Susan Fiske

Previous chapters have emphasized the importance of individual behavior and group dynamics. This chapter considers the broader context of the science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) organizations in which individual and group interactions and behaviors occur. 1 STEMM organizations exist in many sizes, containing groups and individual people working together to achieve common goals. Here, the committee examines the structural and systemic issues that have contributed to inequalities; organizational antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts; and ways to enact change at this level.The committee relies on several key concepts throughout the chapter. An organization’sculture can be defined as the historically and collectively evolving mix of norms, values, practices, and policies that guides action (Groysberg et al., 2018). Related to organizational culture, the climate of …

HighlightsThe main content of animals’ stereotypes is identified.The animal stereotype approach complements animalized dehumanization.Dehumanization focuses on animals’ affective capacities, abilities, and wildness.Dehumanization also attend to animals’ physical needs, intention, and appearance.The animal stereotype approach dissolves ‘animals’ into diverse images depending on their species. First, we reviewed recent research showing the attributes socially ascribed to different animal species. Next, we discussed how the animal stereotype approach may complement dehumanization by broadening the distinct forms of animalized dehumanization based on 1) intentions (warm, friendly, and harmful), 2) abilities (perceptual and cognitive), 3) physical appearance (size, aesthetic appeal), 4) affective capacities, 5) physiological needs, and 6) domestic–wild nature.

The primary focus of the report so far has been on the experience of minoritized individuals in sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) environments, situated within the larger sociopolitical context of the United States. As discussed in the first four chapters, the evidence has demonstrated that minoritized individuals have faced numerous systemic barriers, including macro-level policies and practices that have negatively impacted their opportunities, representation, and ability to thrive in STEMM careers. This chapter shifts the lens of analysis from an examination of racial bias at the systemic level to an examination of racial bias as it occurs at the individual and interpersonal levels. This chapter addresses the charge in the statement of task on reviewing the research and evidence on the ways in which racism at the individual level impedes STEMM careers for minoritized individuals …

Public policy at Princeton University has flourished with the involvement of psychology research. This chapter illustrates connections by applying psychology research to public policy. As an example, social cognition insights can inform policy  in the domain of prejudice and discrimination. Levels of prejudice show that individuals cannot monitor some of their own responses, so organizations have to safeguard diversity, equity, and inclusion.

People belong to multiple social groups simultaneously. However, much remains to be learned about the rich semantic perceptions of multiply-categorized targets. Two pretests and three main studies (n= 1,116) compare perceptions of single social categories to perceptions of two intersecting social categories. Unlike previous research focusing on specific social categories (eg, race and age), our studies involve intersections from a large sample of salient societal groups. Study 1 provides evidence for biased information integration (vs. averaging), such that ratings of intersecting categories were more similar to the constituent with more negative and more extreme (either very positive or very negative) stereotypes. Study 2 indicates that negativity and extremity also bias spontaneous perceptions of intersectional targets, including dimensions beyond Warmth and Competence. Study 3 shows that the prevalence of …

In the previous two chapters, we examined individual and interpersonal racism from two distinct perspectives, namely the minoritized individual and the gatekeeper. This chapter examines situations where these individuals are brought together, in a team. The way that much science is done today relies on individual scientists training or working together in this way, and in light of teamwork’s central role in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM), the committee here explores the dynamics of numerically diverse teams, describes the challenges that can arise within them, and discusses how STEMM professionals can leverage the potential strengths of diverse teams.The chapter begins by defining teams as a small number of individuals with different roles and responsibilities who interact independently to perform tasks and accomplish shared goals. The research shows that teams are …

This symposium brings together an interdisciplinary group of scholars to examine ethical challenges and opportunities presented by the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. The first two presentations will discuss ethical challenges in algorithm development, including responsible data collection and equitable algorithm design (Bai, Griffiths, & Fiske; Cratsley, Fast, & Boykin). The following two presentations will consider the potential for AI to reduce discrimination, and how people’s biases and resistance to imperfect algorithms prevent us from fully utilizing this capability (Helgason & Effron; Cowgill, dell’Acqua, & Matz). The final presentation will consider issues of ownership and accountability for AI’s creations (Doshi & Hauser). Through these presentations, this symposium aims to stimulate research and dialogue on the responsible use of AI in organizations.

The previous chapters presented evidence on a range of historical and present-day policies, practices, and data collection that have influenced the participation and success of systemically minoritized racial and ethnic groups in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) careers and organizations. Per the committee’s statement of task, this chapter provides evidence from the lived experience and other crucial sources of information beyond traditional quantitative methods. The goal of the chapter is to provide a firsthand account of some of the challenges Black scholars encounter as they navigate in STEMM organizations. The interviews underscore the complex range of experiences, emotions, and situations that confront even the most successful Black scholars. This chapter also provides concrete examples of how the issues identified throughout this report are manifest on a personal …