Social Psychology – Diversity at the UCLA Department of Psychology

The Diversity Science Initiative informs social psychology through the study of intergroup relations, social cognition, and close relationships.The UCLA Department of Psychology is home to over 70 faculty. In these sections, we highlight members with research most relevant to diversity issues. Mouse over each badge to see the faculty member’s research direction, and click through for their respective lab websites.

Tiffany N. Brannon

Leveraging Cultural Identity to Address Social Inequality

Research Questions:
How can identity serve as a resource to enhance important life outcomes (e.g., achievement, health)? How can inclusive and diverse settings facilitate improved inter-group outcomes?

Naomi Eisenberger

Neural processes underlying racial discrimination

Research Questions:
How do individuals cope with being the target of discrimination? How are they affected by seeing others experience discrimination?

Yuen Huo

Social context, motivation, and relations within and between groups

Research Questions:
How do individuals in diverse groups negotiate multiple, cross-cutting identities? What are the consequences for inter-ethic conflicts and individual well-being?

Ben Karney

Relationship satisfaction in diverse populations

Research Questions:
How do stress, personality, and couple interactions predict success of intimate relationships? Do white, black, and Hispanic couples define relationship success differently?

Anne Peplau

Gender, sexual orientation, and identity

Research Questions:
How do gender and sexual orientation affect identity, sexuality, and close relationships? How are sexual identity and well being linked in same-sex and heterosexual relationships?

David Sears

Race and ethnicity in American politics

Research Questions:
How do attitudes of racial groups affect their voting behavior? Did racial prejudice interfere with whites voting for Barack Obama?

Margaret Shih

Identify activation and psychological processes

Research Questions:
How do social identities affect how people interpret the meaning of different situations? How do people react when they think they are being stereotyped?