Emotional responses to comparisons in romantic relationships: implications for relationship wellbeing. This project will identify the nature of the emotions that stem from comparisons between romantic partners. It will reveal how these emotions in turn impact relationship dynamics and ultimately, relationship wellbeing. This research will provide important insights into the underlying processes that make some relationships thrive and others fail.
The role of implicit identity and implicit beliefs in recovery from mental illness. Although effective treatments have been developed for many mental disorders, some people still fail to recover when others with a similar psychological profile respond well to therapy. The proposed research addresses this conundrum by examining the role of unconscious identification with mental illnesses and the role it plays in recovery.
A longitudinal study into the development of personal vulnerabilities and well-being in adolescence. Character strengths such as empathy and emotion management skills are potentially teachable and help prevent an adolescent from experiencing difficulties in social, emotional, and academic adjustment. This longitudinal study examines the temperament and environmental factors that promote character strengths in adolescents.
Building successful diverse communities: what works and why? This project is focused on strengthening locally-based interventions to maximise community harmony in the context of demographic diversity (ethnic, cultural, religious). It also will strengthen the relationship between world-leading researchers and senior policy experts and provides valuable research training for three junior scholars.
The role of social identity complexity in the success of interethnic contact. Australians collectively represent more than 250 ethno-cultural, 400 linguistic, and 100 religious groups. Although contact with diverse individuals is becoming increasingly common in many facets of life (e.g., work, school, social gatherings), such encounters are often awkward and stressful, even for well-intentioned people. Negative interactions between diverse individuals can fuel tension and hostility between diver ....The role of social identity complexity in the success of interethnic contact. Australians collectively represent more than 250 ethno-cultural, 400 linguistic, and 100 religious groups. Although contact with diverse individuals is becoming increasingly common in many facets of life (e.g., work, school, social gatherings), such encounters are often awkward and stressful, even for well-intentioned people. Negative interactions between diverse individuals can fuel tension and hostility between diverse groups. The project will determine whether the processes and outcomes of interethnic interactions are influenced by the ways in which individuals understand their social groups. Insights into the factors that contribute to positive interethnic interactions will improve our ability to promote harmony in diverse societies.Read moreRead less
Pathways to social cohesion and social change: opinion-based groups and the dynamic formation of identities. This project will update the understanding of political conflict by exploring groups based around shared opinions. It will show that groups are likely to be more successful in their political campaigns when they tie their causes to national and other positive identifies.
Paving the way for effective public health interventions for bulimic eating disorders: Understanding stigma and mental health literacy. This research contributes to promoting and maintaining good health. The burden of bulimic eating disorders in the community is high, frequently ignored and increasing. Our research will pave the way for improved understanding of eating disorders and a reduction of stigma in relation to these problems. In so doing, it will lead to reduced shame and suffering for ....Paving the way for effective public health interventions for bulimic eating disorders: Understanding stigma and mental health literacy. This research contributes to promoting and maintaining good health. The burden of bulimic eating disorders in the community is high, frequently ignored and increasing. Our research will pave the way for improved understanding of eating disorders and a reduction of stigma in relation to these problems. In so doing, it will lead to reduced shame and suffering for people with eating disorders and enhance appropriate treatment seeking and the quality of advice received from family, friends and health professionals. A public health intervention based on our findings will contribute to a more tolerant and understanding community.Read moreRead less
Leadership, social identity and the dynamics of influence in intergroup relations: A new understanding of social continuity and social change. Understanding how social change occurs (or continuity prevails) and the role of leadership in this process is paramount to any social system (e.g. nation, state, organization, team). This project provides a new social psychological understanding of leadership and social change dynamics, including when more radical leaders and social relations emerge, as w ....Leadership, social identity and the dynamics of influence in intergroup relations: A new understanding of social continuity and social change. Understanding how social change occurs (or continuity prevails) and the role of leadership in this process is paramount to any social system (e.g. nation, state, organization, team). This project provides a new social psychological understanding of leadership and social change dynamics, including when more radical leaders and social relations emerge, as well as how different groups become more united around a common cause. Given ethnic, religious, social and political diversity of Australian society, these questions are fundamental to strengthening Australia's social fabric. This research also has cross-disciplinary applications, builds international collaborations, and supports emerging Australian research talent.Read moreRead less
Psychosocial and cognitive outcomes of residential relocation and retirement: The TRAnsitions In Later Life (TRAILL) project. Individual and social issues surrounding older adults' residential relocation and the transition to retirement are increasingly important in the context of Australia's ageing population. A better understanding of the factors that influence psychological well-being and intergenerational relationships during these major life transitions will play an important role in infor ....Psychosocial and cognitive outcomes of residential relocation and retirement: The TRAnsitions In Later Life (TRAILL) project. Individual and social issues surrounding older adults' residential relocation and the transition to retirement are increasingly important in the context of Australia's ageing population. A better understanding of the factors that influence psychological well-being and intergenerational relationships during these major life transitions will play an important role in informing government policy. This project aims to provide national and community benefits through informing policy related to housing and labour force participation, and by informing programs aimed at volunteer recruitment, retention and maximising the quality of the volunteer experience.Read moreRead less
Establishing safe driving practice: Improving young learner driver training. This project plans to develop a best-practice model to enable professional instructors to teach essential higher-order skills (e.g. hazard perception) to young learner drivers to establish safe driving behaviours. Australian young drivers aged 17–25 years comprise 13 per cent of the population but 22 per cent of road deaths. More effective teaching models are expected to reduce young drivers’ crash risk when they drive ....Establishing safe driving practice: Improving young learner driver training. This project plans to develop a best-practice model to enable professional instructors to teach essential higher-order skills (e.g. hazard perception) to young learner drivers to establish safe driving behaviours. Australian young drivers aged 17–25 years comprise 13 per cent of the population but 22 per cent of road deaths. More effective teaching models are expected to reduce young drivers’ crash risk when they drive unsupervised. The project aims to develop and assess the effectiveness of the model including the impact on instructor teaching practices, and changes in young driver skills, attitudes, and driving behaviours including crashes and offences. It also aims to assess instructor and young driver perceptions of the model.Read moreRead less