Irmak Olcaysoy Okten

Irmak Olcaysoy Okten's research examines the processes of social cognition with a specific focus on forming and updating impressions and beliefs implicitly (unintentionally) and explicitly (intentionally). She is particularly interested in the effects of motivational factors (e.g., the motive to reduce uncertainty, the motive to preserve ideological convictions) on these processes. For example, Olcaysoy Okten's recent work has documented the role of misplaced certainty (the sense of knowing the unknowable) in preserving false beliefs and conducting uninformed and antisocial behaviors. Her current research focuses on understanding people’s meta-perceptions of the obstacles that prevent them from recognizing and updating their biases. Among her future goals is to develop interventions targeting such meta-perceptions to reduce biases in interpersonal interactions.