Effect of Stereotyping on Decision Making of Professionals Working With Victims of Honor-Related Violence [PhD Project]
Honor-related violence (HRV) encompasses “mental or physical violence committed from a collective mentality in response to a (threatened) violation of the honor of a man, a woman or a child, and with that of his or her family”. Generally, western professionals struggle with the concept of honor, and violence over honor-related matters. Due to a lack of basic knowledge, professionals and police officers may end up relying on incorrect, stereotypical ideas about victims, thereby reinforcing stigma around HRV, and increasing attribution of honor to be part of an outgroup with undesirable characteristics, which results in unequal treatment.
Stigma hinders victims to be heard, supported, and be physically and emotionally safe, prompting them to avoid seeking help. Our aims are to: (a) describe prevalent stereotypes about HRV victims, (b) study how stereotypes affect attitudes towards victims and influence professionals’ decisions (as reported by both victims and professionals), and (c) assess how training reduces stereotyping by professionals.
These aims fit the core HSRI Theme of Adaptive Societies, as it investigates ways for professionals to adapt their services to an increasingly diverse society. Dutch society is diverse and includes ethnic backgrounds where honor plays an important role. Professionals need to gain a better understanding of the role of honor, for early detection, prevention, and treatment, as there is a serious lack of scientific knowledge and of evidence-based training. The project is innovative in adding theoretical knowledge as well as developing and testing an intervention.
Team composition
- Dr. Diana Roeg (Health scientist - Senior Researcher and member of the Academic Collaborative Centre Mental Health at Tranzo, TiU, and Head of research, Kwintes, healthcare organization for persons with mental health and psycho-social problems, including domestic violence, Zeist)
- Dr. Michael Bender (Social and Cross-cultural Psychologist, Associate Professor in Social Psychology, TiU; Visiting Professor Ghent University, Belgium; Honorary Professor Gratia Christian College, HK; Board Member Dutch Institute for Psychologists (NIP, Committee ‘Culture and Diversiy’)
- Prof. dr. Dike van de Mheen (Health scientist and epidemiologist – Full Professor Transformations in Care and Director of Tranzo, TiU)
- Dr. Hans van Dijk (Associate Professor for Business and Society, TIAS Business School, Co-Founder Including Behavior Institute)
- Dr. Janne van Doorn (Psychologist – Assistant Professor in Criminology/Victimology, Leiden Law School, Leiden University and Project leader of National Knowledge Network Victimology; ViNe)
- Dr. Yvette van Osch (Social and Cross-cultural psychologist – _Strategic researcher, Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment)
Cross-cutting themes
The Herbert Simon Research Institute for Health, Well-being, and Adaptiveness is a research center devoted to carrying out excellent, state of the art research in order to contribute to healthy and resilient people. We have selected three themes, which involve the collaboration between various Departments and address actual themes in need of both fundamental and applied research.