Meaning in life, trust, and interdependence

Leaving your impact on the world

• Are the benefits of depending on others worth the risks of vulnerability?
• Can thinking about death in different ways lead to more (or less) authentic conceptions of the self?
• Are we better off competing or cooperating?
• Can interventions target fears to improve the success of social interactions, especially when those interactions are focused on difficult and challenging subjects (e.g., talking about death and dying, talking about physical or mental illness)?
• In this current culture of disconnection, what are the consequences of people finding it hard to make friends, and from that lack of belonging?

Our staff members working on these sorts of questions are known internationally for their contributions to this important area of psychology. Their work draws from social psychological and evolutionary theories, with methods ranging from traditional questionnaire approaches to more impactful experimental designs, as well as studying individuals outside of the psychological lab.

We also work on related areas such as well-being, motivation, and relationships, sex and attraction.