Conservative Social Psychologists? I think not.....

There is an enlightening video-presentation given by a social psychologist to a group of social psychologists that addresses the lack of diversity related to conservatives in the field.  Dr. Haidt argues that the group is a "tribal-moral community" that has many taboos and danger zones.  As such, they don't speak of "race differences, sex differences", they don't blame the victim, they watch for stereotyping  and nativism."  In this tribal group he tries to discover how many conservative social psychologist there are.  He could only find 3 conservative social psychologists.  He gives that a percentage of 0.03%.  He admits that there are a few "closet conservatives" but they refuse to come out because they will not be allowed to publish their findings or do the studies they would like to do.  He states that for claiming to be "super tolerant, free thinkers" that the group is very closed to conservatives and their ideas.  He argues that in reality there are "taboos which constrain thinking, they won't allow for moral and political diversity and they create a hostile climate for non-liberal students."  He believes that the field should set a goal for 10% conservatives by 2020.  He argues that for social psychologists to have true diversity that they must be open to other perspectives that will "challenge their dormant ideas and be bold enough to let the conservatives pull them out of their ideological ruts!"  Bravo to Dr. Haidt for his courage to tell the truth about his closed society that applauds their openness.  His 25 minute presentation is called The New Synthesis in Moral Psychology.  And thanks to my professor Dr. Ridge for making this perspective known.