In 2001, Haslam collaborated with Steve Reicher on the BBC television programme The Experiment. This examined the behaviour of a group of individuals within a simulated prison environment, returning to issues raised by the Stanford Prison Experiment. Amongst other things, the study's findings challenged the role account of tyranny associated with the SPE as well as broader ideas surrounding the "banality of evil". The core insight from the study was that tyranny results from the engaged followership of subordinates rather than blind conformity to roles or rules. Recent work has also demonstrated that the same analysis can explain the behaviour of participants in Milgram's Obedience to Authority experiments.
The new psychology of leadership
Since the 1990s, Haslam has collaborated with a number of social identity researchers, notably Steve Reicher, Michael Platow, and John Turner, developing a social identity analysis of leadership. This work focuses on the role of perceived shared identity as a basis for mutual influence between leaders and followers. It argues that leaders' success hinges on their ability to create, represent, advance and embed a social identity that is shared with those they seek to motivate and inspire. In 2012 the researchers received the University of San Diego – International Leadership Association Outstanding Leadership Book Award for The New Psychology of Leadership.
Haslam has worked with Michelle K. Ryan on the leadership experiences of women and together they coined the term "glass cliff" to describe some of their key findings – specifically, evidence that women are more likely than men to be appointed to leadership roles in organisations that are performing poorly. This was short-listed for the Times Higher Education "Research Project of the Year" in 2005.
The social cure
Haslam's more recent work has contributed to the development of the Social Identity Approach to health and well-being, also referred to as "The Social Cure". This work argues that the sense of social identity derived from shared group membership is a basis not only for individuals to have a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives, but also for them to receive and benefit from social support. It is also a basis for them to work together to overcome stressors rather than succumb to them.
Oakes, P. J., Haslam, S. A., & Turner, J. C.. Stereotyping and social reality. Oxford: Blackwell.
Haslam, S. A., & McGarty, C.. Research methods and statistics in psychology. London and Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Haslam, S. A.. Psychology in organisations: The social identity approach. London: Sage.
Haslam, S. A., Reicher, S. D. & Platow, M. J.. The new psychology of leadership: Identity, influence and power. London: Psychology Press.
Haslam, C., Jetten, J., Cruwys, T., Dingle, G. A., & Haslam, S. A.. The new psychology of health: Unlocking the social cure. London: Routledge.
Edited books
McGarty, C., & Haslam, S. A. . The message of social psychology: Perspectives on mind in society. Oxford: Blackwell.
Spears, R., Oakes, P. J., Ellemers, N., & Haslam, S. A. . The social psychology of stereotyping and group life. Oxford: Blackwell.
Haslam, S. A., van Knippenberg, D., Platow, M., & Ellemers, N. . Social identity at work: Developing theory for organizational practice. New York and Hove: Psychology Press.
Jetten, J., Haslam, C., & Haslam, S. A. . The social cure: Identity, health and well-being. New York and Hove: Psychology Press.
Smith, J. R., & Haslam, S. A. . Social psychology: Revisiting the classic studies. London: Sage.
