Political Science Commons^™

“Bin Laden’S Brain”: The Abrasively Negativistic Personality Of Dr. Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Aubrey Immelman, Kathryn Kuhlmann

Psychology Faculty Publications

This paper presents the results of an indirect assessment of the personality of Ayman al-Zawahiri, deputy leader of the al-Qaida terrorist network at the time of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States and allegedly chief strategist for al-Qaida operations and personal physician to Osama bin Laden.

Al-Zawahiri’s primary personality patterns were found to be Contentious/oppositional and Dominant/controlling, with secondary features of the Dauntless/dissenting and Ambitious/self-serving patterns.

The amalgam of Contentious (negativistic, or passive-aggressive) and Dominant (aggressive, or sadistic) patterns in al-Zawahiri’s profile suggests the presence of the “abrasive negativist” syndrome. For these personalities, minor frictions easily …

A Research Agenda For Political Personality And Leadership Studies: An Evolutionary Proposal, Aubrey Immelman, Theodore Millon

Psychology Faculty Publications

Despite major neuroscientific advances in the past two decades and parallel conceptual refinement in evolutionary theory, personality-in-politics inquiry remains adrift, divorced from these broader spheres of scientific knowledge. This paper reviews the neurobiological substrates of three major domains of evolutionary biology and behavioral ecology relevant to political personality assessment and the psychological examination of political leaders; furnishes a context and set of guiding ideas to revitalize the study of the person as biopsychosocial entity in politics; advances a generative theory of personality and political leadership performance; and proposes an agenda for advancing personality-in-politics and leadership inquiry, informed by insights derived …

Personality In Political Psychology, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This chapter outlines the history of personality inquiry in political psychology, examines the current state of personality assessment in politics, and charts a course for the study of personality in politics in the post-cognitive revolution era, informed by contextually adjacent scientific fields such as behavioral neuroscience and evolutionary ecology.

The chapter offers a comprehensive, generative, theoretically coherent framework for studying personality in politics, consonant with established principles in the adjacent sciences and integrative with respect to accommodating a diversity of politically relevant personal characteristics. The proposed framework attempts to bridge conceptual and methodological gaps between current formulations in the source …

The Personality Profile Of Al-Qaida Leader Osama Bin Laden, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This paper presents the results of an indirect assessment of the personality of Osama bin Laden, founder and leader of the al-Qaida terrorist network responsible for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States.

Bin Laden’s primary personality patterns were found to be Ambitious/exploitative and Dauntless/dissenting, with a secondary Distrusting/suspicious orientation, and subsidiary Dominant/controlling and Conscientious/dutiful features.

Ambitious individuals are bold, competitive, and self-assured; they easily assume leadership roles, expect others to recognize their special qualities, and often act as though entitled. Dauntless individuals are bold, courageous, and tough; minimally constrained by the norms of society; routinely engage …

The Personality Profile Of September 11 Hijack Ringleader Mohamed Atta, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This paper presents the results of a posthumous, indirect assessment of the personality of Mohamed Atta, apparent ringleader in the September 11, 2001 terror attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, from the conceptual perspective of Theodore Millon.

Information concerning Mohamed Atta was collected from media reports in the one-month period following the attack and synthesized into a personality profile using the second edition of the Millon Inventory of Diagnostic Criteria (MIDC), which yields 34 normal and maladaptive personality classifications congruent with Axis II of DSM-IV.

The personality profile yielded by the MIDC was analyzed on the …

The Political Personality Of U.S. President George W. Bush, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This paper presents the results of an indirect assessment of the personality of U.S. president George W. Bush, conducted 1998–2000 from the conceptual perspective of personologist Theodore Millon.

Psychodiagnostically relevant data regarding Bush was extracted from biographical sources and media reports and synthesized into a personality profile using the Millon Inventory of Diagnostic Criteria (MIDC), which yields 34 normal and maladaptive personality classifications congruent with Axis II of DSM–IV.

The personality profile yielded by the MIDC was analyzed in accordance with interpretive guidelines provided in the MIDC and Millon Index of Personality Styles manuals. Bush was found to be …

The Character Of Hillary Clinton, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This essay documents some of the enduring personal characteristics that provide an empirical basis for assessing Hillary Rodham Clinton’s dominant, ambitious personality pattern from a psychobiographical, psychohistorical perspective.

Portrait Of George W. Bush As A “Late Bloomer”, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This essay documents some of the enduring personal characteristics that provide an empirical basis for assessing George W. Bush’s outgoing, adventurous personality pattern.

The Political Personalities Of 2000 U.S. Presidential Candidates George W. Bush And Al Gore, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This paper presents the results of indirect psychodiagnostic assessments of the political personalities of Texas governor George W. Bush and U.S. vice president Al Gore, putative Republican and Democratic nominees in the U.S. presidential election of 2000, from the conceptual perspective of Theodore Millon.

Information concerning George W. Bush and Al Gore was collected from published biographical and autobiographical accounts and political reports in the print media, and synthesized into personality profiles using the second edition of the Millon Inventory of Diagnostic Criteria (MIDC), which yields 34 normal and maladaptive personality classifications congruent with Axis II of DSM–IV.

The …

Sustainable Development And The State: Analyzing Costa Rica And Nicaragua's Experiences, Rebecca Reibestein

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

This paper examines the role of the state in the implementation and success of sustainable development. It first argues there are certain concepts (capacity building, community participation, and empowerment) inherent in any type of successful development. These concepts need to be realized and addressed by the state in order for sustainable development to be long-term and successful. The examination of both Costa Rica and Nicaragua's progress in sustainable development in light of their respective political and economic development proves how integral these concepts are. Throughout the paper the issue of NGO/IGO versus state involvement in sustainable development is brought up. …

Why Al Gore Will Not Be Elected President In 2000, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This article highlights the key role of extraversion with reference to electoral success in U.S. presidential elections since the advent of television and argues that the introverted Al Gore will therefore not be elected president in 2000. Starting with Franklin D. Roosevelt, nearly every U.S. president has been extraverted relative to other U.S. presidents, except for Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter. Moreover, since the first televised presidential debate (between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon) in 1960, the more outgoing candidate has consistently won the election, with the exception of Nixon in 1968 and 1972.

Working For A Living: A Comparison Of The Public Assistance And Employment And Training Programs Of Sweden, The United Kingdom, And The United States, Brendan Conor Kelly

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

In industrial democracies, creating conditions of social justice depends on just welfare state institutions. This paper compares how three models of the democratic welfare state, in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, attempt meet the demands of justice through public assistance and employment and training programs that provide for a well-trained labor force. The paper compares each state's public assistance and employment and training programs, the historical and political developments of each system, and each program's successes and failures. It examines the present situations in each country and the likelihood of future changes. Understanding the political constraints of …

The Political Personality Of U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This paper presents the results of an indirect psychodiagnostic assessment of the political personality of U.S. vice president Al Gore, Democratic nominee in the 2000 presidential election, from the conceptual perspective of Theodore Millon.

Information concerning Al Gore was collected from published biographical and autobiographical accounts and political reports in the print media, and synthesized into personality profiles using the second edition of the Millon Inventory of Diagnostic Criteria (MIDC), which yields 34 normal and maladaptive personality classifications congruent with Axis II of DSM-IV.

The personality profile yielded by the MIDC was analyzed on the basis of interpretive guidelines …

Race And Baseball In North Dakota In The 1930'S, Reynaldo A. Aligada

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

In the 1930s in North Dakota, town teams employed black players from the Negro Leagues. In the communities of Bismarck and Jamestown, North Dakota, players were denied membership while performing a socially important function--playing baseball. Because of their race, they were ineligible for membership.

The Gender Gap In The 1996 Presidential Election:An Examination Of Gender Gaps In Public Opinion And Political Communication, Nicole Kroetsch

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

The gender gap in the electorate was highlighted as a distinguishing feature of the presidential election in 1996. Because it was recognized as such an important political phenomenon, citizens, politicians, political strategists and journalists offered explanations for its existence. Two common explanations surfaced: women and men voted differently because they cared about different public issues and women and men voted differently because they responded differently to the communication styles of the candidates. When examining these claims within the specific context of the presidential campaign of 1996, their validity is challenged by solid research. Although there were some political issues, such …

1996 Welfare Reform: Effects On Single-Parent Families In Rural Minnesota, Philip M. Kern

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

In 1996, historic legislation redirected and changed our national system of welfare, a structure that had been in place for over 60 years. Despite minor tinkering in various years since the 1960s, the distribution of welfare in this country for the most part has fallen under the same guidelines since its creation. However, the recent changes, at both the national and state levels, will have a profound impact on the lives of the most disadvantaged Americans. In this thesis, I will explain the 1996 national and state welfare reform laws and how they fail to provide the necessary solutions for …

The Clinton Chronicle: Diary Of A Political Psychologist, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

Chronicle, from the perspective of political psychology, of events and controversies in the impeachment saga of President Bill Clinton, from the president’s August 17, 1998 testimony before the grand jury in the Starr investigation to his acquittal on February 12, 1999.

The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same: Germany's Pursuit Of Power In The Twentieth Century, Joshua Hayes

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

Germany faces a "German Problem" because of history and ideology. Branded an aggressor nation because of its role in the two World Wars, Germany is still attempting to succeed in a competitive, anarchic world similar to that described by Hobbes' State of Nature. I illustrate this international environment through game theory's Prisoner's Dilemma. Viewed in this manner, Germany feared defection by neighboring states and its actions to protect itself helped cause the First World War. Contemporary Germany has learned from its past experiences and has a new anti-aggression stance which competes with an old Faustian German ethos. I shall argue …

Immigration Or Ethnic Diversity?: Racism And Cultural Tolerance In Modern French Society, Tara Lane

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

A French person who speaks of immigration is speaking about the large population of Arabs and West Africans who have migrated to France over the last 20-30 years, the majority of whom are legal citizens. At issue are the problems surrounding the integration of millions of people who are of a different race, religion, and culture into a society which does not accept difference. Why does immigration continue to exist despite attempts at regulation and general public opposition? The economics of immigration must also be considered in examining immigration policy. The debate over immigration in France in the 1900s involves …

Justice Harry Blackmun And The Regulation Of Sexually Explicit Expression, John T. Mcbroom

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

Harry Blackmun is a Supreme Court Justice whose Court identity and ideology became more moderate or liberal during his twenty-four years on the Court (1970-1994). In cases dealing with the regulation of sexually explicit expression, however, he maintained a moderately conservative (pro-government censorship) position throughout his tenure. Blackmun consistently upheld the government's right to ban sexually explicit expression that had been found "obscene" under the test outlined in Miller v. California, 93 S.Ct. 2607 (1973). This was in direct contrast to the position held by Justices William Brennan and Thurgood Marshall, Blackmun's two closest Court allies in the 1980's and …

The Effects Of For-Profit Health Care Corporations On American Health Care, Erik Leaver

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

My thesis investigated the implications associated with the increasing numbers of investor-owned hospitals in America's hospital market. Traditionally, most hospitals have been non-profit, and I wanted to analyze whether the drive for profits would compromise the care that hospitals provide to their patients. I studied the differences and similarities between non-profit and for-profit ownership types in three key areas: quality, access, and efficiency. I discovered through my research that the differences between the two ownership types are becoming increasingly difficult to identify. I concluded that for-profit hospitals have created a more competitive environment, and this increased competition will help keep …

Las Maquiladoras Y Su Gente: A Look At The United States-Mexico's Industrial Past, Present, And Future, Stamate P. Skliris

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

My Senior Honors Thesis entails a close look at the U.S.- owned sweat shops which reside along the 2,000 mile border between the U.S. and Mexico. In my thesis, I discuss the positive and negative attributes of the Maquiladora Industry, in addition to their history, and a prognostication of what lies ahead for their future.

The Fall Of Sendero Luminoso, Anthony T. Daniel

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

The Fall of Sendero Luminoso evaluates the rise and decline of the Shining Path movement, or Sendero Luminoso, in Peru. The social insurrection began in 1980 and seeks to establish a communist state in Peru through the use of guerrilla warfare. The 1992 capture of Sendero's leader, Abimael Guzman, significantly weakened the organization and its influence in Peruvian society has diminished. My thesis attempts to postulate the reasons for the collapse of the organization with a particular focus on how the practices and policies of Sendero inhibited the revolution from establishing a deep social foundation. I argue that Sendero's use …

The Application Of International Water Law To The Disputes Over Freshwater In The Middle East, Jason Woolwine

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

Of all the freshwater in the world today, only about one-third of one percent is available for human consumption and survival. Relationships among countries of the region were, and continue to be significantly affected and played out in the use of water and the policies that surround their use. Because of the growing concerns and problems surrounding the legal rights to have fair access to water, it has become essential for countries to realize that it is their ability to deal with this issue that will determine their survival. The common framework of international law and its principles may act …

A Comparison Of The Political Personalities Of 1996 U.S. Presidential Candidates Bill Clinton And Bob Dole, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This paper employs the conceptual framework of Theodore Millon to examine and compare the political personalities of President Bill Clinton and Senator Bob Dole. Information pertaining to President Clinton and Senator Dole was gathered from published material and employed to generate a personality profile using the Millon-Type Political Personality Checklist (MPPC).

The assessment revealed that President Clinton’s primarily personality patterns were Asserting/self-promoting and Outgoing/gregarious, with secondary features of the Complaining/discontented, Controlling/forceful, and Agreeing/cooperative patterns. Senator Dole’s primarily personality patterns were Controlling/aggressive and Conforming/regimented, with secondary features of the Asserting/self-promoting and Complaining/negativistic patterns.

The personality profiles yielded by the MPPC are …

The Role Of Human Rights Organizations Case Study: Chiapas, Heidi Muller

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

No abstract provided.

Women And Politics In Japan: Flowers Of The Home To Flowers Of Politics, Sarah Ann Langer

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

The study of women and politics in Japan provided many insights into women's activism as well as the changes women have brought in Japanese politics. Facing considerable odds when seeking positions within contemporary politics, women candidates often faced a variety of disadvantages as well. A man was assumed to inherit politics, but a woman was not. However, if a woman could conquer or ignore such societal pressures, she could then enter the world of politics. Women's positions will change as individual pioneers (such as the four I examined i.e. Tsuda Ume, Ichikawa Fusae, Yosano Akiko, Tanaka Makiko) work their way …

A Critical Theory Of Liberalism: A Case For Community, David Gregory Seibert

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

No abstract provided.

The Future Of Francophone Africa Without The Aid And Influence Of Its Former Colonial Power, France, Ryan Mcgovern

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

French colonialism dramatically changed sub-Sahara Africa in the region now called Francophone Africa. In 1960 the French granted the francophone countries independence but French influence did not end. France's neo- colonial influence caused many problems for the newly independent countries including economic dependence, unwanted boundaries and the establishment of an elite class. The Africans themselves have been struggling with mismanagement, corruption and political and economic instability. Recent breaks in Franco-African relations has caused the French to take a step back from its high level of influence in Africa. In order for francophone Africa to prosper without the aid and influence …

What About The Rural Poor?, Melissa J. Petrangelo

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

The American public generally perceives poverty as an urban problem. However, the incidence of poverty is actually higher in rural areas. Current, AFDC and food stamp legislation reflects the American public's perception. What is overlooked in AFDC and food stamp legislation is the distinguishing characteristics of the rural poor. AFDC and food stamp legislation are less effective in reducing poverty in rural areas. Where you are poor makes a difference. Recognition of the diversity of poverty populations is crucial for the design of effective policies and programs.