Fielding Students Win Prestigious RISE Awards at the 2023 Association for Psychological Science Conference

Monica Echols, MPA

Graduate of the Fielding post-baccalaureate program Monica Echols was awarded the prestigious RISE Award for her research, “Some Ethnoracial Groups are More Likely Than Others to Experience Impacts from Microaggressions.”

RESEARCH: Some Ethnoracial Groups are More Likely Than Others to Experience Impacts from Microaggressions

This study examined whether certain ethnoracial groups (i.e., African American, Asian American, Indigenous American, Hispanic/Latinx, mixed race/ethnicity, White) were more likely than others to experience impacts from microaggressions. The results demonstrated that African American participants reported more impacts from racial microaggressions than participants from other ethnoracial groups.

I was drawn to this topic because I have often found myself on the receiving end of microaggressions, having experienced them countless times. As a result of my personal experiences, I can attest to the damage they can cause. There have been instances when I believe that the perpetrator of the microaggression did not realize that their behavior was offensive, but that did not diminish the harm done.

The results gave me a deeper understanding of how microaggressions negatively impact groups such as Asian and Hispanic Americans. Upon further reflection, I came to the realization that I too have been guilty of committing microaggressions against others. It has become increasingly clear to me that it is crucial for us to acknowledge and educate ourselves on this topic, as the repercussions of microaggressions can be detrimental to individuals.

I aspire to gain acceptance into a doctoral program in clinical psychology. One of the reasons why I am so passionate about this field is because I strongly believe that it lacks representation of our national demographics. Therefore, my goal is to become a part of the solution and help create a more diverse and inclusive psychology field. — Monica Echols, MPA

Janelle Bailey

Postbaccalaureate student Janelle Bailey was recognized with a RISE Award Honorable Mention.

Research: Desistance from Adolescent Cyberaggression is Associated with Guilt about Cyberbehavior

We examined the relationship between desistance from adolescent cyberaggression and feelings of regret, disappointment, and guilt. Results indicated a relationship between age of desistance from cyberaggression and disappointment, guilt, and regret, with regret as the strongest predictor. Those who desist reported more guilt compared to those who do not.

La’ Toya Broughton

Postbaccalaureate student La’ Toya Broughton was recognized with an Honorable Mention RISE Award.

Research: Ethnoracial Identity Predicts Identification of Racial and Cultural Microaggressions

Limited research compares perceptions of microaggressions between groups. We examined whether ethnoracial identity predicted the identification of microaggressions. There was a significant multivariate main effect and three significant betweensubjects effects. In general, BIPOC individuals were more likely than White participants to view social interactions as involving microaggressions that cause harm.