Politics

The Psychology of Politics

The world of politics reflects human nature in all its rational and irrational glory. How we govern ourselves and make decisions, use and often abuse power, reflect our deepest fears at least as much as our aspirations and ideals. Because many of the world's biggest problems are behavioral in nature, policies, to be successful, must grapple with our innermost attitudes.

Can We Really Have a Happy Valentine's Day This Year?

By Tamar Chansky Ph.D. on February 12, 2017 in Worry Wise

Even in a crisis, even in an emergency, we work in shifts. Some of us always need to be on love duty. We need to put the oxygen masks on our relationships first.

Diagnosing Donald Trump

By Steven Reidbord M.D. on February 12, 2017 in Sacramento Street Psychiatry

What does psychiatric diagnosis add to political criticism of President Trump?

'Reality & Realities,' Face Thinking, CC 2.0

Plato’s Prognosis of “Alternative Facts”

By Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on February 12, 2017 in What Would Aristotle Do?

The idea of a fact is one upon which virtually every aspect of human existence depends.

The Social Psychology of Democracy

By Lee Jussim Ph.D. on February 11, 2017 in Rabble Rouser

Why and how do democracies fail and become autocracies? What are the social and psychological phenomena leading people to lose faith in democracy and support tyrannies?

Authoritarianism in America

By Christopher Lane Ph.D. on February 11, 2017 in Side Effects

On rereading “The Authoritarian Personality” in 2017.

Focus On Trump's Acts, Not His Psychology

By Allen J Frances M.D. on February 11, 2017 in Saving Normal

We must challenge Trump on his outrageous behaviors and constant lies, not on his motivations and mental status.

Study: Immigration Is Not Linked to Increased Crime Rates

By Christopher Bergland on February 11, 2017 in The Athlete's Way

After analyzing four decades of immigration-crime statistics in the U.S., a team of researchers concluded that there is no correlation between immigration and increased crime.

The Pure Hubris of "In His Shoes I'd Have Acted Differently"

By Nate Kornell Ph.D. on February 11, 2017 in Everybody Is Stupid Except You

Judge people for what they do. But don't pretend you can understand why they did it, or whether their motives were good.

The Science of Solving Alternative Facts

By Gleb Tsipursky Ph.D. on February 10, 2017 in Intentional Insights

Worried about the dominance of "alternative facts" in politics? This article has some tips for solving this problem!

Valentine’s Day Alarm: Violence Against Women by Budget Cuts

By Paula J. Caplan Ph.D. on February 10, 2017 in Science Isn't Golden

The elimination of funding for the Violence Against Women Act must be prevented.

A Survival Guide for Uncertain Times #3: Positive Thinking?

By Allison Carmen on February 10, 2017 in The Gift of Maybe

Giving up positive thinking and embracing the mindset of Maybe can be the key to finding strength and resilience in uncertain times.

What Sexism Research Says About the Rebuke of Senator Warren

By Elizabeth Aura McClintock Ph.D. on February 09, 2017 in It’s a Man’s, and a Woman’s, World

Silencing Warren reflected sexism still pervasive in American politics.

Hope and Hopelessness in Trump's America

By David B. Feldman Ph.D. on February 09, 2017 in Supersurvivors

Not only does hopelessness feel bad, it’s associated with inaction, making it a recipe for disaster in a democracy. So how do those in the political opposition remain hopeful?

Obama, Trump and the Executive Order

By Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on February 09, 2017 in The Conservative Social Psychologist

Recent articles in The Atlantic, Politifact, and National Review disagreed on whether or not the executive order on immigration and refugees was consistent with previous policy.

Welcoming Refugees and Immigrants Is Good for the U.S.

By The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on February 09, 2017 in Sound Science, Sound Policy

When the U.S. welcomes refugees regardless of religion, race, or ethnicity, we reap important social and economic rewards.

Why Do Americans Like Sociopaths?

By Matthew J. Edlund M.D. on February 09, 2017 in The Power of Rest

What makes sociopathy so alluring, so exciting? Nominations are open for the Madoff Prize.

Nudges: Social Engineering or Sensible Policy?

By Jared Celniker on February 09, 2017 in Partisan Pitfalls and Moral Blind Spots

Nudges are a powerful policy tool, but effectiveness and ethics don’t always go hand in hand.

The Burden of Memory (part 1)

By Samuel Veissière Ph.D. on February 08, 2017 in Culture, Mind, and Brain

Recent cognitive science supports the view that memories are confabulations of the past rehearsed for the future. What about historical memory?

Is American Individualism Bad for the Environment?

By Richard Maxwell, Ph.D. and Toby Miller, Ph.D. on February 07, 2017 in Greening the Media

The ecological crisis can be beat if Americans join the fight for environmental justice. But in the process we would have to transform the culture of American individualism.

Super Bowl Ads Wade into Politics

By The Longhorn Essayists on February 07, 2017 in The Fundamentals

Why would companies take a stand? By Julie Irwin, Ph.D.

10 Anxiety Busters for Moms

By Marika Lindholm Ph.D. on February 07, 2017 in More Than Women’s Work

How to keep anxiety low when political tensions are high.

Donald Trump Is James Bond Without the Loyalty

By Seth M. Spain Ph.D. on February 07, 2017 in The Dark Side of Work

How is Donald Trump like James Bond? How is he different?

The Sadness of Partisan Polarizing

By Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D. on February 07, 2017 in Your Neurochemical Self

We mammals evolved to seek the safety of social alliances. Political partisanship makes your inner mammal feel good in the short run but has unpleasant consequences in the long run

New Health Care Prosposal: Choose to Choose

By Diane Roberts Stoler Ed.D. on February 06, 2017 in The Resilient Brain

A new health care proposal allowing us the freedom to choose! Every day we make choices that impact our lives: where to live, what to eat, where to shop... Why not our health care?

You Are Not Alone in Being Retraumatized by Trump

By Suzanne Lachmann Psy.D. on February 06, 2017 in Me Before We

Physical connection, emotional connection, and sharing your struggle with others will help you find strength and unity in this time of political upheaval.