The Conservative Social Psychologist

Mental health treatments must be accessible and welcoming to individuals regardless of political ideology.

Targeted political marketing can lead to group polarization and echo chambers.

Confirmation biases and failure of source monitoring play a role in intentional and unintentional "fake news."

President Donald Trump

The Moral Foundations of President Trump’s RNC Speech

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on August 28, 2020

Analysis of President Trump's 2020 speech at the Republican National Convention using Moral Foundations Theory.

Analysis of President Trump's 2020 speech at the Republican National Convention using Moral Foundations Theory.

Politics

Conservative Psychologist Wanted

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on July 16, 2020

Political inclusivity is not a strength of the mental health profession, and ideological biases have implications for clinical practice.

Political inclusivity is not a strength of the mental health profession, and ideological biases have implications for clinical practice.

The CIA's mind control program used LSD and hypnosis to brainwash people in the 1950s and '60s. The Unabomber was a participant in a study on interrogations at Harvard.

Persuasion

Aldous Huxley’s Dystopian Mind Control

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on April 4, 2020

A look into the mind control strategies of Huxley's "Brave New World."

A look into the mind control strategies of Huxley's "Brave New World."

Bias

Democrats May Overestimate Republican Prejudice in Elections

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on March 12, 2020

Democrats’ beliefs about Republicans' professed preferences are likely inaccurate, but knowing actual Republicans seems to change that.

Democrats’ beliefs about Republicans' professed preferences are likely inaccurate, but knowing actual Republicans seems to change that.

Addiction

Oklahoma’s Methamphetamine Addiction

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on February 24, 2020

Oklahoma's methamphetamine problem is an opportunity for researchers to create a model to be customized to local communities across the country.

Oklahoma's methamphetamine problem is an opportunity for researchers to create a model to be customized to local communities across the country.

Bias

Impeachment Prejudice

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on January 22, 2020

Correcting bias is difficult. Even impeachment trials are not immune.

Correcting bias is difficult. Even impeachment trials are not immune.

Marriage

Deplorable Toxicity

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on January 7, 2020

A discussion of dissociative reference groups.

A discussion of dissociative reference groups.

Leadership

Economic Inequality, Democracy, and Strong Leaders

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on October 31, 2019

New research examines the relationship between economic inequality and the desire for a strong leader.

New research examines the relationship between economic inequality and the desire for a strong leader.

Suicide

Stuck in a Moment

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on September 19, 2019

Reflections on the impact of suicide on a social network.

Reflections on the impact of suicide on a social network.

Altruism

Teaching Psychology in September 2001

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on September 11, 2019

Reflections on lessons learned teaching psychology in the aftermath of the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Reflections on lessons learned teaching psychology in the aftermath of the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Altruism

Psychology in the Life of George W. Bush

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on August 9, 2019

Part 3: Examples of various psychological principles in the autobiography of George W. Bush.

Part 3: Examples of various psychological principles in the autobiography of George W. Bush.

Leadership

Psychology in the Life of George W. Bush

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on April 26, 2019

Part 2: Examples of psychological principles in the autobiography of George W. Bush.

Part 2: Examples of psychological principles in the autobiography of George W. Bush.

Memory

Psychology in the Life of George W. Bush

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on April 1, 2019

Part 1: Examples of various psychological principles in the autobiography of George W. Bush.

Part 1: Examples of various psychological principles in the autobiography of George W. Bush.

Optimism

The Benevolence of George H. W. Bush

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on December 3, 2018

People who unselfishly give to others ascend social hierarchies. George H. W. Bush is an excellent example.

People who unselfishly give to others ascend social hierarchies. George H. W. Bush is an excellent example.

Marriage

Economic Mobility and Income Inequality

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on November 12, 2018

Psychological science can combat poverty in the United States by identifying those most at risk and examining what makes some individuals mobile across income categories.

Psychological science can combat poverty in the United States by identifying those most at risk and examining what makes some individuals mobile across income categories.

Evolutionary Psychology

Dove Baby Parents and the Sunday Night Massacre

Robert D. Mather Ph.D. on October 11, 2018

Behavioral observations of doves interpreted through the framework of evolutionary psychology.

Behavioral observations of doves interpreted through the framework of evolutionary psychology.