Politics
Liberals vs Conservatives: Maybe Not So Different at Heart
Jul/11/2011 08:57
This morning brings us news that the "grand bargain" in Washington appears to have collapsed. It's yet another example of the seeming disconnect between progressives and conservatives. Few psychologists have done more than my friend Jon Haidt to illuminate the psychological differences that characterize the liberal and conservative minds, respectively. But new research by Jennifer Cole Wright and Galen Baril suggests that while Jon may have the overall picture correct, one important detail may need revision: maybe we're all liberals at heart. Read More...
Malodorousness Strikes Again
Jul/07/2011 09:58
Our colleague David Pizarro at Cornell had a wonderful NYT Op-Ed awhile back explaining the science behind Carl Paladino's (former candidate for NY Governor) political mailing about the corruption in Albany that was scented to smell like garbage. David has done some of the most interesting work on disgust out there, and he (along with colleagues Yoel Inbar and Paul Bloom) has struck again -- this time showing how subtle feelings of disgust stemming from a foul smell can enhance bias against gay men. Read More...
Politics and the Paradox of Compromise
Jul/05/2011 10:52
When interests conflict, the mature compromise. In Washington, though, compromise remains a “dirty word” to many -- so much so, that as David Brooks points out today, the Republicans may be passing up the deal of a lifetime. Read More...
Myth of the Good Man
Jun/19/2011 16:52
Maureen Callahan covers politicians and the new science of character with an eye toward OOC in the NY Post Opinion pages. You can find the article here.
Palin and the Politics of Pride
Jun/14/2011 21:46
Love her or hate her – and those appear to be the only two options – there are few politicians who seem to evoke the same intensity of emotion as Sarah Palin. The question, though, is why? Read More...
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Jun/06/2011 22:41
Days of protestations and puns aside, it seems it was Mr. Weiner all along. What was he thinking? It's anybody's guess. But why he fell prey to twittering his anatomy is a classic example of the short- vs. long-term tradeoffs that occupy our minds. Read More...
