Michael J. A. Wohl

Research Interests

Dr. Michael Wohl (Ph.D. 2003, University of Alberta) is a Professor of Psychology at Carleton University. Broadly speaking, he has two areas of research: 1) conflict resolution and 2) disordered gambling.

Conflict resolution: This research focuses on the causes and consequences of harmdoing at both the interpersonal (one person transgressing against another) and intergroup level (historical and contemporary harm experienced by members of one group at the hands of another group). This research examines, among other things, the emotional reaction that stems from harming or being harmed (e.g., angst, guilt) and their effects on psychological and physical health. Ultimately, Wohl’s work is oriented toward seeking means for forgiveness and reconciliation.

Disordered Gambling:  This research focuses on the factors that contribute to addiction (gambling) and refusal to seek treatment. The majority of this work has focused on erroneous cognitions (e.g., perceptions of luck), craving, and contextual factors (e.g., socio-economics) as predictors of continued gambling behaviour. Recently, Wohl has examined why disordered gamblers are reluctant to seek professional help and means to motivate behavioural change (e.g., promoting nostalgic revere for the pre-addicted self).

Funding for his research has come from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre, Manitoba Gambling Research Program, Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, National Center for Responsible Gambling, and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation.

Representative Publications

Conflict Resolution Research

Orazani, S. N., Wohl, M. J. A., & Leidner, B. (in press). Third parties are supportive of social movement’s use of violence when it previously used nonviolence (but failed to achieve change). Peace and Conflict Studies: Journal of Peace Psychology.  https://doi.org/10.1037/pac0000654

Wohl, M. J. A., Stefaniak, A., & Smeekes, A. (2023). Collective nostalgia as a balm for the distressed social identity. Current Opinions in Psychology, 49, 101542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101542

Chayinska, M., Kende, A., & Wohl, M. J. A. (2022). National identity and beliefs about historical linguicide are associated with support for exclusive language policies among the Ukrainian linguistic majority. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 25, 924-940. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430220985911

Kachanoff, F., Gray, K., Koestner, R., Kteily, N. & Wohl, M. J. A. (2022). Collective autonomy: Why groups fight for power and status. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 16, e12652. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12652

Stefaniak, A., & Wohl, M. J. A. (2022). In time we will simply disappear: Racial demographic shift induces collective angst among high-power groups and intentions to preserve the intergroup hierarchy. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 25, NP1-NP23. https://doi.org/10.1177/13684302211023551

Xuereb, S., Wohl, M. J. A., Stefaniak, A., & Elgar, F. (2021). Social and economic determinants of support for a strong leader in democracies differ from non-democracies. Journal of Social and Political Psychology, 9, 334-352. https//doi.org/10.5964/jspp.7235

Gambling and Behavioral Addictions Research

Wohl, M. J. A., Davis, C. G., & Tabri, N. (in press). Setting a hard (versus soft) monetary limit decrease expenditure: An assessment using player account data. International Gambling Studies.

Hollingshead, S. J., Davis, C. G., & Wohl, M. J. A. (2023). The customer-brand relationship in the gambling industry: Positive play predicts attitudinal and behavioural loyalty. International Gambling Studies, 23, 118-138. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2022.2086992

Tabri, N., Salmon, M. M., & Wohl, M. J. A. (2023). Advancing the Pathways Model: Financially focused self concept and erroneous beliefs as core psychopathologies in disordered gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 39, 13–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-022-10105-x

Clark, L. & Wohl, M. J. A. (2022). Langer’s illusion of control and the cognitive model of disordered Gambling. Addiction, 117, 1146-1151. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15649

St-Jean R., Dowson, M. E., Stefaniak, A., Salmon, M. M., Tabri, N, Wood, R. T. A., & Wohl, M. J. A. (2022). Understanding responsible cannabis consumption from the consumers’ perspective: A rapid evidence assessment. Substance Use & Misuse, 57, 1997-2007. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2022.2129996

Salmon, M. Kim, H. S., & Wohl, M. J. A. (2018). In the mindset for change: Self reported quit attempts are a product of discontinuity-induced nostalgia and incremental beliefs. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 37, 405-430. https//doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2018.37.6.405