Analysing changing public attitudes towards equality and intergroup relations : developing a new measure of good relations

• Main Author: Wardrop, Hazel Moira
• Published: University of Kent 2012
• Subjects: 302.3
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.633528

This thesis explores the conceptualisation and measurement of good relations, and the social and psychological consequences of improving good relations in communities. Good relations is at the forefront ofUK social policy, being at the centre of the Equality and 36 Human Rights Commission's (EHRC) mandate since its inception in 2010. Before this, good relations had been a strong presence in social policy for more than a decade. However, compared to other measures of social harmony, good relations is extremely under-researched. The studies presented in this thesis use a range of research methods to develop our understanding of good relations . First, it explores the conceptualisation of good relations, provid{ng an overview of measures of social harmony conceptually close to good relations. Second, it provides an overview of social psychological theories that can provide insight into possible barriers to good relations as well as the potential outcomes, positive and negative, of improving good relations. Finally, the thesis explores good relations as an evaluative tool. The research revealed a reliable measure of good relations which was robust across a number of different study designs and samples both in the lab and in the field. The research revealed good relations to be positively related to measures of neighbourliness, volunteering, and lower social isolation, although distinct in its capacity to capture the relational aspect of social harmony. The research contributes uniquely to both social policy and social psychology by highlighting the role of social identification within a multidisciplinary measure of good relations, and the importance of equality when promoting good relations. The findings of the presented here have importance for both social psychological theory and social policy. Policy implications include EHRC's duty to consider the level of equality and deprivation in a target community, and consider what the consequences may be of fostering good relations in that community before initiating an agenda of good relations.