Why do we derogate effective altruists, activists, & other radically prosocial individuals? In new work, we discuss how doing good that deviates from social norms gets stigmatized. New preprint w/ @dcameron.bsky.social @tlau.bsky.social @desmond-ong.bsky.social: osf.io/preprints/ps...

Today marks 2 years since Hamas's attack on Israel, the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. We grieve for those killed and their families.

Compassion in Philadelphia

Yesterday's highlight was the Indian Wells Vista, one of the most beautiful overlooks in Centre County and Rothrock State Forest, which overlooks Bear Meadows Natural Area. Three kiddo hiking buddies and a jaw dropping view. Our area is replete with natural awe as

Scenes from Rothrock State Forest this brisk morning

Jane Goodall reminded humanity that we are part of nature, not above it. Rest in peace, Dr. Goodall.

Really looking forward to the show in Philly this weekend. Going back to his work with Porcupine Tree, I've been following his music for two decades now
youtube.com/watch?v=FQJh...

An EMP Lab congrats to @farvk.bsky.social for defending his masters thesis today, about moral outrage and information-seeking! On National Coffee Day, a coffee and curiously outraged toast!
@psuliberalarts.bsky.social
@ssripennstate.bsky.social
@rockethics.bsky.social
@prcpennstate.bsky.social

Collaborative science

I enjoyed the peaceful cherry blossom 🌸 vibes in Portland earlier this year. A beautiful and calm city

NSF GRFP is out 2.5 months late w/key changes

1. 2nd year graduate students not eligible.

2. "alignment with Administration priorities"

3. Unlike prior years, they DO NOT specify the expected number of awards... that is a BIG problem.

a brief 🧵 w/receipts

www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...

Save WPSU, people!

@ssripennstate.bsky.social
@psuliberalarts.bsky.social
@rockethics.bsky.social @prcpennstate.bsky.social

Whether they're blaming vaccines and Tylenol, or selling dubious "remedies," what they're really doing is promoting the perception that families (and especially mothers) can prevent and treat Autism. And thus also the perception that people with Autism and their families don't need social support.

MED13L syndrome often presents with behaviors linked to autism spectrum disorder. We can aim to understand neurodevelopmental disorders, taking symptoms seriously. While at same time knowing that we can & should respect neurodivergent minds without stigmatizing them as deficits in need of a "cure".

Autumn arrives. A personal favorite
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8hO...

The NSF GRFP is an amazing opportunity for students in the first two years of a PhD or those applying to a PhD right now.

Below, check out our special episode with advice for both applicants and those who write letters of support!! 🧐

Please help us spread the word 📢

One last thing -- I thought it was cool that Caitlin essentially had people do an empathy choice paradigm between different animal species, getting their reactions in real time. I love the intersection between science, ethics, and art. I hope it's clear just how fun this was!

@psuliberalarts.bsky.social @ssripennstate.bsky.social @rockethics.bsky.social @prcpennstate.bsky.social @socphilpsych.bsky.social @spspnews.bsky.social @isreorg.bsky.social @affectscience.bsky.social @phair-society.bsky.social @templetonworld.bsky.social #psychscisky #academicsky #sciart

Through the film, I was able to say something about empathy and curiosity: namely, that the frontier of discovery might encourage people to be more open, willing, and embracing of their empathy. Empathy for animals was my gateway into moral psychology, and I am so happy to have been part of this.

We talked at length about empathy & the deep sea: (1) how do we motivate empathy for animals that are so different, & (2) for the frontier of an ecology we don't even fully know yet, where as she puts it, they regularly discover new species? It seems like a fascinating "compassion collapse" problem.

Super excited to see the release of this short film by Caitlin Bailey, a wildlife cinematographer who works with the Global Foundation for Oceanic Exploration. She reached out because she wanted to discuss empathy for deep-sea animals that don't have faces.
#empathy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zK5...

Painted sky, a fiery sunset in State College during my oldest son's Special Olympics flag football practice. Sitting, breathing.

Save WPSU, y'all. Just read the comments in the link for why human connection matters.
www.change.org/p/save-wpsu.

And save #empathy while you're at it.

@psuliberalarts.bsky.social
@rockethics.bsky.social
@prcpennstate.bsky.social
@ssripennstate.bsky.social

#psychscisky

The podcast touches on the limits of empathy, empathy for animals and AI, and the interdisciplinary moral psychology work we're doing through the Consortium on Moral Decision-Making. It's a good snapshot of the Empathy and Moral Psychology Lab in 2025.