Researcher-in-training

Research Interests:

Richard Nisbett recently wrote a popular book on how cultures think differently, and why? The latter in particular is an issue I attempt to further in my research.

Having been exposed to different cultures in the Netherlands combined with my curiosity for language has led to my interest in cultural syndromes. The broad education I received via the research master at VU University has consequently led to recognition of the significance of embodied components of culture and the situated nature of the cultural mind. In my current research, supervised by Prof. Dr. Gün Semin and Dr. Dov Cohen, I stab at understanding aforementioned cultural syndromes by examining the role of sensorimotor experiences. Originally theorized by Diamond (1997) and his ideas of geographical influences on human behavior, we address embodied components by investigating the role of posture (cf. Bourdieu, 1977) and physical proximity (cf. Hsu, 1953) in cultural values, thought processes, and abstraction levels of language. More precise, in our research we examine sensorimotor experiences in cultural syndromes of individualism, collectivism, and on the axis of dignity versus honor cultures.

In addition, a final personal interest I have lies in how social psychology can be functional for non-scientists. For further information, consult www.in-mind.org.

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Publications:

IJzerman, H., & Van Prooijen, J. W. (in press). A just world and the emotional defense of self. Social Psychology.

IJzerman, H., Van Dijk, W. W., & Gallucci, M. (2007). A bumpy train ride: A field experiment on insult, honor, and emotional response. Emotion, 7, 869 – 875.

Presentations:
Cohen, D., Lueng, A., & IJzerman, H. (December, 2006). The Embodiment of Moral Systems. International Conference on Cultural Influences on Behavior. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

IJzerman, H. (April 7, 2006). Short Stories in Culture and Emotion. Lecture presented at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

IJzerman, H., Van Dijk, W. W. & Gallucci, M. (December, 2005). Toen wij uit Rotterdam vertrokken ... : Een veldexperiment naar de relatie tussen belediging, emotionele reactie en eercultuur. Presented at the ASPO Congress, Groningen, The Netherlands, 2005.

Vita: