in intentions to stop watching pornography among young adults. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 40(1), 89-106. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2024.2304673
Mengzhen, L., Berezina, E., & Benjamin, J. (2024). Insights into young adults’ views on long-term and short-term romantic relationships in the United Kingdom. Sexuality & Culture, 28(4), 1407-1423. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-023-10183-y
Armstrong, M., Yang, C. L., Skiers, K., Mengzhen, L., Gunasekaran, T. S., Wang, Z., … & Pai, Y. S. (2024). SealMates: Improving Communication in Video Conferencing using a Collective Behavior-Driven Avatar. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 8(CSCW1), 1-23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3637395
Mengzhen, L., Sin, Y., Wan Jaafar, W. M., Mohd Khir, A., Hamsan, H. H., Yong, M. H., … & Ong, C. S. (2024). Curbing bribe-giving in Malaysia: The role of attitudes and parents. Public Integrity, 26(2), 188-202. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10999922.2022.2144017
Mengzhen, L., Lim, D. H. J., Berezina, E., & Benjamin, J. (2024). Navigating love in a post-pandemic world: Understanding young adults’ views on short-and long-term romantic relationships. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 53(2), 497-510. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-023-02738-9
Lim, M., & Yap, G. (Eds.). (2022). Mending Hearts: Healing from Separation and Loss, a Collection of True Stories. Sunway University Press.