2022-23 Department of Psychology Colloquium Series -- Dr. Jay Van Bavel

From trivial groups to political parties, groups are central to how we define ourselves. The concept of social identity is one of the central ideas to emerge in the field of social psychology. In this talk, I will explain some of the key principles of social identity and describe how it impacts our judgments and decision-making. This work reveals how social identity shapes beliefs, intergroup conflict, polarization, social media, public health, and democracy. Finally, I will offer insights about how people might be able to harness the insights of social identity to foster healthier communities, organizations, and societies.