Richard J Crisp, University of Birmingham

"On the multiplicity of group life: Categorization, complexity and reducing intergroup bias"

We’re multifaceted. There are diverse, interwoven, and complex ways in which we can describe ourselves and others. Think for a moment about all the different ways in which you can classify yourself: young, British, Asian, woman, Muslim, engineer, even Manchester united supporter…This is quite an array of identities and, of course, there are many more. We know that which of these identities is used to define ourselves -- or others -- depends upon a variety of factors, including context and motivation; but also that identities are not mutually exclusive. We can be, and often are, identified and identify others according to a combination of group membership: a disabled athlete, a young Briton, a female engineer. Research on multiple social categorization has found that our many and varied, cross-cutting and convoluted, social identities have significant implications for understanding, and attenuating, prejudice and intergroup discrimination. This paper is all about these multiple identities and what they mean for intergroup relations. I review research on multiple identities and discuss when and how different categorization strategies can lead to more positive intergroup attitudes; and how this work can help policy makers and practitioners in their efforts to promote, encourage and enhance harmonious intergroup relations.

Biography

Richard Crisp read Experimental Psychology at St. Catherine’s College, the University of Oxford, before studying for a PhD in Social Psychology at Cardiff University. In 1999 he took a lectureship position at the University of Birmingham where he is currently a Reader. Underlying his work is the aim of developing interventions designed to encourage greater egalitarianism in social attitudes and interactions; to reduce prejudice and social exclusion. This work focuses on the psychological processes that define how we think about ourselves and others, and whether these processes can provide a basis for improving the societies in which we live. In particular, his research investigates the psychological impact of perceiving multiple social identities (young, British, black, liberal…). This research has shown that thinking about the different ways in which we can classify ourselves and others can, under the right conditions, lead to the formation of more positive and inclusive intergroup attitudes. With over 40 publications, including edited works and a forthcoming textbook of social psychology, he is past recipient of the British Psychological Society award for Outstanding Doctoral Research Contributions to Psychology (2000) and the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Louise Kidder Early Career Award (2003).