About
Yarrow Dunham is an Associate Professor (tenured) in the Department of Psychology at Yale University, and affiliated faculty at the Wu Tsai Institute and Cognitive Science Program. His research explores intergroup social cognition, examining how humans form social groups and the effects of group membership on perception and reasoning. He holds a Ed.D. from Harvard University, specializing in Human Development and Psychology, with a thesis committee including Mahzarin Banaji, Susan Carey, Howard Gardner, and John Willett.
Education:
- Ed.D., Human Development and Psychology, Harvard University (2007)
- Master of Education, Mind, Brain and Education, Harvard University (2002)
- Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy and English Literature, University of California, Santa Barbara (1995)
Research Interests:
His work investigates the psychological mechanisms underlying social group formation and intergroup bias, using cross-cultural and experimental methods. Key themes include the origins of group preferences, cultural influences on intergroup attitudes, and children’s understanding of social institutions. He emphasizes the role of mutual intentions and social structures in shaping group membership and bias, with a focus on how cognitive development intersects with societal norms.
Grants & Awards:
- Arthur Greer Memorial Prize for Outstanding Scholarly Research, Yale University (2021)
- Fellowships: Whitney Humanities Center (2022), Society for Personality and Social Psychology (2021)
Professional Service:
He serves as Psychology Department Director of Undergraduate Studies at Yale, and has held roles in diversity, equity, and justice initiatives within the department. Dunham is a contributing member of Faculty Opinions (Social Psychology), editorial board member of Developmental Review, and has reviewed grants for the National Science Foundation and William T Grant Foundation.
Labs & Collaborations:
His lab focuses on intergroup social cognition, collaborating with institutions like the Wu Tsai Institute and the Yale Prison Education Initiative. Research projects involve cross-cultural partnerships and emphasize understanding how social hierarchies and cultural norms influence child development.
