EXPERT ADVISORY: R00233 – 31 October 2016
A presidential candidate accused of sexually assaulting more than a dozen women over the years. Another embroiled in an email scandal with national security implications. Debates heavy on character assassination.
This has been a U.S. presidential election race like no other.
With election night around the corner, Brock University has six experts available to comment on political, social and psychological aspects of the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Stefan Dolgert, professor in the Department of Political Science, can speak to:
• The role of voter “resentment” in supporting or tolerating racist or sexist positions
• Shortcomings of the Republican Party national committee that led to Trump being the major candidate
• How awareness of “rape culture” has evolved and sparked discussion on Trump’s self-proclaimed past sexual behaviour with women
Paul Hamilton, professor in the Department of Political Science, can speak to:
• Challenges after the election results; particularly if Clinton wins, reconciliation with a section of the white working class who are disenfranchised
• The future of the Republican Party
• The other elections happening that day for the Senate, House and state governments and the implications of those results
Angela Book, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, and Tony Volk, associate professor in the Department of Child and Youth Studies, have authored a study currently under review where they examined the personality traits of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton using a psychological measurement tool called the Hexaco Personality Inventory.
Book and Volk can speak to:
• How Trump and Clinton scored on the Hexaco Inventory
• The concept of “dark personalities” and how the two candidates rate
• How and when traits such as narcissism, psychopathy and other personality disorders have appeared during the campaign
• The psychological appeal that the candidates have on the electorate
Tami Friedman, associate professor in the Department of History, can speak to:
• Differences and similarities in the current U.S. presidential election compared to past elections
• Parallels between Donald Trump and previous presidential candidates
• How Hillary Clinton’s former role of First Lady affects the way she’s perceived today
• Appearances of sexism and racism in this election compared to past years
Murray Knuttila has just released his book, Paying for Masculinity, in which he explores male dominance and its impact on society, media and culture.
Knuttila, professor in the Department of Sociology, can speak to:
• Specific examples of dominance Trump displays during the campaign and in the past
• How Trump uses media to get his message across
• The impact that Trump’s comments about women have on women and girls and how society perceives gender rights
• Trump’s interactions with Hillary Clinton and how what he says and does affects her campaign
To arrange interviews, send requested date and time to:
* Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970
– 30 –
