Below is a listing of stories focusing on the work and achievements of Dan P. McAdams and the Study of Lives Research Group.
2021
- Dan McAdams describes contemporary research on the psychology of self-insight for David Brooks of the New York Times. September 16, 2021. New York Times. Is self-awareness a mirage? By David Brooks.
- In this television interview, Dan McAdams comments on how many politically conservative Americans aim to erase the memory of the January 6, 2021capitol insurrection from American history. May 9, 2021. CNN: Reliable Sources, with Brian Stelter.
- You won’t remember the pandemic the way you think you will.
May 2021. The Atlantic.
By Melissa Faye Greene. (pages 58-68). - Dan McAdams discusses the personality trait of extraversion/introversion and critiques the widespread use, in industry and consulting of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. April 2021. WNYC Science Diction. Introvert: The invention of a type. Produced by C. Egua and E. Feder. https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/introvert-the-invention-of-a-type/
2020
- In this lengthy interview, Dan McAdams provides an overview of his psychological studies of Donald Trump. October 29, 2020. Salon. Psychologist Dan McAdams on the case of Trump: “Much stranger than any diagnostic category.” By Chauncey Devega. https://www.salon.com/2020/10/29/psychologist-dan-mcadams-on-the-case-of-trump-much-stranger-than-any-diagnostic-category/
- Dan McAdams talks about his new book on President Trump in these two full-length interviews.
Psychologist Dan McAdams on the case of Trump: “Much stranger than any diagnostic category.” By Chauncey Devega.
October 29, 2020. Salon. - Dan P. McAdams: The Psychology of Donald Trump.
Interview with Richard Lopes for The Dissenter.
September 14, 2020 - In this guest editorial, Dan McAdams describes Trump’s unique relationship with truth. August 5, 2020. Op-Ed: The truth behind Trump’s need to lie. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-08-05/donald-trump-lies-character-psychology
- Dan McAdams’s op ed in Los Angeles Times regarding Donald Trump’s penchant for lying.
Op-Ed: The truth behind Trump’s need to lie. Los Angeles Times.
August 5, 2020 - These reporters reference Dan McAdams’s psychobiography of Donald Trump, focusing on Trump’s relationship with his father. July 28, 2020: New York Times. Like father, like son: President Trump lets others mourn. By Annie Karni and Katie Rogers. https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/28/us/politics/donald-fred-trump.html?referringSource=articleShare__;!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!G9aPQRVB-ymKixssladIaKTpcxOhVPYEB-6j6nQRlNdszUqsvdRmzRCTmY-EptcDElM$
- Dan McAdams is interviewed by Don Lemon on CNN regarding Donald Trump’s bizarre press conferences.
CNN Tonight with Don Lemon. On Donald Trump’s personality and recent press conferences.
July 28, 2020 - Dan McAdams responds to Don Lemon’s questions about Trump’s erratic behavior in recent press conferences. July 28, 2020. CNN Tonight with Don Lemon. On Donald Trump’s personality and recent press conferences. https://mms.tveyes.com/transcript.asp?StationID=6330&DateTime=07%2f29%2f2020+03%3a30%3a46&Dur=299&PlayClip=true
- New York Times. Like father, like son: President Trump lets others mourn. By Annie Karni and Katie Rogers.
Dan McAdams comments on Donald Trump’s relationship with his father when Donald was young.
July 28, 2020 - Philadelphia Inquirer. Trump’s utter lack of grief, empathy is the coronavirus dog that didn’t bark. By Will Bunch.
In these two articles, Dan McAdams comments on President Trump’s response to the coronavirus crisis.
April 9, 2020: - Trump turns a crisis into his new nightly TV show. By Michael Kruse.
March 25, 2020: Politico. - Why mundane moments truly matter. By Simran Sethi.
Dan McAdams discusses the psychology of life stories and how small events in life sometimes take on important psychological meaning.
March 24, 2020: New York Times. - Trumpcast. The president without a psychology.
Dan McAdams discusses ways in which the psychology of Donald Trump defies conventional theories and research findings.
March 19, 2020: Slate:
2019
- A theory for why Trump’s base won’t budge. The Atlantic.
Dan McAdams’s article in The Atlantic on Trump’s narcissism and how it affects his followers.
December 2, 2019. - Christian Jarrett describes research on narrative identity, as pioneered by researchers at Northwestern University. May 27, 2019: BBC Future. The transformational power of how you talk about your life. By Christian Jarrett. http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20190523-the-way-you-tell-your-life-story-shapes-your-personality
- In this conceptual essay, Dan McAdams describes the psychological and social dynamics behind the fierce allegiance that Trump’s followers show, even as people who work for Trump continue to leave or be fired. December 2, 2019. A theory for why Trump’s base won’t budge. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/12/how-narcissists-wear-out-their-welcome/602446/
- Christian Jarrett of the BBC provides an in-depth look into the psychology of life stories, featuring work by Dan McAdams, the Study of Lives research group, and other psychologists who study narrative identity. May 27, 2019: BBC Future. The transformational power of how you talk about your life. By Christian Jarrett. http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20190523-the-way-you-tell-your-life-story-shapes-your-personality
2018
- Dan McAdams comments for Thomas B. Edsall, of the New York Times regarding gender and Donald Trump, focusing on Trump’s primal style of leadership.
July 12, 2018: New York Times. What happens if the gender gap becomes a gender chasm? By Thomas B. Edsall. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/opinion/trump-midterms-gender-gap.html
2017
- The Trump Show, produced by All Jazeera Media, features Dan McAdams’s analysis of Trump’s personality and his identity as a reality TV star. Released on April 12, 2017: Al Jazeera Media, The Trump Show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JznYAqyWlCk
- Dan McAdams joins other mental health experts to consider whether or not President Trump should be diagnosed with a mental illness, on National Public Radio.
- March 30, 3017: National Public Radio (NPR): 1A. “The White House and Mental Health: Past, Present, and Future.” http://the1a.org/shows/2017-03-30/white-house-and-mental-health-past-present-and-future
- Trump biographer cites Dan McAdams’s analysis of Trump’s leadership style for CNN.
March 9, 2017: CNN Online. Working for Trump is an embarrassment, by Michael D’Antonio.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/09/opinions/working-for-trump-reputation-risk-dantonio/index.html - Dan McAdams comments on Donald Trump’s appeal to evangelical Christian for The Daily Beast.
February 19, 2017: The Daily Beast. Trump and Putin: Our new Biblical kings, by Brandon Withrow.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/02/19/trump-putin-our-new-biblical-kings.html - “He is going to continue to create chaos”: The Atlantic interviews Dan McAdams on the presidency of Donald Trump.
January 29, 2017: The Atlantic. “He is going to continue to create chaos.” Interview with Dan P. McAdams, by Clare Foran. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/01/donald-trump-president/514802/
2016
- MSNBC interview with Dan McAdams, commenting on the angry impulsivity of Donald Trump and whether or not his temperament will serve him well on the national stage.
August 6, 2016: MSNBC: AM Joy. Inside the mind of Donald Trump.
http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/inside-the-mind-of-donald-trump-739396675536 - Wall Street Journal article on autobiographical memory, and the research of Dan McAdams and his students.
July 26, 2016: The Wall Street Journal. The value of a faulty memory, by Sue Schellenbarger.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-value-of-a-faulty-memory-1469553895 - In a short piece in The Atlantic magazine, Dan McAdams considers the question of whether or not people create their own personalities.
June 29, 2016: The Atlantic. Do humans inherit or create their personalities? A psychology professor sketches a debate that captivates many in his field. By Conor Friedersdorf.
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/06/do-humans-inherit-or-create-their-personalities/489266/ - WTTW Chicago Tonight interview with Dan McAdams on the personality of Donald Trump: What makes him tick?
June 21, 2016: Chicago Tonight, WTTW/PBS TV Chicago. What makes Donald Trump tick?
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2016/06/21/local-psychology-professor-asks-what-makes-donald-trump-tick - CBC radio interview with Dan McAdams and another professor regarding the unique personality of Donald J. Trump.
June 2, 2016: Canadian Broadcast Corporation radio show: The Current with Anna Maria Tremonti. Inside the mind of Donald Trump. - MSNBC interview: Dan McAdams comments on how Donald Trump’s personality may affect his ability to govern, should he be elected president.
May 29, 2016: MSNBC Morning News. If Trump wins, can he govern? - Atlantic Cover Story: Dan McAdams Analyzes Mind of Donald Trump
“My aim is to develop a dispassionate and analytical perspective on Trump, drawing upon some of the most important ideas and research findings in psychological science today,” SESP professor Dan McAdams says at the outset of his Atlantic article.
06/03/2016 - Katie Couric Interviews Dan McAdams on Psychology of Donald Trump
Based on Dan McAdams’s cover story for The Atlantic about “The Mind of Donald Trump,” journalist Katie Couric interviews Dan McAdams for Yahoo News.
06/02/2016
2013
- Huffington Post Interviews Dan McAdams on Personality
What is personality, and can it change? Professor Dan McAdams addresses these questions and more in a video interview with Huffington Post. McAdams explains that personality includes dispositional traits, goals and values, and the story you tell about your life.
10/21/2013 - Dan McAdams Tells Wall Street Journal about Millennials’ View of Adulthood
Millennials define adulthood differently than other groups. Taking time to explore different options often helps Millennials fashion a sense of identity, professor Dan McAdams tells the Wall Street Journal. He explains that there are many choices but no consensus on what a good life is.
06/19/2013 - Wilson Quarterly Describes Dan McAdams’s View of American Redemption Script’
An article about rehabilitation of convicts refers to Dan McAdams’s assertion that the American redemption script has two key components. First, Americans are fortunate or chosen to do great things in the world. The second is that “by responding successfully to hardships and tribulations, we will only grow stronger and better.” The article contends both are under threat.
04/15/2013 - New York Times Quotes Dan McAdams on People’s Perceptions of Their Future Selves
“The end-of-history effect may represent a failure in personal imagination, professor Dan P. McAdams says of the phenomenon that people expect to stay the same over time. In his research on life stories, he hears people tell complex, dynamic stories about the past but then make vague, prosaic projections of a future in which things stay pretty much the same.
01/03/2013
2011
- Washington Post Reviews Dan McAdams’s New Book on Bush
A Washington Post review of professor Dan McAdams’s George W. Bush and the Redemptive Dream says the book offers one of the first comprehensive psychological profiles of Bush and tries not to pre-judge.
01/18/2011 - Dan McAdams Discusses New Book on Mind of George Bush on Chicago Tonight
Professor Dan McAdams appeared on Chicago Tonight on January 5 to discuss his new book, George W. Bush and the Redemptive Dream. McAdams offers a psychological analysis, arguing that early events in Bush�s life would later shape his controversial decisions to lead the nation into war with Iraq.
01/06/2011
2010
- Prodigal Son: Dan McAdams Releases New Book about George Bush
In his new book George W. Bush and the Redemptive Dream, Professor Dan McAdams analyzes Bush’s distinct personality as central to his decision to invade Iraq.
12/03/2010 - New Yorker Review of Bush’s Memoir Cites Dan McAdams’s New Book
George Packer’s review of Decision Points in the New Yorker points out that professor Dan McAdams’s new book George Bush and the Redemptive Dream portrays September 11 experience as the geopolitical version of Bush’s personal story of redemption and mission.
11/29/2010 - Washington Post: Dan McAdams Blogs about What Bush Left Out of His Book
Professor Dan McAdams, whose new book is George W. Bush and the Redemptive Dream,blogs in the Washington Post about the former president’s story of redemption and the key elements of “real drama” that he left out of Decision Points.
11/17/2010 - New York Times Quotes Dan McAdams in Commentary on Why Indiscretions Appear Youthful
“Why All Indiscretions Appear Youthful” by Benedict Carey quotes professor Dan McAdams commenting on redemption as a thematic staple of the life stories that content American adults tell about themselves.
10/05/2010