@mikeypasek
Assistant professor of social psychology at the University of Illinois Chicago. I study identity-based division and how to reduce it, with a focus on ethno-religious conflict. Cinnabon enthusiast. michaelhpasek.com
New study. We had adults place historical figures on the left-right ideological spectrum. Folks most often place history's villains (Hitler, Stalin, etc) as extreme examples of their opponents. But they place heroes (Jesus, MLK, Lincoln) are on their own team. 1/4 www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Could you add it to your cover letter?
Picture of a church and the words "the Quiet Revival"
Do you know a social scientist persuaded there's a religious resurgence happening in the UK or US? I'm looking for a panelist or two to make an empirical case for revival in a session at the Soc. for the Scientific Study of Religion meeting. https://sssreligion.org/annual-meeting/meeting-info/
There are now 25 (!) books in the Oxford University Press series on "Political Psychology"! Here they are. Please check out these books and spread the word about them! And we are still considering new book proposals.
global.oup.com/academic/con...
It honestly is SO good!! I used to assign Tim’s old chapter which I loved, and this one is even better :). Thank YOU!
Now available in paperback! And I love the new additions at the top of the back cover... 🥰
bakerbookhouse.com/products/978...
Whether you are a seasoned experimenter, an early to mid-career scholar, or just starting grad school, there's so much in this article to think about and incorporate into your work! Highly encourage you all to check this one out of you haven't!
In an era of rapid science dominated by online research, this article calls for us to pay closer attention to the psychological experiences of participants and to carefully craft our studies in a way that preserves psychological realism.
Each time I teach our grad methods course I'm struck by the brilliance of our colleagues, and so thankful for the tremendous resources others provide our field. This article by Tim Wilson, @erinwestgate.bsky.social, & Elliot Aaronson is a superb example. openpublishing.princeton.edu/read/the-art...
Loved reading this!!!
We are a secular democracy. If you don't like the freedom of religion, you are welcome to move somewhere else.
In America, you can be Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or anything else. It's written into our Constitution. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Get lost with this garbage.
Nearly 6 hours since a GOP congressman said “Muslims don’t belong in American society,” not a single member of Republican leadership in the House will weigh in.
There is a growing sickness in the Republican Party that spawns this virulent hatred.
Replace 'Muslims' with any other faith & this man would be run out of Congress.
Their tolerance for this bigotry is a cancer in their ranks. Hate, in all its forms, should find no refuge here.
1. New in-press paper on religion's functions, co-authored with amazing lab manager James Nesbit! Full text here, more info in thread below: columbiasamclab.weebly.com/uploads/5/9/....
#AcademicSky #PsychSciSky #SocialPsyc #DevPsyc #CogPsyc @socphilpsych.bsky.social 🧪
I think this deserves at least as much sustained attention from US media as Claudine Gay's dissertation
New paper out in Science Advances! I'm really (really) proud of this one. Let's get into it. doi.org/10.1126/scia...
After nearly a decade measuring American public support for political violence, @nathankalmoe.bsky.social and I have published a somewhat comprehensive guide to measuring these attitudes. This includes historical comparisons and responses to common critiques. doi.org/10.1093/poq/...
This is just bonkers, as evangelicals dominate Republican ranks in every branch of government. It shows that these extreme Christian nationalists don't want to just have a voice, they want Dominion
Our lab has a new postdoc position that is ideal for someone interested in a career in data science or statistical consulting and an interest in gender diversity / trans health. apply.interfolio.com/182278
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Kristi Noem.
We are deeply concerned by reports that military commanders are framing the Iran war as “God’s plan” and invoking Armageddon in official briefings.
Service members swear an oath to the Constitution — not to any religion.
We are reviewing these reports and will demand accountability.
And, quick plug for Elon University undergraduate student Dani Rudd’s poster on a theoretical approach to thinking about authenticity in human-AI relations. This is Dani’s first #SPSP2026. She was in my Careers in Psychology class last Fall and is looking at PhD programs and lab manager positions!
In the #SPSP2026 symposium she chaired, @abbycassario.bsky.social presented work investigating how attitudes get pulled into the moral domain; while prior explanations have focused on emotions and intra-attitudinal features, she suggested researchers should also consider *inter*-attitude structures.
Interesting research presented by Zarnab Zahoor at #SPSP2026 found that across 9 democracies (7 Christian-majority, 1 Hindu-majority, and 1 Jewish-majority), all samples showed a positive association between religious nationalism and conservatism (this effect was especially pronounced in the U.S.).
No justification, no authorization from Congress, and no clear objective.
But none of that matters to Donald Trump — and apparently neither do the safety and lives of American service members.
If you're curious: Yes, of course Trump is at Mar-a-Lago as his unilateral war kicks off. www.pbump.net/o/an-officia...
In the past, sometimes presidents have said it’s just a military operation or limited airstrikes to skirt Congress. Trump has unilaterally launched major combat operations, declaring war with the goal of regime change. A major violation of the U.S. Constitution, also illegal under international law
“Some have even argued that private funding is superior, maintaining that it is more flexible, less prone to groupthink, and reduces the “burden” on taxpayers. But can the private sector really replace public funding? History suggests not”
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
At SOTU, Trump claimed that young men were becoming more religious because of Charlie Kirk. There's no evidence they are, and certainly not because of him. So why say it?
www.ms.now/opinion/trum...
Congratulations!!!!!
