The UCLA Social Relations Lab studies how people relate to each other in group contexts. Our studies span from examining relationships in lab-based groups to work organizations, schools, local communities, and the nation. We examine both relations among group members and as members of different subgroups (e.g., ethnic communities within the U.S.). Our lab members share a focus on advancing research on the nascent field of diversity science.
Our work seeks to serve the dual purpose of illuminating basic psychological processes and informing discussions of social issues including cultural diversity, intergroup relations, and social policies (e.g., immigration, income distribution, gender equality) that affect both the advantaged and the disadvantaged. We use a multi-method approach that includes laboratory experiments, web-based studies, and large-scale surveys of the community.