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Social Psychological Research on the Landscape of Prejudice
This event was held on the 16th March 2007 in the Cabinet Office, and was chaired by Professor Diane Houston. The aim was to inform policies related to equal opportunities and anti-discrimination through opening up a dialogue between social psychologists and policy-makers. The event was a huge success, and was attended by key policy-makers working in equality-related areas.
The event brought together three of the foremost social psychologists in the UK: Professors Dominic Abrams, Miles Hewstone, and Richard Crisp. Throughout their talks, the three social psychologists focused on the ways we can tackle prejudice and its effects. Rather than focusing on one particular group or type of prejudice they considered how, across different types of groups, we can find a common framework and basis for both evaluating and tackling the complex problems it poses.
Using this framework, Professor Abrams described a selection of key findings from the Abrams and Houston National Survey of Prejudice for the Equalities Review. This is the first survey to have attempted a comprehensive comparison of prejudice affecting six different equality strands - disability, age, religion, race, sex and sexuality. The findings show that it is a mistake to characterise prejudice as a single phenomenon. The same person may be highly prejudiced against one minority but favourable to another. People also hold and express prejudices in different forms - overt hostility against some groups, but more patronising and subtly undermining attitudes to others. The findings suggst that efforts at combating prejudice need to focus on the nature of relationships between different groups, as well as on countering the negative effects of stereotypes on groups and their members.
Professor Hewstone developed the first of these themes by reporting on experimental and survey research about the effects of intergroup contact on intergroup attitudes and perceptions. Across a wide range of contexts, he showed how the amount, but more particularly the quality of contact between groups can improve intergroup attitudes. However, findings also suggested that it is equally important to understand the mechanisms of these positive effects, such as increases in empathy, self-disclosure, and reduction of anxiety about the relationships.
Professor Crisp focused on the effects of stereotypes on people's performance - a fundamental issue for education, work and health. He examined evidence on 'stereotype threat', a phenomenon whereby negative stereotypes about one's own group's abilities actually cause underperformance. Using evidence relating to gender, race and age, Professor Crisp suggested different ways for policy to overcome these stereotype-based barriers, such as changing the focus of categorisation and increasing intergroup contact.
The day concluded with a 'Question Time' style session, chaired by Professor Houston, in which the three presenters responded to questions from the audience. Broadly speaking these questions focused on issues such as whether particular types of prejudice have more serious consequences, whether intergroup contact is more useful for tackling some forms of prejudice than others, and the extent to which it is feasible, appropriate and useful to challenge various stereotypes.
This event was part of a new initiative launched by the Social Psychology Section and funded by the BPS public engagement strategy. The aim of this initiative is to disseminate social psychological research to policy-makers working in relevant areas through one-day events organised once a year. The Section is currently looking for volunteers to organise the 2008 event, and would greatly welcome expressions of interest. The organisation costs will be fully funded by the BPS, and volunteers will receive comprehensive training and support from the Social Section Committee. For expressions of interest, please contact c.stott@liverpool.ac.uk
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