How can other species’ emotions influence us?

Have you ever looked at your pet and detected excitement, sadness, or guilt? Such interactions indicate not only your pet expressing an emotion, but also you reacting to it. This ability is crucial for a social animal’s survival, but can it work between species?

Anna Matsulevits • October 31, 2022

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

Do wedding choices influence marriage quality?

Spring has given way to summer, which means it’s time for tropical temperatures, beach days, barbecues, and of course, weddings! In this blog let’s find out whether wedding choices, such as the number of guests, can influence marriage quality

Suzanne van de Groep • June 06, 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

Party-drug use among students: Why (not) everyone is doing it

Media reports suggest that party-drug use is becoming increasingly normal among young adults. Is this true for students? And what characterizes students who start and continue to use party-drugs?

Winifred Gebhardt and Laura Kunst • June 12, 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

How to set prejudice aside when watching a debate

The last few weeks have seen the long-anticipated debates between the Democrats’ presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and the Republican Donald Trump. The debates were very fierce and both candidates availed of every opportunity to make personal attacks.

Gert-Jan Lelieveld • October 19, 2016

On sabbatical

“Enjoying your vacation?”, my friends and relations ask me, knowing I’m ‘on sabbatical’. At home the word sabbatical triggers a knowing grin; I’m working as much as ever. But my stress levels are lower, and I come back from work happy each day.

Naomi Ellemers • August 03, 2015

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