Structural Oppression as Feelings, Attitudes, and Behaviors (S.O.F.A.B.) Psychology Lab

This lab's research focuses on exploring the psychological dynamics of identity, stigma, and social engagement, with a strong commitment to public scholarship and inclusivity. It investigates how stigma affects marginalized groups' engagement with society and political systems, emphasizing the role of internalized stigma in shaping self-worth and trust. A significant branch of the work examines identity expression and concealment, comparing how concealable marginalized identities, such as LGBTQ individuals, and non-concealable identities, like racial minorities, navigate societal perceptions and self-presentation. Additionally, this lab explores innovative areas such as "place identity," analyzing how individuals’ perceptions of physical spaces intersect with social identities like race and class. Our research consistently integrates critical frameworks like intersectionality, striving to promote positive social change by highlighting structural inequities and contributing to both academic literature and public discourse.

“In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.”

~ Audre Lorde