In general, we are interested in the way people interact with one another in our diverse world.
Here are some (but not all!) specific topics we study in the lab:
Here are some (but not all!) specific topics we study in the lab:
Intergroup contact/ friendship.
Intergroup contact (i.e., contact between members of different groups) is one of the most reliable ways to reduce prejudice and promote positive intergroup relations. Cross-group friendships are an especially powerful form of intergroup contact. We study the conditions under which intergroup contact/friendship is most likely to produce positive outcomes, including examinations of alternative forms of contact (e.g., online contact) and physiological stress during intergroup contact.
Intolerance-related socio-political orientations.
Socio-political orientations such as right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, and political conservatism strongly predict prejudice. We study correlates and consequences of these socio-political orientations, and also examine them as they contribute to negative intergroup relations
Prejudice toward under-recognized groups.
Many forms of prejudice are widely considered socially unacceptable, whereas other forms of prejudice are openly tolerated. We study these relatively openly tolerated forms of prejudice in order to better understand prejudice as a social phenomenon.
Dehumanization.
Dehumanization is the denial of full “humanness” to individuals or groups. Dehumanization is a component of bias toward several outgroups and can contribute to negative intergroup relations. We examine the potential consequences of dehumanization.
Meta-stereotypes.
Meta-stereotypes are the typically negative stereotypes believed to be held by an outgroup about one’s ingroup. One common meta-stereotype held by majority group members (e.g., White people) is that the outgroup (e.g., Black people) views the majority group (e.g., Whites) to be prejudiced or biased. We explore these bias meta-stereotypes as they serve as barriers to positive intergroup relations.
Intergroup contact (i.e., contact between members of different groups) is one of the most reliable ways to reduce prejudice and promote positive intergroup relations. Cross-group friendships are an especially powerful form of intergroup contact. We study the conditions under which intergroup contact/friendship is most likely to produce positive outcomes, including examinations of alternative forms of contact (e.g., online contact) and physiological stress during intergroup contact.
Intolerance-related socio-political orientations.
Socio-political orientations such as right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, and political conservatism strongly predict prejudice. We study correlates and consequences of these socio-political orientations, and also examine them as they contribute to negative intergroup relations
Prejudice toward under-recognized groups.
Many forms of prejudice are widely considered socially unacceptable, whereas other forms of prejudice are openly tolerated. We study these relatively openly tolerated forms of prejudice in order to better understand prejudice as a social phenomenon.
Dehumanization.
Dehumanization is the denial of full “humanness” to individuals or groups. Dehumanization is a component of bias toward several outgroups and can contribute to negative intergroup relations. We examine the potential consequences of dehumanization.
Meta-stereotypes.
Meta-stereotypes are the typically negative stereotypes believed to be held by an outgroup about one’s ingroup. One common meta-stereotype held by majority group members (e.g., White people) is that the outgroup (e.g., Black people) views the majority group (e.g., Whites) to be prejudiced or biased. We explore these bias meta-stereotypes as they serve as barriers to positive intergroup relations.
