ASU Department of Psychology

09/30/2026

Small deeds can make a big difference. 💛

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, we’re joining more than 90 psychology departments around the world for the second annual PSYC Good Deed Day.

Take part by doing something kind, whether that means writing a thank-you note, helping a neighbor, volunteering or picking up litter.

We’re also hosting a donation drive for Pitchfork Pantry. Drop off nonperishable food, hygiene products or cleaning supplies Oct. 5–9 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Psychology Business Office, PSY 203.

You can also donate through the Pitchfork Pantry Amazon Registry: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/21YNNTS2J79FU

Share your good deed using or add it to the international tracker: https://sites.google.com/umd.edu/good-deed-day-tracker/home

09/28/2026

Congratulations to Candace Lewis, assistant professor in the ASU Department of Psychology and the ASU School of Life Sciences. Lewis is a co-investigator on one of the first controlled clinical trials of ibogaine in the U.S. The trial is led by the Barrow Neurological Institute.

Barrow Neurological Institute has received a $5 million grant from the Arizona Department of Health Services to study ibogaine treatment in people with

09/28/2026

****The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences educates the next ge...

09/24/2026

Big ideas crossed the pond last week.

Faculty from the Department of Psychology and the Arizona State University- REACH Institute traveled to London to meet with colleagues through the PLuS Alliance, a partnership among Arizona State University, King's College London and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney.

The group spent two days exploring new opportunities for collaboration focused on global innovation and research-driven change. The visit also coincided with the official launch of ASU London and opening-week events, including the Union Jack Classic at Wembley Stadium, where they cheered on the Sun Devils.

Faculty from the Department of Psychology and the Reach Institute included Abigail Gewirtz, Thao Ha, Kathryn Lemery-Chalfant and Leah Doane. They were joined by William Riley from the College of Health Solutions; Jyoti Pathak, dean of the School of Technology for Public Health; and ASU Executive Vice President and University Provost Nancy Gonzales.

Learn more about the PLuS Alliance: plusalliance.org

09/24/2026

Associate Professor Thao Ha explains why adolescence is a critical time for learning healthy relationship skills and what may be lost when AI chatbots begin replacing messy human interactions in the latest episode of Lab Coat Optional. 🤖

Lab Coat Optional is a podcast from Knowledge Enterprise that brings advanced university research to you.

09/16/2026

How is the fall semester going?

Undergraduate psychology and neuroscience students and their parents or guardians are invited to Chat with the Chair: Supporting your Sun Devil.

Professor and Chair Leah Doane will be joined by Carolyn Cavanaugh Toft, associate director of undergraduate studies, teaching faculty area head and teaching professor, and Dawn Phelps, associate director of undergraduate advising.

They’ll talk about classes and exams, stress and finding balance, communicating with professors, campus safety and growing independence.

Have a question you’d like them to cover? Submit it when you RSVP.

🗓 Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 6 to 7 p.m. MST via Zoom

📩 Check your email for RSVP and Zoom links.

09/14/2026

What could a career supporting people's mental health look like?

Undergraduate psychology and neuroscience majors in the Department of Psychology can explore career paths, hear directly from professionals working in the field and ask questions at our first Virtual Alumni Networking Event of the year.

Careers in mental health and the helping professions
Thursday, Sept. 17
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (MST)
Zoom

The event starts with a 30-minute panel followed by small breakout rooms where you can connect directly with a speaker.

Watch your ASU email for the Zoom link.

09/12/2026

Pumpkin spice in August? Fall decor before Labor Day?

Social psychology professor Michael Varnum spoke with Fox News Digital about why Americans may be embracing seasonal traditions earlier.

Demand for pumpkin spice latte spiked two weeks earlier than 2021, and 49% of consumers now start Halloween shopping before October even begins.

09/11/2026

09/10/2026

Meta’s recent settlement over child and teen safety raises a bigger question: What have we learned from social media, and how can those lessons shape the way young people use AI?

Arizona State University developmental psychologist Thao Ha says healthy technology use is about more than screen time. It depends on what teens are doing online, why they are there and what those experiences may be replacing.

Read the full Q&A in ASU News.

Last week, Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion in penalties and make major changes to Facebook and Instagram in response to a lawsuit claiming the company’s platforms were intentionally designed to addict children and teenagers.The settlement is one of the largest consumer protection settlements ...