Keita SUZUKI

Social Psychology

1) Interaction between Ability Perception and Environment

I study how perceptions of ability interact with situations, environments, and cultures, influencing our approach to tasks and perceptions of others. Researchers in the fields of educational psychology and learning psychology have argued that perceiving ability as “variable and capable of growth through effort” is desirable. My research aims to clarify the boundary conditions that define the desirability of such perceptions of ability within this research context. Specifically, traditional research has focused on “how individuals tackle the given tasks,” demonstrating the desirability of perceiving ability as variable in the context of overcoming difficulties. However, in ubiquitous social situations—such as when individuals choose their own tasks or work collaboratively with others—this perception of variable ability may lead to different outcomes. By examining these possibilities, I aim to introduce a social psychological perspective into traditional research and seek a more comprehensive understanding of variable ability perceptions.