Social and Political Psychology Lab

Under the direction of John Blanchar, Ph.D., the Social and Political Psychology Lab at the University of Minnesota Duluth investigates the psychological bases of political attitudes and behavior.

We study how and why people sort into politically like-minded networks and enclaves and the consequences this has for polarization, intolerance, social belonging, stress and well-being, and shared social reality. This work includes abortion attitudes, moralized politics, legitimacy of and trust in democratic elections, the psychology of tradition and social change, and why people are attracted to left-wing and right-wing political ideologies.

• Do politics influence whom people form relationships with, which news sources they prefer, and where they decide to live and work?

• How are abortion laws shaping domestic migration in the United States?

• Do Americans' trust their elections? Why or why not?

• Why can't Americans agree on what's real or true anymore?

• How do moralized attitudes affect social interactions and mental health?

• What's so alluring about tradition? Why is social change difficult?

• What makes people more progressive or conservative in their politics?