Karim Bettache Ph.D.

About

Prof. Karim Bettache acquired his BSc and MSc in psychology at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, and his Ph.D. in psychology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has worked as a postdoctoral fellow with the cultural psychologist Professor Chi-yue Chiu and as a lecturer for Monash University. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor for the Faculty of Social Science at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

He specializes in cultural, political, and social psychology. His work attempts to connect individual psychological phenomena (e.g., racism) to broader sociopolitical and historical developments of human societies (e.g., colonialism or capitalism). Hence, his work strongly overlaps with a multitude of social sciences such as sociology and the political sciences.

Recent Posts

How Capitalism Shapes the Mind

The "invisible hand" of capitalism doesn't just shape the markets; it also shapes the way we think, behave, and relate to one another.

How White Supremacy Is Built Into Societies

White supremacy is not just about neo-Nazis and other extremists; it's built into the fabric of societies around the world.

Where Are Geopolitics in Psychology?

In a world of upheaval, psychology risks missing the context shaping human thought. Incorporating geopolitics into our studies may finally provide the broader lens we need.

Beyond the Perpetrator: Racism as Understood by Its Victims

A perpetrator perspective has dominated the study of racism, limiting understanding of racist systems and justice-centered approaches to address oppression.

On the Idea That “Microaggressions Don’t Exist”

“When I think of myself, I see a warm and kind human being, but when I look in the mirror, I see a ‘bad guy’ from a Hollywood movie."

The Psychology Behind "Worthy" and "Unworthy" Victims of War

"In-group bias" has become the go-to justification for racist responses to the Ukraine crisis, as compared to past refugee crises. Yet the theory refutes—rather than justifies—the idea that racism is natural.

Xenophobia May Be Natural. Racism Is Not.

Social categorization is one of the most powerful tools to keep large groups of people divided.

Racism Isn't in the Eye of the Beholder—It's in Culture

Understanding the cultural roots of discriminatory attitudes can help illuminate why racism is still so prevalent—and so highly resistant to change.