Drew Westen
Encyclopedia
Andrew "Drew" Westen is professor
in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry
at Emory University
in Atlanta, Georgia
. He received his undergraduate degree (B.A.) from Harvard University
, an M.A. in Social and Political Thought from the University of Sussex
(England
), and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
from the University of Michigan
, where he taught introductory psychology
for several years.
Born in 1959, he is married and has two children.
s, with a focus on people with personality disorders, who have interpersonal problems. After several years at the University of Michigan, he then moved to Harvard University, where he was professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Chief Psychologist at the Cambridge Hospital
. He is unusual among academic clinical psychologists in being both an active researcher and a practicing clinician for 25 years, who has written on what can be learned from both science and practice.
At Harvard University and at Emory, Westen's work has focused on developing and refining the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure as a tool for researchers and clinicians to help further the understanding of personality and its disorders. He has contributed to the literature on eating disorders as well as to several others, including psychological anthropology, adolescent psychiatry, psychoanalysis, and social and affective neuroscience.
Much of Westen's theoretical work has attempted to bridge perspectives, particularly cognitive, psychodynamic, and evolutionary. He has published 140 research papers in the scientific literature.
His series of videotaped lectures on abnormal psychology, called "Is Anyone Really Normal?", was published by The Teaching Company
, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution
. He also provides psychological commentaries on political issues for All Things Considered
on National Public Radio.
conference in Palm Springs, California
the results of a study in which functional magnetic resonance imaging
(fMRI) showed that self-described Democrats
and Republicans
responded to negative remarks about their political candidate of choice in systematically biased ways.
Specifically, when Republican test subjects were shown self-contradictory quotes by George W. Bush
and when Democratic test subjects were shown self-contradictory quotes by John Kerry
, both groups tended to explain away the apparent contradictions in a manner biased to favor their candidate of choice. Similarly, areas of the brain responsible for reasoning (presumably the prefrontal cortex
) did not respond during these conclusions while areas of the brain controlling emotion
s (presumably the amygdala
and/or cingulate gyrus) showed increased activity as compared to the subject's responses to politically neutral statements associated with politically neutral people (such as Tom Hanks
).
Subjects were then presented with information that exonerated their candidate of choice. When this occurred, areas of the brain involved in reward processing (presumably the orbitofrontal cortex
and/or striatum
/ nucleus accumbens
) showed increased activity.
Dr. Westen said,
The study was published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
18:11, pp. 1947–58, a peer-reviewed
scientific journal
.
Even before the article was peer-reviewed and published, Michael Shermer
used the presentation by Dr. Westen as the basis for his July 2006 Skeptic column in the magazine Scientific American
.
published The Political Brain by Westen. The book has drawn considerable attention in Democratic national circles and is credited as having influenced campaign strategies in a number of races in 2008 and will likely do so in years ahead, as Westen has become prominent as both a speaker and political consultant.
In November 2011, The New Republic ranked Westen among its list of "over-rated thinkers, writing "he appears to be giving a deeper, more inward analysis, when in fact his knowledge of politics is amateurish."
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
at Emory University
Emory University
Emory University is a private research university in metropolitan Atlanta, located in the Druid Hills section of unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The university was founded as Emory College in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia by a small group of Methodists and was named in honor of...
in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. He received his undergraduate degree (B.A.) from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, an M.A. in Social and Political Thought from the University of Sussex
University of Sussex
The University of Sussex is an English public research university situated next to the East Sussex village of Falmer, within the city of Brighton and Hove. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961....
(England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
), and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology
Clinical psychology is an integration of science, theory and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and personal development...
from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, where he taught introductory psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
for several years.
Born in 1959, he is married and has two children.
Research
His research is in the cognitive, emotional, and motivational processes that people use to maintain intimate relationshipIntimate relationship
An intimate relationship is a particularly close interpersonal relationship that involves physical or emotional intimacy. Physical intimacy is characterized by romantic or passionate love and attachment, or sexual activity. The term is also sometimes used euphemistically for a sexual...
s, with a focus on people with personality disorders, who have interpersonal problems. After several years at the University of Michigan, he then moved to Harvard University, where he was professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Chief Psychologist at the Cambridge Hospital
Cambridge Hospital
The Cambridge Hospital campus is a community teaching hospital located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is one of three hospital campuses that are part of Cambridge Health Alliance.-Services:...
. He is unusual among academic clinical psychologists in being both an active researcher and a practicing clinician for 25 years, who has written on what can be learned from both science and practice.
At Harvard University and at Emory, Westen's work has focused on developing and refining the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure as a tool for researchers and clinicians to help further the understanding of personality and its disorders. He has contributed to the literature on eating disorders as well as to several others, including psychological anthropology, adolescent psychiatry, psychoanalysis, and social and affective neuroscience.
Much of Westen's theoretical work has attempted to bridge perspectives, particularly cognitive, psychodynamic, and evolutionary. He has published 140 research papers in the scientific literature.
His series of videotaped lectures on abnormal psychology, called "Is Anyone Really Normal?", was published by The Teaching Company
The Teaching Company
The Teaching Company is a Chantilly, Virginia company that produces recordings of lectures by university professors and high-school teachers. It sells the courses in CD, DVD, MPEG-4, and MP3 formats.- Background :...
, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
. He also provides psychological commentaries on political issues for All Things Considered
All Things Considered
All Things Considered is the flagship news program on the American network National Public Radio. It was the first news program on NPR, and is broadcast live worldwide through several outlets...
on National Public Radio.
Political bias study
In January 2006 a group of scientists led by Westen announced at the annual Society for Personality and Social PsychologySociety for Personality and Social Psychology
The Society for Personality and Social Psychology is an academic society for personality and social psychologists with over 4500 members worldwide. SPSP serves as Division 8 of the American Psychological Association and publishes the journals Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin and...
conference in Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
the results of a study in which functional magnetic resonance imaging
Functional magnetic resonance imaging
Functional magnetic resonance imaging or functional MRI is a type of specialized MRI scan used to measure the hemodynamic response related to neural activity in the brain or spinal cord of humans or other animals. It is one of the most recently developed forms of neuroimaging...
(fMRI) showed that self-described Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
responded to negative remarks about their political candidate of choice in systematically biased ways.
Specifically, when Republican test subjects were shown self-contradictory quotes by George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
and when Democratic test subjects were shown self-contradictory quotes by John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
, both groups tended to explain away the apparent contradictions in a manner biased to favor their candidate of choice. Similarly, areas of the brain responsible for reasoning (presumably the prefrontal cortex
Prefrontal cortex
The prefrontal cortex is the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain, lying in front of the motor and premotor areas.This brain region has been implicated in planning complex cognitive behaviors, personality expression, decision making and moderating correct social behavior...
) did not respond during these conclusions while areas of the brain controlling emotion
Emotion
Emotion is a complex psychophysiological experience of an individual's state of mind as interacting with biochemical and environmental influences. In humans, emotion fundamentally involves "physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience." Emotion is associated with mood,...
s (presumably the amygdala
Amygdala
The ' are almond-shaped groups of nuclei located deep within the medial temporal lobes of the brain in complex vertebrates, including humans. Shown in research to perform a primary role in the processing and memory of emotional reactions, the amygdalae are considered part of the limbic system.-...
and/or cingulate gyrus) showed increased activity as compared to the subject's responses to politically neutral statements associated with politically neutral people (such as Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
).
Subjects were then presented with information that exonerated their candidate of choice. When this occurred, areas of the brain involved in reward processing (presumably the orbitofrontal cortex
Orbitofrontal cortex
The orbitofrontal cortex is a prefrontal cortex region in the frontal lobes in the brain which is involved in the cognitive processing of decision-making...
and/or striatum
Striatum
The striatum, also known as the neostriatum or striate nucleus, is a subcortical part of the forebrain. It is the major input station of the basal ganglia system. The striatum, in turn, gets input from the cerebral cortex...
/ nucleus accumbens
Nucleus accumbens
The nucleus accumbens , also known as the accumbens nucleus or as the nucleus accumbens septi , is a collection of neurons and forms the main part of the ventral striatum...
) showed increased activity.
Dr. Westen said,
- None of the circuits involved in conscious reasoning were particularly engaged... Essentially, it appears as if partisans twirl the cognitive kaleidoscope until they get the conclusions they want... Everyone... may reason to emotionally biased judgments when they have a vested interest in how to interpret 'the facts.'
The study was published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
The Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience is a peer-reviewed academic journal for scientific research on cognitive neuroscience and the interaction between brain and behavior...
18:11, pp. 1947–58, a peer-reviewed
Peer review
Peer review is a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance and provide credibility...
scientific journal
Scientific journal
In academic publishing, a scientific journal is a periodical publication intended to further the progress of science, usually by reporting new research. There are thousands of scientific journals in publication, and many more have been published at various points in the past...
.
Even before the article was peer-reviewed and published, Michael Shermer
Michael Shermer
Michael Brant Shermer is an American science writer, historian of science, founder of The Skeptics Society, and Editor in Chief of its magazine Skeptic, which is largely devoted to investigating pseudoscientific and supernatural claims. The Skeptics Society currently has over 55,000 members...
used the presentation by Dr. Westen as the basis for his July 2006 Skeptic column in the magazine Scientific American
Scientific American
Scientific American is a popular science magazine. It is notable for its long history of presenting science monthly to an educated but not necessarily scientific public, through its careful attention to the clarity of its text as well as the quality of its specially commissioned color graphics...
.
Books
In 2007, PublicAffairsPublicAffairs
PublicAffairs is an imprint of the Perseus Books Group, an American book publishing company located in New York City. From PublicAffairs' web site:...
published The Political Brain by Westen. The book has drawn considerable attention in Democratic national circles and is credited as having influenced campaign strategies in a number of races in 2008 and will likely do so in years ahead, as Westen has become prominent as both a speaker and political consultant.
In November 2011, The New Republic ranked Westen among its list of "over-rated thinkers, writing "he appears to be giving a deeper, more inward analysis, when in fact his knowledge of politics is amateurish."
External links
- Drew Westen's Research Lab website
- Drew Westen's faculty profile at Emory University
- Westen's political and corporate consulting firm
- 12 Sept 2008 interview on PBSPublic Broadcasting ServiceThe Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
' NOW