Reference Library

In brief: The brossi.us reference library explains the two subjects behind every commentary on this site: how the human mind works, and how American government works. Each page is a plain-English, sourced explainer you can come back to whenever the news sends you looking for background.

Understanding Psychology

What psychology is, how the field grew from philosophy into a science, the milestones that shaped the profession, and the specialty that connects it all to politics. See the full series →

ReferenceWhat Is Psychology? A Plain-English GuideWhat is psychology? A plain-English guide to the science of mind and behavior: its main branches, how psychologists differ from psychiatrists, and licensing.Read →ReferenceA Brief History of Psychology: From Philosophy to ScienceA brief history of psychology, from Greek philosophy and Wundt’s 1879 lab to behaviorism, the cognitive revolution, positive psychology and replication.Read →ReferenceMilestones That Changed the Psychology ProfessionKey milestones in the psychology profession: APA’s founding, licensing laws, the DSM, the ethics code, the Goldwater Rule, parity laws, PSYPACT and 988.Read →ReferenceWhat Is Political Psychology? How the Mind Shapes PoliticsPolitical psychology studies how thoughts, emotions and group identity shape political behavior. Learn its history, core concepts and landmark studies.Read →

Understanding American Government

How the presidency works and how it has changed, what executive orders can and cannot do, how approval ratings rise and fall, and the laws and treaties that shaped the country. See the full series →

ReferenceThe American Presidents: A Short History of the OfficeHow the U.S. presidency grew from Washington to today: what the Constitution says, key eras, impeachments, deaths in office, and a full list of presidents.Read →ReferenceExecutive Orders Explained: What They Are and How They WorkWhat is an executive order? Learn its legal basis, how orders are numbered and published, how courts and Congress limit them, and counts for each president.Read →ReferencePresidential Approval Ratings Through HistoryHow presidential approval ratings work, Gallup’s highs, lows and averages from Truman to Trump, and why approval now splits so sharply along party lines.Read →ReferenceLandmark Laws That Shaped AmericaHow a bill becomes law, plus a table of 26 landmark U.S. laws from the 1789 Judiciary Act to the 2025 budget law, with dates, presidents and lasting effects.Read →ReferenceTreaties and International Agreements: How the U.S. Makes ThemHow the U.S. makes treaties and other international agreements, how it withdraws from them, and a table of landmark treaties with their status as of 2026.Read →

Looking for commentary instead?

The reference library covers the background. For analysis of what is happening now, read political commentary and psychology commentary from Dr. Bart Rossi, PhD, or follow one of the themed reading guides.