Social Psychological Answers to Real-world Questions

SOLUTIONS CATALOG

The SPARQ Solutions Catalog helps practitioners apply social psychological insights to their work in:

Civil Society Conflict Resolution Criminal Justice Economic Development Education Environment Health Parenting Relationships

A Growth Mindset Helps Girls Learn Math

Problem

In math and science, women and girls trail behind their male peers.

Solution

Teaching girls that intelligence is a skill they can develop over time, rather than a trait they are born with, helps them earn higher grades in math...

Education

Parenting

Peer Pressure Can Reduce Prejudice

A group of gay-straight alliance students hold a banner in a pride parade

Problem

Teens are notoriously intolerant of people who do not think, act, or look like them.

Solution

When just one teen stands up to prejudice, his or her peers often follow suit…

Conflict Resolution

Education

Boost Grades by Reframing Failures

Problem

Many promising students earn bad grades their first year of college.

Solution

Informing college freshmen that many first-years stumble, but then do better, helps them pull up their GPAs...

Education

Pointing Out Hypocrisy Can Spur Social Change

Problem

People who value equality fail to support civil rights.

Solution

Making people aware that their values and behaviors do not align motivates them to change their ways...

Civil Society

Conflict Resolution

Heal Past Traumas by Writing About Them

Problem

Routine stresses and traumatic life events like a divorce make us more prone to illness.

Solution

Writing about upsetting experiences makes us happier and healthier...

Health

When Students Feel They Belong, They Thrive

Problem

Even the most prepared students of color have worse grades and health than their European-American classmates.

Solution

When African Americans are reassured that they belong in school, their grades and health improve...

Education

Health

Making Friends Across Racial Lines Lowers Prejudice

Problem

We are often uneasy around people of other races.

Solution

Befriending just one person of a different race lowers anxiety and prejudice and makes it easier to cross racial boundaries in the future...

Civil Society

Conflict Resolution

Relationships

Taking Compliments to Heart Strengthens Love

A couple holding hands in front of a sunset

Problem

People with low self-esteem feel less love from their partners and have more trouble in relationships.

Solution

Teaching people with low self-esteem to interpret their partner’s compliments as deep and enduring, rather than as shallow and fleeting, helps them feel loved and act better in their relationships...

Relationships

The Right Mindset Raises Grades

Problem

Many kids’ grades fall when they make the transition from elementary to middle school.

Solution

Teaching middle-school students to think of intelligence as a skill they can develop over time, rather than a talent they were born with (or not), helps them persist in the face of setbacks and earn better grades...

Education

Parenting

Don't Just Vote, Be a Voter

Problem

Most eligible American voters don’t vote in most elections.

Solution

Messages about “being a voter,” rather than just “voting,” increase registration and turnout in state and national elections...

Civil Society

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SOLUTIONS CATALOG

A Growth Mindset Helps Girls Learn Math

Problem

Solution

Peer Pressure Can Reduce Prejudice

Problem

Solution

Boost Grades by Reframing Failures

Problem

Solution

Pointing Out Hypocrisy Can Spur Social Change

Problem

Solution

Heal Past Traumas by Writing About Them

Problem

Solution

When Students Feel They Belong, They Thrive

Problem

Solution

Making Friends Across Racial Lines Lowers Prejudice

Problem

Solution

Taking Compliments to Heart Strengthens Love

Problem

Solution

The Right Mindset Raises Grades

Problem

Solution

Don't Just Vote, Be a Voter

Problem

Solution

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SOLUTIONS CATALOG

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