Dr John Lawson

John's previous research was centred on the autism spectrum. He has developed a new cognitive model to conceptualise the spectrum that manages to synthesise the three dominant models in the area. The new model gives rise to a host of implications and issues that encompass three main areas 1) the autism spectrum 2) sex differences in the general population 3) the effect of a male bias towards a particular kind of cognitive style on the development of social structures and value systems. More recently he has been working in the area of the 'Dark Triad'. This involves an examination of sub-clinical psychopathy, narcissism and Machiavellianism in the general population. As a ‘social psychologist’ his primary interests are on those social environments and institutions that reward or promote these traits and also whether in some situations they can bring unexpected advantages.