Michael Inzlicht
@minzlicht.bsky.social
Professor (michaelinzlicht.com), Podcaster (www.fourbeers.com), Writer (www.speakandregret.michaelinzlicht.com)
I wrote a Substack every week during sabbatical without fail, but I can't stop eating carrot cake from the bakery down my street. The difference? "Want-to" motivation beats "have-to" motivation every time. New essay on why loving what you do matters more than willpower.
Why I Can Write Every Week But Can't Resist Carrot Cake
I’ve been reflecting on my goals lately.
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:55 AM
I wrote a Substack every week during sabbatical without fail, but I can't stop eating carrot cake from the bakery down my street. The difference? "Want-to" motivation beats "have-to" motivation every time. New essay on why loving what you do matters more than willpower.
Excited to share new work led by the amazing Dasha Sandra, a PhD student at UofT. We tackled a tricky problem: mental health awareness can reduce stigma, but it can also cause healthy people to falsely self-diagnose. /1
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Inform and do no harm: Nocebo education reduces false self-diagnosis caused by mental health awareness | Psychological Medicine | Cambridge Core
Inform and do no harm: Nocebo education reduces false self-diagnosis caused by mental health awareness - Volume 55
www.cambridge.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Excited to share new work led by the amazing Dasha Sandra, a PhD student at UofT. We tackled a tricky problem: mental health awareness can reduce stigma, but it can also cause healthy people to falsely self-diagnose. /1
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
The Publications and Communications Board of the American Psychological Association and the Society for the Science of Motivation has opened nominations for the editorship of Motivation Science, a multidisciplinary journal that publishes significant contributions to the study of motivation.
November 6, 2025 at 12:51 AM
The Publications and Communications Board of the American Psychological Association and the Society for the Science of Motivation has opened nominations for the editorship of Motivation Science, a multidisciplinary journal that publishes significant contributions to the study of motivation.
Very problematic beer taste?!
New episode! @minzlicht.bsky.social is back and fired up about citation diversity staments. We discuss the much-criticised Nature Reviews Psychology editorial encouraging authors to include them in their articles, as well as Mickey's very problematic beer tastes. share.fireside.fm/episode/Ah1O...
Two Psychologists Four Beers Episode 125: Citation Diversity Statements? (with Mickey Inzlicht)
Mickey is back and fired up about citation diversity statements. We discuss a recent editorial from Nature Reviews Psychology encouraging authors to include a "citation diversity statement" in their a...
share.fireside.fm
November 5, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Very problematic beer taste?!
People are lazy--except when they're watching other people work hard.
My student Emily Zohar just published her first first-authored paper, and it reveals something surprising about effort and social norms. /1
osf.io/preprints/ps...
My student Emily Zohar just published her first first-authored paper, and it reveals something surprising about effort and social norms. /1
osf.io/preprints/ps...
OSF
osf.io
November 5, 2025 at 12:54 AM
People are lazy--except when they're watching other people work hard.
My student Emily Zohar just published her first first-authored paper, and it reveals something surprising about effort and social norms. /1
osf.io/preprints/ps...
My student Emily Zohar just published her first first-authored paper, and it reveals something surprising about effort and social norms. /1
osf.io/preprints/ps...
I don't usually write grateful posts, but I wanted to thank the people who shaped my career: from my PhD advisor who taught me to write, to the student who taught me courage. New post!
On Mentors
What makes someone a mentor, dear readers?
open.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:50 PM
I don't usually write grateful posts, but I wanted to thank the people who shaped my career: from my PhD advisor who taught me to write, to the student who taught me courage. New post!
Reposted by Michael Inzlicht
New chapter with @dcameron.bsky.social, Martina Orlandi, and @minzlicht.bsky.social:
osf.io/preprints/ps...
In this chapter, we argue that instead of debating whether human or AI empathy is superior overall, it is more useful to focus on the distinct trade-offs that each source of empathy offers.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
In this chapter, we argue that instead of debating whether human or AI empathy is superior overall, it is more useful to focus on the distinct trade-offs that each source of empathy offers.
OSF
osf.io
October 17, 2025 at 7:09 PM
New chapter with @dcameron.bsky.social, Martina Orlandi, and @minzlicht.bsky.social:
osf.io/preprints/ps...
In this chapter, we argue that instead of debating whether human or AI empathy is superior overall, it is more useful to focus on the distinct trade-offs that each source of empathy offers.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
In this chapter, we argue that instead of debating whether human or AI empathy is superior overall, it is more useful to focus on the distinct trade-offs that each source of empathy offers.
Reposted by Michael Inzlicht
New chapter preprint, led by my graduate student @jdweng.bsky.social -- "What so special about human empathy? Examining AI empathy and its trade-offs". A fun collaboration with @minzlicht.bsky.social and philosopher Martina Orlandi. Considering tradeoffs for *both* is critical to understanding
New chapter with @dcameron.bsky.social, Martina Orlandi, and @minzlicht.bsky.social:
osf.io/preprints/ps...
In this chapter, we argue that instead of debating whether human or AI empathy is superior overall, it is more useful to focus on the distinct trade-offs that each source of empathy offers.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
In this chapter, we argue that instead of debating whether human or AI empathy is superior overall, it is more useful to focus on the distinct trade-offs that each source of empathy offers.
OSF
osf.io
October 17, 2025 at 8:39 PM
New chapter preprint, led by my graduate student @jdweng.bsky.social -- "What so special about human empathy? Examining AI empathy and its trade-offs". A fun collaboration with @minzlicht.bsky.social and philosopher Martina Orlandi. Considering tradeoffs for *both* is critical to understanding
Reposted by Michael Inzlicht
It would be wrong to say I'm against the idea of cognitive fatigue having an entirely metabolic basis (it's a simpler explanation!), but there are empirical and theoretical hurdles these theories must address before they're (re)adopted as working hypotheses. We don't need a sequel to ego-depletion
October 19, 2025 at 10:06 PM
It would be wrong to say I'm against the idea of cognitive fatigue having an entirely metabolic basis (it's a simpler explanation!), but there are empirical and theoretical hurdles these theories must address before they're (re)adopted as working hypotheses. We don't need a sequel to ego-depletion
Reposted by Michael Inzlicht
A reply to our letter (@minzlicht.bsky.social and I) questioning the need for metabolic costs to explain control induced cognitive fatigue. I worry we're talking past each other here. We're not denying that cognitive fatigue has a metabolic basis (I'm not a dualist) 1/N
No need to oppose metabolic and motivational theories
After a long and intense day at work, you find yourself so exhausted that you refuse
to drive and join your friends at their dinner party; instead, you indulge in fast
food and easy entertainment at h...
www.cell.com
October 19, 2025 at 10:06 PM
A reply to our letter (@minzlicht.bsky.social and I) questioning the need for metabolic costs to explain control induced cognitive fatigue. I worry we're talking past each other here. We're not denying that cognitive fatigue has a metabolic basis (I'm not a dualist) 1/N
Reposted by Michael Inzlicht
Finally, someone has solved a real problem with AI! No more having to take a paper in the format for a journal that rejected you, and reformat it for a new journal. Well done!! formatmypaper.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Finally, someone has solved a real problem with AI! No more having to take a paper in the format for a journal that rejected you, and reformat it for a new journal. Well done!! formatmypaper.com
I'm republishing my most controversial essay: defending drinking culture in academia. Colleagues got mad. One journal editor loved it. Online reactions ranged from "fascinating" to demands for retraction. Now it's free to read.
In Praise of Drinking (A Little)
I’m ba-a-ack.
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:44 PM
I'm republishing my most controversial essay: defending drinking culture in academia. Colleagues got mad. One journal editor loved it. Online reactions ranged from "fascinating" to demands for retraction. Now it's free to read.
Reposted by Michael Inzlicht
🚨New WP!🚨
Structured AI Dialogues Can Increase Happiness and Meaning in Life
In a preregistered RCT, four psychology-grounded #AI chatbots improved well-being across several outcomes.
Co-authors: Jonas Schoene, Johannes Eichstaedt, Aadesh Salecha, Sonja Lyubomirsky
🧵👇
Structured AI Dialogues Can Increase Happiness and Meaning in Life
In a preregistered RCT, four psychology-grounded #AI chatbots improved well-being across several outcomes.
Co-authors: Jonas Schoene, Johannes Eichstaedt, Aadesh Salecha, Sonja Lyubomirsky
🧵👇
October 7, 2025 at 7:04 PM
🚨New WP!🚨
Structured AI Dialogues Can Increase Happiness and Meaning in Life
In a preregistered RCT, four psychology-grounded #AI chatbots improved well-being across several outcomes.
Co-authors: Jonas Schoene, Johannes Eichstaedt, Aadesh Salecha, Sonja Lyubomirsky
🧵👇
Structured AI Dialogues Can Increase Happiness and Meaning in Life
In a preregistered RCT, four psychology-grounded #AI chatbots improved well-being across several outcomes.
Co-authors: Jonas Schoene, Johannes Eichstaedt, Aadesh Salecha, Sonja Lyubomirsky
🧵👇
Reposted by Michael Inzlicht
Can AI be a friend?
At the third Technophilosophy Soirée, led by @karinavold.bsky.social, SRI brought together scholars to ask how AI companionship is changing the way we connect, empathize and understand each other.
🎥→ tinyurl.com/ys4wdzeb
#AIethics @minzlicht.bsky.social @uoftethics.bsky.social
At the third Technophilosophy Soirée, led by @karinavold.bsky.social, SRI brought together scholars to ask how AI companionship is changing the way we connect, empathize and understand each other.
🎥→ tinyurl.com/ys4wdzeb
#AIethics @minzlicht.bsky.social @uoftethics.bsky.social
AI in the friend zone: Rethinking companionship — Schwartz Reisman Institute
Can we have genuine relationships with AI systems? At the third Technophilosophy Soiree, conceived of and led by SRI Research Lead Karina Vold , leading thinkers from a variety of disciplines explore...
tinyurl.com
October 6, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Can AI be a friend?
At the third Technophilosophy Soirée, led by @karinavold.bsky.social, SRI brought together scholars to ask how AI companionship is changing the way we connect, empathize and understand each other.
🎥→ tinyurl.com/ys4wdzeb
#AIethics @minzlicht.bsky.social @uoftethics.bsky.social
At the third Technophilosophy Soirée, led by @karinavold.bsky.social, SRI brought together scholars to ask how AI companionship is changing the way we connect, empathize and understand each other.
🎥→ tinyurl.com/ys4wdzeb
#AIethics @minzlicht.bsky.social @uoftethics.bsky.social
53 posts, one sabbatical, and five dead psychological theories later: reflecting on a year of Speak Now Regret Later. Also 40% off annual subs through October because apparently I enjoy controversy.
This Substack Really Tied My Sabbatical Together
Happy birthday to Speak Now Regret Later!
www.speakandregret.michaelinzlicht.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:03 PM
53 posts, one sabbatical, and five dead psychological theories later: reflecting on a year of Speak Now Regret Later. Also 40% off annual subs through October because apparently I enjoy controversy.
Reposted by Michael Inzlicht
Thread on a bunch of my issues with "cognition" and "cognitive" talk in the Mind Sciences.
IMO the MOST good that can be done here is by DECONSTRUCTING the concepts of "cognition", "computation" and "representation" because they do SO MUCH work to lead people to Hasty Theorising without paying attention to their actual measures! www.speakandregret.michaelinzlicht.com/p/hasty-theo...
Hasty Theories
Why Social Psychology Needs to Stop Rushing to Explain
www.speakandregret.michaelinzlicht.com
September 26, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Thread on a bunch of my issues with "cognition" and "cognitive" talk in the Mind Sciences.
New review! We synthesized literature on empathic AI: AI-generated emotional support is rated higher than human responses, but people's knowledge of the source shapes their perceptions. W/ @desmond-ong.bsky.social @amit-goldenberg.bsky.social @anatperry.bsky.social
osf.io/preprints/ps...
osf.io/preprints/ps...
September 24, 2025 at 1:02 PM
New review! We synthesized literature on empathic AI: AI-generated emotional support is rated higher than human responses, but people's knowledge of the source shapes their perceptions. W/ @desmond-ong.bsky.social @amit-goldenberg.bsky.social @anatperry.bsky.social
osf.io/preprints/ps...
osf.io/preprints/ps...
What happens when the data say no, but our feelings say yes? From stereotype threat to implicit bias, psychology keeps choosing vibes over evidence. Maybe the data was just decoration?
Does Data Matter in Psychology?
Psychology presents itself as deeply empirical and quantitative.
open.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:48 PM
What happens when the data say no, but our feelings say yes? From stereotype threat to implicit bias, psychology keeps choosing vibes over evidence. Maybe the data was just decoration?
Reposted by Michael Inzlicht
It's publication day! Check out this thread for a summary of our new paper
❝Delegation to AI can increase unethical behaviour❞
Lots of love and labor got into this paper and I'm thrilled to see it out in the wild today
❝Delegation to AI can increase unethical behaviour❞
Lots of love and labor got into this paper and I'm thrilled to see it out in the wild today
Would you let AI cheat for you?
Our new paper in @nature.com, 5 years in the making, is out today.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Our new paper in @nature.com, 5 years in the making, is out today.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
September 17, 2025 at 4:10 PM
It's publication day! Check out this thread for a summary of our new paper
❝Delegation to AI can increase unethical behaviour❞
Lots of love and labor got into this paper and I'm thrilled to see it out in the wild today
❝Delegation to AI can increase unethical behaviour❞
Lots of love and labor got into this paper and I'm thrilled to see it out in the wild today
Reposted by Michael Inzlicht
I've been shushed my entire life—in Starbucks, by strangers, even by my own wife. But maybe the problem isn't that I'm loud. Maybe it's that we automatically assume quiet is virtuous. Am I the asshole? You tell me.
Am I the Asshole for Taking Work Calls on My Own Balcony?
My neighbour asked me to move indoors last month, and I minded.
open.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 12:49 PM
I've been shushed my entire life—in Starbucks, by strangers, even by my own wife. But maybe the problem isn't that I'm loud. Maybe it's that we automatically assume quiet is virtuous. Am I the asshole? You tell me.
Just found out that I am the 2025 recipient of the Diener Award in Social Psychology from SPSP. I couldn’t have done it without my mentors (official and otherwise), students, and collaborators. I'm proud of this, but mostly just grateful I get to do work I love.
September 16, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Just found out that I am the 2025 recipient of the Diener Award in Social Psychology from SPSP. I couldn’t have done it without my mentors (official and otherwise), students, and collaborators. I'm proud of this, but mostly just grateful I get to do work I love.
Reposted by Michael Inzlicht
“In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Those affected receive a small apartment & counselling with no preconditions. 4 out of 5 people affected make their way back into a stable life. And all this is CHEAPER than accepting homelessness.”
It costs a lot less to house people.
It costs a lot less to house people.
Finland ends homelessness and provides shelter for all in need - scoop.me
In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Why? The country applies the "Housing First" concept agains homelessness.
thebetter.news
August 12, 2025 at 4:32 AM
“In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Those affected receive a small apartment & counselling with no preconditions. 4 out of 5 people affected make their way back into a stable life. And all this is CHEAPER than accepting homelessness.”
It costs a lot less to house people.
It costs a lot less to house people.
Reposted by Michael Inzlicht
New paper! Different to my usual schtick concerning cognitive costs. We analysed differences in learning between depressed and healthy students and whether Pavlovian biases differed between them. We found mixed evidence... have a read!
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
September 11, 2025 at 2:53 PM
New paper! Different to my usual schtick concerning cognitive costs. We analysed differences in learning between depressed and healthy students and whether Pavlovian biases differed between them. We found mixed evidence... have a read!
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Michael Inzlicht
In a new paper, my colleagues and I set out to demonstrate how method biases can create spurious findings in relationship science, by using a seemingly meaningless scale (e.g., "My relationship has very good Saturn") to predict relationship outcomes. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Pseudo Effects: How Method Biases Can Produce Spurious Findings About Close Relationships - Samantha Joel, John K. Sakaluk, James J. Kim, Devinder Khera, Helena Yuchen Qin, Sarah C. E. Stanton, 2025
Research on interpersonal relationships frequently relies on accurate self-reporting across various relationship facets (e.g., conflict, trust, appreciation). Y...
journals.sagepub.com
September 10, 2025 at 6:18 PM
In a new paper, my colleagues and I set out to demonstrate how method biases can create spurious findings in relationship science, by using a seemingly meaningless scale (e.g., "My relationship has very good Saturn") to predict relationship outcomes. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...