Project title

Why do adults change their beliefs? Building a research infrastructure for a cross-national study

Research question

How, for whom, and under what conditions does adult belief change take place?

Project description

Belief change later in life remains an understudied phenomenon, as it challenges the long-held assumption that political attitudes are formed early and remain relatively stable. While recent studies have documented instances of belief change among adults, they tend to be largely descriptive, offering limited insight into the underlying mechanisms. In other words, we know that such change can occur—but we lack understanding of when, why, or how it happens.

Together with Dr Katerina Manevska and Dr Mark Brandt, Paul Khiatani will explore these questions during their Theme Group Fellowship. By employing new theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches, this initiative aims to establish a robust research agenda on this socially significant topic.

Selected publications

  • An Examination of the Differential Impacts of Social Bonds and Organized Crime Affiliation on Male and Female Youth Street Gang Members’ Delinquency
    Chui, W.H.; Paul Khiatani; Milliam Kiconco
    Deviant Behavior (2022)
    https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2020.1787761

  • Emerging Adults’ Intentions to Participate in Radical Protest Actions
    Wing Hong Chui; Paul Khiatani; Ping Lam Ip
    British Journal of Social Work (October 2022)
    https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcac035

  • Associations among Bullying Victimization, Family Dysfunction, Negative Affect, and Bullying Perpetration in Macanese Adolescents
    Chui, W.H.; Xue Weng; Paul Khiatani
    International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology (January 2022)
    https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X20983741

  • Child Poverty in an Affluent City
    Paul Khiatani; Minnie Heep Ching She; Chui, W.H.
    Child Indicators Research (December 2021)
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-021-09845-w