Cara MacInnis, Associate Professor

Email address: cara.macinnis@acadiau.ca

Classes recently taught: Advanced Social Psychology, Special Topics in Applied Psychology

EDUCATION

B.Sc., Cape Breton University

M.Sc., Brock University

Ph.D., Brock University

P.D.F., University of Toronto

RESEARCH INTERESTS

In general, I am interested in the way humans interact with one another in our diverse world, focusing on barriers to positive intergroup relations. All of my work is relevant to the study of negative attitudes toward groups, or prejudice, with most of my research falling into one of three overlapping lines of research: Examining perceptions (e.g., dehumanization, meta-stereotypes), behaviours (e.g., avoidance of dissimilar others), and emotions (e.g., disgust) that negatively impact intergroup relations. Examining intolerance-related socio-political orientations (e.g., authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, conservatism), both in terms of their correlates and consequences (e.g., sexual behaviour) and in terms of their impact on intergroup relations. Examining potential means by which to overcome barriers to positive intergroup relations and reduce prejudice (e.g., cross-group contact).

REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS

Buliga, E.* & MacInnis, C.C. (2021). Exploring Associations between Intergroup Contact and Support for New Cannabis-Related Policies and Penalties in Canada. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cbs0000302

Buliga, E.* & MacInnis, C.C. (2020) “How do you like them now?” Expected reactions upon discovering that a friend is a political outgroup member. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 37, 2779-2801.

MacInnis, C.C. & Buliga, E.* (2020). “Don’t get above yourself”: Heterosexual cross-class couples are viewed less favorably, especially when the woman is in the higher status position. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 44, 50-66.

MacInnis, C.C., Alberga, A.S., Nutter, S.*, Ellard, J.H., Russell-Mayhew, S. (2020). Regarding obesity as a disease is associated with lower weight bias among physicians in Canada: A cross-sectional survey study. Stigma and Health, 5, 114-122.

MacInnis, C.C., & Hodson, G. (2019). Extending the benefits of intergroup contact beyond attitudes: When does intergroup predict greater collective action support? Journal of Social and Theoretical Psychology, 3, 11-22.

MacInnis, C.C. & Hodson, G. (2017). It ain’t easy eating greens: Evidence of bias toward vegetarians and vegans from both source and target. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 20, 721-744.

MacInnis, C.C. & Page-Gould, E. (2015). How can intergroup interaction be bad if intergroup contact is good? Exploring and reconciling an apparent paradox in the science of intergroup relations. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10, 307-327.

*s represent mentee (graduate student, undergraduate student, or postdoc) co-authors at the time of publication