iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 01/10/2026

People cooperate more when the same Prisoner’s Dilemma is called the “Community Game” rather than the “Wall Street Game.” Valerio Capraro explains how language activates emotions and norms—and how AI may help measure and shape behavior: www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/shaping-be...

powerofusnewsletter.com

Words Change Behavior More Than We Think

Valerio Capraro on emotions, norms, strategy, and linguistic framing.

020

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 23/09/2026

Brain activity let researchers predict which pairs of strangers would feel connected about 67% of the time. Matt Lieberman explores what this reveals about friendship, compatibility, and finding people who click. www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/most-peopl...

powerofusnewsletter.com

Can We Predict Who Will Become Friends?

Brain synchrony, social chemistry, and a new approach to finding connection.

010

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 17/09/2026

In 1955, 18% of social-science papers were written by teams; by 2000, that figure was 52%. Our new post draws on big-team science to outline four principles for building inclusive, motivated, effective teams: www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/the-scienc...

powerofusnewsletter.com

The Science of Making Teams Work

Four principles for building inclusive, motivated, and effective teams.

010

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 17/09/2026

What makes people cooperate with strangers—or turn against one another? In this plenary from Mind & Life SRI, Dr. Jay Van Bavel explores how identity and digital environments shape conflict and cooperation: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFfM...

youtube.com

How Identity and Technology Shape Conflict and Cooperation (Dr. Jay Van Bavel)

Identity drives much of human behavior, fueling both cooperation an...

030

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 31/08/2026

The Power of Us is currently #1 Best Seller in Cognitive Neuroscience & Cognitive Neuropsychology on Amazon! Get it as an e-book today for only $2.99 📖

021

Reposted by Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU

Jay Van Bavel, PhD @jayvanbavel.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Why does everyone seem so mean lately? I joined @oprah to talk about the rise of incivility. The main lesson: humans haven’t suddenly become worse. But the social environment has. The good news: we can change the norms. I listed the key lessons here: www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/restoring-...

powerofusnewsletter.com

Restoring Civility in a Mean World: Lessons from our Interview with Oprah

Jay and Oprah discuss why incivility spreads—and how bystanders, leaders, and coworkers can stop it.

3194

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 23/07/2026

What happens when AI always agrees with you? Dr. Jay Van Bavel explains how sycophantic chatbots can intensify beliefs and inflate confidence in “Sycophantic AI Increases Attitude Extremity and Overconfidence.” Watch the presentation + Q&A: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL4u...

youtube.com

Presentation + Q&A: Sycophantic AI Increases Attitude Extremity and Overconfidence

Dr. Jay Van Bavel explains how interacting with overly-affirming, o...

010

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 25/06/2026

Social media spreads ideas quickly — but we need context to understand them. The updated Power of Us syllabus offers a FREE way to dive deeper into the psychology of social identity and how it shapes our lives. You can explore it below for yourself or your students 👇

053

Reposted by Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU

Jay Van Bavel, PhD @jayvanbavel.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

The cuts to science in the US are decimating the talent pipeline and leading to a brain drain. A survey of biomedical scientists found that only half now say they are likely to remain in academia, down 22 percentage points from how they felt 6 months earlier.

1174

Reposted by Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU

Jay Van Bavel, PhD @jayvanbavel.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Moral grandstanding (using moral & political discourse to gain social status) is associated with stronger affective polarization due to dichotomous thinking--seeing complex political issues in black-and-white terms. osf.io/preprints/ps... Moral grandstanding was also linked to civic engagement.

0133

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 04/06/2026

Even after witnessing some of the worst atrocities in human history, Ervin Staub still believes in people's capacity for good. You can read about his remarkable life in this week's Power of US newsletter: www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/the-roots-...

powerofusnewsletter.com

The Roots of Goodness

Ervin Staub survived the Holocaust—and spent a lifetime studying how kindness can take hold.

043

Reposted by Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU

Jay Van Bavel, PhD @jayvanbavel.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Is AI created personalized echo chambers? I gave a talk today at the fantatistic NHH Norwegian School of Economics on a major limitation of AI. My talk was called "Inside AI Echo Chambers: How Sycophantic AI Increases Extremism and Overconfidence." Here is our paper: osf.io/preprints/ps...

1167

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 27/05/2026

You might be taking away the wrong lessons from the world's most famous psychology experiments. You can read the latest Power of Us newsletter below: www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/debunking-...

powerofusnewsletter.com

Debunking the Five Biggest Myths in Social Psychology

Adding context to the most popular myths in social psychology

042

Reposted by Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU

Jay Van Bavel, PhD @jayvanbavel.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

People prefer to use “sycophantic” AI systems that reinforce their pre-existing beliefs. In a new paper (n=7,227), we found that people enjoyed interacting with sycophantic AI chatbots more than interacting with neutral chatbots or “disagreeable” chatbots that challenged their beliefs.

33735180

Reposted by Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU

Steve Rathje @steverathje.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

🚨 New preprint 🚨 Across 3 experiments (n = 3,285), we found that interacting with sycophantic (or overly agreeable) AI chatbots entrenched attitudes and led to inflated self-perceptions. Yet, people preferred sycophantic chatbots and viewed them as unbiased! osf.io/preprints/ps... Thread 🧵

6193102

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 12/05/2026

What is more important, limiting the spread of misinformation or protecting free speech? In our new pre-print, we asked people across the globe what they thought. You can read the pre-print below: osf.io/preprints/ps...

011

Reposted by Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU

Jay Van Bavel, PhD @jayvanbavel.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

We found that the preference for allowing freedom of expression vs. limiting the spread of misinformation is politically polarized: In 32 out of 40 countries, right-leaning participants prioritize protecting free expression more than left-leaning participants (55% vs. 48%). osf.io/preprints/ps...

42712

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 27/04/2026

“Their level of polarization dropped by about a quarter after one month.” Listen to @jayvanbavel.bsky.social talk tribalism, AI, politics, and the future of relationships with @allisonhare.bsky.social on the Culture Changers Podcast. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-upT...

youtube.com

You're Being Programmed: Why You See a Different Reality Than Everyone Else with Dr. Jay Van Bavel

YouTube video by Culture Changers Podcast

062

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 02/04/2026

Check out @stefanleach.bsky.social's thread on this great new preprint!

023

Reposted by Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU

Stefan Leach @stefanleach.bsky.social · 28/05/2024

📚Preprint📚 /w Jan Nikadon, Chiara Zazzarino, Magda Formanowicz, Aleksandra Cislak, @jayvanbavel.bsky.social, Michal Kosinski, @alekscichocka.bsky.social We analysed politicians' X posts to test the links between national identity rhetoric and political success! osf.io/preprints/ps... 🧵 1/7

1105

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 01/04/2026

Last week, we curated an audience of over 150 experts—ranging from academics, journalists, and tech—to join us for a special screening of The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist (in theaters now!). Check out our newsletter reflecting on the doc: www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/reflection...

powerofusnewsletter.com

Reflections on The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist

Why the Biggest Challenges of AI Technology are Human.

010

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 22/10/2025

...The authors explore key phenomena such as the ‘paradox of virality’—where widely shared content is often not widely liked—and assess the strengths and limitations of the popular ‘information-as-virus’ metaphor.” 🎨 Cover image by Justine Rideout.

010

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 22/10/2025

...Steve Rathje and Jay J. Van Bavel review the psychology of information spread. They argue that fundamental psychological processes cause similar types of content to go viral in most contexts, both online and offline, from historical gossip to modern social media posts...

110

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 22/10/2025

Here's how the journal describes it: “Why do some ideas spread widely, while others fail to catch on? In our hyper-connected world, understanding the mechanics of ‘virality’ is crucial. In this issue of Trends in Cognitive Sciences..."

lnkd.in

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

100

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 22/10/2025

@steverathje.bsky.social and @jayvanbavel.bsky.social's recent review article, “The Psychology of Virality” is on the front cover of this month’s issue of Trends in Cognitive Sciences! 📚 Read the the article here: lnkd.in/eGgPMWqA 📝 And the pre-print here: lnkd.in/ej7-Ma8V

120

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 06/10/2025

Are you concerned about the potential psychological impacts of AI chatbots? Comment & discuss!

000

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 06/10/2025

People also viewed the sycophantic chatbot as unbiased and the disagreeable chatbot as highly biased. In reality, *both* chatbots were biased: the sycophantic chatbot was simply biased in the user’s favor.

100

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 06/10/2025

However, people enjoyed the sycophantic chatbot much more than the disagreeable chatbot and were more likely to choose to use it again.

100

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 06/10/2025

Interacting with these chatbots affected people’s political stances... -The sycophantic chatbot led to more extreme & certain beliefs -The disagreeable chatbot led to less extreme & certain beliefs -The off-the-shelf model had no impact on belief extremity

100

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 06/10/2025

3,285 participants discussed political topics with: -A "sycophantic" chatbot prompted to validate beliefs (ex: “I can tell you've really thought this through!”) -A "disagreeable" chatbot prompted to challenge beliefs (ex: “Have you considered xyz evidence?”) -An off-the-shelf model (GPT-5 & GPT-4o)

100

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 06/10/2025

Would you notice if Gemini or ChatGPT was just flattering you? Read @steverathje.bsky.social's new preprint to learn about how people actually feel towards overly agreeable chatbots. OSF: osf.io/preprints/ps... (summary in thread below!)

131

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 23/09/2025

Can reading a book make you a better person?📚💭 People who receive weekly book excerpts & podcasts (instead of guided meditations) show greater reductions in aggression & larger growth in love, positive attitudes, and altruism. Read our newsletter here: www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/can-readin...

powerofusnewsletter.com

Can reading a book make you a better person?

Issue 178: Research from our lab investigates if reading non-fiction books can make us more prosocial and less polarized.

010

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 23/09/2025

From the rise of vaccine hesitancy to the success of smoking cessation programs, identity plays a critical role in public health. Read the full paper here: osf.io/preprints/ps... It was led by @rmpillai.bsky.social @LauraGlobig @steverathje.bsky.social @AnniSternisko and @remi-theriault.com

osf.io

OSF

020

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 13/08/2025

What do we mean when we say something "goes viral?" Is information a virus?

020

Reposted by Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU

Rémi Thériault @remi-theriault.com · 10/08/2025

Excited to share that our manifesto for a more globally diverse, equitable, and inclusive open science, led by @sakshighai.bsky.social was selected for a Commendation Award from the Society for @improvingpsych.org ! You can read the open-access paper here: doi.org/10.1038/s442...

doi.org

A manifesto for a globally diverse, equitable, and inclusive open science - Communications Psychology

Psychology must embrace more responsible practices in design, reporting, generalisation, and evaluation of research to counteract the spectre of Questionable Generalisability Practices and the issue o...

062

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 08/07/2025

Climate change is one of the most pressing crises looming over humanity. But what are the best predictors of climate-friendly beliefs, and how do they compare across countries? In our latest paper, we use machine learning to explore this question across 55 countries. Read below:

nature.com

Machine learning identifies key individual and nation-level factors predicting climate-relevant beliefs and behaviors - npj Climate Action

npj Climate Action - Machine learning identifies key individual and nation-level factors predicting climate-relevant beliefs and behaviors

22710

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 03/07/2025

The 4th of July is among America’s most celebrated holidays, where Americans launch fireworks and fire up the grill to celebrate their national pride. We unpack healthy and harmful forms of national identity, and how they can shape the world. Read below: www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/healthy-vs...

powerofusnewsletter.com

Healthy vs Harmful National Identities

Issue 171: This July 4th, we explore different forms of national identity and how they shape democracy, solidarity, and collective responsibility in profoundly different ways.

010

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 01/07/2025

WE’RE MOVING (OUR NEWSLETTER)! Our Center and The Power of Us are merging newsletters. Follow “The Power of Us | In collaboration with the Center for Conflict & Cooperation” to learn about the science of belonging, conflict, and cooperation in the digital age. Link: www.powerofusnewsletter.com

powerofusnewsletter.com

The Power of Us | Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel | Substack

Our newsletter is designed to help people get smarter about groups and make groups smarter. Each week, we share science and the stories of social identity, group dynamics, and collective behavior in o...

010

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 24/06/2025

As (Natural Language Processing (NLP) becomes a popular analysis technique in the behavioral sciences, it is important to use it wisely. We published a paper in Nature that includes a practical how-to guide You can find the guide in one of our recent newsletters. Link below:

120

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 20/06/2025

As political conversations move from the kitchen table to social media, we are seeing more intergroup conflict, shaming, and hate speech. Why does moral-emotional content amplify engagement and conflict, and what’s the role of social identity? Read more in our newsletter below:

100

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 11/06/2025

Thanks @jayvanbavel.bsky.social and Anni Sternisko for organizing the conference. We appreciate all those who were able to come out and attend!

020

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 11/06/2025

We recently traveled to Italy where we hosted two conferences at NYU Florence. We gathered with a diverse group of experts, including lab alumni, to reflect on conflict, cooperation, and democracy. Many thanks to @theihs.org NYU Global for sponsoring this event! #IHSFunded

130

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 09/05/2025

Over thousands of years, evolution has left us with brains that are highly attuned to potential threats in our environment. Alas, our brains occasionally mistake something harmless for a real threat - especially on social media. Read our latest newsletter: jayvanbavellab.substack.com/p/changing-t...

jayvanbavellab.substack.com

Changing the incentive structure of social media to reduce threat and negativity

Our evolutionary instincts are wired to detect threat and social media often exploits these instincts

000

Center for Conflict and Cooperation at NYU @centerconflictcooperation.com · 22/04/2025

We’re hiring a full-time Lab Manager to join our team at NYU studying the psychology of intergroup conflict and cooperation. This is an ideal pre-doctoral position for those interested in pursuing a PhD in psychology or related fields. Start date: July/August 2025. Apply: apply.interfolio.com/166620

apply.interfolio.com

Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio

020