cultures

Why multiculturalism may be good for your health

In both politics and society, multiculturalism seems to be becoming less and less popular. However, research from our lab shows that a multicultural orientation reduces the stress of inter-group encounters, also for members of ethnic-majority groups.

Daan Scheepers • 15-05-2017

Sinterklaas: Gratitude or lies?

It’s almost December: Sinterklaas is now in town and children are eagerly waiting for him, or probably for his gifts. Most children receive many gifts in December, but did you know that children sometimes feel the need to lie in response to Sinterklaas?

Sibel Altikulaç • 28-11-2016

The Horrors of Halloween: Trick or Treat?

Falling leaves, days getting darker: the end of October is approaching! While some people prefer to stay warm by the fire, there are others who would rather go out in search of a good scare during Halloween. But why do some people enjoy being scared silly?

Mara van der Meulen • 24-10-2016

New World Stereotyping

Recent events in America highlight the continued plague of racism on society. Here, I describe the nature of stereotypes in other parts of the New World with a legacy of slavery and suggest that such stereotypes have an impact on racism.

Lasana Harris • 17-12-2015

The role of honor in intercultural conflicts

As the world is changing into a place where people with different cultures live together, it is becoming increasingly important to understand cultural differences. Can social psychology inform us on how to prevent conflicts based on such differences?

Saïd Shafa • 22-12-2014

Piet and Prejudice: Why Change is Threatening

The debate about the racist nature of 'Zwarte Piet' ('Black Pete') as part of the Sinterklaas festivities reveals modern forms of prejudice. Recent research on the intersection of psychology, physiology, and neuroscience uncover this type of prejudice.

Daan Scheepers • 01-12-2014

About polite Moroccans and rude Dutch

You may think that honor and aggression are closely linked. In this contribution I will paint a more nuanced picture, and show that honor is also linked to politeness and constructive conflict management.

Fieke Harinck • 08-04-2013

Why we eat cows (and sometimes horses), but not dogs

Most people in Western culture have no problem with eating cows, pigs and chickens. However, the idea of eating dogs tends to disgust us. Why do we make such mental distinctions between ‘animals for eating’ and ‘animals not for eating’?

Sabine Peters • 14-03-2013

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