Anton Gollwitzer

Anton Gollwitzer is an Assistant Professor at BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo, Norway, and an Associate Research Scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, Germany. His work bridges psychology, data science, and political behavior, with a focus on understanding human cognition and social dynamics.

Gollwitzer earned his PhD from Yale University in 2021, following dual Bachelor's degrees in Computer Science and Psychology from New York University. His academic trajectory reflects an interdisciplinary approach that informs his research methodology and theoretical frameworks.

His research interests span psychological processes and human behavior, with particular focus on non-normative behaviors, perceptions of social outliers, fanaticism, and the sharing of misinformation and propaganda. Gollwitzer's work lies at the intersection of psychology, data science, and political behavior, examining distorted belief systems and their societal impacts. His research is motivated by a commitment to protecting democratic institutions, civil liberties, and human rights.

Analysis of Gollwitzer's recent publications reveals consistent themes across psychology, political behavior, and social cognition. His work frequently examines how cognitive processes influence social behavior, particularly in polarized contexts. Key research strands include deviancy aversion (how discomfort with pattern disruptions influences social judgments), social psychological skill (individual differences in predicting social phenomena), intellectual humility as a buffer against false beliefs, and the psychological underpinnings of fanaticism. His methodological approach combines experimental psychology with real-world data analysis, including large-scale studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gollwitzer actively collaborates with researchers across institutions and disciplines. His work has been published in leading journals including Nature Human Behaviour, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. His research has received media coverage from international outlets including CNN, BBC, and The Times, indicating its relevance to contemporary societal issues.

He leads several research projects including investigations into Deviancy Aversion, Social Psychological Skill, Artificial Intelligence applications in data analysis, Motivation, Fanaticism, and Misinformation. These projects reflect his commitment to both theoretical advancement and practical applications of psychological science.