Jennifer Sheehy‐skeffington
Biographic Data
| ID | 3454752 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Jennifer Sheehy‐skeffington |
| GIVEN NAMES | Jennifer |
| FAMILY NAME | Sheehy‐skeffington |
| SIGNATURE | SKEFFINGTON J S |
| AFFILIATIONS | London School of Economics and Political Science |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-0372-4867 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 17 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 294 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 17 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2012 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
The Relationship Between Educational Attainment and Right-Wing Authoritarianism: A Discordant Twin Study
While it is well-established that educational attainment and Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) are negatively correlated, it remains unclear why, as causal effects are hard to distinguish from the effects of confounders. Here, we use an adaptation of the discordant twin design in a structural equation framework (ACE-β models) with 1264 Norwegian monozygotic and dizygotic twins, to investigate whether education and RWA remain associated after cont…
Bringing a Wider Socioecological Lens to the Psychology of Poverty
Poverty is a persistent social issue that policymakers have turned to psychology for help in addressing. This has spurred an upswing in research on the psychology of poverty over the past 15 years, leading to a maturing evidence base on how the conditions of resource scarcity and other forms of socioeconomic adversity shape decision‐making and its underlying psychological mechanisms. This paper reviews this work, while arguing for an expansion in…
Resource Possession in the Mind’s Eye: Ideological Convergence and Divergence in the Perceptions of Poor People
Social hierarchies ultimately concern resource possession, yet psychological processes for regulating resource-related tensions remain underexplored. We examine how support for intergroup equality (egalitarianism) relates to explicit attitudes toward, and mental images of, the resource poor. In Study 1 ( N = 625), egalitarians report more favorable attitudes toward the resource poor than anti-egalitarians. However, using the reverse correlation p…
Beliefs about what disadvantaged groups would do with power shape advantaged groups’ (un)willingness to relinquish it
Dominant groups often resist possible changes to the hierarchical status quo. Might such tendencies be partly rooted in negative-yet potentially malleable-meta-beliefs about how disempowered groups would use power if they gained control? We investigate these questions across three studies and eight independent samples (Total N = 7,460 analyzed responses) in the context of Black-White relations in the United States. Specifically, we examine White …
The genetic underpinnings of right‐wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation explain political attitudes beyond Big Five personality
OBJECTIVE: Political attitudes are predicted by the key ideological variables of right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social dominance orientation (SDO), as well as some of the Big Five personality traits. Past research indicates that personality and ideological traits are correlated for genetic reasons. A question that has yet to be tested concerns whether the genetic variation underlying the ideological traits of RWA and SDO has distinct contr…
Barriers in the Transition From School to Work: How Student Financial Adversity Predicts Deprioritizing Jobs With the Best Long‐Term Career Progression
Despite education's potential to reshape societal inequalities, recent gains in broadening university access across the socioeconomic spectrum have not translated into parallel gains in the transition from school to work. This work applies a socioecological approach to understanding this pattern, considering the role of job factors and individual financial background in shaping undergraduate student job choices and perceived career prospects. In …
Society in the Classroom: Introduction to the Special Issue
In introducing the special issue, Society in the Classroom: Multilevel Perspectives on Socioeconomic Inequalities in Education, we begin by challenging the assumption that educational institutions are neutral sites merely reflecting socioeconomic inequalities that originate beyond them. Instead, we consider how socioeconomic disparities and biases pervade educational settings and may be perpetuated by the very function of privileging particular s…
Towards an evolutionarily informed psychology of solidarity: A reply to ‘The challenges of encouraging refugee assistance: lessons learned from reframing the problem as one of within-group collective …
Towards an evolutionarily informed psychology of solidarity: a reply to ‘The challenges of encouraging refugee assistance: lessons learned from reframing the problem as one of within-group collective action and norm change’ by Faiza El-Higzi and Cristina Moya" published on 20 Nov 2023 by Bristol University Press
A Leader Who Sees the World as I Do: Voters Prefer Candidates Whose Statements Reveal Matching Social‐Psychological Attitudes
Politicians are increasingly able to communicate their values, attitudes, and concerns directly to voters. Yet little is known about which of these signals resonate with voters and why. We employ a discrete choice experiment to investigate whether and which social‐psychological attitudes predict how adult British voters respond to corresponding attitudinal signals communicated by candidates in hypothetical social media posts. For all attitudes st…
Power, identity, and belonging: A mixed‐methods study of the processes shaping perceptions of EU integration in a prospective member state
What is at stake, psychologically, when a nation considers joining a supranational body such as the European Union? This article addresses this question from the perspective of power, identity, and belonging vis‐à‐vis superordinate groups. Taking a mixed‐methods approach, using focus group ( N = 67) and survey ( N = 1,192) data, we explore the psychosocial dynamics that shape perceptions of European Union (EU) integration in a prospective member …
Is sociopolitical egalitarianism related to bodily and facial formidability in men?
Social bargaining models predict that men should calibrate their egalitarian attitudes to their formidability and/or attractiveness. A simple social bargaining model predicts a direct negative association between formidability/attractiveness and egalitarianism, whereas a more complex model predicts an association moderated by wealth. Our study tested both models with 171 men, using two sociopolitical egalitarianism measures: social dominance orie…
Hierarchy in the eye of the beholder: (Anti-)egalitarianism shapes perceived levels of social inequality
Debate surrounding the issue of inequality and hierarchy between social groups has become increasingly prominent in recent years. At the same time, individuals disagree about the extent to which inequality between advantaged and disadvantaged groups exists. Whereas prior work has examined the ways in which individuals legitimize (or delegitimize) inequality as a function of their motivations, we consider whether individuals' orientation toward gr…
Social Dominance Theory: Explorations in the Psychology of Oppression
Question: What is the difference between capitalism and communism? Answer: Under capitalism you have the exploitation of man by man. Under communism it is just the reverse. Russian saying Despite impressive gains in the spread of quasi-democratic social practices and respect for human rights witnessed in the past hundred years (e.g., Pinker, 2011), intergroup discrimination, oppression, and violence continue to thrive within every modern social s…
Asymmetric intergroup bullying: The enactment and maintenance of societal inequality at work
What does inequality mean for dysfunctional organizational behaviours, such as workplace bullying? This article argues that workplace bullying can be understood as a manifestation of intergroup dynamics originating beyond the organization. We introduce the construct of asymmetric intergroup bullying: the disproportionate mistreatment of members of low status groups, with the intended effect of enhancing the subordination of that group in society …
The nature of social dominance orientation: Theorizing and measuring preferences for intergroup inequality using the new SDO7 scale
A new conceptualization and measurement of social dominance orientation-individual differences in the preference for group based hierarchy and inequality-is introduced. In contrast to previous measures of social dominance orientation that were designed to be unidimensional, the new measure (SDO7) embeds theoretically grounded subdimensions of SDO-SDO-Dominance (SDO-D) and SDO-Egalitarianism (SDO-E). SDO-D constitutes a preference for systems of g…
You're Inferior and Not Worth Our Concern: The Interface Between Empathy and Social Dominance Orientation
OBJECTIVE: This project was directed at examination of the potential reciprocal relationship between empathy and social dominance orientation (SDO), with the purpose of testing the predictions from Duckitt's highly influential dual process model of prejudice, and further examining the validity of the mere effect view of social dominance orientation. METHOD: To examine this relationship, the authors employed cross-lagged structural equation modeli…
Social Dominance Orientation: Revisiting the Structure and Function of a Variable Predicting Social and Political Attitudes
Social dominance orientation (SDO) is one of the most powerful predictors of intergroup attitudes and behavior. Although SDO works well as a unitary construct, some analyses suggest it might consist of two complementary dimensions--SDO-Dominance (SDO-D), or the preference for some groups to dominate others, and SDO-Egalitarianism (SDO-E), a preference for nonegalitarian intergroup relations. Using seven samples from the United States and Israel, …
The nature of social dominance orientation: Theorizing and measuring preferences for intergroup inequality using the new SDO7 scale
A new conceptualization and measurement of social dominance orientation-individual differences in the preference for group based hierarchy and inequality-is introduced. In contrast to previous measures of social dominance orientation that were designed to be unidimensional, the new measure (SDO7) embeds theoretically grounded subdimensions of SDO-SDO-Dominance (SDO-D) and SDO-Egalitarianism (SDO-E). SDO-D constitutes a preference for systems of g…
Hierarchy in the eye of the beholder: (Anti-)egalitarianism shapes perceived levels of social inequality
Debate surrounding the issue of inequality and hierarchy between social groups has become increasingly prominent in recent years. At the same time, individuals disagree about the extent to which inequality between advantaged and disadvantaged groups exists. Whereas prior work has examined the ways in which individuals legitimize (or delegitimize) inequality as a function of their motivations, we consider whether individuals' orientation toward gr…
Asymmetric intergroup bullying: The enactment and maintenance of societal inequality at work
What does inequality mean for dysfunctional organizational behaviours, such as workplace bullying? This article argues that workplace bullying can be understood as a manifestation of intergroup dynamics originating beyond the organization. We introduce the construct of asymmetric intergroup bullying: the disproportionate mistreatment of members of low status groups, with the intended effect of enhancing the subordination of that group in society …
Society in the Classroom: Introduction to the Special Issue
In introducing the special issue, Society in the Classroom: Multilevel Perspectives on Socioeconomic Inequalities in Education, we begin by challenging the assumption that educational institutions are neutral sites merely reflecting socioeconomic inequalities that originate beyond them. Instead, we consider how socioeconomic disparities and biases pervade educational settings and may be perpetuated by the very function of privileging particular s…
Barriers in the Transition From School to Work: How Student Financial Adversity Predicts Deprioritizing Jobs With the Best Long‐Term Career Progression
Despite education's potential to reshape societal inequalities, recent gains in broadening university access across the socioeconomic spectrum have not translated into parallel gains in the transition from school to work. This work applies a socioecological approach to understanding this pattern, considering the role of job factors and individual financial background in shaping undergraduate student job choices and perceived career prospects. In …
Power, identity, and belonging: A mixed‐methods study of the processes shaping perceptions of EU integration in a prospective member state
What is at stake, psychologically, when a nation considers joining a supranational body such as the European Union? This article addresses this question from the perspective of power, identity, and belonging vis‐à‐vis superordinate groups. Taking a mixed‐methods approach, using focus group ( N = 67) and survey ( N = 1,192) data, we explore the psychosocial dynamics that shape perceptions of European Union (EU) integration in a prospective member …
A Leader Who Sees the World as I Do: Voters Prefer Candidates Whose Statements Reveal Matching Social‐Psychological Attitudes
Politicians are increasingly able to communicate their values, attitudes, and concerns directly to voters. Yet little is known about which of these signals resonate with voters and why. We employ a discrete choice experiment to investigate whether and which social‐psychological attitudes predict how adult British voters respond to corresponding attitudinal signals communicated by candidates in hypothetical social media posts. For all attitudes st…
Social Dominance Orientation: Revisiting the Structure and Function of a Variable Predicting Social and Political Attitudes
Social dominance orientation (SDO) is one of the most powerful predictors of intergroup attitudes and behavior. Although SDO works well as a unitary construct, some analyses suggest it might consist of two complementary dimensions--SDO-Dominance (SDO-D), or the preference for some groups to dominate others, and SDO-Egalitarianism (SDO-E), a preference for nonegalitarian intergroup relations. Using seven samples from the United States and Israel, …
You're Inferior and Not Worth Our Concern: The Interface Between Empathy and Social Dominance Orientation
OBJECTIVE: This project was directed at examination of the potential reciprocal relationship between empathy and social dominance orientation (SDO), with the purpose of testing the predictions from Duckitt's highly influential dual process model of prejudice, and further examining the validity of the mere effect view of social dominance orientation. METHOD: To examine this relationship, the authors employed cross-lagged structural equation modeli…
Asymmetric intergroup bullying: The enactment and maintenance of societal inequality at work
What does inequality mean for dysfunctional organizational behaviours, such as workplace bullying? This article argues that workplace bullying can be understood as a manifestation of intergroup dynamics originating beyond the organization. We introduce the construct of asymmetric intergroup bullying: the disproportionate mistreatment of members of low status groups, with the intended effect of enhancing the subordination of that group in society …
The nature of social dominance orientation: Theorizing and measuring preferences for intergroup inequality using the new SDO7 scale
A new conceptualization and measurement of social dominance orientation-individual differences in the preference for group based hierarchy and inequality-is introduced. In contrast to previous measures of social dominance orientation that were designed to be unidimensional, the new measure (SDO7) embeds theoretically grounded subdimensions of SDO-SDO-Dominance (SDO-D) and SDO-Egalitarianism (SDO-E). SDO-D constitutes a preference for systems of g…
Social Dominance Theory: Explorations in the Psychology of Oppression
Question: What is the difference between capitalism and communism? Answer: Under capitalism you have the exploitation of man by man. Under communism it is just the reverse. Russian saying Despite impressive gains in the spread of quasi-democratic social practices and respect for human rights witnessed in the past hundred years (e.g., Pinker, 2011), intergroup discrimination, oppression, and violence continue to thrive within every modern social s…
Is sociopolitical egalitarianism related to bodily and facial formidability in men?
Social bargaining models predict that men should calibrate their egalitarian attitudes to their formidability and/or attractiveness. A simple social bargaining model predicts a direct negative association between formidability/attractiveness and egalitarianism, whereas a more complex model predicts an association moderated by wealth. Our study tested both models with 171 men, using two sociopolitical egalitarianism measures: social dominance orie…
Hierarchy in the eye of the beholder: (Anti-)egalitarianism shapes perceived levels of social inequality
Debate surrounding the issue of inequality and hierarchy between social groups has become increasingly prominent in recent years. At the same time, individuals disagree about the extent to which inequality between advantaged and disadvantaged groups exists. Whereas prior work has examined the ways in which individuals legitimize (or delegitimize) inequality as a function of their motivations, we consider whether individuals' orientation toward gr…
Power, identity, and belonging: A mixed‐methods study of the processes shaping perceptions of EU integration in a prospective member state
What is at stake, psychologically, when a nation considers joining a supranational body such as the European Union? This article addresses this question from the perspective of power, identity, and belonging vis‐à‐vis superordinate groups. Taking a mixed‐methods approach, using focus group ( N = 67) and survey ( N = 1,192) data, we explore the psychosocial dynamics that shape perceptions of European Union (EU) integration in a prospective member …
Towards an evolutionarily informed psychology of solidarity: A reply to ‘The challenges of encouraging refugee assistance: lessons learned from reframing the problem as one of within-group collective …
Towards an evolutionarily informed psychology of solidarity: a reply to ‘The challenges of encouraging refugee assistance: lessons learned from reframing the problem as one of within-group collective action and norm change’ by Faiza El-Higzi and Cristina Moya" published on 20 Nov 2023 by Bristol University Press
A Leader Who Sees the World as I Do: Voters Prefer Candidates Whose Statements Reveal Matching Social‐Psychological Attitudes
Politicians are increasingly able to communicate their values, attitudes, and concerns directly to voters. Yet little is known about which of these signals resonate with voters and why. We employ a discrete choice experiment to investigate whether and which social‐psychological attitudes predict how adult British voters respond to corresponding attitudinal signals communicated by candidates in hypothetical social media posts. For all attitudes st…
The genetic underpinnings of right‐wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation explain political attitudes beyond Big Five personality
OBJECTIVE: Political attitudes are predicted by the key ideological variables of right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social dominance orientation (SDO), as well as some of the Big Five personality traits. Past research indicates that personality and ideological traits are correlated for genetic reasons. A question that has yet to be tested concerns whether the genetic variation underlying the ideological traits of RWA and SDO has distinct contr…
Barriers in the Transition From School to Work: How Student Financial Adversity Predicts Deprioritizing Jobs With the Best Long‐Term Career Progression
Despite education's potential to reshape societal inequalities, recent gains in broadening university access across the socioeconomic spectrum have not translated into parallel gains in the transition from school to work. This work applies a socioecological approach to understanding this pattern, considering the role of job factors and individual financial background in shaping undergraduate student job choices and perceived career prospects. In …
Society in the Classroom: Introduction to the Special Issue
In introducing the special issue, Society in the Classroom: Multilevel Perspectives on Socioeconomic Inequalities in Education, we begin by challenging the assumption that educational institutions are neutral sites merely reflecting socioeconomic inequalities that originate beyond them. Instead, we consider how socioeconomic disparities and biases pervade educational settings and may be perpetuated by the very function of privileging particular s…
Resource Possession in the Mind’s Eye: Ideological Convergence and Divergence in the Perceptions of Poor People
Social hierarchies ultimately concern resource possession, yet psychological processes for regulating resource-related tensions remain underexplored. We examine how support for intergroup equality (egalitarianism) relates to explicit attitudes toward, and mental images of, the resource poor. In Study 1 ( N = 625), egalitarians report more favorable attitudes toward the resource poor than anti-egalitarians. However, using the reverse correlation p…
Beliefs about what disadvantaged groups would do with power shape advantaged groups’ (un)willingness to relinquish it
Dominant groups often resist possible changes to the hierarchical status quo. Might such tendencies be partly rooted in negative-yet potentially malleable-meta-beliefs about how disempowered groups would use power if they gained control? We investigate these questions across three studies and eight independent samples (Total N = 7,460 analyzed responses) in the context of Black-White relations in the United States. Specifically, we examine White …
The Relationship Between Educational Attainment and Right-Wing Authoritarianism: A Discordant Twin Study
While it is well-established that educational attainment and Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) are negatively correlated, it remains unclear why, as causal effects are hard to distinguish from the effects of confounders. Here, we use an adaptation of the discordant twin design in a structural equation framework (ACE-β models) with 1264 Norwegian monozygotic and dizygotic twins, to investigate whether education and RWA remain associated after cont…
Bringing a Wider Socioecological Lens to the Psychology of Poverty
Poverty is a persistent social issue that policymakers have turned to psychology for help in addressing. This has spurred an upswing in research on the psychology of poverty over the past 15 years, leading to a maturing evidence base on how the conditions of resource scarcity and other forms of socioeconomic adversity shape decision‐making and its underlying psychological mechanisms. This paper reviews this work, while arguing for an expansion in…
Psychology (14 works) · Social Psychology (13 works) · Political science (10 works) · Politics (10 works) · Social and Intergroup Psychology (9 works) · Cultural Differences and Values (6 works) · Dominance (genetics) (5 works) · Social Psychology (5 works) · Sociology (5 works) · Egalitarianism (4 works)