Short CV

Daan Scheepers obtained his PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Amsterdam in 2002 (title thesis: The social functions of in-group bias). Between 2004 and 2007 he worked as postdoc on a VENI grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), and subsequently as assistant professor (2007-2013) and associate professor (2013-now) in social and organizational psychology at Leiden University. Since 2018, Daan also works as (part-time) professor of “psychophysiology of groups” at Utrecht University.

Research

Daan’s research focuses on the motivational aspects of group processes and inter-group relations (the psychology of “us and them”). For example, he examines the functions of in-group bias and the motivational consequences of (changing) power and status relations within- and between groups.

In studying these topics Daan takes a social psychophysiological approach, meaning that he combines self-report, behavioral, and physiological measures (ECG, ICG, blood pressure) to better understand social behavior. The main model he applies is the “biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat” which describes specific cardiovascular indices of “challenge” and “threat” motivational states. In his research Daan examines when and how threats may arise in group contexts, and how to turn these threats into challenges.

Teaching

Inter-group relations (Master Social and Organizational Psychology)

Improving inter-group perceptions (Research Master Psychology)

Thesis supervision (Master / Research Master Psychology)

Publications