معرفی
Dr. Michael H. Pasek is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Illinois Chicago, directing the Belief, Identity, and Group Relations Lab. His research focuses on intergroup relations, particularly the influence of religion, race, politics, and sexual orientation on moral decision-making and social attitudes. He holds a PhD from Penn State University and has been funded by the National Science Foundation, John Templeton Foundation, and Russell Sage Foundation.
Education:
- PhD in Social Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University
- MS in Social Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University
- BA in Political Psychology, Bates College (Minor in Religious Studies)
Research Interests: Dr. Pasek explores how religious identity impacts intergroup cooperation, reduces conflict, and promotes equality. His work bridges social psychological theory with real-world applications, including reducing political polarization and advancing social change. Recent studies investigate how religious cognition fosters cooperation across divides and how misperceptions about political opponents threaten democracy.
Awards/Grants: His research has been supported by major grants from the National Science Foundation, John Templeton Foundation, and Russell Sage Foundation. His findings appear in top journals like Psychological Science and Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, with media coverage in outlets like The New York Times.
Advising/Grants: Dr. Pasek is accepting doctoral students (starting Fall 2026) and collaborates internationally on projects addressing intergroup contact, religious threat, and political polarization. His lab emphasizes translational research to bridge academic insights with societal impact.
Labs/Teams: The Belief, Identity, and Group Relations Lab focuses on psychological mechanisms underlying intergroup relations, leveraging experimental and cross-cultural methods.
