Using a social cognition framework, our lab investigates the psychological underpinnings and consequences of gender and racial inequality. We investigate the historical roots of gender and race stereotypes and the processes through which such inequalities are maintained over time. The latter include both blatant (e.g., victim blame, sexual harassment, objectification) and subtle (such as spatial positioning and clothing) mechanisms reinforcing gender and race stereotypes. On a more optimistic note, we also analyze how gender or racial stereotypes and discrimination can be challenged through collective action and bystander interventions. These questions are addressed with different methodological tools that range from big data analysis to ERP studies.
Representative publications
Fasoli, F., Maass, A., Volpato, C., & Pacilli, M. G. (2018). The (female) graduate: Choice and consequences of women’s clothing. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 2401. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02401
Galdi, S., Maass, A., & Cadinu, M. (2017). Defending the Victim of Sexual Harassment: The Influence of Civil Courage and Media Exposure. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 41(3), 338-351. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361684317709770
Guizzo, F., Cadinu, M., Galdi, S., Maass, A., & Latrofa, M. (2017). Objecting to Objectification: Women’s Collective Action against Sexual Objectification on Television. Sex Roles, 77, 352-365. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-016-0725-8
Lamer, S. A., Suitner, C., Maass, A., Caccioppoli, RA. & Halley Pradell (2020). The function of vertical and horizontal space to social group identity. Self & Identity, 20, 774-810. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2020.1785929
Lucarini, A., Suitner, C., Brown, R., Craig, M. A., Knowles, E. D., & Salvador Casara, B. G. (2020). The #MeTooLate Effect: Victim blame and trust denial for sexual harassment not immediately reported. Personality and Individual Differences, 167, 110240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110240