SPiEE Publications

Social Relationship Research

Delve into the intricacies of social perspective taking, a delicate mental dance where we attune to the subtle melodies of others’ thoughts and feelings. From the playground to the classroom, social perspective taking is the silent force behind successful interactions and positive relationships.  

At the heart of our inquiry lies a particular emphasis on the profound dynamics inherent in teacher-student relationships, a cornerstone in the educational landscape, transcending conventional notions of instruction. It embodies a synergy where educators not only impart knowledge but also play a pivotal role in the holistic development of learners. This connection is more than a conduit for academic information; it is a conduit for inspiration, guidance, and mentorship. 

Learn about our compelling findings and why this research matters for anyone invested in the social fabric of our schools and beyond. 

Social Perspective-taking

Academic Publications

Gehlbach H., Robinson C. D., Fletcher A. (2024). The illusion of information adequacy. PLoS ONE 19(10): e0310216. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310216

Gehlbach, H., & Mu, N. (2023). How We Understand Others: A Theory of How Social Perspective Taking Unfolds. Review of General Psychology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10892680231152595

Gehlbach, H., Mascio, B., & McIntyre, J. (2023). Social perspective taking: A professional development induction to improve teacher–student relationships and student learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 115(2), 330–348. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000762

Gehlbach, H., & Vriesema, C. C. (2019). Meta-bias: A practical theory of motivated thinking. Educational Psychology Review, 31, 65-85. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10648-018-9454-6

Gehlbach, H., Marietta, G.*, King, A.*, Karutz, C., Bailenson, J. N., & Dede, C. (2015). Many ways to walk a mile in another’s moccasins: Type of social perspective taking and its effect on negotiation outcomes. Computers in Human Behavior, 52, 523–532. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2014.12.035

Gehlbach, H., & Brinkworth, M. E.* (2012). The social perspective taking process:  Strategies and sources of evidence in taking another’s perspective. Teachers College Record, 114(1), 226-254.

Gehlbach, H., Brinkworth, M. E.*, & Wang, M.-T.* (2012). The social perspective taking process:  What motivates individuals to take another’s perspective? Teachers College Record, 114(1), 197-225. 

Gehlbach, H., Young, L. V.*, & Roan, L. (2012). Teaching social perspective taking:  How educators might learn from the Army. Educational Psychology, 32(3), 295-309. doi: 10.1080/01443410.2011.652807

Gehlbach, H., Brown, S. W., Ioannou, A., Boyer, M. A., Hudson, N., Niv-Solomon, A., et al. (2008). Increasing interest in social studies: Social perspective taking and self-efficacy in stimulating simulations. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 33(4), 894-914. doi: 10.1016/j.cedpsych.2007.11.002

Gehlbach, H., & Brinkworth, M. E.* (2008). Motivated thinkers and the mistakes they make: The goals underlying social cognitions and their consequences for achievement. In M. L. Maehr, S. Karabenick & T. Urdan (Eds.), Advances in motivation and achievement:  Social psychological perspectives. (Vol. 15, pp. 119-144). Bingley, UK: Emerald.

Gehlbach, H. (2004). A new perspective on perspective taking: A multidimensional approach to conceptualizing an aptitude. Educational Psychology Review, 16(3), 207-234. doi: 10.1023/b:edpr.0000034021.12899.11

Gehlbach, H. (2004). Social perspective taking: A facilitating aptitude for conflict resolution, historical empathy, and social studies achievement. Theory and Research in Social Education, 32(1), 39-55.

Practitioner-Oriented Pieces

Gehlbach, H. (2017). Learning to walk in another’s shoes. Phi Delta Kappan, 98(6), 8-12.

Gehlbach, H. (2011). Making social studies social: Engaging students through different forms of social perspective taking. Theory Into Practice, 50(4), 311-318. doi: 10.1080/00405841.2011.607394

Teacher-Student Relationships

Academic Publications

Gehlbach, H., Mascio, B., & McIntyre, J. (2023). Social perspective taking: A professional development induction to improve teacher–student relationships and student learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 115(2), 330–348. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000762

Buckley, K., Subedi, S., Paek, J. W., Krachman, S., & Gehlbach, H. (2019). Which Individual and School-Level Factors Predict Student Perceptions of the School Climate in a Diverse Sample of Charter Schools throughout the Country? A Working Paper. Transforming Education.

Robinson, C. D., Scott, W., & Gottfried, M. A. (2019). Taking It to the Next Level: A Field Experiment to Improve Instructor-Student Relationships in College. AERA Open, 5(1), 2332858419839707. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/2332858419839707

Brinkworth, M. E., McIntyre, J., Juraschek, A. D., & Gehlbach, H.† (2018). Teacher-student relationships: The positives and negatives of assessing both perspectives. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 55, 24-38. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2017.09.002

Gehlbach, H., Brinkworth, M. E.*, King, A. M.*, Hsu, L. M.*, McIntyre, J.*, & Rogers, T. (2016). Creating Birds of Similar Feathers: Leveraging Similarity to Improve Teacher–Student Relationships and Academic Achievement. Journal of Educational Psychology. doi:dx.doi.org/10.1037/edu0000042

Gehlbach, H., & Robinson, C.* (2016). Commentary: The foundational role of teacher-student relationships. In K. R. Wentzel & G. Ramani (Eds.), Handbook of Social Influences in School Contexts: Social-Emotional, Motivation, and Cognitive Outcomes (pp. 230-238). United Kingdom: Informa.

Brinkworth, M. E.*, & Gehlbach, H. † (2015). Perceptual barriers to teacher-student relationships: Overcoming them now and in the future. In C. Rubie-Davies & J. M. Stephens (Eds.), The Social Psychology of the Classroom International Handbook.

Gehlbach, H., Brinkworth, M. E.*, & Harris, A. D. (2012). Changes in teacher-student relationships. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 82, 690-704. doi: 10.1111/j.2044-8279.2011.02058.x

Gehlbach, H. (2010). The social side of school: Why teachers need social psychology. Educational Psychology Review, 22(3), 349-362. doi: 10.1007/s10648-010-9138-3

Social-Emotional Learning

Academic Publications

Xiong, Y., Prasath, P., Zhang, Q. & Jeon, L. (2022). A Mindfulness-Based Wellbeing Group for International Students: A Pilot Study. Journal of Counseling and Development.

Gehlbach, H., & Chuter, C. (2020) Conceptualizing the Core of “Social Emotional Learning”. ACCESS: Contemporary Issues in Education, 40(1), 24–33. doi:10.46786/ac20.8910