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 psychological theories and by setting up empirical studies that try to combine high levels of external and internal validity that are meaningful in contexts pertaining to law, society, and human behavior. I find it pivotal to enhance the quality and relevance of the empirical study of these issues by including various research methods as well as thorough conceptual analyses.

Radicalization

My work 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.

Procedural Justice

Another major theme that my colleagues and I address concerns the experiences of people when they are summoned to appear in court or 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 litigants to pay close attention to what is happening at their court hearing. In particular, how fairly and justly judges are treating litigants in these kinds of situations has a strong impact on how people interpret courtroom hearings. This experience of "perceived procedural justice" also has a strong effect on litigants' trust in the judiciary. Our studies (carried out in controlled psychology experiments as well as in courtrooms and other important social contexts such as work organizations) reveal why this is the case.

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 how to prevent and counter radicalization into violent extremism and terrorist behaviors.

More information

For more information about my research program, download my CV or check out my page at the Social Psychology Network. You can also contact me via e-mail.