Benjamin Giguère
Broadly speaking, I conduct research that aims to further our understanding of the role of socio-cultural influences on human motivation and behaviour, particularly in the contexts of (mental) health, immigration and biculturalism, as well as intergroup relations.
For the most part, my research examines (a) some of the social cognitive processes through which individuals derive identities and norms from sociocultural groups, (b) the impact of group membership on human motivation, particularly regarding the acquisition and maintenance of functional and dysfunctional behaviours, and (c) approaches to change group processes that foster social dysfunction. These interests have led to projects illustrating the powerful influence of socio-cultural groups on various behaviours (e.g., binge drinking, addictive-impulsive behaviours, physical activity, procrastination, political demonstration) and mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety).
My research has traditionally focused on the influence of social groups on the well-being and mental health of immigrants and their children or health-related behaviours among high school, college, and university students. I also have a few niche interests, such as political psychology (e.g., collective action) and teaching/education practices.
Interested in working with me?
My ongoing research focuses on several interconnected areas of the psychology of social groups. I have a nascent line of work focused on studying factors that impact the ethnolinguistic vitality of Francophone communities in Canada outside of Quebec, seeking to understand the challenges and opportunities for language maintenance and cultural identity. I also have a line of work examining how social norms shape interactions between individuals from diverse groups, including ethnically diverse, neurodiverse, and socioeconomically diverse populations. Recently, I've joined a research group investigating online fandom, which opens up exciting new avenues for study in digital communities.
Complementing these theoretical pursuits, I also engage in the practical application of program evaluation, particularly for initiatives related to my core research interests. This work allows me to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world implementation. I welcome students who are passionate about these areas and eager to contribute to our understanding of language, culture, and social dynamics in an increasingly diverse and digital world.
Selected Publications
Hou*, S. H., Safdar, S., Newby-Clark, I. R., & Giguère, B. (2023). Navigating parent-child value differences: Capturing strategies used by immigrant parents from the perspective of East Asian young adult children of immigrants. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 97, 101902.
Heaman, J. A.L., Cherry, K. M., McMurtry, C. M., Giguère, B., & Lumley, M. N. (2023). Changing Minds: An RCT of a growth mindset intervention on depressive symptoms and well-being in adolescent girls and boys. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology
Maurice*, G. K., Barclay, P., Small, T. A. & Giguère, B. (2023). Do Household Political Campaign Signs Help Win Vote Share? Canadian Journal of Political Science. doi:10.1017/S0008423923000501
Davis*, J., Desmarais, S., & Giguère, B. (2023). Under the influence: How viewing extreme partying and drinking on social media shapes group perceptions. The Journal of Social Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2023.2219384
Vaswani*, M., Esses, V.M., Newby-Clark, I.R., & Giguère, B. (2022). Cultural differences in fear of negative evaluation after social norm transgressions and the impact on mental health. Frontiers in Psychology.
Vaswani*, M., Safdar, S., Newby-Clark, I. R. & Giguère, B. (2021). Canadian Identity Attenuates the Negative Impact of Familial Rejection on Psychological Distress. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 81, 142-153.
Vaswani*, M., Alviar*, L., & Giguère, B. (2020). Can cultural identity clarity protect the well-being of Latino/a Canadians from the negative impact of race-based rejection sensitivity? Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 26, 347-355. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000302
Giguère, B., Beggs*, R. T., & Sirois, F. M. (2019). Social cognitive approaches to health. In K O’Doherty & D. Hodgetts (Eds), The SAGE Handbook of Applied Social Psychology. London, UK: Sage.
Cassidy, S., Dimova, R., Giguère, B., Spence, J. R., & Stanley, D. J. (2019). Failing Grade: 89% of Introduction to Psychology Textbooks That Define Statistical Significance Do So Incorrectly. Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science, 2, 233-239.
Shifrin*, A. & Giguère, B. (2018). Using group identity and norms to explain prosocial behavior in anonymous online environments. Journal of Interpersonal Relations, Intergroup Relations and Identity, 11, 90-104.
Sirois, F. M. & Giguère, B. (2018). Giving in when feeling less good: The role of affect for procrastination in the face of social temptations. British Journal of Social Psychology, 57, 404-427.
Giguère, B., Sirois, F. M., & Vaswani*, M. (2016). Delaying things and feeling bad about it? A norm based approach to understanding procrastination. In T. A. Pychyl & F. M. Sirois (Eds.), Perspectives on Procrastination, Health, and Well-Being. Toronto, Canada: Elsevier.
Giguère, B., Lalonde, R. N., & Taylor, D. M. (2014). Drinking too much and feeling bad about it? How group identification moderates experiences of guilt and shame following norm transgression. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 40, 617-632, doi: 10.1177/0146167214521836.
Lalonde, R. N., Cila, J., Lou, E., & Giguère, B. (2013). Delineating Groups for Cultural Comparisons in a Multicultural Setting: Not all Westerners Should be Put into the Same Melting Pot. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Sciences, 45, 296-304.
Giguère, B., Lalonde, R. N., & Jonsson, K. (2012). The influence of traditions on motivated collective actions: A focus on Native land reclamation. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Sciences, 44, 182-191.
Lou, E., Lalonde, R. N., & Giguère, B. (2012). Making the decision to move out: Bicultural young adults and the negotiation of cultural demands and family relationships. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 43, 663–670.
Wohl, M. J. A., Giguère, B., Branscombe, N. R., & McVicar, D. N. (2011). One day we might be no more: Collective angst and protective action from potential distinctiveness loss. European Journal of Social Psychology, 41, 289-300.
Giguère, B. & Lalonde, R. N. (2010). Why do student strike? Direct and indirect determinants of participation in collective actions. Political Psychology, 31, 227-247.
Giguère, B., Lalonde, R. N., & Lou, E. (2010). Living at the crossroads of cultural worlds: The experience of normative conflicts by second generation youths. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 4, 14-29.
Giguère, B. & Lalonde, R. N. (2009). The effects of social identification on individual effort under identity threat and regulatory depletion. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 12, 195-208.
* denotes supervised students