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Political Animals and Animal Spirits

How physiology drives populist politics and the financial markets.

Groupthink
The 2008 Global Financial Crisis: 15 Years Later

Elesa Zehndorfer Ph.D. on September 22, 2023

On the fifteenth anniversary of the global financial crisis, evolutionary psychology suggests why the mistakes of 2008 could certainly repeat themselves.

On the fifteenth anniversary of the global financial crisis, evolutionary psychology suggests why the mistakes of 2008 could certainly repeat themselves.

Testosterone
How Midterm Election Results Can Hurt Your Profits

Elesa Zehndorfer Ph.D. on November 14, 2022

Disappointing midterm results may have blunted your testosterone and dopamine levels, and boosted stress chemicals—and that can harm your investing decisions.

Disappointing midterm results may have blunted your testosterone and dopamine levels, and boosted stress chemicals—and that can harm your investing decisions.

Media
Maskirovka: The Weaponizing of Misinformation

Elesa Zehndorfer Ph.D. on March 14, 2022

How is a Soviet-era mind control technique playing a central role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine? And might you have encountered it already today?

How is a Soviet-era mind control technique playing a central role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine? And might you have encountered it already today?

Politics
Partisanship and the Political Animal

Elesa Zehndorfer Ph.D. on January 18, 2019

Record levels of partisanship have contributed to the longest government shutdown in US history. Here's the science behind partisanship and what it means for politics.

Record levels of partisanship have contributed to the longest government shutdown in US history. Here's the science behind partisanship and what it means for politics.

Dopamine
Traders and Investors: Born to Run

Elesa Zehndorfer Ph.D. on December 13, 2018

Science tells us a fascinating story about why they should train like athletes if they want to minimize their risk of burnout and addictions.

Science tells us a fascinating story about why they should train like athletes if they want to minimize their risk of burnout and addictions.

Media
Eat the Doughnut: Why Social Media Threatens Democracy

Elesa Zehndorfer Ph.D. on November 9, 2018

Former Silicon Valley giants recently united to alert us to the addictive, anti-democratic dangers of Facebook, Google, and Twitter. Here's what you need to know.

Former Silicon Valley giants recently united to alert us to the addictive, anti-democratic dangers of Facebook, Google, and Twitter. Here's what you need to know.

Politics
Populism: Politics on Steroids

Elesa Zehndorfer Ph.D. on October 29, 2018

How can physiology theory help us to understand the recent spate of pre-midterm election violence in the U.S.? And why might the opioid crisis be making it worse?

How can physiology theory help us to understand the recent spate of pre-midterm election violence in the U.S.? And why might the opioid crisis be making it worse?

Fear
Did Hurricane Michael Cause Stock Markets to Plunge?

Elesa Zehndorfer Ph.D. on October 19, 2018

Researchers suspect that powerful storms can cause the stock market to tank. When Hurricane Michael made landfall last week, it offered a unique chance to test the theory.

Researchers suspect that powerful storms can cause the stock market to tank. When Hurricane Michael made landfall last week, it offered a unique chance to test the theory.