Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

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Why do we form stereotypes? Diane Pecher et al. found that memory plays an important role: People confuse individuals who look similar and reconstruct their memory based on unfounded statements about groups. This happened even when these individuals are friendly looking aliens!

Can’t wait to see all of the new science at #spsp2026! Remember to think of JESP as a home for your work! See you in Chicago!

Read the actual science by Yphtach Lelkes, Jon Krosnick, David Marx, Charles Judd, & Bernadette Park here! sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

Anonymous reviews don’t just “free people to be honest” they can amplify negative emotion. Past work in our journal shows anonymity increases stronger negative reactions, which skews evaluations. Something to keep in mind when browsing Rate My Professor! pepperdine-graphic.com/rant-students-…

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A simple nod of agreement can lock in first impressions. Across 4 studies brief social verification made evaluations of job applicants more consistent and stable. Shared reality doesn’t just feel real—it consolidates what we think. Matteo Masi, @Gerrit37719904 & Gerald Echterhoff

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Moral framing has long been proposed as a way to shift attitudes. Marlene Voit @MTwardawski & Mortiz Fischer tested this with conservatives who are often skeptical about climate change and found it didn’t work. Thus, there are understudied limits of moral reframing.

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New work Mohamed Hussein, Zakary Tormala, & S Christian Wheeler shows that when political issues become identity-relevant, people favor radical candidates. Identity—not just policy—drives polarization. @Columbia @Stanford psypost.org/linking-person…

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This @PsychToday piece by @RossGWhite explores what fuels dehumanization, citing past work by Francesca Prati, Richard Crisp, & Monica Rubini showing that counter-stereotype exposure reduces prejudice and helps re‑humanize others. 🧠💙 psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-to…

Read the actual science out of @SFU here by @anurada_ Kelton Travis, Kristina Castaneto, Tiara Cash, & Lara Aknin! sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

Ever wonder if saying “thank you” makes people more likely to help? Results are mixed. Gratitude, whether for a kind act or character, sometimes increased generosity but wording didn’t matter. The appreciation itself is what counts @GreaterGoodSC greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/d…

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Even when we try to think harder, we still excuse ourselves.🧠@k_miazek & @KonradBocian finds that the self-interest bias—judging bad acts as less wrong when they benefit us—persists even under time pressure or mental load. Fixing it may require awareness, not just willpower.

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Why do we feel good when a star athlete or coach stumbles? 🏈 This article cites a past study showing people enjoy others’ setbacks—especially when they seem hypocritical or undeserving. Even in sports, our sense of “justice” fuels schadenfreude. ⚖️ thedebrief.org/why-we-love-to…

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Can reading one article change your belief in free will? New studies say maybe—but the effect doesn’t last. Our beliefs might be more resilient than they seem New work by @OGenschow @JProtzko @sebraem💡