It’s rational not to vote

The turnout for the recent Dutch municipal council elections was very low. From a rational perspective this is not surprising. The chance of casting the pivotal vote is minuscule, so why vote?

Gert-Jan Lelieveld • April 02, 2014

How we vote

Although we like to think that our vote is solely the outcome of rational deliberation, research demonstrates the various influences on our political preferences. Even the language that is used might impact our ideological leanings.

Jojanneke van der Toorn • March 17, 2014

Why asking Russians to be empathetic leads to increased anti-gay prejudice

In response to Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law, politicians have urged the Russian authorities to show empathy and take the perspective of same-sex couples. I argue that this can be counterproductive: Perspective taking can foster anti-gay prejudice.

Marlon Mooijman • March 04, 2014

Raising the minimal legal drinking age: the best preventive measure thinkable

Barbara Braams is correct in that there is not one single solution to the problem of young people drinking large quantities of alcohol. Yet, no intervention is as effective in lowering adolescent alcohol use as raising the minimum legal drinking age.

Winifred Gebhardt • February 19, 2014

Digital surveillance programs - safeguards or spies?

Do we perceive states that read our emails, web chats, and other (digital) communications as safeguards or as spies? Research indicates that these attitudes are largely influenced by how news reports about these controversial issues are framed.

Gerdien de Vries • June 18, 2013

Perceptions of pseudovoice

Since last week citizens in the Netherlands can start a referendum on any issue that matters to them. However, the outcome can easily be ignored by the government. This is an example of ‘pseudovoice’, and therefore mostly ineffective.

Gerdien de Vries • March 04, 2013

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