The Psychology of Good Relations Steve Reicher EHRC, Glasgow 8 th November 2012

The Psychology ofGood Relations

Steve ReicherEHRC, Glasgow 8th November 2012

Q: What does a Hindu festival in Northern

India have to do with good relations in Scotland?

A: Shared social identity: A sense of ‘us’

He who sees all beings in his own selfAnd sees his own self in all beings.He does not hate anyone thereafter.

The Consequences of Shared

Social Identity

• Consensus• Trust• Closeness• Solidarity• Support• Organisation• Empowerment• Well-being

One example….

‘Manchester United’

Condition

No

Yes

No

‘Football fan’ Condition

Yes

Yes

No

… and another

Defining the nationLatané & Darley (1968): “epileptic fit”

Scotland defined ethnically (to do with ‘heritage’): helping low

Scotland deined civically (to do with commitment): helping high

We see diversity as a strength, not a weakness of Scotland and

our ambition is to see the cause of Scotland argued with English, French, Irish, Indian, Pakistani,

Chinese and every other accent in the rich tapestry of what we

should be proud to call, in the words of Willie McIlvanney ‘the

mongrel nation’ of Scotland

Explicit Definitions

Implicit Definitions

Implicit Definitions

Implicit Definitions

Implications

Implications

Telling a good story