Publications
Neumann, E., & Zaki, J. (2022). Towards a Social Psychology of Cynicism. Trends in Cognitive Sciences;
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364661322002303?dgcid=author
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Abstract:
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Cynicism is the attitude that people are primarily motivated by self-interest. It tracks numerous negative outcomes, and yet many people are cynical. To understand this “cynicism paradox,” we review and call for more social psychological work on how cynicism spreads, with implications for how we might slow it down.
Zaki, J., Neumann, E., & Baltiansky, D. (2021). Market cognition: How exchange norms alter social experience. Current Directions in Psychological Science;
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0963721421995492
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Abstract:
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Market exchange and the ideologies that accompany it pervade human social interaction. How does this affect people’s beliefs about themselves, each other, and human nature? Here we describe market cognition as social inferences and behaviors that are intensified by market contexts. We focus on prosociality and two countervailing ways in which market cognition can affect it. On the one hand, marketplaces incentivize individuals to behave prosocially in order to be chosen as exchange partners—thereby generalizing cooperation and trust beyond group boundaries. On the other hand, markets encourage a view of people as self-interested and can thus taint people’s interpretation of prosocial actions and erode more communal forms of cooperation. We close by considering how market cognition can become self-fulfilling, altering relationships, communities, and cultural norms.
Podcast
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Together with my colleague and friend Anjie Cao, I founded the official Stanford Psychology Podcast. With an ever-expanding team of brilliant folks from around the department, we host a new leading psychologist every week. Here is the official podcast description:
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The Stanford Psychology Podcast invites leading psychologists to talk about what’s on their mind lately. Join Eric, Anjie, Kate, Bella, and Joseph as they chat with their guests about their latest exciting work. Every week, an episode will bring you new findings from psychological science and how they can be applied to everyday life. The opinions and views expressed in this podcast represent those of the speaker and not necessarily Stanford's. Let us hear your thoughts at stanfordpsychpodcast@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter @StanfordPsyPod. Soundtrack: Corey Zhou (UCSD). Logo: Sarah Wu (Stanford)
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The podcast has also given me a chance to chat with leading trust and cynicism researchers. Some episodes of particular interest to my research program are listed here:
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With Jamil Zaki about cynicism and market cognition.
With Scott Barry Kaufman about the light triad and dark triad.
With Abigail Marsh about everyday kindness and individualism.
With Richard Wilkinson about inequality and trust.
With Diego Gambetta about trust, distrust, and cynicism.
With Molly Crockett about moral outrage and trust in leaders during Covid-19.
With Dave Dunning about trust and unwarranted cynicism.
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Applying to Ph.D. Programs
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Here is a video presentation I gave with my wonderful friend and lab mate Luiza Santos. We talk about how to apply to grad school.