When someone close to you stops talking to you during a conflict, what do you think it means? Human relationships, especially close ones, are complicated. We are deeply interdependent and rely on benefits and support from each other (Aktipis et al., 2018; Cosmides & Tooby, 2013; Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010). And when in such close relationships things don't go as planned, we often prefer not to engage in a direct conflict about it. Why? Because open confrontation can be costly. It can damage relationships, escalate conflict, or harm reputations. So some people — especially those who are physically weaker or lack social power — often prefer something else. Instead of confronting their close ones, they withdraw. In psychology, this tactic is known as “silent treatment.” Research shows that in close relationships, it functions as a low-cost bargaining tactic. By withholding attention, communication, or emotional engagement people signal dissatisfaction and bargain for better treatment (Williams, 2002; Williams et al., 1998; Buss et al., 1987). But is it actually a globally understood bargaining behavior? From specific emotions people are trying to expressed through silence and withdrawal (e.g., anger vs. sadness) to the triggers behind it (e.g., dissatisfaction with poor treatment), to the receiver’s responses to it (e.g., giving better treatment and support) — might cultures differ in what underlies such "silent treatment"? These questions drive a fascinating line research conducted by Nina Rodriguez (@rodriguezNina_), a Ph.D. candidate in social psychology at @UCLA working with Dr. Jaimie Krems (@JaimieKrems). Nina's project asks: Is the silent treatment a cross-culturally recognizable bargaining behavior? Do people reliably interpret it as communicating dissatisfaction, hurt, or relational grievance — especially within established relationships? Nina's current research has two goals. First, she aims to provide evidence that the silent treatment functions as a bargaining tactic — for example, to secure better treatment from others by withholding access to valued benefits. Second, she aims to compare it to another well-established bargaining tactic: the so-called ‘heated behaviors,’ such as yelling and aggression — and to assess whether the two tactics are perceived similarly. Nina examines various aspects of silent treatment: emotions it conveys, who uses it and toward whom, and whether it is expected to secure better treatment for actors. To avoid Western bias, she is testing these questions in a pilot sample of 500 people living in Brazil. Yet another fascinating project from this year’s Besample Dissertation Grant cohort. We are excited to support Nina in her dissertation research and look forward to her discoveries. #PhDResearch #PhDGrant #CrossCulturalResearch #GlobalResearch #BesampleDissertationGrant