Minds, Gods, and Laws

Empathy

Thoughts About Free Speech, Anti-Semitism, and Empathy

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on November 21, 2023

A Personal Perspective: How can we honor ideals like free speech in discussions?

A Personal Perspective: How can we honor ideals like free speech in discussions?

Religion

A Profound Similarity Between Evolution and Religion

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on June 30, 2023

Are religion and evolution incompatible? They share a profound similarity—the view that all humans are related. Remembering this should help us love each other as ourselves.

Are religion and evolution incompatible? They share a profound similarity—the view that all humans are related. Remembering this should help us love each other as ourselves.

Infidelity

People in More Religious States Cheat Less at Wordle

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on September 22, 2022

Understanding how culture shapes behavior can provide us with insight.

Understanding how culture shapes behavior can provide us with insight.

Religion

Does Religion Act in Any Psychologically Special Ways?

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on June 23, 2022

Religion is undoubtedly important to people and the field of psychology, whether or not it has special features or special effects.

Religion is undoubtedly important to people and the field of psychology, whether or not it has special features or special effects.

Persuasion

A Fruitful Debate Over the Right to Bear Arms

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on May 27, 2022

Targeted legal arguments about gun rights could help.

Targeted legal arguments about gun rights could help.

Cognition

Does the Constitution Protect Your Privacy?

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on May 8, 2022

Who is right about privacy and abortion? What if we were talking about gun rights and privacy? Would liberals and conservatives flip perspectives?

Who is right about privacy and abortion? What if we were talking about gun rights and privacy? Would liberals and conservatives flip perspectives?

Humor

Why Is Larry David So Funny?

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on March 1, 2022

Why are Jewish comedians so funny? What does humor tell you about religion and culture?

Why are Jewish comedians so funny? What does humor tell you about religion and culture?

Gender

Minority Groups and the Gun Culture

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on September 4, 2021

Why don't Jews and the members of many vulnerable minority groups tend to own guns?

Why don't Jews and the members of many vulnerable minority groups tend to own guns?

Religion

You Can Learn a Lot About Religion from Food

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on August 12, 2021

How much do our eating habits tell us about our religious viewpoints?

How much do our eating habits tell us about our religious viewpoints?

Psychology

The Psychology of Graven Images

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on June 26, 2021

Should an academic psychologist be offended by religious imagery? How to balance religious beliefs with idolatry.

Should an academic psychologist be offended by religious imagery? How to balance religious beliefs with idolatry.

Religion

Does Religion Influence Jurors' Decisions?

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on June 12, 2021

Do we bring our religious viewpoints into court with us?

Do we bring our religious viewpoints into court with us?

Gender

Should the Drinking Age Be Different for Men and Women?

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on June 1, 2021

Exploring whether laws should be gender blind or reflect psychological differences between men and women.

Exploring whether laws should be gender blind or reflect psychological differences between men and women.

Psychology

Valuing Diversity *and* the GRE

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on May 22, 2021

Should psychology departments use the GRE in admissions, if they want diverse student bodies?

Should psychology departments use the GRE in admissions, if they want diverse student bodies?

Religion

How Do Jewish People Today Feel About German Products?

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on May 18, 2021

There is a wide variation in how Holocaust survivors and modern Jewish people feel about German brands, revealing a complex interaction between brand and identity.

There is a wide variation in how Holocaust survivors and modern Jewish people feel about German brands, revealing a complex interaction between brand and identity.

Religion

How to Teach Religion in the University Classroom

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on May 6, 2021

Should professors respect students' religion in the classroom, or freely share views even when offensive?

Should professors respect students' religion in the classroom, or freely share views even when offensive?

Religion

Can Religion Help Us Trust Each Other?

Adam Cohen Ph.D. on April 27, 2021

Does religion always promote hate and violence? No, it can make us more trusting.

Does religion always promote hate and violence? No, it can make us more trusting.