Kurt Gray
@kurtjgray.bsky.social
Prof at UNC, studying morality, religion, AI.
Director: Deepest Beliefs Lab; Center for the Science of Moral Understanding.
Author: The Mind Club; Substack; forthcoming book
Director: Deepest Beliefs Lab; Center for the Science of Moral Understanding.
Author: The Mind Club; Substack; forthcoming book
Are we more predators or prey? We’ve guessed wrong for a century.
Today we can shoot wolves from helicopters but—I argue in the @nytimes today—humans evolved more as hunted than hunters.
Link ⬇️
Today we can shoot wolves from helicopters but—I argue in the @nytimes today—humans evolved more as hunted than hunters.
Link ⬇️
March 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Are we more predators or prey? We’ve guessed wrong for a century.
Today we can shoot wolves from helicopters but—I argue in the @nytimes today—humans evolved more as hunted than hunters.
Link ⬇️
Today we can shoot wolves from helicopters but—I argue in the @nytimes today—humans evolved more as hunted than hunters.
Link ⬇️
Why some celebrate the murder of Brian Thompson.
I talked with @AnnieDuke about the psychology of victimhood and harm for her latest @washingtonpost column. Link below
I talked with @AnnieDuke about the psychology of victimhood and harm for her latest @washingtonpost column. Link below
March 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Why some celebrate the murder of Brian Thompson.
I talked with @AnnieDuke about the psychology of victimhood and harm for her latest @washingtonpost column. Link below
I talked with @AnnieDuke about the psychology of victimhood and harm for her latest @washingtonpost column. Link below
Online ahead of print in Annual Review. How to make sense of moral differences across cultures and politics.
March 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Online ahead of print in Annual Review. How to make sense of moral differences across cultures and politics.
🏯🕌🏦 New paper in @PNASNews: Historical Large Language Models (HLLMs) can be a tool in behavioral science for collecting data from *past societies* by simulating responses from “participants”—namely, the dead—through history.
https://dir.lat/zuydaF
🧵1/3
https://dir.lat/zuydaF
🧵1/3
March 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
🏯🕌🏦 New paper in @PNASNews: Historical Large Language Models (HLLMs) can be a tool in behavioral science for collecting data from *past societies* by simulating responses from “participants”—namely, the dead—through history.
https://dir.lat/zuydaF
🧵1/3
https://dir.lat/zuydaF
🧵1/3
How Do We Turn Down the Heat in U.S. Politics?
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_do_we_turn_the_heat_down_in_us_politics
Great coverage of the work of @CurtisPuryear on the power of Balanced Pragmatism to bridge divides.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_do_we_turn_the_heat_down_in_us_politics
Great coverage of the work of @CurtisPuryear on the power of Balanced Pragmatism to bridge divides.
How Do We Turn Down the Heat in U.S. Politics?
Research suggests that balancing perspectives and seeking...
greatergood.berkeley.edu
March 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
How Do We Turn Down the Heat in U.S. Politics?
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_do_we_turn_the_heat_down_in_us_politics
Great coverage of the work of @CurtisPuryear on the power of Balanced Pragmatism to bridge divides.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_do_we_turn_the_heat_down_in_us_politics
Great coverage of the work of @CurtisPuryear on the power of Balanced Pragmatism to bridge divides.
Moms Doesn't Return Grocery Cart When She Shops With Kids
Mom is worried about pedophiles, commenters call her a monster.
I argue it’s the dilemma of the commons. (Also not great for civil discourse to end a video with “F— off.”)...
Mom is worried about pedophiles, commenters call her a monster.
I argue it’s the dilemma of the commons. (Also not great for civil discourse to end a video with “F— off.”)...
March 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Moms Doesn't Return Grocery Cart When She Shops With Kids
Mom is worried about pedophiles, commenters call her a monster.
I argue it’s the dilemma of the commons. (Also not great for civil discourse to end a video with “F— off.”)...
Mom is worried about pedophiles, commenters call her a monster.
I argue it’s the dilemma of the commons. (Also not great for civil discourse to end a video with “F— off.”)...
🚨Book!🚨
"Outraged: Why We Fight about Morality and Politics" has an Amazon listing:
"A groundbreaking new perspective on the moral mind that rewrites our understanding of where moral judgments come from, and how we can overcome the feelings of outrage that so often divide us"
"Outraged: Why We Fight about Morality and Politics" has an Amazon listing:
"A groundbreaking new perspective on the moral mind that rewrites our understanding of where moral judgments come from, and how we can overcome the feelings of outrage that so often divide us"
March 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
🚨Book!🚨
"Outraged: Why We Fight about Morality and Politics" has an Amazon listing:
"A groundbreaking new perspective on the moral mind that rewrites our understanding of where moral judgments come from, and how we can overcome the feelings of outrage that so often divide us"
"Outraged: Why We Fight about Morality and Politics" has an Amazon listing:
"A groundbreaking new perspective on the moral mind that rewrites our understanding of where moral judgments come from, and how we can overcome the feelings of outrage that so often divide us"
The real reason why we fight about morality and politics.
It’s not because we have different values.
It’s because we see harm differently—especially about the powerful and othered.
(Also because we evolved from terrified little hominids)
...
It’s not because we have different values.
It’s because we see harm differently—especially about the powerful and othered.
(Also because we evolved from terrified little hominids)
...
March 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The real reason why we fight about morality and politics.
It’s not because we have different values.
It’s because we see harm differently—especially about the powerful and othered.
(Also because we evolved from terrified little hominids)
...
It’s not because we have different values.
It’s because we see harm differently—especially about the powerful and othered.
(Also because we evolved from terrified little hominids)
...
Worrying about kids on social media is the latest moral panic.
We explain why panics thrive online and why we can't just quit feeling afraid.
DANGER! Why MORAL PANICS(!) Are Irresistible to Your Brain
w @sampratt99 & @CurtisPuryear ...
We explain why panics thrive online and why we can't just quit feeling afraid.
DANGER! Why MORAL PANICS(!) Are Irresistible to Your Brain
w @sampratt99 & @CurtisPuryear ...
March 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Worrying about kids on social media is the latest moral panic.
We explain why panics thrive online and why we can't just quit feeling afraid.
DANGER! Why MORAL PANICS(!) Are Irresistible to Your Brain
w @sampratt99 & @CurtisPuryear ...
We explain why panics thrive online and why we can't just quit feeling afraid.
DANGER! Why MORAL PANICS(!) Are Irresistible to Your Brain
w @sampratt99 & @CurtisPuryear ...
🚨Job🚨
Come join the Deepest Beliefs Lab!
We're hiring a full-time RA/outreach person. Perfect for a media-savvy graduating senior thinking about grad school. We have a great record of placing folks!
https://bit.ly/3TU7ky2
Come join the Deepest Beliefs Lab!
We're hiring a full-time RA/outreach person. Perfect for a media-savvy graduating senior thinking about grad school. We have a great record of placing folks!
https://bit.ly/3TU7ky2
March 18, 2025 at 6:26 PM
🚨Job🚨
Come join the Deepest Beliefs Lab!
We're hiring a full-time RA/outreach person. Perfect for a media-savvy graduating senior thinking about grad school. We have a great record of placing folks!
https://bit.ly/3TU7ky2
Come join the Deepest Beliefs Lab!
We're hiring a full-time RA/outreach person. Perfect for a media-savvy graduating senior thinking about grad school. We have a great record of placing folks!
https://bit.ly/3TU7ky2
Why is politics (literally) a firestorm?
In the @guardian, I argue that bc we evolved feeling threatened, it's easy to convince ourselves that *we* are victims and *they* are evil predators bent on destruction.
But in reality, everyone is afraid. ...
In the @guardian, I argue that bc we evolved feeling threatened, it's easy to convince ourselves that *we* are victims and *they* are evil predators bent on destruction.
But in reality, everyone is afraid. ...
March 18, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Why is politics (literally) a firestorm?
In the @guardian, I argue that bc we evolved feeling threatened, it's easy to convince ourselves that *we* are victims and *they* are evil predators bent on destruction.
But in reality, everyone is afraid. ...
In the @guardian, I argue that bc we evolved feeling threatened, it's easy to convince ourselves that *we* are victims and *they* are evil predators bent on destruction.
But in reality, everyone is afraid. ...
Real world debates are not about "foundations" of liberty or fairness.
They are about *victims*--who is most vulnerable to mistreatment. Cops? Black people? Fetuses?
8 studies show moral debates are explained by diff "assumptions of vulnerability" (AoVs) btw libs and cons.
They are about *victims*--who is most vulnerable to mistreatment. Cops? Black people? Fetuses?
8 studies show moral debates are explained by diff "assumptions of vulnerability" (AoVs) btw libs and cons.
March 18, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Real world debates are not about "foundations" of liberty or fairness.
They are about *victims*--who is most vulnerable to mistreatment. Cops? Black people? Fetuses?
8 studies show moral debates are explained by diff "assumptions of vulnerability" (AoVs) btw libs and cons.
They are about *victims*--who is most vulnerable to mistreatment. Cops? Black people? Fetuses?
8 studies show moral debates are explained by diff "assumptions of vulnerability" (AoVs) btw libs and cons.
Many social ills are blamed on being alone, but ancient traditions celebrated solitude
Maybe the real problem is pathologizing solitude, turning being alone into being "a weird evil loner"
We uncover surprising complexity in aloneness. Sometimes bowling alone is OK. Link in pic
Maybe the real problem is pathologizing solitude, turning being alone into being "a weird evil loner"
We uncover surprising complexity in aloneness. Sometimes bowling alone is OK. Link in pic
March 18, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Many social ills are blamed on being alone, but ancient traditions celebrated solitude
Maybe the real problem is pathologizing solitude, turning being alone into being "a weird evil loner"
We uncover surprising complexity in aloneness. Sometimes bowling alone is OK. Link in pic
Maybe the real problem is pathologizing solitude, turning being alone into being "a weird evil loner"
We uncover surprising complexity in aloneness. Sometimes bowling alone is OK. Link in pic
Faculty jobs at @UNC, spread the word!
Two positions at the new School for Civic Life and Leadership, one tenure-track and one teaching focused.
T-t: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/274868
Teaching: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/274867
Come join us!
Two positions at the new School for Civic Life and Leadership, one tenure-track and one teaching focused.
T-t: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/274868
Teaching: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/274867
Come join us!
Assistant or Associate Professor
This tenure track faculty position will focus on teaching...
unc.peopleadmin.com
March 18, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Faculty jobs at @UNC, spread the word!
Two positions at the new School for Civic Life and Leadership, one tenure-track and one teaching focused.
T-t: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/274868
Teaching: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/274867
Come join us!
Two positions at the new School for Civic Life and Leadership, one tenure-track and one teaching focused.
T-t: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/274868
Teaching: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/274867
Come join us!
I won’t be at SPSP, but I discovered that my lab and alum are having a Deepest Beliefs Lab happy hour. It warms my heart to know a) that I’ve mentored enough people that they can have a happy hour, and especially b) they like each other enough to hang out!! ☺️
March 18, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I won’t be at SPSP, but I discovered that my lab and alum are having a Deepest Beliefs Lab happy hour. It warms my heart to know a) that I’ve mentored enough people that they can have a happy hour, and especially b) they like each other enough to hang out!! ☺️
It’s fun being a social psychologist and raising kids.
The schools sent this home and – note that the seal snap bracelet is marked “rare“ and now the kids want it so bad.
I love that you don’t even need to experience scarcity, but just see it explicitly labeled!
The schools sent this home and – note that the seal snap bracelet is marked “rare“ and now the kids want it so bad.
I love that you don’t even need to experience scarcity, but just see it explicitly labeled!
March 18, 2025 at 6:36 PM
It’s fun being a social psychologist and raising kids.
The schools sent this home and – note that the seal snap bracelet is marked “rare“ and now the kids want it so bad.
I love that you don’t even need to experience scarcity, but just see it explicitly labeled!
The schools sent this home and – note that the seal snap bracelet is marked “rare“ and now the kids want it so bad.
I love that you don’t even need to experience scarcity, but just see it explicitly labeled!
To Lead a Meaningful Life, Become Your Own Hero.
Our piece in @sciam research (led by @benrogersOB) on how framing your life as a hero's journey can make it more meaningful.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/to-lead-a-meaningful-life-become-your-own-hero/
Our piece in @sciam research (led by @benrogersOB) on how framing your life as a hero's journey can make it more meaningful.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/to-lead-a-meaningful-life-become-your-own-hero/
To Lead a Meaningful Life, Become Your Own Hero
From Gilgamesh to Star Wars, the narrative blueprint unde...
www.scientificamerican.com
March 18, 2025 at 6:42 PM
To Lead a Meaningful Life, Become Your Own Hero.
Our piece in @sciam research (led by @benrogersOB) on how framing your life as a hero's journey can make it more meaningful.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/to-lead-a-meaningful-life-become-your-own-hero/
Our piece in @sciam research (led by @benrogersOB) on how framing your life as a hero's journey can make it more meaningful.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/to-lead-a-meaningful-life-become-your-own-hero/
My lab is hosting a booth at a Halloween themed 21+ night at the North Carolina Museum of natural Sciences.
They practiced the rubber hand, illusion on me, I think, because they just wanted to stab me in the “hand“
They practiced the rubber hand, illusion on me, I think, because they just wanted to stab me in the “hand“
October 27, 2023 at 3:59 PM
My lab is hosting a booth at a Halloween themed 21+ night at the North Carolina Museum of natural Sciences.
They practiced the rubber hand, illusion on me, I think, because they just wanted to stab me in the “hand“
They practiced the rubber hand, illusion on me, I think, because they just wanted to stab me in the “hand“
New Job posting at @UNC: Director and Dean of the new School of Civil Life and Leadership
https://college.unc.edu/2023/10/scll-director-and-dean/
After this, there will be 10-20 lines for new tenure-track faculty across the humanities, psychology, poli sci, and more.
https://college.unc.edu/2023/10/scll-director-and-dean/
After this, there will be 10-20 lines for new tenure-track faculty across the humanities, psychology, poli sci, and more.
March 18, 2025 at 6:42 PM
New Job posting at @UNC: Director and Dean of the new School of Civil Life and Leadership
https://college.unc.edu/2023/10/scll-director-and-dean/
After this, there will be 10-20 lines for new tenure-track faculty across the humanities, psychology, poli sci, and more.
https://college.unc.edu/2023/10/scll-director-and-dean/
After this, there will be 10-20 lines for new tenure-track faculty across the humanities, psychology, poli sci, and more.
Yesterday, I spent two hours perfecting four paragraphs in one section.
Today, I deleted that whole section.
Writing is so cruel and maybe that’s why I ❤️ it?
Today, I deleted that whole section.
Writing is so cruel and maybe that’s why I ❤️ it?
October 24, 2023 at 2:04 PM
Yesterday, I spent two hours perfecting four paragraphs in one section.
Today, I deleted that whole section.
Writing is so cruel and maybe that’s why I ❤️ it?
Today, I deleted that whole section.
Writing is so cruel and maybe that’s why I ❤️ it?
Great read. Also made me feel better that I tried for 5 years (unsuccessfully) to replicate some dishonesty effects.
Worth your time:
a post-mortem on the Gino case.
Thank you very much, Zoé Ziani 🙏
www.theorgplumber.com/posts/statem...
a post-mortem on the Gino case.
Thank you very much, Zoé Ziani 🙏
www.theorgplumber.com/posts/statem...
A Post Mortem on the Gino Case | The Organizational Plumber
My perspective on the Gino-Ariely scandal, and what we should learn from it.
www.theorgplumber.com
October 24, 2023 at 12:45 AM
Great read. Also made me feel better that I tried for 5 years (unsuccessfully) to replicate some dishonesty effects.
Today I learned that cats seldom blink…except when they want to send love to their humans!
The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication
www.nature.com
October 24, 2023 at 12:20 AM
Today I learned that cats seldom blink…except when they want to send love to their humans!
Our new substack on how the quest to help victims can blind us to the plight of other victims. The explanation behind (and costs of) our hyper-focused moral mind.
The Myopia of Heroism
Hamas, Israel, and the Quest to Save Victims
open.substack.com
October 23, 2023 at 9:06 PM
Our new substack on how the quest to help victims can blind us to the plight of other victims. The explanation behind (and costs of) our hyper-focused moral mind.
Reposted by Kurt Gray
Tobias Ebert just won SPSPs Emerging Scholar award!
In recent work, he found that a person’s spending reflects their own personality traits as well as the personality traits of the people around them
#socialpsyc #PsychSciSky
psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-...
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
In recent work, he found that a person’s spending reflects their own personality traits as well as the personality traits of the people around them
#socialpsyc #PsychSciSky
psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-...
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
October 23, 2023 at 1:45 PM
Tobias Ebert just won SPSPs Emerging Scholar award!
In recent work, he found that a person’s spending reflects their own personality traits as well as the personality traits of the people around them
#socialpsyc #PsychSciSky
psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-...
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
In recent work, he found that a person’s spending reflects their own personality traits as well as the personality traits of the people around them
#socialpsyc #PsychSciSky
psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-...
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
The Myopia of Heroism, our latest post
The overpowering drive to help some victims can blind us to others' suffering. What our moral minds, superheroes, lessons from Syria, and rational compassion suggest about the war between Hamas and...
The overpowering drive to help some victims can blind us to others' suffering. What our moral minds, superheroes, lessons from Syria, and rational compassion suggest about the war between Hamas and...
March 18, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The Myopia of Heroism, our latest post
The overpowering drive to help some victims can blind us to others' suffering. What our moral minds, superheroes, lessons from Syria, and rational compassion suggest about the war between Hamas and...
The overpowering drive to help some victims can blind us to others' suffering. What our moral minds, superheroes, lessons from Syria, and rational compassion suggest about the war between Hamas and...