PhD Research Project: Understanding beneficiary responses to affirmative action

Organisations seek to increase the representation of disadvantaged groups (e.g., women, ethnic minority groups) by implementing affirmative action programs, which include policies and procedures to help reduce bias and provide additional opportunities for target groups. The presence of such programs can elicit a stereotype of beneficiary incompetence, such that people believe that beneficiary groups cannot succeed on their own merit. However, little is known about how members of beneficiary groups themselves might negotiate such stereotypes: when will they be undermined by an affirmative action program (e.g., feeling anxious or insulted by the implication that they need help) and when will they be bolstered by it (e.g., appreciating the help being offered)? This project will investigate a range of factors (e.g., individual differences, group processes, organisational characteristics) that shape beneficiary responses to affirmative action programs. It will also consider the implications of these responses for beneficiaries’ career aspirations and broader workplace attitudes (e.g., job satisfaction).

Funding Notes

This is one of many projects in competition for the current funding opportunities available within the Department of Psychology. Please see here for full details: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/psychology/prospectivepg/funding
Overseas students are welcome to apply for funding but must be able to demonstrate that they can fund the difference in the tuition fees.
Requirements: We ask for a minimum of a first class or high upper second-class undergraduate honours degree and a distinction or high merit at Masters level in psychology or a related discipline.