ASU Department of Psychology

As fall approaches, the changing seasons impact more than just the weather.

Arizona State University Associate Professor Michael Varnum unpacks how seasonal shifts affect our mood, behavior and even community dynamics. From increased winter generosity to heightened summer irritability, climate change and season creep are influencing our psychology in unexpected ways.

Listen to his interview on NPR’s Science Friday to learn more.

Could ‘Season Creep’ Affect Human Behavior? The seasons are arriving at different times than they used to. A psychologist weighs in on whether these shifts could impact our behavior.

Hey, psychology and neuroscience students! Ever thought about how your degree could lead to a legal career? 🤔⚖️ This event is for you!

Join us to meet alumni working in the legal field, including a forensic interviewer, an FBI agent and an Arizona assistant attorney general.

🗓️ Happening tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 6–7 p.m. on Zoom.
💻 Check your email for the Zoom meeting link.

Adaptive Parenting ofrece clases presenciales gratuitas en español para padres que hayan servido en el ejército o cuyo cónyuge haya servido en el ejército. Para padres de niños de 4 a 12 años. Inscríbase hoy. Las clases comienzan el 19 de septiembre y se extenderán hasta el 19 de diciembre de 2024.

Join Adaptive Parenting's no-cost in-person Spanish classes for military parents with children aged 4-12. Enroll now! Starting on September 19th until December 19th, 2024.

How did the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic shape our views of political affiliation as a health risk?

Arizona State University Professor Steven Neuberg and alumna Ahra Ko explore this in their latest research, revealing how feelings of vulnerability led Americans to associate political parties with infection risk. 🦠

Learn more about their findings in The Conversation US.

Republicans wary of Republicans – how politics became a clue about infection risk during the pandemic Reactions like disgust are part of the behavioral immune system that helps you avoid disease. Usually conservatives are more fearful of contamination – but something unusual happened during COVID-19.

Parents, are you focusing too much on screen time and not enough on what's happening on your teen's screen?

Arizona State University Associate Professor Thao Ha offers valuable advice on how to start crucial conversations about social media use. 🎙️ Listen to her full interview on KJZZ Phoenix and learn how to better connect with your teen.

What's on teens' screens is more important than limiting their screen time, this expert says Thao Ha is an associate professor in the psychology department at ASU, and she joins The Show to talk more about parents engaging with their teens about screen time.

Happy Labor Day, Sun Devils!

Enjoy your long weekend and take this time to recharge. 🔱

Whether you’re in class, working on a project, diving into research or participating in student organizations, you need the right tools to bring your work to life.

Fill up your ASU Digital Backpack with essentials like Zoom, Dropbox, Google Workspace, Adobe Creative Cloud and more. 💻🎒

Available to all enrolled Arizona State University students. Get the tools you need at tech.asu.edu/initiatives/asu-digital-backpack.

Welcome to the fall semester, Sun Devils! 😈🔱

Here's to a semester filled with exciting psychology and neuroscience classes. Go make it a great one!

New transfer students, join us for "Start with a Spark" — a special event to connect you with other transfer students studying psychology and neuroscience at ASU.

No RSVP is necessary. Simply visit the Psychology Building Library, Room 230, on Tuesday, August 27 from 2–3:30 p.m. Academic advisors and faculty from the Department of Psychology will be there to help answer any questions you may have.

Snacks and drinks will be provided!

It's not too late to register for classes! 🗓️ Finalize your schedule before classes start on August 22.

Looking for an interesting course? Consider PSY 302: The Psychology of Positive Leadership. This 3-credit course explores psychological and social processes that help leaders and teams thrive in dynamic, collaborative environments.

Register now: catalog.apps.asu.edu/catalog/classes/classlist?keywords=73048&searchType=all&term=2247 =73048-129919

An AI-generated deepfake photo of Katy Perry at the 2024 Met Gala fooled even her mother. 👀 Despite their artificial nature, why are deepfakes so easily believed and spread?

"We can all be fooled by a deepfake if it’s high quality enough," says Assistant Research Professor Michael Barlev. “But there’s a perhaps less obvious reason deepfakes spread, and it’s one I’ve been especially interested in. Individuals might sometimes be socially motivated to believe the deepfake.”

Understanding this phenomenon, known as confirmation bias, can help us navigate this era of AI and misinformation.

ASU researchers discuss the implications of deepfakes | ASU News Plato feared the artist.The ancient Greek philosopher, the original source of the notion that art imitates life, found imagery, at best, an entertaining illusion — at worst, a dangerous deception.In her book, “Plato’s Fear,” Ajit Maan writes, “Neither reality, nor reason holds the power th...

Regents Professor David MacKinnon, from ASU's The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been honored with the 2024 Presidential Award from the Society for Prevention Research - SPR.

For 35 years, MacKinnon has developed mediation analysis methods benefiting psychology, sociology, biology and medical research.

"I value this award because it represents a career of work in prevention science, a field that has scientific and practical application," said MacKinnon. "I like using science and math to address serious health problems like smoking, drug abuse and heart disease."

Professor recognized for research on preventing mental, physical health problems | ASU News Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1735 that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”He was actually referring to fire prevention for the city of Philadelphia, but this adage has since been extended to prevention science, which focuses on how to improve physical and mental health.

You brighten our community, psychology and neuroscience students! 🎆 Wishing you a fun and safe Independence Day.

We can't wait to see your brilliance at ASU this fall.

Everyday stress is manageable, but chronic stress can significantly affect our health.

Leah Doane, psychology professor at The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and principal investigator of Adolescent Stress and Emotion Lab at Arizona State University, appeared on Arizona PBS's Arizona Horizon to discuss chronic stress and sleep.

Understanding chronic stress and its impact on health Things like the pandemic, racial injustice, climate change-- are all chronic stressors that weigh heavily on people.

Assistant Professor Jinni Su was recently recognized with the 2024 Outstanding Faculty Mentor Early Career Award. She's celebrated for her mentoring and dedication to increasing representation in and out of the research lab.

“I was a first-generation college student and was also an international student, and I know that students who come from underrepresented backgrounds can go through challenges beyond the typical graduate school experience,” Su said. “I prioritize their mental health and well-being and let them know that I am always willing to listen and support them.”

Read more: news.asu.edu/20240612-university-news-professor-recognized-mentoring-increasing-representation-and-out-lab

Top psychology professors at ASU's The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences have joined with the Child Mind Institute to develop tools to support families with today's toughest parenting challenges.

The project consists of 40 videos in both English and Spanish and features more than 150 caregivers, kids and experts tackling issues such as separation and divorce, grief, community violence and parental mental health concerns. Each video comes with downloadable guides full of tips and resources.

“There's a lot of information out there on TikTok and Instagram, but so much of that information isn't good parenting information,” said Assistant Professor and Arizona State University- REACH Institute scientist Joanna Kim said. “What I love about this project is that they got real families talking about their lived experiences. There's a diversity of experiences and diversity of challenges. They're showing how different families have gone through different struggles, and come up on top and become stronger, and how kids have gotten stronger.

I think these videos do a really beautiful job of integrating the science and evidence with real-life practical tools.”

Developing tools for positive parenting in face of 21st-century challenges | ASU News Top ASU psychology professors with expertise in trauma-informed parenting interventions have joined with the Child Mind Institute to develop videos and tools to directly help families dealing with some of the most pressing, confusing and challenging questions of our current times.

Recent findings from President’s Professor Heather Bimonte-Nelson and her team reveal that the uterus — and its removal, the second most common surgery for women after C-sections — may directly impact brain function.

Historically, medical research has focused more on males or mixed male and female data, leading to poor health outcomes. This lack of comprehensive knowledge about the uterus reflects a bigger issue in medical science.

“Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean we should not study it, or that it is not important,” says Bimonte-Nelson. “Many have argued that it is too complex and not within the realm of their question. That means that the only question left is relevant to males, and that’s a problem.”

For those who’ve had a hysterectomy, this research offers hope: understanding the effects can improve treatment options and quality of life.

ASU research finds link between removal of uterus, brain function | ASU News The uterus has three clear jobs: periods, pregnancy and labor. At least, that’s what the medical textbooks tell us. But new research is suggesting the organ may play a bigger role in female health.

Associate Professor William Fabricius was recently honored with the 2024 Ned Holstein Shared Parenting Research Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Parents Organization.

For over two decades, he has studied the well-being of children from divorced or separated parents, as well as examined shared parenting practices and the involvement of fathers in child-rearing.

"This award from the National Parents Organization is particularly meaningful to me because it recognizes that the different aspects of my work are all interrelated. I am most proud that it came full circle here in Arizona: Twelve years after I heard the voices of ASU students from divorced families, Arizona courts began presuming that equal parenting time was in children's best interests, just in time for their children to be born into the new paradigm," said Fabricius.

ASU psychologist wins lifetime achievement award for shared parenting research | ASU News For over two decades, Arizona State University Associate Professor William Fabricius has studied the well-being of children from divorced or separated parents, as well as examined shared parenting practices and the involvement of fathers in child-rearing. Recently, Fabricius was honored for his work...

Congratulations to Christina Pedram on receiving the Outstanding Teaching Professor Award in natural sciences! 🎉

Pedram's teaching approach, rooted in evidence-based practices, fosters intellectual curiosity and academic excellence. She challenges students' preconceptions, encourages self-reflection and bridges the gap between research and practice.

Learn more about Pedram and other 2024 teaching award recipients from ASU's The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. https://news.asu.edu/20240522-university-news-college-liberal-arts-and-sciences-celebrates-faculty-excellence-2024

A recent ASU study found that higher daily stress levels in adolescents were linked to them feeling less loved by their romantic partners.

In a sample of nearly 100 adolescent couples, feeling supported by a romantic parter protected against the negative effects of stress.

“Feeling loved is such a fundamental experience in teenage relationships," said Associate Professor Thao Ha. "Our study shows how adolescent romantic partners have an important function for coping with stress."

ASU study: Support from romantic partners protects against negative relationship stress in teens | ASU News Adolescents regularly deal with high levels of stress, which can increase the risk of substance use and experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression.

When it comes to sibling dynamics, research shows that girls can be just as aggressive as boys.

"Outside the family, there was substantially more aggression by males towards other males, including friends and acquaintances," said President's Professor Douglas Kenrick. "Inside the family, all the rules were broken: Girls were just as aggressive as boys, and siblings in general were much more aggressive towards one another than towards friends and acquaintances."

Read more about his recent study on differences in physical aggression between the sexes: news.asu.edu/20240509-science-and-technology-asu-study-identifies-sexbased-differences-physical-aggression

Why do people believe in conspiracies?

In a new paper, Foundation Professor Steven Neuberg and Assistant Research Professor Michael Barlev examine the underlying reasons why people believe in falsehoods. They also propose various strategies and interventions to help reduce polarization in the U.S.

"There's been so much interest in fake news and misinformation over the past decade. It’s really exploded. And we're saying, here's another way of thinking about this question, which no one has thought about, and we think it’s really productive," said Barlev.

The truth behind believing lies: ASU professors explain what may be behind irrational beliefs | ASU News With the 2024 election looming in the not-so-distant future, there’s a lot of information to consider and consume. And that may mean a lot of lies that can lead to irrational beliefs. Laying aside questions of polls and popularity, a new paper titled “Rational Reasons for Irrational Beliefs” e...

Kudos to Sara Bojczuk for receiving the Ernest Lindholm Award for Outstanding Senior in Biopsychology! 🏆A Barrett, the Honors College student, Bojczuk is majoring in neuroscience with a minor in forensic science. Her goal is to attend medical school and become a doctor.

"My research experience at ASU has allowed me to develop critical thinking skills in order to pursue a topic that I am passionate about," said Bojczuk.

📷 Pictured: Bojczuk at the launch party for Normal Noise, a semesterly magazine supported by Barrett, The Honors College; Bojczuk representing the club Science Detectives at a science fair; and a photo Bojczuk captured of a roadrunner during a hike.

Congratulations to Eva Bartsch, recipient of the Dr. Elizabeth Capaldi Phillips Memorial Award for Graduate Research in the Psychology of Eating! 🏆 This award, established in honor of Elizabeth Capaldi Phillips, former Provost and Executive Vice President of Arizona State University and a passionate psychology of eating researcher, recognizes Eva’s work in studying genetic and environmental factors underlying eating habits and dietary intake.

Bartsch, a doctoral student specializing in clinical psychology, also received the Sharon Manne Graduate Student Research Award for her dedication to addressing important mental and physical health issues.

She’s a member of the Arizona Twin Project, led by Professors Kathryn Lemery-Chalfant, Leah Doane and Mary Davis, as well as the Emotion Regulation and Health Lab.

“Being selected as the recipient of these awards represents not only a meaningful recognition of my past research contributions but also empowers me to continue pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist. I am so grateful to the Arizona Twin Project team and participants, as well as my ASU psychology community, without whom this research would not be possible,” said Bartsch.

Join us in celebrating Belal Jamil, this year's recipient of the prestigious Martha E. Bernal Memorial Scholarship Award!

Named in honor of the first Latina to receive a PhD in psychology in the United States, this award recognizes Jamil's exceptional work in integrating qualitative and quantitative methods in his study of minority health as a graduate student in developmental psychology.

A member of Assistant Professor Jinni Su’s Genes, Environment, and Youth Development Lab, Belal’s research focuses on understanding how genetic risk, family processes and sociocultural experiences can influence mental health and substance use outcomes among adolescents and emerging adults. He has a particular interest in understanding how variations may emerge in these pathways across youth from different racial/ethnic backgrounds.

“I’d like to thank Drs’. Jinni Su and Jose Causadias for their continued mentorship and support,” shared Jamil.