ASU Department of Psychology

10/09/2026

Congratulations to Candace Lewis, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and the ASU School of Life Sciences, for leading MONRA, a $4 million ARPA-H project to learn who is most likely to benefit from psychedelic-assisted treatments.

Story: https://news.asu.edu/20260821-health-and-medicine-asuled-project-examine-psychedelic-therapy-mental-health

10/08/2026

Would someone who moves their aging parents into their home also push past strangers on a crowded subway? 🚇

For 30 years, social psychologists have debated how to measure what makes a culture collectivist. New research led by Thomas Talhelm, the Robert B. Cialdini Endowed Professor in Social Influence, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, points to the responsibilities people hold toward those closest to them, a concept called responsibilism.

Talhelm led an international team that created a new survey to measure cultural differences. They tested the survey with 12,247 people across 100 cultures, and it reliably separated East Asian and Western cultures, something earlier measures struggled to do. This research was published in Nature Human Behaviour.

Read more: https://news.asu.edu/20260915-science-and-technology-responsibilities-close-social-relationships-explain-cultural-differences

10/07/2026

Before she was captain of the Sun Devil colorguard, her ASU story What a full-circle Sun Devil story! 🔱 We’re proud that her 18-year journey at ASU began in the Department of Psychology’s Child Study Lab.

09/30/2026

Small deeds can make a big difference. 💛

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, we’re joining more than 90 psychology departments around the world for the second annual PSYC Good Deed Day.

Take part by doing something kind, whether that means writing a thank-you note, helping a neighbor, volunteering or picking up litter.

We’re also hosting a donation drive for Pitchfork Pantry. Drop off nonperishable food, hygiene products or cleaning supplies Oct. 5–9 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Psychology Business Office, PSY 203.

You can also donate through the Pitchfork Pantry Amazon Registry: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/21YNNTS2J79FU

Share your good deed using or add it to the international tracker: https://sites.google.com/umd.edu/good-deed-day-tracker/home

09/28/2026

Congratulations to Candace Lewis, assistant professor in the ASU Department of Psychology and the ASU School of Life Sciences. Lewis is a co-investigator on one of the first controlled clinical trials of ibogaine in the U.S. The trial is led by the Barrow Neurological Institute.

Barrow Neurological Institute has received a $5 million grant from the Arizona Department of Health Services to study ibogaine treatment in people with

09/28/2026

****The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences educates the next ge...

09/24/2026

Big ideas crossed the pond last week.

Faculty from the Department of Psychology and the Arizona State University- REACH Institute traveled to London to meet with colleagues through the PLuS Alliance, a partnership among Arizona State University, King's College London and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney.

The group spent two days exploring new opportunities for collaboration focused on global innovation and research-driven change. The visit also coincided with the official launch of ASU London and opening-week events, including the Union Jack Classic at Wembley Stadium, where they cheered on the Sun Devils.

Faculty from the Department of Psychology and the Reach Institute included Abigail Gewirtz, Thao Ha, Kathryn Lemery-Chalfant and Leah Doane. They were joined by William Riley from the College of Health Solutions; Jyoti Pathak, dean of the School of Technology for Public Health; and ASU Executive Vice President and University Provost Nancy Gonzales.

Learn more about the PLuS Alliance: plusalliance.org

09/24/2026

Associate Professor Thao Ha explains why adolescence is a critical time for learning healthy relationship skills and what may be lost when AI chatbots begin replacing messy human interactions in the latest episode of Lab Coat Optional. 🤖

Lab Coat Optional is a podcast from Knowledge Enterprise that brings advanced university research to you.

09/16/2026

How is the fall semester going?

Undergraduate psychology and neuroscience students and their parents or guardians are invited to Chat with the Chair: Supporting your Sun Devil.

Professor and Chair Leah Doane will be joined by Carolyn Cavanaugh Toft, associate director of undergraduate studies, teaching faculty area head and teaching professor, and Dawn Phelps, associate director of undergraduate advising.

They’ll talk about classes and exams, stress and finding balance, communicating with professors, campus safety and growing independence.

Have a question you’d like them to cover? Submit it when you RSVP.

🗓 Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 6 to 7 p.m. MST via Zoom

📩 Check your email for RSVP and Zoom links.

09/14/2026

What could a career supporting people's mental health look like?

Undergraduate psychology and neuroscience majors in the Department of Psychology can explore career paths, hear directly from professionals working in the field and ask questions at our first Virtual Alumni Networking Event of the year.

Careers in mental health and the helping professions
Thursday, Sept. 17
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (MST)
Zoom

The event starts with a 30-minute panel followed by small breakout rooms where you can connect directly with a speaker.

Watch your ASU email for the Zoom link.