Professor Eric Vanman
Professor

Eric Vanman

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 56213

Background

Professor Eric J. Vanman is a social psychologist and social neuroscientist whose research examines the emotional, physiological, and neural mechanisms underlying social behaviour. His work focuses on empathy, intergroup relations, and human interaction with emerging technologies, including AI, social robots, and social media.

Using experimental and psychophysiological methods such as facial EMG, EEG, and behavioural paradigms, he bridges social psychology, affective neuroscience, and the psychology of technology. A central theme of his work is understanding what human emotional responses to artificial agents reveal about the social brain.

His research has contributed to the study of implicit emotion and bias and informs contemporary debates about digital empathy, online behaviour, and the psychological impact of new technologies. He teaches and supervises across social psychology, social neuroscience, and the psychology of technology.

Availability

Professor Eric Vanman is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological psychology Human-centred computing Information and Computing Sciences Psychology Social and affective neuroscience Social and personality psychology

Qualifications

  • Masters (Coursework), University of Southern California
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Southern California

Research interests

  • Empathy and Emotional Processes

    This research examines how empathy and emotion are experienced, expressed, and perceived in social contexts. It includes work on emotional expression (such as crying), affect sharing, and the physiological and behavioural mechanisms that support social connection and understanding between individuals.

  • Human Interaction with Artificial Agents

    This research explores how people emotionally and socially respond to artificial agents such as AI systems, chatbots, avatars, and social robots. It focuses on empathy, trust, and social cognition, and what human responses to artificial agents reveal about the social brain.

  • Social Media and Online Behaviour

    This research examines how online environments shape emotion, empathy, and social behaviour. Topics include anonymity, social comparison, antisocial behaviour, and stress in digital contexts, with a focus on understanding why online interactions can differ so markedly from face-to-face communication.

  • Psychophysiological Methods in Social Psychology

    This research focuses on the use of psychophysiological measures—such as facial EMG, EEG, and autonomic indices—to study emotion and social processes. It aims to improve how implicit emotional responses and social bias are measured in both laboratory and applied settings.

Research impacts

Professor Vanman’s research has contributed to public and professional understanding of how emotions, empathy, and social bias shape behaviour in both offline and digital environments. His work has informed discussions about social media use, online anonymity, and antisocial behaviour, helping explain why digital contexts can amplify emotional responses and reduce empathy.

His research on emotional expression, including crying and affect sharing, has influenced how psychologists, educators, and the broader public understand emotional communication and social connection. These findings are regularly translated for non-academic audiences through media commentary, public engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

More recently, his work on human interaction with artificial agents such as AI systems and social robots has contributed psychological insight to debates about digital empathy, trust in technology, and the social consequences of emerging technologies. This research is relevant to technology designers, policymakers, and educators seeking to understand how people emotionally respond to intelligent systems and what this means for responsible technology development.

Search Professor Eric Vanman’s works on UQ eSpace

86 works between 1996 and 2025
All (86) Book (1) Journal Article (68) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (8) Book Chapter (8)

61 - 80 of 86 works

2013

Journal Article

Cognitive empathy and motor activity during observed actions

Milston, Sashenka I., Vanman, Eric J. and Cunnington, Ross (2013). Cognitive empathy and motor activity during observed actions. Neuropsychologia, 51 (6), 1103-1108. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2013.02.020

Cognitive empathy and motor activity during observed actions

2013

Book Chapter

Understanding spontaneous human laughter: the role of voicing in inducing positive emotion

Owren, Michael J., Philipp, Michael, Vanman, Eric, Trivedi, Niyati, Schulman, Allison and Bachorowski, Jo-Anne (2013). Understanding spontaneous human laughter: the role of voicing in inducing positive emotion. Evolution of emotional communication: from sounds in nonhuman mammals to speech and music in man. (pp. 175-190) edited by Eckart Altenmuller, Sabine Schmidt and Elke Zimmermann. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.

Understanding spontaneous human laughter: the role of voicing in inducing positive emotion

2013

Conference Publication

The social function of tears in crying: a facial electromyographic investigation

Vanman, Eric J., Horiguchi, Mari and Sharman, Leah (2013). The social function of tears in crying: a facial electromyographic investigation. 53rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research, Florence Italy, 02 - 06 October 2013. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.. doi: 10.1111/psyp.12120

The social function of tears in crying: a facial electromyographic investigation

2013

Journal Article

The psychophysiology of social action: facial electromyographic responses to stigmatized groups predict antidiscrimination action

Stewart, Tracie L., Amoss, R. Toby, Weiner, Brittany A., Elliott, Lisa A., Parrott, Dominic J., Peacock, Chloe M. and Vanman, Eric J. (2013). The psychophysiology of social action: facial electromyographic responses to stigmatized groups predict antidiscrimination action. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 35 (5), 418-425. doi: 10.1080/01973533.2013.823618

The psychophysiology of social action: facial electromyographic responses to stigmatized groups predict antidiscrimination action

2012

Journal Article

Face age and sex modulate the other-race effect in face recognition

Wallis, Jennifer, Lipp, Ottmar V. and Vanman, Eric J. (2012). Face age and sex modulate the other-race effect in face recognition. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 74 (8), 1712-1721. doi: 10.3758/s13414-012-0359-z

Face age and sex modulate the other-race effect in face recognition

2012

Journal Article

Sociality of facial expressions in immersive virtual environments: A facial EMG study

Philipp, Michael C., Storrs, Katherine R. and Vanman, Eric J. (2012). Sociality of facial expressions in immersive virtual environments: A facial EMG study. Biological Psychology, 91 (1), 17-21. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2012.05.008

Sociality of facial expressions in immersive virtual environments: A facial EMG study

2012

Conference Publication

What is the role of mimicry in detecting posed and genuine smiles?

Vanman, Eric J., Horiguchi, Mari, Philipp, Michael and Johnston, Lucy (2012). What is the role of mimicry in detecting posed and genuine smiles?. 52nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research, New Orleans La, 19-23 September 2012. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2012.01437.x

What is the role of mimicry in detecting posed and genuine smiles?

2012

Journal Article

Seeing is believing: Neural mechanisms of action-perception are biased by team membership

Molenberghs, Pascal, Halasz, Veronika, Mattingley, Jason B., Vanman, Eric J. and Cunnington, Ross (2012). Seeing is believing: Neural mechanisms of action-perception are biased by team membership. Human Brain Mapping, 34 (9), 2055-2068. doi: 10.1002/hbm.22044

Seeing is believing: Neural mechanisms of action-perception are biased by team membership

2012

Conference Publication

Adaptive facial mimicry to social exclusion

Philipp, Michael C., Bernstein, Michael, Vanman, Eric J. and Johnston, Lucy (2012). Adaptive facial mimicry to social exclusion. 52nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research, New Orleans La, 19-23 September 2012. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2012.01440.x

Adaptive facial mimicry to social exclusion

2011

Journal Article

Emotional reactions while watching graphic medical procedures: Vocational differences in the explicit regulation of emotions

Vlahou, Christina H., Vanman, Eric J. and Morris, Mary M. (2011). Emotional reactions while watching graphic medical procedures: Vocational differences in the explicit regulation of emotions. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 41 (11), 2768-2784. doi: 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2011.00839.x

Emotional reactions while watching graphic medical procedures: Vocational differences in the explicit regulation of emotions

2011

Book

Social psychophysiology for social and personality psychology

Blascovich, Jim, Vanman, Eric J., Mendes, Wendy Berry and DIckerson, Sally (2011). Social psychophysiology for social and personality psychology. Los Angeles, CA, United States: Sage Publications.

Social psychophysiology for social and personality psychology

2010

Conference Publication

Images of terrorism: The emotional impact of viewing scenes of the aftermath

Vanman, EJ, Iyer, A, Henrion, M, Witowski, P, Berndt, SL, Greenaway, KH and Hornsey, MJ (2010). Images of terrorism: The emotional impact of viewing scenes of the aftermath. 50th Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research, Portland, OR, U.S.A., 29 September-3 October, 2010. Malden, MA, U.S.A.: Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2010.01111.x

Images of terrorism: The emotional impact of viewing scenes of the aftermath

2010

Conference Publication

Feeling bad about what "we" have done: the p300 as a marker of collective guilt in an intergroup transgression

Henrion, M. and Vanman, E.J. (2010). Feeling bad about what "we" have done: the p300 as a marker of collective guilt in an intergroup transgression. 50th Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research, Portland, OR, U.S.A., 29 September-3 October, 2010. Malden, MA, U.S.A.: Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2010.01111.x

Feeling bad about what "we" have done: the p300 as a marker of collective guilt in an intergroup transgression

2009

Journal Article

Desensitization to Media Violence Over a Short Period of Time

Fanti, Kostas A., Vanman, Eric, Henrich, Christopher C. and Avraamides, Marios N. (2009). Desensitization to Media Violence Over a Short Period of Time. Aggressive Behavior, 35 (2), 179-187. doi: 10.1002/ab.20295

Desensitization to Media Violence Over a Short Period of Time

2007

Book Chapter

The skeletomotor system: Surface electromyography

Tassinary, L. G., Cacioppo, J. T. and Vanman, E. J. (2007). The skeletomotor system: Surface electromyography. Handbook of Psychophysiology. (pp. 267-299) edited by J. T. Cacioppo, L. G. Tassinary and G. G. Berntson. New York: Cambridge University Press.

The skeletomotor system: Surface electromyography

2006

Journal Article

An empirical study of machine learning techniques for affect recognition in human–robot interaction

Rani, Pramila, Liu, Changchun, Sarkar, Nilanjan and Vanman, Eric (2006). An empirical study of machine learning techniques for affect recognition in human–robot interaction. Pattern Analysis and Applications, 9 (1), 58-69. doi: 10.1007/s10044-006-0025-y

An empirical study of machine learning techniques for affect recognition in human–robot interaction

2004

Journal Article

Racial Discrimination by Low-Prejudiced Whites : Facial Movements as Implicit Measures of Attitudes Related to Behavior

Vanman,l Eric J., Saltz, Jessica L., Nathan, Laurie R. and Warren, Jennifer A. (2004). Racial Discrimination by Low-Prejudiced Whites : Facial Movements as Implicit Measures of Attitudes Related to Behavior. Psychological Science, 15 (11), 711-714. doi: 10.1111/j.0956-7976.2004.00746.x

Racial Discrimination by Low-Prejudiced Whites : Facial Movements as Implicit Measures of Attitudes Related to Behavior

2004

Journal Article

Assessing the affective Simon paradigm as a measure of individual differences in implicit social cognition about death

Bassett, Jonathan F., Washburn, David A., Vanman, Eric J. and Dabbs, James M. (2004). Assessing the affective Simon paradigm as a measure of individual differences in implicit social cognition about death. Current Research in Social Psychology, 9 (17), 234-246.

Assessing the affective Simon paradigm as a measure of individual differences in implicit social cognition about death

2003

Journal Article

Modification of the Startle Reflex in a Community Sample: Do One or Two Dimensions of Psychopathy Underlie Emotional Processing?

Vanman, Eric J., Mejia, Veronica Y., Dawson, Michael E., Schell, Anne M. and Raine, Adrian (2003). Modification of the Startle Reflex in a Community Sample: Do One or Two Dimensions of Psychopathy Underlie Emotional Processing?. Personality and Individual Differences, 35 (8), 2007-2021. doi: 10.1016/S0191-8869(03)00052-7

Modification of the Startle Reflex in a Community Sample: Do One or Two Dimensions of Psychopathy Underlie Emotional Processing?

2003

Journal Article

Developing a Comprehensive Social Psychology with Shared Explanations of Primate Social Behavior

Vanman, Eric J. (2003). Developing a Comprehensive Social Psychology with Shared Explanations of Primate Social Behavior. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 16 (1), 33-43.

Developing a Comprehensive Social Psychology with Shared Explanations of Primate Social Behavior

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Robots as a Social Group: Implications for Human-Robot Interaction
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2025
    Reducing social frailty in late adulthood
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016
    A brain physiology laboratory for neuropsychological research in the new Queensland Neuropsychology Research Centre
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013
    A brain stimulation and portable eye-tracking suite for human behavioural research
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Advancing the science of willpower: Investigating the mechanisms and processes of self-control (ARC Discovery Project administered by Curtin University)
    Curtin University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Intergroup emotions and prejudice toward obese people (ARC Discovery Project administered by the University of New South Wales)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Emotional and political reactions to representations of terrorism
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Somatic Markers of Social Prejudice
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2008
    User-friendly equipment for central nervous and cardiovascular psychopshysiology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Eric Vanman is:
Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Emotional Responses to Artificial Agents

    This project examines how people emotionally and physiologically respond to artificial agents such as AI systems, chatbots, avatars, and social robots. Using experimental and psychophysiological methods (e.g., facial EMG, EEG, behavioural measures), the project explores empathy, trust, and social cognition in human–AI interaction. Suitable for students interested in psychology, technology, and emotion research.

  • Empathy, Emotion, and Intergroup Relations

    This project investigates how empathy and emotion operate across social group boundaries, including why empathy is often reduced toward outgroup members. The project uses experimental and psychophysiological approaches to study prejudice, bias, and affect sharing, with potential applications to social cohesion and conflict reduction.

  • Social Media, Anonymity, and Online Behaviour

    This project explores how online environments influence emotion, empathy, and social behaviour. Topics may include anonymity, social comparison, stress, and antisocial behaviour on social media platforms. The project is suitable for students interested in digital psychology and the social impact of online technologies.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Robots as Social Groups: A Social Neuroscience Approach

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Jess Taubert

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Effects of Acting Prosocially on Well-being and Neural Networks

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Julie Henry

  • Doctor Philosophy

    AI as a Tool for Truth and Empathy: Exploring the Impact of AI-driven Interactions on False Beliefs and Intergroup Empathy

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Leah Henrickson

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Emerging Adult Substance Use: An Integrated Approach to Risk Pathways and Interventions

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Leah Sharman

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploring the Quality and Impact of Human-AI Relationships on Social Connection and Well-being

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Marie Boden

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Eric Vanman directly for media enquiries about:

  • AI & Society
  • anonymity online
  • artificial intelligence
  • catfishing
  • compassion
  • crying
  • digital empathy
  • emotion
  • empathy
  • human AI interaction
  • online behaviour
  • social empathy
  • social media psychology
  • social robots

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