The Team.

Lab Director: Dr. Cara C. MacInnis

In general, I am interested in the way humans interact with one another in our diverse world, focusing on barriers to positive intergroup relations. All of my work is relevant to the study of negative attitudes toward groups, or prejudice, with most of my research falling into one of three overlapping lines of research:

• Examining perceptions (e.g., dehumanization, meta-stereotypes), behaviours (e.g., avoidance of dissimilar others), and emotions (e.g., disgust) that negatively impact intergroup relations.
• Examining intolerance-related socio-political orientations (e.g., authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, conservatism), both in terms of their correlates and consequences (e.g., sexual behaviour) and in terms of their impact on intergroup relations.
• Examining potential means by which to overcome barriers to positive intergroup relations and reduce prejudice (e.g., cross-group contact). 

Students

Elena Buliga
Doctoral Student

Elena is a first year PhD student and she is interested in exploring the relationships between cross-group friendships, intergroup attitudes and ingroup identification. For her Master's project, she examined cross-group relationships between international and Canadian students. In addition, a particular research interest of hers is examining the commonality and friendship quality of cross-political friendships in a highly polarized political climate. When she is not working on her studies, Elena enjoys camping with her family in the summer and making all types of crafts with paper and clay.

Harrison Boss
Master's Student

Harrison began his master's in social psychology at the University of Calgary in 2017 under the supervision of Dr. Cara MacInnis. He previously completed a BA in psychology and an honours degree in archaeology. His research interests include refugees and employment barriers, intergroup contact, prejudice and discrimination, personality, and personnel selection. Outside of academic work, Harrison is a competitive curler, and also enjoys skiing and hiking.

​Elaine Atay
​​Honours Student

Elaine is an honours student in the intergroup relations lab. She has interests in social, cultural, and industrial-organizational psychology. In particular, she is interested racial identity. For her honours thesis, Elaine is studying perceptions of those in leadership position as a function of their perceived race. Elaine plans to obtain a graduate degree in psychology in the future. 

Courtney Miller
Honours Student

Courtney is studying cross-group friendships. In particular, she is looking what makes cross-group friendships last over time, with a focus on examining social network integration. Courtney has strong interests in working with children and plans to obtain a graduate degree in school and applied child psychology. 

Research Assistants

Alicia Shelley Ta ​

Aiza Fatima

Amrit Kaler

Emily Bernier

Alicia completed her BA in psychology, and is currently doing an after-degree in Urban Studies. She is interested in the psychology of spaces and mobility, their physical and social characteristics, social/spatial justice, and how urban planning and policy affects individuals and the environment. Alicia is currently helping Dr. MacInnis with her research studying the experiences and interactions of vegan and vegetarian individuals and groups.

Aiza is currently helping Dr. MacInnis with a study regarding the formation of relationships between students from differing backgrounds and the impact of these interactions on their university experiences. Topics in social psychology that interest her include the formation of stereotypes, cross-group friendships and conditions which turn intergroup contact into a positive or negative experience. Aiza has completed her BSc in Biological Sciences and wishes to pursue a career in medicine.

Amrit is a PSYC 499 student with Dr. MacInnis. Amrit is in her third year of my undergraduate studies with a major in psychology. She has a wide range of research interests that include social dominance theory and the effects of dehumanization on intergroup relations. She is also fascinated by topics relating to interpersonal relationships as well as the effects of workplace incivility. 

Emily is a fourth-year psychology student taking PSYC 499 under Dr. MacInnis. Her main interests are clinical forensic psychology, however she has discovered a passion for anything relating to social psychology. She is intrigued by the underlying motives fueling interpersonal interactions as well as the stigma surrounding mental illness. Outside of school, Emily enjoys cooking and kick boxing to relieve stress.

Azra Sorathia
Azra is a 499 student under Dr. MacInnis, and is completing her BA in Psychology. Her main interests are in clinical neuropsychology, but she is also intrigued by social psychology, mainly mental health stigma and interpersonal relationships. Outside of academia, Azra enjoys volunteering, spending time with friends and family, and works in the fashion industry. ​​
Grace-Chloe Lumbala
Grace-Chloe is a PSYC 499 student with Dr. MacInnis. She plans to obtain a degree in law or counselling psycholog
Jenn Mansell Murray
Jenn is a research assistant in the lab currently assisting with data collection. She plans to obtain a graduate degree in counselling psychology.