The psychology of system change in mass violence, burnout and bureaucratisation, and democratic backsliding

Abstract

This talk takes up the themes from Professor Louis' recent book The Psychology of System Change and Resistance to Change (with Chonu GK, Minto, K., Wibisono, S. CUP, 2025). People belong to multiple groups that are changing and co-evolving over time (e.g., professions, political parties, nations).   As members of groups, people also interact with others who are part of diverse groups, with diverse goals and behaviours.  While doing this, people move in time and in places and social spaces.  In this complex social system, a psychological approach emphasises that people regularly change the identities that are salient for themselves and the social norms that are activated as they navigate the world.  For example, a person might move from home to the gym or the office, a political rally or a place of worship, experiencing different selves and emotions, and acting out different normative behaviours as they do so.  Through coordinated, regular cycles of identities people achieve a wider range of goals, and enact a wider range of behaviours.  Yet these webs of interconnected, cyclical psychological changes both allow and constrain innovation and change.  Dynamics of increasing dysfunction – such as incivility, violence, and loss of agency – become embedded in systems that are hard for single individuals and groups to arrest or reverse. Professor Louis will look across three empirical problems our group is exploring in the psychology of system change: mass violence; burnout and bureaucratisation; and democratic backsliding. Core principles of systems thinking shape the psychology of individuals in groups and apply broadly; using this approach allows new possibilities for understanding and engaging complex dysfunction. 

This lecture is free and open to all. Registration is not required to attend in person.

More information about Professor Winnifred Louis