Undergrad_Book_16-18_Pge_View_Print_no print marks_compressed

Selected Projects 2016-18
from the within-category trials is the hallmark of
CP. We predicted that when participants match
to race-related words (compared to pictured endpoints),
they will show increased thresholds (steeper
category transitions). Moreover, the steeper transitions
translated into enhanced CP, as demonstrated
by participants having increased accuracy to the
“between-category” pairs compared to the “within-category”
pairs.
Although similar types of studies and experiments
have been performed, this project is unique in
several key ways. First, no one has performed the
full CP task (both identification and discrimination)
on racial morphs. Second, the facial morphs are
unique and were created specifically for this study
from professional face sets. Third, no one has varied
how (that is to what endpoint) participants match
their choices. Words are almost always used as
anchors. However, in a related CP study of emotion
in the lab, Dr. Fugate and her students showed that
matching to pictured endpoints (rather than words)
increased the transition between categories but
did not change CP. In addition, we will vary the type
of race-related words (e.g. “African American” and
“Black” and “not White” vs. “European American” and
“White” vs. “Not Black”) to see if specific identifiers
affect race perception differently.
Results from the identification portion of this
research showed that language produces significant
effects on race perception. Data analysis is still
underway for the discrimination task, as well as the
survey that participants completed. This project was
presented at both the UMass Amherst Undergraduate
Research Conference and the PSI CHI Research
Conference. It was also awarded second place at the
2018 OUR Undergraduate 3 Minute Thesis competition.
I am grateful to my advisor Dr. Jennifer Fugate
for her guidance and to the OUR for the financial
support needed for this research.
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