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Over ons Faculteit Gedrags- en Maatschappijwetenschappen Psychologie Onderzoeksgroepen Sociale Psychologie

Social impact evaluations of interventions in low income countries

Social Psychology

Around the world interventions are implemented in low income nations to reduce poverty in general. In the context of such programs I study, first, whether these interventions indeed achieve their goals and, second, whether they may also trigger unexpected social and cultural change. I am especially interested in how different interventions may change how people see themselves (i.e., construe their identity and endorse cultural values) and how they relate to other (i.e., relationships, social networks). Interventions focus on educational initiatives such a financial literacy training, mother tongue education, and cash transfers and programs which focus on economic development in general.

Main project

This project is part of project "Cultural change driven by modernization".

Researchers and partners

Behavioural and Social Sciences, Psychology
  • Msarloes Huis, Social Psychology
University of Groningen, outside of Behavioural and Socials Sciences
  • Robert Lensink (Department of Economics, Econometrics & Finance, Faculty of Economics and Business)
  • Suthinee (Pim) Supanantaroek (Department of Economics, Econometrics & Finance, Faculty of Economics and Business)
Partners outside of the University of Groningen
  • Luz M. Salas (Universidad Javeriana, Bolovia)
  • Joanne Yoong (Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, US)
  • Aflatoun

Education

Courses connected to this project
  • BA: Social environment and behaviour (PSBE2-04, PSBA2-04)
  • Master/ReMa: Cultural Psychology (PSMSB-12, GMCSIB15)
  • Master/ReMa: Personal, social, and cultural change (PSMSB-5, GMCSIB10)
  • Guest lectures in other Masters (Master in International Humanitarian Action, Master in Management of Transfusion Medicine)

Results

Publications
  • Hansen, N. (in press). Development aid. In L. Steg, K.E. Keizer, & A.P. Buunk (Eds.). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Managing Social Problems (2nd edition).
  • Hansen, N. (2015). The development of psychological capacity for action. The empowering effect of a microfinance programme on women in Sri Lanka. Journal of Social Issues, 71(3), 597-613. doi: 10.1111/josi.12130
  • Hansen, N., Koudenburg, N., Hiersemann, R., Tellegen, P., Kocsev, M., & Postmes, T. (2012). Laptop usage affects abstract reasoning of children in the developing world. Computers & Education, 59, 989–1000. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2012.04.013
  • Supanantaroek, S., Hansen, N., & Lensink, R. (2016). The impact of social and financial education on savings attitudes and behaviour among primary school children in Uganda. Evaluation Review, 1-31. doi:10.1177/0193841X16665719
Successful grant proposals and other achievements
  • Different project evaluations were funded by GIZ, NWO-WOTRO (MFS2 evaluation), 3ie, and DFID

University's focus areas

  • Sustainable Society

More information

  • Huis, M., Hansen, N., & Geiger, J. (29th October, 2014). A learning adventure in Ethiopia. [Blog]. Retrieved from http://mindwise-groningen.nl/
Laatst gewijzigd:29 maart 2021 08:17
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