Department of Psychology

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.

Psychology Professor Shannon Dorsey explains the psychological effects of COVID-19.

A new UW study has found that "prototypical" women who look and act more feminine are more likely to believed when making allegations of sexual harassment.

A University of Washington-led study, involving more than 4,000 people, found that people were more likely to think “prototypical” women — who are conventionally attractive and appear and act feminine — would be harassed. Bryn Bandt-Law, a doctoral student in psychology at the UW, and Cheryl Kaiser, professor of psychology at the UW, are quoted.

Women who don’t fit female stereotypes of look or personality are perceived as less credible when lodging sexual harassment claims, according to a study published Thursday in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Bryn Bandt-Law, a doctoral student in psychology at the UW, and Cheryl Kaiser, professor of psychology at the UW, are quoted.

DANCE 345: “Boogie, Break, Blues: American Popular & Social Dance Histories” explores the history of social dance movements.

“Death penalty advocates most frequently focus on deterrence [as a justification for the death penalty] — but as research including my own work shows, it has not been shown to be effective,” writes David Barash, professor emeritus of psychology at the UW.

Carley Long, a senior studying art and psychology, and Shiuan Chu, a junior studying art, explain what it is like to learn the art of ceramics at home.

Whether you want to run a marathon, eat more healthfully or just get off the couch a little more, “for the majority of people, setting a goal is one of the most useful behavior change mechanisms for enhancing performance,” says Frank Smoll, professor of psychology at the UW. “It’s highly individual.” But goal-setting strategies will help you stay the course.

For months, Jonathan Kanter, research associate professor of psychology at the UW, has been leading local and national studies on how people have been coping with quarantines and isolation. Yet he’s not doing any better than the rest of us. Adam Kuczynski, a graduate student in psychology at the UW, is mentioned.

Daniel Kuo-Ching Chen, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle, signed a memorandum of understanding of cooperation with UW President Ana Mari Cauce on Dec. 8. Based on the memorandum, the Taiwan government provided $1.8 million for the UW to strengthen its Taiwan studies program in the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies and launch a Taiwan arts and culture program.

Jonathan Kanter, director of the Center for the Science of Social Connection, offered UW News some suggestions for a healthy and, yes, happy, holiday season.

Jonathan Kanter, research associate professor of psychology and director of the Center for the Science of Social Connection, explains how to have a joyous holiday season amidst COVID-19.

Jane Simoni, professor of psychology at the UW, talks about the mental health challenges people are experiencing during the winter amidst the pandemic. [Segment begins at :25.]