Prof Dr. Brad Bushman | Psychology | Best Researcher Award
Professor at The Ohio State University, United States
Dr. Brad J. Bushman, a distinguished professor at The Ohio State University, is a leading researcher in psychology and communication, particularly focusing on aggression, violence, and media effects. His extensive work spans over three decades, contributing to both academia and public policy. Dr. Bushman has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Morton Deutsch Conflict Resolution Award and the Kurt Lewin Award, reflecting his commitment to integrating theory and practice in psychology to address societal issues like youth violence and gun control.
professional profile
Education 
Dr. Brad J. Bushman holds an impressive and diverse educational background, beginning with his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, which he earned with Magna Cum Laude honors from Weber State University in 1984. Following this, he pursued a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Secondary Education from Utah State University, which he completed in 1985. Dr. Bushman then transitioned to the University of Missouri, where he obtained multiple advanced degrees. He first earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Psychology in 1987, followed by another M.A. in Statistics in 1990. Finally, he achieved his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Missouri in 1989. His educational trajectory demonstrates a commitment to interdisciplinary expertise, combining psychological insights with a robust statistical foundation.
work Experience
Dr. Brad J. Bushman is a renowned scholar in the field of psychology and communication, specializing in the study of human aggression and violence. He is currently serving as a Professor of Communication at The Ohio State University, where he has held prestigious roles such as the Margaret Hall and Robert Randal Rinehart Chair of Mass Communication. His professional journey spans several decades, marked by contributions to multiple institutions and research centers globally. Dr. Bushman began his career as an instructor at the University of Missouri, Columbia, where he taught from 1985 to 1990. He then joined Iowa State University, serving in various capacities, including Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and eventually full Professor in the Department of Psychology from 1990 to 2002. Following his tenure at Iowa State, he transitioned to the University of Michigan, where he was a Professor of Psychology and Communication Studies from 2003 to 2010. During this period, he also held a research position at the Research Center for Group Dynamics, Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. Since 2010, Dr. Bushman has been at The Ohio State University, where he holds dual appointments in the School of Communication and the Department of Psychology. In addition to his work at Ohio State, he has maintained adjunct and visiting professorships at various prestigious institutions, including the University of Luxembourg, VU University in Amsterdam, and the University of Kent. His international influence is further reflected in his roles as a Research Fellow at the Institute of Sociology in Bucharest, Romania, and an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent in the United Kingdom.
Research Focus
Dr. Brad J. Bushman is a renowned researcher whose primary focus lies in the fields of human aggression, violence, and media psychology. He has made significant contributions to understanding the causes and consequences of aggressive behavior, especially in relation to media influences like violent video games and television. His interdisciplinary research combines elements of psychology, communication, and public policy, exploring how media exposure impacts individuals’ social and emotional responses. Dr. Bushman has also been involved in public policy discussions, including gun violence prevention, youth violence, and aggression management. His extensive work has led to influential collaborations with various institutions and policy-making bodies, providing critical insights into how violent media can shape societal attitudes and behavior. Through his research, Dr. Bushman aims to contribute to solutions that mitigate the harmful effects of violence in media, ultimately promoting a more peaceful and informed society.
Awards and honors
Dr. Brad J. Bushman has received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his distinguished career. In 2022, he was honored with the Morton Deutsch Conflict Resolution Award by the American Psychological Association’s Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict, and Violence (APA Division 48). This recognition was for his groundbreaking contributions to understanding the causes, consequences, and solutions to human aggression and violence, with a focus on gun violence prevention. In 2020, Dr. Bushman was invited to “Tea with TOPSS” (Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools), an event organized by the American Psychological Association to engage educators with top scholars. Dr. Bushman’s impact on media psychology was further recognized in 2014 when he received the Distinguished Lifetime Contribution to Media Psychology and Technology Award from APA’s Division 46. Additionally, he was awarded the Kurt Lewin Award in 2017 by APA’s Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (Division 9) for his exceptional research and its integration into social action. Notably, in 2018, he delivered the APA Distinguished Scholar Lecture for Teaching, an honor that celebrates outstanding educators in psychology. These accolades, combined with his receipt of the Ig Nobel Psychology Prize in 2013, underscore Dr. Bushman’s far-reaching influence across psychology, communication, and social issues.
Conclusion
Dr. Brad J. Bushman is an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his impactful research, policy influence, and leadership in the field of aggression and violence studies. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of the psychological underpinnings of media violence and contributed to shaping policies to reduce societal violence. While further diversification of his research topics could enhance his legacy, his career achievements make him highly deserving of this honor.
Publications to Noted
Human aggression
Authors: CA Anderson, BJ Bushman
Citations: 7444
Year: 2002
Source: Annual Review of Psychology 53 (1), 27-51
Effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, aggressive affect, physiological arousal, and prosocial behavior: A meta-analytic review of the …
Authors: CA Anderson, BJ Bushman
Citations: 4202
Year: 2001
Source: Psychological Science 12 (5), 353-359
Threatened egotism, narcissism, self-esteem, and direct and displaced aggression: Does self-love or self-hate lead to violence?
Authors: BJ Bushman, RF Baumeister
Citations: 3638
Year: 1998
Source: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 75 (1), 219-229
Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in Eastern and Western countries: A meta-analytic review.
Authors: CA Anderson, A Shibuya, N Ihori, EL Swing, BJ Bushman, A Sakamoto, …
Citations: 3167
Year: 2010
Source: Psychological Bulletin 136 (2), 151
Egos inflating over time: A cross‐temporal meta‐analysis of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory
Authors: JM Twenge, S Konrath, JD Foster, WK Campbell, BJ Bushman
Citations: 1675
Year: 2008
Source: Journal of Personality 76 (4), 875-902
Psychological entitlement: Interpersonal consequences and validation of a self-report measure
Authors: WK Campbell, AM Bonacci, J Shelton, JJ Exline, BJ Bushman
Citations: 1653
Year: 2004
Source: Journal of Personality Assessment 83 (1), 29-45
Does venting anger feed or extinguish the flame? Catharsis, rumination, distraction, anger, and aggressive responding
Author: BJ Bushman
Citations: 1453
Year: 2002
Source: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 28 (6), 724-731
Is it time to pull the plug on hostile versus instrumental aggression dichotomy?
Authors: BJ Bushman, CA Anderson
Citations: 1451
Year: 2001
Source: Psychological Review 108 (1), 273
Self-esteem, narcissism, and aggression: Does violence result from low self-esteem or from threatened egotism?
Authors: RF Baumeister, BJ Bushman, WK Campbell
Citations: 1203
Year: 2000
Source: Current Directions in Psychological Science 9 (1), 26-29
Effects of alcohol on human aggression: An integrative research review.
Authors: BJ Bushman, HM Cooper
Citations: 1197
Year: 1990
Source: Psychological Bulletin 107 (3), 341