Larisa Hussak – The Conversation

Senior Analyst, Strategic Research, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

My research explores how and why people support their existing sociopolitical systems--even in cases when they seem unfair or illegitimate. More specifically, I am interested in how basic cognitive tools that we use early in life lead us to believing that our societies are fair and just. I've on projects that investigate the early roots of system justification, political conservatism, and nationalism.

I received my Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Chicago, and my M.A. and Ph.D in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I currently work as a Senior Analyst at EAB, conducting syndicated research for higher education institutions.

Experience

2017–present

Senior Analyst, Strategic Reserach, EAB
2012–2017

Doctoral Researcher, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Education

2017

University of Illinois a Urbana-Champaign, Ph.D in Psychology
2014

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, M.A. in Psychology
2012

University of Chicago, B.A. in Psychology

Publications

2017

Investigating the origins of political views: Biases in explanation predict conservative attitudes in children and adults, Developmental Science
2017

Memory accessibility shapes explanation: Testing key claims of the inherence heuristic account, Memory and Cognition
2015

An early-emerging explanatory heuristic promotes support for the status quo, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Grants and Contracts

2013

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

Role:

Funding Source:

National Science Foundation

Professional Memberships

Cognitive Development Society
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Society for Research in Child Development

Honours

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship