Award for Distinguished Scientific Applications of Psychology: James H. Sidanius

The Award for Distinguished Scientific Applications of Psychology is presented to a person who, in the opinion of the Committee on Scientific Awards, has made distinguished theoretical or empirical advances leading to the understanding or amelioration of important practical problems. The 2021 recipients of the APA Scientific Contribution Awards were recognized by the 2020 Board of Scientific Affairs and selected by the 2020 Committee on Scientific Awards. For profound contributions to social, personality, and political psychology. Crossing levels of analysis from social science to evolutionary biology, James H. Sidanius's work is exemplary on theoretical,methodological, and empirical grounds and is widely regarded for its societal significance. He used sophisticated statistical techniques to analyze the cognitive-motivational basis of political ideology and the role of racial resentment in public opinion. He was an early advocate and practitioner of collecting data from different societies and cultures. The development of social dominance theory represents a milestone in the scientific understanding of intergroup dynamics, social hierarchy, and the psychology of oppression. His work was often provocative and controversial, and he played a key role in important debates concerning racism, sexism, and world politics. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).