Social Psychological Answers to Real-world Questions

Conflict Resolution

Lessen Prejudice With Teamwork

Problem

People from different social groups tend to fear and mistrust one another.

Solution

Teaming up as equals and collaborating towards a common goal reduces prejudice between people with different backgrounds.

Civil Society

Conflict Resolution

Relationships

To Reduce Political Tensions, Focus on Facts

Problem

Negative emotions feed intolerance, which can harm relations between groups.

Solution

Taking a detached perspective dampens bad feelings and increases tolerance for the other side.

Conflict Resolution

Relationships

Harry Potter and the Elixir of Empathy

Problem

People develop prejudice at a young age.

Solution

Reading about fictional characters who show empathy for marginalized groups helps children become more empathetic in real life.

Civil Society

Conflict Resolution

Education

Help Immigrants by Showing How 'They' Are 'We'

Problem

In the last four decades, the worldwide immigrant population has more than doubled. Many native-borns view their new neighbors as outsiders, and so do not help them, which can lead immigrants to feel “culturally homeless.”

Solution

Showing native-borns how they are similar to immigrants inspires the former to offer aid to the latter.

Civil Society

Conflict Resolution

Belief in Change Reduces Bullying

Problem

Rejection by peers leads teens to act aggressively and feel down.

Solution

Teaching teens that everyone has the capacity to change decreases aggression and symptoms of depression following peer exclusion. If people can change, so too can social labels like “bully” and “loser"...

Conflict Resolution

Criminal Justice

Education

Seeing Diversity Lessens Discrimination

Collage of faces of different ages, races, and ethnicities

Problem

Prejudice and discrimination make life hard for many people around the world.

Solution

Showing that other groups are made up of diverse individuals reduces prejudice and discrimination...

Peer Pressure Can Reduce Prejudice

A group of gay-straight alliance students hold a banner in a pride parade

Problem

Teens are notoriously intolerant of people who do not think, act, or look like them.

Solution

When just one teen stands up to prejudice, his or her peers often follow suit…

Conflict Resolution

Education

Pointing Out Hypocrisy Can Spur Social Change

Problem

People who value equality fail to support civil rights.

Solution

Making people aware that their values and behaviors do not align motivates them to change their ways...

Civil Society

Conflict Resolution

Making Friends Across Racial Lines Lowers Prejudice

Problem

We are often uneasy around people of other races.

Solution

Befriending just one person of a different race lowers anxiety and prejudice and makes it easier to cross racial boundaries in the future...

Civil Society

Conflict Resolution

Relationships

Radio Soaps Stop Hate

Problem

Nearly 20 years after war and genocide killed 75% of Rwandan Tutsis, the accused perpetrators and their survivors must now learn to live side by side.

Solution

A radio soap opera that shows people how to speak out against corrupt leaders and reconnect with their neighbors helps communities heal after genocide...

Conflict Resolution

Economic Development

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