Department of Psychology

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people who recognize the connections they share with others are more likely to wear a mask, follow health guidelines and help people, even at a potential cost to themselves, a new University of Washington study shows.

Bryn Bandt-Law, lead researcher and psychology graduate student, discusses the results of her study, which showed that traditionally feminine women are more likely to be believed when making accusations of sexual harassment.

While one would hope that cases of sexual harassment are treated very much on their merits, research from the University of Washington shows that this is sadly not the case. It finds that women who are young, who act and appear feminine, and who are “conventionally attractive” are far more likely to be believed in any accusations they make about sexual harassment.

Take a look back at the last year of the UW's research of and adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chantel Prat, associate professor of psychology, has co-authored a new study on reasoning and decision-making.

“Hybrid or all-remote schedules make powerful recruiting tools and look great on paper — carrying the promise of improved equity by giving employees the flexibility to better juggle work and life. But as the head of a women’s college and a cognitive scientist, I have some serious reservations,” writes Sian Beilock, president of Barnard College. A UW study is referenced.

Sam Colgan, junior majoring in English and Economics; Natasha Lavides, sophomore majoring in Psychlogy; and Nuria Alina Chandra, freshman majoring in biochemistry are the 2019-2020 UW President's Medalists.

Do we apologize too much? Thirty-one per cent of British adults think so, according to a YouGov poll of more than 1,600 British people and 1,000 Americans. Dr. John Gottman, professor emeritus of psychology at the UW, is quoted.

When two University of Washington researchers asked people to draw two women — one likely to be sexually harassed, and one who would never find herself in such a position — the results were clear: Looks are everything. The UW's Cheryl Kaiser, professor of psychology, Bryn Bandt-Law, a doctoral student in psychology, are quoted. Jin Goh, a former postdoctoral researcher at the UW now at Colby College, is mentioned.

Any parent doing the hard work to teach their kids about the dangers of racism must also look inward. All of us have internal biases that manifest both implicitly and explicitly and, if we’re not careful, we may be subtly influencing our children to have those biases, too. A UW study is referenced.

Bijoya Das (BA, Psychology, 2006), is a trainer for the UCLA gymnastics team, where she uses her skills in dance to help highlight the personality of gymnasts in their routine.

We're all fatigued, and our resolve is slipping. But this is also the most consequential point of the coronavirus crisis so far. Susan Joslyn, associated professor of psychology at the UW, is quoted.

A study by Professor of psychology Dr. Cheryl Kaiser concluded that women who don't look or act stereotypically feminine are less likely to be believed when making claims of sexual harassment is mentioned.

Brianna Yamasaki, Ph.D. student in psychology, explains why adults can have a harder time learning a new language.

Brianna Yamasaki, Ph.D. student in psychology, writes on why it can be more difficult for adults to learn a new language.