Stanford Psychology Podcast 146 - Alex Shaw: The Price of Neutrality
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Jan 30, 2025 In a captivating discussion, Dr. Alex Shaw, an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago, delves into the complexities of morality and neutrality in social behavior. His research reveals that staying neutral in political disputes can often lead to perceptions of distrust, as observers may view it as strategic deception. The conversation also touches on child development's role in shaping moral concepts, the dynamics of friendship among children, and offers insightful advice for PhD applicants on aligning research interests with mentors.
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Morality's Core
- Morality is more than just kindness; it involves condemning others' actions.
- We judge and punish people for behaviors beyond lack of cooperation.
Developmental Morality
- Studying children helps determine which moral principles are easily learned.
- Some principles might be innate, while others require more complex learning.
Path to Morality Research
- Alex Shaw's interest in morality stemmed from a work-study job in a behavioral economics lab during undergrad.
- This led him to further research morality and fairness during his PhD.