Social Psychology Special Issue

Marianne Erskine-Shaw & Charlotte R. Pennington
explored the practical implications of intergroup
contact theory, suggesting that direct
contact between members of different
groups may not always be feasible. She then
presented her research, demonstrating the
practical and applied efficacy of imagined
positive group interactions for prejudice
reduction (c.f. Crisp et al., 2008).
In all, the Developmental and Social
Section conference was a vibrant and intellectually
stimulating event. The atmosphere
at the conference was extremely supportive
and some great ideas were shared. It is great
to see Sections coming together to provide
more versatile and collaborative conferences.
Moreover, it was easy to observe that
there were many postgraduates presenting at
the conference. Indeed, presenting with a
variety of people at various stages of their
career is beneficial for PG’s and including
PG presentations in the core programme, as
opposed to assigning a specific day or location
for these presentations, is a positive
move forward to ensure that the research is
disseminated to a wider audience. From the
conference, we have both brought back
many ideas and thoughts for consideration,
which will greatly shape our PhD research.
In 2016, the sections will hold individual
conferences (SPS in Cardiff and DPS in
Belfast). However, we do also hope that in
future, sections will come together more
often to provide joint conferences as
successful as this one!
Acknowledgements
Marianne would like to thank the Social
Psychology Section for funding her conference
attendance and providing an exhibitor
stand for PsyPAG. Charlotte thanks the
PsyPAG North West Branch who provided a
bursary towards her attendance. We would
both like to thank Dominic Abrams, Melissa
Carpenter and Tania Zittoun for taking park
the ‘PsyPAG: Meet the Experts’ event.
Correspondence
Marianne Erskine-Shaw
Edge Hill University.
Email: erskinem@edgehill.ac.uk
Twitter: @Marianne_eshaw
Charlotte R. Pennington
Edge Hill University.
Email: penninc@edgehill.ac.uk
Twitter: @cpennington92
References
Abrams, D., Pelletier, J., Van de Vyer, J., Cameron, L. & Lee,
E. (2015). Children’s prosocial behavioural intentions
toward outgroup members: The effects of intergroup
competition, empathy and social perspective taking.
British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 33(3), 277–294.
Crisp, R.J., Stathi, S., Turner, R.N. & Husnu, S. (2009).
Imagined intergroup contact: Theory, paradigm and
practice. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 3, 1–18.
Kwok, R. (2014). The British Psychological Society Joint
Cognitive Psychology Section & Development
Psychology Section Annual Conference 2013. PsyPAG
Quarterly, 91, 53–55.
Simms, V., Cragg, L., Gilmore, C., Marlow, N. & Johnson, S.
(2013). Mathematics difficulties in children born very
pre-term: Current research and future directions.
Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal edition,
98, 457–463.
West, K., Holmes, E. & Hewstone, M. (2011). Enhancing
imagined contact to reduce prejudice against people
with schizophrenia. Group Processes & Intergroup
Relations, 1–22.
54 PsyPAG Quarterly