Department of Psychology San Diego State University College of Sciences
TEST Lab: Threat, Emotions, and Stereotyping Lab
Current Laboratory Members
Laboratory Director
My research focuses on several aspects of social cognition including stereotypes, social comparison, and attention. One of my primary lines of research centers on defining and refining stereotype threat. In a related line of work, I examine ways to reduce stereotype threat. Specifically, I examine how the interplay of a collective self-construal orientation and positive ingroup comparisons can “turn off” the negative effects of stereotype threat. My research on social comparison explores how comparisons made in “traditional” and “stereotyped” contexts can lead to different outcomes on perceivers’ behavior and self-evaluations. I also investigate the role of target attributes on the outcome of social comparisons. Finally, I conduct research on how a person’s vocal characteristics capture attention and influence information processing.
Laboratory Director
My research spans the topics of stereotyping and prejudice, person perception, and hierarchy. I investigate these topics via several angles, but all of my research is motivated by a common goal: To understand the nuanced variations that occur within social categories and within individuals. In my work on within-category variation in vocal cues, I investigate how stereotypic judgments are affected not only by social category membership but also by vocal cues that vary more subtly within each category. In my work on voice and hierarchy, I measure how different hierarchical roles impact changes in objective acoustical properties of speakers’ voices. Furthermore, I examine the accuracy of hierarchical inferences based on these acoustic cue changes. In my work on role models I explore characteristics of role models that enhance the academic performance and experience of underrepresented groups.
Graduate Student
Education:
MA (Expected 2015), San Diego State University
BA (2011), Arizona State Univesity
I am generally interested in the role of group status threat in predicting negative intergroup relations and prejudice towards outgroups; in particular how status threat shapes attitudes towards restrictive political policies, (e.g., restrictive immigration policy, voter ID policy). I am also interested in the role of stereotype threat in predicting negative academic performance outcomes for traditionally underrepresented minority groups and ways in which to improve performance outcomes for these groups.
Research Assistant
Education:
BS (2012), The Art Institute of San Diego
I am broadly interested in social cognition and cognitive development in children. In particular, I plan to examine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as treatment for mood disorders in children and in the development of educational curricula on emotional intelligence from a multicultural perspective.
Research Assistant
Education:
BA (2016), San Diego State University
My research interests lie primarily at the intersection of anthropology and psychology and the interplay of culture and the perception of mental health. These interests manifest specifically in seeking to understand how cultural mores and views affect and impact conceptions of mental health and the use of mental health services by those outside of the dominant culture.
Research Assistant
Education:
BA (2014), San Diego State University
Social identity, gender stereotypes, and attitudes
Graduate Student
Education:
MA (Expected 2015), San Diego State University
BA (2011), Ashford University
I am interested in the effects of stereotypes, mindsets, and threats to the self on perceptions and behaviors. My research focuses on stereotypes and how perceptions influence the way stereotyped individuals perform in academic settings. I also have a broad interest in mindfulness, positive psychology and interventions designed to enhance well-being.
Graduate Student
Education:
MA (Expected 2016), San Diego State University
BS (2013), University of Wisconsin – River Falls
I am interested in the effects of stereotypes, discrimination, and threat. What are the barriers for minority group members (e.g. women, racial minorities) and what can be done to help individuals overcome them? In particular, my work focuses on way to increase women's academic success and their pursuit of careers in STEM fields.
Principal Investigators
Former Students in Graduate Programs
2012-14 Jacob Brookfield (Post-baccalaureate student, now a Ph.D. student at UC Santa Barbara)
2011-13 Brad Weisz (Ph.D. student at the University of Connecticut)
2007-09 Patricia Gilbert (Ph.D. 2014, Tulane University)
Cooper and Bella
Cooper and Bella