Dr. Matthias Burghart

Postdoc

Criminology
Independent Research Group Personality, Identity, and Crime
+49 761 7081-318

m.burghart@csl.mpg.de

Main Focus

Matthias Burghart’s research focuses on the relationship between personality factors and antisocial behavior. In the European Research Council funded project KNOW-THYSELF, he investigates how self-knowledge interventions can be used to promote genuine prosocial behavior. His work also aims to improve consensus regarding the definition of self-knowledge using meta-analytical techniques.

Curriculum Vitae

Professional Appointments

2024–present: Postdoctoral researcher, Independent Research Group “Personality, Identity, and Crime”, Department of Criminology, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law, Freiburg, Germany

Professional Experience

2019–2024: Doctoral researcher and lecturer at the Social Brain Lab, University of Konstanz, Germany
2023: Visiting PhD at the Affective and Criminal Neuroscience Lab, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
2019: Student research assistant at the Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
2017–2018: Student research assistant at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
2014–2015: Student research assistant at the Zurich Office of Corrections, Research and Development Unit, Zurich, Switzerland

Education

2019–2024: PhD Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Konstanz, Germany (supervisor: Daniela Mier)
2017–2019: M.Sc. Forensic Psychology, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
2012–2017: B.Sc. Psychology, University of Konstanz, Germany

Projects

- All

A silhouette contains a compass surrounded by the terms Integrity, Respect, Ethics, Values. Antique-looking background (similar to a world map), brown color.

KNOW-THYSELF: Increasing Self-Knowledge to Promote Moral Behavior

Head of project: Isabel Thielmann (PI); contributors/researchers: M. Burghart, N. Casali, T. Khalaf, A. Seidl
The functioning of societies and the quality of social relationships depend on moral behaviors such as fairness, cooperation, and honesty. Conversely, immoral behaviors – including exploitation, dishonesty, and fraud – carry significant societal costs. Understanding how to promote moral… more

Chessboard: a pawn stands on a chessboard. The reflection in a round mirror shows a king piece.

EPIC: Elements of Personality and Identity Change

Head of project: Isabel Thielmann (PI); contributors/researchers: M. Burghart, N. Casali, T. Khalaf, J. Peichl, N. Popov, A. Seidl, B. E. Yelbuz
Personality traits, self-concept, and identity are central to how people think about themselves, how they are perceived by others, and how they behave in everyday life. In the moral domain, these aspects shape whether individuals act in an honest, fair… more

Police officer seen from behind, wearing uniform and yellow vest with police lettering; he is standing next to the police car.

Individual Differences in the Police Force

Heads of project: Matthias Burghart, Hannes Rusch, Isabel Thielmann
Can psychometric testing to assess individual differences usefully complement the existing selection procedures used by state police forces in Germany? – State police forces in Germany receive thousands of applications each year and must select the most suitable candidates for police service. This project evaluates current… more