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Miriam Matthews

Photo of Miriam Matthews
Senior Behavioral and Social Scientist
Washington Office

Education

Ph.D. in social psychology, Claremont Graduate University

Overview

Miriam Matthews is a senior behavioral and social scientist at the RAND Corporation. She conducts research in the areas of political psychology and diversity and multiculturalism.

Matthews has published research on multiple topics, including the factors that contribute to negative intergroup attitudes among Americans and Arabs, the effects of threats on political attitudes, and the situations that influence support for anti-Western jihad. She has also examined barriers to diversity within the Department of Defense civilian workforce, hazing measurement and prevention, sexual assault prevention and response, racial/ethnic harassment and discrimination, and various international data collection efforts. 

Matthews earned her Ph.D. in social psychology from Claremont Graduate University, and she was a postdoctoral research fellow with the University of Oxford.

Research Focus

Selected Publications

Hackett, J., Omoto, A., & Matthews, M., "Human rights: The role of psychological sense of global community," Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 21, 2015

Levin, S., Pratto, F., Matthews, M., Sidanius, J., & Kteily, N., "A dual process approach to understanding intergroup prejudice in Lebanon: An extension to intergroup threat perceptions and emotions," Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 16, 2013

Levin, S., Matthews, M., Guimond, S., Sidanius, J., Pratto, F., Kteily, N., Pitpitan, E., & Dover, T., "Assimilation, multiculturalism, and colorblindness: Mediated and moderated relationships between social dominance orientation and prejudice," Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48, 2012

Dover, T.L., Matthews, M., Krauss, D.A., & Levin, S., "Just world beliefs, expert psychological testimony, and verdicts: A mediational model," Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 12, 2012

Victoroff, J., Adelman, J., & Matthews, M., "Psychological factors associated with support for suicide bombing in the Muslim Diaspora," Political Psychology, 33, 2012

Matthews, M., & Levin, S., "Testing a dual process model of prejudice: Assessment and manipulation of group threat perceptions," Motivation and Emotion, 36, 2012

Matthews, M., Levin, S., & Sidanius, J., "A longitudinal test of ideological motives within the model of political conservatism as motivated social cognition," Political Psychology, 30, 2009

Commentary

  • Airman 1st Class Summer Toney, 1st Lt. Ashley Guthrie Capt. Kate Bufton, Capt. Emily Nelson, Tech. Sgt. Lori Tascione and Staff Sgt. Krysteena Scales make up an 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flight crew, March 19, 2005

    The U.S. Air Force Is Working Harder to Retain Female Officers, and Here's How

    Women are underrepresented among the U.S. Air Force's senior leadership. This could be robbing the service of the potential to improve innovation, agility, and performance. The Air Force is working to address diversity in the service, and it continues to work to improve representation of women within its ranks.

    Aug 6, 2018 Dallas Morning News

  • Air Force Maj. Travis Tucker, right, explains an AC-130U Spooky gunship’s weapons systems to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein during a mission orientation flight at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Oct. 19, 2016

    Improving the Effectiveness of Air Force Squadron Commanders

    U.S. Air Force commanders around the world understand their responsibilities. But they believe that many unrecognized duties interfere with mission performance. They are generally prepared by professional education and career progression to fulfill their responsibilities, but they could use more instruction on how to command.

    May 23, 2018 Homeland Security Today

  • People walk next to an election campaign poster of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Stavropol, Russia, March 14, 2018

    Putin's Boasting About Nuclear Weapons Won't Help Him in the Russian Election

    In a March 1 address to the nation, Russian President Vladimir Putin evoked Soviet-era exaggeration, proclaiming barely feasible economic and social goals and boasting of nuclear arms that are unlikely to change the strategic balance. Continued exaggeration could sap public confidence in the legitimacy of Russia's ruling system and leaders.

    Mar 15, 2018 Newsweek

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a news conference in Moscow, March 10, 2017

    How Putin Ensnares

    President Vladimir Putin is Russia's charmer-in-chief, with years of experience in high-level diplomacy. As part of Russia's influence operations, Putin may seek to entice or suborn Western leaders. How might he try to win them over?

    Mar 18, 2017 U.S. News & World Report

Publications