Dr. Basset will describe how psychological processes and group dynamics can create polarization and biased perception on both the left and right side of the political spectrum. According to Bassett, “Although political liberals and conservatives are similar in their susceptibility to certain biases and their tendency to show in-group favoritism, there are some reliable differences between the groups in terms of personality, temperament, and moral decision making.” This talk will focus on how these differences can be seen as complimentary rather than antagonistic and on how gaining a better understanding of these differences can potentially reduce partisanship.
The free program begins at 6:30 pm. Light refreshments served.
About the speaker:
Jonathan F. Bassett is Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychological Science at Lander University, where he teaches courses in research methods, statistics, and social psychology. He received a BA in psychology from Furman University in 1996 and a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Georgia State University in 2002. He is the recipient of several awards, including the Lander University Young Faculty Scholar Award (2006), the South Carolina Psychological Associations’ Outstanding Teacher of Psychology Award (2011), and the Lander University Distinguished Professor Award (2011). In 2012, he was named the Lander Foundation Endowed Professor. He has served as the President of the South Carolina Psychological Association and as the chair of the Lander University Faculty Senate.