Department of Psychology

Sophia Choukas-Bradley and Vanitha Swaminathan
Psychologist Sophia Choukas-Bradley and brand strategist Vanitha Swaminathan say Instagram’s move this week to hide the number of likes on some posts in the U.S. could change how young adults feel about themselves and their peers.
woman holding a bottle of essential oils near her nose
In a study that expands on previous work, a team led by psychology’s Michael Sayette found reduced urges to smoke in response to pleasant smells, as well as a connection to memory.
a black and white image of a house
In a recent study, led by chair of psychology Julie Fiez, researchers taught adults “HouseFont” — a hieroglyphic-like language based on photos of homes — then scanned the language-learning areas of participants’ brains. What they found adds to a growing body of knowledge on how adults process written languages.
three young men standing next to the Panther statue on campus, looking up. One is holding a phone with the app on the screen
Created by a group of Pitt students, Inrstellar is a new dating app that emphasizes compatibility over looks. Pitt assistant professor of psychology Amanda Forest, who studies relationships and interpersonal communication, offers her thoughts.
a woman in a colorful top smiling
More than 200 faculty, staff and students recently gathered to share ideas for fostering deeper mentoring and advising relationships and using technology to better serve students at Pitt.