Dr. Elizabeth Paluck

Biography

Basic ideas motivate Elizabeth L. Paluck's research, particularly the notion that social psychological theory offers potentially useful tools for changing society in constructive ways. She studies attempts to change society and develops assessments based on social psychological theory. Her work has focused on prejudice and intergroup conflict reduction, using large-scale field experiments to test theoretically driven interventions. These experiments, conducted in regions such as the Central Horn of Africa and the United States, examined the impact of mass media and interpersonal communication on promoting tolerant and cooperative behaviors. Her findings support a behavioral change model predicated on social norms and group influence, suggesting that it is more effective to target citizens' perceptions of typical desirable behaviors rather than merely their knowledge and beliefs. Initial research suggestions include employing peer role model endorsements, narrative communication, and group discussions to shift social norms in real-world settings. Additionally, her work in post-conflict countries has informed related research on political and cultural change, including civic education. Paluck is also interested in social scientific methodology, especially causal inference and behavioral measurement.

Research Interests