Research Program

Inspiration and Aim

I derive the inspiration for my research program from big topics in society and core issues in interpersonal behavior. My aim is to examine these issues by using and developing modern theories of human behavior and by setting up empirical studies that try to combine high levels of external and internal validity that are meaningful in contexts pertaining to society and human behavior. I find it pivotal to enhance the quality and relevance of the empirical study of these issues by including various quantitative and qualitative research methods as well as thorough conceptual analyses.

Procedural Justice

A major theme that my colleagues and I address concerns the experiences of people when they engage with important authorities such as their managers or government authorities. Our research shows that in these kinds of situations people tend to be uncertain about themselves. They often feel evaluated in these contexts and thus are wondering what important authorities, such as judges, think of them. This leads people to pay close attention to what is happening in their interactions with these authorities. In particular, how fairly and justly authorities are treating people has a strong impact on how people interpret what is going on and how they are valued in their group, work organization, or society at large. This experience of perceived procedural justice contributes to people opening up to changes in their societies. It also has a strong effect on people's trust in other people, public organizations, and social institutions. Our studies (carried out in controlled experiments as well as in courtrooms and work organizations) reveal why this is the case.

Radicalization

Our research also shows that perceived unfairness and injustice are important to understand why people engage in radical behavior and start sympathizing with violent extremism or terrorist movements (such as Muslim extremist, right-wing extremist, or left-wing extremist groups). For example, when people experience that their group is deprived compared to other groups, or when they judge crucial moral principles to be violated in blatant ways, this can lead people to start engaging in radical worldviews or extremist behaviors. This unfairness-inspired fueling of radicalization is especially likely when people feel uncertain about themselves and when they are insufficiently able to control their self-centered impulses. Under these conditions perceived unfairness and injustice can lead people to hold more positive beliefs about radical belief systems, judge societal authorities as illegitimate, start to contrast their own group from other groups, feel superior to others, and are less committed to society they live in. Using these insights contributes to a better grounding of the prevention of unwarranted forms of societal discontent and better interventions for combating of radical and violent behaviors in society.

Societal Impact
 

Our work has important implications for issues involving fairness and justice, cultural worldview defence, personal and societal trust, sense-making in society, and self-regulation. Indeed, by using the insights derived from our research, I advise practitioners and decision-makers in both academic and semi-public circles. For example, I informed judges, police officers, city mayors, ministers, Dutch parliament, the Netherlands Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism, and an United Nations Committee on trust and (warranted and unwarranted) distrust, societal polarization, and how to prevent and counter radicalization into violent extremism.

More information

For more information about my research program, download my CV or contact me via e-mail.