social psychology

• 
• SOURCE: The Atlantic
  7/5/2022
  

  Explaining the Complexities of the Great Vibe Shift

  by Tom F. Wright

  As pundits invoke the nebulous concept of "vibes" to try to explain and predict incoherent and emotionally volatile politics, it's worth considering how the outdated (but not very old!) concept of charisma has served the same role. 

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• SOURCE: PsyPost
  3/30/2022
  

  Ignorance of American Political History Correlates to Support for Christian Nationalism

  Survey research suggests that respondents who support the idea of a Christian America are not ignorant or unintelligent, but motivated to actively affirm statements about government and history that align with their theological precepts. 

• 
• SOURCE: Public Books
  9/14/2021
  

  The Melting of the American Mind: Internet Pop Psychology and the Authoritarian Personality

  by Maya Vinokour

  The internet and social media have worked to normalize and validate authoritarian and illiberal worldviews, making the mindset that baffled thinkers like Theodor Adorno in 1947 commonplace today. 

• 
• SOURCE: Boston Review
  8/23/2021
  

  Bad Information: QAnon is a Social Problem, Not a Cognitive One

  by Nicolas Guilhot

  "The champions of debunking and the new information vigilantes are not interested in entertaining the possibility that the root cause of conspiracy theories may be located outside the mind and may require a reexamination of our economic and social arrangements."

• 
• 3/7/2021
  

  Does Ridiculing Q Followers Fuel the Fire? Historical Lessons in Applied Social Science

  by Jayson Dibble

  The January 6 Capitol riot brought the QAnon conspiracy into public view, including the toll on families when a member adopts the worldview. Looking historically at social science research on cults suggests that while aggressive ridicule might be tempting, it's counterproductive. 

• 
• 12/20/2020
  

  The Psychology of Election Denial

  by Robert Brent Toplin

  The Republican response to the election results is a lesson in the mental mechanics of cognitive dissonance. 

• 
• SOURCE: The Atlantic
  12/14/2020
  

  How Civilization Broke Our Brains

  The anthropologist James Suzman's book evaluates the ravages of modern capitalist civilization – in particular, the institution of work –  on individual and collective psychology. 

• 
• SOURCE: Boston Review
  10/23/2020
  

  The Politics of White Anxiety

  by Jonathan M. Metzl

  Appeals to the fears and resentments of White voters are a predictable part of our politics. Why does it remain difficult to fight those appeals?