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…
Our Brains & Difference: Implicit Bias, Racial Anxiety, and Stereotype Threat in Education
This article examines the impact of implicit bias, racial anxiety, and stereotype threat in education. We use mind science research to help make sense of why, despite dedicated efforts to promote equity in schools, we continue to see disparities in academic outcomes.
Why Race Matters in Physics Class
This article argues that racial diversity in academia enhances innovation and problem-solving, and demonstrates how lack of diversity exacerbates the impact of implicit bias, racial anxiety, and stereotype threat on academic performance of black and Latino students.
#PopJustice, Volume 3: Pop Culture, Perceptions, and Social Change
This report is part of a larger series, #PopJustice, dedicated to exploring the promise and potential of pop culture as an agent of social change.
This report is the research volume – it explores two key questions:
1) Can popular culture be an effective instrument for positive social change?
2) Can popular culture be leveraged in the effort to counter stereotypes and improve attitudes and behavior toward immigrants and people of color?
Evaluation of Halal in the Family web series
This report summarizes the result of a research study, which evaluated the impact of a web series, Halal in the Family, on biases about Muslim Americans. Compared to people who watched a sitcom, those who watched Halal in the Family had less negative explicit and implicit attitudes toward Muslim Americans. The findings suggest that popular media can be used to shift biases and counteract stereotypes.
3 ½ Minutes, Ten Bullets Discussion Guide
This guide is for anyone, particularly educators, seeking to use the documentary 3 1⁄2 Minutes, Ten Bullets as a catalyst for discussion and action. The film documents the story of Jordan Davis, a 17 year-old, and the trial of Michael Dunn, the man who killed him. The guide uses the mind sciences to address the role that race plays in our society, generally, and specifically, the experience and treatment of black men and boys.
