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Moore Lecture during #SICB2021 @SICB_: Stereotype threat & identity threat: The science of a diverse community (by Dr. Claude Steele).
Thread
of this talk
Our society is aiming for "color blindness" but that may blind us to the significance of identity in peoples' lives. 1/
Thread
of this talkOur society is aiming for "color blindness" but that may blind us to the significance of identity in peoples' lives. 1/
As this country was set up, identity was used to decide social constructs and hierarchy.
By being "color-blind" we miss the conditions of peoples' lives and don't adapt to or recognize the systemic conditions that impacted how they were raised, educated, etc. 2/
By being "color-blind" we miss the conditions of peoples' lives and don't adapt to or recognize the systemic conditions that impacted how they were raised, educated, etc. 2/
Stereotype threat: Any time you're doing something, & a negative stereotype about one of your identities is relevant, you could be judged by that stereotype. If that career/etc is important to you, the idea of being judged by a stereotype can be distracting & impactful 3/
This builds pressure for the individual. The fear that you may not be successful or will fulfill the stereotype can (and DOES) impact your performance. 4/
It happens across the board. An example: Black parents don't want their child stereotyped as a poor performer due to skin color. White teacher doesn't want her constructive criticism to be viewed as a racist attack.
These stereotypes challenge TRUST between individuals. 5/
These stereotypes challenge TRUST between individuals. 5/
So how can a white professor give criticism to Black students in a constructive way that can be trusted?
Straight-forward or positive feedback was NOT trusted by Black students. White students trusted it.
Why the difference? Ambiguity. Is it based on my WORK or my STEREOTYPE?6/
Straight-forward or positive feedback was NOT trusted by Black students. White students trusted it.
Why the difference? Ambiguity. Is it based on my WORK or my STEREOTYPE?6/
Our society is complicating feedback for students of color, impacting learning relationships with mentors/professors.
Institutions are trying to diversify with ppl from different experiences, but aren't appreciating how difficult it is to TRUST societal institutions as a POC. 7/
Institutions are trying to diversify with ppl from different experiences, but aren't appreciating how difficult it is to TRUST societal institutions as a POC. 7/
So when was feedback trusted by Black students?
Being treated with high standards and saying they "stepped up and can meet those standards."
This gave them the indication they were given good feedback because of their performance, not their stereotype. 8/
Being treated with high standards and saying they "stepped up and can meet those standards."
This gave them the indication they were given good feedback because of their performance, not their stereotype. 8/
As a person of color coming into a situation, questions like these are common
"Do I belong in this situation?"
"Would my successes be attributed to my ability while my failures attributed to my stereotype?" 9/
"Do I belong in this situation?"
"Would my successes be attributed to my ability while my failures attributed to my stereotype?" 9/
The "color-blind" assumption that we can ignore identity and have our institutions function well is a pivotal question we need to examine.
Is it true?
Can we really ignore identity and stereotypes to diversify our society and institutions?
In reality? No.
10/
Is it true?
Can we really ignore identity and stereotypes to diversify our society and institutions?
In reality? No.
10/
A chem dept has similar output from women and marginalized groups as white men. Why?
Focus on what enables a student to be a good chemist.
Expect high standards but show them how to meet those standards through clear expectations, deadlines, and mentorship. 11/
Focus on what enables a student to be a good chemist.
Expect high standards but show them how to meet those standards through clear expectations, deadlines, and mentorship. 11/
Other departments expect the successful to rise w/o true help & with bias. This doesn't lead to diversity or removing stereotypes.
This is ambiguity & is discouraging to those whose abilities are negatively stereotyped by society. It's invisible to the "color-blind" person. 12/
This is ambiguity & is discouraging to those whose abilities are negatively stereotyped by society. It's invisible to the "color-blind" person. 12/
Some steps:
1. Listen & understand the struggle of those with different identities. Be aware we have biases.
2. High standards and say that they CAN and WILL reach those standards.
3. Concrete pathway to achieve those standards.
4. Persistent support.
5. Establish TRUST. 13/
1. Listen & understand the struggle of those with different identities. Be aware we have biases.
2. High standards and say that they CAN and WILL reach those standards.
3. Concrete pathway to achieve those standards.
4. Persistent support.
5. Establish TRUST. 13/
Everyone, including institutions, can work on these things to work towards gaining trust, increasing diversity, and having successful students. 14/
