Professor Matthew Hornsey
Professor

Matthew Hornsey

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 31218

Background

Supported by over 20 external grants - including an ARC Laureate - I am known for developing insights around three themes: (1) rejection of science and technology, (2) pro-environmental behaviour, and (3) intergroup relations. In each domain I have developed unique models designed to understand the logic behind supposedly “irrational” behaviour, and used them to facilitate attitude and behaviour change. My most recent work focuses on understanding (and reducing) people’s motivations to reject scientific consensus, including the psychology of climate inaction. Matthew is currently leading the Net Zero Observatory at the University of Queensland, a multi-disciplinary group of academics and practitioners who design strategies to accelerate industry action and community support for rapid decarbonisation.

Availability

Professor Matthew Hornsey is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Communication and media studies Psychology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Arts, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Rejection of science

    I examine the psychological motivations for people to reject scientific consensus, with a particular emphasis on the psychology of climate change skepticism and vaccine hesitancy.

  • Prejudice and intergroup relations

    I examine the psychology of why hostility emerges between nations, religions, ideologies etc. I then use these insights to examine what can be done to ease intergroup tensions.

  • Conspiracy theories

    I examine why people believe in conspiracy theories, the consequences of conspiracy theories, and strategies for reducing their negative impacts

Search Professor Matthew Hornsey’s works on UQ eSpace

252 works between 1998 and 2025
All (252) Journal Article (211) Book Chapter (17) Conference Publication (18) Book (4) Other Outputs (2)

201 - 220 of 252 works

2008

Conference Publication

Is intergroup apology the first step to forgivness?

Philpot, C. R. and Hornsey, M. J. (2008). Is intergroup apology the first step to forgivness?. The 12th Biennial Conference of the International Society for Justice Research (ISJR), Adelaide, Australia, 14-17 August, 2008. America: International Society for Justice Research (ISJR).

Is intergroup apology the first step to forgivness?

2008

Journal Article

Sugaring the Pill: Assessing Rhetorical Strategies Designed to Minimize Defensive Reactions to Group Criticism

Hornsey, Matthew J., Robson, Erin, Smith, Joanne, Esposo, Sarah and Sutton, Robbie M. (2008). Sugaring the Pill: Assessing Rhetorical Strategies Designed to Minimize Defensive Reactions to Group Criticism. Human Communication Research, 34 (1), 70-98. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2958.2007.00314.x

Sugaring the Pill: Assessing Rhetorical Strategies Designed to Minimize Defensive Reactions to Group Criticism

2008

Conference Publication

What happens when groups say sorry: The effect of intergroup apologies on forgiveness and reconciliation

Hornsey, Matthew J. and Philpot, Catherine R. (2008). What happens when groups say sorry: The effect of intergroup apologies on forgiveness and reconciliation. Positive Behaviour between Social Groups, Oppurg, Germany, 19-23 June, 2008.

What happens when groups say sorry: The effect of intergroup apologies on forgiveness and reconciliation

2007

Journal Article

Group-directed criticisms and recommendations for change: Why newcomers arouse more resistance than old-timers

Hornsey, M. J., Grice, T., Jetten, J., Paulsen, N. and Callan, V. (2007). Group-directed criticisms and recommendations for change: Why newcomers arouse more resistance than old-timers. Personality And Social Psychology Bulletin, 33 (7), 1036-1048. doi: 10.1177/0146167207301029

Group-directed criticisms and recommendations for change: Why newcomers arouse more resistance than old-timers

2007

Journal Article

Group allegiances and perceptions of media bias: Taking into account both the perceiver and the source

Ariyanto, Amarina, Hornsey, Matthew J. and Gallois, Cynthia (2007). Group allegiances and perceptions of media bias: Taking into account both the perceiver and the source. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 10 (2), 266-279. doi: 10.1177/1368430207074733

Group allegiances and perceptions of media bias: Taking into account both the perceiver and the source

2007

Journal Article

Beyond cohesiveness : Reconceptualizing the link between group processes and outcomes in group psychotherapy

Hornsey, MJ, Dwyer, L and Oei, TPS (2007). Beyond cohesiveness : Reconceptualizing the link between group processes and outcomes in group psychotherapy. Small Group Research, 38 (5), 567-592. doi: 10.1177/1046496407304336

Beyond cohesiveness : Reconceptualizing the link between group processes and outcomes in group psychotherapy

2007

Journal Article

Effects of norms among those with moral conviction: Counter-conformity emerges on intentions but not behaviors

Hornsey, Matthew J., Smith, Joanne R. and Begg, Danielle I. (2007). Effects of norms among those with moral conviction: Counter-conformity emerges on intentions but not behaviors. Social Influence, 2 (4), 244-268. doi: 10.1080/15534510701476500

Effects of norms among those with moral conviction: Counter-conformity emerges on intentions but not behaviors

2007

Conference Publication

Intergroup Apologies and Forgiveness after Intergroup Injustice

Philpot, C. R. and Hornsey, M. J. (2007). Intergroup Apologies and Forgiveness after Intergroup Injustice. 36th Annual Conference of the Society of Australasian Social Psychologists, Sofitel Hotel, Brisbane, Qld., 12-15 April 2007. Brisbane, Qld.: Society of Australasian Social Psychologists (SASP).

Intergroup Apologies and Forgiveness after Intergroup Injustice

2007

Journal Article

The influence of blind and constructive patriotism on attitudes toward multiculturalism and immigration

Spry, C. and Hornsey, M. J. (2007). The influence of blind and constructive patriotism on attitudes toward multiculturalism and immigration. Australian Journal of Psychology, 59 (3), 151-158. doi: 10.1080/00049530701449489

The influence of blind and constructive patriotism on attitudes toward multiculturalism and immigration

2007

Journal Article

Strategic defensiveness: Public and private responses to group criticism

Hornsey, M. J., Frederiks, E., Smith, J. R. and Ford, L. C. (2007). Strategic defensiveness: Public and private responses to group criticism. British Journal of Social Psychology, 46 (4), 697-716. doi: 10.1348/014466606X170315

Strategic defensiveness: Public and private responses to group criticism

2007

Journal Article

Why minority group members resent impostors

Warner, Ruth, Hornsey, Matthew J. and Jetten, Jolanda (2007). Why minority group members resent impostors. European Journal of Social Psychology, 37 (1), 1-17. doi: 10.1002/ejsp.332

Why minority group members resent impostors

2006

Journal Article

Intergroup sensitivity effect and the war in Iraq: A case of attitudes and intentions diverging

Brander, Thierry V. and Hornsey, Matthew J. (2006). Intergroup sensitivity effect and the war in Iraq: A case of attitudes and intentions diverging. Australian Journal of Psychology, 58 (3), 166-172. doi: 10.1080/00049530600940265

Intergroup sensitivity effect and the war in Iraq: A case of attitudes and intentions diverging

2006

Journal Article

Why do people engage in collective action? Revisiting the role of perceived effectiveness

Hornsey, Matthew J., Blackwood, Leda, Louis, Winnifred Louis, Fielding, Kelly, Mavor, Ken, Morton, Thomas, O'Brien, Anne, Paasonen, Karl-Erik, Smith, Joanne and White, Katherine M. (2006). Why do people engage in collective action? Revisiting the role of perceived effectiveness. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36 (7), 1701-1722. doi: 10.1111/j.0021-9029.2006.00077.x

Why do people engage in collective action? Revisiting the role of perceived effectiveness

2006

Conference Publication

Intergroup apologisers: Remorseful but unforgiven

Philpot, C. and Hornsey, M.J. (2006). Intergroup apologisers: Remorseful but unforgiven. The 14th Brisbane Symposium on Social Identity, Custom's House, Brisbane, 12 August, 2006. London: Taylor and Francis. doi: 10.1080/00049530600940018

Intergroup apologisers: Remorseful but unforgiven

2006

Journal Article

Differentiation between and within groups: The influence of individualist and collectivist group norms

Jetten, J., McAuliffe, B. J., Hornsey, M. J. and Hogg, M. A. (2006). Differentiation between and within groups: The influence of individualist and collectivist group norms. European Journal of Social Psychology, 36 (6), 825-843. doi: 10.1002/ejsp.322

Differentiation between and within groups: The influence of individualist and collectivist group norms

2006

Journal Article

The impact of individualist and collectivist group norms on evaluations of dissenting group members

Hornsey, Matthew J., Jetten, Jolanda, McAuliffe, Brendan J. and Hogg, Michael, A. (2006). The impact of individualist and collectivist group norms on evaluations of dissenting group members. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 42 (1), 57-68. doi: 10.1016/j.jesp.2005.01.006

The impact of individualist and collectivist group norms on evaluations of dissenting group members

2006

Journal Article

Group-directed criticism in Indonesia: Role of message source and audience

Ariyanto, A., Hornsey, M. J. and Gallois, C. (2006). Group-directed criticism in Indonesia: Role of message source and audience. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 9 (2), 96-102. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-839X.2006.00186.x

Group-directed criticism in Indonesia: Role of message source and audience

2006

Book Chapter

Self-concept threat and multiple categorization within groups

Hogg, M A and Hornsey, M J (2006). Self-concept threat and multiple categorization within groups. Multiple Social Categorization: Processes, Models and Applications. (pp. 112-135) edited by R.J. Crisp and M. Hewstone. East Sussex: Psychology Press. doi: 10.4324/9780203969229

Self-concept threat and multiple categorization within groups

2006

Journal Article

When group members admit to being conformist: The role of relative intragroup status in conformity self-reports

Jetten, Jolanda, Hornsey, Matthew J. and Adarves-Yorno, Inmaculada (2006). When group members admit to being conformist: The role of relative intragroup status in conformity self-reports. Personality And Social Psychology Bulletin, 32 (2), 162-173. doi: 10.1177/0146167205279904

When group members admit to being conformist: The role of relative intragroup status in conformity self-reports

2006

Conference Publication

Pretending to be more defensive than you are: Public and private responses to group criticism

Hornsey, M., Frederiks, E. and Smith, J. (2006). Pretending to be more defensive than you are: Public and private responses to group criticism. 35th Annual Meeting of the Society of Australasian Social Psychologists (SASP), Canberra, 20th - 23rd April, 2006. London: Taylor and Francis. doi: 10.1080/00049530600940015

Pretending to be more defensive than you are: Public and private responses to group criticism

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2029
    Understanding and overcoming community roadblocks to achieving net-zero
    ARC Australian Laureate Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Mapping the psychology of accent-based discrimination
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Visualising humanitarian crises: transforming images and aid policy
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    The psychology of understanding and reducing conspiracy beliefs
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Understanding and overcoming public rejection of scientific innovation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Behind a moral shield: Responses to trust breaches in mission-based groups
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Trust breaches in the not-for-profit sector: Causes, consequences and solutions
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Understanding (and responding to) scepticism about science
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Identifying and resolving challenges to the effectiveness of collective apologies (ARC Discovery Project administered by Flinders University)
    Flinders University
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Sending and responding to messages about climate change: The role of emotion and morality
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012
    UQ Category 1 Travel Award - Geoff MacDonald
    UQ Travel Awards for International Collaborative Research (Category 1)
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Promoting intergroup forgiveness: The benefits and pitfalls of apologies and invocations of shared humanity
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Emotional and political reactions to representations of terrorism
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009
    UQ Travel Awards Category 1, Dr Michael Wohl
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2015
    Rebuilding Government Legitimacy in Post-Conflict Societies: Case Studies of Nepal and Afghanistan/ Rebuilding institutional legitimacy in post-conflict societies: An Asia-Pacific Case Study, Phase 1A
    United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Negotiating the minefield: social conventions surrounding group criticism and their role in explaining defensiveness
    ARC Linkage International
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    The bitter pill: The psychology of giving and taking interpersonal criticism
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    What people say and do in response to negative feedback: Explaining and reducing defensiveness toward individual and group criticism
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Exploring The Link Between Group Processes And Outcomes Of Group Psychotherapy
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    ESEG_Using group processes to predict outcomes of group cognitive behaviour therapy
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Using group processes to predict outcomes of group cognitive behaviour therapy
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Linking group processes and outcomes in group cognitive behaviour therapy
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Understanding and reducing defensiveness in the face of group criticism
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Understanding and reducing sensitivity to group criticism: The role of identity, trust, and loyalty
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Understanding and reducing sensitivity to intergroup and intragroup criticism.
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2000
    The role of group prototypicality in intergroup discrimination
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Matthew Hornsey is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding and reducing misinformation about climate change

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Samuel Pearson

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Designing for voice: Exploring the acceptability of structured analytic techniques in decision-making teams

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Justin Brienza

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Public Perceptions of Climate Change Protests

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Michael Thai

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Matthew Hornsey directly for media enquiries about:

  • anti-science beliefs
  • climate change skepticism

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au