iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

Science Magazine @science.org · 16/09/2026

A new study offers insight into how, if left to their own devices, #AI agents start to communicate in a language that is increasingly difficult for humans to understand. scim.ag/4rnlYhJ

science.org

Why AI agents invent their own language if you let them chat

“Weird terms” are a natural—but disturbing—byproduct of agent swarms, researchers find

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Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Professorship in Sustainability @cam.ac.uk -- fantastic opportunity for someone with expertise in social psychology, behavioural science, etc.

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Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Amazing research about how intelligent bumble bees are.

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Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

University of Cambridge @cam.ac.uk · 08/05/2026

Happy 100th birthday, Sir David Attenborough! 🎂 A legendary broadcaster, natural historian and Clare College alumnus whose voice has inspired generations worldwide for decades. Thank you for a century of curiosity, wonder and unwavering dedication to life on earth.

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Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

Sasha Killewald @sashakillewald.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Could not be more proud to work at @umisr.bsky.social, whose motto is "social science in the public interest."

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Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

Center for Political Studies @umisrcps.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

"Democracy relies on objective measurements of public opinion." So honored to receive the Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Social Science and to help document social realities in service of the public interest. @umisr.bsky.social #GoBlue #LookToMichigan @electionstudies.bsky.social

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Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Announcement of the 18th Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Social Sciences. @umisr.bsky.social and @norc.org are recognized for rigorously documenting social realities in the United States and across the world. Democracy relies on objective measurements of public opinion. youtu.be/88SOqExvA6I?...

youtu.be

Announcement of the 18th Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Social Sciences

YouTube video by Fundación BBVA

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Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Today at 2pm, my talk our work about cognitive effects of engaging with beautiful art. @SPSPnews Punch line: Aesthetic appreciation leads to abstract thinking. Join us in Room E353C!

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Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

At 2pm today: "Honoring Jerry Clore: Affect-as-Information and Beyond", Room E353C @SPSPnews A tribute to Gerald L. Clore's many contributions to studying affect-as-information. With Jeff Huntsinger, Linda Isbell, Michael Robinson and me. Join us and say "hi" to Jerry!

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Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

Nature @nature.com · 19/01/2026

If we don’t slow down, the research enterprise is going to crash, argues Adrian Barnett go.nature.com/4pRniHp

go.nature.com

I’m going to halve my publication output. You should consider slow science, too

If we don’t slow down, the research enterprise is going to crash, argues Adrian Barnett.

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Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

There is *tons* of evidence of social media harming young people so let's once and for all do whatever we can to protect them. Simply not good enough to keep saying "more data is needed."

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Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment @cambridge.org · 18/11/2025

Capturing the 2025 zeitgeist, #parasocial is our Cambridge Dictionary #WordOfTheYear2025. We asked @cam.ac.uk's Professor @simoneschnall.bsky.social to explain what’s driving the rise of parasocial relationships. 🔗 Learn more about our #CambridgeWOTY: cambrid.ge/4if1CTq

youtu.be

Why people form parasocial relationships – Cambridge Dictionary Word of the Year 2025

YouTube video by Cambridge Dictionary

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Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

CNN @cnn.com · 18/11/2025

Cambridge Dictionary has named its word of the year for 2025, alighting on “parasocial,” used to describe a connection that people feel with someone they don’t know – or even with an artificial intelligence. cnn.it/4raKodW

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Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Remember to vote in the Chancellor Election. If you registered, you should have received an email but there is a good chance it landed in your spam folder. My vote is for Mohamed El-Erian @elerianm because he has proven a commitment to the University over many years.

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Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Serving as Chancellor of Cambridge University needs to be more than a ceremonial role. That's why @elerianm.bsky.social is the right man for the job. He has proven his commitment to the university over many years.

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Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

Joe Bak-Coleman @jbakcoleman.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

It remains frustrating that prominent voices in #metascience are seeing weaponization of science reform as more of an opportunity to push their preferred policies than the threat it is. cen.acs.org/research-int...

cen.acs.org

Amid White House claims of a research ‘replication crisis,’ scientists offer solutions

Efforts have been underway for years to improve the replicability of research studies, but some are skeptical of the US government’s motivations to help

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Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

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Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

IASToulouse @iast.fr · 05/06/2025

🎙[PODCAST] Why do we choose what we choose? Here @cmolho.bsky.social's analysis from the latest episode of Crossing Channels 👉 pod.fo/e/2d105c What is your opinion about that ? 🤔 💬R. Wescott w/ C. Molho, M. Müller, @simoneschnall.bsky.social 🤝 @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk & ...

🎙[PODCAST] Why do we choose what we choose?

Here @cmolho.bsky.social's analysis from the latest episode of Crossing Channels 👉 https://pod.fo/e/2d105c

What is your opinion about that ? 🤔

💬R. Wescott w/ C. Molho, M. Müller, @simoneschnall.bsky.social
🤝 @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk & ...

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Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

IASToulouse @iast.fr · 26/05/2025

[PODCAST] 🧠 Why do we choose what we do? In this episode, R. Westcott speaks w/ @simoneschnall.bsky.social @cmolho.bsky.social & M. Müller about what shapes our decisions—from money and morality to relationships and careers 🎧 pod.fo/e/2d105c 🤝 @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk @tse-fr.eu

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Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

Kate Arthurs @kate-arthurs.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

New study from University of Cambridge with Kettle's Yard shows contemplating the beauty of artistic objects in a gallery or museum boosts our ability to think in abstract ways and consider the bigger picture in life www.cam.ac.uk/stories/arti... @cambridgeuni.bsky.social @simoneschnall.bsky.social

cam.ac.uk

Pondering artistic beauty encourages ‘big picture’ thinking

A psychological experiment conducted at Kettle's Yard suggests that actively considering the beauty of art increases abstract thinking and “transformative” emotion – helping us escape the “mental trap...

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Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

Bennett Institute for Public Policy @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk · 18/05/2025

🎙️Why do we make the choices we make? Catherine Molho, Maximillian Muller & @simoneschnall.bsky.social explore the psychological, emotional, & social factors that shape our decisions. 🎧Find out more in this month's Crossing Channels #podcast: pod.fo/e/2d105c @iastoulouse.bsky.social @tse-fr.eu

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Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Seeking solace in beauty-- Airplay radio piece on CBC (Canada) www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

cbc.ca

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Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Engaging with art encourages 'big picture' thinking, we found in our latest work, published today. Many thanks to Kettle's Yard Museum Cambridge for allowing us to turn their space into a psychology laboratory. @campsydept.bsky.social www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

eurekalert.org

Pondering artistic beauty encourages ‘big picture’ thinking, study finds

Psychological experiment suggests actively considering the beauty of art increases abstract thinking and “transformative” emotion – helping us escape the “mental trappings&rdqu...

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Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Deadline *tomorrow* (2 May) to register to vote for the fantastic Dr Mohamed El-Erian @elerianm as the next Chancellor of @Cambridge_Uni We would be lucky to have Mohamed in this important leadership role!

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Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

My thoughts on the loyalty of Trump voters and why cognitive dissonance explains their support, even if tariffs, inflation etc. will leave them less well off [in German].

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Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Does disgust increase moral condemnation? New meta-analysis (101 studies with 18,180 participants, g = .40) says “yes”. No evidence of publication bias, and exclusion of outliers did not change effect size. Paper by Salvo, Ottaviani, & Mancini, 2025. tinyurl.com/mu8sus2b

tinyurl.com

Bidirectional interplay of disgust and morality: Meta-analytic investigations

Two separate meta-analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses that moral transgressions elicit disgust and that inducing disgust may intensify mora…

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Simone Schnall, Ph.D. @simoneschnall.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

tinyurl.com

Bidirectional interplay of disgust and morality: Meta-analytic investigations

Two separate meta-analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses that moral transgressions elicit disgust and that inducing disgust may intensify mora…

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Reposted by Simone Schnall, Ph.D.

Morteza Dehghani @mdehghani.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Our new paper in PNAS Nexus. County morals > politics for carbon footprints? 🤯 We find that county-level values predict actual green behavior (emissions!), not just attitudes. Stronger than political leaning.

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