This research area falls within the field of social psychology and examines the cognitive, affective, and motivational processes of individuals within social contexts, as well as how social phenomena (both large and small-scale) influence these processes. Our goal is to understand the dynamic interactions between psychological and social processes, with the aim of improving society. This research area addresses complex and current topics, such as the link between cognitive processes and group dynamics, intergroup conflict, and the psychological processes involved in social, economic, and gender inequalities. Special attention is devoted to educational and work contexts, the psychological roots of sexual objectification, sexual harassment and gender violence, the influence of cultural products on social cognition and attitudes, the role of social emotions such as empathy, and the impact of technology on our social relationships.
We approach these topics through empirical research, employing a wide variety of methodologies, including behavioral measurements, questionnaires, implicit measures (such as reaction times), neuroscientific techniques (e.g., electroencephalography), and physiological measures (e.g., heart rate variability and electromyography), as well as computational linguistics and artificial intelligence.