Morality, Emotion, & Social Hierarchy
Lab at UC Irvine, Department of Psychology
We study why people often help others and why they often don’t. We research factors that shape moral behavior and social connection, from economic inequality to social and emotional experiences.
Who We Are
The MESH Lab is Directed by Dr. Paul K. Piff
Associate Professor of Psychology at University of California, Irvine
The lab is home to a team of dedicated and creative graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and postdoctoral scholars.
What We Study
Three interconnected questions guide our exploration of social psychology and human behavior.
Morality and social connection
What causes people to be kind and moral to one another?
Inequality, social class,
and mobility
How does inequality shape social life?
Social emotion
How do emotions shape the way we see ourselves and relate to one another?