Professor Eric Vanman
Professor

Eric Vanman

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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)

81 - 86 of 86 works

2002

Journal Article

Maternal Depressive Symptoms and 6-Month-Old Infants' Sensitivity to Facial Expressions

Striano, Tricia, Brennan, Patricia A. and Vanman, Eric J. (2002). Maternal Depressive Symptoms and 6-Month-Old Infants' Sensitivity to Facial Expressions. Infancy, 3 (1), 115-126. doi: 10.1207/S15327078IN0301_6

Maternal Depressive Symptoms and 6-Month-Old Infants' Sensitivity to Facial Expressions

2000

Journal Article

Personality, emotional experience, and efforts to control emotions

Tobin, RM, Graziano, WG, Vanman, EJ and Tassinary, LG (2000). Personality, emotional experience, and efforts to control emotions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79 (4), 656-669. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.79.4.656

Personality, emotional experience, and efforts to control emotions

1998

Journal Article

Affective reactions in the blink of an eye: Individual differences in subjective experience and physiological responses to emotional stimuli

Vanman, EJ, Dawson, ME and Brennan, PA (1998). Affective reactions in the blink of an eye: Individual differences in subjective experience and physiological responses to emotional stimuli. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 24 (9), 994-1005. doi: 10.1177/0146167298249007

Affective reactions in the blink of an eye: Individual differences in subjective experience and physiological responses to emotional stimuli

1997

Journal Article

The modern face of prejudice and structural features that moderate the effect of cooperation on affect

Vanman, Eric J., Paul, Brenda Y., Ito, Tiffany A. and Miller, Norman (1997). The modern face of prejudice and structural features that moderate the effect of cooperation on affect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73 (5), 941-959. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.73.5.941

The modern face of prejudice and structural features that moderate the effect of cooperation on affect

1997

Journal Article

Connectionism, parallel constraint satisfaction processes, and Gestalt principles: (Re)introducing cognitive dynamics to social psycholog

Read, Stephen J., Vanman, Eric J. and Miller, Lynn C. (1997). Connectionism, parallel constraint satisfaction processes, and Gestalt principles: (Re)introducing cognitive dynamics to social psycholog. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 1 (1), 26-53. doi: 10.1207/s15327957pspr0101_3

Connectionism, parallel constraint satisfaction processes, and Gestalt principles: (Re)introducing cognitive dynamics to social psycholog

1996

Journal Article

The varying time courses of attentional and affective modulation of the startle eyeblink reflex

Vanman, EJ, Boehmelt, AH, Dawson, ME and Schell, AM (1996). The varying time courses of attentional and affective modulation of the startle eyeblink reflex. Psychophysiology, 33 (6), 691-697. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.1996.tb02365.x

The varying time courses of attentional and affective modulation of the startle eyeblink reflex

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

    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

    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

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

Need help?

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communications@uq.edu.au