I am a behavioral scientist studying how to help people connect across differences. In my work, I examine how to reduce empathic failures across group divides, foster more productive cross-partisan conversations, and improve support for democratic principles. I use a range of methods — including experimental designs, natural language processing, and social network analysis — to study these questions.
EDUCATION
2018-2024 → Ph.D. in Psychology, Stanford University
2018-2021 → M.A. in Psychology, Stanford University
2014-2017 → B.A. in Psychology, Swarthmore College
lsantos1@stanford.edu
Papers
-
Santos, L., Voelkel, J. Willer, R., & Zaki, J. (2022) Belief in the Utility of Cross-Partisan Empathy Reduces Partisan Animosity and Facilitates Persuasion. Psychological Science (view)
Santos, L., Voelkel, J. Willer, R., & Zaki, J. (2024) Positive Beliefs About Cross-Partisan Empathy Can Strengthen Americans’ Support for Democracy. PNAS Nexus (view)
Voelkel, J., Stagnaro, M., Chu, J., … Santos, L., …& Willer, R. (2024) Megastudy Identifying Effective Interventions to Strengthen Americans’ Democratic Attitudes. Science (view)
Roy, E., … Santos, L., & Axt, J. (2024) A Contest Study to Reduce Attractiveness-Based Discrimination in Social Judgment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (view)
Media and Scientific Outreach
PBS’ Newshour: America at a Crossroads
Featured talk and interview on the unexpected benefits of cross-party conversations on highly polarized issues. Link: https://www.pbs.org/video/america-at-a-crossroads-1685565513/
Washington Post
Zaki, J. & Santos, L., Washington Post, Op-Ed “How the psychology of political division could lead us out of it” Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/09/10/cognitive-therapy-heal-political-division/
Zaki, J. Willer, R., Voelkel, J., & Santos, L. Washington Post, Op-Ed “Our divided times are an opportunity for empathy. Really.” Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/12/29/our-divided-times-are-an-opportunity-empathy-really/
“Here is what persuades Americans to support democracy over party”. Covering research led by Jan Voelkel. Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/09/13/midterms-election-deniers-republicans-democrats/
Association for Psychological Science
Published interview. “Empathizing With the Opposition May Make You More Politically Persuasive”. Link: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/news-release/2022-october-political-empathy.html
Stanford News
Published interview. Interviewed by John Sanford. Link: https://news.stanford.edu/2022/08/30/political-consensus-empathy/
Reasons to be Cheerful
Published interview at Reasons to be Cheerful. Interviewed by Eric Krebs. Link: https://wearenotdivided.reasonstobecheerful.world/empathy-psychology-political-polarization-election/
Revista Exame
Published interview at Revista Exame. Interviewed by David Cohen. Link: https://exame.abril.com.br/revista-exame/a-tragedia-da-polarizacao/
The Happiness Lab
Featured interview on how to disagree better. Link: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/how-to-disagree-better
Data Visualization
