UROP Project

Psychology, Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Group Perception, Stereotype Formation

Research Mentor: Ayanna Brewton, She/Her
Department, College, Affiliation: Psychology, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: brewton@psy.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice preferred. All social science majors will be considered.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8-10 hours weekly,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Wednesday September 4th @ 11-11:30am

Wednesday September 4th @3-3:30pm

https://fsu.zoom.us/j/91224171594

Project Description

When’s the last time you walked past a group of people? How were they behaving? Did you recognize the individual characteristics that made up the group or consider their similarities and differences from yourself? According to research, we as perceivers form first impressions of groups based on many of the observations listed above. This project aims to explore first impressions of groups, particularly we aim to examine the role that group characteristics play in formation of spontaneous trait inferences (STIs). STIs are the trait implications that we spontaneously and unintentionally make while observing others' behaviors, and these trait inferences tend to be strongly related to the initial impressions that we form and maintain about others. Our research project will address spontaneous trait inferences of groups (STIGs) by assessing participants perception of groups as a single, cohesive entity when the racial categories (Black/White) and group membership characteristics (Ingroup/Outgroup) of the target group is present. Participation in this project will enhance your knowledge of perceiving others, how stereotypes form, and cognitive biases such as the homogeneity effect. If you are interested in the logic that goes into perceiving and forming impressions about others, this is the perfect project for you!

Research Tasks: Literature review, in-person data collection, develop study materials, program study, analyzing data

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Research assistants will likely work together, therefore the ability to collaborate is a good skillset for this project. Although it is not necessary, it would also be helpful to have prior experience with scientific literature review and APA-style writing skills.