I focus on the causes and consequences of harmdoing at both the interpersonal (one person transgressing against another) and intergroup level (historical and contemporary harm experienced by members of one group at the hands of another group). This research examines, among other things, the emotional reaction that stems from harming or being harmed (e.g., angst, guilt) and their effects on psychological and physical health. Ultimately, my work is oriented toward seeking means for forgiveness and reconciliation. My research also focuses on the factors that contribute to addiction (gambling) and refusal to seek treatment. The majority of this work has focused on stress and coping responses, erroneous cognitions, and craving as predictors of continued gambling behaviour.

Primary Interests:

Aggression, Conflict, Peace
Applied Social Psychology
Causal Attribution
Group Processes
Intergroup Relations
Interpersonal Processes
Judgment and Decision Making
Self and Identity

Aggression, Conflict, Peace
Applied Social Psychology
Causal Attribution
Group Processes
Intergroup Relations

Interpersonal Processes
Judgment and Decision Making
Self and Identity

Research Group or Laboratory:

Forgiveness Laboratory
Interactive Map

Journal Articles:

Wohl, M. J. A., & Branscombe, N. R. (2008). Remembering historical victimization: Collective guilt for current ingroup transgressions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 94, 988-1006.
Wohl, M. J. A., & Branscombe, N. R. (2005). Forgiveness and collective guilt assignment to historical perpetrator groups depend on level of social category inclusiveness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 88, 288-303.
Wohl, M.J.A., Branscombe, N.R., & Reysen, S. (2010). Perceiving your group’s future to be in jeopardy: Extinction threat induces collective angst and the desire to strengthen the ingroup. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 36, 898-910.
Wohl, M. J. A., Christie, K. L., Matheson, K., & Anisman, H. (2010). Animation-based education as a gambling prevention tool: Correcting erroneous cognitions and reducing the frequency of exceeding limits among slots players. Journal of Gambling Studies, 26, 469–486.
Wohl, M. J. A. & Enzle, M. E. (2009). Illusion of control by proxy: Placing one’s fate in the hands of another. British Journal of Social Psychology, 48, 183-200.
Wohl, M. J. A., Giguère, B., Branscombe, N. R., & McVicar, D. N. (2011). One day we might be no more: Collective angst and protective action from potential distinctiveness loss. European Journal of Social Psychology, 41, 289–300.
Wohl, M. J. A., Hornsey, M. J., & Bennett, S. H. (in press). Why group apologies succeed and fail: Intergroup forgiveness and the role of primary and secondary emotions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Wohl, M. J. A., Hornsey, M. J., & Philpot, C. R. (in press). A critical review of official public apologies: Aims, pitfalls, and a staircase model of effectiveness. Social Issues and Policy Review.
Wohl, M. J. A., & McGrath, A. L. (2007). The perception of time heals all wounds: Temporal distance affects willingness to forgive following an interpersonal transgression. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 33, 1023-1035.
Wohl, M. J. A., & Thompson, A. (2011). A dark side to self-forgiveness: Forgiving the self and its association with chronic unhealthy behaviour. British Journal of Social Psychology, 50, 354-364.
Wohl, M. J. A., & Van Bavel, J. J. (in press). Is identifying with a historically victimized group good or bad for your health? Transgenerational post-traumatic stress and collective victimization. European Journal of Social Psychology.
Young, M. M., & Wohl, M. J. A. (2009). The gambling craving scale: Psychometric validation and behavioral implications. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 23, 512-522.

Courses Taught:

Diversity in Psychological Worldviews
Health Psychology
Political Psychology
Social Psychology

Diversity in Psychological Worldviews
Health Psychology

Political Psychology
Social Psychology

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Michael Wohl
Department of Psychology
Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6
Canada

Phone: (613) 520-2600, ext. 2908
Fax: (613) 520-3667