In the Culture and Social Identity Development Laboratory, we study how children's social identities (gender identity, racial/ethnic identity) develop from
preschool to early elementary school. We examine changes in social identities over time (e.g., wearing "pink frilly dresses" in preschool, then being more flexible
in elementary school), and we investigate what social cognitive (e.g., awareness of stereotypes) and socialization factors (e.g., messages from family members)
lead to these changes. We also examine what consequences come about due to children's social identities. These consequences might include health and well-being,
academic engagement, and intergroup attitudes (e.g., attitudes toward girls and boys or toward children from different ethnic groups).
Newsletter:
2023-2024
Congratulations to our students for the following awards:
2024 CSULB Psychology Department Best Master's Thesis Nomination, Rita Butrus
2024 CSULB Psychology Department Undergraduate Research Competition 1st Place, Emily Hermez, Sophya Ekmekjian and Rita Butrus
2024 CSULB Psychology Outstanding Senior in Psychology, Emily Hermez
2024 CSULB Psychology Outstanding Senior in Psychology, Sophya Ekmekjian
CSULB Associated Students Inc. Student Research Grant, Rita Butrus
CSULB ORED Graduate Student Summer Research Award, Rita Butrus
Some press:
Huffington Post
Fast Company
The Hill
SPSP Character & Context Blog
NBC News Think
CNN Health
Website design by Hilary Neloms. Artwork by Judy Liu.