The Effects of the Developmental Environment on Racism in Humans
Faculty Mentor
Jonathan Friedel
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
College of Behavioral & Social Sciences
Department
Psychology
Abstract
The effects of the developmental environment on racism in humans
Research suggests discriminatory behaviors may occur due to a lack of racial socialization within White families, and racial socialization has been shown to predict prejudice and discriminatory behavior. Racial socialization is a developmental process where individuals learn about race, ethnicity, and their own racial identities. Approximately 70% of African American adults report experiencing racial discrimination throughout their lives. However, there remains a gap in understanding about the underlying factors that lead others to engage in discriminatory behavior. This study began with an intensive literature review to identify the potential factors that contribute to racial prejudice and discriminatory behaviors among White individuals. These findings are currently being used to build a survey designed to measure how specific upbringing factors (i.e., racial socialization) correlate with racial attitudes towards African Americans and other people of color (POC). The results of this study will be discussed later.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Paradise, Janet W. and Johnson, Arya C., "The Effects of the Developmental Environment on Racism in Humans" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 84.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/84
The Effects of the Developmental Environment on Racism in Humans
Russell Union Ballroom
The effects of the developmental environment on racism in humans
Research suggests discriminatory behaviors may occur due to a lack of racial socialization within White families, and racial socialization has been shown to predict prejudice and discriminatory behavior. Racial socialization is a developmental process where individuals learn about race, ethnicity, and their own racial identities. Approximately 70% of African American adults report experiencing racial discrimination throughout their lives. However, there remains a gap in understanding about the underlying factors that lead others to engage in discriminatory behavior. This study began with an intensive literature review to identify the potential factors that contribute to racial prejudice and discriminatory behaviors among White individuals. These findings are currently being used to build a survey designed to measure how specific upbringing factors (i.e., racial socialization) correlate with racial attitudes towards African Americans and other people of color (POC). The results of this study will be discussed later.
