Identity and tolerance

Societies are increasingly culturally diverse. Groups of people with different world views, values and practices face the task of living together and shaping and developing their society. These cultural differences relate to how people perceive and understand themselves and others, and make mutual acceptance and tolerance necessary. It is not easy to be open to other ways of life that sometimes contradict what one believes in and is used to. Tolerance makes it possible to accept the right to be different without having to be positive about the difference and compromising one’s own identity.

This research investigates the nature of tolerance and when and why people are less or more tolerant. Additionally, the research examines the implications for psychological wellbeing and societal participation of being tolerated. The research uses different research methods and collects data among adult in various countries, including the Netherlands, Germany and the United States.