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solutions

We use psychology to change politics.

First Person Politics is a different kind of consulting firm. We focus on the unconscious human factors that shape political attitudes and behaviors. We use political psychology — the science of influence and motivation — to bring you solutions that will help you reach your goals. To find out more about how we can help you, contact us today.

book an introductory seminar

Whether you’re eager for a fresh perspective or want to see if First Person Politics is right for you, our 45-minute seminars will open your eyes and your mind. Our seminars will introduce you to the invisible, unconscious factors at the heart of your biggest strategic challenges. You’ll never look at politics the same way again. Click here to see a list of our current offerings.

research the topic with a lit review

A Directed Lit Review is usually the first step in any new project. Before you conduct research of your own, you need to learn what political psychology experts already know that can help you reach your goals. Instead of going to the library yourself, hire First Person Politics to find and bring you the solutions you need. Click to learn how it works.

A Directed Lit Review is usually the first step in any new project. Before you conduct research of your own, you need to learn what political psychology experts already know that can help you reach your goals. Instead of going to the library yourself, hire First Person Politics to find and bring you the solutions you need.

how it works

We don’t just look for good ideas. We look for ideas you can use: strategies that actually motivate and influence people given the practical realities of campaigning, organizing, and governing. First Person Politics will bring you specific, actionable recommendations derived from peer-reviewed research conducted by the leading authorities in political psychology.

Step 1: The First Pass. We’ll begin by discussing your strategic goals and interests, and send you a cost estimate for our preliminary review. Based on your interests, we’ll conduct a first pass of the political psychology literature, gathering all the articles and resources we believe to be relevant.

Step 2: Finalizing the Research Agenda. Once the First Pass is complete, we’ll send you a short memo estimating the volume of available material. You’ll have the opportunity to accept or modify the research agenda to reflect your priorities.

Step 3: The Final Product. Once the research agenda is approved, we’ll send you a cost estimate for the final product and arrange a time and method for delivery. Choose a format that works best for you:

  • A bullet point outline
  • A written report
  • A conference call
  • An in-person meeting
  • A slideshow presentation
  • Any combination of these

Step 4: The Follow Up. We will be happy to answer short follow-up questions, email you copies of articles that pique your interest, and refer you to political psychology experts. We’ll also suggest ways First Person Politics can be of further assistance.

discover people’s motivations

Personality traits and cognitive styles have been strongly linked to a wide range of political phenomena — from ideological beliefs to news consumption habits. When you conduct a poll, you already measure people’s demographic traits. Why not measure their psychological traits as well? Often it’s as simple as adding a few questions. Your new and improved survey results will change how you identify, target, and influence voters. Click here to see examples of some of the tools we use.

target their motives with strategic messaging

In today’s complex political and media landscape, strategic messaging has never mattered more. Your values, ideas, and arguments must not only cut through the noise, but speak directly to the motivations of your target audience. We believe polls and focus groups can shed some light on which messages work and which do not. But they are no substitute for messaging informed by political psychology, honed in the context of the larger debate, and executed through clear, concise, and creative writing.

Click here to read our piece in Campaigns & Elections on effective messaging.

Click here to see a psychologically-informed messaging plan supporting filibuster reform.

“Generational theory teaches how to reach across age gaps, and how to lead and govern effectively. Nobody understands these lessons better than David Rosen. When he a makes recommendation based on his understanding of generations and politics, go ahead and take his advice.”
– Neil Howe, author of Generations, The Fourth Turning, and Millennials in the Workplace

get inside their head with psychological profiling

In the 1970s, the CIA began building psychological profiles of foreign leaders and international terrorists. First Person Politics uses the same techniques to gain unparalleled insight into the motives of domestic political leaders. Psychological profiling can help you defeat an opponent, influence a key decision-maker, or keep you from becoming your own worst enemy. Click to learn more about what psychological profiling can tell you.

In the 1970s, the CIA began building psychological profiles of foreign leaders and international terrorists. First Person Politics uses the same techniques to gain unparalleled insight into the motives of domestic political leaders. Psychological profiling can help you defeat an opponent, influence a key decision-maker, or keep you from becoming your own worst enemy. Click to learn more about what psychological profiling can tell you.

A psychological profile can help you get to know a person better than they know themselves. Profiling is not a substitute for good research — it’s how you make the most use of it. A psychological profile can tell you a great deal about the subject’s:

  • basic personality type
  • instinctive power motives
  • psychological and neurotic conflicts
  • chronic ego defense mechanisms
  • personal and political relationship patterns
  • unconscious political and ideological assumptions
  • group identifications and role expectations
  • involuntary behavioral patterns

Our profiles are built around your strategic priorities. If the subject is a target for persuasion, we’ll highlight aspects of their psychology you can use to influence their beliefs and behaviors. If the subject is an opponent, we’ll focus on their vulnerabilities and recommend the most effective attacks.

Click to see how we use psychological profiling to define and defeat your opponent.

read between the lines with content analysis

Content analysis is a time-honored technique used by psychologists to discover what people really think. First Person Politics can introduce you to our own techniques — culled from the political and forensic psychology literature — or we can learn and apply your preferred methods. Our methods are guaranteed to expose a person’s true intentions and anticipate their most likely next move.

steal the spotlight with a well written speech

Need a hand with speech writing? What makes First Person Politics different from most political speech writers is that we understand messaging, narrative, and archetypal psychology. Not all writers grasp the difference between written and spoken word, but we do. Research, composition, and editing are included. We can also edit works already in progress.

wow your audience with the help of public speaking coaching

“Merely stating a truth isn’t enough. The truth has to be made vivid, interesting, dramatic. You have to use showmanship.”
– Dale Carnegie

The best public speakers take advantage of the opportunities in the speech, play to their personal strengths as a speaker, and forge a relationship with their audience. First Person Politics will analyze the text of your speech, work with you to improve your delivery, and prepare you for audience reactions using a unique interactive method.

add a psychological perspective to your work

Sometimes you just need someone in the room with a background in political psychology… someone who knows how to spot invisible, unconscious stumbling blocks and turn them into stepping stones. In other words, you need First Person Politics in the room. If you pull out the chair, we’ll happily take a seat and add our unique perspective to your strategic roundtable. Click for more details.

Sometimes you just need someone in the room with a background in political psychology… someone who knows how to spot invisible, unconscious stumbling blocks and turn them into stepping stones. In other words, you need First Person Politics in the room. If you pull out the chair, we’ll happily take a seat and add our unique perspective to your strategic roundtable.

First Person Politics will work with you to build a solutions package that best meets your needs. Or you can select one of the packages below. Contact us for pricing.

insights package

10 hours per month. Our most basic package is ideal for clients who want a political psychology strategist in the room. First Person Politics will attend your meetings and conduct a few hours of research each month on specific, narrow questions.

perspectives package

20 hours per month. The Perspectives Package is like signing up for your own personalized speaker series. In addition to attending your meetings and offering strategic insights, First Person Politics will present one of our seminars each month OR conduct original research on a topic of your choosing. This package is designed for clients interested in making political psychology an ongoing part of their strategic thinking and planning.

progress package

30 hours per month. Got a small project you want us to handle? First Person Politics will take care of the details. This package is ideal for ongoing projects like content management or content analysis that require a sustained commitment of about an hour a day or about five to eight hours per week.

transformations package

Book us continuously for a few days or a few weeks so we can plan your campaign, stage your event, or participate in your retreat. No matter what you have in mind, we’ll bring to the table ideas and tools that deliver the results you need. 

contact us for a consultation