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). 
  

 

*I will be accepting applications for graduate students for Fall 2018

Students

Elena Buliga
Master's Student

Elena is a second year MSc student and she is interested in exploring the relationships between cross-group friendships, intergroup attitudes and ingroup identification. For her Master's project, she is examining 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 Clark Dion 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.

Heather Iverson
​​Honours Student

Heather is in the final year of her undergraduate psychology honours degree and is completing her honours thesis under the supervision of Dr. Cara MacInnis. She is interested in researching topics of childlessness, personality, prejudice and discrimination, and dehumanization. Outside academia, Heather teachings snowboarding and martial arts to children and adolescents. Heather is raising a puppy to become an assistance dog for the PADS (Pacific Assistance Dogs Society) program. 

Mallaz Najmi-Beauchamp
Directed Studies Student

Mallaz was born in Canada and raised in Fort McMurray and is in his final year of his degree in Neuropsychology. He is under the supervision of Dr. MacInnis for the semester as a directed studies student and will focus on perceptions relating to climate change. Mallaz's research interests are broad, but with a preference towards how individuals live in the world around them. Mallaz is headed to Medical School in May to begin his path to becoming a neurosurgeon certified in the United States and Canada. 

Coordinators

Lisa Nguyen
Research Coordinator

Lisa joined the lab in fall 2015. She completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Psychology degree with Dr. MacInnis in June 2017 at the University of Calgary. Her main area of interests are intergroup contact/friendship and the conditions under which intergroup friendship are most likely produce positive outcomes. In her spare time, Lisa likes to play dodgeball and spend time with friends and family.

Research Assistants

Alicia Shelley Ta ​

Aiza Fatima

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 an undergraduate student completing the 4th year of her Biological Sciences degree. Despite being a biology student, she is very interested in psychological phenomenon such as behaviors related to stereotypes, prejudices, and stigmas. However, that does not limit her research interests as she is intrigued by a variety of topics related to how humans interact with each other. She is currently a volunteer RA, helping Dr. Cara MacInnis with a study regarding attitudes and interactions of Canadians towards newcomers to Canada.