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Caveman Politics

How evolution impacts politics.

President Donald Trump
Is Trump a Tyrant? What His Tweets Say

Gregg R. Murray Ph.D. on June 12, 2016

"Tyrant" talk seems to be sticking to presidential candidate Donald Trump. What does a systematic analysis of his own Twitter words say about his tyrannical tendencies?

"Tyrant" talk seems to be sticking to presidential candidate Donald Trump. What does a systematic analysis of his own Twitter words say about his tyrannical tendencies?

Politics
Why Are Presidential Debates Like NASCAR Races?

Gregg R. Murray Ph.D. on February 28, 2016

Non-verbal behavior has a huge effect on how we view politicians, sometimes even greater than their policy positions—the information we ideally hope drives our vote choices.

Non-verbal behavior has a huge effect on how we view politicians, sometimes even greater than their policy positions—the information we ideally hope drives our vote choices.

Politics
Voters Versus Terrorists: Who's Winning?

Gregg R. Murray Ph.D. on November 15, 2015

While our hearts ache for the victims of this latest revolting episode of the inhumanity to which some will go to gain power over others, it is important to step back and note that the terrorists don’t always win.

While our hearts ache for the victims of this latest revolting episode of the inhumanity to which some will go to gain power over others, it is important to step back and note that the terrorists don’t always win.

Politics
6 Insider Tips for New Ph.D. Students

Gregg R. Murray Ph.D. on September 2, 2015

Welcome to the Ph.D. “business”! It’s peculiar and you’re probably entering it at a huge information disadvantage. Profit from these insider tips.

Welcome to the Ph.D. “business”! It’s peculiar and you’re probably entering it at a huge information disadvantage. Profit from these insider tips.

Sport and Competition
Women Like Men With Big Medals

Gregg R. Murray Ph.D. on March 15, 2015

If our basic drive is to survive and reproduce, why do men, who have been the primary war fighters throughout human history, volunteer to subject themselves to the life-threatening dangers of war?

If our basic drive is to survive and reproduce, why do men, who have been the primary war fighters throughout human history, volunteer to subject themselves to the life-threatening dangers of war?

Politics
Are Canadian Voters Really This Dumb?

Gregg R. Murray Ph.D. on March 1, 2015

One of the nonpolitical shortcuts people use when evaluating politicians is their nonverbal displays—the messages they send with their facial expressions, body movement, eye contact, voice, and touch. How much does style matter over substance in politics?

One of the nonpolitical shortcuts people use when evaluating politicians is their nonverbal displays—the messages they send with their facial expressions, body movement, eye contact, voice, and touch. How much does style matter over substance in politics?

Body Language
Mr. Putin, Would You Lie Still So We Can Scan Your Brain?

Gregg R. Murray Ph.D. on February 15, 2015

How do we predict dangerous leaders' actions when they won't answer our proven psychological questionnaires or lie still for our fMRI bran scans? Well, here are a couple of choices.

How do we predict dangerous leaders' actions when they won't answer our proven psychological questionnaires or lie still for our fMRI bran scans? Well, here are a couple of choices.

Hormones
Does Cyber-Terrorism Terrorize? Hormones Suggest It Does

Gregg R. Murray Ph.D. on February 8, 2015

Think cyber-terrorism can't happen to you? Think it doesn't "hurt" anyone? Ask the 3,800 employees of Sony Pictures, including some of its stars, who got caught up in the international political intrigue over the company's movie, The Interview. And see what one study shows that cyber-terror does to our hormones.

Think cyber-terrorism can't happen to you? Think it doesn't "hurt" anyone? Ask the 3,800 employees of Sony Pictures, including some of its stars, who got caught up in the international political intrigue over the company's movie, The Interview. And see what one study shows that cyber-terror does to our hormones.

Testosterone
Power Corrupts…And Testosterone Corrupts Absolutely?

Gregg R. Murray Ph.D. on January 25, 2015

We’re all familiar with the cynical warning about leaders: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” But research shows there's more to corruption than just power. And that "more" may be everyone's favorite sex hormone.

We’re all familiar with the cynical warning about leaders: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” But research shows there's more to corruption than just power. And that "more" may be everyone's favorite sex hormone.

Politics
7 Key Questions to Ask During Your Grad School Interview

Gregg R. Murray Ph.D. on December 18, 2014

When interviewing for a Ph.D. program, you want to convey that you have a firm grasp of the journey you’re hoping to undertake. These seven questions will do just that.

When interviewing for a Ph.D. program, you want to convey that you have a firm grasp of the journey you’re hoping to undertake. These seven questions will do just that.

Politics
George Bernard Shaw, Imagination, And The Leaders We Get

Gregg R. Murray Ph.D. on November 9, 2014

Our imaginations are incredibly powerful. And if you listen to a Nobel Prize and Academy Award winner, and pay attention to a lot of research, you’ll see the leaders we get reflect our imaginations.

Our imaginations are incredibly powerful. And if you listen to a Nobel Prize and Academy Award winner, and pay attention to a lot of research, you’ll see the leaders we get reflect our imaginations.

Career
5 Dirty Little Secrets about Getting a PhD

Gregg R. Murray Ph.D. on September 1, 2014

So you’re thinking about getting a PhD? See these dirty little secrets about getting a PhD, which may save you years of work and thousands of dollars.

So you’re thinking about getting a PhD? See these dirty little secrets about getting a PhD, which may save you years of work and thousands of dollars.

Stress
You Could See It Coming: Chronic War Stress, Chronic Disease

Gregg R. Murray Ph.D. on July 20, 2014

The Israelis and Palestinians live cheek by jowl, and the threat of immediate violence brutally lingers for both, sometimes with devastating health consequences. This shows, once again, that biology can affect our politics, and politics can affect our biology.

The Israelis and Palestinians live cheek by jowl, and the threat of immediate violence brutally lingers for both, sometimes with devastating health consequences. This shows, once again, that biology can affect our politics, and politics can affect our biology.