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Dangerous Ideas

How our core beliefs promote and prevent progressive change

Persuasion
"Buyer Beware": How Political Campaign Ads Persuade Us

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on October 25, 2022

Given their power to affect our behavior, including at the voting booth, it’s no surprise that five psychological concerns figure prominently in current political campaign ads.

Given their power to affect our behavior, including at the voting booth, it’s no surprise that five psychological concerns figure prominently in current political campaign ads.

Health
Jenifer Wolf-Williams: Psychological Support for Migrants

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on April 14, 2022

Jenifer Wolf-Williams: "Central Americans flee their countries every day now, as do survivors from across the globe. I’m grateful that H.O.M.E. can help a few find safety."

Jenifer Wolf-Williams: "Central Americans flee their countries every day now, as do survivors from across the globe. I’m grateful that H.O.M.E. can help a few find safety."

Bias
Racial Justice vs. Status Quo Bias

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on October 19, 2020

Despite overwhelming evidence of racial injustice in our system of law enforcement, defenders target our fears of change in their efforts to preserve the status quo.

Despite overwhelming evidence of racial injustice in our system of law enforcement, defenders target our fears of change in their efforts to preserve the status quo.

Sexual Abuse
Another Pandemic: Sexual Violence During War

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on May 19, 2020

Gender-based violence against women and other vulnerable groups often characterizes periods of armed conflict, where rape itself is frequently a weapon of war.

Gender-based violence against women and other vulnerable groups often characterizes periods of armed conflict, where rape itself is frequently a weapon of war.

Psychology
Still Torturing the Truth, After All These Years

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on February 12, 2020

We must resist misguided efforts that attempt to rewrite history by denying past wrongs and calamitous choices. We owe this to those who have suffered at psychology's hands.

We must resist misguided efforts that attempt to rewrite history by denying past wrongs and calamitous choices. We owe this to those who have suffered at psychology's hands.

Trauma
Interview: Expressive Arts Help Children Cope With Trauma

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on January 13, 2020

When coping with trauma, the expressive arts can help children with the time and space they need to process their experiences and give voice to an attentive audience.

When coping with trauma, the expressive arts can help children with the time and space they need to process their experiences and give voice to an attentive audience.

Intelligence
War, Militarism, and the APA

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on April 22, 2019

It is time for the APA and its members to decide whether the world’s largest psychological association is ready to help lead us forward.

It is time for the APA and its members to decide whether the world’s largest psychological association is ready to help lead us forward.

Fear
Fear and Loathing

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on March 20, 2019

History shows that fear mongering has long been used to rally public support and acquiescence for military interventions both unwarranted and unwise.

History shows that fear mongering has long been used to rally public support and acquiescence for military interventions both unwarranted and unwise.

Brett Kavanaugh
Trust
Political Mind Games: The Kavanaugh File

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on September 25, 2018

GOP leaders have once again turned to their favorite mind game to quell controversy over Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

GOP leaders have once again turned to their favorite mind game to quell controversy over Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Ethics and Morality
Another Crossroads for the APA

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on July 23, 2018

Next month, leaders of the American Psychological Association will again face the stark choice between do-no-harm ethics on the one hand and expediency and careerism on the other.

Next month, leaders of the American Psychological Association will again face the stark choice between do-no-harm ethics on the one hand and expediency and careerism on the other.

Intelligence
The APA Speaks Out Against Gina Haspel

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on May 7, 2018

The journey to redemption is long and often tempest-tossed. But the American Psychological Association took another noteworthy step last week with its letter about Gina Haspel.

The journey to redemption is long and often tempest-tossed. But the American Psychological Association took another noteworthy step last week with its letter about Gina Haspel.

Politics
The DCCC’s Mind Games and the Ballad of Roy Moore

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on May 2, 2018

Especially with recent polling in swing districts showing clear enthusiasm for a progressive agenda, these candidates—and voters too—deserve better this time around.

Especially with recent polling in swing districts showing clear enthusiasm for a progressive agenda, these candidates—and voters too—deserve better this time around.

Psychology
Mind Games of the 1 Percent: Psychology Gone Bad

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on April 18, 2018

While millions of Americans grasp for lifelines amid unforgiving currents of extreme inequality, billionaires comfortably ride the waves and add to their enormous wealth and power.

While millions of Americans grasp for lifelines amid unforgiving currents of extreme inequality, billionaires comfortably ride the waves and add to their enormous wealth and power.

Environment
Political Mind Games

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on March 20, 2018

The 1% manipulate our understanding of what's happening, what's right, and what's possible in order to advance a narrow, self-serving agenda that leaves the rest of us worse off.

The 1% manipulate our understanding of what's happening, what's right, and what's possible in order to advance a narrow, self-serving agenda that leaves the rest of us worse off.