The individually-targeted habit-breaking intervention and group-level change
Psychologists wishing to resolve societal problems typically develop interventions that target individuals. However, many societal problems, such as disparities in hiring, are not caused solely by the actions of individuals operating independently. In two studies, including a field experiment in academic departments randomized at the cluster level and a lab experiment randomized at the individual level, my dissertation explores the relationship between the individual-level change produced by the individually-targeted, prejudice habit-breaking intervention (Devine et al., 2012) and group-level change. The results suggest that the effects of the habit-breaking intervention at the individual level can produce group-level change, at least in the context of the long-term collaborative relationships that characterize academic departments. However, the habit-breaking intervention can also lead its targets to view strangers as less credible sources of knowledge about social disparities. In addition to its considerable practical implications, the present findings highlight the utility of studying individual-level phenomena in group contexts and provide a potential roadmap for doing so.