Ep. 185 Can You Teach a Moral Compass? (w/ Dr. Neema Trivedi-Bateman)

In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Alison Jane Martingano sits down with Dr. Neema Trivedi-Bateman, senior lecturer in criminology at Loughborough University and founder of the Compass Project, an innovative intervention designed to strengthen moral development and promote prosocial behavior in young people. Neema shares how her research on empathy, shame, guilt, and decision-making inspired the creation of Compass, and explains why helping young people reflect on their emotions and choices may be more effective than focusing solely on rules and punishment. Together, they explore the role of moral reasoning, self-control, and social environments in shaping behavior, as well as the challenges of translating theory into real-world programs. From promising early results in schools to plans for international expansion, their conversation highlights how research-driven interventions can help young people make healthier decisions and create positive changes in their communities.