Members of CDIRL are engaged in a variety of experimental and survey research projects within social and cultural psychology. Primary ongoing areas of research include the following:
Models of diversity: What conceptions of diversity (e.g., multiculturalism and colorblindness) are most prevalent in American society, law, educational institutions, and other organizations? How are these distributed among “minority” and “majority” groups? What are their antecedents and correlates? What are the implications of colorblindness and multiculturalism and other approaches to diversity on minority group outcomes and intergroup relations?
Identity and diversity support: How does identity affect support for versus resistance to diversity? What are the implications of denying racial identity for the success of workplace diversity efforts?
Feelings of inclusion and belonging: Why do women overwhelmingly choose not to major in computer science and engineering? How do stereotypes of academic domains and organizations influence their feelings of inclusion and desire to participate? Likewise, how do messages about diversity influence dominant group members’ feelings of inclusion?
Attitudes toward stigmatized groups: How are perceptions of d/Deaf individuals formed and how do they differ from other groups? How do medical and cultural models of deafness affect attitudes toward the d/Deaf?
Psychology, policy, and law: What conceptions of legal agreements are most prevalent in American society? How do these conceptions affect individual decision-making (e.g., including consumer decision-making)?
Immigration: How does the growing criminalization of immigration impact perceptions of immigrants? What role does language play in the conceptualization of immigrants, and the perceived legitimacy of their pursuit of rights?
Cultural variation in well-being, self, and identity: How does cultural context shape aspects of well-being? How does region of the country moderate the relationship between various aspects of well-being, emotion, and health?
Attractiveness, well-being, and relationship: Is relationship more choiceful in urban versus rural areas? How do these differences affect the role of attractiveness in social relations and well-being?