Diverse Perspectives: Contexts and Social Identities
Wednesday 03 February, 2016
12 - 1:30pm, $0
New York University, Skirball Center
566 LaGuardia Place, Room 807W
Humans are fundamentally social beings, and their social interactions represent a core aspect of human nature. With today’s society becoming increasingly diverse, it is important for research to begin examining how exposure to and interactions with diversity affects the various perspectives and experiences we have. Dr. Gaither will explore how both the context and social identities shape the way we behave in different types of settings across the lifespan.
Dr. Gaither will discuss these issues using my own research examining: 1) how different experiences of intergroup contact influence future interracial interactions; 2) how racial identity flexibility for biracial adults and children impacts flexibility in their social and learning tendencies; and 3) how thinking broadly about the multiple social identities a person has boosts creative thinking and affects social categorizations across the lifespan. Additionally, Dr. Gaither will outline future research directions designed to further our theoretical understanding regarding the nature and development of social identity, social categorization and intergroup behavior as well as speak to practical considerations for a society whose population demographics are rapidly changing.
Sarah Gaither earned her Ph.D in March 2014 from Tufts University for her dissertation entitled, “Mixed” Biracial Experiences from the Target’s and Perceiver’s viewpoint. In September 2011 she earned her M.S. from Tufts University for her thesis entitled “Having an Outgroup College Roommate Affects Future Interracial Interactions.” Prior to coming to Tufts University, she received her B.A. in Social Welfare with a concentration in Psychology in addition to a minor in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of California, Berkeley in May 2007.
Sarah is currently a Provost’s Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Chicago in the Psychology Department with a joint appointment in the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture.