My research is focussed on group processes and their pro-social and anti-social consequences. I am particularly interested in social identities, including within organisational contexts. My research covers a range of phenomena which are central to understandings of organisations and their management, including leadership and influence, normative processes, social support and toxic behaviour in groups. Much of my research has been conducted within crowds as I believe they represent a uniquely rich site in which to study processes of organisation, leadership and conflict. The core motivation running through my work is to produce outward-facing research which develops both theory and practical guidance for policy and impact. Address: University of St Andrews Business School (Dept. of Management) University of St Andrews The Gateway, North Haugh St Andrews, Fife, UK KY16 9RJ
Vaccines can play a crucial role in reducing the negative outcomes of pandemics. In this paper we... more Vaccines can play a crucial role in reducing the negative outcomes of pandemics. In this paper we explore how vaccine perceptions and uptake willingness can be affected by vaccine‐related information, the vaccine's country of origin, and national identity. Study 1 (N = 800) showed that a vaccine manufactured by China was perceived more negatively compared to vaccines from the UK, Germany, and Chile. Providing vaccine effectiveness information (83%) increased preference for waiting for an alternative vaccine and reduced perceived effectiveness of a vaccine from China. Brexit supporters perceived vaccines as less safe in general, and particularly thought of a vaccine from China as less competent, effective, and trustworthy, and were less prepared to have it. Study 2 (N = 601) largely replicated findings of Study 1 regarding the effects of a vaccine's country of origin. Moreover, participants who reported a higher sense of British superiority reported more negative attitudes to...
Background: The COVID-19 lockdown period was the 1st time all group exercise was paused by govern... more Background: The COVID-19 lockdown period was the 1st time all group exercise was paused by government legislation. This provided a unique opportunity to assess how lack of group exercise impacted physical activity habits and wellbeing. This study used a combination of the Social Identity Approach (SIA) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to examine UK runners' motivation, physical activity, and well-being during the pandemic. Purpose: To understand how running social identities, autonomy, and competence were associated with participants' motivation for physical activity and well-being during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: 602 runners living within the UK completed an online cross-sectional survey between the 15th-28th of June 2020. Participants completed self-reported measures about their demographics, running social identities, motivation, autonomy, competence, physical activity levels, and mental well-being. In addition, a sample of 138 participants also recorded behaviou...
Drawing on research into the psychology of obedience, we examine the extent to which people's... more Drawing on research into the psychology of obedience, we examine the extent to which people's willingness to follow an experimenter's instructions is dependent on the perceived worthiness of the science they are advancing
Active travel is an important source of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for young p... more Active travel is an important source of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for young people. Active commuting to school is associated with healthy body composition, greater cardiovascular fitness and improved cognitive performance in school
In 2010, Scotland had one of the highest rates of early sexual onset among 15-year olds, especial... more In 2010, Scotland had one of the highest rates of early sexual onset among 15-year olds, especially among girls, compared with 36 other countries in Europe and Canada.2 Whereas the rate of teenage pregnancy remained stable at about 5.6 per 1,000 population over the last decade among under 16-year olds in Scotland,3 the rate of sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis among young people (aged under 25 years) has increased. Young women are at greater risk than women over 18 years of being diagnosed with genital chlamydia and gonorrhoea.4 Although the majority of adolescents use condoms during sexual intercourse, the percentages who engage in unprotected or poorly protected sexual intercourse in Scotland are relatively high in international comparisons.2, 5 HBSC Briefing Paper 20
sexual behaviour.1 Adolescence is a key period in the development of personal relationships and s... more sexual behaviour.1 Adolescence is a key period in the development of personal relationships and sexual behaviour, and sexual initiation is a key aspect of sexual health among young people. This twenty-first HBSC Briefing Paper (BP) examines circumstances of first sexual intercourse among 15-year olds** who have ever had sex, using data from the HBSC Surveys in Scotland in 2010 and 2014. Age of initiation, age of first sexual partner, alcohol or drug use before first sex and regret regarding the timing of first sexual intercourse are explored. It follows BP202 which presents findings on other aspects of sexual health using the same survey data, presenting on prevalence of having sexual intercourse by age 15 and the associated social and individual factors.
Research from crowd psychology and pedestrian dynamics can inform one another to improve understa... more Research from crowd psychology and pedestrian dynamics can inform one another to improve understandings and predictions of collective behaviour. In this chapter, we provide an overview of theoretical insights from crowd psychology on intragroup and intergroup behaviour and discuss possible avenues for implementing principles of the social identity approach into pedestrian models. Specifically, we debate the use of outdated assumptions of crowd behaviour, discuss how the core tenets of social identity theory and self-categorisation theory are central to understanding collective behaviour, showcase how perceptions and experiences of crowd members can be dynamic and influence their perceived safety and behaviour, and then point to recent trends in using crowd psychology to inform models of pedestrian movement and behaviour in emergencies. Finally, we examine barriers to incorporating social psychological theory into models, and look ahead to potential collaborative projects to improve crowd safety and experiences.
The Bethnal Green tube shelter disaster, in which 173 people died, is a significant event in both... more The Bethnal Green tube shelter disaster, in which 173 people died, is a significant event in both history and psychology. While notions of ‘panic’ and ‘stampede’ have been discredited in contemporary psychology and disaster research as explanations for crowd crushes, Bethnal Green has been put forward as the exception that proves the rule. Alternative explanations for crushing disasters focus on mismanagement and physical factors, and lack a psychology. We analysed 85 witness statements from the Bethnal Green tragedy to develop a new psychological account of crowd disasters. Contrary to the established view of the Bethnal Green disaster as caused by widespread public overreaction to the sound of rockets, our analysis suggests that public perceptions were contextually calibrated to a situation of genuine threat; that only a small minority misperceived the sound; and that therefore, this cannot account for the surge behaviour in the majority. We develop a new model, in which crowd fli...
This article presents a glossary of terms that are frequently used in research on human crowds. T... more This article presents a glossary of terms that are frequently used in research on human crowds. This topic is inherently multidisciplinary as it includes work in and across computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, psychology and social science, for example. We do not view the glossary presented here as a collection of finalised and formal definitions. Instead, we suggest it is a snapshot of current views and the starting point of an ongoing process that we hope will be useful in providing some guidance on the use of terminology to develop a mutual understanding across disciplines. The glossary was developed collaboratively during a multidisciplinary meeting. We deliberately allow several definitions of terms, to reflect the confluence of disciplines in the field. This also reflects the fact not all contributors necessarily agree with all definitions in this glossary
This project investigates the factors impacting crowds' behavioural responses to perceived ho... more This project investigates the factors impacting crowds' behavioural responses to perceived hostile threats such as an ambiguous loud sound in an urban context.
In this paper we present three studies that address the difference between physical and psycholog... more In this paper we present three studies that address the difference between physical and psychological groups, the conditions that create a transformation from the one into the other, and the psychological processes underlying this transformation. In Study 1 we demonstrate correlations between shared social identity, desired physical proximity to others, and positive emotions in the company of others. Study 2, employing a between-subjects design, finds that an event that creates shared fate, such as the breakdown of a train, leads to greater comfort in social interactions (e.g., ease of conversation) and comfort in sensual interactions (e.g., tolerance of physical touch) with other passengers, and that this occurs through an increase in shared social identity but not through social identification. Study 3 obtains similar findings using a within-subjects design. In combination, these studies provide consistent evidence for the role of shared social identity in the emergence of psychol...
This article develops a dual-agency model of leadership which treats collective phenomena as a co... more This article develops a dual-agency model of leadership which treats collective phenomena as a co-production involving both leaders and followers who identify with the same social group. The model integrates work on identity leadership and engaged followership derived from the social identity approach in social psychology. In contrast to binary models which view either leaders or followers as having agency, our model argues that leaders gain influence by defining parameters of action in ways that frame the agency of their followers but leave space for creativity in how collective goals are accomplished. Followers in turn, exhibit their loyalty and attachment to the leader by striving to be effective in advancing these goals, thereby empowering and giving agency to the leader. We illustrate the model primarily through the events of 6th January 2021 when Donald Trump’s exhortations to his supporters that they should ‘fight’ to ‘stop the steal’ of the 2020 election was followed by an a...
Vaccines can play a crucial role in reducing the negative outcomes of pandemics. In this paper we... more Vaccines can play a crucial role in reducing the negative outcomes of pandemics. In this paper we explore how vaccine perceptions and uptake willingness can be affected by vaccine‐related information, the vaccine's country of origin, and national identity. Study 1 (N = 800) showed that a vaccine manufactured by China was perceived more negatively compared to vaccines from the UK, Germany, and Chile. Providing vaccine effectiveness information (83%) increased preference for waiting for an alternative vaccine and reduced perceived effectiveness of a vaccine from China. Brexit supporters perceived vaccines as less safe in general, and particularly thought of a vaccine from China as less competent, effective, and trustworthy, and were less prepared to have it. Study 2 (N = 601) largely replicated findings of Study 1 regarding the effects of a vaccine's country of origin. Moreover, participants who reported a higher sense of British superiority reported more negative attitudes to...
Background: The COVID-19 lockdown period was the 1st time all group exercise was paused by govern... more Background: The COVID-19 lockdown period was the 1st time all group exercise was paused by government legislation. This provided a unique opportunity to assess how lack of group exercise impacted physical activity habits and wellbeing. This study used a combination of the Social Identity Approach (SIA) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to examine UK runners' motivation, physical activity, and well-being during the pandemic. Purpose: To understand how running social identities, autonomy, and competence were associated with participants' motivation for physical activity and well-being during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: 602 runners living within the UK completed an online cross-sectional survey between the 15th-28th of June 2020. Participants completed self-reported measures about their demographics, running social identities, motivation, autonomy, competence, physical activity levels, and mental well-being. In addition, a sample of 138 participants also recorded behaviou...
Drawing on research into the psychology of obedience, we examine the extent to which people's... more Drawing on research into the psychology of obedience, we examine the extent to which people's willingness to follow an experimenter's instructions is dependent on the perceived worthiness of the science they are advancing
Active travel is an important source of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for young p... more Active travel is an important source of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for young people. Active commuting to school is associated with healthy body composition, greater cardiovascular fitness and improved cognitive performance in school
In 2010, Scotland had one of the highest rates of early sexual onset among 15-year olds, especial... more In 2010, Scotland had one of the highest rates of early sexual onset among 15-year olds, especially among girls, compared with 36 other countries in Europe and Canada.2 Whereas the rate of teenage pregnancy remained stable at about 5.6 per 1,000 population over the last decade among under 16-year olds in Scotland,3 the rate of sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis among young people (aged under 25 years) has increased. Young women are at greater risk than women over 18 years of being diagnosed with genital chlamydia and gonorrhoea.4 Although the majority of adolescents use condoms during sexual intercourse, the percentages who engage in unprotected or poorly protected sexual intercourse in Scotland are relatively high in international comparisons.2, 5 HBSC Briefing Paper 20
sexual behaviour.1 Adolescence is a key period in the development of personal relationships and s... more sexual behaviour.1 Adolescence is a key period in the development of personal relationships and sexual behaviour, and sexual initiation is a key aspect of sexual health among young people. This twenty-first HBSC Briefing Paper (BP) examines circumstances of first sexual intercourse among 15-year olds** who have ever had sex, using data from the HBSC Surveys in Scotland in 2010 and 2014. Age of initiation, age of first sexual partner, alcohol or drug use before first sex and regret regarding the timing of first sexual intercourse are explored. It follows BP202 which presents findings on other aspects of sexual health using the same survey data, presenting on prevalence of having sexual intercourse by age 15 and the associated social and individual factors.
Research from crowd psychology and pedestrian dynamics can inform one another to improve understa... more Research from crowd psychology and pedestrian dynamics can inform one another to improve understandings and predictions of collective behaviour. In this chapter, we provide an overview of theoretical insights from crowd psychology on intragroup and intergroup behaviour and discuss possible avenues for implementing principles of the social identity approach into pedestrian models. Specifically, we debate the use of outdated assumptions of crowd behaviour, discuss how the core tenets of social identity theory and self-categorisation theory are central to understanding collective behaviour, showcase how perceptions and experiences of crowd members can be dynamic and influence their perceived safety and behaviour, and then point to recent trends in using crowd psychology to inform models of pedestrian movement and behaviour in emergencies. Finally, we examine barriers to incorporating social psychological theory into models, and look ahead to potential collaborative projects to improve crowd safety and experiences.
The Bethnal Green tube shelter disaster, in which 173 people died, is a significant event in both... more The Bethnal Green tube shelter disaster, in which 173 people died, is a significant event in both history and psychology. While notions of ‘panic’ and ‘stampede’ have been discredited in contemporary psychology and disaster research as explanations for crowd crushes, Bethnal Green has been put forward as the exception that proves the rule. Alternative explanations for crushing disasters focus on mismanagement and physical factors, and lack a psychology. We analysed 85 witness statements from the Bethnal Green tragedy to develop a new psychological account of crowd disasters. Contrary to the established view of the Bethnal Green disaster as caused by widespread public overreaction to the sound of rockets, our analysis suggests that public perceptions were contextually calibrated to a situation of genuine threat; that only a small minority misperceived the sound; and that therefore, this cannot account for the surge behaviour in the majority. We develop a new model, in which crowd fli...
This article presents a glossary of terms that are frequently used in research on human crowds. T... more This article presents a glossary of terms that are frequently used in research on human crowds. This topic is inherently multidisciplinary as it includes work in and across computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, psychology and social science, for example. We do not view the glossary presented here as a collection of finalised and formal definitions. Instead, we suggest it is a snapshot of current views and the starting point of an ongoing process that we hope will be useful in providing some guidance on the use of terminology to develop a mutual understanding across disciplines. The glossary was developed collaboratively during a multidisciplinary meeting. We deliberately allow several definitions of terms, to reflect the confluence of disciplines in the field. This also reflects the fact not all contributors necessarily agree with all definitions in this glossary
This project investigates the factors impacting crowds' behavioural responses to perceived ho... more This project investigates the factors impacting crowds' behavioural responses to perceived hostile threats such as an ambiguous loud sound in an urban context.
In this paper we present three studies that address the difference between physical and psycholog... more In this paper we present three studies that address the difference between physical and psychological groups, the conditions that create a transformation from the one into the other, and the psychological processes underlying this transformation. In Study 1 we demonstrate correlations between shared social identity, desired physical proximity to others, and positive emotions in the company of others. Study 2, employing a between-subjects design, finds that an event that creates shared fate, such as the breakdown of a train, leads to greater comfort in social interactions (e.g., ease of conversation) and comfort in sensual interactions (e.g., tolerance of physical touch) with other passengers, and that this occurs through an increase in shared social identity but not through social identification. Study 3 obtains similar findings using a within-subjects design. In combination, these studies provide consistent evidence for the role of shared social identity in the emergence of psychol...
This article develops a dual-agency model of leadership which treats collective phenomena as a co... more This article develops a dual-agency model of leadership which treats collective phenomena as a co-production involving both leaders and followers who identify with the same social group. The model integrates work on identity leadership and engaged followership derived from the social identity approach in social psychology. In contrast to binary models which view either leaders or followers as having agency, our model argues that leaders gain influence by defining parameters of action in ways that frame the agency of their followers but leave space for creativity in how collective goals are accomplished. Followers in turn, exhibit their loyalty and attachment to the leader by striving to be effective in advancing these goals, thereby empowering and giving agency to the leader. We illustrate the model primarily through the events of 6th January 2021 when Donald Trump’s exhortations to his supporters that they should ‘fight’ to ‘stop the steal’ of the 2020 election was followed by an a...
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Papers by Fergus Neville