The Micro-mechanisms Influencing Social Interactions

Human interactions occur in a variety of contexts. When interactions are marked by conflict, misunderstanding, bias, or aggression, 2024-25 CASBS fellow Katy DeCelles illuminates the micro-sociological and social-psychological dynamics that contribute to the sub-optimal interaction outcomes, enabling the formulation of corrective solutions and better organizational design. DeCelles discusses a sampling of her innovative work in conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Markoff (CASBS fellow, 2017-18). Katherine (Katy) DeCelles: Univ. of Toronto faculty page | Google Scholar page | Poets & Quants profile |  DeCelles work discussed & relevant resources: "Scale Dichotomization Reduces Customer Racial Discrimination and Income Inequality," *Nature* 639, 19 February 2025 "Racial Bias Eliminated When Ratings Switch from Five Stars to Thumbs Up or Down," *Nature*, 19 February 2025 "How Gig Platforms Can Mitigate Racial Bias in Ratings," *Harvard Business Review*, 14 March 2025 "Different or Impartial? Actor-Observer Asymmetries in Expressing and Evaluating Sociopolitical Neutrality," *Journal of Experimental Psychology: General* 154(11), 2025 "Understanding the Dynamics of Workplace Violence Can Improve Employee Health and Safety," Rotman School of Management, Univ. of Toronto, 2022 John Markoff: website | John's latest book is Whole Earth: The Many Lives of Stewart Brand (Penguin Random House, 2022). His next book (forthcoming, 2027), will be published by MIT Press.   **Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS)** at Stanford University **Explore CASBS:** website | Bluesky | X | YouTube  |LinkedIn | podcast  |latest newsletter | signup | outreach​ *Human Centered* Producer: Mike Gaetani **|** Audio engineer & co-producer: Joe Monzel **|**