BIOGRAPHY
PhD, Psychology, University of Virginia, 2021
MA, Psychology, University of Virginia, 2017
BA, Psychology, Ozyegin University, 2015
LINKS
RESEARCH
How do people, both young and old, make sense of different norms and those who violate them? My research investigates cooperative behavior through an interdisciplinary lens, drawing on developmental, social, affective, cognitive, and evolutionary perspectives, and employing rigorous quantitative methods. I examine these questions across the lifespan and incorporate cross-cultural approaches to better understand how diverse cultural environments shape our intergroup social cognition.
Currently, I’m researching the following:
(1) Moral and Non-Moral Norm Perception: Even young children are able to distinguish moral norms (those concerned with others’ welfare) from non-moral norms. My work explores the cognitive and social mechanisms that underlie these distinctions, and how they develop over time.
(2) Group Influence on Norm Perception: Social groups vary widely in the norms they endorse and enforce. I study how children develop moral attitudes toward members of different social groups, including immigrants, foreigners, and fellow citizens. I also examine how religious identity and upbringing shape moral cognition, providing insight into the ways deeply held beliefs and practices influence the development of moral reasoning.
(3) Developing Perceptions of Norm Violators: People are not only motivated to follow norms themselves but also to monitor others' behavior and reputations. My research investigates how children and adults form judgments about those who violate norms—when and why we condemn, forgive, or gossip—and what these responses reveal about our social and moral reasoning.
PUBLICATIONS
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=csXUfBcAAAAJ&hl=en