Dr John Lawson

My previous research was centred on the autism spectrum. I have 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 I have 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’ my 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.