Papers by Cathy Nicholson
Developing a discussion away from biomedical approaches to one embedded in the social and cultural life of individuals
Journal of Social and Political Psychology, Dec 18, 2019
This paper explores the permeability of imagined boundaries between Jewish and Palestinian citize... more This paper explores the permeability of imagined boundaries between Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel who work together as medics in Israel. The medics' shared work environment, based on medical ethics and inclusiveness across staff and patient populations, was effective in providing a safe, equal and satisfactory professional work setting. This contrasted with the external non-working environment where structural asymmetry placed the minority group in a position of perceived inequality and non-recognition. A sense of threat related to the Jewish Israeli narratives, highlighted by the war in Gaza in 2014, led to intergroup tensions that seeped into the work environment. This took the form of a justification of the state to deal with the conflict, juxtaposed with the Palestinian Israelis conflicted loyalties between their Israeli citizenship and their Palestinian heritage. The role of contact research is discussed to argue how intergroup tensions can be played out across different social and political contexts. The theoretical concept of themata, defined as a foundation for developing social representations around dialogical constructed boundaries, was integral to map and explore group positioning through a qualitative methodology This approach was found to be useful in exploring an environment in a natural setting, set within a context of structural asymmetry and ongoing conflict. These findings contribute to existing research on interpretations of contact theory, intergroup boundaries and possibilities of reconciliation.
Culture and Psychology, May 18, 2017
This paper examines the role of interpretations of historical events when discussing the Israeli-... more This paper examines the role of interpretations of historical events when discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, by those with a lived experience of it. The research literature relating to representations of collective memory and perceived intractable conflict is presented before discussing how a theoretical lens of dialogicality, through exploring the role of themata, can add to the discussion. Open-ended depth interviews with both Palestinians and Jewish Israelis revealed historical narratives without any direct questioning concerning this. Subsequent thematic analysis demonstrated the significance of these to justify and legitimise their positioning frameworks in relation to both their own and the others group's perspectives. The subsequent discussion examines how the quoted examples of perceived interpretations of the past can offer an understanding of foundational themes that remain omnipresent, yet not exclusive. Social representations of collective memories can play a significant role in the discussion of protracted conflict where frozen representations of the past can act as barriers to change, yet as will be discussed, resistance to them can lead to new perspectives that herald a shift away from a perceived intractability towards an alternative, more collaboratively imagined future.
Springer eBooks, 2018
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this p... more The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, Jul 24, 2018
This commentary explores how Obradović (2017) links historical myths as mediators of stability be... more This commentary explores how Obradović (2017) links historical myths as mediators of stability between the past and the future, when confronting the challenges of legitimising present political actions in Serbia, to build a more secure national identity in the modern world. Using a dialogical approach that encompasses the interdependency of the foundational myth of the Battles of Kosovo in the 14th C with social representations of present day political understanding, the challenges of creating such a national identity are unearthed and discussed. The thema of victimhood-resilience, highlighted by Obradović as a symbol for a lingering attachment to the past into an unknown future, is unpacked to reveal how the desired social change and its accompanying sense of nationhood is susceptible to present day forces not only within Serbia, but also beyond its national borders. Keywords National identity. social representations. themata. myths. narratives 'When one researches the national identity, one needs to ask not whether these identities are true or false, but what is their function in society, and whose reactions they are, and whose interests these identities serve?' (Reicher and Hopkins 2001, p10). This quote serves as a base from which to explore Obradović's (2017) research paper that stresses the importance of a sense of continuity of identity processes for creating a sense of collective stability during times of conflict, upheaval and radical change. In particular, I am interested in the relationship between the top down and bottom up discourses as to how Serbian political elites have used lingering myths from the past in order to serve a preferred
The role of historical representations in Israeli-Palestinian relations: Narratives from abroad
Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, Feb 1, 2016
This study focuses on narratives of historical events that were discussed during open ended inter... more This study focuses on narratives of historical events that were discussed during open ended interviews about conflict and coexistence within Israeli-Palestinian relations. Jewish Israelis and Palestinians living in London often used historical events as a way of justifying a positioning of a perspective that was felt to be central to the conflict and its possible resolution. These historical themes included the Holocaust, Biblical interpretations, and the effects of Israel gaining statehood in 1948. Narrative research is useful to portray stories that reflect a description of a perceived social reality in order to gain understanding of the meanings people give to their lived experiences. The theory of social representations provides an opportunity to explore further a narrative approach that includes the significance of intersubjectvity across group boundaries. It was found that each group defined themselves through the perspectives of 'the other,' demonstrating how studying both groups together can highlight an understanding of the contextual processes that might lie between them. By exploring how these particular narratives have been anchored and objectified, we can plot how representations of past events are continually developing to reflect present day positioning and ideas for future action. Although representations of intractability between the 2 groups were present, the results did not suggest that this was the only perspective taken, as other futures were imagined where conflict plays a lesser role.
Imagining Collective Identities Beyond Intergroup Conflict
Imagining Collective Futures, 2018
Collective identities serve to both stabilise and destabilise a sense of nationhood in the contex... more Collective identities serve to both stabilise and destabilise a sense of nationhood in the context of intractable conflict. Using the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a case study, we suggest that developing collective identities remain dependent on their historical, cultural and political contexts. A future can be imagined either as a continuation of the conflict, as the dominant narrative retains its prominence, or as one where alternative narratives steer a path away from conflict. Narratives from those embedded in conflict form the architecture of social representations, and we discuss this using the concepts of dialogicality and themata. Through this process, we explore how imagined futures are not necessarily perceived as intractable, as alternative narratives rejecting the status quo become visible.
Integrative psychological & behavioral science, Jan 24, 2018
This commentary explores how Obradović (2017) links historical myths as mediators of stability be... more This commentary explores how Obradović (2017) links historical myths as mediators of stability between the past and the future, when confronting the challenges of legitimising present political actions in Serbia, to build a more secure national identity in the modern world. Using a dialogical approach that encompasses the interdependency of the foundational myth of the Battles of Kosovo in the 14th C with social representations of present day political understanding, the challenges of creating such a national identity are unearthed and discussed. The thema of victimhood-resilience, highlighted by Obradović as a symbol for a lingering attachment to the past into an unknown future, is unpacked to reveal how the desired social change and its accompanying sense of nationhood is susceptible to present day forces not only within Serbia, but also beyond its national borders.
Culture & Psychology, 2017
This paper examines the role of interpretations of historical events when discussing the Israeli–... more This paper examines the role of interpretations of historical events when discussing the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, by those with a lived experience of it. The research literature relating to representations of collective memory and perceived intractable conflict is presented before discussing how a theoretical lens of dialogicality, through exploring the role of themata, can add to the discussion. Open-ended depth interviews with both Palestinians and Jewish Israelis revealed historical narratives without any direct questioning concerning this. Subsequent thematic analysis demonstrated the significance of these to justify and legitimise their positioning frameworks in relation to both their own and the others group's perspectives. The subsequent discussion examines how the quoted examples of perceived interpretations of the past can offer an understanding of foundational themes that remain omnipresent, yet not exclusive. Social representations of collective memories can play...
The role of historical representations in Israeli-Palestinian relations: Narratives from abroad
Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 2016
This study focuses on narratives of historical events that were discussed during open ended inter... more This study focuses on narratives of historical events that were discussed during open ended interviews about conflict and coexistence within Israeli-Palestinian relations. Jewish Israelis and Palestinians living in London often used historical events as a way of justifying a positioning of a perspective that was felt to be central to the conflict and its possible resolution. These historical themes included the Holocaust, Biblical interpretations, and the effects of Israel gaining statehood in 1948. Narrative research is useful to portray stories that reflect a description of a perceived social reality in order to gain understanding of the meanings people give to their lived experiences. The theory of social representations provides an opportunity to explore further a narrative approach that includes the significance of intersubjectvity across group boundaries. It was found that each group defined themselves through the perspectives of 'the other,' demonstrating how studying both groups together can highlight an understanding of the contextual processes that might lie between them. By exploring how these particular narratives have been anchored and objectified, we can plot how representations of past events are continually developing to reflect present day positioning and ideas for future action. Although representations of intractability between the 2 groups were present, the results did not suggest that this was the only perspective taken, as other futures were imagined where conflict plays a lesser role.
Political Psychology, 2018
The Open University's repository of research publications and other research outputs Brexit and e... more The Open University's repository of research publications and other research outputs Brexit and everyday politics: an analysis of focus group data on the EU referendum
Encyclopedia of race and racism
Choice Reviews Online, 2008
"In more than 1,800 pages of alphabetical entries, each ranging from 500 to 1,2000 words, Th... more "In more than 1,800 pages of alphabetical entries, each ranging from 500 to 1,2000 words, The Encyclopedia Of Race And Racism, 2nd Edition provides critical information and context on the underlying social, economic, geographical, and political conditions that, gave rise and continue to foster racism. Religion, political economy, social activism, health, concepts, and constructs are explored. Given the increasingly diverse population of the US and the rapid effects of globalization, as well as mass and social media, the issue of race in world affairs, history, and culture is of preeminent importance, and this work is designed to bring vetted and accessible facts and analysis to experts and students as well as lay readers. "
PhD candidates Cathy Nicholson and Sandra Obradovic have recently published in the Journal of Pea... more PhD candidates Cathy Nicholson and Sandra Obradovic have recently published in the Journal of Peace Psychology
Journal of Social and Political Psychology, Dec 18, 2019
This paper explores the permeability of imagined boundaries between Jewish and Palestinian citize... more This paper explores the permeability of imagined boundaries between Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel who work together as medics in Israel. The medics' shared work environment, based on medical ethics and inclusiveness across staff and patient populations, was effective in providing a safe, equal and satisfactory professional work setting. This contrasted with the external non-working environment where structural asymmetry placed the minority group in a position of perceived inequality and non-recognition. A sense of threat related to the Jewish Israeli narratives, highlighted by the war in Gaza in 2014, led to intergroup tensions that seeped into the work environment. This took the form of a justification of the state to deal with the conflict, juxtaposed with the Palestinian Israelis conflicted loyalties between their Israeli citizenship and their Palestinian heritage. The role of contact research is discussed to argue how intergroup tensions can be played out across different social and political contexts. The theoretical concept of themata, defined as a foundation for developing social representations around dialogical constructed boundaries, was integral to map and explore group positioning through a qualitative methodology This approach was found to be useful in exploring an environment in a natural setting, set within a context of structural asymmetry and ongoing conflict. These findings contribute to existing research on interpretations of contact theory, intergroup boundaries and possibilities of reconciliation.
Integr Psych Behav , 2018
This commentary explores how Obradović (2017) links historical myths as mediators of stability be... more This commentary explores how Obradović (2017) links historical myths as mediators of stability between the past and the future, when confronting the challenges of legitimising present political actions in Serbia, to build a more secure national identity in the modern world. Using a dialogical approach that encompasses the interdependency of the foundational myth of the Battles of Kosovo in the 14th C with social representations of present day political understanding, the challenges of creating such a national identity are unearthed and discussed. The thema of victimhood-resilience, highlighted by Obradović as a symbol for a lingering attachment to the past into an unknown future, is unpacked to reveal how the desired social change and its accompanying sense of nationhood is susceptible to present day forces not only within Serbia, but also beyond its national borders.
Political Psychology , 2018
The article presents an analysis of lay political reasoning on the U.K. EU referendum drawing on ... more The article presents an analysis of lay political reasoning on the U.K. EU referendum drawing on data from nine focus groups conducted in England in the few weeks preceding the vote. Participants were from across the political spectrum and with varied voting intentions in the upcoming referendum (Remain, Leave, and some undecided). A rhetorical analysis of the data showed that the ideological dilemma of nationalism (between safeguarding national distinctiveness and sovereignty, on the one hand, and valuing international collaboration and exchange, on the other hand) was a key organizing principle in participants’ accounts, as was the distinction between reason and bias. Participants intending to vote Leave as well as Remain engaged with both sides of the nationalism dilemma, seeking to present themselves as both open to cosmopolitan values and as concerned about preserving national sovereignty. Further, the liberal distinction between reason and bias in the data often took the form of a distinction between politics (as biased and corrupt) and the economy (as rational), thus depoliticizing the economy as a neutral and post ideological sphere. The implications of these findings for contemporary politics are discussed.
This paper examines the role of interpretations of historical events when discussing the Israeli–... more This paper examines the role of interpretations of historical events when discussing the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, by those with a lived experience of it. The research literature relating to representations of collective memory and perceived intractable conflict is presented before discussing how a theoretical lens of dialogicality, through exploring the role of themata, can add to the discussion. Open-ended depth interviews with both Palestinians and Jewish Israelis revealed historical narratives without any direct questioning concerning this. Subsequent thematic analysis demonstrated the significance of these to justify and legitimise their positioning frameworks in relation to both their own and the others group's perspectives. The subsequent discussion examines how the quoted examples of perceived interpretations of the past can offer an understanding of foundational themes that remain omnipresent, yet not exclusive. Social representations of collective memories can play a significant role in the discussion of protracted conflict where frozen representations of the past can act as barriers to change, yet as will be discussed, resistance to them can lead to new perspectives that herald a shift away from a perceived intractability towards an alternative, more collaboratively imagined future. The ways in which the collective past is remembered and how it is represented by social groups is central to the social psychological study of protracted conflict. The past can stand as a driver of legitimacy for present positioning based on the group's perceptions and meaning of the significance of the past. These historical
This study focuses on narratives of historical events that were discussed during open ended inter... more This study focuses on narratives of historical events that were discussed during open ended interviews about conflict and coexistence within Israeli–Palestinian relations. Jewish Israelis and Palestinians living in London often used historical events as a way of justifying a positioning of a perspective that was felt to be central to the conflict and its possible resolution. These historical themes included the Holocaust, Biblical interpretations, and the effects of Israel gaining statehood in 1948. Narrative research is useful to portray stories that reflect a description of a perceived social reality in order to gain understanding of the meanings people give to their lived experiences. The theory of social representations provides an opportunity to explore further a narrative approach that includes the significance of intersubjectvity across group boundaries. It was found that each group defined themselves through the perspectives of 'the other,' demonstrating how studying both groups together can highlight an understanding of the contextual processes that might lie between them. By exploring how these particular narratives have been anchored and objectified, we can plot how representations of past events are continually developing to reflect present day positioning and ideas for future action. Although representations of intractability between the 2 groups were present, the results did not suggest that this was the only perspective taken, as other futures were imagined where conflict plays a lesser role.
Books by Cathy Nicholson
In C. de Saint-Laurent, S. Obradović, & Kevin Carriere (Eds.), Imagining collective futures: Perspectives from social, cultural and political psychology. London: Palgrave., 2018
Collective identities serve to both stabilise and destabilise a sense of nationhood in the contex... more Collective identities serve to both stabilise and destabilise a sense of nationhood in the context of intractable conflict. Using the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a case study, we suggest that developing collective identities remain dependent on their historical, cultural and political contexts. A future can be imagined either as a continuation of the conflict, as the dominant narrative retains its prominence, or as one where alternative narratives steer a path away from conflict. Narratives from those embedded in conflict form the architecture of social representations and we discuss this using the concepts of dialogicality and themata. Through this process, we explore how imagined futures are not necessarily perceived as intractable, as alternative narratives rejecting the status quo become visible.
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Papers by Cathy Nicholson
Books by Cathy Nicholson