Samantha Lapka
Papers
2
Total Citations
18
H-Index
2
About
Samantha Lapka is a social psychologist whose research sits at the fascinating intersection of self-control, human nature, and social perception. Her most notable work challenges conventional assumptions about the admiration surrounding self-control, revealing a compelling paradox: while high self-control is widely valued, individuals who demonstrate it may paradoxically be perceived as less human. In her standout paper, "Determined Yet Dehumanized: People Higher in Self-Control Are Seen as More Robotic," Lapka and her colleagues argue that because desire and vulnerability to temptation are considered fundamentally human traits, those who resist such desires may appear machine-like or robotic to observers. This insight bridges research on moral psychology, social cognition, and the emerging discourse around human-machine comparisons in an increasingly automated world. With nearly 20 citations across versions of this work, her research has begun attracting meaningful scholarly attention. For students and researchers interested in how everyday virtues shape interpersonal perception and dehumanization, Lapka's work offers a thought-provoking lens through which to reconsider what society's admiration for self-control might quietly cost those who embody it.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2