09/2008
Penetrating the Circle of Death: Why People are Dying (and Killing) Not to Die
Martin Luther King Jr., the social activist who represents for many the ideal of a meaningful life, foreshadowed his own assassination when he said, "A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live." These words may resonate with us, but Woody Allen spoke for many of us as well when he said, "I
Reconsidering Race in the Genetic Era
Race is a topic that has been explored throughout the history of social psychology research. Typically, this research has focused on how our conceptions (or preconceptions) of race affect our attitudes and behaviors. There is a long line of research examining phenomena such as prejudice
Social Judgment: Warmth and Competence are Universal Dimensions
How do you make sense of Barack Obama and John McCain? The odds are that you judge them mainly on two dimensions: warm/cold and (in) competence . Depending on your experience of them, you may judge one of them as both warm and competent, evoking your admiration and pride; and perhaps the other as
The Surprising Effect of Facial Appearance on Political Decision-Making
If your citizenship comes with the responsibility - and privilege - of voting, then every few years you face an interesting challenge. Who will you vote for? Whether you choose to support an incumbent, a celebrated war hero, an experienced government official, or a new face on the political scene