leidenpsychologyblog

Gert-Jan Lelieveld is Assistant Professor of Social and Organisational Psychology at the Institute of Psychology, Leiden University.

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Fear of the coronavirus is also pervasive

We’re susceptible not only to viruses, but also to fear of viruses. What are the psychological principles at work here?

Gert-Jan Lelieveld • March 02, 2020

Worried about riots? Make strikers less anonymous

To avoid demonstrations getting out of hand, make sure strikers can’t lose themselves in anonymity.

Gert-Jan Lelieveld • December 02, 2019

Why some people believe vaccinating their children is worse than doing nothing

People’s motivation for not vaccinating their children can be explained by the fact that people feel more responsible for the negative consequences of vaccination than for the consequences of doing nothing.

Gert-Jan Lelieveld • April 25, 2019

The Ikea effect: the feel-good factor of self-assembly

One of the things people value in a product is the effort they have to invest in it. And this holds true even if a professional would have done a better job. What is the psychology behind the Ikea effect?

Gert-Jan Lelieveld • December 17, 2018

Why can’t some people resist skating on thin ice?

Whenever we have a cold snap, people venture onto the ice - sometimes with disastrous results if they fall through. But why do some people take that risk of skating on thin ice?

Gert-Jan Lelieveld • March 09, 2018

#MeToo gives people the courage to face the consequences

The #MeToo campaign has shown that sexual harassment is much more common than was previously believed. The campaign gives people the courage to share their negative experiences, because they see their friends and acquaintances also having that courage.

Gert-Jan Lelieveld • November 20, 2017

Where blame begins…

Whether somebody is to blame for another person’s suffering is a question that is not always easy to answer. Psychologist Gert-Jan Lelieveld examines the origins of blame.

Gert-Jan Lelieveld • July 17, 2017

Who can get it across to the voters that life is good in the Netherlands?

Voters seem to be guided by their emotions rather than by the facts, and this can have consequences for democracy, Gert-Jan Lelieveld writes. For once, try focusing on the things that are going well.

Gert-Jan Lelieveld • March 06, 2017

Three reasons to vote

Staying home on election day? There are three scientific reasons why you should really make an effort to vote.

Gert-Jan Lelieveld • December 12, 2016