Lotte van Dillen
Professor Social psychology
- Name
- Prof.dr. L.F. van Dillen
- Telephone
- +31 71 527 1362
- dillenlfvan@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
- ORCID iD
- 0000-0002-3003-5488
Lotte van Dillen is professor of Social cognition and decision making at the unit of Social, Economic and Organisational Psychology of Leiden University, researcher and advisor at the Knowledge Center for Psychology and Economic Behavior (KCPEG) and a member of the Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC). In addition, Lotte teaches about decision making at the individual and group level for the Academy for Legislators (Academie voor Wetgeving) and the Study Centre for the Judiciary (Studiecentrum voor Rechtspleging).
More information about Lotte van Dillen
News
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How do we make choices in an overwhelming world? That is what Lotte van Dillen will study as new Professor Social Cognition and Decision Making -
'I don't want that benefit anymore': Why people aren't claiming the financial support they're entitled to -
The new self-evaluation of the Institute of Psychology: ‘The quality of the academic culture is more important’ -
Intriguing food reflex discovered with a smartphone -
Feeling overwhelmed by your PhD? This new infographic offers guidance -
NWO Open Competition grants for six researchers -
NWO grant for research Lotte van Dillen on how distractions influence eating and drinking behaviour -
Psychology Science Day 2022 -
Healthy Society Event: lots of inspiration exchanged about societal wellbeing and social sciences -
What drives Lotte van Dillen, the new Psychology Director of Research? -
Andrea Evers’ role in the new Executive Board of Psychology -
Psychology Awards 2021 -
Social Science Matters: How useful is deprivation of liberty? -
Lotte van Dillen starts the European collaborative project Work Hard, Play Hard
Leiden Psychology Blog
Lotte van Dillen is professor of Social cognition and decision making at the unit of Social, Economic and Organisational Psychology of Leiden University, researcher and advisor at the Knowledge Center for Psychology and Economic Behavior (KCPEG) and a member of the Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC). In addition, Lotte teaches about decision making at the individual and group level for the Academy for Legislators (Academie voor Wetgeving) and the Study Centre for the Judiciary (Studiecentrum voor Rechtspleging).
Research area
The central premise in Lotte’s research is that our mental capacity is limited, and that this has consequences for what we (or do not perceive), feel, think and decide.
Due to recent technological and social developments, such as digitization and the 24/7 economy, information is coming at us at any time of the day and multitasking has become the norm. At the same time, our brain's mental capacity to process this information is limited. This can put pressure on our judgment and decision-making. Information is no longer properly integrated, or certain aspects are taken into account too much or too little. This can have negative consequences for our individual well-being, and for society as a whole.
Mental load and stress can disrupt the processing of sensory stimuli such as taste and hunger, and thus contribute to unhealthier choices. Time constraints, administrative burden and financial worries can contribute to an unbalanced emphasis on the short term at the expense of long-term returns. And new information technologies and simulation techniques can lead to certain forms of information being perceived as more intrusive, and 'reflecting the objective truth', while other relevant aspects are more easily overlooked, thus affecting truth finding.
A good understanding of the origin of such biases in judgment and decision-making is crucial to promote more balanced and effective choice behaviour. This requires an integrative behavioural science approach that pays attention to both the (neuro)psychological mechanisms of individual judgement and decision-making behaviour, as well as the socio-psychological context in which these take place.
Short CV
Lotte van Dillen obtained her Master's degree in social psychology (cum laude) and in cognitive psychology (cum laude) at the University of Amsterdam in 2004. From 2004 to 2008 she conducted her dissertation research at the ‘other’ university from Amsterdam: the VU University. At the end of 2008 she successfully defended her dissertation (cum laude), in which she examined the role of working memory in the experience of negative feelings. In 2009-2010, Lotte worked as a post-doc at Utrecht University and then New York University after which she moved to Leiden University. From January 2022 until September 2025, Lotte served as Research Director at the Psychology Institute Board.
Teaching
Supervisor Master thesis and intersnhip
Supervisor Master research apprenticeship
Lecturer Social Judgment and Decision Making (MSc)
Social and Organizational Psychology (BSc)
Social Psychology in Organizations (BSc)
Awards/Grants
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May 2023 ‘Distracted and disaffected. How daily distractions influence our dietary consumption habits and glucose dynamics’ (€400,000). NWO Open Competition SSH-M.
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March 2021 'Beelden betwisten: het bevragen van camerabeelden in de politiepraktijk [Contesting images: questioning camera recordings in police practice]'. Awarded by Politie en Wetenschap [Police and Science Program] (€91,000). Together with Dr Gabry Vanderveen (Erasmus School of Law).
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December 2020 'How we eat: an inventory of consumption settings and their effect on diet and health'. ODISSEI-LISS 2020 call (€10,000). Together with Dr Floor van Meer, Dr. Frank de Vos and Frederike Mensink.
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December 2020 ''Poor benefits. The role of financial stress in the non-take-up of social welfare.'. ODISSEI-LISS 2020 call (€10,000). Together with Drs Olaf Simonse, Prof. Eric van Dijk and Prof. Wilco van Dijk.
- ‘Work hard, play hard. Neuropsychological correlates and behavioral implications of hedonic compensation’ (€553,254). With Prof. Wilhelm Hofmann (Co-PI) & Dr Henk van Steenbergen (Co-I). Open Research Area (ORA). September 2018
- ‘Conditioning of insulin responses. A high risk – high gain intervention for diabetes type-2’ (€100,000). With Prof. Andrea Evers (PI), Prof. Hanno Pijl, Dr Judy Veldhuizen, & Drs Alexandrina Skvortsova. Diabetesfonds & ZonMW. July 2018
- December 2017 'Verbeelding in de verhoorkamer.' [visualisations during interrogations]. Awarded by Politie en Wetenschap (€103,000). Together with Dr. Verhoeven and Dr. Vanderveen (Erasmus School of Law).
- May 2014 ‘Aandacht voor smaak. De neuropsychologische mechanismen van smaakbeleving.’ [paying attention to taste. The neuropsychological mechanisms of taste perception.] Awarded by the Gratama Stichting (€24,680).
- December 2013 Teacher of the year. Institute of psychology, Leiden University.
- February 2012 ‘Ire and Punishment. The Role of Negative Emotions and Attentional Control in Children's, Adolescents' and Adults' Punishment.’ Together with Dr. Michaela Gummerum (Developmental Psychology, Plymouth University, UK) and Prof. dr. Eric van Dijk (Social and Organizational Psychology, Leiden University, the Netherlands). Awarded by the ERSC (Economic and Social research Counsil; £209,00).
Other academic activities
- Associate editor: Journal of Experimental Psychology General
- Co-chair of the NWO advisory board Behavior and Education
- Editorial board member for:
Motivation Science
Cognition and Emotion
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology - Fellow of the Society of Experimental Social Psychology
Professor Social psychology
- Social & Behavioural Sciences
- Psychology
- Soc., Econom. and Organisat Psych.
- Coppelmans J.N., Wagemans F.M.A. & Dillen L.F. van (2024), An empirical investigation of emotion and the criminal law: towards a “criminalization bias”?, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 11: 513.
- Simonse O., Dijk W. van, Dillen L.F. van & Dijk E. van (2024), Economic predictors of the subjective experience of financial stress, Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance 42: 100933.
- Simonse O., Dillen L.F. van, Dijk W. van & Dijk E. van (2024), Waarom laten mensen toeslagen liggen? , Gerōn: Tijdschrift over ouder worden & samenleving 31(1): .
- Murphy S.L., Meer F. van, Dillen L. van, Steenbergen H. van & Hofmann W. (2024), Underwhelming pleasures: toward a self-regulatory account of hedonic compensation and overconsumption, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 127(2): 312–334.
- Dillen L.F. van, Duijvenvoorde A.C.K. van, Voorde J.M. ten & Wolf M.J.F. van der (Eds.) (2024), Brein & Recht: reflecties op de rol van het brein bij waarheidsvinding, aansprakelijkheid en bestraffing. Den Haag: Boom.
- Murphy S.L., Meer F. van, Dillen L.F. van, Steenbergen H. & Hofmann W. (2024), Underwhelming pleasures: toward a self-regulatory account of hedonic compensation and overconsumption, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 127(2): 312-334.
- Dillen L. F. van & Keesman M. (2024), Doenlijk beleid dient centraal te staan gedurende het héle beleidstraject, Economisch Statistische Berichten 109(4833): 210-212.
- Dillen L.F. van & Hofmann W. (2023), Room for feelings: a “working memory” account of affective processing, Emotion Review 15(2): 145-157.
- Meer A.F. van, Murphy S., Hofmann W., Steenbergen H. van & Dillen L.F. van (2023), Driven to snack: simulated driving increases subsequent consumption , Journal of Trial & Error : .
- Simonse O., Knoef M.G., Dillen L.F. van, Dijk W. van & Dijk E. van (2023), Psychological barriers to take-up of healthcare and child support benefits in the Netherlands, Journal of European Social Policy 33(3): 353-372.
- Skvortsova A., Veldhuijzen D.S., Dillen L.F. van, Zech H.G., Derksen S.M.J.C., Sars R.H., Meijer O.C., Pijl H. & Evers A.W.M. (2023), Influencing the insulin system by placebo effects in patients with diabetes type 2 and healthy controls: a randomized controlled trial, Psychosomatic Medicine 85(6): 551-560.
- Wingerden S.G.C. van, Dillen L. van & Vanderveen G.N.G. (2023), Het effect van de huidskleur van de dader op de straftoemeting: een experimenteel onderzoek, Proces: Tijdschrift voor Strafrechtspleging 102(4): 221-240.
- Zech H.G., Dijk W. van & Dillen L.F. van (2023), Food approach dynamics in daily life: speed and force of food approach movements fluctuate with hunger, but less so for people with high BMI, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General 152(8): 2300-2317.
- van Dillen L.F. (2023), Camerabeelden bevragen en duiden: psychologische vertekeningen en mogelijke richtlijnen, Expertise en Recht 3: 80 (84).
- Meer A.F. van, Steenbergen H. van & Dillen L.F. van (2023), The effect of cognitive load on preference and intensity processing of sweet taste in the brain, Appetite 188: 106630.
- Dare S.E., Dijk W.W. van, Dijk E. van Dillen L.F. van, Gallucci M & Simonse O. (2023), How executive functioning and financial self-efficacy predict subjective financial well-being via positive financial behaviors, Journal of Family and Economic Issues 44(2): 232-248.
- Simonse O., Vanderveen G., Dillen L.F. van, Dijk W.W. van & Dijk E. van (2023), Social security or insecurity? The experience of welfare participation by financially vulnerable households in the Netherlands, Social Policy and Administration 57(3): 255-271.
- Gummerum M., López-Pérez B., Dijk E. van & Dillen L.F. van (2022), Ire and punishment: incidental anger and costly punishment in children, adolescents, and adults, Journal of Experimental Child Psychology 218: 105376.
- Werf M.M.B. van der, Van Dijk W.W., Schonewille G.A., Steeg M.W. van der & Dillen L.F. van (2022), Encouraging recalibration of student loans in the Netherlands: the impact of information about future costs and the ease of adjustment, Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance 34: 100637.
- Meer A.F. van, Vos F. de, Hermans R.C.J., Peeters P.A. & Dillen L.F. van (2022), Daily distracted consumption patterns and their relationship with BMI, Appetite 176: 106136.
- Simonse O., Dijk W. van, Dillen L.F. van & Dijk E. van (2022), The role of financial stress in mental health changes during COVID-19, Mental Health Research 1: 15.
- Zech H.G., Gable P., Dijk W.W. van & Dillen L.F. van (2022), Test-retest reliability of a smartphone-based approach-avoidance task: effects of retest period, stimulus type, and demographics, Behavior Research Methods : 1-17.
- Dijk W. van, Werf M.M.B. van der & Dillen L.F. van (2022), The psychological inventory of financial scarcity (PIFS): a psychometric evaluation, Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics 101: 101939.
- Simonse O., Vanderveen G., Dillen L.F. van, Dijk W. van & Dijk E. van (2022), Waarom mensen geen gebruik maken van sociale voorzieningen, Sociaal Bestek 84(6).
- Eldar E., Pessiglione M. & Dillen L.F. van (2021), Positive affect as a computational mechanism, Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences 39: 52-57.
- Nummenmaa L. & Dillen L.F. van (2021), Carnal pleasures, Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences 39: 85-92.
- Dillen L.F. van, Lelieveld G.-J., Hofmann W. & Kwaadsteniet E.W. de (2021), ‘Sharing in need’: how allocator and recipient's hunger shape food distributions in a dictator game, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 95: 104152.
- Werf M.M.B. van der, Dijk W.W. van & Dillen L.F. van (2021), De invloed van de keuzeomgeving: hoe kunnen we gezond financieel gedrag bevorderen met inzichten uit de gedragswetenschappen. , Vakblad Financiële Planning 2021/44: .
- Werf M.M.B. van der, Dijk W. van & Dillen L.F. van (2021), De invloed van de keuzeomgeving: hoe kunnen we gezond financieel gedrag bevorderen met inzichten uit de gedragswetenschappen? , Tijdschrift voor Schuldsanering 2: 8-11.
- Dillen L.F. van, Ellemers N. & Strick M. (2021), Psychologie: voer voor juristen. In: , Naar wetten die werken 85-92.
- Vanderveen G., Verhoeven W.-J. & Dillen L.F. van (2 November 2021), Discrepantie tussen beelden en proces-verbaal. Discrepantie tussen beelden en proces-verbaal. [blog entry].
- Gummerum M., López-Pérez B., Dijk E. van & Dillen L.F. van (2020), When punishment is emotion‐driven: children's, adolescents’, and adults’ costly punishment of unfair allocations, Social Development 29(1): 126-142.
- Dare S.E., Dijk W.W. van, Dijk E. van, Dillen L.F. van, Gallucci M. & Simonse O. (2020), The effect of financial education on pupil's financial knowlegde and skills: evidence from a Solomon four-group design, The Journal of Educational Research 113(2): 93-107.
- Verhoeven W.J. Vanderveen G. Dillen L.F. van Kruit S. Hysaj M. (2020), Verbeelding in de verhoorkamer: de invloed van het gebruik van beeldmateriaal in het verhoor op verhoortechnieken en proceshouding. Politiewetenschap no. 117.
- Lelieveld G.-J., Harris L.T. & Dillen L.F. van (2020), Jumping on the 'bad'wagon? How group membership influences responses to the social exclusion of others, Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience 15(5): 571-586.
- Zech H.G. Rotteveel M. Dijk W.W. van Dillen L.F. van (2020), A mobile approach-avoidance task, Behavior Research Methods 52: 2085–2097.
- Ghoniem A. Van Dillen L.F. Hofmann W. (2020), Choice architecture meets motivation science: How stimulus availability interacts with internal factors in shaping the desire for food, Appetite 155: e104815.
- Vanderveen G.N.G., Wingerden S.G.C. van, Dillen L.F. van & Dubelaar M.J. (2020), Beeldmateriaal. Empririsch onderzoek naar aard en gevolgen in het strafrecht. In: Bijleveld C., Akkermans A., Malsch M., Marseille B. & Smit M. (Eds.), Nederlandse Encyclopedie Empirical Legal Studies. Den Haag: Boom juridisch. 803-842.
- Dare S.E., Dijk W.W. van, Dijk E. van, Dillen L.F. van, Gallucci M. & Simonse O. (2020), The road to financial satisfaction: testing the paths of knowledge, attitudes, sense of control and positive financial behaviors, Journal of Financial Therapy 11(2): e2.
- Van der Werf M.M.B., Van Dijk W.W., Wilderjans T.F. & Van Dillen L.F. (2019), The road to the piggy bank: Two behavioural interventions to increase savings. In: Sassenberg K. & Vliek M.L.W. (Eds.), Social Psychology in Action: Evidence-based Interventions from Theory to Practice: Springer, Cham. 195-204.
- Hofmann W. & Van Dillen L.F. (2018), Experiencing and regulating desire. In: Zeigler-Hill V. & Shackelford T.K. (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Personality and Individual Differences. Oakland USA: SAGE Publications Ltd.. 283-299.
- Van Dillen L.F. & Van Steenbergen H. (2018), Tuning down the hedonic brain: Working memory load reduces neural responses to high-calorie food images in the nucleus accumbens, Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience 18(3): 447-459.
- Van Dijk W.W., Van Dillen L.F., Rotteveel M. & Seip E.C. (2017), Looking into the crystal ball of our emotional lives: emotion regulation and the overestimation of future guilt and shame, Cognition and Emotion 31(3): 616-624.
- Kedia G., Harris L., Lelieveld G. & Van Dillen L.F. (2017), From the brain to the field: the applications of social neuroscience to economics, health and law, Brain Sciences 7(8): e94.
- Van Dillen L.F. & Vanderveen G.N.G. (2017), Gruwelijke beelden van plaatsen delict: kijkstrategieën, opgewekte emoties en oordeelsvorming, Tijdschrift voor Criminologie 59(1-2): 176-193.
- Van Dillen L.F., Enter D., Peters L.P.M., Van Dijk W.W. & Rotteveel M. (2017), Moral fixations: the role of moral integrity and social anxiety in the selective avoidance of social threat, Biological Psychology 122: 51-58.
- Gummerum M., Van Dillen L.F., Van Dijk E. & López-Pérez B. (2016), Costly third-party interventions: The role of incidental anger and attention focus in punishment of the perpetrator and compensation of the victim, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 65: 94-104.
- Van Dillen L.F. & Andrade J. (2016), Derailing the streetcar named desire. Cognitive distractions reduce individual differences in cravings and unhealthy snacking in response to palatable food, Appetite 96(1): 102-110.
- Van Dillen L.F., Harris L.T., Van Dijk W.W. & Rotteveel M. (2015), Looking with different eyes: The psychological meaning of categorization goals moderates selective processing of facial expression of emotion, Cognition and Emotion 29(8): 1382-1400.
- Van Dillen L.F. & Papies E.K. (2015), From distraction to mindfulness: Psychological and neural mechanisms of attention strategies in self-regulation. In: Gendolla G.H.E., Tops M. & Koole S.L. (Eds.), Handbook of Biobehavioral Approaches to Self-Regulation. New York USA: Springer Science-Business Media New York. 141-154.
- Seip E.C., Rotteveel M., Van Dillen L.F. & Van Dijk W.W. (2014), Schadenfreude and the desire for vengeance. In: Dijk W.W. van & Ouwerkerk J.W. (Eds.), Schadenfreude: Understanding pleasure at the misfortune of others. Cambridge United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. 227-241.
- Wal R. van der & Dillen L.F. van (2013), Leaving a flat taste in your mouth: Task load reduces taste perception, Psychological Science 24(7): 1277-1284.
- Vanderveen G.N.G. & Van Dillen L. (2013), Digitalisering maakt strafrechtspraktijk kleurig. Met alle onbekende gevolgen van dien, Proces: Tijdschrift voor Strafrechtspleging 92(5): 315-317.
- Dillen L.F. van, Papies E.K. & Hofmann W. (2013), Turning a blind eye to temptation: How cognitive load can facilitate self regulation, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 104(3): 427-443.
- Dillen L.F. van & Derks B. (2012), Working memory load reduces facilitated processing of threatening faces: An ERP study, Emotion 12(6): 1340-1349.
- Van Dijk W.W., Van Dillen L.F., Seip E. & Rotteveel M. (2012), Kijken in de glazen bol van onze emoties: Emotieregulatie en het overschatten van boosheid en verdriet. In: Ven N. van, Baas M., Dillen L. van, Lakens D., Lokhorst A.M. & Strick M. (Eds.), Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie 2011. Groningen: ASPO Pers. 45-48.
- Lelieveld G.-J., Van Dillen L.F., Van Dijk W.W. & Van Dijk E. (2012), Iedereen aan de bal: De geneigdheid om uitsluiting van anderen te voorkomen. In: Ven N. van, Baas M., Dillen L. van, Lakens D., Lokhorst A.M. & Strick M. (Eds.), Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie 2011. Groningen: ASPO Pers.
- Asadi S., Seip E., Van Dijk W.W., Rotteveel M., Fischer A. & Van Dillen L.F. (2012), Wraak. In: Ven N. van, Baas M., Dillen L. van, Lakens D., Lokhorst A.M. & Strick M. (Eds.), Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie. Groningen: ASPO Pers. 21-24.
- Seip E.C., Rotteveel M., Van Dijk W.W. & Van Dillen L.F. (2012), Straffen onder druk brengt de ware aard naar boven: De invloed van verminderde zelfcontrole op kostbaar straffen, expliciete emotie en impliciet affect. In: Ven N. van de, Baas M., Dillen L. van, Lakens D., Lokhorst A.M. & Strick M. (Eds.), Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie 2011. Groningen: ASPO Pers. 203-206.
- Van de Ven N., Baas M., Van Dillen L.F., Lakens D., Lokhorst A.M. & Strick M. (Eds.) (2012), Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie 2011. Groningen: ASPO Pers.
- Strick M., Baas M., Van L.F., Dotsch R., Lakens D. & De Vries M. (Eds.) (2012), Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie 2012. Groningen: ASPO Pers.
- Van Dillen L.F., Van der Wal R.C. & Van den Bos K. (2012), On the role of attention and emotion in morality: Attentional control modulates unrelated disgust in moral judgements, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 38(9): 1221-1230.
- Van Dijk W.W., Van Dillen L.F., Seip E.C. & Rotteveel M. (2012), Emotional time travel: Emotion regulation and the overestimation of future anger and sadness, European Journal of Social Psychology 42(3): 308-313.
- Hofmann W. & Van Dillen L.F. (2012), Desire: The new hotspot in self-control research, Current Directions in Psychological Science 21(5): 317-322.
- Karremans J.C., Heslenfeld D.J., Van Dillen L.F. & Van Lange P.A.M. (2011), Secure attachment partners attenuate neural responses to social exclusion: An fMRI investigation, International Journal of Psychophysiology 81(1): 44-50.
- Van Dillen L.F., Lakens D. & Van den Bos C. (2011), At face value: Categorization goals modulate vigilance for angry faces, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 47(1): 235-240.
- Wal R.C. van der, Dillen L.F. van & Bos K. van den (2010), Met een zuivere blik: Het effect van aandachtscontrole op walging in morele oordelen. In: Prooijen J.W. van, Renes R.J., Derks B., Stel M. & Vliek M. (Eds.), Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie 2009. Groningen: Aspo. 487-494.
- Dillen L.F. van (2009), Do the math. Cognitive load attenuates negative feelings, In-Mind (Inquisitive Mind) (10): 1-4.
- Dillen L.F. van (2009), Do the Math. Cognitive load attenuates negative feelings, In-Mind Magazine : .
- Dillen L.F. van & Koole S.L. (2009), How automatic is "automatic vigilance"? The role of working memory in interference of negative information, Cognition and Emotion 23: 1106-1117.
- Dillen L.F. van, Heslenfeld D.J. & Koole S.L. (2009), Tuning down the emotional brain: an fMRI study of the effects of cognitive load on the processing of affective images, NEUROIMAGE 45: 1212-1219.
- Dillen L.F. van & Koole S.L. (2007), Clearing the mind: a working memory model of distraction from negative mood, Emotion 7: 715-723.
- Teaching
- teaching