Challenging the Disparities Default: Reframing and Reclaiming Women’s Power (A Research Review)

This paper shares social science research to explain how the belief that women should have equal access to power may be undermined by the narratives and representations of women as disempowered. Drawing upon frame theory, the paper introduces the concept of “power framing” — counter-stereotypical narratives about the efficacy of women exercising power — as an alternative to the traditional “disparity” and “obstacles” framing traditionally used to critique existing inequalities.

What Are We Up Against? An Intersectional Examination of Stereotypes Associated with Gender

As part of the larger Story at Scale project (2020), Perception Institute contributed this review of research by academic scholars on gender identity and associated stereotypes. As is always our goal, we aimed to bring science to practice: to inform the fight for gender justice among practitioners. While Perception sought to discuss the changing nature…

His Story: Shifting Narratives for Boys and Men of Color

by Alexis McGill Johnson and Rachel Godsil (2018) Drawing upon research from the mind sciences, it discusses the impact of narratives on the brain, strategies for narrative change and narrative expansion, and the creation of an “ecosystem” to advance narrative change. Geared toward funders, this toolkit offers tools and concrete recommendations for grantmaking strategy. The…

The “Good Hair” Study: Explicit and Implicit Attitudes Toward Black Women’s Hair

The “Good Hair” Study: Explicit and Implicit Attitudes Toward Black Women’s Hair (February, 2017) by Alexis McGill Johnson, Rachel D. Godsil, Jessica MacFarlane, Linda R. Tropp, and Phillip Atiba Goff This report presents preliminary findings from the “Good Hair” Study, an original research study conducted by Perception Institute that examined explicit and implicit attitudes toward black women’s hair.

The Science of Equality, Volume 2: The Effects of Gender Roles, Implicit Bias, and Stereotype Threat on the Lives of Women and Girls

by Rachel D. Godsil, Linda R. Tropp, Phillip A. Goff, John A. Powell, and Jessica MacFarlane (October 2016) Perception Institute partnered with the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society and the Center for Policing Equity to produce this report, which synthesizes a wide range of research on the impact of gender roles, implicit gender bias, and stereotype…