PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE THE SURPRISING SOCIAL REMEMBERING APS PAST IN THE ERA OF INFECTIOUS UPSIDES OF CONSTANT PRESIDENT GORDON BOWER DISEASE CONNECTIVITY (1932–2020) ObserverVOL. 33, NO. 8 OCTOBER 2020 Why it’s as Plus: How an act as simple much about as redesigning psychology municipal forms (and ballot can make government design) more equitable as security a publication of Observer ISSN: 1050-4672 Published 10 times per year by the Association for Psychological Science, the © 2020 Association for Psychological Science Federal ID Number: 73-1345573 Observer educates and informs the Association on matters affecting the research, All rights reserved. academic, and applied disciplines of psychology; promotes the scientific values of PUBLISHER Aime M. 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Kraut – Association for Psychological Science PAST PRESIDENTS Send address changes to: Barbara Tversky 2018-2019 Henry L. Roediger, III 2003-2004 Association for Psychological Science Suparna Rajaram 2017-2018 Susan T. Fiske 2002-2003 1800 Massachusetts Ave, NW Suite 402 . Washington, DC 20036-1218 USA Susan Goldin-Meadow 2016-2017 John Darley 2001-2002 [email protected] C. Randy Gallistel 2015-2016 Robert A. Bjork 2000-2001 Nancy Eisenberg 2014-2015 Elizabeth D. Capaldi 1999-2000 www.psychologicalscience.org/members (click "Update Member Profile") Elizabeth A. Phelps 2013-2014 Elizabeth Loftus 1998-1999 Joseph E. Steinmetz 2012-2013 Kay Deaux 1997-1998 Douglas L. Medin 2011-2012 Sandra Scarr 1996-1997 Mahzarin R. Banaji 2010-2011 Richard F. Thompson 1995-1996 Linda Bartoshuk 2009-2010 Marilynn B. Brewer 1993-1995 Walter Mischel 2008-2009 Gordon H. Bower 1991-1993 John T. Cacioppo 2007-2008 James L. McGaugh 1989-1991 Morton Ann Gernsbacher 2006-2007 Janet T. Spence 1988-1989 Michael S. Gazzaniga 2005-2006 Charles A. Kiesler 1988 Robert W. Levenson 2004-2005 APS STAFF Acting Executive Director Aime M. Ballard-Wood Senior Director of Communications Leah Thayer Director of Media Relations & Public Information Charles Blue Design & Production Editor Raquel Herrera Fernandes Assistant Managing Editor Kim Armstrong Senior Science Writer Ludmila Nunes Director of Government Relations Andy DeSoto Visiting Behavioral Insights Scholar Heather Barry Kappes Government Relations Associate Kekoa Erber Managing Editor, Journals Brian P. Winters Managing Editor, Journals Rodney Atkins Director, Publications Amy Drew Peer Review Coordinator Ami Getu More than 3,000 psychological scientists have Peer Review Manager Becca White Senior Director of Meetings Nathalie L. Rothert Senior Manager, Meetings Elaine V. Watson joined the APS Wikipedia Initiative (APSWI). 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Schroeder Senior Director of Digital & Technical Operations Asa Boy Finance & Administration Coordinator Marilyn Talley Office Coordinator Nelson Ruble Association for Psychological Science +1 202.293.9300; Fax: +1 202.293.9350 [email protected] psychologicalscience.org/observer IN THIS ISSUE Observer OCTOBER 2020 | VOLUME 33, NUMBER 8 26 Making Votes Count: 34 Addressing Racial Why It’s as Much About Equity Through Human- Psychology (and Ballot Centered Design Design) as Security An effort underway by the government of the District of Columbia demonstrates Poorly designed ballots can prevent how acts as simple as redesigning voters from understanding, seeing, using, municipal forms can make government and processing information correctly, more equitable for all residents. From which can lead to voting failures that driver's license applications to school alter the outcome of elections. Applied enrollments, the paperwork may be psychologists and human factors universal, but the experience and engineers can make a real difference in outcomes are not. ensuring that ballots accurately capture voter intent. 5 Presidential Column 36 Technology in Context: Psychological Science The Surprising Social in the Era of Infectious Upsides of Constant Disease Connectivity Amid the continuing spread of The very same technologies that make COVID-19, APS President Shinobu social distancing bearable in the age of Kitayama argues that three collective- COVID-19 have also been cited among level dynamics—risk assessment, selfish leading causes of social isolation and versus prosocial motivations, and mental health issues. Psychological interpersonal relationships—powerfully research suggests a more nuanced reality. influence the spread of the virus and other infectious diseases. He calls for basic research anchored in the urgent practical issues of society. IN THIS ISSUE OCTOBER 2020 42 Remembering APS Past President Gordon Bower “ Child marriage is really a The world-renowned scientist and complex intersection of recipient of the United States’s highest scientific recognitions was a longtime sociocultural layers.... There is a psychology professor at Stanford huge component of foundational University. Fifteen colleagues and friends reflect on his influence on them and his literacy and socioemotional legacy’s impact on the field. "He was a great mentor ... a model of honesty, care, skills. These are the beliefs, compassion, and giving," said one. attitudes, or behaviors that allow everyone—children, youth, 48 Teaching Current Directions in adults—to manage themselves Psychological Science and to manage relationships with Learning the Intricacies others, to make responsible of Intolerance By C. Nathan DeWall decisions. These skills have been tied to academic outcomes, Digital Emotion and also with long-term life Regulation: Using outcomes. Devices to Feel Different By Beth Morling —Ananya Tiwari,” Careers Up Close, Page 52 52 Careers Up Close Ananya Tiwari on How Education Can Deter Departments Early Marriage in India This PhD student studying educational psychology cofounded and runs an international nonprofit that works to Members in the Media 10 enhance the educational outcomes of adolescent girls in India who may Observer Forum 11 be prone to early marriage. Research Briefs 12 14 61 Back Page Observations Driven From Funding & Policy 25 Distractions Student Notebook 55 Lotte van Dillen, of Leiden University, studies the role of affect in consumption, Employment Network 57 financial decision-making, and judgment,