Seminars & Events
SEMINAR: Prof. dr. Jasper van Assche – Does Diversity Turn Us into Turtles?
Abstract: Research on the societal and political consequences of ethnic diversity presents conflicting evidence. Whereas intergroup contact theory suggests that diversity fosters tolerance and cooperation, intergroup conflict theories emphasize its potential to generate distrust, withdrawal, and prejudice. This presentation brings together cross-national and city-level evidence to examine these divergent claims. Using data from 18 countries (N = 2,393), we investigated whether national-level diversity relates to prejudice, political engagement, interest, and efficacy, as well as how individual ideological orientations – specifically right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social dominance orientation (SDO) – moderate these relationships. Findings indicate that diversity does not have a uniform impact: while it predicts higher prejudice among those high in RWA and SDO, it does not systematically shape political outcomes. Complementary analyses of survey data from 680 residents across the 50 largest Dutch cities reveal that diversity does not directly increase prejudice or perceived threat, but rather amplifies polarization. In more diverse settings, attitudes become more extreme (both positively and negatively), especially concerning subtle racism and perceived immigrant threat. These findings suggest that rather than simply “hunkering down,” diverse societies may experience attitudinal divergence, with diversity functioning as a catalyst for polarization. Implications for intergroup relations and future research directions are discussed.
Bio: Jasper Van Assche is a professor in social psychology at the Center for Social and Cultural Psychology (CESCUP) of the Université libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, and an extraordinary professor at the Optentia Research Unit of the North-West University in South Africa. Among other things, he is Editor-in-Chief at Journal of Social Psychology Research, Associate Editor of Journal of Social and Political Psychology, and Editorial Board Member of Personality and Social Psychology Review. His research focuses on intergroup relations, political psychology, and diversity ideologies, examining how group- and individual-level attitudes shape societal cohesion within and across countries and contexts. He has published on topics such as prejudice, polarization, intergroup contact, self-determination theory, and authoritarianism, contributing to a deeper understanding of contemporary challenges in democratic systems. His interdisciplinary approach bridges several subdomains in social sciences, offering insights into how psychological and sociological processes can contribute to harmonious intergroup relations.
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Meeting ID: 381 594 372 274 2
Passcode: Y7ei67i7
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