Esses, Victoria M.

The chapter, "The dehumanization of refugees: Determinants and consequences" was written by the listed authors including Stelian Medianu (Douglas College Faculty). How do the social categories with which we identify, or to which others assign us, affect our psychological makeup, our social behaviors, and our life outcomes? The contributors to this edited volume answer this broad social psychological inquiry through their research on the social categories of gender and immigration, the "intersectionality" of these two social categories, and how people outside the two categories frame their conceptions of the two groups and of themselves. "Social Categories in Everyday Experience" explores and expands on the construct of social categories by analyzing timely questions such as: How do members of marginalized groups cope with identity and discrimination in everyday settings like school and the workplace? How can stereotyping and discrimination be reduced among members of society's many cross-cutting categories? The editors and contributors to this volume, who span the disciplines of American and European psychology, sociology, public policy, social psychology, and personality psychology, draw from the work of pioneering social psychologist Kay Deaux, who has served as their academic mentor or scholarly inspiration through her prestigious and prolific body of work. Written for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and scholars in social psychology, personality psychology, political psychology, multicultural psychology, and sociology, "Social Categories in Everyday Experience" is also an excellent resource for courses on women's studies and migration studies. (Part of the Decade of Behavior Series). --From publisher description.

The chapter, "Toward an understanding of immigration as a defining feature of the 21st century" was written by the listed authors including Stelian Medianu (Douglas College Faculty). Why do we protest? What compels us to participate in crowd violence? Can gender discrimination in the workplace be explained in psychological terms? From terrorist attacks to political uprisings, the social problems that have shaped the beginning of the new millenium can be explained using the theories and application of social psychology. "Social Psychology of Social Problems" does just that, with top international experts examining real-life issues. The book takes the view that if a problem and its origins can be understood, then perhaps it can be prevented from happening again. "Social Psychology of Social Problems" is required reading for students and practitioners of psychology, social policy and international relations. Provocative and challenging, it will be an essential resource for those who are seeking a deeper understanding of how social psychology can explain our complex world.

The chapter, "Psychological perspectives on immigration and acculturation" was written by the listed authors including Stelian Medianu (Douglas College Faculty). Part of the APA Handbooks in Psychology Series. Volume 2: Group Processes.

Immigration policies and the treatment of immigrants and refugees are contentious issues involving uncertainty and unease. The media may take advantage of this uncertainty to create a crisis mentality in which immigrants and refugees are portrayed as “enemies at the gate” who are attempting to invade Western nations. Although it has been suggested that such depictions promote the dehumanization of immigrants and refugees, there has been little direct evidence for this claim. Our program of research addresses this gap by examining the effects of common media portrayals of immigrants and refugees on dehumanization and its consequences. These portrayals include depictions that suggest that immigrants spread infectious diseases, that refugee claimants are often bogus, and that terrorists may gain entry to western nations disguised as refugees. We conclude by discussing the implications of the findings for understanding how uncertainty may lead to dehumanization, and for establishing government policies and practices that counteract such effects.