Who are we?

We are primarily located in the Department of Psychology at Michigan State University. Our goal is to understand the causes and consequences of political, religious, and moral beliefs that can ultimately be leveraged to reduce conflict and promote a more fair, just, and free society. We study ideological and moral beliefs – such as political ideology, racism, religious fundamentalism, and moral conviction – and how they structure attitudes and behaviors, how they become moralized, and why people adopt them in the first place.

Click here to learn about ways to join the lab!

Projects

Belief System Dynamics

Can we understand belief systems as systems?

Experiences and Change

When do people’s life experiences change their attitudes and values?

Morality and Moralization

How do things become moralized?

Worldview Conflict

How is ideology related to prejudice?

Improving Psychological Science

How can we improve psychological science?

Minority Politics

Interdisciplinary network of faculty & students studying minority politics at MSU

The Lab

Researchers

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Mark J. Brandt

Principal Investigator

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Abby Cassario

PhD Student

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Mehmet Tunc

PhD Student

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Shree Vallabha

PhD Student

Mascots

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Loempia

Mascot

Alumni

Rabia Kodapanakkal

Former PhD Student

Nina Spalti

Former PhD Student

Fieke Wagemans

Former PhD Student