Ava Ma de Sousa
@avamadesousa.bsky.social
phd student at UC Santa Barbara | emotion, morality, culture & collective action | co-host @mindsmatter.bsky.social
Pinned
Ava Ma de Sousa
@avamadesousa.bsky.social
· Aug 28
So excited to share that my first first-author paper is out in
@commspsychol.nature.com
🎉
In a mini-meta analysis of seven studies, we looked at whether loneliness is related to altered expectations of one’s own and others' emotion transitions.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
(1/4)
@commspsychol.nature.com
🎉
In a mini-meta analysis of seven studies, we looked at whether loneliness is related to altered expectations of one’s own and others' emotion transitions.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
(1/4)
New work led by @jonds7.bsky.social on responses to police brutality (justification and outrage), with analyses of YouTube video comments and a behavioral experiment.
Very grateful to have gotten to work on this with the team! 🙏
Very grateful to have gotten to work on this with the team! 🙏
New preprint out 📄
“Why Reform Stalls: Justifications of Force Are Linked to Lower Outrage and Reform Support.”
Why do some cases of police violence spark reform while others fade? We look at how people explain them—through justification or outrage.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
“Why Reform Stalls: Justifications of Force Are Linked to Lower Outrage and Reform Support.”
Why do some cases of police violence spark reform while others fade? We look at how people explain them—through justification or outrage.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
OSF
osf.io
November 17, 2025 at 9:15 PM
New work led by @jonds7.bsky.social on responses to police brutality (justification and outrage), with analyses of YouTube video comments and a behavioral experiment.
Very grateful to have gotten to work on this with the team! 🙏
Very grateful to have gotten to work on this with the team! 🙏
Reposted by Ava Ma de Sousa
Very excited to share that my first paper, with Peter Mende-Siedlecki and @leorhackel.bsky.social, is out now in @commspsychol.nature.com! ☺️
Can getting more rewards make you feel more skilled, even if your performance doesn't change?
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Can getting more rewards make you feel more skilled, even if your performance doesn't change?
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Rewards bias self-evaluations of ability - Communications Psychology
People often receive rewards for good performance, but what happens when rewards do not reflect ability? Two behavioral studies suggest that rewards can impact how we evaluate our own ability, above and beyond the impact of actual performance.
www.nature.com
October 3, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Very excited to share that my first paper, with Peter Mende-Siedlecki and @leorhackel.bsky.social, is out now in @commspsychol.nature.com! ☺️
Can getting more rewards make you feel more skilled, even if your performance doesn't change?
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Can getting more rewards make you feel more skilled, even if your performance doesn't change?
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Reposted by Ava Ma de Sousa
Spread the word: I'm looking to recruit a PhD student for Fall 2026 to @ucsb.bsky.social! Reach out if you are applying this cycle and hoping to study infant and child social cognition, specifically expectations about friendship and/or groups. Bonus: live in paradise! And.. 1/3
October 2, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Spread the word: I'm looking to recruit a PhD student for Fall 2026 to @ucsb.bsky.social! Reach out if you are applying this cycle and hoping to study infant and child social cognition, specifically expectations about friendship and/or groups. Bonus: live in paradise! And.. 1/3
Reposted by Ava Ma de Sousa
1st SANS Social Media Highlight!
UCSB PhD student @avamadesousa.bsky.social first first-author empirical paper is out!
In a mini-meta analysis, the authors looked at whether loneliness is related to altered expectations of one’s own and others' emotion transitions.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
UCSB PhD student @avamadesousa.bsky.social first first-author empirical paper is out!
In a mini-meta analysis, the authors looked at whether loneliness is related to altered expectations of one’s own and others' emotion transitions.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Loneliness is associated with unstable and distorted emotion transition predictions - Communications Psychology
A mini meta-analysis finds loneliness is linked to distorted expectations of emotion transitions, including atypical models, reduced accuracy, perceived volatility in others, and an anti-positivity bi...
www.nature.com
September 18, 2025 at 3:22 AM
1st SANS Social Media Highlight!
UCSB PhD student @avamadesousa.bsky.social first first-author empirical paper is out!
In a mini-meta analysis, the authors looked at whether loneliness is related to altered expectations of one’s own and others' emotion transitions.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
UCSB PhD student @avamadesousa.bsky.social first first-author empirical paper is out!
In a mini-meta analysis, the authors looked at whether loneliness is related to altered expectations of one’s own and others' emotion transitions.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Reposted by Ava Ma de Sousa
New episode!! Dr. Anikó Kusztor joins us this week to discuss the results of dissociation, and how they vary from person to person. Link in 🧵
August 31, 2025 at 9:55 PM
New episode!! Dr. Anikó Kusztor joins us this week to discuss the results of dissociation, and how they vary from person to person. Link in 🧵
Reposted by Ava Ma de Sousa
Job alert: I'm hiring a postdoc for my lab at CU Boulder starting Fall 2026!
We study person perception, stereotyping & prejudice, and intervention science using behavioral & neuroimaging methods.
Link: jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDeta...
Review starts Nov 1 and continues until filled.
We study person perception, stereotyping & prejudice, and intervention science using behavioral & neuroimaging methods.
Link: jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDeta...
Review starts Nov 1 and continues until filled.
Postdoctoral Associate
jobs.colorado.edu
August 28, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Job alert: I'm hiring a postdoc for my lab at CU Boulder starting Fall 2026!
We study person perception, stereotyping & prejudice, and intervention science using behavioral & neuroimaging methods.
Link: jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDeta...
Review starts Nov 1 and continues until filled.
We study person perception, stereotyping & prejudice, and intervention science using behavioral & neuroimaging methods.
Link: jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDeta...
Review starts Nov 1 and continues until filled.
Reposted by Ava Ma de Sousa
Excited to share this work led by @avamadesousa.bsky.social! This paper is so significant to me, not only because it reveals important insights into the disruptions in emotion representations that characterize loneliness, but also because it is a clear example of the power of team science 🌟
So excited to share that my first first-author paper is out in
@commspsychol.nature.com
🎉
In a mini-meta analysis of seven studies, we looked at whether loneliness is related to altered expectations of one’s own and others' emotion transitions.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
(1/4)
@commspsychol.nature.com
🎉
In a mini-meta analysis of seven studies, we looked at whether loneliness is related to altered expectations of one’s own and others' emotion transitions.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
(1/4)
August 28, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Excited to share this work led by @avamadesousa.bsky.social! This paper is so significant to me, not only because it reveals important insights into the disruptions in emotion representations that characterize loneliness, but also because it is a clear example of the power of team science 🌟
So excited to share that my first first-author paper is out in
@commspsychol.nature.com
🎉
In a mini-meta analysis of seven studies, we looked at whether loneliness is related to altered expectations of one’s own and others' emotion transitions.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
(1/4)
@commspsychol.nature.com
🎉
In a mini-meta analysis of seven studies, we looked at whether loneliness is related to altered expectations of one’s own and others' emotion transitions.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
(1/4)
August 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
So excited to share that my first first-author paper is out in
@commspsychol.nature.com
🎉
In a mini-meta analysis of seven studies, we looked at whether loneliness is related to altered expectations of one’s own and others' emotion transitions.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
(1/4)
@commspsychol.nature.com
🎉
In a mini-meta analysis of seven studies, we looked at whether loneliness is related to altered expectations of one’s own and others' emotion transitions.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
(1/4)
Reposted by Ava Ma de Sousa
🚨We are recruiting a lab manager who will spend 80% of their effort in my lab and 20% of their effort in @leorhackel.bsky.social's lab. Please share widely!
Apply at usccareers.usc.edu/job/los-ange... with:
completed questionnaire (socolab.org/lab-manager-application), CV & Cover Letter!
Apply at usccareers.usc.edu/job/los-ange... with:
completed questionnaire (socolab.org/lab-manager-application), CV & Cover Letter!
Home | Social Connection Lab
The Social Connection Lab ("SoCoLab") at USC investigates what helps people feel socially connected to one another.
socolab.org
July 28, 2025 at 7:42 PM
🚨We are recruiting a lab manager who will spend 80% of their effort in my lab and 20% of their effort in @leorhackel.bsky.social's lab. Please share widely!
Apply at usccareers.usc.edu/job/los-ange... with:
completed questionnaire (socolab.org/lab-manager-application), CV & Cover Letter!
Apply at usccareers.usc.edu/job/los-ange... with:
completed questionnaire (socolab.org/lab-manager-application), CV & Cover Letter!
It was so fun talking to @raziasahi.bsky.social about how we regulate each other's emotions (and getting her take on love languages 👀)
Hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed recording this one!
Hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed recording this one!
New Episode! Dr. Razia Sahi (@raziasahi.bsky.social) joins Ava and Beth to discuss the details of social emotion regulation, including the use of reappraisal and validation to help navigate difficult emotions!
Links in 🧵
Links in 🧵
June 29, 2025 at 9:34 PM
It was so fun talking to @raziasahi.bsky.social about how we regulate each other's emotions (and getting her take on love languages 👀)
Hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed recording this one!
Hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed recording this one!
Reposted by Ava Ma de Sousa
New Episode!🤖
Have you ever seen a robot that looks almost human, but something feels a bit off? This week, we are joined by Dr. Julija Vaitonyté as she discusses her research regarding the phenomenon of the uncanny valley. Links in 🧵!
Have you ever seen a robot that looks almost human, but something feels a bit off? This week, we are joined by Dr. Julija Vaitonyté as she discusses her research regarding the phenomenon of the uncanny valley. Links in 🧵!
May 12, 2025 at 5:09 PM
New Episode!🤖
Have you ever seen a robot that looks almost human, but something feels a bit off? This week, we are joined by Dr. Julija Vaitonyté as she discusses her research regarding the phenomenon of the uncanny valley. Links in 🧵!
Have you ever seen a robot that looks almost human, but something feels a bit off? This week, we are joined by Dr. Julija Vaitonyté as she discusses her research regarding the phenomenon of the uncanny valley. Links in 🧵!
Reposted by Ava Ma de Sousa
Postdoc opening in beautiful Stockholm 🇸🇪!
Join us at Karolinska Institutet to explore how interdependent traits shape social learning and cultural evolution.
🧠 Behavioral + computational work
🤝 Work w/ labs in Amsterdam @lucasmolleman.bsky.social & Leuven
Details: shorturl.at/Wzy9o
Join us at Karolinska Institutet to explore how interdependent traits shape social learning and cultural evolution.
🧠 Behavioral + computational work
🤝 Work w/ labs in Amsterdam @lucasmolleman.bsky.social & Leuven
Details: shorturl.at/Wzy9o
Postdoctoral Researcher in psychology/cognitive science with focus on social learning and cultural evolution
Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research? The Mechanisms of Social Behavior lab at the Karolinska Institutet (PI: Björn Lindström) in Stockholm, Sweden is seeking a highly qualified
shorturl.at
April 7, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Postdoc opening in beautiful Stockholm 🇸🇪!
Join us at Karolinska Institutet to explore how interdependent traits shape social learning and cultural evolution.
🧠 Behavioral + computational work
🤝 Work w/ labs in Amsterdam @lucasmolleman.bsky.social & Leuven
Details: shorturl.at/Wzy9o
Join us at Karolinska Institutet to explore how interdependent traits shape social learning and cultural evolution.
🧠 Behavioral + computational work
🤝 Work w/ labs in Amsterdam @lucasmolleman.bsky.social & Leuven
Details: shorturl.at/Wzy9o
Reposted by Ava Ma de Sousa
Are you interested in research experience before applying to PhD programs? Or just want to learn more about cognitive science? Consider joining my lab as a lab manager (joint w/the Griffiths Lab). We will begin reviewing applications one week from today: cognition.princeton.edu/news/2025/op...
Open Position for Lombrozo/Griffiths Lab Manager (starting Fall 2025)
The Lombrozo and Griffiths Labs at Princeton University are seeking a full-time lab manager to begin August 14, 2025, but there is some flexibility. You can apply here. Applications will be reviewed b...
cognition.princeton.edu
April 7, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Are you interested in research experience before applying to PhD programs? Or just want to learn more about cognitive science? Consider joining my lab as a lab manager (joint w/the Griffiths Lab). We will begin reviewing applications one week from today: cognition.princeton.edu/news/2025/op...
Reposted by Ava Ma de Sousa
First article in TICS led by excellent YES Lab member and graduate student @avamadesousa.bsky.social Commentary on a recent cross-cultural work on conceptual representation of social relationships by @bruceyinwang.bsky.social
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me
April 5, 2025 at 8:14 PM
First article in TICS led by excellent YES Lab member and graduate student @avamadesousa.bsky.social Commentary on a recent cross-cultural work on conceptual representation of social relationships by @bruceyinwang.bsky.social
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
Reposted by Ava Ma de Sousa
A very exciting episode out now — our very own @bethfisher.bsky.social
tells us all about optimism! Beth shares work on psilocybin administration in rats🍄 and how optimism shapes our engagement with the world.
We hope you enjoy listening as much as much as we enjoyed recording this one!
tells us all about optimism! Beth shares work on psilocybin administration in rats🍄 and how optimism shapes our engagement with the world.
We hope you enjoy listening as much as much as we enjoyed recording this one!
November 27, 2024 at 4:11 AM
A very exciting episode out now — our very own @bethfisher.bsky.social
tells us all about optimism! Beth shares work on psilocybin administration in rats🍄 and how optimism shapes our engagement with the world.
We hope you enjoy listening as much as much as we enjoyed recording this one!
tells us all about optimism! Beth shares work on psilocybin administration in rats🍄 and how optimism shapes our engagement with the world.
We hope you enjoy listening as much as much as we enjoyed recording this one!
Reposted by Ava Ma de Sousa
Minds Matter is now on Bluesky! Listening back to this episode I love the way you can feel the support I have from @avamadesousa.bsky.social 🥹 Forever grateful for the best podcast co-host, science peer, and best friend 💕
A very exciting episode out now — our very own @bethfisher.bsky.social
tells us all about optimism! Beth shares work on psilocybin administration in rats🍄 and how optimism shapes our engagement with the world.
We hope you enjoy listening as much as much as we enjoyed recording this one!
tells us all about optimism! Beth shares work on psilocybin administration in rats🍄 and how optimism shapes our engagement with the world.
We hope you enjoy listening as much as much as we enjoyed recording this one!
November 27, 2024 at 4:15 AM
Minds Matter is now on Bluesky! Listening back to this episode I love the way you can feel the support I have from @avamadesousa.bsky.social 🥹 Forever grateful for the best podcast co-host, science peer, and best friend 💕
Reposted by Ava Ma de Sousa
Applying to psych/neuro PhD programs this fall?
Join us for a @UCSBpsych virtual open house on 10/10 to learn about our programs & meet our faculty.
I am recruiting this year. UCSB has an amazing neuro+psych community and is in a great place to live! Please share & RT
#neuroskyence #psychscisky
Join us for a @UCSBpsych virtual open house on 10/10 to learn about our programs & meet our faculty.
I am recruiting this year. UCSB has an amazing neuro+psych community and is in a great place to live! Please share & RT
#neuroskyence #psychscisky
October 4, 2023 at 5:31 PM
Applying to psych/neuro PhD programs this fall?
Join us for a @UCSBpsych virtual open house on 10/10 to learn about our programs & meet our faculty.
I am recruiting this year. UCSB has an amazing neuro+psych community and is in a great place to live! Please share & RT
#neuroskyence #psychscisky
Join us for a @UCSBpsych virtual open house on 10/10 to learn about our programs & meet our faculty.
I am recruiting this year. UCSB has an amazing neuro+psych community and is in a great place to live! Please share & RT
#neuroskyence #psychscisky