Eric Anthony Grollman

Indiana University

Dissertation title: "The Continuing Significance of Discrimination: Multiple Forms of Perceived Discrimination and Health"

Chair: Brian Powell, PhD

Areas: Social psychology, medical sociology, sexualities, race/gender/class, research methods

Website: http://egrollman.com

Email:  egrollma@indiana.edu

Dissertation abstract:

In my dissertation, I investigate the mental, physical, and sexual health consequences of self-reported of experiences of discrimination among youth and adults.  In particular, I assess whether perceived discrimination is comprised of multiple dimensions that drive its effect on health.  Using data from three nationally representative surveys – National Survey of Midlife Development in the US, the Americans’ Changing Lives Survey, and the Black Youth Culture Survey – I find that two dimensions are fundamental in driving the health consequences of exposure to discrimination: the number of forms of discrimination (e.g., race and gender discrimination) and the frequency of discriminatory experiences.

Daniel Herda

University of California - Davis

Dissertation title:  "Hostile Contact: Self-Reports of Interpersonal Discrimination among Blacks, Whites and Latinos in Chicago"

Chair:  Mary Jackman

Areas:  Race and Ethnicity, Quantitative Methods, Immigration, Social Psychology, Attitudes, Public Opinion

Website: http://sociology.ucdavis.edu/people/deherda

Email: deherda@ucdavis.edu

Dissertation abstract:

My dissertation examines reported racial discrimination experiences among adults and adolescents. The contact hypothesis focuses primarily on the types of interactions that reduce racial prejudice. Discriminatory interactions represent an alternative form of contact that may increase prejudice among victims. My research focuses on hostile interactions in an effort to promote a more complete understanding of real world interracial contact.  The work also provides insight into the future of race relations in the U.S. I examine the attitudinal consequences of discrimination among adults, the neighborhood correlates of discrimination among adolescents, and the extent and consequences of discrimination fears among adolescents.

Kimberly B. Rogers

Duke University

Dissertation title: Mapping the Social Ecology of Culture: Social Position, Connectedness, and Influence as Predictors of Systematic Variation in Affective Meaning

Chair:  Lynn Smith-Lovin

Areas: Social Psychology, Culture, Emotions, Social Networks, Quantitative Methods, Economic Sociology

Website:  http://www.kimberlybrogers.com

Email: krogers@duke.edu

Dissertation abstract:

Funded by the National Science Foundation, Kimberly’s research tests the proposition that cultural sentiments are dynamic and structurally contingent, being fundamental to social networks rather than societies. Primary survey data indicate that variation in affective meaning is importantly related to social position and patterns of social connectedness (e.g., diversity in the prestige of social ties, variation in the total number and maximum prestige of social ties). Experimental data suggest that social influence processes can operate on both explicit and implicit social meanings. Influential members of a group deliberation not only shape others’ opinions but also their sentiments for relevant social identities.

Monica M. Whitham

University of Arizona

Dissertation title:  Symbolic Social Network Ties: Motivating Cooperative Collective Action

Chair:  Linda Molm and Joseph Galaskiewicz (co-chairs)

Areas:  Group Processes, Social Networks, Community and Urban Sociology, Organizations, Collective Behavior and Social Movements

Website:  http://www.u.arizona.edu/~mwhitham/

Email:  mwhitham@email.arizona.edu

Dissertation abstract:

My dissertation is a study of social identity and cooperative collective action.  I expand the concept social identity to the collective-level by conceptualizing it as a connecting force—a form of network tie—creating a symbolic social network.  I am conducting two studies to assess the impact of symbolic social network ties on cooperative collective action: 1) an experimental test of the effects of symbolic social network ties, and social identity more broadly, on cooperation in generalized exchange, and 2) an examination of survey data on small town life to assess the relationship between symbolic social network ties and community involvement. 

Jenny L. Davis

Texas A&M University

Dissertation title:  Conditions Affecting the Relationship between Power and Identity Verification Collective Action

Chair:  Jane Sell and Sarah Gatson

Areas:  Social Psychology, Identity, Research Methods, Health, Cultural Sociology, Technology and Society

Website:  http://tamu.academia.edu/JennyDavis

Email:  jdavis4@neot.amu.edu

Dissertation abstract:

My dissertation is an experimental test of the relationship between power and identity processes in task-oriented, power-imbalanced, dyads, looking specifically at the “task-leader” identity. From an Identity Theory perspective, I test the effects of differential power relationships upon identity verification, identity change, and identity work. In addition, I explore the role of identity valence (i.e. positive vs. negative identity meanings). This research yields two main findings. First, those in higher positions of power experience less identity change than their les powerful interaction partners. Second, identity valence significantly affects identity processes, suggesting that the identity control model cannot be applied symmetrically across identity meanings.