Bandlish, T., Crawford, J., Haq, K., Peel, M., & Petzel, Z. W. (June 2026). Leaving the university for the pub! How masculine décor and gender composition of patrons affect women’s ambient belonging in social drinking contexts. Talk to be presented at the 2026 meeting of the European Association of Social Psychology. Strasbourg, France
Abstract:
Decades of evidence outline mechanisms which diminish women’s belongingness in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM; Casad et al., 2021), often attributed to a cascade of negative psychological and cardiovascular processes which undermine executive functioning (Spencer et al., 2016). Importantly, physical reminders of minority status can be enough to trigger these consequences among women, such as greater presence of men and masculine décor (Cheryan et al., 2009). Yet, these mechanisms of poorer psychological and cardiovascular outcomes are not well-established outside of academia. For example, pubs and sports bars are often male-dominated and feature masculine décor (e.g., sports memorabilia, pool tables). This pre-registered experiment assessed electrodermal activity (EDA) among women while they explored a computer-generated pub in virtual reality, manipulated to depict (1) masculine versus neutral (e.g., plants, nature photographs) décor and (2) male-dominated versus gender parity composition. Masculine décor and abundance of male patrons increased women’s EDA which subsequently accounted for poor executive functioning (i.e., trail making task). Findings highlight the utility of virtual reality in emulating environments, in addition to extending mechanisms established in STEM contexts, suggesting how physical cues outside of academia may similarly trigger maladaptive psychological and cardiovascular processes to undermine executive functioning.
Ireland, K., Rosenkranz, P., & Petzel, Z. W. (June 2026). How do we think about the self? The role of aphantasia in our ability to resolve self-discrepancies, boost self-esteem, and increase left frontal cortical activity. Talk to be presented at the 2026 meeting of the European Association of Social Psychology. Strasbourg, France.
Abstract:
The recent emergence of aphantasia research has challenged assumptions that everyone can spontaneously generate mental images (Blomkvist, 2021), questioning how individuals with poorer mental imagery may navigate the world and recall memories (Ganczarek et al., 2020). Relevant to self and identity, those with aphantasia have poorer autobiographical memories attributed to deficits in hippocampal connectivity (Monzel et al., 2024), a major contributor to our self-concept (Charlesworth et al., 2016). Across 2 experiments, we test how aphantasia affects conceptualization of the self, enhancing self-discrepancies to undermine self-esteem. Experiment 1 found higher visualizers exhibited lower self-discrepancies and higher self-esteem following mental imagery of their ideal self (compared to writing). Experiment 2 replicated effects, using electroencephalography (EEG) to capture activation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). High visualizers uniquely increased left PFC activity during mental imagery of their ideal self, an index of positive emotions and approach motivations, which subsequently accounted for lower self-discrepancies and higher self-esteem. Results provide insights into individual differences in how we may structure our self-concept, suggesting poor mental imagery (i.e., aphantasia) may promote alternative strategies (e.g., language) to derive a sense of self, while high visualizers uniquely benefit from conceptualizing their self through vivid imagery.
Petzel, Z. W., Knight, E., Costa-Mendes, M., Hill, C., & Johnstone, E. (May 2026). From reward anticipation to approach motivation: Alcohol-related cues facilitate approach motivation to reduce self-control. Talk presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science. Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Across 3 experiments, anticipation of rewards (i.e., alcohol) facilitated approach motivations, captured by self-reported and neural indices (i.e., left versus right cortical activity). In experiments 1 and 2, alcohol cue exposure elicited approach motivations which undermined suppression of racial prejudices, particularly after prior exertion of self-control. In Experiment 3, consuming non-alcoholic cocktails similarly enhanced approach motivations which predicted greater economic risk-taking, while consuming alcoholic drinks promoted risk-taking irrespective of cortical activity.
Johnstone, E. & Petzel, Z. W. (2024). Do we crave what the body needs? Cardiovascular threat predicts acute alcohol consumption after experiencing social stress. Poster presented at the Society for Psychophysiological Research. Prague, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
Advances in technology have provided mobile methods for physiological data collection. Despite prevalence of wireless devices, uptake by researchers has been limited. Thus, the present work demonstrates the utility of these tools in experimental research. Experiment 1 (N = 72) used wireless electrodermal activity (EDA) allowing for mobile data collection in virtual reality. Men who virtually took the perspective of a woman exhibited higher EDA, which predicted positive equality attitudes. Experiment 2 (N = 61) used wireless EDA while participants were interviewed for a lab manager position. When ideal candidates were described using masculine traits, women exhibited higher EDA during the interview compared to controls, predicting poorer cognitive performance. Experiment 3 (N = 30) used wireless electroencephalography (EEG) to assess cortical activity among students during a problem-solving activity in a classroom setting. Students exhibiting approach motivation (e.g., left frontal cortical activity) demonstrated greater executive functioning compared to students exhibiting avoidance motivation (e.g., right frontal cortical activity). Experiment 4 (N = 33) used wireless EEG to assess cortical activity after right hand contractions versus alcohol intoxication. Approach motivation following right hand contractions predicted higher impulsivity, whereas acute intoxication diminished this relationship while increasing impulsivity. Experiments support use of wireless devices for data collection, providing insight for application of tools in ecological settings outside of the lab.
Petzel, Z. W., Johnstone, E., Costa Mendes, M., & Knight. E. (2024). I’m going mobile! Evidence supporting the implementation of wireless devices to measure physiology in the lab (and beyond). Poster presented at the Society for Psychophysiological Research. Prague, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
Advances in technology have provided mobile methods for physiological data collection. Despite prevalence of wireless devices, uptake by researchers has been limited. Thus, the present work demonstrates the utility of these tools in experimental research. Experiment 1 (N = 72) used wireless electrodermal activity (EDA) allowing for mobile data collection in virtual reality. Men who virtually took the perspective of a woman exhibited higher EDA, which predicted positive equality attitudes. Experiment 2 (N = 61) used wireless EDA while participants were interviewed for a lab manager position. When ideal candidates were described using masculine traits, women exhibited higher EDA during the interview compared to controls, predicting poorer cognitive performance. Experiment 3 (N = 30) used wireless electroencephalography (EEG) to assess cortical activity among students during a problem-solving activity in a classroom setting. Students exhibiting approach motivation (e.g., left frontal cortical activity) demonstrated greater executive functioning compared to students exhibiting avoidance motivation (e.g., right frontal cortical activity). Experiment 4 (N = 33) used wireless EEG to assess cortical activity after right hand contractions versus alcohol intoxication. Approach motivation following right hand contractions predicted higher impulsivity, whereas acute intoxication diminished this relationship while increasing impulsivity. Experiments support use of wireless devices for data collection, providing insight for application of tools in ecological settings outside of the lab.
Petzel, Z. W., Farrell, L., & Latu, I. M. (2024). It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it: How promoting meritocracy and internal motivations promote support for gender equality initiatives among STEM academics. Talk presented at the Network Gender & STEM Conference. Heidelberg, Germany.
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Abstract:
Gender equality initiatives (GEIs) have been launched across academic institutions to address the underrepresentation of women in STEM. While these initiatives have improved confidence among female academics and enhanced transparency of diversity issues, they have largely been ineffective in addressing gender disparities in science. A notable factor contributing to their ineffectiveness may be negative attitudes toward such initiatives among STEM academics. Academics express concerns that these initiatives are simply box-ticking exercises, rather than leading to the necessary changes needed to achieve and maintain gender parity. Thus, the present work examined how to improve perceptions of gender equality initiatives to best promote engagement among STEM academics.
Experiment 1 (N = 113) examined the impact of meritocracy (e.g., merit-based promotion) versus affirmative action policies (e.g., promotion based on minority status) on support for initiatives among STEM academics recruited from 3 UK universities. Participants read an email which outlined the implementation of an initiative at a university, manipulated to highlight the sole advancement of women (e.g., affirmative action) versus both men and women (e.g., meritocracy). Male STEM academics were more supportive of initiatives when framed to promote meritocracy compared to affirmative action policies, which also coincided with fewer concerns of unfair treatment and internal motivations to engage with initiatives. However, female STEM academics supported interventions regardless of the policies endorsed by the initiative.
Given the importance of internal motivations predicting support for initiatives as found in Experiment 1, Experiment 2 (N = 151) manipulated internal versus external motivations, in addition to managerial support for interventions among STEM academics. Participants read an email outlining an implementation strategy for a diversity intervention. However, the training was either framed as compulsory (e.g., promoting external motivations) or optional (e.g., promoting internal motivations). The optional training was also described as having personal benefits to faculty (e.g., enhancing productivity and wellbeing). Lastly, the training was either described as supported by administrative leaders (e.g., Vice Chancellor) versus no mention of support. Communications highlighting optional interventions which personally benefitted faculty were successful in promoting internal motivations and support for initiatives. STEM faculty with low experience with diversity issues were more likely to support interventions when also supported by administrative leaders, whereas those with greater experience supported interventions regardless of managerial support.
Petzel, Z. W., Farrell, L., & Latu, I. M. (2023). Running on autopilot or taking the wheel? The role of automaticity and self-control on attitudes towards organisational diversity initiatives. Talk presented at the European Association of Social Psychology. Krakow, Poland.
Abstract:
Despite prevalence of diversity initiatives, women remain underrepresented in STEM fields. Interventions receive poor support from men, eliciting backlash or indifference, particularly when framed as compulsory (i.e., fostering extrinsic motivations). Longstanding theory suggests effective diversity initiatives may require intrinsic motivations, facilitating greater automaticity of non-prejudiced behaviours. Experiment 1 (N = 56) manipulated extrinsic versus intrinsic motives to participate in equality-focused action among STEM academics, assessing their impact on implicit associations with diversity initiatives. Process dissociation procedures revealed extrinsic motivations fostered greater reliance on self-control, predicting negative diversity attitudes. Experiment 2 (N = 95) examined factors which may promote backlash towards diversity among male academics (e.g., losing career opportunities, challenging biological justifications). Promoting both realistic and symbolic threats reduced men’s automaticity, which similarly predicted negative diversity attitudes. Results provide evidence for the role of automatic versus controlled processes underlying diversity attitudes, informing interventions to promote automaticity for equality-focused action.
Petzel, Z. W., Farrell, L., McCormack, T., Turner, R. T., Rafferty, K., & Latu, I. M. (2022). STEM the tide of inequality: Improving the effectiveness of gender equality initiatives among male STEM academics. Talk presented at the Network Gender & STEM Conference. Munich, Germany.
Abstract:
Despite significant investments in academic gender equality initiatives, vast gender imbalances persist in STEM. Unfortunately, these interventions are often met with negative or indifferent attitudes among male academics, perpetuating workplace cultures that may adversely affect women’s careers. Four experiments examined factors that promote negative reactions towards equality initiatives, in addition to evaluating interventions that increase support for interventions among male STEM academics.
Experiment 1 (N = 44) assessed cardiovascular threat after participants read an article manipulating (1) men’s employability and (2) biological justifications for gender disparities. Men told their employability would be negatively affected by equality interventions exhibited threat, which was further inflated when also told no biological differences exist which explain gender inequalities. Experiment 2 (N = 100) extended these findings by assessing realistic versus symbolic threat. Male academics told equality initiatives would negatively impact their employability reported greater realistic (e.g., loss of economic power) but not symbolic threat (e.g., loss of status), but only when biological justifications of gender inequalities were disconfirmed. Realistic threat also mediated support for equality initiatives, suggesting men’s concern for losing economic power may undermine progress towards gender parity.
Experiment 3 (N = 72) used virtual reality to manipulate 2 factors among male STEM academics: (1) exposure to gender bias research and (2) taking the perspective of a female scientist. Men who learned about the causes and consequences of gender inequalities in STEM prior to female perspective-taking exhibited the greatest support for gender equality initiatives. Experiment 4 (N = 120) manipulated 2 additional factors among male academics: (1) evidence-based methods to reduce gender biases and (2) blame for gender inequalities. Disseminating methods to reduce gender bias and blaming men for gender disparities led to the greatest confidence in male academics’ ability to address gender inequalities in STEM (i.e., self-efficacy). Importantly, this higher self-efficacy indirectly accounted for greater support for equality initiatives and internal motivations to engage with diversity programs.
Findings highlight sources of threat that should be targeted in interventions to improve engagement among men, in addition to providing empirically-based suggestions and high-tech training tools for promoting positive equality attitudes, informing the development of gender equality initiatives. Notably, the present research tested these manipulations among male academics. Since men make up a large percentage of most STEM fields, it is essential to understand what factors may elicit disengagement and support for gender equality initiatives among this population to best inform the development of interventions.
Petzel, Z. W., Kittleman, M. M., Garasky, C., & Casad, B. J. (2019). The utility of assessing central and peripheral nervous systems among women experiencing social identity threat. Talk presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research, Washington, D.C., United States
Abstract:
Measures of the central and peripheral nervous system are well-established and widely used within the psychophysiological literature. However, many of these physiological measures are assessed independently from each other, despite evidence suggesting these measures likely assess related psychological constructs. Little research has examined how multiple, concurrently recorded physiological measurements may predict, inform, and interact with each other. The present research examined a combination of physiological measurements of the central (i.e., electroencephalogram) and peripheral (i.e., heart rate, cardiac output, total peripheral resistance) nervous systems among women experiencing social identity threat (i.e., sexism, stereotype threat). Across 3 studies, women with higher heart rate variability were more likely to exhibit advantageous cardiovascular responses (i.e., challenge reactivity) and greater neurophysiological indices of self-control (i.e., error-related negativity) following social identity threat. Further, 2 studies provide evidence toward concurrent validity of cardiovascular (i.e., challenge reactivity) and neurophysiological (i.e., cortical asymmetries) indices of motivation, and their influence on self-control. The utility of using multiple physiological assessments and how this may better inform literatures on social identity threat, motivation, and self-control will be discussed. Issues related to the integration of multiple psychophysiological assessments to maximize knowledge gain will also be discussed.