Living in a Box

Social Life

Seeing Red or Feeling Blue?

Richard J. Crisp Ph.D. on June 19, 2010

The World Cup - England's chance for sporting glory, heroism and immortality! Er, well apparently not on the basis of their last two performances. By all accounts the England team were one of the favorite's going into the competition, but something's gone very very wrong. In their first match against the USA (who, in terms of world rankings, they were really supposed to beat), goalie Robert Green let in a massive howler. Last night's 0-0 draw with Algeria was simply embarrassing ...

The World Cup - England's chance for sporting glory, heroism and immortality! Er, well apparently not on the basis of their last two performances. By all accounts the England team were one of the favorite's going into the competition, but something's gone very very wrong. In their first match against the USA (who, in terms of world rankings, they were really supposed to beat), goalie Robert Green let in a massive howler. Last night's 0-0 draw with Algeria was simply embarrassing ...

When it comes to dating, social psychologists have an unfair advantage. There’s a wealth of research out there showing what works, and what doesn’t, when it comes to attracting members of the opposite sex. In the interests of leveling the playing field, here’s five signs to look out for - any of which might indicate that your potential paramour has been reading up on social psychology in their attempts to ensnare you in their sticky web of love…

Trauma

It’s official, I’m middle aged … how on earth did that happen?

Richard J. Crisp Ph.D. on May 1, 2010

A few years ago I accidentally caught sight of the back of my head in a mirror. At that moment I knew my time had come. Male pattern baldness was not just knocking on my front door: It had burst in, raided the fridge, and was settling down on my sofa for the long haul. We were going to be buddies whether I liked it or not ...

A few years ago I accidentally caught sight of the back of my head in a mirror. At that moment I knew my time had come. Male pattern baldness was not just knocking on my front door: It had burst in, raided the fridge, and was settling down on my sofa for the long haul. We were going to be buddies whether I liked it or not ...

Social Life

Want speedy shopping? Go with a goose

Richard J. Crisp Ph.D. on April 25, 2010

New research into pedestrian shopping behavior has found that humans, when shopping together, typically adopt inefficient group formations. But if shoppers took some tips from migrating geese they’d get a lot more done, and they'd get it done in a lot less time ...  

New research into pedestrian shopping behavior has found that humans, when shopping together, typically adopt inefficient group formations. But if shoppers took some tips from migrating geese they’d get a lot more done, and they'd get it done in a lot less time ...  

Social Life

Diversity: Why it’s good for us (Part II)

Richard J. Crisp Ph.D. on April 24, 2010

A capacity to think of ourselves in many different ways lies at the heart of self-determination, aspiration and innovation, and this is no more evident than in the career choices we make at school, college and beyond. Studies have shown that thinking simplistically about identities can stifle aspirations and damage confidence, while appreciating our multifaceted natures may release our untapped potential ... 

A capacity to think of ourselves in many different ways lies at the heart of self-determination, aspiration and innovation, and this is no more evident than in the career choices we make at school, college and beyond. Studies have shown that thinking simplistically about identities can stifle aspirations and damage confidence, while appreciating our multifaceted natures may release our untapped potential ... 

To combat social exclusion, prejudice and discrimination, and to help create dialogue in contexts of conflict, we must focus not on single divisive criteria -- the “us” versus “them” mentality -- but instead encourage an appreciation of the multifaceted nature of identity.

Cognition

Are we psychologically biased against migrants?

Richard J. Crisp Ph.D. on April 20, 2010

Immigration is a complex issue with social, economic, political and cultural dimensions. But it also has a psychological dimension. In particular, one of the reasons why people may hold anti-immigration attitudes is because of a fundamental bias in the way our brains process information. This bias means that migrants may sometimes be disliked simply because they are difficult to think about...

Immigration is a complex issue with social, economic, political and cultural dimensions. But it also has a psychological dimension. In particular, one of the reasons why people may hold anti-immigration attitudes is because of a fundamental bias in the way our brains process information. This bias means that migrants may sometimes be disliked simply because they are difficult to think about...

Social Life

iPad, therefore I am

Richard J. Crisp Ph.D. on April 17, 2010

I don’t really know why I went through the motions. In my heart of hearts I knew 0.514 seconds after it was announced that resistance was futile. The iPad has arrived and I just gotta get me one. But it’s not just because I have a penchant for shiny gadget-y things that “just work". There's a whole lot of identity processes involved too ...

I don’t really know why I went through the motions. In my heart of hearts I knew 0.514 seconds after it was announced that resistance was futile. The iPad has arrived and I just gotta get me one. But it’s not just because I have a penchant for shiny gadget-y things that “just work". There's a whole lot of identity processes involved too ...

Politics

Take me to your leader. Oh, on second thoughts, don’t bother…

Richard J. Crisp Ph.D. on April 13, 2010

As the UK begrudgingly gears up for a general election on May 6, One can’t help but notice the striking contrast with the rapturous enthusiasm that swept Barack Obama to power in 2008. If opinion polls are anything to go by most of the UK population are exhibiting nothing short of learned helplessness... 

As the UK begrudgingly gears up for a general election on May 6, One can’t help but notice the striking contrast with the rapturous enthusiasm that swept Barack Obama to power in 2008. If opinion polls are anything to go by most of the UK population are exhibiting nothing short of learned helplessness... 

Relationships

Out of the Box

Richard J. Crisp Ph.D. on April 10, 2010

Social categories define our place in the world. British, American, Muslim, Christian, Black, White - these labels are the bedrock of societies and social relations. But their centrality to human thinking can also be a curse. The use of categories to define "us" and "them" can be found at the heart of some of the worst atrocities in human history ...

Social categories define our place in the world. British, American, Muslim, Christian, Black, White - these labels are the bedrock of societies and social relations. But their centrality to human thinking can also be a curse. The use of categories to define "us" and "them" can be found at the heart of some of the worst atrocities in human history ...