#365 Dan McAdams: The Psychology of Donald Trump
RECORDED ON JULY 13th, 2020.
Dr. Dan P. McAdams is the Henry Wade Rogers Professor of Psychology and professor of human development and social policy at Northwestern University. Dr. McAdams is most well-known for formulating a life-story theory of human identity, which argues that modern adults provide their lives with a sense of unity and purpose by constructing and internalizing self-defining life stories or “personal myths.” He’s a leader in the recent emergence within the social sciences of narrative approaches to studying human lives – approaches that place stories and storytelling at the center of human personality. His theoretical and empirical writings focus on concepts of self and identity in contemporary American society and on themes of power, intimacy, redemption, and generativity across the adult life course. He’s also the author of nearly 300 scientific articles and chapters, numerous edited volumes, and seven books, including “The Strange Case of Donald J. Trump: A Psychological Reckoning”.
In this episode, we focus on Dr. McAdams’ “The Strange Case of Donald J. Trump”. We go through some of Trump’s main psychological traits, and, at the same time, we refer to parts of Dr. McAdams research, like the three-level model of personality.
Time Links:
Why study Donald Trump’s personality?
Trump doesn’t have a life narrative, but is still successful
Trump always wins
Trump is an episodic man
He lacks a moral system
Everything is a deal
A three-level model of personality (actor, agent, author)
Is Trump stupid?
Does Trump suffer from a mental illness, and is that important?
But are these traits negative? And to whom?
Why do people keep supporting Trump?
Follow Dr. McAdams’ work!
Follow Dr. McAdams’ work:
Faculty page: https://bit.ly/2CwRndn
ResearchGate profile: https://bit.ly/3frcUm1
Amazon page: https://amzn.to/3fsbUhN
The Strange Case of Donald J. Trump: A Psychological Reckoning: https://amzn.to/3fpjmdm