St. Joseph's University
Michael W. Magee, PhD
How fast you answer…is itself an answer. I study self-compassion, vegans as a social group, masculinity, and the moral psychology of how we treat non-human others—often in milliseconds.
The Stroop.
A word appears in colored ink. Tap the ink color, not the word. Twenty-four trials, then your score.
Well… I have a soft spot for this one. The Stroop effect was the topic of my very first research methods paper as an undergraduate, and it still gets me. Reading is so automatic that your brain can’t switch it off—even when the only thing you’re asked to do is name a color. The word gets in first, every time. Forty-five seconds and you’ll feel it happen.
Christians have more self-compassion than atheists—but also more grandiose (not fragile) narcissism.
Magee, M. W. (2025). Christians have more self-compassion than atheists—But also more grandiose (not fragile) narcissism. Pastoral Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-025-01239-x
“Religious belief may simultaneously support self-kindness and moral or spiritual self-enhancement—two things social psychology has tended to treat as opposites.”
This exploratory study investigates how self-compassion, grandiose narcissism, fragile narcissism, and shame differ among a sample comprising self-identified Christians (n = 303) and atheists (n = 328). Christians reported significantly higher levels of self-compassion and grandiose narcissism, suggesting a unique psychological profile in which religious belief may simultaneously support self-kindness and moral or spiritual self-enhancement. In contrast, no significant group differences emerged for fragile narcissism or shame, perhaps implying these more covert vulnerabilities are not strongly associated with religious affiliation. Competing theoretical interpretations for these findings are discussed, alongside practical implications for pastoral counseling, therapy, and spiritual care.
Kindness as a research program.
Dr. Magee is interested in how kindness, especially in the form of self-compassion, connects with masculinity. He hopes that his research will challenge cultural narratives that equate masculinity with aggression, emotional suppression, and dominance. In contrast, his work explores how kindness toward oneself and others—including non-human others—need not threaten men, but can instead support a more expansive and humane vision of masculinity. He is particularly interested in how embracing a plant-based lifestyle—beneficial for the planet, the animals, and for human health—can align with rather than undermine or threaten male identity. Dr. Magee also investigates vegans as a social group.
Dr. Magee directs the Social Cognition Lab at St. Joseph's University in Brooklyn, where undergraduate students are actively involved in every stage of the research process. Each year, Dr. Magee's students present original research at regional conferences. His mentorship centers on strengthening his students' intellectual curiosity, empathy, and personal transformation, helping them grow as scholars, citizens, and compassionate human beings.
At St. Joseph's, Dr. Magee serves as Director of Undergraduate Research and co-chairs the Faculty Technology Committee. He chaired the university's Institutional Review Board for five years and served six years on the Faculty Interest Council.
Hear about the next study before it launches.
One short note when a new experiment goes live or a paper comes out. No newsletter, no schedule — a handful of emails a year.