Jesse L. Preston

Papers

Total Citations

214

H-Index

About

Jesse L. Preston is a social psychologist whose research explores the cognitive and emotional underpinnings of how we perceive minds—in other humans, animals, and even objects. Her key contributions center on the psychology of mind perception, moral cognition, and the role of emotion in belief. In her highly cited 2007 work, “Timescale bias in the attribution of mind” (214 citations), Preston and colleagues revealed a powerful cognitive shortcut: people use speed of movement to infer the presence of intention, consciousness, and intelligence. This “timescale bias” shows that we are more likely to attribute a rich inner life to entities that move at a human-like pace, with profound implications for how we treat others, from animals to artificial agents. Preston’s work bridges social cognition and moral psychology, demonstrating how these snap judgments shape our ethical intuitions. Her research has been influential in understanding dehumanization, anthropomorphism, and the psychology of belief, making her a leading voice on how we decide who—or what—has a mind.