Dr. Woods' Lab Brings Research on Division and Empathy to Chicago

April 27, 2026

Nine Grand View University students from Th3 C0gn1t10n L4b traveled to Chicago to present original research at the Midwestern Psychological Association’s 98th annual meeting, one of the region’s premier gatherings for psychological science. The 2026 conference featured more than 2,200 presentations and brought together scholars and professionals from across the country.

Representing Grand View were Dominic Morris, Adelynne Peterson, Carolina Diaz, Shaylin Gonzalez, Apple Khalil, Sophia McDevitt, Sophia Kirkpatrick, Ben Krdzalic, and Anahi Marquez. The team was led by Professor Megan Doran and Dr. Josh Woods. Altogether, Th3 C0gn1t10n L4b presented four posters examining pressing questions in contemporary psychology, including how empathy can be strengthened across differences; how political bias shapes the ability to distinguish fact from opinion; how ideology influences interpretations of racialized news; and how identity can make beliefs more resistant to change.

The four posters presented by Grand View students were:

  1. A Novel Storytelling Approach to Increase Intergroup Empathy
  2. Political Extremism Influences the Ability to Distinguish Fact from Opinion
  3. Political Ideology Predicts How People Interpret Racialized News Stories
  4. When Beliefs Become the Self: Identity Fusion Increases Belief Resilience

Although the topics varied, the projects were united by a shared theme: how people pursue truth in a divided world. This reflects the broader mission of Th3 C0gn1t10n L4b, which explores how people grapple with truth, how it can evade us, and why individuals construct “personal truth” to simplify a complex reality.

The research was also notably public facing. One study found that an interactive storytelling model increased interpersonal and social empathy more effectively than a lecture style format, with gains still evident two weeks later. Another found that Grand View students outperformed a general public sample in distinguishing facts from opinions, while also showing that partisan bias can shape judgment. Additional projects examined how political ideology influences interpretations of racialized news and how identity based attachment to beliefs increases resistance to persuasion.

For many students, the conference marked their first professional research presentation, an important milestone in their development as scholars. Presenting at a major regional conference allowed them to share findings and engage in the broader scientific conversation.

“Research matters most when it helps us better understand the world we actually live in,” said Dr. Josh Woods, Professor of Psychology and director of Th3 C0gn1t10n L4b.

Prof. Megan Doran added, “I’m proud of these students not simply because they presented at a professional conference, but because they asked difficult questions about truth, division, and empathy, and then did the hard scientific work of seeking answers.”

Senior Research Assistant Adelynne Peterson reflected, “MPA was more than a conference for me. It was a transformative experience. It deepened my connection with my Grand View peers and with Dr. Woods, created space for meaningful conversations that would not have happened otherwise, and helped me grow both personally and professionally. Presenting in a professional setting gave me confidence for graduate school and what comes next. I returned feeling changed, not just better prepared, but genuinely different.”

Through opportunities like MPA, Grand View students go beyond classroom learning, actively participating in meaningful scholarship that shapes the future of the field. Work from Th3 C0gn1t10n L4b reflects the university’s commitment to mentorship, academic excellence, and transformative learning, preparing students for graduate study, professional success, and lives of meaningful contribution.