Join us for our Social Behavioral Interest Group (SBIG) Colloquium on January 22, 2026!
Speaker: Diana Sanchez (Rutgets University)
Title: When Identity is Questioned: Multiracial Identity Contestation and Racial Socialization
Abstract: The number of Americans identifying with more than one racial identity has increased substantially in recent years, yet Multiracial individuals continue to face unique racial challenges in a culture that emphasizes mutually exclusive racial categories. These challenges include having their racial identity questioned and denied. This talk examines how identity contestation shapes Multiracial individuals’ race concept reflection and beliefs as well as their psychological well-being. This presentation also explores how parents socialize their Multiracial children, and whether preparing their children for multiracial-specific racism serves as a protective factor that supports psychological well-being in the face of identity contestation.
The Social Behavior Interest Group consists of members of the university community who are interested in social psychological research. The SBIG supports an active program of visiting speakers. The group meets weekly to hear speakers describe their recent research. Since 1990, SBIG has brought in numerous distinguished visiting speakers. Presentations have included contemporary issues in the study of attitudes, social cognition, prejudice & stereotyping, and also applied research questions in the domains of health and consumer behavior.