School of Psychology

My research interests fall broadly in the field of social identity and intergroup relations. Within this area I have conducted research intergroup differentiation and discrimination between both natural and experimental (minimal) groups in order to understand the nature and function of these processes, and how they result from different threats to identity (e.g. threats to status, distinctiveness, etc). Research on intergroup emotions has also been developed to understand more specific and malicious forms of intergroup prejudice and discrimination (e.g., intergroup schadenfreude), as well as explaining positive and reparatory reactions to discrimination by the ingroup (e.g., group-based guilt), and also resistance to discrimination and disadvantage (e.g., group-based anger). I have also conducted research on social stereotyping processes and have examined a range of cognitive and group-level processes underlying stereotype formation and development. Work on social influence and power has particularly focused the difference between computer-mediated communication and face-to-face interaction and led to the development of a social identity based model to account for these differences (the SIDE model). Another line of research has examined how self and group identity can influence behaviour and affective reactions unconsciously.

Selected Publications

Ellemers, N., Spears, R., & Doosje, B. (2002). Self and social identity. Annual Review of Psychology, 53, 161-186.

Leach, C.W., & Spears, R., Branscombe, N.R. & Doosje, B. (2003). Malicious pleasure: Schadenfreude at the suffering of another group. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,  84, 932-943.

Van Zomeren, M., Spears, R., Fischer, A., & Leach, C.W. (2004). Put your money where your mouth is! Explaining collective action tendencies through group-based anger and group efficacy. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87, 649-664.

Jetten, J., Spears, R. & Postmes, T. (2004). Intergroup distinctiveness and differentiation: A meta-analytic integration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 86, 862-879.

Research Projects