����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Just as psychology can help change behavior in response to coronavirus, psychological science leads the social sciences in understanding prejudice, discrimination, bias and intergroup relationships which can help address issues of racial injustice and inequality. Psychologist Jennifer Eberhardt, in her recent book Biased (2019), synthesizes past and current research on the psychological associations between race and crime. Among her research’s findings: African Americans are often dehumanized which leads to violent treatment by law enforcement, police were more likely to identify Black faces as criminal than White faces, and defendants who appeared more stereotypically Black received harsher sentences. Dr. Eberhardt is working with law enforcement to improve policing and build trust within communities, as well as merging technology with concepts from social psychology to improve the criminal justice system. One thing we know is that racism cannot be eradicated just through changing individuals’ biases; institutional and cultural processes must also be changed. As Psi Chi members, you can become involved in transforming your own campus to eliminate monuments to white supremacy, encourage greater diversity of faculty and students, and provide information from psychological science to help those outside our field understand social inequality and its consequences. At an individual level, we know from psychological science that positive contact with others as well as cooperation between groups for a common goal can change biased attitudes and behaviors. Remember the classic “Robbers’ Cave” (Sherif et al., 1961) experiment you learned about in Introductory Psychology? What can you do on your campus and within your network to encourage contact and cooperation between members of diverse groups? In the social sciences in general there is a “last mile” problem; research findings can point to solutions for real life situations, but there is a gap between research and implementation. Psychology IS everywhere, and psychological science DOES have answers. Please join me and Psi Chi to spread our knowledge and help both institutions and individuals use that knowledge to change the world. In the year 2020, we must find ways to meet “the fierce urgency of now.”
References Cacioppo, J. T. (2007, September). Psychology is a hub science. APS Observer, 20(8), 42. Eberhardt, J. L. (2019). Biased: Uncovering the hidden prejudice that shapes what we see, think, and do. Penguin Books. Jordan, J. J., Yoeli, E., & Rand, D. G. (2020, April 3). Don’t get it or don’t spread it? Comparing self-interested versus prosocially framed COVID-19 prevention messaging. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/yuq7x King, M. L. (2001). Beyond Vietnam: A time to break silence. In C. Carson & K. Shepard (Eds), A call to conscience: The landmark speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Grand Central Publishing. Miller, G. A. (1969). Psychology as a means of promoting human welfare. American Psychologist, 24(12), 1063–1075. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0028988 Sailer, M., Stadler, M., Botes, E., Fischer, F., & Greiff, S. (2020, April 9). Science knowledge and trust in medicine affect individuals’ behavior in pandemic crises. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/tmu8f Sherif, M., Harvey, O. J., White, B. J., Hood, W. R., & Sherif, C. W. (1961). Intergroup conflict and cooperation: The Robbers Cave experiment. University Book Exchange. Stocks, E. L., Lishner, D. A., & Decker, S. K. (2008). Altruism or psychological escape: Why does empathy promote prosocial behavior? European Journal of Social Psychology, 39(5), 649–665. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.561
COPYRIGHT © 2020 PSI CHI
MEET YOUR NEW 2020–21
Southwest Regional Vice-President
Lisa Rosen, PhD Texas Woman's University I am currently an associate professor and the director of the Undergraduate Psychology Program at Texas Woman's University. My research focuses on children’s peer relationships. In my current position, I also supervise the graduate teaching assistants in our department, and my program of research has expanded to examine training of graduate instructors. I involve students of all levels in the research process, and encourage my research team to present at both regional and national conventions. During this time, I have continued my involvement with Psi Chi. I currently have the pleasure of serving as advisor of TWU’s Psi Chi chapter. I am also a reviewer for Psi Chi grants and awards as well as for the Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research. In addition, I serve on the regional steering committee and look forward to connecting with Psi Chi members and advisors when SWPA comes to the DFW area this spring.
Structural Inequity Resources What Should You Say When Asked If You See Race? PsychEverywhere Podcast Episode with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum Microaggressions Recording Webinar by Dr. Christina Patterson, Lester Papa, and Alexandra Reveles You See Race, But Do You Want to Talk About It? Eye on Psi Chi (2019) Article by Jennifer Richeson, PhD Four Ways Good Intentions & WellMeaning Behaviors Derail Inclusion Eye on Psi Chi (2018) Article by Kecia M. Thomas, PhD
FALL 2020 EYE ON PSI CHI
5