Professor Eric Vanman
Professor

Eric Vanman

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 56213

Background

Eric Vanman is a Professor at the University of Queensland's School of Psychology in Australia. He earned his Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1994. Following that, he served as a post-doctoral fellow specialising in cognitive and behavioural neuroscience at USC, then spent a year as a research scientist in the Environmental Psychophysiology Laboratory at Texas A&M. He also held short-term positions at Emory University before being appointed an Assistant Professor at Georgia State University in 2000, where he taught until 2007. He then transitioned from Georgia State as an Associate Professor to his current role. His research centres on the social neuroscience of emotion and intergroup prejudice, utilising various psychophysiological and neuroimaging techniques. Currently, he is focused on projects involving social robots and social media.

Availability

Professor Eric Vanman is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Information and Computing Sciences Psychology

Qualifications

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

Research interests

  • How Do We Really Feel About Robots?

    Can we have empathy for robots? Why do we fear them? Is it a good idea to design robots that look like humans? This is the newest line of research in our laboratory.

  • How Stressful is it to Use Social Media?

    We have studied how constantly keeping up with friends via social media such as Facebook can have both positive and negative benefits. We found in once recent study, for example, that giving up Facebook for five days was associated with negative feelings about being socially disconnected, but stress (as measured via salivary cortisol) decreased during the same time period.

  • Why Do We Cry? How Do People Respond to Others Who are Crying?

    We are currently investigating the functions of crying by asking people to cry in the laboratory and taking various behavioural and physiological measurements while they do. In other studies, participants view pictures or videos of people who are crying to examine how we respond to those showing tears.

  • Why Do We Have Less Empathy for People in Other Groups?

    It is well known now that we naturally have less empathy for people who belong to different social groups to our own. This line of research investigates some of the reasons why such empathic biases occur.

Research impacts

Professor Vanman is primarily known for his studies on racial prejudice. His research has indicated that the activation of facial muscles, specifically those that create frowning and smiling expressions, is linked to prejudiced and discriminatory behaviour, even in the absence of detectable facial displays of emotion. His early work on unconscious bias and its connection to psychophysiological measures laid the foundation for research on implicit measures that have been prominent in this research area for the last three decades. Recently, his research has focused on studying the mechanisms of empathy using a social neuroscience approach. He has investigated factors that may contribute to a lack of empathy for individuals who are different from us but has also extended this to human-robot interaction.

Engagement with the media is an effective way to communicate the knowledge we have acquired in our research to the general public. Prof Vanman has appeared on several radio and television programs for Australian and international media, often as an expert commenting on recent news events. For example, ABC’s Catalyst program featured his lab's research on crying, in which a documentary crew came to the laboratory. In 2022, he appeared on SBS’s Insight program to talk about what we know about “catfish”—people who use false identities to develop close relationships with others while online.

Search Professor Eric Vanman’s works on UQ eSpace

86 works between 1996 and 2024
All (86) Journal Article (68) Book Chapter (8) Conference Publication (8) Book (1) Other Outputs (1)

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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
  • 2020 - 2025
    Reducing social frailty in late adulthood
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 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
  • 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

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Available projects

  • Social Robots: The ROSIE Project

    In collaboration with international partners in Switzerland and Germany, Prof Vanman has received funding to study human-robot interaction from the perspective of intergroup relations. As robots become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, from assisting in homes to collaborating in workplaces, understanding the social dimensions of human-robot interactions becomes crucial. This project, funded by the Australian Research Council, aims to bridge the gap by examining robots through the lens of social psychology, focusing on their acceptance as part of our social fabric.

    The project will explore innovative strategies to enhance empathy towards robots, aiming to improve coexistence and collaboration. Through a series of cutting-edge experiments, the research team will provide invaluable insights for robot designers and pave the way for a more inclusive future where humans and robots work side by side, enriching each other's lives.

  • Catfshing: Antecedents and Consequences

    Prof. Vanman's research team has conducted some initial pilot work involving online interviews with people who catfish. He would welcome a new PhD project focused on conducting an investigation into the motivations of people who catfish, identifying their likely victims, and understanding the consequences for people who have been catfished.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Comparing Inward and Outward, Upward but not Downward: The Self-Evaluative and Emotional Effects of Exposure to Idealised Social Media Content, and the Interplay of Dual Comparison Processes

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The impact of social media on self-perception

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Marie Boden

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Why Do People Seek Anonymity?

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Julie Henry

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Marie Boden

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Robots as Social Groups: A Social Neuroscience Approach

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Jess Taubert

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Eye of the beholder: Toward an evolutionarily informed theory of threat-based prejudice.

    Principal Advisor

  • 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

    Why Do People Seek Anonymity?

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The role of breathing in human social intelligence.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Julie Henry, Associate Professor Jess Taubert

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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