My primary interest lies in development of social cognition and morality.
Specifically, I want to explain how humans perceive rule violations, why they respond to rule violations, whether this changes with age, and how their interventions may serve evolutionary functions.
Specifically, I want to explain how humans perceive rule violations, why they respond to rule violations, whether this changes with age, and how their interventions may serve evolutionary functions.
Children
Why do young children and adults care more about moral violations than conventional violations?
In this study, I investigated how children understand moral and conventional norms using multiple methods (behavioral, eye-tracking, and pupillometry). This work was presented at SRCD 2019 as a symposium talk and is currently in press (Yucel, Hepach, & Vaish, 2020).
In this study, I investigated how children understand moral and conventional norms using multiple methods (behavioral, eye-tracking, and pupillometry). This work was presented at SRCD 2019 as a symposium talk and is currently in press (Yucel, Hepach, & Vaish, 2020).
Why do young children enforce norms?
In this study, I looked at whether 3-year-old children enforce norms (by protesting or tattling) for selfish or cooperative reasons. My work has shown that children tattle for moral reasons, rather than selfish ones (Yucel & Vaish, 2018).
Media mentions: Science Daily, Charlotte Observer, Fatherly and Savy Auntie!
In this study, I looked at whether 3-year-old children enforce norms (by protesting or tattling) for selfish or cooperative reasons. My work has shown that children tattle for moral reasons, rather than selfish ones (Yucel & Vaish, 2018).
Media mentions: Science Daily, Charlotte Observer, Fatherly and Savy Auntie!
When, how, and why do we gossip?
I am looking at young children's and adults' understanding of gossip. This work was presented at SPSP 2019 Evolutionary Psychology preconference as a poster and is currently in prep (Yucel, Sjobeck, Glass, & Rottman, in preparation).
I am looking at young children's and adults' understanding of gossip. This work was presented at SPSP 2019 Evolutionary Psychology preconference as a poster and is currently in prep (Yucel, Sjobeck, Glass, & Rottman, in preparation).
Adults
How do adults make moral decisions or judgments?
I am also interested in types of moral decisions adults make and how these decisions could be influenced by other factors (such as language). Together with Dr. Deniz Tahiroğlu, from Istanbul's Boğaziçi University, we are investigating the role of second language in moral decision making.
I am also interested in types of moral decisions adults make and how these decisions could be influenced by other factors (such as language). Together with Dr. Deniz Tahiroğlu, from Istanbul's Boğaziçi University, we are investigating the role of second language in moral decision making.
Great Apes
I also love drawing them!
Moreover, I have a side interest in evolutionary forms of social cognition in non-human primates, stemming from my internship at MPI in Leipzig, Germany where I had a chance to work with bonobos, chimps, orangutans, and gorillas.