Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Jul 18

Grateful to ISPP and everyone who made this conference such an inspiring space. If you're interested in the psychology of inequality, redistribution, or science communication—let’s connect! 🙌

Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Jul 18

It made me reflect: maybe we need to rethink how we communicate science. We often rely on slides packed with text and graphs, but perhaps we should aim for more intentional, clear, and direct ideas. Science deserves compelling communication!

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Jul 18

A fun twist: during my presentation, the power went out! No slides, no visuals—just me and the audience. And honestly… it was one of the best experiences I've had presenting research. More engaging, more human. Like a good seminar, not a slideshow.

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Jul 18

I also had the chance to present one of our current projects, where we show that across the ideological spectrum, people often agree that some aspects of inequality are unfair—like unequal access to healthcare or education. A hopeful finding!

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Jul 18

The symposium wrapped up with a thoughtful integrative discussion by Rosa Rodríguez-Bailón, highlighting how these findings contribute to the broader psychology of inequality—and what are the open questions and future directions!

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Jul 18

@celbaek.bsky.social brought results from a large-scale megastudy in the U.S., testing 20 interventions to boost support for redistribution. They identified what works (and what doesn't) in shifting perceptions and attitudes toward inequality and its reduction!

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Jul 18

@phdlope.bsky.social presented work from Spain and the UK showing that when people perceive high economic inequality, they are less likely to believe in meritocracy—and that leads to more support for redistribution. Perception → Beliefs about meritocracy → Policy preferences.

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Jul 18

Franco Bastias analyzed data from France, Sweden, and the UK to show how emotional reactions to inequality mediate the relationship between system-justifying ideologies and support for redistribution. Emotions matter, even in ideological contexts.

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Jul 18

Silvia Filippi shared experimental and cross-sectional findings from Italy, showing how misconceptions about progressive taxation—and the negative emotions these evoke—can reduce support for tax-based redistribution. Understanding emotion & cognition here is key!

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Jul 18

I had the honor of chairing a symposium titled "Unpacking support for redistribution: Psychological mechanisms and interventions." We had a highly engaged audience, and an incredible lineup of researchers—huge thanks to everyone who joined and made it such a dynamic session! Here's a quick recap 🧵👇

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Jul 18

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the annual meeting of the International Society of Political Psychology (ISPP) in Prague. It was a wonderful few days filled with thought-provoking research and the joy of reconnecting with colleagues and friends in the field of political psychology.

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · May 25

So, what can we do?

👀First, just notice it. It’s not just about money. It’s about how we live.

🗣️Then, tell the secret. Support policies that reduce inequality. Think about how and who we buy from. Ask questions. Organize.

Thanks for reading this far! Feel free to share to help spread the secret💥

Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · May 25

In my PhD and now in my postdoc, I study how we perceive and react to economic inequality.

We’ve found that when people see this “secret life” of inequality — not just the money, but how it affects health, education, political influence — they’re more likely to care and to act! ✊

Percepción de la desigualdad económica en diferentes ámbitos y actitudes hacia el cambio social

hdl.handle.net

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · May 25

♻️ You're worried about recycling a yogurt pot correctly, and feel bad for taking a long shower.

Meanwhile, some are taking joyrides to space — each flight emitting more CO₂ than many people will in their entire lives.

Inequality is also unsustainable.

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · May 25

🗳️ Some voices whisper. Others roar.

When money buys media, lobbies, and campaigns — the interests of the richest get heard first.

Economic inequality is also undemocratic.

Trump inauguration: Zuckerberg, Bezos and Musk seated in front of cabinet picks

Seatings come under fire from Trump critics as sign of oligarchy and the powerful influence they wield

www.theguardian.com

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · May 25

🕒 You barely see your family and friends because your job has unstable hours and low pay.

Meanwhile, others have free time, hobbies, long vacations — and quality time with loved ones.

We don't own our time, inequality decides who gets it.

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · May 25

🏠 You’re debating whether you can afford your rent this month.

Your landlord is deciding whether to Airbnb or just leave the place empty.

Spoiler: they own 50 more.

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · May 25

🎓 You dream of a master’s degree but can't afford the tuition — even at a public university.

Someone else? Pays with ease, graduates, lands the job through a friend of a friend.

Merit, right?

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · May 25

🩺 You’re stuck on a 6-month waiting list to see a doctor.
Meanwhile, someone else gets a private specialist tomorrow.

Same illness, different timelines.
Health inequality hits hard — and fast.

The Americans dying because they can't afford medical care

Millions of Americans – as many as 25% of the population – are delaying getting medical help because of skyrocketing costs

www.theguardian.com

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · May 25

That billionaire wealth is so far away, it’s hard to even see it.

But here’s the secret:

Inequality isn’t just about the numbers. It’s right here, woven into everyday life.

Let me show you 👇

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · May 25

Let’s talk in distances we all understand.

If what an average person in Spain earns in a year is just 1 mm, how far does the richest person’s wealth go?

🏃‍♀️ Grab your running shoes — we could run a 10K and still not get there.

What you make in a year: 1 mm
Wealth of the richest people: KILOMETERS

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · May 25

We represented inequality in the pub:

10 people at a table. The waiter brings 10 pints of beer — 1 per person?

Nope.

🍺 1 person (the richest 10%) grabs 8 pints (around 80% of the wealth)
🍺 Half the table (the poorest 50%) shares the last splash of 1 pint (only 2% of the wealth)

Cheers?

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · May 25

We don’t walk around knowing stats about inequality. And when we do see the numbers...

They don’t mean much. They feel distant. It's hard to care about what you can’t picture.

Let's try to picture it👇

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · May 25

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at #PintOfScienceDK in Aarhus. 🍻🧠

I spoke about the "secret life" of inequality — and why it’s closer (and more unfair) than we think.

🧵 Here’s the main idea (plus a few memes, so we don’t all pull our hair out 🫠):

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Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center - CIMCYC @cimcyc.bsky.social · May 22

📉 Does inequality make us less happy? Researchers from CIMCYC reveal that living in unequal societies increases anxiety about social status and decreases trust in others, affecting well-being.

It doesn't just affect the poorest; it impacts society as a whole.

cimcyc.ugr.es/en/informati...

The Hidden Cost of Inequality: Why Living in Unequal Societies Makes Us Less Happy

En un artículo reciente, utilizando datos de una encuesta nacional realizada en España, el Grupo de Investigación Psicología de los Problemas Sociales ha demostrado que percibir mayores niveles de des...

cimcyc.ugr.es

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Francisca Pinheiro @franciscagpinheiro.bsky.social · May 16

📢 #pint25DK #Aarhus is almost here — are you ready?

Explore the speaker lineup and get inspired by a night of curiosity and great conversations.
Secure your spot for the talks at Åben 👉 billetfix.dk/en/events/aa...

Let’s make it a night to remember!

@pintsworld.bsky.social #SciComm

Pint of Science Aarhus 2025 schedule
Fairbar, May 19th
SymbioMatch: tinder for crops and bacteria, Diego Garcia de La Morena, MBG, AU
Can unstable proteins support long-lasting memories? Silvia Turchetto, DANDRITE, AU
May 20th
One more reason to love dolphins: baby talk! Nicole El Haddad, ECOSCIENCE, AU
Fish and worms illuminating human biology, Amanda Muñoz-Juan, DANDRITE, AU
May 21st
The secret life of inequality, Francisco Miguel Martínez, BSS, AU
Plastic-Eaters: a natural cure? Rosie Graham, iNANO, AU

Åben, May 19th
Muddy mysteries: time machine of the Artic, Kristin Doering, Geoscience, AU
It's wet in Aarhus, but is it getting wetter? Gavin Simpson, ANIVET, AU
May 20th
Attack of the clones, Andrew Ferenbach, MBG, AU
Is there a serial killer gene? Victoria Twiddy, DANDRITE, AU
May 21st
Say Cheese! Molecular life up close, Ana Almeida, MBG, AU
Treating the untreatable, Magnus Dybtved, Chemistry, AU

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Apr 13

🗣️ People need real opportunities, and reducing overall inequality is essential to address these challenges!

Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Apr 13

At the same time, believing public systems avoid this overlap may increase acceptance of economic inequality. But access alone isn't enough; e.g., free access without transportation to the medical facility or the financial means to afford prescribed medications may still result in inequality. 🤔

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Apr 13

💡 Thus, (main message) showing people how income inequality creates disparities in other key areas of life such as health and education could help to diminish acceptance of economic inequality and foster support for actions to reduce it.

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Francisco M Soler-Martínez @fransolmar.bsky.social · Apr 13

👀 People who read a fictitious newspaper article highlighting the second narrative (high overlap between income and health/education disparities) were less accepting of economic inequality and more supportive of redistributive measures.

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