Francisco M Soler-Martínez
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fransolmar.bsky.social
Francisco M Soler-Martínez
@fransolmar.bsky.social
Postdoctoral fellow at Aarhus University | Social Psychology of Economic Inequality |
Grateful to ISPP and everyone who made this conference such an inspiring space. If you're interested in the psychology of inequality, redistribution, or science communication—let’s connect! 🙌
July 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
It made me reflect: maybe we need to rethink how we communicate science. We often rely on slides packed with text and graphs, but perhaps we should aim for more intentional, clear, and direct ideas. Science deserves compelling communication!
July 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
A fun twist: during my presentation, the power went out! No slides, no visuals—just me and the audience. And honestly… it was one of the best experiences I've had presenting research. More engaging, more human. Like a good seminar, not a slideshow.
July 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I also had the chance to present one of our current projects, where we show that across the ideological spectrum, people often agree that some aspects of inequality are unfair—like unequal access to healthcare or education. A hopeful finding!
July 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The symposium wrapped up with a thoughtful integrative discussion by Rosa Rodríguez-Bailón, highlighting how these findings contribute to the broader psychology of inequality—and what are the open questions and future directions!
July 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
@celbaek.bsky.social brought results from a large-scale megastudy in the U.S., testing 20 interventions to boost support for redistribution. They identified what works (and what doesn't) in shifting perceptions and attitudes toward inequality and its reduction!
July 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
@phdlope.bsky.social presented work from Spain and the UK showing that when people perceive high economic inequality, they are less likely to believe in meritocracy—and that leads to more support for redistribution. Perception → Beliefs about meritocracy → Policy preferences.
July 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Franco Bastias analyzed data from France, Sweden, and the UK to show how emotional reactions to inequality mediate the relationship between system-justifying ideologies and support for redistribution. Emotions matter, even in ideological contexts.
July 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Silvia Filippi shared experimental and cross-sectional findings from Italy, showing how misconceptions about progressive taxation—and the negative emotions these evoke—can reduce support for tax-based redistribution. Understanding emotion & cognition here is key!
July 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I had the honor of chairing a symposium titled "Unpacking support for redistribution: Psychological mechanisms and interventions." We had a highly engaged audience, and an incredible lineup of researchers—huge thanks to everyone who joined and made it such a dynamic session! Here's a quick recap 🧵👇
July 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
So, what can we do?

👀First, just notice it. It’s not just about money. It’s about how we live.

🗣️Then, tell the secret. Support policies that reduce inequality. Think about how and who we buy from. Ask questions. Organize.

Thanks for reading this far! Feel free to share to help spread the secret💥
May 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
In my PhD and now in my postdoc, I study how we perceive and react to economic inequality.

We’ve found that when people see this “secret life” of inequality — not just the money, but how it affects health, education, political influence — they’re more likely to care and to act! ✊
Percepción de la desigualdad económica en diferentes ámbitos y actitudes hacia el cambio social
hdl.handle.net
May 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
♻️ You're worried about recycling a yogurt pot correctly, and feel bad for taking a long shower.

Meanwhile, some are taking joyrides to space — each flight emitting more CO₂ than many people will in their entire lives.

Inequality is also unsustainable.
May 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
🗳️ Some voices whisper. Others roar.

When money buys media, lobbies, and campaigns — the interests of the richest get heard first.

Economic inequality is also undemocratic.
Trump inauguration: Zuckerberg, Bezos and Musk seated in front of cabinet picks
Seatings come under fire from Trump critics as sign of oligarchy and the powerful influence they wield
www.theguardian.com
May 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
🕒 You barely see your family and friends because your job has unstable hours and low pay.

Meanwhile, others have free time, hobbies, long vacations — and quality time with loved ones.

We don't own our time, inequality decides who gets it.
May 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
🏠 You’re debating whether you can afford your rent this month.

Your landlord is deciding whether to Airbnb or just leave the place empty.

Spoiler: they own 50 more.
May 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
🎓 You dream of a master’s degree but can't afford the tuition — even at a public university.

Someone else? Pays with ease, graduates, lands the job through a friend of a friend.

Merit, right?
May 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
🩺 You’re stuck on a 6-month waiting list to see a doctor.
Meanwhile, someone else gets a private specialist tomorrow.

Same illness, different timelines.
Health inequality hits hard — and fast.
The Americans dying because they can't afford medical care
Millions of Americans – as many as 25% of the population – are delaying getting medical help because of skyrocketing costs
www.theguardian.com
May 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
That billionaire wealth is so far away, it’s hard to even see it.

But here’s the secret:

Inequality isn’t just about the numbers. It’s right here, woven into everyday life.

Let me show you 👇
May 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Let’s talk in distances we all understand.

If what an average person in Spain earns in a year is just 1 mm, how far does the richest person’s wealth go?

🏃‍♀️ Grab your running shoes — we could run a 10K and still not get there.

What you make in a year: 1 mm
Wealth of the richest people: KILOMETERS
May 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
We represented inequality in the pub:

10 people at a table. The waiter brings 10 pints of beer — 1 per person?

Nope.

🍺 1 person (the richest 10%) grabs 8 pints (around 80% of the wealth)
🍺 Half the table (the poorest 50%) shares the last splash of 1 pint (only 2% of the wealth)

Cheers?
May 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
We don’t walk around knowing stats about inequality. And when we do see the numbers...

They don’t mean much. They feel distant. It's hard to care about what you can’t picture.

Let's try to picture it👇
May 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM