Exploring Loyalty Dynamics Theory at the 8th Annual Kevin McClean Colloquium

Dr. Randall D. Ordovich-Clarkson, MD

March 11, 2025

On March 3rd, 2025, I had the privilege of presenting at the 8th Annual Kevin McClean Research Colloquium hosted by Grand Canyon University. This annual symposium brings together scholars, researchers, and students from a variety of disciplines to showcase innovative research and foster scholarly dialogue. It was a true honor to be part of such an enriching academic environment.

At this year’s colloquium, I introduced my team’s latest research on Loyalty Dynamics Theory (LDT)—a multidisciplinary framework we developed to better understand the biopsychosocial underpinnings of loyalty and its role in shaping pro-social behavior (Ordovich-Clarkson et al., 2025). My presentation, “Loyalty Dynamics Theory: Defining Loyalty Across Disciplines,” explored how loyalty operates across five major domains: evolutionary biology, psychology and sociology, economics, philosophy and literature, and theology.

Our theory posits that loyalty is best understood as “the promotion of a chosen idea to be actualized through ethical means.” This conceptualization emphasizes both commitment and moral responsibility, aiming to bridge gaps between individual, group, and societal dynamics. We also introduced the concept of Well-Adjusted Loyalty, a balanced state that avoids the extremes of betrayal on one end and zealotry on the other.

During the talk, I had the opportunity to discuss key findings from our two current research projects:

1. A systematic literature review, which established the theoretical framework for LDT.

2. A quantitative and qualitative survey study with nearly 900 participants, examining how loyalty perceptions differ across political ideologies. The study revealed notable differences between conservatives and liberals in their prioritization of loyalty, providing valuable insights into the intersection of moral psychology and political orientation.

Loyalty Dynamics Theory (LDT) hierarchy diagram covering all major academic domains from the biological to the theological domain.

The feedback and discussions following the presentation were incredibly rewarding. It was exciting to see so many scholars engage with our ideas and offer thoughtful questions that will no doubt help shape the next stages of our research.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to the colloquium organizers, faculty, and my fellow presenters for creating such a collaborative and inspiring atmosphere. Special thanks to my co-PIs, Dr. Magen Branham and Cameron Esprit, and our entire research team whose hard work and dedication made this presentation possible.

As we continue developing LDT, we are eager to explore its practical applications in social psychology, neuroscience, and beyond. Our ultimate goal is to establish a cohesive understanding of loyalty that can inform everything from interpersonal relationships to organizational behavior and societal governance.

Stay tuned for more updates on our work, upcoming publications, and future presentations!

View the full recording of my presentation at the 8th Annual Kevin McClean Colloquium including follow-up Q&A from academic colleagues and students (Ordovich-Clarkson, 2025)

REFERENCES

Ordovich-Clarkson, R. D., Esprit, C., & Branham, M. (2025, March 3). Loyalty Dynamics Theory (LDT): A Multidisciplinary Approach to Understanding Loyalty and Pro-Social Behaviors. ResearchGate. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.24970.58560

Ordovich-Clarkson, R. D. (2025, March 8). Loyalty Dynamics Theory (LDT). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUU014QKCR8