Psychology Program Presents
See Your Friends Close, And Enemies Closer
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Preston Theater
Understanding the Role of Perception in Intergroup Relations Through the Perception Under Threat (PUT) Model | A lecture by Jenny Xiao, New York University
Our representation of the world may not be veridical, but rather a construction of our experiences, motivations, and identities. To understand the role of perception in intergroup processes, we proposed and tested the Perception Under Threat (PUT) Model of intergroup relations. According to the model, social constructs such as social identity and intergroup threat shape perceptual representations of the physical world, which in turn lead to consequences in intergroup relations. First, in three studies and across various intergroup contexts, we showed that locations imbued with threat from out-groups are perceived to be physically closer, particularly for strongly identified group members (Xiao & Van Bavel, 2012). Then we explored the malleability of the relationship between intergroup threat and perception, by studying the factors that could alleviate the threat-induced perceptual proximity. Lastly, we showed that perceived proximity of threatening out-groups led to more discriminatory attitudes and behavioral intentions towards members of this out-group (Xiao, Wohl, & Van Bavel, under review). These findings collectively provide support for the PUT model and point to the value of understanding the role of perception in intergroup relations.For more information, call 845-758-7224, or e-mail [email protected].
Location: Preston Theater