Jay Van Bavel, PhD
@jayvanbavel.bsky.social
Professor of Psychology at NYU (jayvanbavel.com) | Author of The Power of Us Book (powerofus.online) | Director of NYU Center for Conflict & Cooperation | trying to write a new book about collective decisions
Pinned
Are a few people ruining the internet for the rest of us?
Why does the online world seem so toxic compared with normal life? Our research shows that a small number of divisive accounts could be responsible – and offers a way out
www.theguardian.com
Only a small % of people engage in toxic activity online, but they’re responsible for a disproportionate share of hostile or misleading content on nearly every platform
Because super-users are so active, they dominate our collective impression of the internet www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
Because super-users are so active, they dominate our collective impression of the internet www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
Reposted by Jay Van Bavel, PhD
Across social media platforms, political posting is linked to affective polarization--extreme users post the most.
As polarized partisans increasingly dominate the conversation, casual users disengage and the online public sphere grows smaller, sharper, and more extreme. arxiv.org/html/2510.25...
As polarized partisans increasingly dominate the conversation, casual users disengage and the online public sphere grows smaller, sharper, and more extreme. arxiv.org/html/2510.25...
February 5, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Across social media platforms, political posting is linked to affective polarization--extreme users post the most.
As polarized partisans increasingly dominate the conversation, casual users disengage and the online public sphere grows smaller, sharper, and more extreme. arxiv.org/html/2510.25...
As polarized partisans increasingly dominate the conversation, casual users disengage and the online public sphere grows smaller, sharper, and more extreme. arxiv.org/html/2510.25...
Reposted by Jay Van Bavel, PhD
After four months, the journal has not found a single reviewer for my PhD student's manuscript. The academic peer review system is broken.
I think we all should:
1. Review three papers for every one that we submit.
2. Promptly declined to review a paper when the request arrives.
#AcademicChatter
I think we all should:
1. Review three papers for every one that we submit.
2. Promptly declined to review a paper when the request arrives.
#AcademicChatter
February 5, 2026 at 6:43 PM
After four months, the journal has not found a single reviewer for my PhD student's manuscript. The academic peer review system is broken.
I think we all should:
1. Review three papers for every one that we submit.
2. Promptly declined to review a paper when the request arrives.
#AcademicChatter
I think we all should:
1. Review three papers for every one that we submit.
2. Promptly declined to review a paper when the request arrives.
#AcademicChatter
Across social media platforms, political posting is linked to affective polarization--extreme users post the most.
As polarized partisans increasingly dominate the conversation, casual users disengage and the online public sphere grows smaller, sharper, and more extreme. arxiv.org/html/2510.25...
As polarized partisans increasingly dominate the conversation, casual users disengage and the online public sphere grows smaller, sharper, and more extreme. arxiv.org/html/2510.25...
February 5, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Across social media platforms, political posting is linked to affective polarization--extreme users post the most.
As polarized partisans increasingly dominate the conversation, casual users disengage and the online public sphere grows smaller, sharper, and more extreme. arxiv.org/html/2510.25...
As polarized partisans increasingly dominate the conversation, casual users disengage and the online public sphere grows smaller, sharper, and more extreme. arxiv.org/html/2510.25...
People don't like individuals who vigilantly monitor and reprimand wrongdoings at work.
These "hall monitors" are seen as less moral and hyper competitive (the only people who like them are other vigilantes).
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
These "hall monitors" are seen as less moral and hyper competitive (the only people who like them are other vigilantes).
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
February 5, 2026 at 7:24 PM
People don't like individuals who vigilantly monitor and reprimand wrongdoings at work.
These "hall monitors" are seen as less moral and hyper competitive (the only people who like them are other vigilantes).
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
These "hall monitors" are seen as less moral and hyper competitive (the only people who like them are other vigilantes).
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Research finds that people overestimate how many social media users post harmful content--which makes us think the world is worse than it really is.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
February 4, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Research finds that people overestimate how many social media users post harmful content--which makes us think the world is worse than it really is.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
“International House was my best experience while living in NYC, much better than my studies at Columbia University…”
What kind of institution could provide a much better learning experience than one of the most prestigious universities in the world?
www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/an-unexpec...
What kind of institution could provide a much better learning experience than one of the most prestigious universities in the world?
www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/an-unexpec...
February 4, 2026 at 3:31 PM
“International House was my best experience while living in NYC, much better than my studies at Columbia University…”
What kind of institution could provide a much better learning experience than one of the most prestigious universities in the world?
www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/an-unexpec...
What kind of institution could provide a much better learning experience than one of the most prestigious universities in the world?
www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/an-unexpec...
15% of publications in social psychology now include a reference to victimhood.
This new paper explains how to foster reconciliation between groups by addressing the distinct identity needs of perpetrator (moral status) and victim (agency) groups. www.annualreviews.org/docserver/fu...
This new paper explains how to foster reconciliation between groups by addressing the distinct identity needs of perpetrator (moral status) and victim (agency) groups. www.annualreviews.org/docserver/fu...
February 3, 2026 at 9:31 PM
15% of publications in social psychology now include a reference to victimhood.
This new paper explains how to foster reconciliation between groups by addressing the distinct identity needs of perpetrator (moral status) and victim (agency) groups. www.annualreviews.org/docserver/fu...
This new paper explains how to foster reconciliation between groups by addressing the distinct identity needs of perpetrator (moral status) and victim (agency) groups. www.annualreviews.org/docserver/fu...
In a recent talk, I explained how our social identities shape our thoughts, emotions, and actions.
I discuss how social identity can help us understand many challenges, including political conflict, misinformation, climate change, and threats to democracy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXHS...
I discuss how social identity can help us understand many challenges, including political conflict, misinformation, climate change, and threats to democracy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXHS...
February 3, 2026 at 2:10 PM
In a recent talk, I explained how our social identities shape our thoughts, emotions, and actions.
I discuss how social identity can help us understand many challenges, including political conflict, misinformation, climate change, and threats to democracy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXHS...
I discuss how social identity can help us understand many challenges, including political conflict, misinformation, climate change, and threats to democracy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXHS...
Reposted by Jay Van Bavel, PhD
Just as a quick note while we discuss all the new (and familiar) names in the Epstein files: be careful about saying "everyone knows" about prominent people who are predators. People new to the field, people less connected (often marginalized folks), people who are adjacent, etc. may not know.
February 2, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Just as a quick note while we discuss all the new (and familiar) names in the Epstein files: be careful about saying "everyone knows" about prominent people who are predators. People new to the field, people less connected (often marginalized folks), people who are adjacent, etc. may not know.
Large language models can accurately score people’s Big 5 personality traits on the basis of their brief, open-ended narratives.
LLM ratings converged with self-reports and predicted daily behaviour & mental health www.nature.com/articles/s41...
LLM ratings converged with self-reports and predicted daily behaviour & mental health www.nature.com/articles/s41...
February 2, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Large language models can accurately score people’s Big 5 personality traits on the basis of their brief, open-ended narratives.
LLM ratings converged with self-reports and predicted daily behaviour & mental health www.nature.com/articles/s41...
LLM ratings converged with self-reports and predicted daily behaviour & mental health www.nature.com/articles/s41...
People strongly prefer to date someone who shares their politics (r=.62). Only 7.7% of couples are dating someone from the opposite political party (a Democrat dating a Republican).
People who see their partners as politically dissimilar have worse relationships
sites.lsa.umich.edu/whirl/wp-con...
People who see their partners as politically dissimilar have worse relationships
sites.lsa.umich.edu/whirl/wp-con...
February 1, 2026 at 11:08 PM
People strongly prefer to date someone who shares their politics (r=.62). Only 7.7% of couples are dating someone from the opposite political party (a Democrat dating a Republican).
People who see their partners as politically dissimilar have worse relationships
sites.lsa.umich.edu/whirl/wp-con...
People who see their partners as politically dissimilar have worse relationships
sites.lsa.umich.edu/whirl/wp-con...
Rationality (especially its analytic component) is consistently associated with both earnings and wage gaps across 101 occupations. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
February 1, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Rationality (especially its analytic component) is consistently associated with both earnings and wage gaps across 101 occupations. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Jay Van Bavel, PhD
i find it so weird they research moral cognition. reminds me a bit of Tania Singer and her research on empathy www.science.org/content/arti...
She's the world's top empathy researcher. But colleagues say she bullied and intimidated them
Max Planck neuroscientist Tania Singer created an atmosphere of fear, former and current lab members allege
www.science.org
January 31, 2026 at 4:34 PM
i find it so weird they research moral cognition. reminds me a bit of Tania Singer and her research on empathy www.science.org/content/arti...
It's disturbing to see many of the the major figures in moral cognition all over the Epstein files
He was friendly with a huge number of the leading figures in the field, including giving millions to their labs, long after he pled guilty to sexually abusing young girls
www.justice.gov/epstein
He was friendly with a huge number of the leading figures in the field, including giving millions to their labs, long after he pled guilty to sexually abusing young girls
www.justice.gov/epstein
www.justice.gov
January 31, 2026 at 2:19 PM
It's disturbing to see many of the the major figures in moral cognition all over the Epstein files
He was friendly with a huge number of the leading figures in the field, including giving millions to their labs, long after he pled guilty to sexually abusing young girls
www.justice.gov/epstein
He was friendly with a huge number of the leading figures in the field, including giving millions to their labs, long after he pled guilty to sexually abusing young girls
www.justice.gov/epstein
Reposted by Jay Van Bavel, PhD
Here’s Duke behavioral economist Dan Ariely asking Jeffrey Epstein for “the name and email of the redhead that was here with you.” This is four years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution.
January 31, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Here’s Duke behavioral economist Dan Ariely asking Jeffrey Epstein for “the name and email of the redhead that was here with you.” This is four years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution.
Reposted by Jay Van Bavel, PhD
every epstein file drop underscores how elite power operates through shared socio-economic networks, regardless of people's ideological differences, populist posturing, or public feuds
January 30, 2026 at 11:58 PM
every epstein file drop underscores how elite power operates through shared socio-economic networks, regardless of people's ideological differences, populist posturing, or public feuds
People who engage in altruism that benefits themselves are derogated.
Why?
Social rewards are treated as being reserved for costly prosocial actions. Claiming such rewards without incurring costs seems like cheating and thus deserves moral derogation journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Why?
Social rewards are treated as being reserved for costly prosocial actions. Claiming such rewards without incurring costs seems like cheating and thus deserves moral derogation journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
January 30, 2026 at 9:56 PM
People who engage in altruism that benefits themselves are derogated.
Why?
Social rewards are treated as being reserved for costly prosocial actions. Claiming such rewards without incurring costs seems like cheating and thus deserves moral derogation journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Why?
Social rewards are treated as being reserved for costly prosocial actions. Claiming such rewards without incurring costs seems like cheating and thus deserves moral derogation journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Social identities shape our beliefs
A new paper offers evidence for the Identity Model of Belief: randomly assigning people to groups lowers their threshold for believing information that aligns with their identity.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
A new paper offers evidence for the Identity Model of Belief: randomly assigning people to groups lowers their threshold for believing information that aligns with their identity.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
January 30, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Social identities shape our beliefs
A new paper offers evidence for the Identity Model of Belief: randomly assigning people to groups lowers their threshold for believing information that aligns with their identity.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
A new paper offers evidence for the Identity Model of Belief: randomly assigning people to groups lowers their threshold for believing information that aligns with their identity.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Jay Van Bavel, PhD
A growing body of evidence identifies political polarization as a risk factor adversely shaping public health outcomes. Our new paper explains how this relationship can be understood through theories of group processes and behavioral decision-making.
compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
January 29, 2026 at 7:44 PM
A growing body of evidence identifies political polarization as a risk factor adversely shaping public health outcomes. Our new paper explains how this relationship can be understood through theories of group processes and behavioral decision-making.
compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
A growing body of evidence identifies political polarization as a risk factor adversely shaping public health outcomes. Our new paper explains how this relationship can be understood through theories of group processes and behavioral decision-making.
compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
January 29, 2026 at 7:44 PM
A growing body of evidence identifies political polarization as a risk factor adversely shaping public health outcomes. Our new paper explains how this relationship can be understood through theories of group processes and behavioral decision-making.
compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Jay Van Bavel, PhD
This is an excellent piece. There is strong randomized controlled trial data supporting motivational interviewing as an intervention to reduce vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates. It makes sense to apply similar cognitive approaches and this paper nicely lays out how to do so.
Social conflict fosters cognitive distortions which, like those in clinical settings, lead to cycles of counterproductive behavior that feed into distorted thinking.
A new paper uses insights from CBT to fix cognitive distortions that fuel intergroup conflict:
www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
A new paper uses insights from CBT to fix cognitive distortions that fuel intergroup conflict:
www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
January 29, 2026 at 4:17 PM
This is an excellent piece. There is strong randomized controlled trial data supporting motivational interviewing as an intervention to reduce vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates. It makes sense to apply similar cognitive approaches and this paper nicely lays out how to do so.
Social conflict fosters cognitive distortions which, like those in clinical settings, lead to cycles of counterproductive behavior that feed into distorted thinking.
A new paper uses insights from CBT to fix cognitive distortions that fuel intergroup conflict:
www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
A new paper uses insights from CBT to fix cognitive distortions that fuel intergroup conflict:
www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
January 29, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Social conflict fosters cognitive distortions which, like those in clinical settings, lead to cycles of counterproductive behavior that feed into distorted thinking.
A new paper uses insights from CBT to fix cognitive distortions that fuel intergroup conflict:
www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
A new paper uses insights from CBT to fix cognitive distortions that fuel intergroup conflict:
www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
The public tends to view AI as labor-replacing rather than labor-creating.
And this perception erodes trust in democracy and political engagement with technology.
This could be a major problem facing many countries as AI scales--if it replaces jobs.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
And this perception erodes trust in democracy and political engagement with technology.
This could be a major problem facing many countries as AI scales--if it replaces jobs.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
January 29, 2026 at 4:03 PM
The public tends to view AI as labor-replacing rather than labor-creating.
And this perception erodes trust in democracy and political engagement with technology.
This could be a major problem facing many countries as AI scales--if it replaces jobs.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
And this perception erodes trust in democracy and political engagement with technology.
This could be a major problem facing many countries as AI scales--if it replaces jobs.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Jay Van Bavel, PhD
New study finds that emphasizing collective efficacy (people's ability to catalyze large-scale change) is very effective in catalyzing behavioural change.
As you can see from my pinned post, I'm a big fan of simple messages that can mobilize public support for climate action!
As you can see from my pinned post, I'm a big fan of simple messages that can mobilize public support for climate action!
A megastudy of behavioral interventions to catalyze public, political, and financial climate advocacy
Abstract. Addressing climate change depends on large-scale system changes, which require public advocacy. Here, we identified and tested 17 expert-crowdsou
academic.oup.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:30 PM
New study finds that emphasizing collective efficacy (people's ability to catalyze large-scale change) is very effective in catalyzing behavioural change.
As you can see from my pinned post, I'm a big fan of simple messages that can mobilize public support for climate action!
As you can see from my pinned post, I'm a big fan of simple messages that can mobilize public support for climate action!
I gave a talk on how AI can entrench (or overcome) intergroup bias at the Psych of Tech conference
You can now watch the full talk here: youtu.be/XtIPjSrXAhM
You can now watch the full talk here: youtu.be/XtIPjSrXAhM
January 28, 2026 at 7:40 PM
I gave a talk on how AI can entrench (or overcome) intergroup bias at the Psych of Tech conference
You can now watch the full talk here: youtu.be/XtIPjSrXAhM
You can now watch the full talk here: youtu.be/XtIPjSrXAhM