Dr. Stephanie Fryberg
Associate Professor of Psychology, Associate Professor of American Indian Studies, University of Washington

Reclaiming Native Truths: How Stereotypes and Invisibility Shape Bias towards Native Americans

Social representations shape how people understand both themselves and members of other social groups. For some groups, such as White Americans, these representations are numerous and diverse, thereby affording group members the privilege of moving through the world relatively unencumbered. For other groups, such as Native Americans, these representations are scarce, and when available are stereotypical. Together, the available social representations, and the lack thereof (i.e., invisibility), lay the foundation for prejudice and discrimination against Native people. Through both experimental and national survey data, this talk will examine how both stereotypical representations and the invisibility of contemporary representations (e.g., as educators, politicians, actors) shape non-Native’s beliefs and support for issues affecting Native people. By understanding these processes, we can better work to alleviate contemporary forms of bias against Native people.

Dr. Fryberg's talk is part of her promotion review in the Department of Psychology.