Drew Westen, PhD
Invited Address: Inside the Mind and Brain of the Voter: The Presidential
Campaign of 2008 (3346)
Saturday, August 16
3:00–3:50 p.m., Room 205B

What really factors into our decision to vote for a candidate? Is it their political party affiliation? Their policies? Or the emotions the candidate elicits? In this audio clip, Dr. Westen previews his talk at APA’s Annual Convention and discusses some insights psychological research may provide into this year’s elections.

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Drew Westen, PhD, is a clinical, personality and political psychologist and a professor in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry at Emory University. He has also taught at the University of Michigan, Harvard Medical School and Boston University.

Dr. Westen has authored three books, including The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation, and over 150 articles.

He frequently comments on political and psychological issues in print and on television and radio, including 10 years as a commentator on NPR’s All Things Considered .

Dr. Westen is also the founder of Westen Strategies, LLC, a political and corporate consulting firm.

Using principles from neuroscience, empirical psychology and clinical practice, Dr. Westen has advised a range of candidates and organizations, including presidential campaigns, on how to craft messages voters can hear.

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