Eric Groenendyk

Eric Groenendyk is a Professor of Political Science at Stony Brook University, where he leads research on motivations, norms, and emotions in politics. Previously, he served as the Dunavant Professor at the University of Memphis. He holds a PhD (2009) and B.A. (2001) in Political Science from the University of Michigan. His work explores partisan loyalty, polarization, and the role of social norms in shaping belief systems. Notable contributions include the book *Competing Motives in the Partisan Mind* (Oxford, 2013) and influential articles in the *American Political Science Review* and *American Journal of Political Science*. Current research focuses on conflict avoidance in politics and the psychological underpinnings of democratic norms.

Education:

• PhD in Political Science, University of Michigan (2009)
• B.A. in Political Science and Communication Studies, University of Michigan (2001, highest honors)

Research Interests:

• Motivations in political reasoning and behavior
• Partisan polarization and intra-party dynamics
• Normative frameworks for understanding racism and ideology
• Emotional drivers of political engagement

Recent work highlights the self-fulfilling role of conflict expectations in political disengagement (*American Political Science Review*, 2025) and the normative shaping of belief systems (*American Journal of Political Science*, 2023). His lab, the Political Psychology Lab, investigates how contextual cues like deliberation or debate influence political goals.

Professional Service:

• Organized APSA Political Psychology Pre-Conferences (2024–2025)
• Member of award committees for the APSA Political Psychology Section