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dr. B.T. (Bastiaan) Rutjens

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Programme group Social Psychology
Photographer: Bas Uterwijk
Visiting address
  • Nieuwe Achtergracht 129
  • Room number: 2.31
Postal address
  • Postbus 15900
    1001 NK Amsterdam
Contact details
  • Bastiaan Rutjens

    I am an assistant professor at the psychology department of the University of Amsterdam. My main research interest lies in the psychology of science. Besides individual thesis supervision, I teach the courses "Applying Research Methods" (Social Psychology Master programs), "Cultural Psychology" (PPLE program), and "Decision making" (PPLE program).


    Please visit my personal research website for the latest news and an up-to-date list of publications.

    Visit my personal research website here

  • Uncertainty Lab

    Visit the Amsterdam Uncertainty Lab website here

  • Publications

    2019

    • Rutjens, B. T., & Brandt, M. J. (2019). Belief systems and the perception of reality: An introduction. In B. T. Rutjens, & M. J. Brandt (Eds.), Belief systems and the perception of reality (pp. 1-6). Abingdon: Routledge. [details] 

    2018

    • O'Donnell, M., Nelson, L. D., Ackermann, E., Aczel, B., Akhtar, A., Aldrovandi, S., ... Zrubka, M. (2018). Registered Replication Report: Dijksterhuis and van Knippenberg (1998). Perspectives on Psychological Science, 13(2), 268-294. DOI: 10.1177/1745691618755704 
    • Rutjens, B. T., Heine, S. J., Sutton, R. M., & van Harreveld, F. (2018). Chapter Three - Attitudes Towards Science. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 57, 125-165. DOI: 10.1016/bs.aesp.2017.08.001  [details] 
    • Rutjens, B. T., Sutton, R. M., & van der Lee, R. (2018). Not All Skepticism Is Equal: Exploring the Ideological Antecedents of Science Acceptance and Rejection. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 44(3), 384-405. DOI: 10.1177/0146167217741314  [details] 
    • O'Donnell, M., & et al. (Accepted/In press). Registered Replication Report: Dijksterhuis & van Knippenberg (1998). Perspectives on Psychological Science, 13(2), 268-294.
    • Sutton, R. M., Petterson, A., & Rutjens, B. T. (2018). Post-truth, anti-truth, and can’t-handle-the-truth: How responses to science are shaped by concerns about its impact. In B. T. Rutjens, & M. J. Brandt (Eds.), Belief systems and the perception of reality (pp. 164-178). (Current issues in social psychology). London: Routledge. [details] 

    2017

    • Van der Lee, R., Ellemers, N., Scheepers, D., & Rutjens, B. T. (2017). In or out? How the perceived morality (vs. competence) of prospective group members affects acceptance and rejection. European Journal of Social Psychology, 47(6), 748-762. DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2269  [details] 
    • Rutjens, B. T., & Kay, A. C. (2017). Compensatory Control Theory and the Psychological Importance of Perceiving Order. In M. Bukowski, I. Fritsche, A. Guinote, & M. Kofta (Eds.), Coping with Lack of Control in a Social World (pp. 83-96). (Current Issues in Social Psychology). London: Routledge. [details] 
    • van Elk, M., Rutjens, B. T., & van Harreveld, F. (2017). Why are Protestants more prosocial than Catholics? A comparative study among orthodox Dutch believers. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 27(1), 65-81. DOI: 10.1080/10508619.2017.1245023  [details] 

    2016

    • Rutjens, B. T., & Heine, S. J. (2016). The immoral landscape? Scientists are associated with violations of morality. PLoS One, 11(4), [e0152798]. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152798  [details] 
    • Rutjens, B. T., van Harreveld, F., van der Pligt, J., van Elk, M., & Pyszczynski, T. (2016). A march to a better world? Religiosity and the existential function of belief in social-moral progress. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 26(1), 1-18. DOI: 10.1007/BF00139366  [details] 
    • de Dreu, C. K. W., Rutjens, B. T., & van Kleef, G. A. (2016). De veranderende positie van de hoogleraar en de promovendus. In F. van Harreveld, & A. P. Buunk (Eds.), Pligtsbesef: Een geschiedenis van de Nederlandse sociale psychologie (pp. 53-66). ASPO Press.
    • van Elk, M., Rutjens, B. T., van der Pligt, J., & van Harreveld, F. (2016). Priming of supernatural agent concepts and agency detection. Religion, Brain & Behavior, 6(1), 4-33. DOI: 10.1080/2153599X.2014.933444  [details] 

    2015

    • van Elk, M., Rutjens, B. T., & van der Pligt, J. (2015). The development of the illusion of control and sense of agency in 7- to-12-year old children and adults. Cognition, 145, 1-12. DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2015.08.004  [details] 

    2014

    • Meijers, M. H. C., & Rutjens, B. T. (2014). Affirming belief in scientific progress reduces environmentally friendly behaviour. European Journal of Social Psychology, 44(5), 487-495. DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2009  [details] 
    • van Harreveld, F., Rutjens, B. T., Schneider, I. K., Nohlen, H. U., & Keskinis, K. (2014). In doubt and disorderly: Ambivalence promotes compensatory perceptions of order. Journal of Experimental Psychology. General, 143(4), 1666-1676. DOI: 10.1037/a0036099  [details] 

    2013

    • Rutjens, B. T., van Harreveld, F., & van der Pligt, J. (2013). Step by step: finding compensatory order in science. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22(3), 250-255. DOI: 10.1177/0963721412469810  [details] 
    • Rutjens, B. T., van Harreveld, F., van der Pligt, J., Kreemers, L. M., & Noordewier, M. K. (2013). Steps, stages, and structure: finding compensatory order in scientific theories. Journal of Experimental Psychology. General, 142(2), 313-318. DOI: 10.1037/a0028716  [details] 

    2012

    • Rutjens, B. T., van der Pligt, J., & van Harreveld, F. (2012). Regulating psychological threat: the motivational consequences of threatening contexts. In K. J. Jonas, & T. A. Morton (Eds.), Restoring civil societies: the psychology of intervention and engagement following crisis (pp. 38-56). (Social issues and interventions). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. [details] 
    • Vail, K. E., Juhl, J., Arndt, J., Vess, M., Routledge, C., & Rutjens, B. T. (2012). When death is good for life: considering the positive trajectories of terror management. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 16(4), 303-329. DOI: 10.1177/1088868312440046  [details] 

    2011

    • Schneider, I. K., Rutjens, B. T., Jostmann, N. B., & Lakens, D. (2011). Weighty matters: importance literally feels heavy. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 2(5), 474-478. DOI: 10.1177/1948550610397895  [details] 
    • Wojtkowiak, J., & Rutjens, B. T. (2011). The postself and terror management theory: reflecting on after death identity buffers existential threat. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 21(2), 137-144. DOI: 10.1080/10508619.2011.557008  [details] 

    2010

    • Rutjens, B. T., & Loseman, A. (2010). The society-supporting self: system justification and cultural worldview defense as different forms of self-regulation. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 13(2), 241-250. DOI: 10.1177/1368430209351703  [details] 
    • Rutjens, B. T., & Meijers, M. H. C. (2010). Teveel van het goede: hoe een sterk geloof in wetenschappelijke vooruitgang duurzaamheid tegenwerkt. Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie, 2010, 373-380. [details] 
    • Rutjens, B. T., van Harreveld, F., & van der Pligt, J. (2010). Yes we can: belief in progress as compensatory control. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 1(3), 246-252. DOI: 10.1177/1948550610361782  [details] 
    • Rutjens, B. T., van der Pligt, J., & van Harreveld, F. (2010). Deus or Darwin: randomness and belief in theories about the origin of life. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 46(6), 1078-1080. DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2010.07.009  [details] 
    • Wojtkowiak, J., Rutjens, B. T., & Venbrux, E. (2010). Meaning making and death in a secular society: a Dutch survey study. Archiv für Religionspsychologie = Archive for the psychology of religion, 32(3), 363-373. DOI: 10.1163/157361210X532059  [details] 

    2009

    • Rutjens, B. T., van der Pligt, J., & van Harreveld, F. (2009). Things will get better: the anxiety-buffering qualities of progressive hope. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 35(5), 535-543. DOI: 10.1177/0146167208331252  [details] 
    • van Harreveld, F., Rutjens, B. T., Rotteveel, M., Nordgren, L. F., & van der Pligt, J. (2009). Ambivalence and decisional conflict as a cause of psychological discomfort: feeling tense before jumping off the fence. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 45(1), 167-173. DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2008.08.015  [details] 

    2008

    • Rutjens, B. T., & van der Pligt, J. (2008). Succes alleen is niet genoeg: Standaardverhoging en sociale vergelijking. Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie, 2008, 365-372. [details] 

    2018

    2015

    2014

    2013

    • van Harreveld, F., van der Pligt, J., & Rutjens, B. (2013). Dat kan geen toeval zijn. De psychologie van ons bijgeloof. Amsterdam: Nieuw Amsterdam. [details] 

    2010

    • Meijers, M. H. C., & Rutjens, B. T. (2010). Teveel van het goede: Hoe een sterk geloof in wetenschappelijke vooruitgang duurzaamheid tegenwerkt. Paper presented at ASPO-congres, Amsterdam, .

    Award

    • Rutjens, B. T. (2018). EASP Seedcorn Grant.
    • Rutjens, B. (2018). Seedcorn grant (€2000) for project on science skepticism in Europe.
    • Rutjens, B. T. (2017). BA/Leverhulme Small Research Grant.
    • Storm, I., van Harreveld, F. & Rutjens, B. T. (2016). Seedcorn grant (€2000) from the European Association of Social Psychologists (EASP) for cross cultural research on the functions of religion..
    • Rutjens, B. T. (2014). Axa Research Fund, grant €120,000) to work on a project on threat compensation and risk seeking, 2014-2016.
    • Rutjens, B. T. (2012). Niels Stensen Foundation
Stipend (€44,000) to conduct postdoctoral
research at the University of British Columbia,
Canada, for the duration of one year..

    Media appearance

    • van Harreveld, F. & Rutjens, B. (01-06-2019). Alles onder controle [Print] Skepter. Alles onder controle.
    • Rutjens, B. (08-10-2018). Waarom zoveel mensen twijfelen aan vaccins, gentech of klimaatverandering. [Print] De Morgen. Waarom zoveel mensen twijfelen aan vaccins, gentech of klimaatverandering..
    • Rutjens, B. (05-10-2018). Een bakfietsmoeder die haar kind niet wil laten inenten heeft geen boodschap aan extra kennis. [Print] De Volkskrant. Een bakfietsmoeder die haar kind niet wil laten inenten heeft geen boodschap aan extra kennis..
    • Rutjens, B. (19-09-2018). Ideology influences facts and leads to conflict. [Web] University of Amsterdam News. Ideology influences facts and leads to conflict..
    • Rutjens, B. (20-06-2018). Dass ist doch gar nicht erwiesen. [Web] Technology Review. Article in Technology Review: Dass ist doch gar nicht erwiesen..
    • van Harreveld, F. & Rutjens, B. (28-02-2018). The genesis of a conspiracy theory.. EMBO Reports.
    • Rutjens, B. (31-12-2017). Heb je als wetenschapper mooie resultaten gepubliceerd over vaccins, gelooft niemand je. [Print] Dagblad Trouw. Heb je als wetenschapper mooie resultaten gepubliceerd over vaccins, gelooft niemand je..
    • Rutjens, B. (06-12-2017). Wetenschap anders framen leidt tot minder scepsis. [Print] Folia. Wetenschap anders framen leidt tot minder scepsis..
    • Rutjens, B. (04-12-2017). Here's how your beliefs are linked to different types of science denial. [Web] IFL Science. Here's how your beliefs are linked to different types of science denial..
    • Rutjens, B. (04-12-2017). Religieuze of politieke overtuiging voedt wantrouwen in wetenschap. [Radio] Dagblad Trouw. Interview Trouw.
    • Rutjens, B. (04-12-2017). Exploring the ideological antecedents of science acceptance and rejection [Web] https://phys.org/news/2017-12-exploring-ideological-antecedents-science.html. Exploring the ideological antecedents of science acceptance and rejection..
    • Rutjens, B. (04-12-2017). Religieuze of politieke overtuiging voedt wantrouwen in de wetenschap Trouw. Religieuze of politieke overtuiging voedt wantrouwen in wetenschap.
    • Rutjens, B. (04-12-2017). Religieuze of politieke overtuiging voedt wantrouwen in wetenschap. [Print]. Religieuze of politieke overtuiging voedt wantrouwen in wetenschap..
    • Rutjens, B. (04-12-2017). The ideological antecedents of science scepticism [Web] Phys.org. The ideological antecedents of science scepticism.
    • Rutjens, B. (04-12-2017). Religieuze of politieke overtuiging voedt wantrouwen in wetenschap [Web] Trouw. Religieuze of politieke overtuiging voedt wantrouwen in wetenschap.
    • Rutjens, B. (04-12-2017). Anti vaccine parents have very different moral values. [Print] Washington Post. Anti Vaccine Parents have very different moral value..
    • Rutjens, B. (04-12-2017). Anti vaccine parents have very different moral values [Print] Washington Post. Anti vaccine parents have very different moral values.
    • Rutjens, B. (04-12-2017). Science scepticism [Web] University of Amsterdam News. Wetenschapsscepsis kent verschillende vormen..
    • Rutjens, B. (01-12-2017). Scepticism takes many forms. [Web] University of Amsterdam News. Scepticism takes many forms..
    • Rutjens, B. (13-10-2017). Dat kan geen toeval zijn. [Television] Hart van Nederland. Dat kan geen toeval zijn..
    • Rutjens, B. (13-10-2017). Interview about superstition. [Television] Hart van Nederland. Interview about superstition..
    • Rutjens, B. (10-04-2017). Interview about boredom research. [Print] Quest Magazine. Interview about boredom research..
    • Rutjens, B. (10-04-2017). Is het goed om je af en toe te vervelen? [Print] Quest Magazine. Is het goed om je af en toe te vervelen?.
    • Rutjens, B. (23-11-2016). Vier dingen die je niet wist over bijgeloof. [Web] Dela website. Vier dingen die je niet wist over bijgeloof..
    • Rutjens, B. (23-11-2016). Item about superstition [Radio] NPO Radio 5. Item about superstition.
    • Rutjens, B. (23-11-2016). Bijgeloof, helpen rituelen daarbij? [Radio] NPO Radio 5. Bijgeloof, helpen rituelen daarbij?.
    • Rutjens, B. (23-11-2016). Bijgeloof bij artiesten en sporters [Radio] NPO radio. Bijgeloof bij artiesten en sporters..
    • Rutjens, B. (06-06-2016). Phys.org: The anatomy of science denial [Web]. The anatomy of science denial.
    • Rutjens, B. (03-05-2016). Fare sesso con polli morti e altre cose da scienziati. [Web] Vice Italy. Fare sesso con polli morti e altre cose da scienziati..
    • Rutjens, B. (25-04-2016). Los cientificos tan malvados como para hacerle eso a un pollo. [Web] 20 minutos Spain. Los cientificos tan malvados como para hacerle eso a un pollo..
    • Rutjens, B. (21-04-2016). Oh these scientists [Web]. Oh these scientists.
    • Rutjens, B. (20-04-2016). Anti-scientist prejudice [Web] British Psychological Society. Anti-scientist prejudice.
    • Rutjens, B. (20-04-2016). British Psychological Society: Anti-scientist prejudice [Web]. British Psychological Society: Anti-scientist prejudice.
    • Rutjens, B. (18-04-2016). How we really see scientists [Web] Pacific Standard. How we really see scientists.
    • Rutjens, B. (10-04-2016). Scientists Largely Trusted, But Also Seen As 'Inhuman' [Radio] National Public Radio. Scientists Largely Trusted, But Also Seen As 'Inhuman'.
    • Rutjens, B. (10-04-2016). National Public Radio: Scientists Largely Trusted, But Also Seen As 'Inhuman' [Radio]. National Public Radio: Scientists Largely Trusted, But Also Seen As 'Inhuman'.
    • Rutjens, B. (06-04-2016). Wat is het imago van de wetenschapper? [Web] University of Amsterdam news: Wat is het imago van de wetenschapper?. Wat is het imago van de wetenschapper?.
    • Rutjens, B. (06-04-2016). University of Amsterdam news: Wat is het imago van de wetenschapper?. University of Amsterdam news: Wat is het imago van de wetenschapper?.
    • Rutjens, B. (13-08-2015). 15 Questions about science and religion. [Radio]. 15 Questions about science and religion..
    • Rutjens, B. (13-08-2015). Be careful your love science looks a lot like religion. [Television] SBS Australia. Be careful your love science looks a lot like religion..
    • Rutjens, B. (12-08-2015). Editie.NL: Interview about superstition [Television] RTL 4. Editie.NL: Interview about superstition.
    • Rutjens, B. (13-02-2015). Interview about superstition. [Television] NPO. Interview about superstition..
    • Rutjens, B. (02-01-2015). De net-niet Bijlmer miljonairs [Television] RTL 4. De net-niet Bijlmer miljonairs.
    • Rutjens, B. (03-07-2014). Hart van Nederland [Television] SBS6. Hart van Nederland.
    • Rutjens, B. (26-04-2014). Item over bijgeloof [Television] http://www.rtlnieuws.nl/editienl/voetballen-op-vrijdag-de-13e-als-dat-maar-goed-gaat. Item over bijgeloof.

    Others

    • Rutjens, B. T. (organiser) & Heine, S. (organiser) (5-7-2017 - 8-7-2017). The Social Psychology of (dis-)belief in science, Granada, Spain (organising a conference, workshop, ...).
    • Rutjens, B. T. (participant) & Sutton, R. (participant) (5-7-2017 - 8-7-2017). EASP Conference, Granada, Spain. Exploring the ideiological antecedents of science skepticism. Symposium paper presented at the European Association of Social Psychology (EASP) (…) (participating in a conference, workshop, ...).

    2012

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