Drew Westen

Drew Westen, a political psychologist and messaging consultant, and Frank Luntz, a political communications expert, dive into the powerful role language plays in shaping political views. They discuss how political terms can manipulate public perception, creating divisiveness or unity. Anecdotes about contentious issues like healthcare reveal how relatable language can connect with voters. They emphasize the importance of empathy and clarity in communication to bridge political divides, advocating for language that fosters understanding across communities.

Psychologists’ research has found that it’s not the nuances of policy debates that drive voter behavior but instead how voters feel about candidates and political parties -- and whom they trust to share their values. Drew Westen, PhD, of Emory University, talks about how emotions drive our political behavior, what makes for an effective political speech or ad campaign, and what role political messaging may be playing in shaping our increasingly polarized public discourse.    Links   Drew Westen, PhD   Speaking of Psychology Home Page Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices