Erik BojerudPhD Student
About me
I am a PhD student in social psychology (started in autumn 2025) with a particular focus on understanding intergroup relations in society, especially when groups are or have been in conflict. My approach is grounded in norm psychology and I am particularly interested in the signifcance of social norms for intergroup conflict, as well as how information-based norm interventions can be used to create more understanding and open societies. I work in the research group Intergroup Relations and Social Change (IRSC), led by my main supervisor Sabina Čehajić-Clancy. We conduct research on these issues in several countries, with the goal of understanding how insights from social psychology can be used to promote peaceful coexistence and increased understanding across group boundaries. My co-supervisor is Professor Thomas Kessler at the University of Jena, Germany.
Teaching
Research
My research focuses on understanding the role of social norms in intergroup relations (primarily ethnic and social groups). I am particularly interested in how the normative climate where people live influences their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors directed toward other groups (outgroups). Furthermore, I am interested in how these norms both hinder and promote positive intergroup relations.
Following these interests I study how individuals perceive what is typical or accepted in their own group, how these perceptions may diverge from reality, and how these perceptions and misperceptions relate to intergroup dynamics. An important part of my research is also focused on exploring how social norms can be harnessed to create more positive intergroup relations through, for example, correcting inaccurate norm perceptions or promoting messages of intergroup understanding and positive intergroup interactions.
Research projects
Publications
A selection from Stockholm University publication database
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Testing a moral exemplar intervention in a non-conflict context: The effects of moral exemplars on key dimensions of outgroup evaluations
2023. Erik Bojerud, Ramina Younadam, Sabina Čehajić-Clancy. Conflict Resolution Quarterly 41 (1), 93-108
ArticleRead more about Testing a moral exemplar intervention in a non-conflict contextMoral exemplar interventions have been shown to increase many positive intergroup outcomes, including perceptions of outgroup morality. However, existing research on moral exemplar interventions has only been conducted in post-conflict contexts. This study investigates the effects of a moral exemplar intervention on outgroup evaluations in a non-conflict context. By examining the effects on three key dimensions of outgroup evaluations (morality, sociability, and competence) in Sweden, we aim to extend the generalizability of moral exemplar interventions. An online experiment was conducted with self-identified Swedes (N = 193) to explore the effects of outgroup (Middle Eastern) moral versus neutral exemplars. Results indicate that moral exemplar stories increased perceptions of outgroup morality while not significantly affecting perceived outgroup competence or sociability. These findings support the hypothesis that moral exemplars influence a specific positive dimension of outgroup evaluations, namely perceptions of morality, rather than any positive dimension such as sociability or competence. The present study also gives tentative support for the applicability of moral exemplar interventions in contexts and settings with no recent history of collective violence.
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Speech adaptation is resilient to sleep restriction
2024. Erik Bojerud (et al.). Journal of Sleep Research, 33(S1): e14291.
ConferenceRead more about Speech adaptation is resilient to sleep restrictionIntroduction: The social effects of insufficient sleep represent a relatively new area of study in sleep research. For instance, the influence of sleep on verbal communication, particularly communicative perspective-taking and adaptation based on audience, is underexplored. Furthermore, studies on how sleep affects speaking patterns are limited, although slowed speech has been indicated as an effect of sleep loss. Given the importance of effective communication in all areas of life, understanding the harmful effects of insufficient sleep on communication is vital. The present study investigated whether sleep restriction affects speech speed and the ability to adjust one's speech depending on the listener.
Method: In an experimental cross-over study, 273 participants described nine abstract figures separately to a child and an adult, both of whom were depicted as photos on a computer screen. This task was completed under two conditions: sleep-saturated (nine in bed hours/night for two nights) and sleep-restricted (four hours in bed/night for two nights). The descriptions were analysed for number of words spoken per minute, average number of words spoken per figure described, and average word length.
Results: Using mixed linear models, we found that sleep restriction significantly reduced speech speed by about 3.52 words per minute (p = 0.003) and decreased the number of words used per figure by 2.20 (p < 0.001), with no difference in word length (p = 0.261). Participants adapted their speech depending on whether the listener was a child or an adult by using fewer words per figure (1.71 fewer words, p < 0.001) and shorter words (0.02 fewer letters, p = 0.011) when speaking to a child. There was no difference in how quickly they spoke to a child compared to an adult (p = 0.136). Additionally, no interaction effects were observed between sleep condition and whether the listener was an adult or a child (all p > 0.570).
Conclusion: Although sleep restriction led to slowed speech, it did not significantly impair the tendency to tailor one's speech to different listeners. These findings suggest a resilience in the social cognitive processes involved in tailoring speech to different audiences following insufficient sleep.
Show all publications by Erik Bojerud at Stockholm University
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