Christopher Petsko
@chrispetsko.bsky.social
Social Psychologist | Assistant Professor of Org. Behavior at UNC Chapel Hill | Stereotyping Researcher | Views are for sure my own |
https://www.christopherpetsko.com
https://www.christopherpetsko.com
Pinned
Congratulations to the newest class of APS Rising Stars ⭐! www.psychologicalscience.org/members/awar...
I've been named a Rising Star by APS!
I'm so grateful to my nominators, and also to every person who's supported my career over the years. And of course I'm so flattered to get to share this title with so many people I admire. Congrats, all. 🙌🏻
I'm so grateful to my nominators, and also to every person who's supported my career over the years. And of course I'm so flattered to get to share this title with so many people I admire. Congrats, all. 🙌🏻
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
I'm excited to share that I’ll be reviewing PhD applications this cycle for students interested in working with me starting Summer/Fall 2026.
I’m especially looking for applicants excited about research on trust/persuasion, responses to historical harm, addressing inequality, and/or mindsets.
I’m especially looking for applicants excited about research on trust/persuasion, responses to historical harm, addressing inequality, and/or mindsets.
November 20, 2025 at 9:53 PM
I'm excited to share that I’ll be reviewing PhD applications this cycle for students interested in working with me starting Summer/Fall 2026.
I’m especially looking for applicants excited about research on trust/persuasion, responses to historical harm, addressing inequality, and/or mindsets.
I’m especially looking for applicants excited about research on trust/persuasion, responses to historical harm, addressing inequality, and/or mindsets.
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
it's fascinating that you can see when exactly the Reagan revolution happened
November 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
it's fascinating that you can see when exactly the Reagan revolution happened
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
"While ingroup evaluation may not always be positive, this does not preclude strong ingroup identification."
Open Access: doi.org/10.1080/1529...
Open Access: doi.org/10.1080/1529...
November 7, 2025 at 5:50 PM
"While ingroup evaluation may not always be positive, this does not preclude strong ingroup identification."
Open Access: doi.org/10.1080/1529...
Open Access: doi.org/10.1080/1529...
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
This agreement maintains that Cornell has full autonomy. Cornell also maintains that it has not done anything wrong.
So, essentially, Trump used the power of his office (e.g. by not paying ongoing grants) to force a $30 million payout.
I understand why Cornell did this, but it doesn't feel good.
So, essentially, Trump used the power of his office (e.g. by not paying ongoing grants) to force a $30 million payout.
I understand why Cornell did this, but it doesn't feel good.
Breaking News: Cornell University reached an agreement with the Trump administration that would restore hundreds of millions in funding to the university. It's expected to pay a $30 million fine to the government and to invest $30 million in agriculture and farming programs.
Cornell Reaches Deal with Trump Administration to Restore Research Funds
The Ivy League university had warned of layoffs after the Trump administration stripped it of funds this year. The cuts were among the deepest in higher education.
nyti.ms
November 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
This agreement maintains that Cornell has full autonomy. Cornell also maintains that it has not done anything wrong.
So, essentially, Trump used the power of his office (e.g. by not paying ongoing grants) to force a $30 million payout.
I understand why Cornell did this, but it doesn't feel good.
So, essentially, Trump used the power of his office (e.g. by not paying ongoing grants) to force a $30 million payout.
I understand why Cornell did this, but it doesn't feel good.
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
-- Call for Papers --
Special issue on "Intersectionality in Social Psychology: Perspectives, Methods, and Applications" in the British Journal of Social Psychology.
Abstract submission deadline: 15 December 2025
Special issue on "Intersectionality in Social Psychology: Perspectives, Methods, and Applications" in the British Journal of Social Psychology.
Abstract submission deadline: 15 December 2025
<em>British Journal of Social Psychology</em> | Wiley Online Library
<em>British Journal of Social Psychology</em> is an international journal publishing impactful basic and applied social psychological research from all parts of the world.
bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:03 AM
-- Call for Papers --
Special issue on "Intersectionality in Social Psychology: Perspectives, Methods, and Applications" in the British Journal of Social Psychology.
Abstract submission deadline: 15 December 2025
Special issue on "Intersectionality in Social Psychology: Perspectives, Methods, and Applications" in the British Journal of Social Psychology.
Abstract submission deadline: 15 December 2025
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
🎉 New paper accepted at JPSP: ASC!
Verena Heidrich, Felicitas Flade & I ask:
When people meet others, which social lens do they use — age, gender, race?
Our paper: “Face the Difference: Meta-contrast as an Affordance to Spontaneous Social Categorization.”
osf.io/preprints/ps...
Verena Heidrich, Felicitas Flade & I ask:
When people meet others, which social lens do they use — age, gender, race?
Our paper: “Face the Difference: Meta-contrast as an Affordance to Spontaneous Social Categorization.”
osf.io/preprints/ps...
OSF
osf.io
November 5, 2025 at 7:01 AM
🎉 New paper accepted at JPSP: ASC!
Verena Heidrich, Felicitas Flade & I ask:
When people meet others, which social lens do they use — age, gender, race?
Our paper: “Face the Difference: Meta-contrast as an Affordance to Spontaneous Social Categorization.”
osf.io/preprints/ps...
Verena Heidrich, Felicitas Flade & I ask:
When people meet others, which social lens do they use — age, gender, race?
Our paper: “Face the Difference: Meta-contrast as an Affordance to Spontaneous Social Categorization.”
osf.io/preprints/ps...
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
Tomorrow's frontpage
November 5, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Tomorrow's frontpage
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
I really enjoyed this conversation with @smettler.bsky.social about America’s urban-rural divide. In particular, emphasizing that Democrats should be consistently organizing—not just messaging—to rural Americans (and everyone for that matter) should be front of mind for the party.
(1/4)
(1/4)
Today’s episode of The Ezra Klein Show.
The Rural Power Behind Trump’s Assault on Blue Cities
The political scientist @smettler.bsky.social examines the roots of America’s urban-rural divide and how Democrats can win back rural voters.
open.spotify.com/episode/2zQ9...
youtu.be/M9bjypc1rS4?...
The Rural Power Behind Trump’s Assault on Blue Cities
The political scientist @smettler.bsky.social examines the roots of America’s urban-rural divide and how Democrats can win back rural voters.
open.spotify.com/episode/2zQ9...
youtu.be/M9bjypc1rS4?...
Why Rural America Turned on the Democratic Party | The Ezra Klein Show
YouTube video by The Ezra Klein Show
youtu.be
October 27, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I really enjoyed this conversation with @smettler.bsky.social about America’s urban-rural divide. In particular, emphasizing that Democrats should be consistently organizing—not just messaging—to rural Americans (and everyone for that matter) should be front of mind for the party.
(1/4)
(1/4)
This is so interesting. Causal evidence that attending Montessori schools before and during kindergarten increases children’s reading ability, short-term memory, executive function, and theory of mind.
A national randomized controlled trial of the impact of public Montessori preschool at the end of kindergarten | PNAS
Although seminal studies from the early 1960s suggested quality preschool can have
lasting positive effects, agreement is lacking on the efficacy o...
www.pnas.org
October 21, 2025 at 11:42 AM
This is so interesting. Causal evidence that attending Montessori schools before and during kindergarten increases children’s reading ability, short-term memory, executive function, and theory of mind.
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
After adding new data to our spreadsheet, our central estimate of turnout for the No Kings Day protests yesterday has risen to 5.5 million, with an upper bound of 8.7 www.gelliottmorris.com/p/second-no-...
Second "No Kings Day" protests likely the largest single-day political demonstration since 1970, with 4.2-7.6 million participants
Here are the initial results from our crowdsourced crowd-counting estimates
www.gelliottmorris.com
October 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
After adding new data to our spreadsheet, our central estimate of turnout for the No Kings Day protests yesterday has risen to 5.5 million, with an upper bound of 8.7 www.gelliottmorris.com/p/second-no-...
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
WHOA. The AP reports that in the latest strike on a boat alleged to be carrying drug smugglers (which has never been proven), there were actually survivors, and they've been rescued.
The Pentagon has yet to formally acknowledge they have survivors in custody.
apnews.com/article/vene...
The Pentagon has yet to formally acknowledge they have survivors in custody.
apnews.com/article/vene...
US has seized survivors after strike on suspected drug-carrying vessel in Caribbean, AP sources say
The U.S. has seized survivors after a strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean, the first since President Donald Trump began launching deadly attacks in the region this summer.
apnews.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:43 PM
WHOA. The AP reports that in the latest strike on a boat alleged to be carrying drug smugglers (which has never been proven), there were actually survivors, and they've been rescued.
The Pentagon has yet to formally acknowledge they have survivors in custody.
apnews.com/article/vene...
The Pentagon has yet to formally acknowledge they have survivors in custody.
apnews.com/article/vene...
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
Breaking: MIT just became the first university to reject an agreement that would trade support for the Trump admin's higher education agenda in exchange for favorable treatment.
"Fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief." www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
"Fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief." www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
M.I.T. Rejects a White House Offer for Special Funding Treatment
www.nytimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Breaking: MIT just became the first university to reject an agreement that would trade support for the Trump admin's higher education agenda in exchange for favorable treatment.
"Fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief." www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
"Fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief." www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
Over 400 faculty and staff from the #uva College of Arts and Sciences convened for an emergency vote. 97% of eligible voters endorsed a resolution demanding President Mahoney refuse to consider the Trump admin's Compact for Academic Freedom!!
October 6, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Over 400 faculty and staff from the #uva College of Arts and Sciences convened for an emergency vote. 97% of eligible voters endorsed a resolution demanding President Mahoney refuse to consider the Trump admin's Compact for Academic Freedom!!
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
In a new paper, we find that sycophantic #AI chatbots make people more extreme--operating like an echo chamber
Yet, people prefer sycophantic chatbots and see them as less biased
Only open-minded people prefer disagreeable chatbots: osf.io/preprints/ps...
Led by @steverathje.bsky.social
Yet, people prefer sycophantic chatbots and see them as less biased
Only open-minded people prefer disagreeable chatbots: osf.io/preprints/ps...
Led by @steverathje.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 3:55 PM
In a new paper, we find that sycophantic #AI chatbots make people more extreme--operating like an echo chamber
Yet, people prefer sycophantic chatbots and see them as less biased
Only open-minded people prefer disagreeable chatbots: osf.io/preprints/ps...
Led by @steverathje.bsky.social
Yet, people prefer sycophantic chatbots and see them as less biased
Only open-minded people prefer disagreeable chatbots: osf.io/preprints/ps...
Led by @steverathje.bsky.social
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
The government is officially shut down, but the Trump administration is trying to get nine selective colleges to agree to major controls on their operations in order to get a leg up on federal funding.
www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
October 2, 2025 at 1:18 AM
The government is officially shut down, but the Trump administration is trying to get nine selective colleges to agree to major controls on their operations in order to get a leg up on federal funding.
www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
2020: Biden, 51.3% popular vote, 306 EV; Trump, 46.8%, 232 EV
2024: Trump, 49.7% popular vote, 312 EV; Harris, 48.2%, 226 EV
2024: Trump, 49.7% popular vote, 312 EV; Harris, 48.2%, 226 EV
separate from everything, the idea that 2020 was a squeaker but 2024 represents a historical mandate will simply be the death of me
September 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
2020: Biden, 51.3% popular vote, 306 EV; Trump, 46.8%, 232 EV
2024: Trump, 49.7% popular vote, 312 EV; Harris, 48.2%, 226 EV
2024: Trump, 49.7% popular vote, 312 EV; Harris, 48.2%, 226 EV
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
🚨We're hiring!🚨 The Dept of Psychology at Rutgers is hiring an Assistant Professor in Social Psychology. Review of applications begin on Oct 18. Details here: jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/259...
I'm chairing the search committee and am happy to field questions about the position. 🧵
I'm chairing the search committee and am happy to field questions about the position. 🧵
Assistant Professor in Social Psychology, Tenure-Track
The Department of Psychology at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ, plans to hire a tenure-track Assistant Professor in SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, with a start date of September 1, 2026. We seek a candidate...
jobs.rutgers.edu
September 9, 2025 at 7:23 PM
🚨We're hiring!🚨 The Dept of Psychology at Rutgers is hiring an Assistant Professor in Social Psychology. Review of applications begin on Oct 18. Details here: jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/259...
I'm chairing the search committee and am happy to field questions about the position. 🧵
I'm chairing the search committee and am happy to field questions about the position. 🧵
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
The psych job market may not be dead... but it is gravely injured 😬 So far it's looking like the Trump administration's attacks on higher ed/research are going to have more than 2x the impact on the job market as the covid-19 pandemic. #psychjobs #neurojobs #academicjobs
September 3, 2025 at 6:27 PM
The psych job market may not be dead... but it is gravely injured 😬 So far it's looking like the Trump administration's attacks on higher ed/research are going to have more than 2x the impact on the job market as the covid-19 pandemic. #psychjobs #neurojobs #academicjobs
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
Self-care is overrated—helping others has the biggest benefits for everyone involved
A new 2-week intervention finds that helping others improves well-being more than "self-kindness", with benefits for depressed mood, anxiety, and loneliness due to social connection psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-...
A new 2-week intervention finds that helping others improves well-being more than "self-kindness", with benefits for depressed mood, anxiety, and loneliness due to social connection psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-...
September 3, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Self-care is overrated—helping others has the biggest benefits for everyone involved
A new 2-week intervention finds that helping others improves well-being more than "self-kindness", with benefits for depressed mood, anxiety, and loneliness due to social connection psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-...
A new 2-week intervention finds that helping others improves well-being more than "self-kindness", with benefits for depressed mood, anxiety, and loneliness due to social connection psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-...
After a brief, injury-induced hiatus from libraries, I’m pleased to report that I am BACK IN THE MIX.
Hello from the reading room of DuPont Circle’s Masonic Temple! 👋
Hello from the reading room of DuPont Circle’s Masonic Temple! 👋
August 4, 2025 at 5:58 PM
After a brief, injury-induced hiatus from libraries, I’m pleased to report that I am BACK IN THE MIX.
Hello from the reading room of DuPont Circle’s Masonic Temple! 👋
Hello from the reading room of DuPont Circle’s Masonic Temple! 👋
Reposted by Christopher Petsko
"CPB informed employees that the majority of staff positions will be eliminated with the close of the fiscal year on September 30, 2025."
www.npr.org/2025/08/01/n...
www.npr.org/2025/08/01/n...
Corporation for Public Broadcasting says it's shutting down
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funnels federal money to public media stations, says it's winding down operations after President Trump signed a law rescinding all funding.
www.npr.org
August 2, 2025 at 3:51 AM
"CPB informed employees that the majority of staff positions will be eliminated with the close of the fiscal year on September 30, 2025."
www.npr.org/2025/08/01/n...
www.npr.org/2025/08/01/n...
Look, it's like I always tell my students. If you don't like the data, just fire the person who told you about them!
Bada bing, bada boom.
apnews.com/article/trum...
Bada bing, bada boom.
apnews.com/article/trum...
Trump removes official overseeing jobs data after dismal employment report
President Donald Trump on Friday had his team remove the head of the agency that produces the monthly jobs figures, after a weak report showed hiring slowed and was much weaker in April and May than p...
apnews.com
August 1, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Look, it's like I always tell my students. If you don't like the data, just fire the person who told you about them!
Bada bing, bada boom.
apnews.com/article/trum...
Bada bing, bada boom.
apnews.com/article/trum...
I can’t imagine the courage it takes to be whistleblower, but I’m so grateful for those working to shed light on government corruption.
If you want a credible snapshot of what’s happening in the DOJ right now, I highly recommend listening to this interview.
open.spotify.com/episode/3eO0...
If you want a credible snapshot of what’s happening in the DOJ right now, I highly recommend listening to this interview.
open.spotify.com/episode/3eO0...
A D.O.J. Whistleblower Speaks Out
The Daily · Episode
open.spotify.com
July 23, 2025 at 2:15 PM
I can’t imagine the courage it takes to be whistleblower, but I’m so grateful for those working to shed light on government corruption.
If you want a credible snapshot of what’s happening in the DOJ right now, I highly recommend listening to this interview.
open.spotify.com/episode/3eO0...
If you want a credible snapshot of what’s happening in the DOJ right now, I highly recommend listening to this interview.
open.spotify.com/episode/3eO0...
Oh goodness.
The UNC Board of Governors is now requiring every campus to form “compliance committees” to audit whether hiring, training, and departmental practices are sufficiently ideologically neutral.
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
The UNC Board of Governors is now requiring every campus to form “compliance committees” to audit whether hiring, training, and departmental practices are sufficiently ideologically neutral.
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
UNC Board of Governors Demands New DEI Compliance Committees
The campus-level committees will scrutinize whether schools have complied with policies targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
www.theassemblync.com
July 22, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Oh goodness.
The UNC Board of Governors is now requiring every campus to form “compliance committees” to audit whether hiring, training, and departmental practices are sufficiently ideologically neutral.
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
The UNC Board of Governors is now requiring every campus to form “compliance committees” to audit whether hiring, training, and departmental practices are sufficiently ideologically neutral.
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...