Stats in the Wild

The 2012 election process is in full swing, but almost no one seems happy about it.  When pollsters recently asked Americans about the election, 7 out of 10 said that they couldn’t wait for it to be over.  In part, the electorate’s malaise stems from the fact that none of the G.O.P.’s candidates are generating much enthusiasm from Republican voters, and President Obama’s approval rating continues to hover at less than 50%.  People aren’t excited about their options, and as the election process grinds on many voters may be thinking that no matter who wins the presidency in November, he (or she) will not be the sort of leader that we really want.

But exactly what kind of leader is that? What do people look for when picking a president?

Everyone holds a set of expectations, assumptions, and beliefs about what a “good” leader is like.  Social and organizational psychologists…