PhD Study : The role of environmental group-based symbols on person perception and intergroup relations

Summary

Social psychological research has repeatedly demonstrated the benefits of intergroup contact as a means of promoting positive intergroup relations (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006; Pettigrew, Tropp, Wagner & Christ, 2011), however, promoting contact has been problematic in Northern Ireland and elsewhere (McKeown, Stringer, Carins, 2016; Orr, McKeown, Cairns & Stringer, 2011;  Stevenson, McNamara, Kellezi, Easterbrook, Shuttleworth, & Hyden, 2019; Swyngedouw, 2013). Recent research has demonstrated that even in contexts where desegregation has been successfully implemented, and where groups have opportunities to interact, ‘micro-ecological’ practices of (re)-segregation can occur in everyday and institutional settings, for example through informal, mundane and ‘preference-driven’ practices of avoidance (Bettencourt, Dixon & Castro, 2019). Huck et al. (2019) explored such micro-ecological practices in Belfast and found that ‘symbols of sectarianism’ (p22) played an active role in how Protestant and Catholic communities navigated the city, with residents of these communities existing within residential ‘bubbles’ and avoiding sectarian symbols.

This study expands on the well-established knowledge that ethnopolitical identities (e.g. Catholic/Protestant) are signified by an array of symbols in Northern Irish cities, including murals, kerb painting, and flags as a permanent part of the material landscape of urban life (Bryan, Stevenson, Gillespie & Bell, 2009). While  previous research has suggested that these sectarian symbols may promote a sense of belonging, security and identity, they are also known to create a sense of fear and exclusion and poor intergroup relations (Dixon et al, 2020; Bairner & Shirlow, 2003; Leonard, 2007). Huck et al. (2019) is the first study to explore how group-based symbols and territorial markers impact directly on intergroup relations in Northern Ireland through their examination of how people share public spaces.

This PhD project will expand on this by exploring how such symbols impact on face processing and the significance environmental group-based symbols have for intergroup attitudes such as intergroup threat, intergroup trust and intergroup contact. Recent research in the context of racial group memberships has identified perceptual biases in how perceivers visually process faces as one potential mechanism underlying miscommunications and ‘preference-driven’ patterns of avoidance. Kawakami et al have shown that ingroup participants look more to the eyes of ingroup members as compared looking more at outgroup faces more broadly. This preferential attention has been shown to predict face recognition and partner selections (Kawakami et al, 2014).

The proposed PhD project will expand on the work of Kawakami et al (2014) through the introduction of non-racial group memberships, instead examining how the environmental context might moderate visual attention during person perception. This project will examine how perceivers’ group membership and group-based symbols found in mundane environments might influence perceptual biases favouring the ingroup using well established social psychological experimental paradigms including eye-tracking and implicit measures (e.g. the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP).

Applications from candidates who hold, or expect to achieve by 15 August, an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) or a First Class Honours Degree in Psychology from a UK institution (or overseas award deemed to be equivalent via UK NARIC) will be prioritised.

Strong research method skills and an interest in experimental and (or) applied psychology is desirable.

Experience in collecting and analysing eye tracking, although not essential, is desirable.

References will be requested for shortlisted candidates.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living