The psychology of inclusion: From research on intervention science that informs DEI policy to the study of policy itself
Dr. Purdie-Greenaway integrates basic social psychological research with policy to explore the science and policy of fostering inclusive environments. In one program of research, Dr. Purdie-Greenaway and others have refined an effective intervention based on self-affirmation theory. Results of field experiments show that values affirmations can raise the performance of women, members of ethnic minority groups, and first-generation college students, thereby reducing opportunity gaps in both short and long-term grades. Recent work on affirmation interventions seeks to understand whether and how affirmation interventions can positively alter the relational systems in which people are embedded. Findings suggest that intervening at the level of the individual can spill over to benefit others and improve collective social environments (i.e., social networks). A second program of research seeks to understand lay people’s beliefs and assumptions about the utility of empirical findings to generate diversity, equity and inclusion-related solutions as part of fostering inclusive environments. This research grew out of the observation that organizations heavily “borrow” from basic social psychological research on inclusion to develop DEI-related policy. Dr. Purdie-Greenaway ends with reflections about whether basic social psychological research affects the credibility of policy in the context of DEI.